Altered Art Collage

This piece was inspired by my daughter. The textures and layers, symbolize the depth of her personality. The bold color is her strength that is found deep within. The writing on the arms and legs is the fact that I can read her like a book, and she with me. The quote is a constant reminder when the world doesn't always understand who you are. 

Crafters note: I'm lovin me some modge podge lately. I started with a regular white canvas, and proceeded to apply layers of paper, paint, pattern paper and stamps, (but quickly learned to use permanent ink as the modge podge will smear). Of course, I had to add a little bling, and I left my model barefoot because summer is almost here!

We lost a friend a few days ago, to a heart attack. She was 51 and gone in an instant. Leaving a husband and two children, parents, siblings, and other family members. I am not usually very personal on my blog, but it has been a tough week for the family. Hug your loved ones a little longer today, and remember those who are hurting, for even when it may not seem like it, God's blessings will surround you.  

Much love, 

Ele

linking to:

Marvelous Monday

Market Yourself Monday  

Tip Junkie Tuesday

Sensational Tuesdays

One Project at a Time, Tuesday

Take a Look Tuesday

Show me What you Got, Tuesday!

Ta Da Tuesday

White Wednesday Style

While on a little vacation, I entered a shop that literally, for a moment, took my breathe away. Farm tables (too big to fit in the car), and beautiful creamy white and ivory papers. There were French books, packets of ephemera, stacks of slightly yellowed cards inscribed with beautiful words, placemats, and lined tablets. 

A large book of tear out placemats and a lined tablet filled with gathered thoughts were quickly purchased by mwa, (I really love all the glorious shades of "white" paper).  

Placemats aren't just for breakfast anymore. I can see a wrapped gift box, (think bridal shower), drawer liners, a kitchen picture, kitchen bulletin board background paper, or even used as a runner for my revamped table,  

 

Each page of the "Gathered Thoughts" stack shares a little bit of daily inspiration. Who knows where this paper will end up, but I'll be sure to point it out to you when it happens!

I'm linking to

Faded Charms 

Tabletop Tuesday 

 Savvy Southern Style

 Verry Merry Vintage Style 

 Junk in Their Trunk

Common Ground

Have a gorgeous day!

Ele

Table Makeover

Don't forget about my artist call in the post below.

Bye bye golden oak. 

Hello Annie Sloan's robin egg blue chalk paint.

After....

Before....

Yes,  I changed the knobs, and painted the mirror. 

This paint arrived in the mail, because where I live, no one knows about Annie Sloan chalk paint, no one sells Annie Sloan chalk paint, and (seriously) golden oak is still king.  

The paint I used was robin's egg blue. I love it.  The paint went on easy peasy. I followed with the clear wax, which took a bit of woman power, but soooo worth it! I debated; clear wax, dark wax, clear wax, dark wax, and after much thought, (and little reasoning), I ordered the clear Annie Sloan wax to use on my table.  Honestly, I wasn't too smitten with the look of the actual paint, but as I began to buff the wax over the paint, angels began to sing. 

I was about to distress and sand this baby, but Mr. Heaven walked in and said he liked the table just the way it was. stable. The wax itself  provided just a dabble of variation, and I admit, I liked it that way too.  I am very curious to try the dark wax, so maybe next project. 

What do you think?

Have a beautiful weekend, Ele

Linked to http://shadesofamberinc.blogspot.com/

Artist/Crafter Call

Calling Craft Artists for a " A Heavenly Bit of Design."

Each month I will feature five artists. I will send out a package of Heavenly Bits, (crafting supplies chosen by me), to each featured artist, and they will create an item (or items) using the supplies. Items created for A Heavenly Bit of Design, will be featured during a specific week of each month.

• I will mail craft supplies free of charge (total cost of being in this project, $0)
• You need to incorporate the heavenly bits into your design. Your may add your own additional supplies, but try to use as much of the heavenly bits as possible.
• You must be a blog owner, and have previous posts of items that you have made. You will be required to publish a post on your item(s), and link back to me. I will provide you with a graphic to add to your post and sidebar.
• You will have a month to created, and will be asked to post on a specific day chosen by me.
• You may keep the item(s) you create, have a giveaway, or link to a selling site with the item listed.
• This is NOT a competition. Once you send me your info, your name will be in "the mix." If you don't hear from me right away, I might be saving you for a specific style/supplies.
• Please e-mail me at elee(at)srt(dot)com, or use the contact on the blog top bar. Please include a link to your blog, and a link(s) to your artwork.

