Authentic Beauty....DeStash #3

It's time for more de-stashing and this week it's all about those teeny, tiny Prima flowers that came in those amazing milk bottles. I didn't physically count how many of those little suckers were in the bottle but I guesstimate around a million. Yes, it was definitely time to start using those.

I am also using #2 of the 3 metal frames from Prima. When I first bought this frame I knew I wanted to use it to feature a photo of my daughter, Breanna. I then went through  my stash of flowers & metals bits and made sure my hot glue gun was plugged in.

I also grabbed this brand new die cut from Southern Ridge Trading Company.

 It's so beautiful as a wreath but I needed it to frame the outer edge of my frame so I cut it apart.

I then stained it, and applied some my favourite Hot Stuff Embossing Powders from Emerald Creek Craft Supplies. I used mostly Burnt Coppers Leaves  with just a sprinkling of Oil Rubbed Bronze.

I then started gluing on those teeny Prima flowers. And I kept gluing. And gluing. I still have a tonne of those suckers left.

 Just before starting to assemble my frame I stenciled the removable back 

with inks and paint just to add a bit more depth.

I used a lot of little bits of bobs including a few Flower Link Charms from Emerald Creek. 

Here is finished frame.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today!

~~stay crafty~~

Christmas Sweater Inspired Advent Calendar - Festive Project for Emerald Creek Design Team

It's the end of November and my thoughts are turning to all things Christmas.

Cards & gift tags to make, gifts to wrap, meals to plan and all that decorating!

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than to make & decorate a 25 Day Advent Calendar.

Each box is like a tiny piece of art and I love how this one turned out.

I was initially inspired by this package of paper from Carta Bella called Warm & Cozy. Isn't is dreamy! Then I decided to combine it with an 8x8 pad of Yuletide from Tim Holtz.

These advent calendars are handmade - my dad builds the wood box out of MDF and then I make the smaller boxes from chipboard. I have bought the advent calendars available on the market in the past but these are so much more sturdy.

I painted the outside of the box with a mix of bright red and burnt sienna acrylic paint - at about a 2:1 ratio. I didn't mix the paints completely as I wanted the brown of the burnt sienna to be visible as streaks throughout the red.

Each smaller box was painted with Peeled Paint Distress Paint on the outside and a wash of burnt sienna on the inside.

I then used the Holiday Knit Layering Stencil from Tim Holtz and Fired Brick Distress Ink to apply the design on all sides of the MDF box.

I then glued squares of the paper on the front of each box as well as lined the back and bottom sides of the boxes on the inside.

Once I found enough handles & drawers pulls and other bits & bobs it was time to start decorating.

I used the Alphabet thinlit die from Tim Holtz/Sizzix and a sheet of gold adhesive backed deco sheets from Tim Holtz Idea-ology. 

 I traced around the numbers with my hickory smoke distress marker just to add a bit of shadow.

I was so excited to finally use my snowflake charms from Emerald Creek Supplies. These metal alloy charms are gorgeous! I used alcohol inks in various shades of brown to give them a vintagy look.

Check out the Victoria Snowflake Charm & Mini Snowflake Charm.

I also used a Buckle Charm for a drawer pull. It was the perfect size and looked great after I used alcohol inks to add some colour.

I know I have said it before but I am in love with the Exclusive Line of embossing powders from Emerald Creek Crafts. This time I used the Soft Fallen Snow. I first used it on the words Let It Snow. I just love the texture and the tiny flecks of sparkle is perfect.

 I also used the Soft Fallen Snow on the Stacked Snowflakes - I first covered them with Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint and while it was still wet I sprinkled the embossing over it. I just love the look of it after the paint dried ans cracked. I finish it off I gently inked the edges of the snowflake with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

I also used this embossing powder on a couple of scrap pieces of torn white cardstock.  This made a nice little 'snowdrift' for my Crazy Bird.

Here is my finished 25 day Advent Calendar - already to go for December 1st.

 For more Festive inspiration check out the projects from the rest of the Emerald Creek Design Team

Karon - Karon's Krafty Korner
Diana - missusgmoments
Cathy - Amethyst Dragonfly's Alcove 
Katelyn - A Creative Journey

Now that you are feeling festive head on over to the Emerald Creek Dares blog for the new Festive challenge. Share your Festive projects with us for a chance to win a $25 credit to the online store.

Thank you so much for dropping by my blog today!
I appreciate you taking the time and leaving a comment.

More Tim Holtz Inspired Tags

I loved Tim's techniques for his November tag that I decided to make a bunch of mini tags that I knew I would eventually need for gifts this year.

I started by die cutting my 15 mini tags out of a jumbo manila tag.

These are about 2"x 3" and I think this is a Spellbinders die.

I used a variety of Stampers Anonymous stamps for my backgrounds with Picket Fence Distress Paint applied with a brayer.

Now my favorite part - I love applying the Distress Sprays and seeing the 

how the paint resists the stain.

After applying Vintage Photo Distress Ink to the edges it was time to add the gold foil.

Finally after adding my watercoloured mini blueprint stamped images and
my tag were done!

I now have a bunch of tags ready to added to gifts this year!
I feel like I am one step closer to feeling organized.

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

~stay crafty~

Challenges Entered:
Anything But Cute: It's Ornamental
Mixed Media World: #9 Anything Goes 
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes 
Tim Holtz: 12 Tags Of 2015 - November 
That Crafty Place: Anything Goes Mixed Media