Friendship or Chocolate? Yes please.....

"There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate."

-Charles Dickens

Well, today I have recycled/upcycled project to share that sports a quote from Charles Dickens. I rather like the prior that mentions chocolate, but unfortunately the chocolate didn't make it long enough to be photographed. So, here is what I have to share today for a few mixed media challenges.

Found this at a thrift store for a couple pennies and wondered if it wouldn't make a cute water pitcher. I actually wondered that months ago as it collected dust in a cabinet.  As fate would have it, an April rolled around and a flourish of perfect challenges presented themselves and I thought this little 'oil' dispenser could use a new life.

Gathering the traditional mixed media products I began disguising and reinventing...

Wait! What's that? 

Well, it's an experiment. You be the judge if you like my watering pitcher actually pouring water (of sorts) along with its flora.

Above you can see the finalized stream of 'water' and later you see that the water has produced the foundation for these handmade flowers.

Another mixed media technique is stenciling and also a requirement for several challenges, so this Gothic stencil with modeling paste was applied to the front of the pitcher.

Another criteria for one of the challenges was to only use (1) stencil, (1) stamp, and (1) color...I chose to do an ombre of pinks. 

I used a stamp from Stampin' Up that has this Charles Dickens quote.

And here is is again showing that the liquid (hot glue) stream can be removed if desired.

Thank you so much for your visit and I hope you found some inspiration in this project.

Hugs and happy creating, 

Lisa x

I'm off to go rummage up some more chocolate!

Challenges I would love to enter:

Mixed Media Mojo - Recycle/Upcycle: Twist: Flowers

Mixed Media Place - The Power of One (stencil, stamp and color)

The Artistic Stamper - Flora and Fauna

Stamps and Stencils - Anything Goes

How To Make Your Own Faux Galvanized Containers....

Hello and welcome back again! 

It's almost Mother and Father's Day and Graduation here in the States, and finding a cute way to give a gift that is suitable for all genders and ages can be tough; especially, if you don't have a lot of time or ideas.  So, when I saw this post on Shelly Hickox's blog, Stamptramp, I knew it would be the perfect technique for what I needed.

Here are three that I've made so far...

On the left you'll see the original container. These came in green, pink and red and are a set of 3 for $1 at The Dollar Store!    Following fairly closely to Shelly's directions, but using what paints I had on hand, here's how I made mine.

 

The Step 1 was spray painting the containers with a solid base coat.  As you can see I did two in black and one of them with Rust-Oleum Rusty Metal Primer spray.

Then I cut up a kitchen sink sponge and began splotching with the following paint combinations.

 Step 5 is here where I designed the label shape and I'd like to share it with you too.  

I cut this label out and then while step 6 was drying, I decorated the label in step 7.

And here is a close-up again.

These would be cute for holding almost any gift idea and when they've used up the gift, they can continue to use the container for anything they want.

So thank you to Shelly for the great technique and I hope you've enjoyed my take on her inspiration.  Super cheap, super fun and super cute!

Thank you so much for your visit. 

Big hugs and Happy Crafting,

Lisa xx

Spring and Pluto Matter, Dangit .....

Hello to you wonderful people!

I'm not exactly sure where Spring went. I think it might have been when I heard it was on it's way and stuck my head in the coat closet to find my galoshes and umbrella, only to reemerge and find less than enjoyable Summer temperatures.

 I have never been a fan of sweating (unless I'm maniacally chasing the ice cream truck as it turns the corner of my street) but other than that, I find it pointless.  

Therefore, I've  taken up camp at my favorite vacation spot, the river denial, and I'm crafting in memory of my lost friend, Spring, and I shan't hoard it to myself.   Here is a lovely gift basket full of cool and breezy pastel colored goodies that emanate the softness and tenderness of Spring for others like myself.  

Join me in supporting the cause by making Round Easter Basket Sets too and in doing so, you'll help spread awareness that ALL seasons are special and they ALL matter.  Please don't let Spring fall to the wayside like Pluto.  

Thank you so much for your visit. I appreciate you immensely.

Here's a BIG hug to you and have a wonderful day!

Lisa xx

 The Cutting Cafe

(The equal opportunity shop for ALL seasons!)

Vending Machine Gift Box

Do you know what's more fun than giving a gift? Making the decorative box to hold it!!

Well, I've said it before and I'll say it again....look no further, because The Cutting Cafe has the cutest ideas and here's yet another one!

This is Regina's latest creation called Vending Machine and the ideas are endless for decorating and filling.  

Here you see the gift box before all the hardware and price tag are added.

Along with the cut file comes a large sheet of sentiments; which had this saying, so I thought it fit perfectly for tape.

This was a complete hoot to make and so simple too! 

So if you have perishable or non-perishable gift, these little gift box vending machine holders would be perfect for ANY occasion! 

Just decorate and fill and good luck letting go of them because they're so stinking CUTE!

The Cutting Cafe

The Sentiments

Thank you SO much for your visit.

Hugs and Happy Crafting,

Lisa x