Paint Chips.....who knew?

Well, I am one busy lady these days. I have my blog and my little crafty business "A Vintage Mouse".  I teach scrapbooking at the local big box craft store (not allowed to say which one but if the letter "M" pops into your mind, go with it :)))  I also sell Close to my Heart (sandyholly.ctmh.com).  I love their products but enjoy creating my own designs with them. Recently, as I was noodling around ideas for a CTMH card workshop I was going to host, the hubby reminded me we needed to pick out paint for a sweet little table I picked up for a song.  Now, I would rather eat a bug than follow my hubby around in a hardware store, but since the paint was for me, I was stuck. Let me tell you, there are a bzillion shades of white (for the table) and picking the right one was nearly impossible, because I couldn't take my eyes off all the gorgeous colors in front of me!!  With irresistible names like French Riviera (teal) and Two to Tango (orange) I was completely smitten!  Wait a minute, I thought, this is just what I need to give my cards a real punch!  With a can of Antique White in the cart and my purse stuffed with paint chip lusciousness, we headed home.  After completing my card designs, I set about creating kits for them.  This makes it so much easier for the customers to deal with.

So proud of myself!  I actually set up the paint chips to cut on the Cricut for this card!  Very helpful since I was planning to make 7 kits for the workshop.  I used Make the Cut to set this up, but Cricut Craft Room would work too. 

 

I was a bit worried how they would cut with the Cricut, but the paint didn't chip and since they're about the same thickness as cardstock, they cut just fine. And they stuck to the mat really well!

Here they are!  Whatcha think?  I can't wait to try them on other projects!  But I think I better wait a bit before I raid the paint aisle again ;)  I think they need to re-stock :))

(Four cards have the paint chips) 

P.S.  Be sure to visit my Close to my Heart web page.  You'll see  some awesome stuff! Plus, you can order right off my page!  http://sandyholly.ctmh.com/

 






More than just a Purse!

I came across a stash of vintage black purses while doing a little pikin' awhile back.  You know the kind....some 60's patent leather, gold accents, Lucite handles, dressy fabric.....something your grandma might have owned.  After some thinking, I decided they were too cool to just use as a purse and maybe a bit too shabby too (and not in a good way :)).  So I decided to play around with something I had seen on Pinterest awhile back......using them to display vintage photos!  Just a really cool piece of wall art that would be gorgeous with a shabby chic, Paris apartment or French country kind of décor.  Very glammy.  But guess what, I actually did what I always forget to do when I'm in a creative frenzy........I made a tutorial for it!  Now mine turned out a little different than the ones I saw on Pinterest, but pretty cool just the same! 


Cut some floral foam to fit inside the purse.

Glue foam into the purse using Beacon 3-in-1 glue.  In this case I glued it into the pocket

You may need to cut away some of the liner to get to the sturdier hard part of the purse. In this case I glued foam to each side of the purse and then to each other.  You want your purse to remain open about 2 inches so you can put the flowers in, but no more open than that.

Now you're ready to work with the frame.  I used a small vintage gold metal frame.

Take the frame apart and clean it up real nice.  Save all the pieces.

Take off the easel part on the back by pulling up the staple.  

Put the frame back together with a photo of your choice and glue it to the purse.  I just love that 3-in-1 glue man, it works on everything!

Select your flowers.  I personally love the look of roses and peonies in shades of cream & pink but go with whatever makes you happy!

If your flowers are part of one large stem, cut them apart so you can insert them individually into the floral foam. You'll want them long enough to fit to nearly the bottom of the purse when inserted.  Use care not to cut yourself in the process!

 

This part, glittering up the flowers is optional.  I have friends who are very squeamish about glitter, but I'm a huge fan!  Everything looks better with a little sparkle, I say :))!  I used the clear, chunky kind for a subtle, fairy-dust kind of look.

This is basically a 2 step process. 

Dip the flower into some Mod Podge.

Then dip it into the glitter.  That's it!!!  Add more or less as desired.

After the glitter has dried, gently brush off any excess with a brush.

And voila!!!!  Who wouldn't love this?  It looks even better in person!

More glittery gorgeousness!

