Altered Bottles and Notebooks

Been busy creating more altered bottles and other things. I've done a couple of craft shows so I have some experience in that now and will try some others in the future.

  

 Here's a Christmas bottle made with a tag I had from last year which I cut to decorate this bottle. The other has an air dry clay piece I stamped and painted.

  

This one has metal buttons and a piece of an old doily and the composition book below was covered in paper, ribbon and silk flower.

 Are you more than ever more inspired to create since Pinterest came on the scene? I sure am. I wish I had more time to devote to my crafts. I'm still trying to learn to draw, sew more, and want to start making soldered jewelry too and my darn full time job is in the way, arghhh!

Enjoy the rest of the week and I hope you find the time to create,

Collaged Mother Goose and Wax video

New collages and mixed media I worked on recently using images from an old Mother Goose child's book that was falling apart:

Love the crackle here

Finally tried wax on this one

 I "stamped" thick gesso with a recycled paper tube here

 

Scrunched dress pattern tissue here 

If you want to try beeswax on your pieces, here's a great video from Stampington.  This link takes you to their video.

Many other good videos at their video library as well.

Here's wishing you're enjoying your summer!

Anniversary Frame and a Dozen Darlings

I'm still without my beloved PC, so it hasn't been easy to download photos. I'm quickly doing this on my daughter's PC which is not the ideal, but here goes.

This is an anniversary frame I made for a friend who needed an anniversary gift for a friend. I used a yard sale frame which I brushed with some white gesso on the edges to tone down the gold. I then made a ribbon bow to which I attached some tiny pearl trim, a silk Peony and bling from an earring. A true repurpose, recycle, upcycle project.
I'm hoping its well received.

This is a quick layout from a book page. I used a flower cutout from wallpaper which I gessoed a bit. At the top, an amazing handmade paper I got from a swap. See how it was glued in a square pattern (I know there's a better word to describe it, but it escapes me right now) leaving open squares. I love its color too. I used a smaller piece that was coming apart after I cut it at the bottom of the flower too. The sweet picture of the 12 children is from a vintage photo I picked up at an antique store. Pieces of pink vellum cut with wavy scissors. I decorated the bottom of it with rick rack and lace and stamped throughout the background. Click on the picure for a larger image and to see details.

Dozen Darlings - By Nelly aka Bella Nella

For those in the USA, I hope you're enjoying the summer everyone, I'm already stressing about how soon it'll be gone.

I have many more photos of my altered book from the internet class I've been taking and a fat book I worked on for my daughter's high school years for her graduation. I'll post those soon too.

Nelly

Altered Book Photos

I'm learning so much about altered books! I'm so grateful to Elizabeth of Altered Book Lover for giving so much of her time and talent to teach this class free of charge. She's touching of many techniques and really challenging me. I've used gesso for the first time and I love the look. Loved doing the pockets and next lessons which I'm late with involved a zipper and another buttons. Thanks again, Elizabeth!!

'till next time,

Altered Book Class

Elizabeth of Altered Book Lover and beyond has generously given her time and amazing knowledge and is teaching a free online class to almost 200 people. Her expertise and commitment to this class is unbelievable and I, for one, have learned so much and appreciate all her efforts to make this available free of charge to so many of us.

Here are some of what I've done so far in this class.
Background papers below done in acrylics and baking soda and applied with a credit card

Masking with acrylic paint

Acrylics applied with credit card and inks


Niche cut out. My first so it wasn't the cleanest.



And for more ideas on altering books, how about this awesome idea? Coffee Table blogged at Design Sprout.

Thanks for visiting,

This and That

I have been busy with the online altered book class I'm taking, and an art doll swap. I have learned many new techniques for the altered book and I never made art dolls, so its been challenging as well as fun. I'll post some photos soon. And the wall hanging below, I made for a wedding gift.

Sept. 2010 Issue of Scrapbooking.com Magazine

And as usual, I'm checking the web to learn even more about arting, for more inspiration and blog candy overall. Here are a couple of things I thought I'd share with you:

How to use empty cereal boxes for your crafts

via: Crafting A Green World

Simple paper flowers

via: foreveramber925

Convert your current photos into an old time version. Very cool.
Click here

Cool Use for Magazines

In blogging around, I saw yet another cool use of paper.

At Craftstylish

Altered Rolodex

Here's the finished Rolodex I worked on to give to someone retiring at work. The cards were done by several employees in our department. I later put it all together. The single cards photographed here are my own design. A cool touch for wrapping, use old sewing patterns instead of tissue. That's what I used in the bag that had the gift. Something I know this person appreciates as she's a sewer and an advocate for the green movement.

Addicted to Eye Candy

Its almost paralyzing! I'm not creating as much as I am viewing other artist's work on the web. Thanks God for the internet, right? So much there to see, learn, be inspired by. Well, here's something I made a bit ago. Its a board book that I altered with all about my favorites in decorating my house, such as colors, styles, decorating ideas, fabrics, etc. I only have the front cover right now. Will post the rest soon.

Since Halloween is right around the corner, here's a couple of cool projects I saw published on Country Home Magazine's Oct. issue. Aren't they neat! Love that repurposing of the license plates.



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