Vanilla Sugar

December Project - Christmas Banners

This months project is to create a banner for Christmas....

EMY

I was inspired by a post from Hels on Bubbly Scrumptious a couple of weeks ago which included a lovely robin. I have three robins made from the Maya Road fancy bird mini book, with a page from the Maya Road Crown album at the top and a Tando 3D snowflake at the base. I've also used a Tando Christmas word, Maya Road Bethany alphabet and Maya Road Kraft doily. I'm feeling really Christmassy now!
 
The link to Hels' post I refered to is here.... 

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SARAH

I used some large Christmas bingo cards and cut them into banners. I backed them with decorative paper. I then made a rosette from sheet music patterned paper, adding a star, old glittery christmas decoration and a printed seasons greetings sentiment. To finish I added chipboard NOEL alphabets before inking all the edges.

I tied it all together with wide, wired ribbon.

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KAREN

As I have a few 'Christmas' word banners I thought I would use a different word & make a 'Santa' banner instead!  The letters have been coloured using Adirondack Earthtones in Red Pepper with Xmas Red Stickles patted over the top!  The papers are by Trimcraft sewn onto red Bazill.  I have sandwiched some white pom-pom braid inbetween.  Some glittery ribbons & brads finish it all off!

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Merry Christmas!!

 

November Project - Advent Calendar

This months project is to make a Christmas Advent Calendar....

Carol

The base is made out of matchboxes which were covered in paper that had been inked with Distress Inks and then stamped using various stamps.   To add some stability to the project the boxes were mounted onto a backboard of chipboard which was painted with acrylic paints and then stamped and hi-lighted using a white pen.  The Santa is by Paperartsy and the tree is by Purple Onion Stamps.

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Karen

When I bought this in a sale way back in January (hehe) I thought it had drawers but they are little boxes 6cm cubed, except no24, which is double size!!!  I have covered them with Basic Grey Jovial papers and rubbed some Barn Door Distress Ink around the edges.

The 'knobs' are just office paper fasteners with some felt underneath.  The numbers are Tando Creative Mini Numbers and have been painted and glittered.  The 'knob' for the 24th is by K&Co and the flower is from my stash.  I painted the surround using a matchpot from a DIY store!!!!!

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Di

I decorated this Tando Creative Octagonal Advent Calendar with Basic Grey papers and used Tando Creative Mini Numbers to finish it off...

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Sarah

Basically, I used matchboxes with larger front panels attached to give a deeper box.  I painted each box black before using Viva Inka Gold around all the edges. I added matts to the front of each box which had been stamped with various Christmas images/text.

 

Once I had all my boxes complete, I began to build a triangular frame around the boxes using plain chipboard such as Tando.  I again painted the frame black and edged with Inka Gold before covering the side panels with patterned paper.  I edged the frames with Tim Holtz Tissue Tape to finish.

I added wooden beads on wire for draw pulls. I tied a ribbon around the top before adding a glitter snowflake and a Tando "seasons greetings" sentiment.

October Project - Wallhanging/Canvas

This months project is to create something for your wall - be it a canvas or any type of wallhanging...

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DI

This has been done on the reverse of a canvas using the large running and trotting reindeer and large sleigh by Tando Creative.

The outside frame of the canvas has been painted blue using Eco Green paint, then embossed with UTEE and I have stamped into the hot UTEE with a snowflake stamp, then I have gone over some places with Silver Precious Metal paint by Viva Decor.

Reindeer have been simply painted, then inked with Distress Ink.  The Sleigh has been made 3D using extra pieces of chippie for the front and base.  The Santa is an image from some Christmas papers I have.

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REBEKAH

 

I made a 'recipes'  canvas to store whole recipes on tags behind, or just the book and page number of my favourite recipes so that I can find them quickly...

Recipe chipboard word available here....

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HELS

 

Used loads of Tim Holtz goodies on this framed mirror...

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CAROL

4"x4"canvas painted with Black Acrylic paint, then masked with Tim Holtz cogs mask and hi-lighted using Viva Decor Inka Gold. The image is from Graphics 45 and the cogs are from Tando Creative – these were painted with acrylic paint and then Viva Decor Transparent Croco.....metal corners, metal dragonfly and watch faces finish off the piece.

