Handyman's Holiday Blog Hop~

HI guys!!! 

Thanks for joining us for the Handyman's Holiday Blog Hop

Make the rounds and be inspired!

The challenge put before us was to alter a paint brush.  I've never tried that :) kinda of scary too.

But here we go. Hope you enjoy!!

I had such a fun time creating this.  I started out going in one direction and turned out doing completely different techniques and using different colors.  I wanted a shabby chic look and I think I accomplished that.

Gesso handle and then paint with color.

I used stencils and modeling paste to create texture on the handle. I added different colors of modeling paste, with my fingers, rubbing it into the grooves of the brush.  I kept doing this until I achieved the "look" I wanted.  You know the one~ when you say , that's it!!!

I wanted this altered paint brush to double as a pin board.  So I kept that in mind while

 I was creating. I needed a way to display the brush because I wouldn't be using the
 handle as a hanger (it would be upside down).

I came up with this~

 This is the way I will display my altered brush.  I can change out the photo but I really love this one. I "give thanks" for them every day. Such a blessing to us!!

 And here is a closeup of the embellishment collage~
Quick Quotes PowderPuff Chalk ink was used to shade the leaves and the "6" embellishment showcased on the front of the altered paint brush.  I used Helmar 450 to adhere the elements.

Products used:

DecoArt / gesso, modeling paste, paint.

Viva/modeling creme (orange, gold and cream color)

Stencils: Crafters Workshop, Clear Scraps.
Quick Quotes PowderPuff Chalk inks

Helmar 450 

Prima

Tim Holtz

Buttons Galore & More (in jar)

Maya Road/Ken Oliver embellishments 

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Next stop is Joan Borgelt ~ The Gov's Place.
If you get lost you can return to hop by going to D's Paper Studio.
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You can see the "Be Inspired Giftaway" (prize pack) at D's Paper Studio.
Four winners will be chosen from all the comments, on all the blogs, along the hop.
 Winners will be drawn via Random.org and announced on Tuesday, October 10th
 at D's Paper Studio.
A BIG Thank You to all of our our awesome Sponsors ~

Quick Quotes, Heartfelt Creations, Helmar and D's Paper Studio.
Thanks for stopping by~
Connie

Sunglasses Shaker key ring with Clear Scraps~

Hi, Connie here with a fun project using the Sunglasses Shaker by Clear Scraps.  These Shakers are so fun to create and Clear Scraps has many styles to choose from.  If you are like me, you want one of each.


The Shakers are easy to put together.  Each Shaker design comes with instructions on how to assemble.  They can be painted, inked or covered with pattern paper.  I chose to cover the back piece and the frame with pattern paper.  Using an X-acto knife works great.  Sand the edges off, using sand paper, and it is ready to add the sequins. Insert a small piece of felt, to make a loop, for the key ring and glue down all layers together.  I clip the edges down and let dry.


Add the ring through the felt loop.  Decorate and embellish, the Sunglasses Shaker, and all that is left to do is add those keys and charms.

Products used:
Clear Scraps: Sunglasses Shaker
Clear Scraps: Sequins Princess 
Clear Scraps: Sequins Ocean (the green only)
other:
Beacon Quick Grip
Buttons Galore & More
Prima
felt
Thanks for stopping by~
Connie Mercer/DT Member

Try It Tuesday~ Butterfly Garden Border stamp by Darkroom Door

Hi guys!

As I promised my creation using one of the Darkroom Door Border

 stamps called Butterfly Garden.  I was really curious how the border stamps would stamp, so I just started stamping on white cardstock. 

 I stamped one row and then another, and another, until I had stamped the entire sheet.

The front of the journal took three rows.  The stamped paper was adhered to the front of the journal, edges sanded and then shaded with Quick Quotes PowderPuff Chalk ink/Midnight Confessions. 

The front is speckled  with Tumble Dye/Black by S.e.i. and Dylusions Ink Spray/Lemon Zest.

I'm sure you are wondering about the gorgeous butterflies~

let me talk you through it!