We're almost to the finish line.  Just insert your flowers into the foam, carefully placing them to cover up the foam.  You can also use a straight pin to add a hankie or a glove for a very vintage sweet touch!

And there you have it!  A gorgeous Vintage Purse Art piece to hang on the wall or set on a shelf. 

Another piece of pretty Purse Art!  Wow! Say that 3 times fast! :)  I love the sentiment on this one.

Who wouldn't love Audrey a la Breakfast at Tiffanys hanging on their powder room wall?!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!  All 3 of these cuties are for sale in my Etsy shop btw.  These are so fun to make, I'm planning more with some new tricks up my sleeve.  My daughter's been giving me suggestions :)  Till next time................Sandy

First Rose of Spring

Spring is my very, very favorite time of year.  I love watching the tiny little buds slowly poke their little heads from the bare wood of the trees in my yard.  I love the soft colors too.  Spring green, pale pink, robins egg blue, purple iris, daffodil yellow.  Spring means we made it through winter and all is new again.  This year there's a new pope in the Vatican.  So fitting then, that the first rose to bloom in my garden is Pope John Paul II, a white beauty with a strong, lovely fragrance.  It's the perfect bloom to jump start my favorite time of year!

Easter Craft Time!

The year is still fresh and I've been crafting my little heart out!  I've been making lots of new things, it seems there is no shortage of ideas and inspiration that fill my little mouse head, keeping me up at night, full of excitement.  One of those ideas is a cute little Easter craft that I'd like to share with you.  I've always been into recycling and when a friend was blessed with a precious little grandson, I asked if I could have any empty baby food jars she had.  I turned these little jars into a fun Easter gift that will add a bit of whimsy to any Easter basket!  Let me show you how....



Start with an empty baby food jar.  My husband likes the peaches and apricots, so even if I didn't have access to baby food jars, he said he would be willing to help me out with the project!  :))



Paint the lid an Easter color of your choice.  I made some in pink and also a minty green.  You can use a paint like the ones in the photo, that are made to work with the metal lid.  You might need 2 coats to cover the text on the lid, but be sure to allow the lid to dry between coats.  I made my hubby do it cause I have a sensitive snout! :))



Add a cute little critter to the center of the lid.  I got these sweet bunnies from Hobby Lobby in a pack of 6.  I adhered the little guy using my new favorite adhesive,  Beacon 3 in 1 Advanced Craft Glue,  I got at Michaels.  This stuff is super permanent and works on lots of surfaces! 

This part is partly up to you.  Using the same 3 in 1 glue, I smooshed some glue around the lid at the base of the bunny and poured on a little bit of Flower Soft, gently pressing it down so it would adhere better.  Now, I love Flower Soft, but it can be hard to find, so instead you could also use glitter, tiny flowers, beads, etc. whatever you want!

Mr. Bunny is starting to look pretty cute, huh?

 

Now for the inside part, which is pretty easy.  Just add some paper shred or fake grass that is available everywhere this time of year.  I got mine at Michaels and it comes in lots of different colors too.  Fill about halfway and add some candy eggs. 

 That's it!

A Sweet Little Bunny Jar of Eggs!

The Vintage Marketplace

 

After many differnt craft shows, THIS is the event I'm looking forward to selling at soon. It's a fabulous event held every 3 months at The Oaks in Fallbrook, Ca. If you've never been to it, you've GOT to check it out! I"m talking 40+ booths filled with oodles of vintage gorgeousness for sale! Go and see for yourself.

Happy New Year!




My tea-dyed muslin bags I have beautifully embellished with various bits of millinery flowers, vintage linens & lace, etc. and filled with tissue, potpourri, mulling spices, etc.   Tres chic!!

At last!  My last show for 2012 has come and gone.  Christmas has come and gone.  It's been an extremely busy year.  I started my sweet little craft business - A Vintage Mouse - with buckets of enthusiasm and a tiny budget.  I truly love what I'm doing but I definitely needed a break, time to re-charge my creative battery.  Now it's 2013 and I'm so excited about the possibilities for my little fledgling business.  There's so much work to be done but I am loving every minute of it!  Stay tuned for the next post on my progress.  In the meantime, here are a few pics of my last show.  And well, of course.....Happy New Year!

 



More of my sweet little snow people! They even have names!