Thanks A Bunch!

 

 

Get the mini ones involved with turning trash to treasure for their special teacher. Americana Chalky Finish for Glass will transform any jar or bottle that was headed for the recycling into a pretty vase!

 

 

 

 

 The stunning new Diamond Press dies and stamps have been used to make a special tag. I love these sets, they are amazingly versatile and so easy to use.  The sentiment has been stamped in coloured ink to give it an extra wow!

 

 

 

Tie the tag to your jar with twine add a button and fill with flowers for a special gift.

 

 

 

 

It really is that easy!

Thanks for popping by

 

Cate x

Hand Stamped Wedding Favours

It's that time of year when we are making all things 'weddingy' and brides are busy putting the finishing touches to their special day.

Combining favours and place settings is a great idea, and means you can get really creative with creating special handcrafted keepsakes.  Our corrugated Kraft boxes are perfect for decorating and filling with the gift of your choice ( my favourite is wild flower seeds...a lasting memory for your guests!)

 

I painted my wooden heart blank using Refreshing Americana chalk paint...one coat was enough!

 

 

 

 

I always find it easier to start in the middle of my word when stamping as there is nothing worse than it being off centre when you have carefully stamped it all!

 

 

 

I tied the gorgeous lilac polka dot ribbon around my box first and then tied the heart to the bow using natural twine (I like to make life easy!)

 

Thanks for popping by!

Cate x

 

 

Glass Chalk Paint Bottle

 

Whilst browsing Pinterest recently I found a host of inspiration for decorating glass bottles and jars. Americana Chalky Finish for Glass paint is one of my favourite products ever...it's so easy to transform a jar or bottle that would have found it's way into the recycling bin, into something beautiful with next to no effort.

 

 

I dusted off my paint and used Collall glue to stick the twine in a heart shape on the glass bottle.

 

 

 

I painted the bottle and string with the chalky finish for glass paint, and hey presto I have a pretty rustic vase for my Peony...it really is that easy!

 

Thank for popping by

Cate x

Shabby Chic Tray

The papers in the Kaisercraft Cottage Rose collection are so pretty and can be used on all sorts of crafty projects. I quite often love the papers so much, that I can't bear to cut into them, or stick things on them...using this gorgeous paper on my tray was the perfect solution!

I usually use a crackle medium between my chalk paint layers, but this time decided to try something a little different.  I first painted the tray with Primitive Americana chalk paint and when it was completely dry painted over it with Promise Americana chalk paint (I was going to use my faithful white, but as I was trying something a little different...). I love these paints as no prep is necessary, they are so easy to apply, and leave a smooth brush free surface when dry.

I then used a sanding block to reveal the base coat of paint in places, I think it creates a lovely worn rustic look and shall be doing it again.  I wound some rustic twine around the handles and finished my tray by applying the beautiful paper to the base.  The tray has a glass panel so the paper will be protected.

I have to say I am quite pleased with the finished result! We are holding a workshop on the 9th July if you would like to make one yourself.

Thanks for popping by

Cate x

Gappy Smile Scrapbook Page

 

 

 

 

Mini MB has lost her front teeth, and although we are eagerly awaiting the new 'big' teeth, I am well aware that her gorgeous gappy smile won't last forever. The Soiree collection from BoBunny is so pretty, the papers co-ordinate beautifully and make scrapbooking easy!

 

 

Recipe

 

BoBunny Soiree Collection - Soiree Boutique

BoBunny Soiree Collection - Soiree Charm

BoBunny Soiree Collection - Soiree Stripe

Tilly's Blue Floral Print Ribbon

Tilly's Pink Floral Print Ribbon

Coffee Lace

Kraft Heart Tag

English Country Garden Floral Duo Dies

Twine

Self Adhesive Pearls

 

 

The papers are a dream to work with. I have layered distressed (scissors is my preferred method of distressing!) strips  from the Soiree Stripe paper...making sure to use both sides of the paper!  The circle has been cut from Soiree Boutique paper and attached to the layout using foam pads to give a little extra depth.

 

 

Bunting has been cut from the co-ordinating papers and finished with a twine bow.

 

 

Strips of the Tilly's floral print ribbon and coffee lace have been stapled around the edge of the circle, the stapling makes attaching the ribbons easy and creates a quirky look!

 

 

 

 

 

The flowers have also been cut from the co-ordinating papers, finished with a pearl and attached to the layout. My journaling has been written on the kraft tag and tucked under the circle to preserve the pretty effect.

 

Thanks for popping by

Cate x







 

 

 

 

 

Transform A Glass Bowl Using Serviettes

 

 

Recipe

 

Glass Bowl

Jo Sonja Glass & Tile Part B

Serviettes

Paint

Varnish

Paintbrush

Sponge

 

Method

Ensure your glass bowl is clean and dry (you can clean it with pure alcohol if required).

 

Carefully Tear the serviette into small pieces

 

Separate the layers of your serviette...you will use the very top layer.

 

 

Lay a piece of the serviette inside your bowl and 'paint' it to the bowl using the Glass & Tile Part B and a flat paintbrush.

  

 

Continue to paint pieces of the serviette to the inside of the bowl to build up the design.

 

 

Ensure the bowl is dry (you can use a hairdryer to accelerate drying time) and then apply paint to the inside of your bowl using a sponge. This will really make your design 'pop'. The bowl can be left transparent if desired.

 

 

When the paint is fully dry (again a hairdryer can be used to accelerate the drying time), you can carefully remove excess serviette from the rim of the bowl using a craft knife.

 

The inside of your bowl can be varnished using the finish of your choice.

 

 



 

It's so easy to transform a plain glass bowl into something beautiful!

 

Thanks for popping by

 

Cate x

 

Back in the land of Blogging!

Oh dear it's been a while!

I promise to make a conscious effort to pop by more often, but for now I want to show you our fresh new website.

It's still a work in progress, but I'm pretty happy with it...let us know what you think! Constructive feedback is always useful...good or bad!

Cate x