I've been waiting for you, my lovely.

 

I love vintage mirrors. They are heavy, not plastic, and I am particularily fond of gold French Rococo as I like paring it with neutral shades, textures and even something a little rustic. If you look in the mirror, you will see the wall where this beauty will be placed.

ps: no I don't have a baby, that's a dog gate!

So the day I received this mirror, went like this:

•  go to an auction with husband and son
•  leave the auction with husband because I am tired, (insert yawn)
• tell son a couple of things that I like, but no need to get the mirror
• text from son said, "you liked the gold mirror, right?"
• "It's yours"

Awe, it's mine.

Now, if that child of mine could find this little French Rococo styled headboard at an auction for $20.00 we'd be in business!

http://www.decorpad.com

Blessings, Ele

Church Studio III

A few more pics around the work area in my studio. Remember, I said I was planning to change the color, so keep the ideas coming!

Some of my silver candelabras, collected seashells, and a piece of fabric framed sit on top of my white cupboard.  

A framed article about the origin of this church building, china plates hung on the wall, as well as a fabric stash in the corner are part of my church studio.

A mannequin clothed in cards from my childhood, and a little chippy outside goodness. 

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,

Ele

Church Studio II

Believe me, the inside of my church studio is not always so neat and tidy. But today, I have cleaned up my work table just for you!

My table is positioned under a wall cabinet that once belonged to my husband's grandmother. It houses part of my teacup collection. Been thinking of changing the pink walls. What do you suggest?

The pen/pencil scissor caddy is made with modge podge, paper, and a millinery flower.

Think I will go softer with the color. Please give me your ideas.

See you Friday, for part three of the Church Studio.
Blessings, Ele

Church Studio

My vintage church building comes with a lot of wonderful history. It was a place where people got married, babies were baptized, and lots of fellowship ensued. A place of warmth, love, and refuge. In many ways, it still is, even though it has traveled 60 miles, (after the church closed), from it's original location, to a place on my farm, beside my home. 

It is my refuge, my place of warmth, my creative place.

Inside my vintage church, a white cupboard holds jars of goodies. I opted not to put on the cupboard doors. This way, I can see a few of my favorite things, (yes, this is where you can break into song from the Sound of Music).

My cupboard holds lace, wedding bells, pearls & vintage jewels,

glitter letter, scrabble letters, brides, grooms, millinery flowers, 

a pink crepe bird nest,

 glass poodle dogs, yo yos, a ballerina from Holly Abston, 

and a sweet pink girl under glass.

For those of you not familiar with my building, the outside looks like this:

I will be back on Wed., for a continued look at the inside of my studio!

Be sure to friend me on facebook, (Ele Fogarty Erickson, google, or join my e-mail subscriptions for updates on new posts. 

I am linking to Metamorphosis Monday, after all a church building converted to a studio is quite a change. Please visit http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2012/05/short-or-tallplease-help-me-choose.html for other great posts!

Monday Blessings to all of you!

Ele

Kris Hurst from Blissful Elements http://krislhurst.blogspot.com/ is the lucky winner (by random generator) of the Annie Sloan book! I have long been a Blissful Elements admirer. Congratulations Kris!
On Monday, I will show you around my studio, which is inside a vintage church building, located next
to my home. It's a play house just for me!

Giveaway!

Two days left to visit my blog and enter my giveaway!

http://www.abitofpinkheaven.blogspot.com

Also, visit inspiring blogs at  Whatever You Want Wednesday Links!
hosted by Pretty Things For You!

Annie Sloan Book Giveaway!

It's Giveaway Time!

Leave me a comment on my facebook, or directly on my blog. Say, "hi," or "thanks," or anything you like, and I will put your name in (1 per person) for a random drawing, for the book, Creating the French Look, by Annie Sloan.

Annie Sloan's chalk paints come in fab colors, and she will show you examples of transformed pieces of furniture. I love this book. It covers many French styles, and really clears up any confusion you might have between them. This giveaway will end on May 4th.

My son recently brought home a 'bag of rags" to be used on the farm, from an auction. The bag was $1.00. In the bag were several of the linen towels just like the one that was used to upholster the chair on Annie's book cover. The towels are now MINE:)

Good Luck!

Ele

Jane and Susie

You just might be a little surprised to find out that I really like some of the bright designs associated with 50's and 60's! Especially, the silhouettes of vintage little girls, which I lovingly call Jane and Susie, (in honour of most of my baby dolls, which I named either Jane or Susie). 

