Feathered Friend Altered Journal Class

Hi friends!  I hope everyone has had a lovely start to their summer.

I am excited to share pics for the a new class I am teaching at Sweet Southern Salvage which is also hosted by Laurie of 42nd Ave. Antiques.  Both are located in the Broad Street Mill antique mall of Griffin, Ga.

Recently, we were watching a cardinal bird couple snapping up bugs and feeding them to their almost grown chicks.  This inspired me to make a feathered friend journal.  I love the vintage image of the chaffinch and its beautiful melange of colors.

We will have the opportunity to play with some paints made especially for paper, inks, ephemera and all sorts of fun bits!

Additionally, I have a stash of some lovely speckled feathers to tuck behind the swag of Prima blooms.

If you have some feathers or trinkets that you have gathered and would like to include, bring those too!

Adding elements that are meaningful to me makes a project all the more special.

  The class is scheduled for Friday, June 27th at 6pm.  It will be a fun evening of crafting and fellowship.  I hope you can join us!

Thank you for visiting!

xo ~ Heidi

Vintage ephemera ATC swap

 Kimberly at ArtJoyStuff hosted a vintage ephemera ATC swap.

Given my love of vintage paper, I happily signed up for it!

We were asked to submit three ATC's using vintage ephemera.

In return, I received wonderful, tiny pieces of art.

The first is from Maggie Raguse.

I love the darling image she used.  My favorite element is the paper rosette - beautiful!

Next, was a sewing inspired ATC by Sherry.

Sewing is one of my loves so I was very tickled to receive this one.

Sherry even used a sheet of vintage sewing instructions to make the envelope.

Lastly, I received a french inspired ATC from Liz.

I love the charming graphics and tiny rosette.

Thank you ladies for your wonderful, tiny works of {heART}!

Kimberly is a sweetheart of a hostess.

She sent each of us this beautiful tag with charms.

Thank you Kimberly for hosting a fun swap!

Here is one of the ATC's I had submitted. 

Unfortunately, I did not snap pics of the other two.

I enjoyed working with vintage wallpaper and ephemera bits.

Here is a shot from the "Constance" vintage adornment class I taught.

Sorry the pic is so grainy - it was a quick iPhone pic

One of my favorite parts of teaching is to see how different elements inspire people differently.

Everyone had a great time creating their own works of art.

Thank you Laurie and Brandy for hosting a fun event!

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy creating ~ Heidi

Lavender and lace

 

Going to estate sales or garage sales, I always check out the sewing supplies.  While old thread is unusable except for display, other items like tools, vintage fabrics and lace can be great finds.

 

In my stash of vintage lace, I had a lovely snippet of lavender which made me wonder what type of garment had been originally made with it and for what occasion.

 

Inspired to give the last bits new life, I decided to create some dress form tags using Tim Holtz's stamp set Seamless Experience.  The dress form stamp was white detail embossed on lavender paper.  Then, I stamped the ruler stamp in Milled Lavender distress ink (Ranger).

 

 

After die cutting a large shipping tag from cream paper, I layered color using Milled Lavender, Antique Linen and Vintage Photo distress inks.  A section of paper doily was added to the corner and strip of lace adhered across the middle.

 

 

For the dresses, I gathered tulle and lace.  The bodice was tied with seam binding ribbon and adorned with a snippet of pale orchid velvet ribbon and a vintage millinery bloom.

 

A few pearly buttons were added for charm.  Then more luscious lavender and buff crinkle ribbon for the streamers on top.

 

I added this set to my etsy store here.

 

What cool finds have inspired your latest project?

 

 

Happy junkin'! Heidi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Double exciting news!

 

Sometimes things happen all at once - even better when they are good!

 

I am honored and delighted to have a seed packet/favor featured in Creating Vintage Charm magazine!

 

 

 

 

 

I was inspired by the old fashioned tradition of trading seeds and cuttings between neighbors and friends for this project.

This would make a charming favor for a wedding (scatter seeds of love) or maybe even a baby shower.

 

 

 

 

Stitch Craft Create magazine was taking submissions for their celebrations issue.