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SARAH

I started by antiquing the canvas with tissue paper and Tea Dye Distress Ink.  Next I added a background paper.  I then added a contrasting patterned paper.   I made a large chipboard B before slotting into the slits in the patterned paper.

Next I took some Maya Road butterflies and painted them using Claudine's paints in green and yellow. Once dry, I added Rangers Rock Candy. Once that was dry, I distressed with the the Tea Dye Ink again to bring out the cracks. I took the top filigree butterfly and bent in half and glued to the bottom butterfly before adding some Prima gems.

I layered up some flowers, new Maya Road Kraft Doilies, ribbon and the butterflies before adding some little Maya Road Alpha's and some Rub-ons.

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EMY

A friend of mine gave me an old upholstery fabric swatch and I loved the colours of it (in fact a photo of the fabric swatch the the header image on my blog). I also have a collection of shiny things in my jewellery box with various sentimental connections that hardly see the light of day, as I'm not really a brooch person, so I combined the two to make a wallhanging.

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KAREN

 I have used Eco Paint throughout and have gone for very bright colours this time!  I gesso'd over the top of the base & then sprayed coloured mists.  All the chipboard is by Tando Creative. 

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JULIE

 

I used a spritz of Victorian Velvet Distress re-inker through a Prima Mask then sponged on Graphite Inka Gold on a canvas that has been painted with cream acrylic paint.
The papers are graphic 45 Le Romantique.  More info on my blog!

 

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September Project - Clocks

Our project this month is Clocks!

Buy one and redecorate as your own or make one from scratch - either way they make an fab addition to your home or as a gift!

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TRACEE

I wanted a nice gift for my Father in-law for his birthday and this Kaisercraft clock was just perfect for altering. I kept it quite simple and used some BasicGrey papers with just a few embellishments and pictures. I think the screwdriver and spanner hands are just so cute...

Hope you enjoy Tracee x

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KAREN

This is an actual working clock.  The base is a 5x7 canvas.  The lovely chippie clock face is from ScrapFX, which I got ages ago!  The mushrooms have been stamped and watercoloured before cutting out.  The leaves are from TANDO CREATIVE and have been coloured then Rock Candy Crackle Paint added, as has the clockface.  I have used Distress Inks throughout.  Hope you like it XXX

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EMY

 

I've created a new watch strap using a small selection from my collection of buttons and I was inspired by a button necklace tutorial , which you can see HERE... 

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SARAH

I had a house clock blank in my craftroom just waiting to be decorated.

 

Firstly I went around the edges of the house with Viva Decor Inka Gold. I then distressed it with Black Stazon.

 

Next I made a couple of matts from black cardstock and green patterned paper by drawing around the house and making it one slightly smaller than the last. I repeated the process with my chosen front paper, in this case a 7 Gypsies home paper.

 

I took a selection of swirly stamps and randomly stamped around the edges before adding a couple of swirly rub ons from Prima's new Fairy Flora collection and some spotty rub ons. I coloured some of the swirls in with water colour pens.

 

Next I took some fabric alpha's and recoloured them with Scattered Straw Distress Ink. I repeated the process with the numbers using Peeled Paint Distress Ink.

 

I took some large chipboard alpha's from Rusty Pickle and coloured them in Lettuce Adirondack ink before distressing with Peeled Paint and stamping with a ledger stamp. I then inked with Black Stazon.

 

I finished off by adding a couple of Solid Cordinates Flowers from the Prima Fairy Flora collection and a metal book mark.

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HELS

I just so happened to have a mechanism kicking about so used some chipboard for a base... painted with Eggshell paint and then once this was dried, a layer of watered down PVA, immediately painting a layer of Antique White paint over the top for the PVA Crackle effect.  I wanted large crackles so didn’t water the PVA too much.

The centre is a piece of card, decorated with stamping in Antique White for a Faux Batik effect, then Distress Inks blended over the top – then a collage of stamping from Tim Holtz collection.  I added Rock Candy Crackle to the butterflies to make them blended a bit more and pop off the piece.

