Thursday, June 19, 2014

Sailing a Whale in the Land of the Free....

A few weeks back I had a dream that woke me up laughing hysterically.  My grandmother was wearing the full gear and driving a fire truck.  She'd managed to solve a crime and come to my rescue. Apparently she was an undercover 'Jane Bond.'   But that's a dream for another post...

Yesterday morning I had another silly one that caused me to wake up DH at 2:30 a.m. with my laughing.  I've been thinking lately that shutters would look nice on our house and apparently went to bed with that thought in my head.  Suddenly I'm in a room filled with carpenters that are vying for the job. It wasn't enough that they just quote me a price and I select, no no...a talent show must ensue.  Next thing I know, DH and myself are sitting in lawn chairs ,ocean side, watching a carpenter sail past on a whale, like a cowboy on a horse; hat and all!   
Needless to say, he won! 

And that has WHAT to do with this post?  Well...keep reading.
If you're a regular follower of my blog, you'll know that I have been on a quest to create ornaments for our seasonal tree and I'm happy to say that I've just completed our 4th of July tree!

Appearing first are these precious little wagons sporting the red, white, and blue.
The file I used is Little Red Wagon Box Template.

To show scale, here are the boxes next to my mouse

Where did this wonderful file come from?  None other than...
(If you visit the blog and leave a comment, you could win 3 FREE files from her store!)

Here are the four that I made as 
Set 1 - Little Wagons

Set 2 - Hanging Stars

I covered white cardstock with foil tape and then ran the paper through my cutting machine and had it cut out 3 various sizes of stars.

Light coatings of Gesso were then applied to the foil tape. After drying a solid covering of Black Soot Distress Paint was then given to each star. Once this dried, I then painted over each corresponding sized star with either a red, white, or blue Distress paint and then lightly sanded.

The stars were then scored to fold.
All four completed here.  I love that they really look metal!

If you're still with me. 
 Here's where you'll understand the carpenter and the whale.  I really do have an obsession with shutters currently and thought that making these precious windows would be a cute ornament. Sort of like welcoming our troops home. 
You open the window and see our heroes just outside. 
Set 3 - Welcome Home Troops
 
Is this window CUTE or what?
I fell in love with this file Window Shaped Card Set

Here are 2 of the four I made

I thought it would be fun to make tiny firecrackers as an embellishment so I used yet another file from The Cutting Cafe to make these.  
Just before rolling, I glued a tiny bit of wire inside.

Now how about the absolutely fabulous vintage military cuteness images? Like them too??
Well, fret no more...they're here! They're here!
True Love for Our Hero located at the ever incredible Nicecrane Designs.

Here are the set of 4 that I made.
LOVE THEM!! 
I just wonder if the amazing whale whisperer could make shutters this pretty? 

Set 4 - Hanging Flags
I designed this on my silhouette cutter and then glued it all together. The rosettes with bottle cap centers make a pretty touch. 

And lastly,
Set 5 - USA



Here are the 5 that I made and they each also sport a sentiment from the following files:


Still here??  
If you are, thank you SO MUCH for visiting and I certainly do hope you found these items fun and inspiring.
 Please feel free to visit the fabulous designs from my friends at 
for all your creative and crafty needs.  
Hugs and Have a wonderful day,
Lisa xx

31 comments:

Sarah said...

Words fail me....again, Lisa!! You certainly go the whole hog!! Every single project is just perfect!! Well done and the tree looks glorious!! xx

Nicecrane Designs said...

OMG Lisa such a lot of beautiful projects,,,,,Love your windows card,,,,,so unnusal ones, so cute,,, love the deepth and they so fun to watch with my cute military images,,,, you are rock Lisa-

SD pooja said...

Awesome projects Lisa ! I always have something out of the box projects to see on your blog..I loved the cards with windows,soo adorable n unique too !

Regina Easter said...

HUMMMMMMMMMMM where do i begin, where do i end....oh goodness all so yummy, all so FANTASTIC...love your tree

Chrissy said...

I'm still with the whale!..lol..just let me catch up a bit.
WOW!! Fantastic as always Lisa..outstanding projects and just love the seasonal tree..the little cute wagons are wonderful..love the hanging stars and adorable image in those brillant windows..love the bottle tops with the hanging flags and the USA is just you.
FANTASTIC..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Jenny Marples said...

Well Lisa you've outdone yourself again (if that were even possible!) Love every one of these ornaments and I'm staggered by the fact you've found time to make four of each! So imaginative in every way you've captured so many elements of July 4th and I hope these get to make an appearance every year.
BTW, your dreams appear to be every bit as imaginative too! Jenny x

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Q
Does this tree ever come down?
I lost the thread of the story with the Whale, but then I am not with it at present.
Great work, love all the ornaments, and the cards, you have inspired many I suggest re decorations for Independence Day in your country.
Smiles:)
Sue

Marie-Louise said...

Oh wow - what a fabulous tree - the "ornaments" are stunning. You are so talented and have such wonderful ideas.

