Shabby Chic Tag of Aunt Nora

Hi Friends,  Today I'm sharing this oh so shabbylicious tag I made for my swap pal Randi in a swap earlier this year.  She loved shabby chic whites and pinks and loves family so I thought to make it special that I would use this amazing picture of my Aunt Nora Spencer taken in circa 1903 when she was in her early teens.  My camera lens is acting a bit goofy, but here's a few more close ups for you:

 

 

 

 

 We also agreed to  gift wrap our tags and I chose a crisp linen napkin and made a rhinestone bow.  

 

That's it for me today, enjoy a happy day!  Hugs ~ Dawna

"Vintage Dress Form Mirror for Goodie Bag Swap

Hi Friends,

This is the next post I'm making to share all the pretties I created and collected for a Goodie Bag Swap that Martica is hosting at scrapbook.com.   Please refer to the "Life Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Wonderful" Tag Post for complete swap details.  

This is a 10 item secret sister swap, which is not only a large swap, but lots of fun since I already know my secret sister! This mirror is for category #7 the vintage altered item.

My secret sister loves shabby chic, vintage and in particular dress forms.  So I thought she might enjoy a mirror that she can display wherever her heart desires.  The vintage shabby chic frame holder is part of this gift, so she has the option of setting it on a table top or she can hang it. 

Here's a  few close up pictures I hope you enjoy:

Upper Corner Flower Cluster

The flowers are handmade using pearlized hot pink cardstock and Donna Salazar's Tattered Flower and Leaf Dies.  The hip rose buds are from Wild Orchards and the ornate corner chipboard is from Dusty Attic.  I Gessoed the chipboard so its a simple white matte finish.  The pearl brads are from Michael's. The background paper is from Teresa Collins "Sweet Afternoon" designer paper collection.  

Vintage Pearl Chandelier Close Up

This vintage chipboard chandelier is also from Dusty Attic.  I used Gesso as a base-coat, then finished it off with Liquid Pearls in White and Ruby Red.  I added a matching satin bow and hung a few small strings of iridescent pearls.  

Vintage Dress Form

This beautiful vintage dress form comes from Blue Fern Studio's and really dresses up this simple mirror.  I used the same media process for this as I did for the chandelier with the only difference being that I backed it using a basic pink cardstock so it wouldn't get lost in the patterned paper. 

Lower Corner Flower Cluster

This flower cluster is the same as the one described above.   I used green patterned paper from Graphic 45's Country French paper collection to create all the leaves and love the embossed effect (even though it doesn't show in these pictures). 

Well friends that's it for this post.  Thank you so much for dropping by and may I hope you're enjoying a perfectly wonderful day!   Big Hugs ~ Dawna

"Life Doesn't Have to be Perfect ... To Be Wonderful" Tag

Morning Friends,

Today I'm sharing some creations I made for my secret sister in Goodie Bag Swap being hosted by Martica at scrapbook.com.   We were challenged to create the following items for this swap and I highlighted the items that are pictured in this post:

Here are the categories and I've highlighted what I did for each category: 

1. Funny (could be a funny card, mask etc.)/   Bookmark
2. Shabby chic (could be a card, album, box etc.)/ 2" Beautiful Embroidered Lace
3. Something to be used for crafting (anything scrapbook related, etc.)/ "Handmade with Love" and Vintage Cream Ribbon
4. Something to wear (could be a piece of jewelry, scarf etc.)/  Long Vintage Birdcage Necklace
5. Inspirational (could be a book, home decor, tag, bookmark etc.)/ Tag
6. Unique (well its up to you)/ Silver Swirl Goodie Bag
7. Something Vintage (anything altered)/ See "Vintage Dress Form Mirror" Post
8. Something to be displayed (like a frame, canvas, hanger, bottle any size)/ See "FRIENDS" Altered Blocks Post
9. Misc. item your choice/ See "Traveler Mini Album" Post
10. Miniature/ Tibetan Silver Scissors  

With a list of 10 items, this is one of the biggest challenges I've participated in, but I know my secret sister so that made it especially fun and easy for me to play along. 

Let's start things off with my "Inspirational" item which I decided to do as a tag.  I created this using Teresa Collins new Nine & Company paper collection.  I love the inspirational sentiment which reads:  "Life Doesn't Have to be Perfect to be Wonderful."  Oh so true!!!    

I love how charming this tag came out and I'm sure my secret sister will like it too.  Here's a few close ups that I hope you enjoy:

Top Flower Cluster Close Up

Sentiment Close Up

Bottom Flower Cluster Close Up

I just love Prima's new fretwork leaf dies, they are so pretty!  And they are easy to shape too.  For the flower clusters, I  used Prima's "Something Blue" wedding flower collection.   I love this color combination, it's so fresh and summery.  You can also see the little curlies made from Prima's wired thread shown here in "Dusty."  

To finish the tag off, I added a little rose ribbon and used my new favorite Martha Stewart punch set called "scalloped teardrop" to edge the sentiment mat and tag.   Isn't this punch set pretty too?  

I put an aqua pearl in the center of the five butterflies that are scattered around and used some stickles to give them some sparkle.  I also sparkled up the edges of the pretty fretwork leaves too.  Then I added an aqua satin bow and ribbon hanger.  

Lastly, I included a clip just in case my secret sister wanted to clip it up somewhere.  And, although there isn't a picture of the back side, I created a gift tag pocket just in case she decided to gift it to someone or tuck a note in it.  