I added some Viva Decor Inka Gold around the edges of the card and then used a heat gun on the painted PVA which was touch dry – this made the paint bubble, which I could then add more Viva Inka Gold around the edges so make the texture pop.  Then I used a some numbers cut out of music score from the TH Alterations Market Place die... and popped some Glossy Accents over the  top.

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REBEKAH

This is not what I intended to do at all.  I had bought a darling little carriage clock to alter but then I found this wall clock at the charity shop and decided that it would be much more me.  It's fairly simply done. 

I took the hand off the clock and drew a circle around it on a piece of 7 gypsies paper using the clock as a guide.  Having cut the circle out I inked the edges.  Then I threw on a whole load of Prima Flowers, 'Say it in Pearls and Flowers' (also Prima) and some rose leaves in celebration of Caroline stocking lots of lovely Prima in the shop right now! 

I put the clock face in place and then lifted it each time I wanted to add a number to make sure that they were in the right place.  I used Glossy Accents to attach the paper to the clock face and put the hands back on before adding embellishments to the flowers to finish them off.  I had to change flowers a couple of times until I found some flat enough for the hands to pass over comfortably.  Oh and I added a rub on 'Timeless moments' to finish it off. 

Enjoy the challenge :)

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JULIE

This is started as a Maya Road Large Gear page, which conveniently had twelve notches :D

I covered it in Tim Holtz paper which I then inked with Rusty Hinge and Frayed Burlap distress ink pads.  I punched my hole in the centre for the the clock working and attached it from the back.   I added a key and a vintage pen nib to the clock hands and added a watch face, cog and a cigar label to the base.

I found the numbers I wanted to use from my stash using game pieces, Tim Holtz papers, metal work and anything else I could find including an old penny - this is what I called it lost and found ( I think Tim's papers are called that too so not very original ha ha :D ).

I glued them all in place with Glossy Accents then highlighted the number with it.

It still all looked a bit new so I spritzed it with a cosmic shimmer spray and the fabulous Maya Mist in Fern Green.

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CAROL

The clock was a kit, consisting of a mdf circle and clock mechanism.  The circle was gesso’d and then painted, then Distress Inks added.  Images were stamped onto tissue paper and then adhered to the clock face – Viva Decor Inka Gold was then added to the sides of the images and also across the clock face and around the edges – the numerals were cut out on the cricut – the whole clock face was coated with a protective varnish.

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August Project - Frames

 
Onto August already!  This month we are focusing on frames - see how the designers have made/decorated a variety of frames for a fab home decor item or gift...

JULIE

I used 2 cheap 4x6 plain canvases which I painted with Acrylic Paint and crackle glaze then highlighted with Distress Inks.

I added my previously decorated Tando chippies and a photo of my mum when she was younger  printed on canvas photo paper.

The comes the really fun bit :D
I cut strips of Claudine Hellmuth sticky backed canvas to the size of the edges of the frame then stuck them down to the side of the patterned paper I wanted to use. (I used October afternoon thrift shop throughout ).
You burnish this ( I used the back of a spoon) to make sure its well stuck down, then put in a bowl of water.
When the paper starts to soften rub it away from the canvas and it will leave the image behind.

You now just need to leave them to dry and stick them down.  I inked them to make them look grungier, then stuck them down with Glossy Accents.

Once I had added all my embellies to the inside of the frame I created a hinge by sticking another piece of the canvas down the long edge.
When this was totally I dry I opened it up and stuck another piece on the inside to make it stronger and look nicer.

And Voila, your very own hinged shadow frame :D

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CAROL

Here is my frame for August’s Vanilla Sugar project...

Its a Tando Creative frame with Fragments, Grungepaper embellishments and loads of ink!!  Full details on my blog!

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SARAH

I started by gluing random Alphabets around a photo frame hap hazardly.

Next I Gesso'd the whole thing.  Once dry I used Claudine paints in Sky Blue.  When that was dry I added a coat of Crackle Glaze.

Once dry I added a top coat of Claudines paint in Traditional Tan. I used a brown Distress Ink Pad to highlight the alpha's and edges of the frame.

