Distress and Grunge

In one of my recent posts several comments were wondering about the Zutter Distressing tool and also grunge board. So I thought I would answer those inquires . I purchased the Zutter Distressing tool ( Distrezzer ) a few months ago, make distressing things go a lot faster when you are making a lot of things . They cost around $35 to $40. Has a little button on the side , hold it in and away it goes as you slide your papers through. Mine has little black scuffs on the top , it was like that when it arrived, made me sad , but I didn't want to send it back and wait ! I guess I am impatient !

I have to apologize for the really really bad example for distressed tags, just could not get a good photo, but has a tag before and after , it does a great job in distressing edges on any kind of paper. Makes it look thicker ! Grunge board has been around for quite awhile , by Tim Holtz. You can buy pre- cut shapes or cut your own , I cut a lot of mine in my cuttlebug. A package is usually around $8.00 if I remember right !!!

It is very flexible and you can do just about anything to it, sand it ,paint it & whatever your little heart desires, it can take it ! A great embellishment on so many projects.So it is a lot of fun to work with ! I cut out some flower shapes from the Tim Holtz Alterations die , I then stamped each flower with a french text stamp,

To add color I just used a stamp pad ( I used Tim Holtz stamp pad) , your fingers will get messy , but that's half of the fun !

When done with that I also used a little glimmer mist for some sparkle ! When done you just curl the edges with a pencil or dowel to give them some shape. Just have fun creating !!

Joining Paperie Party !

Paper .... love it ! So many things to create from it ! I am joining in on the Paperie Party over at The French Cupboard. This past week I have created some altered cans using some vintage French postcards from The Graphics Fairy !Also working on some tags, photo is at the top , this is a larger one ! Has a birdcage die cut from Tim Holtz .

made paper flowers for some other projects :

And I made some tags for my youngest daughter's birthday ( was yesterday) she turned 25 !
Off to check out all of the other blogs that have joined in on the Paperie Party ! Thanks to The French Cupboard for hosting this !
Have a fabulous & creative weekend everyone !

Vintage Postcards !!

Stopped over at the Graphics Fairy the other day and saw this post ... Swoon is right ! I love old postcards ( found here), thanks so much Graphics Fairy for posting them !! So of course I had to print them off !! I printed two sizes on cardstock. I already had some tin cans waiting to be altered into something much better !! So I got various papers and treasures to embellish with. I distressed the edges of each postcard with my Zutter , makes it so quick & easy !

I like how it gives a distressed look on the edges , I also used some chalk on the edges before I put the postcard on the can . I added different little embellishments , some were little rolled edge flora , very easy and quick to do

When I was all done with my cans I used a hammer and my trusty little awl to make clean holes on the sides and attached wire for handles. I also used some grungeboard on some of the tins , vintage papers, and various brads.

So I am linking with The Graphics Fairy today on brag Monday ! Hope you have a fabulous & creative day !!

Somerset Home

Went to my mail box today and waiting for me was the new Somerset Home magazine !

It is full of so many wonderful and creative art works ! And was so thrilled to have two of my things featured ! One was a repurposed ( it seems like everything I do is repurposed ) wood container done in vintage sheet music papers .

And also one of my Altered Wire Dress Forms in the gallery.

I have been working and working on trying to get inventory made for the up coming Junk Fest ! I am so thankful , my sister in law is taking my place tomorrow so I can have the whole day off to work on things ! Everyday I go over to my parents to help care for them , we also have a live in caretaker for them but I go for the afternoons and also make them there dinner every evening . They are 90 and 98 , so they are doing good considering there age !

The posted photos are of some magnets I made out of buttons ! I have lots and lots of buttons , I think they look like candy ! In the Somerset Home there is an article by Roni Berg with button magnets too ! BonBons , a great term for the little delights !

I Have Been So Very Bad !

Where are the days going? I have been so bad about posting ! Seems like I no more start the day and poof , didn't get half of what I needed to get done accomplished ! So I am hoping to be better at posting !

This is a little treasure I just listed in my Etsy shop and Lollishop stores ! A banner to hang in your studio to inspire you ! Made using a vintage wood hanger!

Made with various papers , some vintage . In the center of the hanger a posey made from vintage fabrics and more ! Love the vintage rhinestone button in the center , just enough bling ! Have a wonderful weekend everyone !!

Funky and Fabulous Finds

Have come across some fabulous finds , thought I would share some of them with you ! I came across this wonderful old box ....lifted it and ...wow inside it is full of metal letters for a sign. These would be great in altered art , or even in home decor ! A lot of letters all in various sizes!

Found these vintage science lab flasks ! Love the tallest one , has an adorable little glass stopper also , the design of these is so simple , yet has the potential to make a great statement on a shelf or table scape !

Do you love wine?? A wicker wine case , ready to carry on an afternoon outing ! How cute is that?

Old buttons !! My eyes seem to search these out all the time , What is it about old buttons , seems like they can tell a story all of there own ! Love the carved buttons in this tin I got full of a bunch of "stuff" !

Vintage ( well somewhat vintage) aviation log book , I love the images , great for altered art projects !! Fabulous colors !

Have a wonderful week ! Summer has been so busy that my posting is now & then whenever I can fit one it , hope you are having a fabulous summer !!

Flying By !!!

Is it just me or anyone else seems as though the days just fly by & poof, only so many hours in a day & only so much accomplished !! With summer here it is always more time needed for yard work , which I could be outside in my yard all day doing some project if I had the time ! One of my son's moved out of town so that was a lot of work to pack up his house , sad to have him move but he travels so much with his job that this was a good move for him to make his life a little easier! As mom's we have to learn to let go all the time , and I will admit , Iam a big baby when it comes to that ! So with all that life dishes out I would like to order up some extra energy & a few more hours I guess ! Love my little dish I purchased at a yard sale , the little birdies are just too sweet ! Sorry for the bad photo !

I also wanted to share some pic's of my wonderful goodies I received from Starrydeborah ! Be sure to visit her blog here and she also has two shops on Etsy , her French & Shabby Chic shop and her other shop with tussie mussies , eclectic creations and wedding treasures ! She had a giveaway awhile back & I was lucky enough to be a winner of one of her boxes of treasures !

The sweetest little frame to use in a project , and my all time favorite, buttons ! Never can have too many of those !! and look at those tins, just too adorable ! The little bottle will definitely get altered ! And poker chips , what fun they will be to work with !! A vintage wood "basket" that will hold some treasures !Gotta make some time now to go play !

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend !