Angelic tag tutorial

With a mountain of gift wrapping waiting, I wanted to add some handmade gift tags to my supply stash for easier wrapping.

 

No red and green here ~ something a little nontraditional in color ~ lavender and white.

 

 

 

Actually, it was quite a happy accident.

My toner cartridge was running out of ink and produced lavender images.

I loved the look and decided to keep them.

 

 

To make these, start with regular shipping tags from your local office supply store.

Brush a layer of gesso over them.

It does not have to be perfect - thick or thin layers - have fun with it!

 

Next, brush Tattered Angels Glimmer glaze (tinsel town) over the tag.

I also brushed some over the dress of the angel image.

 

 

Apply Stickles {crystal} to the angel wings.

 

It is hard to see the shimmer of the Glimmer Glaze here.

Can you see a bit of the texture?

Gesso is great for that!

 

 

While those are drying, grab a stash of trim, tulle, feathers

and some dyed coffee filters.

 

I used easter egg dye on these.

Also, if you scrunch the coffee filters while they are wet, they will leave a nice crinkled textured.

 

Die cut or hand cut wings from the coffee filters.

 

 

Snip some book page scraps to adhere to random spots on your tag.

 

Once the book page scrap is on, apply the coffee filter wing to one side.  Layer a smaller feather on top of the wing.

 

Add some dimensional stickers to the back of the image and adhere the image to your tag. 

 

I looped some tulle and white tinsel then tied them both with vintage lace.

 

With a stash of kraft bags and tags, you will have your gifts wrapped in no time!

 

 

Happy wrapping!

xo's ~ Heidi

Blue skies over a pale prairie

 

While sorting through different fabric stacks, I came across a vintage piece of pale blue linen.

It is the perfect base for a project I have wanted to experiment with for a while.

 

~ a vintage inspired pocket pillow

 

 

I chose a gorgeous piece of spider web-like crochet for the pocket and added a cotton rosette with a mother of pearl button for the center.

 

A little drizzle of lace, ribbon and a pearl stick pin . . .

 

A pocket should hold some treasures right?

How about a nicely aged page from a vintage french book and a wedding cabinet card?

 

Or, you could tuck other meaningful treasures inside.

For a bride and groom, maybe their wedding invitation.

For a sweet newborn, maybe a birth announcement.

 

So pretty, like blue skies over a prairie field.

This darling is listed in my etsy shop here.

 

Wishing you blue skies today ~ prairie or not  ;)

xo's ~ Heidi

 

Love letters from the home front

The Patriot Girl, Rosalyn-Sue Smith had asked me to help her put together an art gathering to raise donations for Operation Stars and Stripes, a nonprofit organization supporting our troops overseas and their families here at home.

 

I have many family members and friends who have served or are currently serving in the military.  For Operation Stars and Stripes and the generous people of our great country to support the the men and women who put their lives in harm's way for our freedom is deeply appreciated.  In addition, Rosalyn-Sue is a very dear friend of mine.  I love her to the moon and back.

 

This year, the theme of Love Letters from The Homefront blossomed.

It is very important for people to feel connected with their families and home when they are in unfamiliar places doing extraordinary things. 

 

A simple letter is an incredibly meaningful token - for the hero overseas and for the loved ones here at home.

 

Rosalyn-Sue talked about the dying art of letter writing.

The handwritten notes, cards and letters are some of the simple things I treasure - I really am a nostalgic girl.

 

For the event, we had a champagne bar with various fruit juices and delicious fruit to add to your bubbly.

 

 

 

A few savory treats for our crafty guests.  Thank you to Jon and Walter at the Atlanta Marriott for your outstanding support with this event!

 

 

Our guests were surprised with some "souvenirs from the homefront".

Little nut cups filled with fortune charms, art supply goody packs, and more sweet treats, just to name a few. 

 

 

Our project for the evening was an heirloom quality love letter keeper made from dupioni silk.

We taught the ladies how to make various kinds of roses to adorn their keepers with.

 

In addition, there were gorgeous silk ribbons, beads, baubles and pre-made flowers to let fuel their imaginations.

 

 

It was such a fun night with new and old friends - lots of laughing and sharing memories.

To pause time, ever so briefly, and have these moments with girlfriends is a cherished thing.

More importantly, we collected generous donations to fill stockings for the men and women serving overseas so that they may have a piece of home this holiday season.

 

 

 

We will be hosting another art gathering next year to coincide with the Country Living fair.

If you are interested in attending, let us know!

Of course we will post details as the event draws near.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a beautiful day ~ xo's Heidi

A day at the fair

 

I know.  It has been a while since I have blogged.

 

{hmm, crickets?}

 

It is not that I have forgotten all of you.  I have missed all of my sweet bloggy friends.

 

.  .  . just the varying seasons of life, you know.

I am not going to bore you with the details and junk - that would be like telling you my grocery list and sorting my laundry with you.  Not quite as fun.

 

There are so many good things percolating that I am excited to share with you.

 

Let's go to the good stuff.  :-)

 

Last month, I had the wonderful opportunity to help my friend, Rosalyn-Sue Smith of The Patriot Girl Files, with an artful fundraiser to help Operation Stars and Stripes support our troops serving overseas.

 

The day portion of the art event was taking everyone to shop at the Country Living Fair held in Stone Mountain Park.

 

All of these pics are from my camera phone so please pardon the quality, hehe.

 

Aren't these prize ribbons gorgeous?

 

The horse ribbon was bestowed in the 1950's.  I love the crisp black graphic on the time worn ivory button.

 

The pink McMaster and Storm one was from the $1 bin.

Yes, you heard me correctly. $1!!

 

Could we have dollar bins like that everyday?!

 

 

Both were purchased from Kara Garber of McMaster and Storm.

Kara has such a sweet spirit.  Her booth was filled with ephemera and vintage treasures.

I could have spent hours exploring the bins and nooks of fantastic finds.

 

There was plenty of holiday sparkle to be found.

What more could a girl ask for?

 

 

How about some yummy crochet lace too?!

 

I could have bought the whole box - every one more beautiful than the next.

 

 

Crates of vintage bottles - perfect for holding simple blooms or altering.

 

 

I loved these mannis with wings and crowns.

 

 

And, for my soul sisters who love shabby whites . . .

 

 

Could we cut and paste the whole display into our homes?

 

One of my favorite finds was this mother of pearl cross.

 

 

See that darling little toy phone?

For size comparison - the soap was a normal bar size and the ironstone behind it was a creamer.

Isn't it the cutest?

It almost went home with me - one of those pieces you still think about after the event.

 

 

Beautiful pillows of every sort.

 

 

It was a beautiful day spent with a wonderful group of ladies I adore.

 

Well sweets, that is all of the pics for now.

I will post more about the art event next!

 

xo's ~ Heidi

Tag treasure

Dreaming of fall, I pulled out some chocolate freshwater pearls and pale grey glass Czech beads for some autumn inspiration.

 

(sidebar - YAY! college football!)

 

I wanted something with a little industrial chic edge ~ junky, yet still elegant?

 

 

 

I remembered I had an old locker tag I found while treasure hunting.

You know when something speaks to you ~ the right look, the right patina ~ treasure in the making

 

The locker tag became the base of a collector's pendant ~ rosary chain tag, Mary medal and rhinestone remnant

 

 

Originally, this was supposed to be a bracelet.

 

Tinkering and rearraging later . . .  

 

necklace it is.

 

 

Are you ready for pumpkin spice latte's, hoodie sweaters and college football?

 

Bring it!

 

xo ~ Heidi

Tiny treasures from the sea

I am still savoring the last dog days of summer and one of my favorite collections - sea shells.  Somehow, I still don't want to put them away.  The ocean in the dead of winter is quite perfect to me.

Some of my favorite shell treasures are the wee ones.  Collected and nestled in a vintage butter pat, I almost wish I could encase them in glass like this.

 

 

My favorite is the abalone shell - incredibly tiny, barely bigger than a quarter with a huge flash of rainbow iridescence.  Maybe I will hold onto these a little longer, mixed with some jingle bells?

 

I hope your summer has been sweet!

xo ~ Heidi

Sparrows and ice cream

Many humid and hazy Georgia evenings, you can witness the dance of sparrows swooping and diving to catch a quick meal before night time falls.  With stunning accuracy and acrobatic moves, they pluck mosquitos in a graceful dance.

While working on a necklace, I was inspired by the sparrows swooping in to get a quick treat.

Dangling from a layer of cafe colored pearls, a little sparrow has a white bloom with a polished czech bead.

Below the sparrow is draped another strand of AB polished glass, creamy czech crystals, freshwater pearls and a repurposed rhinestone pin. 

I love the creamy iridescent czech beads!

Digging through more pins, I found a sweet rhinestone wreath pin adorned with a simple bow.

This one reminds me of neopolitan ice cream!

Vanilla czech glass, strawberry colored glass beads, roze quartz, milk chocolate pearls, freshwater pearls and vintage beads mix for a sweet confection.

I added a smaller pin for some extra sparkle - you can never go wrong with extra sparkle, haha.

Dangling from the clasp is a vintage drop pearl.

For the cherry on top, I added a dangle to the wreath made of crystal AB bead, white glass flower and a shimmering faceted czech bead.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer!

xo ~ Heidi

A Chenille-arella story

Finding yummy vintage textiles can be alot like a Cinderella story.

If the piece has holes or stains, it might get cast aside without a second glance.

Some pieces still have so much good left in them.  The holes and stains can be snipped off with plenty of great fabric left to use.

Take a second glance and look for the good.

This is a flea market bag I recently made, mixed with a hodgepodge of vitage fabrics.

Sorry for this terrible phone pic!

This is the girl in progress - flap and straps not yet attached.

I used a super soft vintage chenille blanket, pompom trim and a cotton damask tablecloth for the ruffle.

Inside, she is lined with a vintage sheet and the tablecloth for pockets.  Again, sorry for the poor phone pic, ha.

A little bibbity, bobbity, boo

I pinned a linen rosette and doily to the front.

I am not settled yet on which combination I want to use to adorn her but this is what I am going with for now.  What can I say, I am a bit fickle about some things.

This girl has plenty of room to tote whatever may be needed on flea market days ~ and then some!

Out of a crazy mix of fabrics, she is my favorite flea market bag.

Do you have any favorite fabric rescues?

Thank you for stopping by!

xo ~ Heidi

Caged Hollywood Beauty

The talented Molly Jacobs of Fleur De Bee  both designed and assisted in the production of a 2012 Emmy VIP Awards party.  In this role, she seeks out unique finds and talented artists to sponsor goody bags for the event. 

She also has hosted numerous give aways to share her finds and sponsors with all of us!

Rochelle Gaukel of What Lola Wants Lola Gets is one such artist whose jewels was showcased in this Hollywood event.  If you get the chance, you must stop by her blog to see her incredible work!

When I saw Rochelle's gorgeous birdcage and nest necklace on Molly's blog, I quickly tossed my name in the hat, fingers crossed.

I am beyond excited to say I was selected as one of the winners for her stunning jewelry!!

Her work is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!

Beautiful details - I adore the sparrow charms and freshwater pearls.

The detail on the chain is amazing too - twisted, antiqued brass beads.

Check out her soldering work on the birdcage pendant - incredible!

Thank you Molly and Rochelle!!

I am completely smitten with this beauty and can't wait to wear it!!

Molly regularly hosts giveaways for various events and shares her beautiful art on her blog, Fleur De Bee.

Please stop by to say "Hi" and tell her I sent you!!

xo's sweet sugahs ~ Heidi