 

I embellished with ribbon, buttons and hand cut flowers. I also made a photo mat from coordinating patterned paper.

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KAREN

I have used a wooden blank for my entry.  It was Gesso'd then coloured with Adirondack Ink Pads ( Denim & Terracotta) before some utee and stamping work on the 'roof'.

I also did a bit of stamping with bubble wrap using some Eco Green Crafts acrylic paint in White.  The lovely chippie is from the Shop! 

The pretty Crown is by 2Crafty and the lovely chippie pieces at the bottom are called Framedangoes#10 by Everlasting Keepsakes.

I haven't put a picture in the frame yet though as I can't decide which one!!!

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DI

I decided to use a Tando Creative 6" x 6" frame (no surprise there then) which I have painted and added some other Tando pieces including the Inchies, Twinchies, Cogs, Flourishes and Artbrush Alphas.

I have used Distress Inks, Paints and Stamps to decorate the frame.

For further info on how this frame was decorated see PDF HERE...

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MAHLIN

I altered a simple wooden frame from IKEA..

First I painted it with brown Acrylic Paint, let it dry and then a second coat with white Acrylics this time. 

Distressed it a bit and inked randomly with a platinum ink pad.  Took a flower branch and a butterfly and glued them on. Some Stickles on top, always.  

Wrapped some lace around one long side. Embellished with some cute vintage stuff laying around. Added my photo on the frame instead of inside the frame. 

I always like that little extra dimension!

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TRACEE

This started life as a plain wooden frame that I was just going to cover with patterned paper but I somehow cut the paper too big and so I in effect extended the sides. Then I embellished with a yo yo flower and my fave at the moment some butterflies...

I also used up some old alphas that I have had for eon's and they matched really well with the patterned paper.It was really fun to make and super quick, I think I will make a few more for xmas pressies and maybe use some ribbon to hang them up.

Tracee x

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Hope you can take part - leave a link in your comment if you do....x

July Project - Decorate a box, jar or tin...

This month the challenge is to decorate, make or alter a box, jar or tin.

We are joined by some members of the Bubbly Scrumptious DT, so even more projects to inspire you....

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DI

 

This is a box I made for my niece, made from pieces of chipboard and glued together.  I then covered it with bazzil cardstock, lace and a beaded layered flower.  The handle came from Wilkos and the box opens to reveal a mini book and space for momentoes of Ella's first year (my nieces daughter)...

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EMY

I made some floral millefiori from Fimo to cover my tin and topped it with a Fimo quilt and cushions - perfect for all my sewing bits and bobs.

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MAHLIN

I decided I wanted to alter a small box I had into a thank you giftbox.. So I covered it in a cute pink and white paper. Went over it with some Distress Ink (scattered straw and walnut stain) .

 

I then splashed  on some white acrylic. Stamped around the the edges and corners with the edge of a flowerstamp.  Sprayed some mist on it.

 

Added a piece of lace around the top.  Made a banner of a music sheet.. Glued on some flowers and decorations. Added some bling and voila! All done!

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SARAH

 

I used a old metal CD tin to create my project. I used Terra and a stencil to create depth and texture on the tin. I used Grungeboard hinges covered in Terra to join the two halves together. I used Precious Metal paint to bring out some of the texture on the tin and finished with a large Tando chipboard piece painted in Claudines paints and Rangers Rock Candy.

 

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KAREN

 

I have used an octagonal blank box for this project.  I gesso'd the lid before adding string, a flower shaped chipboard piece & micro beads...then I painted it with gold acrylic.  The lovely cameo comes from Websters Pages and I added little roses around it.  For the base I painted with acrylic to match the cameo and added gold ribbons.

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CAROL

 

Wooden box painted with black acrylic and then dry brushed – Grungepaper embellishments and a metal heart added to lid.  Tim Holtz tissue tape around lid and bottom of box.  All edged with inka gold.

 

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TRACEE

 

I made this large Etui box for a friend who loves sun and moon patterns.

It is almost completely glued using fabric chipboard and some wadding to make it padded.

Of course you dont have to store stitching items in it, it could be used for many things and has lots of inner pockets for bits and bobs.