I watched a tutorial from Richard Garay and had to try to make them. Darkroom Door has a Eclectic/Butterfly that is similar to the one he used in his tutorial, so I knew this was possible. The technique is a 3D technique (can't find it to share) but I viewed it on Facebook.

I'm going to explain how it is done~

1. Using 3 shades of ink, spread (in a V shape) one under the other, on a piece of white cardstock. Just take the ink pad right to the paper. The paper size about 5" wide x 10" long.  The ink space needs to be larger enough to stamp the butterfly on.

2. Stamp the butterfly on the ink space with Archival/Black ink.

3. Fold the paper in thirds and glue (liquid, white paper glue) them together. That will give two layers of cardstock plus the layer the butterfly is stamped on.

3. Cut the butterfly out while the glue is still wet. That is the key.

4. Shape the butterfly, to give it dimension, like it is in flight.

5. When it is dry, seal the butterfly with an acrylic sealer.  I did 4 coats on mine. ( in the tutorial, he did 8 coats)

6. I speckled mine with yellow acrylic paint and added a center to the butterfly.

They take a little time but are so worth it.  I will list the butterfly I used from Darkroom Door in the supply list but it is this one~

There was enough stamped border paper left over that a book mark was created.

Supplies used:

Stamps:Darkroom Door: Butterfly Garden Border stamp, Eclectic/ Butterfly and Enjoy the Ride

Ink: Ranger Archival/Jet Black, Fern Green, Red Geranium and Saffron. Quick Quotes PowderPuff Chalk ink/Midnight Confessions. Dylusions Ink Spray/Lemon Zest. S.e.i /Tumble Dye/Black.

Embellishments: Prima: buttons. Divine Twine:yellow.

Liquid Glue: Multi/Tombow

Other:

acrylic sealer

college composition book 

Thanks for stopping by~

Try It Tuesday~ Remember those game cards?

Hi guys!

Thanks for stopping by today for Try It Tuesday.

Do you remember these~

I wanted to use two of them for a front and back cover to make a score keeping book, for games. 

I used some old notebook paper and cut the paper down to fit the size of the cards.

Then I used the Bind-It-All machine to complete the process of making a ring bound book.

Then the fun part begins~decorating the front!

Supplies~

October Afternoon, Prima, twine, Jenni Bowlin, Jillibean Soup and

 Vintage game card.

Just for fun~I added a pocket to the back, for those winning game cards!

~

Hope you are inspired to find a front and a back and make a book~

If you don't have a way of binding the book, use rings.  

See ya soon~

Linked at~

LESSology Challenge #46: Typeface

Craft Crossing goodies~Authentique and more!

Hi guys!

A really quick post~

I'm using some new goodies I purchased at Craft Crossing last week.

Just to name a few~

Authentique, Maya Road,  Pebbles and Prima.  I used Coal Miner by

 Quick Quotes to shade the wooden bird and around the pattern paper.  

I love this picture~makes me smile!

Our #1st granddaughter and our #5th grandson!

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Tomorrow~

Try It Tuesday~ Burlap pins!

Hi guys!

Time for Try It Tuesday~

I have made these burlap pins before, but I really love arranging embellishments into

 something pretty:) so I made them again.  This time they were for a school fundraiser.

BTW~ they look awesome on a denim shirt !

The burlap flower is by Canvas Corp.  Other embellishments are by

 Maya Road and Prima.  

Mostly Maya Road and Prima on these two.  I think they make the 

best embellishments for this type of project.

Hot Glue to put them together!

When you make these, just use what you have~all of those bits & pieces

 work great for this. Just tuck them in to make a cluster!

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I'm working on a really fun project, so see ya

 next Tuesday~should be ready by then:)

I also did some scrapbooking, really!!!

See ya soon~

Quick Quotes ~ inspiration from quotes!

Hi Connie here with my first post for Quick Quotes.  I'm so excited to be sharing with you a decor piece, using the Quick Quotes Family Bundle as my inspiration.

