Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Just Arrived From Germany ~ New Scraps for 2012!

At the beginning of year a select number of new scraps designs are released and added to the already-voluminous range of beautiful vintage images.  This year's designs feature a beautiful set of Jesus and Mary, flowers, veggies, Christmas themes like Santa and snow angels, guardian angels and more.  Offered in traditional sheet form as well as the popular large, thick single scraps, these scraps are 100% made in Germany. Please click HERE to see all styles. 

Friday, January 27, 2012

I Love This Pin Cushion!

This is quite possibly the most adorable pin cushion ever.  
He was carefully needle felted by Judy Johnson of Bay Colony Designs.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

New to the Shop: Czech Glass Buttons

We've added a whole host of Czech glass buttons to our Etsy shop this week.  From clear glass with silver accents to colored milk glass with a hobnail design to pretty multi-colored florals to dramatic blues and blacks, if they caught our eye, we couldn't resist.  Here are a few of my favorites:
We have twenty-four styles all together, all of which you can see HERE.  Not just for clothing and costumes, these buttons are stunning when worked into jewelry design, mixed media projects and more.  We thought you'd get a kick out of seeing how they're made, too:

Saturday, January 21, 2012

A Blown Glass Heart Valentine




This year delight your Valentine with a beautiful handmade heart ornament.  Made with a blown glass heart from Germany, Dresden foils, paper scraps, and pretty fabric trims.

 



Here are links to the very supplies we used:
Gold Dresden Border, Silver Dresden Border, Blue Shell Border
Dresden Halos
Floral Scraps, Angel Scraps
Blown Glass Heart
Rosebud Trims, Metallic Trims

Step 1: Start by gently removing the cap from your heart ornament.

Step 2: Next wrap a Dresden border around the side of the heart.

Step 3: Gently glue a fabric trim on top of the Dresden border.  You may have to hold the trim in place while the glue sets up so it conforms to the contours of the heart.

Step 4: When all has dried, gently replace the cap.



 Step 5: Next pair your angel scrap with a floral scrap and a halo.  We used the pairings below.




Step 6: Glue the angel scrap to the halo.  You may wish to reinforce behind the angel's head with a light cardstock so the halo's embossing isn't visible.

Step 7: Glue the angel and halo to the ornament and, once dry, glue the flower scrap in place, layering it slightly over the bottom of the angel's wings.

Step 8: Allow to dry.



A few things to keep in mind:
We like a clear-drying liquid craft glue for applying scraps and trims.

The angel design can be repeated on the back of the heart as well.  Or you can apply a petty Dresden foil heart.

Layering is what takes these from ordinary to extraordinary -- metallic trims, Dresden foil trims, fabric trims and scraps -- the art is in the overlay!