I used a template that came in a kit and glued it all together, the only stitching is on the lid to keep the corners nice and neat.

The little pinkeep box is just a bare naked one that I bought from hobbycraft and covered in matching fabric.

I have also made some 4 sided ones and will try to get some pictures up on my blog soon...

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June Project - Window Decorations

With Summer struggling to join us we thought it a good opportunity to catch those summery rays with a window decoration.

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Tracee

Here is my project for June

Sparkly star window hangers

These are made completely from beads using a pattern that I got from a friend.

This set is made for my friend who is crazy for all things purple.

They look so sparkly dangling in the window!

 

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Carol

 

The birdcage is from the Tando Creative Range and has been painted with black acrylic paint and then daubed over with a dry brush and inka gold.  The bird is a new T!m die and behind him is a painted piece of acetate.  A Tim clasp and pin and some stamped images coloured with distress ink on grungepaper finish off the piece.

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Di

As I didn't have anything suitable in glass to alter I decided to cut a design from a piece of perspex (incidentally, this design will be available in chipboard soon from Tando Creative).  The letters for the word Welcome are separate and have been glued on with Glossy Accents.

I coloured it with Alcohol Inks and used a Sharpie pen to pick out the veins in the leaves and to doodle around the letters.  The bird has been covered in beads and it has all been coated in Glossy Accents.  I finished off by threading some ribbon through so it can be hung up.

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Sarah

I started by taking a chipboard flower and removing the middle. I made another flower from acetate and attached to the back of the flower.

I filled the flower with chipboard shapes, clouds, mini flowers and a bird before making chains of beads, mirror tiles and glass pebbles.

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Caroline

I actually made something for Christmas!  I've had this lovely glass arch for a while and decided to make good use of my Alcohol Inks and Alcohol Ink Refillable Pens!

 

I will go into more detail about how this was made on the Bubbly Scrumptious Blog on Friday - so catch you then!

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In the meantime give it a go!  One simple idea, interpreted in so many different ways by different designers - how will you do your window decoration........??

May Project - Bags....

Wouldn't you love some inspiration to make your own bag or gift bag, or an idea on how to decorate an existing bag?

Then this months project is just for you - see what the DT have come up with for May's project.

If you make or decorate your own bag them comment and let us know....x

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Karen

This month I have made a STASH BAG!

It has pockets all the way round & a pocket inside.

Its made from heavy-ish pure cotton and is fully lined.  It measures 9x8 inches and is 4inches deep.

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Sharon

For the challenge of making a bag I decided to decorate a plain 13" x 13" calico bag. 
Using coloured embroidery thread I used french knots to attach short strips of black and white polka dot ribbon to the bag. I added extra decoration such as running stitch and french knots to felt flowers and sewed them to the bag. Finally I sewed two buttons on to the centre of each flower and tied the thread on top.

I kept the design simple and clean but I will add a word to the top of the bag if I find felt letters that co-ordinate.

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Carol

The patches are made with batik material.  The lining, made stay of the bag and the straps are  strong black material – the straps and tops and sides have been machine embroidered with gold thread – a mobile phone decorative clip finished it off...

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Tracee

For May we were asked to make or alter a bag. I have been looking at the rag quilts and a bit of googling and I found a tutorial for a rag quilt purse (link on my blog).

I have also been looking to recycle some of my "favourite" (in other words size 10's that will never fit me again, lol) items and this is what I used to make these bags.

They consisted of 3 pairs of trousers and a skirt!

More pictures and details on my blog

http://stresstickled.blogspot.com/

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Di

I decorated a plain white gift bag using chipboard flowers cut from a Sizzix die.  They were covered with Crate papers and the middles have been decorated with beads and glitter.  A couple of stems have been added using wire covered with green wool and bow tied from lace trim.

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April Project - Birdhouse

With Spring in mind (although the weather begs to differ!) we thought a birdhouse would be a great thing to decorate - whether it be for your garden or home.

See below what the designers have made and don't forget to leave a comment.  If you make one of your own leave a comment with a link and we will come visit!

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Carol

Wooden birdhouse painted with crackled paint and then distress ink.  Ferro gold iron on roof and base which was then stamped into. 

Butterflies cut out of card and sprayed with glimmer mist, beads added for the body and distress stickles added to the wings.  The birds are stamps by Rhonna Farrer and were stamped onto grungepaper which had been coloured with distress ink.....

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Sarah

 

It started life as a £1 garden ornament before getting a make over with some metal distressing tools and some alcohol inks. 

 

I painstakingly hand cut the picket fence from mountboard! I then drilled a hole in the bottom and mounted it on a decorative candle stick which was another cheap find at a car boot sale.

It is now a tea light holder on my mantle piece.

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Karen

I bought a cheapo birdbox from a garden centre and painted it with acrylic.  I made up the flower boxes with card then added leaves & flowers from my stash.  The birds came from an easter gift ages ago.

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Di

I was so excited to find out that the April Vanilla Sugar challenge was to do with birds and birdhouses.  I'd been wanting to design a Birdhouse for Tando Creative for a while and this challenge gave me a reason to get on and do it.

 

It has been painted and then sprayed with Perfect Pearls in a similar colour so, although not clear in the photo, it has a lovely shimmer to it.

 

The roof has been stamped with a Tim Holtz stamp and embossed with ultra thick powder.  I added the hinges and only glued one side as this was a gift for my mother in law for Mothers Day and we wanted to fill it with small chocolates for her.

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Tracee

This little Birdhouse will sit very nicely on a shelf in my new craft room (when it is finally ready).   The whole thing stands at 7" tall and was great fun to make...

More pictures and how it was made on my blog http://stresstickled.blogspot.com/.

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Caroline

This is a little mini birdhouse to add to my birdhouse collection!

It is painted with white acrylic paint and the roof and base is covered with Viva Decor Ferro-Old Gold.

This also ties in with the Whispers of Colour #5!
 

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Sharon

 
For this month's theme of birds and birdhouses I made a gift box for holding Easter treats in the shape of a birdhouse. It is approximately 13cm high and 11cm wide with a depth of 4cm. It is made from cardstock which I stamped (base) and embossed (roof) in a Cuttlebug embossing folder. The window was punched using a circle punch and then acetate was added inside to stop the eggs from falling out. The front was decorated with a Prima paper bird, ribbon and a sentiment. This is a quick and easy gift box that I am sure will be appreciated by the recipient.
 

I am on holiday at the moment but when I get home I will put the template that I made for the birdhouse on my blog.

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March Project - Fabric mini book

Our challenge this month is to create a fabric mini album.

Hope you can find time to join in.  Leave a comment to direct us to your challenge entry and we will visit and comment back.

The Designers have created some wonderful examples - each of them wonderfully different.  Take a look......

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Carol

 

 

The basis of the book was made using Claudine Hellmuths “sticky back canvas” – I cut a 12x12 sheet into pages measuring 4x4 – whilst still with the back on I coloured them with either acrylic paint or distress inks.  The sheets were then stuck to each other and punched using a crop-a-dile, embellishments were added and some book rings – for further instructions take a peek at my blog....

 

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Di

This mini book actually has a chipboard inner, a product due for release from Tando Creative soon. 

I covered the pages with fabric and decorated the letters with paint.   I added lots of flowers, some brads and charms and also little pieces of fabric.

The book is bound together with single bind-it-all rings and beads have been added to the rings.  String has also been sewn to the outer edge of the inside pages.

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Sharon

To make the minibook I cut pieces of chipboard 5" x 5" and covered them with squares of fabric. I sewed very close to the chipboard edges with a running stitch and then used a pinking shears to trim around the edges. To make the circular pages I used old CDs and covered them with fabric in the same way that I did the square pages.

I used 8mm eyelet and washers, purchased from a haberdashery store to reinforce the holes. The whole album was then bound with three book rings and adorned with a lush assortment of bright ribbons.

The mini book shows photos of us at Florida last October, I used tacky glue to fix them in place as DST and Herma won't stick to fabric. The assortment of stickers are by 7 gypsies and the die cuts and journalling cards are by October Afternoon.