Instructions~

1. Cover wood block ( 5 x 7) with the Celebrate paper.

2. Ink around all edges with Coal Miner ink.

3. Double mat the quote card found in the Family Bundle.

4. Ink around the edges with Coal Miner.

5. Ink the date frame (Bag o' Chips) Coal Miner also.

6. Cluster Metal flower by Quick Quotes next to date frame.

7. Adhere all embellishments to frame.

8. Add spool knob to top for decoration.

9. Use a stick pin to add photo strip.

Products used can be found in the Quick Quotes store.

Thanks for stopping by~

Connie Mercer

Only one sheet of acrylic ~ Clear Scraps!

Hi guys!

I did these projects for Clear Scraps.  I wanted to show how easy it is to use one

 sheet of 12 X 12 acrylic, instead of glass, to frame a photo or altered project.

  First up~

I clipped a sheet of acrylic, over the scrapbook page ( to protect it from "little hands" ).  Very cute wall art decor and so affordable:)

Next up~

A photo frame/display piece (Prima) ~ I wanted this to be more of a shadow box type frame so I added the acrylic to enclose the frame.

I added "memorabilia" to the frame also.

40 years of marriage :)

~

I made a pencil shading of the opening and that is how I measured as to what 

size and shape the acrylic needed to be.  Using my scissors, I cut the shape out of a 12 X 12 acrylic sheet by Clear Scraps.  The back of this frame comes off and that

 made it easy to fit the acrylic front in place.

I secured the picture on the back plate, filled my bits and pieces in  and then closed it up.

The embellishments around the frame are made using stamps by Darkroom Door.

Also used are Jenni Bowlin Studio (paper), Tim Holtz and Ranger (ink).

I great keepsake celebrating 40 years together!!
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Linked at ~ Paper Issues: Painting by the Numbers with Waffle Flower Crafts

Try It Tuesday~Bingo Card Art!

Hi guys!

I have another Bingo card for Try It Tuesday!!!

I love taking this from this~

to this~ paid $4 ( I think)

Supplies are~

Prima

Basic Grey

Maya Road

Imagine Crafts

Momenta (sticker)

Vintage clip

Vintage Bingo card

I wanted something unique to display for Thanksgiving and this said it all~

So Very Thankful

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Thanks for stopping by for Try It Tuesday.

Fun to see what you can make out of something that catches your eye~

Try It!!!!

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Linked up to~Paper Issues~Get Your Game on with Paper Issues
Linked up to~ My Salvaged Treasures

Try it Tuesday~remember the tart tins?

Hi guys!

Well do you, remember the tart tins?

I always have a stock pile of these cuties.  So many cute little gifts you can make,

 that  SCREAM ~ thinking of you.

You can buy these, all day long, at Antique Stores and re-sale shops.  I see them

 for about $5 for a stack of them. 

 This is what I made with six of them~

The photo booth people are by Darkroom Door.  I love the faces :) I used twine, dried flowers and a saying.

I hot glued a magnet on the back.  These would look darling in a muslin bag (could even stamp on it) or a clear bag.  Even an envelope~

Would have loved to here the stories, these folks had to tell:)

Thanks for stopping by~
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Linked at~ Make It Monday #11

See ya soon~

Try It Tuesday~re-purposed window frame!

Hi !!!!!!

I'm so happy to be sharing this project with you today.. It has been on the back burner for weeks~

I found this window frame at my back door  few months ago.  My niece had shared a  "junker find" with me :)

I left the paint alone and just cleaned it up.  The caulking was cracked and falling off the 

 window~kinda made a mess, but love how it all came together. 

It is decorated very simple~I like a more primitive style.  It has two strings of jute across the center,

 to hang the photo's or cards from. Even kid art would look great on this.

The embellishments are by Maya Road, Prima and Tim Holtz.  The back board is cardboard covered in Kraft paper.  I didn't have enough burlap (my first choice) to cover the back board so ended up going with the Kraft paper.

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and I got to meet Evie E. A crafty, blogger, JBS fan in August.   She came to my area (Texas) and we meet at Craft Crossing~
Love to meet people that I'm friends with online :):) She is the sweetest person:):)
Thanks Evie :)

Thanks for stopping by~

Still waiting for our new bundle #6 :)

Hope it won't be much longer (waiting is hard)