THE ALTERED FLEA: flowers

Showing posts with label flowers. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

A Hint of Autumn

Crunchy fallen leaves. Cool breezes. Cozy sweaters. These are all hints of autumn. However, those of us in Southern California are still wearing shorts and sleeveless tops. I'd apologize, but I have nothing to do with the weather fairies. Our younger daughter lives on the east coast, so we are well aware of the havoc that Hurricane Sandy is creating. We hope everyone on the eastern side of the country will soon dry out.

Even though autumn has not yet showed up here, I decided to put away all the summer paint colors and seek out autumn hues.

This sponged blue coat rack had been hiding (for good reason) for many years. Our older daughter painted this in the mid '90s when sponging was "in." It was high time to transform it into an autumn coat rack (just in case the temperature falls low enough for us to wear our coats).

I chose a fun autumn scrapbook paper from my stash. In fact, this entire project was created with everything on hand. I especially like the words on this paper which evoke cool(er) weather ahead.

Then I mixed together two colors of acrylic paint creating a mustard hue to complement the paper.

After a light sanding, I brushed two coats of paint onto the wood rack, completely covering the old blue color.

After the rack dried, I experimented with different embellishments to see what would match the best. Although I like the way these flowers look, I decided to save them for another project.

This rack measures 23" wide x 3-1/2" tall. I cut two pieces of paper, each 12" x 3", so when adhered to the wood, would expose 1/4" of the painted wood on either side.

To accent the sides of the paper, I "edged" the paper using Chestnut Roan chalk ink. Chalk ink goes on smooth and is dry to the touch, so the ink doesn't smear.

OK, time to Mod Podge! Be sure to cover both surfaces (in this case, the back of the paper and the front of the wood) to maximize the adhesive power of the Podge.

A roller will help eliminate possible air bubbles.

Although I painted the four knobs in the same mustard color as the wood rack, I decided to punch it up a bit and re-painted each one a different color, coordinating them with the paper. Then I scoured through my sticker folder and found letter stickers, spelling out f-a-l-l.

Adding a multi-layered flower and raffia, the transformed coat rack is now ready for autumn!

Now, if only the weather would cooperate.

Thanks for visiting!

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My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Autumn Abounds

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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Be My Valentine

You look so familiar. Do we know each other?

Oh yes, I recognize you now.

We frequently run into each other in the $1 aisle at Tar-che[z]!

Well in that case, you probably bought a few of these tin mailboxes.

Did you get one in red, white or pink? Oh, one of each color! Me, too...

Most probably you will use this cute little box to "mail" Valentine goodies to your special someone[s]. That's exactly what I'm going to do.

But first, I must alter the mailbox...

Materials:

one tin mailbox (your choice of color)
Decorative scrapbook papers
Three coordinating Ribbons
Metal Charms (lockets, keys, hearts, etc.)
Flowers
Buttons
Mini tag
Mod Podge
Dymo label maker

Measure and cut one piece of decorative paper to cover the main piece of the box. I cut it 4" wide x 12" long. The 12" just barely covers the entire body of the box. Adhere paper to mailbox using Mod Podge, starting at the bottom center of the box.

Carefully move the flag out of the way as you adhere the paper. If the area around the flag anchor tears, you can cover it with a flower later, and no one will be the wiser. Let paper dry with flag in up position.

Cut additional piece of paper 1" wide x 3" long.

Adhere to one of the open sides.

You can, of course, cut two pieces of paper, and embellish both sides.

Let dry.

Using Dymo label maker, type "Be My Valentine"

or other phrase of your choosing, and stick label below paper.

Apply another coat of Mod Podge over the entire mailbox.

Cut 5" lengths from three different ribbons.

Tie together all three ribbons into a knot,

catching charm locket in knot as well.

Tape ribbon ends of one ribbon to inside of mailbox.

Trim additional ribbon ends.

Embellish flag with flowers, buttons, key charm, and mini tag.

Add contents. For the chocoholic, use kisses.

Or fill mail box with stationery, tissue pack, key chain and a candle.

You can also add a gift card and coupons.

Done.

Don't forget to place the flag in the up position!

Partying with these lovely bloggers:

Ginger Snap Crafts
Oopsey Daisy
Answer is Chocolate
Serenity Now

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Gothic Art, Momma Style

Gothic art, a Medieval art movement that developed in France out of Romanesque art in the mid-12th century, has taken on a revival of sorts, especially in clothing and accessories. Sometimes misunderstood, goth is usually considered counterculture.

Well, this is as counterculture as I get -- my version of Gothic artwork, Momma style!

Using a new Gothic-style paper collection, I chose paper with a black background and bright pink and lime green chandeliers. Although I wanted to go with lime green accents, I started this project while on vacation with a very limited art supply. [Boogie board trumps craft boxes.] So I used what I had, and I chose pink, which at least matched the paper.

This canvas measures 10" wide x 8" tall. I painted the edges pink, and when dry, decoupaged the paper to the canvas, leaving 1/8" border along the sides. Once this dried, I used very little paint and light brush strokes to make the paper look "edgy." I tried my best to paint outside of the lines, literally and figuratively.

I then cut coordinating card stock measuring 4-1/2" x 6-1/2" and 4" x 6" and decoupaged it to the canvas at an angle. The photo frame will be placed on top of this.

Once home [the vacation flew by way too quickly], I gathered together a variety of coordinating embellishments, and chose those that would enhance the project.

I love ribbon!

Using strong double-sided adhesive, I adhered a 4" x 6" acrylic frame in place.

The I added one of my favorite vacation photos. The great thing about using an acrylic frame is that you can change the photo whenever you want! I stapled black & white ribbon to the side of the photo frame, a trio of flowers to the top left corner of the frame, and a single flower at the opposite end. I used buttons and large brads for the flower centers.

I then added a mini frame, an acrylic key and lock, and two pink photo turns, framing "best buds" which was printed on a transparency. [Hint: When using transparency, print on rough side of paper so the ink does not smear.]

See the "edgy" pink & black-dotted bead trim? I adhered it to the back bottom of the frame. I love how it dangles from the canvas. I also love the fact that I finally used this trim as I have had it in my stash for over ten years!