 

This type of album would make a great gift and being fabric it can also withstand a lot of handling.

Visit my blog to see more of this book.....

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Sarah

I made my tabbed mini album from a old curtain pelmet.

I cut out my 4 pages from the patterned material, then cut out a matching plain back. I wadded each page and then stitched front and back on my sewing machine.

I punched three holes and eyeletted them with my BigBite before threading ribbon through to keep it fastened. I added a few additional paper pages inside to fit in all my photos.

Visit my Blog for more info......

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Karen

I covered an 8x8 scrapbook with fabric, lace, felt & a couple of buttons.  I completed the back and front separately so that the album can expand as it gets filled.  I used Kathy's Sketch number 17 for inspiration.

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Caroline

 

I covered a 6x6 Tando Binder with a removable felt cover.

Lots of felt, flowers, beads and buttons decorate the front.  The 'memories' sentiment is printed fabric, which I ran through my printer using freezer paper.

I haven't quite finished the inside yet, but the idea is to create some fabric pockets which will hold tags.  As soon as I have the pages finished I will show them on my blog.....

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Tracie

This little album started life as the waste from a pair of curtains.

I cut and gessoed each piece, using a single side per page.

I decorated each page and then stitched around each photo before stitching the pages together. I used eyelets and then threaded them onto book rings.

More pics of the pages on my blog.

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February Project - Hanging Heart

Thank you to everyone who entered our January Challenge, we are truly overwhelmed at such a fantastic response!

Our challenge this month is Hanging Hearts - perfect for home decor or as a gift.

Hope you can find time to join in.  Leave a comment to direct us to your challenge entry and we will visit and comment back.

See what the designers have done - what will you do?........

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Kaz

 

Check Bubbly Scrumptious on Tuesday to see how Kaz made this hanging heart...

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Tracee

Having decided on a "homemade" Christmas for 2010 I came up with the idea of an ornament for each member of the family..

I loved playing around with this felt and the designs weren't pre-planned they were just made up for each heart.

I cut myself a template from card and then drew around it and cut each heart out individually making some large and some small.

I used a Perle thread to stitch them up with and a variety of stitches.

The great thing with these is you only need small pieces of felt, fabric and buttons are optional.

You don't have to limit yourself to Christmas either I also made a couple for everyday use (pic above)...

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Carol

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Caroline

I used Tando chipboard - Heart Wreath

I covered in white acrylic gesso and then used Stickles on the top of the whole heart and three of the crosses.  I covered three hearts in Prima paper and clustered together at the bottom of the main heart, together with little flowers, buttons and crystals.

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Di

 

I am notoriously bad for losing letters and important documents that I need to deal with so I decided to make a wall hanging document holder.  I used the Tando Creative Key to my Heart mini book set and covered both sides of the hearts with patterned paper.  For the heart with the keyhole, I cut another smaller heart from chipboard and cut another keyhole in it to give this piece some dimension.  The hearts have been glued together using a Sizzix die cut chunky paper clip so there is a bit of movement backwards and forwards between the hearts.

I cut a chipboard rectangle and covered with paper and hand wrote "Stuff I must do!"  This was hung from the last heart using ric rac.  I just used a piece of ribbon at the top to hang the document holder.  I found that it had a tendency to move a little so I found the easiest solution was to pop a bit of blue tac behind the middle heart and the rectangular piece at the bottom, this held it very firm.

Papers and envelopes slip in nicely between the hearts and, at last, I won't forget to do those all important paperwork jobs.

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Karen

I altered a large wooden heart I found in a charity shop.  Covered it with paper & added a chippie frame and the word 'US'  from Tando Creative.  I covered the frame and word with crackle accents.  Then I added lace, ribbon & a charm to finish it off.  Victoria took this pic under her mistletoe Christmas Day!

I cut out hearts from toning fabrics and sewed & stuffed them.  Then they were threaded together with beads.  I added bits of lace & a button to each one to finish.

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Sarah

 

I wanted to make a little bit of wall art for my living room so I played around with a few distressing techniques and metal work. I covered a heart in fancy tissues and distressed with Rangers crackle paints and inks.

