Upcycled candle pot

Over on the PaperArtsy blog, the theme is Shades of White .I entered the other day with a card and, on the same theme, created a pot for Pot pourri, using a candle container that was used up.
Its a fairly large container that burned with 3 wicks and while cleaning it out I thought that it would be a good idea to bling it up for Christmas.
I glued some pearl decor ribbon around, which I had bought to cut up strips of pearls to dangle from Headbands, to sell at the school fair and then added layers of lace and ribbon, with a heart from music paper , some fibres and a few jewels.
I stamped some of Emma Godfrey's so useful words from her EEG12 range of Christmas stamps and sentiments and dotted them around inside the pot amongst the Pot Pourri.

Last minute entry to the PA challenge!

Green journal page

Over on the That's Crafty blog their new theme is Greens. To be honest, they are not often my go to colours, but I really enjoyed playing with them.

I chose a selection of PaperArtsy fresco chalk paints for my background and added some Green Archival stamping.

I chose Carabelle stamps by Birgit Koopsen and stamped them onto some background paper. I drew some stems and added some extra colour around the stems. I added some smaller stamps in the background and stamped a sentiment.

I am entering this into the That's Crafty challenge.

White Winter Wishes

Over on the PaperArtsy blog the new topic is "Shades of White". Fabulous. Needed to join in and have been simmering a few ideas. Great inspiration from the wonderful presentation and designers.
However, when Bryan submitted an entry he sparked me off, and when I saw a piece from Diana Taylor this morning on her blog, I was moved into action.

I chose a square design and embossed a white background with snowflakes.
Next, I assembled some lace, doilies, flowers, threads etc and set to work arranging them. (not my best skill!)
I decided to use some sheet music to add some contrast and cut out a heart shape.
I banged it all together....I am so technical and precise....not!
I tied a bow using some beautiful silk chiffon ribbon and finished off with a quote from EEG12, Emma Godfrey's so useful Christmas stamp, Winter Wishes, which is heat embossed in white onto silver card.
I enjoyed making this card and will probably make a few more now that I have a plan.
I shall enter this into the PaperArtsy Challenge.

Natural forms in pastel

Over on the Stamps and Stencils blog, the new challenge is using Pastels.
I liked this idea and decided to join in.

I recently saw an idea for showing off dried flowers and leaves which appealed to me and here is my first attempt....a card.

I began by selecting some fern leaves and dried Astrantia seedheads from my large collection of pressed flowers and leaves. I can never go anywhere without returning with something to press between pages of a weighty tome.

I used heavy card and persuaded them to stick down with some persistence and trusty Matte medium.

Next, 2 layers of gesso. loads of possibilities arise after this stage.

Then I covered it all by stippling paint using a stencil brush. I used Paperartsy fresco chalk paint in Antarctic, Mermaid and Lilac.
When dry, I stencilled some butterflies using a mix of the chalk paints mentioned and added a little Amethyst.
I chose one of Lin Browns lovely stamps from ELB05, not the whole stamp, but enough to convey the lovely verse.
To complete my card, I brushed treasure gold over the flowers and leaves and created a frame with distress inks.
Double mounted onto a card I feel that it sits prettily. I hope that you like it too.
My pressed flowers are now going to gradually dwindle as I experiment more with this technique.

Very happy to join in with the Stamps and Stencils challenge.