Here's a picture of the other little goodies I included for my secret sister:  

Well friends, that's it for this post.  There are three more posts for items 7, 8 and 9 to go with this challenge so stay tuned for more goodness!  Thank you so much for dropping by and I hope you have a perfectly wonderful day!   Big Hugs ~ Dawna

Creative Journey - Mad Hatter Printer Tray

Creative Journey - Mad Hatter Printer Tray

Morning Friends,

Today I'm sharing a gift I made for my very sweet friend from Nebraska, Susie (aka Scrap Smart) from scrapbook.com.   Susie and I have become friends over the past few years and last year we were in a swap together.   She made me something so special it really lifted my spirits during a difficult time.   I really wanted to do something nice for her in return.   

Susie is very creative, adventurous, fun and loves both simple shabby chic and vintage styles.  When I saw this adventurous Mad Hatter paper collection by Marion Smith, I knew it was perfect for her project.  Susie has been patiently waiting for the weather to warm up so she can paint and decorate her new craft room.   I wanted to do something that she could display, that was fun and would make her smile.  Well, according to her, I succeeded on all accounts, she loves it!  And, that couldn't make me happier!

Here's a few close-ups of Susie's Mad Hatter Printer Tray titled "Creative Journey:" 

Title Plate, Stencil Work & Top Half Close Up

Metal Flower Cluster, Stencil Work & You Inspire Me Friend Box

Left Side Close Up

There is a place ... & Dream, Discover & Embrace Box

Hanging Trinkets & Vintage Door Knocker Close Up

Little Deeds & Its Always Tea Time Boxes

I'm so happy that Susie loves her fun tray.   I love it too because it silly sayings and whimsy remind me of how the creative process works.  Which is why I titled it "Creative Journey."  Like Alice's big adventures, it makes me smile too.  

Well friends that is it for me this morning.  I hope you enjoyed this fun piece.  Thank you for dropping by today.   For those of you who have a few minutes to leave a comment, thank you very much.  I always appreciate hearing from you.   Create something from the heart and make it a special day!   Big Hugs ~ Dawna

March Brithday Card Swap

Mirrored Angle Tag for Martica

Hi Friends,

So much has happened these past few months, that I'm way behind on my blog posts.  So its quiet this evening and I'd like to catch up on a few projects.  There were two birthdays in our swap this month.

First let me start with my very sweet and very talented friend Martica.  She adores tags and the shabby chic style.  I'm new to shabby chic but Martica is a real inspiration to me,  so I really wanted to do something special for her.  This is only my second attempt at something shabby, so I incorporated a few more shabby elements in this creation.  I hope you enjoy Martica's gift:

Mirrored Angle Tag for Martica

Close Up of Crystal Knob, Stick Pin & Mirror

Next up is my dear sweet friend Jolean (aka Pinky).  She has been a sweet angel to me this year too.  Always checking in on me not matter whats going on in her life.  I'm lucky to have her as a friend.  She's form Italian decent and owns her won family pizza business.  She loves pinks and whites and the shabby chic style too.  Are you starting to understand why I need to learn this style!  lol!

I was in such a rush to get Jolean's  card out on time it slipped away without a picture.  She has promised to send me one as soon as she figures out her new camera!   When she does, I'll happily update my post to add pictures! 

We'll that all the birthday notes I have to share today.  If your not a regular blog follower,  I'd love to have you sign up for email alerts so you can see whats next.  Until next time, live life inspired my friends!  ~ Big Hugs

Brithday Card Swap - February Collection

Hi Friends,

Here is a collection of birthday cards that I created for my friends in our Birthday Card Swap.   We all had so much fun doing our Christmas Card Swap, we decided we are all "happy mail" addicts and wanted to continue the fun throughout the year.  So here's my collection for February:

First up is my card for Bobbi.  She is such a talented lady and I was in a plaque swap with her last year so I happen to know that she loves fairies and the shabby chic style.  I'm just now learning that style and have only done a few things in it so I haven't quite mastered it yet.

Last month my friend LaRee taught us how to make easel cards with this pretty little fairy card.   It was fun and so easy to make I decided to use it as a base for Bobbi's card. 

LaRee's Fairy Card

I didn't feel like it needed much to gussy it up a bit so I added a few flowers, stickles (glitter glue), some distressing inks, pearls and a pretty stick pin.  Voila!  There you have it: 

Bobbi's Shabby Chic Fairy Card

Close-Up of Sparkly Wings

Inside Sentiment Before Finishing Touches

Bobbi loved her card, so it appears I'm on the right track to learning shabby chic.  Oh happy day!   LaRee thank you for teaching us this great card style.  I'm sure to use it often! 

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Next up is my friend Debbie.  She is the hostess at Brat's Latte Cafe where we hang out between swaps to stay in touch.  Debbie is so sweet and exceptionally talented so I knew I had to dig a bit deeper to make her smile.  She loves pinks and whites and the shabby chic style too. 

Here's the vintage card I created for Debbie:

Shabby Chic Birthday Card for Debbie

 

Stick Pin and Butterfly Close-up

Inside Design and Sentiment

Debbie also loved her card which made me very happy!  :)

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Last but not least is my friend Glenda.  She is a wonderful  artist and I've displayed some of her work on my Art Journal Board on Pinterest.  Glenda also loves pinks, pastels and shabby chic too!  Are you starting to see why I really need to learn this style!  lol 

Here is Glenda's shabby chic card:

Glenda's Shabby Chic Birthday Card

Pearl Stop Under Butterfly Wing Secretly Holds Wings Upright

Victorian Lamp Close Up

Used Silver Foil Paper to Create Mirror Effect

Inside Sentiment

Glenda's loved her card too!  So happy my friends all enjoyed their special gifts this month.  I'm already busy on next months creations. 

Well that's it for me today!  Thank you for stopping by and may I wish you a very special day.  Till next time my friends, scrap happy!  Hugs ~ Dawna