 

I used scraps of pp and gathered buttons and beads from broken clothes and jewellery to add texture.   I also made a wire heart cage to go over the top of the whole thing.

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Sharon

 

To make the heart base I drew a heart shape on an A4 piece of chipboard and cut out with a craft knife (the heart fills the sheet). I applied a layer of Viva Decor Terra paste to the base and stamped in to it with a selection of script and swirl stamps. I heated it carefully with a heat gun to speed up the drying process and also to get a slight "bubbling" effect to the paste. Once dry I painted it with deep pink and red paint so that it went in to the grooves then lightly sponged a paler pink and cream paint to the surface. I finished the base by very lightly rubbing on berry and gold metallic paints with my finger.

 

I hand drew another heart shape for the inside and covered it with Basic Grey paper, sanding and inking the edges. The ruffle was created by ruffling ribbon on the back. This top heart was adhered to the heart base with foam pads so that is was higher. I then used a crystal swirl to add some bling and arranged some paper roses and gold ribbon to make a focal decoration. The quote was printed on to paper, distressed, inked and backed on to more basic grey paper and attached to the side of the heart.

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We all look forward to seeing what you do for this challenge!

The Vanilla Sugar Team....x

January Project - Coasters

Welcome to Vanilla Sugar, Bubbly Funk's Challenge Blog.

Here you will find a monthly challenge, first of every month.  The challenges are dedicated to Home Decor and Gifts - so maybe something a little different to what you are used to with a challenge blog.

That is what makes this blog special.

Hope you can find time to join in.  Leave a comment to direct us to your challenge entry and we will visit and comment back.

For this very first Challenge we are concentrating on Coasters.  So versatile and so easy to alter.

Give one idea to six designers and see what they do.......

What will you do?.......

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Sarah

I made actual coasters as a result of me getting fed up with the boys putting cups on the arms of my leather sofa and DH complaining that the coasters seem to go to the same place as the socks in the washing machine!

 

I made 6 coasters from 4 x 4 chipboard, took of the corners with my round it all and then randomly covered them in PP's in blues and browns. I added crumpled up foil to added a bit of texture. Next I covered each coaster in four layers of ultra thick embossing powder. In between each layer I added clear powder with glitter in and bronze powder with glitter in.

 

I loved them so much that I took three of them, added buttons and turned them into a piece of wall art for the living room from an old picture frame I rescued from a car boot sale.

 

For the remaining three I covered the backs in felt to stop them slipping and scratching...

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Carol

Chipboard cut into a 3.5”square, this was then covered with sheet music, which was then coloured using distress inks. 

The rabbit is stamped and then watercoloured, the clock and “Time 4 t” was stamped using Versafine black ink.  The Coffee Cup Stain is one of the new stamps from Bubblyfunk Studio Calico range and this was stamped with sepia Versafine.  

The entire coaster was then protected with a couple of layers of varnish.

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Karen

These coasters are made from tweed fabric and edged and decorated with cotton,  with a felt back.  I love these!!!

 

These coasters are altered beer mats covered with embossed mirri board and felt backed.  The box is made from a cup-a-soup box and covered with some of the Studio Calico Home Front paper.

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Tracee

 

A cute little desk tidy with matching pens paper clips and post-it note holder. It is quite simple to make by stitching coasters together to form the main box, with each side having a different purpose.

There are more details and pictures on my blog. http://stresstickled.blogspot.com/

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Sharon

For the coasters challenge I made gift boxes using coasters as the back and front.

I made gussets (side panels) from card.

I made three different depths of bags 6cm, 7cm and 8cm - see photographs of all three.

In the narrowest bag I made a coordinating birthday book and a notelet holder.

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Caroline

I had these coasters for some time, sitting waiting to be altered, decorated - something!

So I covered them in small glass mosaic tiles and they now sit on my coffee table.  They already had a cork back, so are perfect for the job!

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If you want to know more about the designers then click on the top link - in the navigation bar just under the logo - and you can find out a little bit about them and a link to their blog.

We hope you enjoy our challenge and look forward to seeing your projects!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Vanilla Sugar Team......x

Happy New Year :-)