I submitted a festive rosette tutorial which can be personalized to suit your event.

I was completely stunned when they told me it made the cover!

 

 

I am so incredibly honored to have my projects featured in these beautiful magazines.

If I didn't have a little outside encouragement and mustered up some bravery, I might not have taken the chance to submit it.

 

If you make things that bring you joy, chances are they will bring someone else joy too.

Be BRAVE

Sometimes you get turned down but don't let that discourage you.

Keep going and enjoy creating in the moment.  You never know where it may lead.

  xo's ~ Heidi

 

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

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

Wishy Washi

Paper tape and washi tape ~ they are like chips, you don't want to have just one.

When I heard a scrapbook expo was coming into town, washi tape was at the top of my list of supplies to hunt for.

I have loved using paper tape in different projects, even scrapbooking.

7Gypsies makes the paper tape with the words, fronds and florals.

I love their soft colors and interesting graphics.

I am not sure who makes the tape measure and hand tape.

You know I could not leave without the tape measure, right?

I adore the way Hope Wallace of Paper Relics uses washi tape to embellish and hinge elements of her art journals (click here for a peek).  Her work is amazing!

She offers wonderful journaling classes and posts free vintage images on her blog.

Wishing for more washi tapes?

Pretty Tape offers a wide array of washi goodness.

Thank you for stopping by!

xo ~ Heidi

Fine dreams

With the slow pace of summer, I have been finishing the pile of projects I have going on at any given time.  Craft ADD? . . . maybe.  Ideas and dreams start swirling in my head.  Sometimes a quick sketch is all I have time for until the idea has a chance to blossom.

This shabby french style hanger was inspired by a cache of ornaments I found while on a junk hunt.

A stack of gilded fleur de lis ornaments called my name.

They were about 11 inches tall, pretty just as is, but I had other plans for upcycling them.

First, I gessoed them so they would be "toothy" and, possibly, adhere better to paper and glue.

I started layering paint, scrapbook papers, french book pages and vintage wallpaper.

La Fin Du Reve

I believe this translates to "fine dreams".

If any of my french-speaking friends know for certain, please share! 

And, some of my favorite Tim Holtz paper tape.

Then, I started gathering ribbons, trims and vintage millinery.

I adore this sweet cameo cabochon by Jolee's French General scrapbooking line.

A sweet bouquet of flowers and trim.

For some dreamy sparkle, a little sprinkling of mica flakes.

A quick knot of ribbon on the top and the french inspired hanger was complete!

I hope your day is filled with some dreamy moments.

Thank you for stopping by!

xo ~ Heidi

Drop Dead Diva props

When you least expect it, interesting opportunities pop up.

Such as it was one afternoon - a phone call from a friend, something like this . . .

"I need some very simple handmade cards for a movie prop. Can you make me some samples tonight?" (tonight?)

There was no pause.

YES, YES! Why of course, YES!

Then the guerilla crafting session began - they had to be all different and I was not sure which ones would make the cut.

I am so excited to share that these are the cards that will be included in a hospital scene for a teenage girl (Season 4/ Episode 11) for the Lifetime series, Drop Dead Diva!

I apologize for the poor camera pics.  I was using the camera on my phone at night and texting them as they were produced.

I am starting to get an idea about how the filming industry ebbs and flows. (like a rollercoaster?)

Again, another phone call.

Friend:  "Can you hem some curtain panels for a scene?"

Me: "Sure, what do you need?"

Friend: "45 panels by this time tomorrow"

Oh yes, that feeling in the pit of your stomach.  (Can I do this?)

I mustered all of my faith and said YES.

The much anticipated show Craft Wars would have to wait.  (Alex gave me the play-by-play during the commericals).  I was in the midst of war myself - guerilla crafting, on a deadline.

24 hours later I am proud to say I did it. (I still can't believe I sewed all of those panels - holy cow!)

In the season finale of Drop Dead Diva there will be a wedding scene with lots of flowing panels.  And, somewhere out there, will be a girl with a bubbly heart full of pride.

Thank you for stopping by sweet sugahs!

xo ~ Heidi