I found some great 50 reproduction prints, on paper, and decided to make a few journals with them. I love the small patterns, and the bright colors.

Sweet girl, daddy's girl, sugar and spice, one rainy day, and D is for Duck all play together on the front of these books, (which could also be used as a baby shower guestbook and to record gifts with plenty of room left for mom and dad to write about the baby). I'm sure you'll agree, Susie, and Jane, are pretty sweet. If you are interested in purchasing either of these send me an e-mail through my blog contact. 

Check out this fun etsy seller, for a step back in time:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/darlingstewardess

Have a wonderful week,
Ele

Tag

I've been playing a lot of tag lately. You know, the kind with pretty papers and trims.

I like to sell them in groups of five, fastened together by a metal binder ring, so tags can be removed as you use them. I find that it's my more creative customers that like to buy them. They attach them to fabric bags, baskets, jars, or even plain kraft gift bags, (which you can buy bundled up for 50 cents each).





I also find that people do not like to throw them away, and want to reuse them, which is great, but a problem if the back is written in pen, so pencil is encouraged!

We are getting some much needed rain today. As I look out my upstairs window, some calves are snuggling with their mamas while others aren't bothered by the rain at all, and are still frolicking. Children, in every form, are a delight. 

Altered Clip Boards

March was a month of travel and celebration, as I celebrated my 50th birthday. It was filled with lots of heart-felt fun, and thank you to everyone who wished me a happy day, and made my day great.

Still, it does feel good to be back making a big mess on my work table, getting my fingers sticky with glue, and sharing my creations with you.

Yes, I use clipboards. Nerdy, clipboards, but as you see.......mine are pretty. They are altered, vintage inspired, and blinged.  The collage surface is modge podged for a smooth, wipe-able surface.

I use clipboards to hold my papers, bills, and even scraps of paper for crafting. 

Seam binding, charms, and a key are added, and of course, vintage jewels. 

Blessings,

Ele

Beautiful Bebe Doll

Vintage baby image,  a snippet from a vintage baby card, pink flocked wallpaper (my absolute fav.), and a gold German scrap crown make up this collage. It's really very simple and not fanciful, but babies are always sweet.

I do have to say that I like the ink on the ledger paper, and the wrinkles. It has a dishoveled look against the pristine white and baby pink wallpaper.

I made this a couple of years ago, and had put it in a drawer in my office. Cleaning always brings out treasures.

I made 25 of these sweet babies for a collaborative book effort. Mailed them, and unfortunately forgot to put tracking on them. They were never seen again. At least I still have one! 

Check out the cute baby scrubs on http://www.hannahbananababy.com

Have a beautiful week.
Blessings,
Ele  

RePurpose and ReUse Shopping Bags

Step by step instructions on how to create this:

from this:

Don't throw away shopping bags just because they have the store name on them. Repurpose and Reuse! This bag has great colors of Red and Hot Pink. I picked out scrapbook paper that had similar shades, only a different design. I like to pair a large print (stripe), with a smaller print.

Cut a strip wide enough to cover the store logo.

Turn the paper to it's back side, lay bag on top, and trace down the excess paper using the bag as your template. 

Trim off excess, by cutting along the inside of the line. 

Glue the paper to the bag by laying a thin strip of glue around the edge of the paper, and a few dots in the center. The key is not to use a lot of glue as the front side will look bumpy. If you do get a little too much glue, don't worry, it will dry flatter then it not wet. Stick glue will work, but over time, can detach from glossy paper. 

Next, you are going to pick trims to cover the edges of the scrapbook paper.  You can buy narrow foot long stickers, or sticker backed ribbon from the scrapbook department, or venture into the sewing department for a variety of trims that can be glued down.  

  

I chose a strip of hot pink rhinestone stickers, and rose colored velvet ribbon. Just about anything can be glued down, except satin ribbon, as the glue will show through.

Next, dip into your old, hardly every used jewelry, or take a trip to the second hand store and find an accent piece for your gift bag. Repurposing old jewelry will literally cost quarters. I chose a lavender colored drop, and some faux pearls, added them to a snippet of velvet ribbon, and glued it on.

If the store logo is on both sides of the bag, don't forget to cover it! However, you don't have to use jewelry accents on both sides, unless you want.

Voila, a bag for you to ReUse for gift giving.

 

Blessings, Ele