DesignerDiva said...

OMG! how can a mere mortal keep up with you! You are obviously not normal - I mean those dreams lol!! not to mention how many creations can you get into one post!!!!!!! I bet you wear your knickers on the outside of your trousers - Super Crafter strikes again. ANd the tree well WOW just doesn't begin to cover it, I bow to you Master
xx

Tammy said...

I'm absolutely speechless and so envious! What gorgeous ornaments and such creative energy! Absolutely love each one and your magnificent tree!

Tracy said...

You are stinkin' amazing Twang!!! Each of these ideas is so fresh and unique. You came up with some awesome designs. That tree could be in the White House! You just made my day with this post. LOVE IT!!!!! Was the carpenters name Ahab and the whale Moby? Did he have a saddle or was he riding bare back? You must include all the little details ya know. ;-) Hugs! H

Kelly said...

Maybe you should dream like this everyday! Does your brain shut off and get any rest? lol I love the shutter card ornament. Your ideas are so awesome, love the wagon too. Adorable and so professional looking. This is a awesome tree for the 4th and thank your hubby for serving the USA for us!!
Have a dreamy night!
Kelly

Lori said...

Just filled with awesomeness! The windows are absolutely adorable. It's such fun to leave your tree up and change it for the holiday. Love them all!!!!

Karon said...

Finally we know where you get your inspiration from, your dreams!! That you remember your dreams so vividly, just show how creative you are, even when you are asleep :-) Love all these fabulous creations, those stars, really do look like metal and I love the little wagons. Have a fabulous weekend.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Oh my patriotic word!!!! BRILLIANT work and so wonderfully festive! PINNED!!!!

Tina Goodwin said...

Oh my gosh! You are seriously AMAZING! I am in awe of your creations.

Words and Pictures said...

Oh, Lisa - I just read this whole post with a big smile of pure delight on my face. I figured the Christmas/Valentines/Easter tree probably got a bit of a break over the summer - but (being a Brit!) I forgot about 4th July of course!!

How fabulous all those ornaments are - so brilliantly designed and put together and so much FUN!

I loved hearing that you wake up laughing from your dreams - it's said of my favourite Shakespeare character, Beatrice: "It is said she hath often dreamed of unhappiness and waked herself with laughing"!

Thank you for your tree pictures - I'm delighted to see you're still keeping it busy!!
Alison xx

Julie Odil said...

Lisa, you blow me away! One project after another -- all wonderful! You just never quit!

Unknown said...

Holy Moly chica......where on earth do you come up with this stuff lol. You are a riot!!! I love, love, love each ornament and your tree is so freaking cool. You just keep hitting them out of the ball park L2. Fantastic post and projects. :)

Angeline Choo said...

OMG. Lisa, this is just so amazing!! You've been busy. Love that you decorated your Christmas tree for the 4th of July!

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

WOWZERS!!! All of these projects are winners! I esp am loving the hanging stars. I love anything Patriotic, so esp loved your post!

Meihsia Liu said...

Wow... all these creations are amazing, Lisa. I love those cute little wagons and hanging stars. This post is such a great inspiration! :)

Paper Profusion said...

I'm absolutely blown away Lisa!!! SO so creative - your mind is BRILLIANT and so inspirational!! I LOVE your tree. I hope all your neighbours call in to admire and enjoy its genius elements. Especially love those opening shutters. Love the top hat at top too! Nicola x

Keri’s Kreativity said...

I LOVE what you did with these files. They are so adorable!!

lalkygirl said...

wow lisa so many gorgeous homecoming gifts...love them all so detailed and fun ...what a clever lady you are
off for more snooping around your blog
tracey x

Lisa said...

F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.... I'm feeling pretty unproductive after seeing this absolutely gorgeous 4th of July tree and all of your lovely ornaments. They all turned out great and I just love the little wagons. So inspiring, Lisa, thanks!
Big hug,
Lisa
CRe8n4u

Sandy said...

You have really been on a creative roll and I love everything you have done here. Such a patriotic theme -and it is so good to see something positive for our country. I thank your husband and you for your service to the United States.
Your tree is such a grand idea - love the hat on top.
Bye for now kid!
Sandy xx

Margaret said...

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! Your patriotic tree is full of star spangled awesomeness! Your shuttered windows are way better than any whale wrangling carpenter could create!!
I am so going to try the year round tree next year so I don't have to take my tree down!!

Annie said...

Absolutely fabulous makes Lisa....your talent is amazing. Wish I lived closer as we would have such fun
Best wishes
Annie x

Pia S said...

I seldom get speechless, but you've got a talent for it, your creativity goes way beyond my English vocabulary, lol.
I LOVE your seasonal tree! And those wagons. Fabulous!

Mitralee said...

RIGHT before moving trucks arrived I took a good look at this post. Jaw dropped, eye balls watered, and I had a moment. Glad I got back to taking a better look from my easy chair and all unpacked! VERY LOVELY tree! fire crackers! rock on!