Tim Holtz Altered Clocks

T H's altered clocks have been out for a little while now and I always thought they'd be fun to do. So I picked up 3 of them in the fall thinking I would use G45 Mother Goose line on them and make one for each of my grandchildren. I think I was caught up in the moment with being in such an amazing scrapbook store.
I wanted one of everything but my mission was to buy something to make for the grandkids for christmas - mission accomplished!
Or so I thought! These things take very little paper - how could I incorporate my Mother Goose paper?
I guess I could have if I bought the chipboard embellies. But then BAM - I had a different idea for the little ones!
Great but that left me with not 1 but 3 clocks to alter.
Two are finished and I'll share them with you while I decide on the 3rd one. One has flowers, butterflies, lace and pearls whereas the other has flowers, christmas trees, glitter and snow angels.
The clocks are a shiny silver metal when you buy them - and yeah - REALLY shiny! So I covered it in 2 coats of gesso then rubbed texture paste here and there. Once dry - of course I used a heatgun as I have no patience when I'm in scrapping mode. But, for the record gesso dries fast - so anyways, once dry I painted a soft apricot colour. I then rubbed ink in the corners and edges to give it an antique look.
Then I just went to town inside with flowers, a feather, a resin Prima birdcage by Ingrid. and a chipboard clock face.

Sorry if the photos look dark. My daughter is using my light box to photograph her amazing art glass.
But you get the idea. There is a lot of dimension inside but it is hard to see in the photo.
On the outside I added more flowers and a butterfly then covered the edge with a string of fine pearls and some crocheted lace.

The only paper was on the backing and around the rim on the inside. I glued then inked  it and added some matte modpodge. It could easily be painted too. Just be sure that you wipe any excess glue and/or paint off the inside glass before you put the back on. cause once it's on it ain't comin' off!

On the next one I went a little crazy with gesso, texture paste, paint, ink and glitter! I wanted it to look silver and blue and snowy and glittery. It was fun but next time I need to remember to keep a wet cloth handy. I would not recommend getting your hands covered in paint and ink then having to wheel yourself into the bathroom to wash up - my wheelchair rims were a very nice colour of blue!

This is the finished clock and also a closeup of the texture and colours on the outside.

I put some Melissa Francis bottle brush trees inside and some twig trees from my stash. I covered them in gesso then added diamond stickles to look like sparkling snow on the branches. Prima and homemade flowers were added then the back and sides were covered in paper, modpodged then irridescent glitter was sprinkled everywhere.

On the outside I added a chipboard piece from Bo Bunnys old winter line - Snow Day?
I didn't like the way the name showed up (or DIDN'T show up) so I added glittery alpha stickers. More Prima and handmade flowers were added and also a silver Prima spray was wound down one side.
Finally, watching over everything is our little Snow Angel.  Another Prima resin by Ingrid that I rubbed with paint and ice blue stickles.

I hope you've enjoyed these projects - try one - they are a lot of fun to make!

Have a great week!

Meetings, Mojo, Memories and More

Well it's been a quiet yet busy time - if that makes sense!

I've been busy getting things ready for a special meeting for the BC Ataxia Society. We had a guest speaker - actually the program founder as well as a Canadian Paralympic Gold Medal Athlete - IMPRESSIVE! He spoke about a gov't program titled Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL). Deep breath  - the meeting is over and was a resounding success! The Tim Horton coffee and Timbits didn't hurt either!
Now who wants a Christmas party?

Talking of Christmas it will soon be upon us.
I've been working on special projects for my grandchildren but cannot share them with you just yet. You'll need to wait until after Christmas as I have a daughter who still likes to peek! However I did work on altering some Tim Holtz clocks. I have one finished with flowers, pearls and pretty things then one in progress with glitter, snow, christmas trees and snow angels. I'll share these with you once I am finished - hopefully this week!

Other than that I have lots of photos of my adorable grandchildren and tons of scrapbook paper and embellies but NO MOJO! I don't know where it went but I'm hoping to find it before the long, cold winter sets in.

I have a sale going on in my Etsy Shop - Sapphire Noteables - but unfortunately haven't added to the inventory lately other than my recent custom order. Come on mojo!
I still can't decide whether to close up shop and just concentrate on personal layouts and projects. I guess the winter will tell but in the meantime check out the sale and pick yourself up a handmade album or two at a good price.

Christmas and personal scrapping brings me to Memories.
I won't lie - as much as I am looking forward to this Christmas with my precious little grandchildren I am not looking forward to not having my husband to share it with. This will be my first Christmas without him since his death and it will not only be a hard day for me but for the 'kids' also. Remembering how sick he was last.
Christmas and how he did all he could to enjoy it with his family will be hard. We'll have to remember all the happy memories of Christmases together.
His death made me realize the importance of personal scrapping and how important it is to  preserve our memories
He was so proud when I made a new project or album for my Etsy Shop though - he would want me to continue.
Such a hard decision - I may have to find a happy balance.

Busy? Not really - just a bunch of little things! Quiet? Yep - I'll take it though before the crazy month of December hits us!

Old Hollywood

I recently had a request for my Etsy Shop to make an album in a box for a wedding - in Old Hollywood style. The bride was a young, funky nail artist and loved pink and black. So, pink and  black it was with a bit of bling and some patterned paper that had an old Hollywood feel.

I gave a sneak peak of the box in an earlier post but will repeat  it here. So if you read it before skip this paragraph and carry on or bear with me - sorreee!
I used an 8x8 Graphic 45 Matchbox. However, I found in the past that when paint or paper are added to them they tend to expand making them very difficult, if not impossible, to open. So before beginning I cut 1/4" off 2 sides. I covered both inside and out with G45 and My Minds Eye papers. I used Tim Holtz distress ink to ink all the edges.
The top was also covered in MME paper with a sparkly damask pattern. I outlined the 'window' edge in black pearls to add to the glam feel.

 On the drawer I added a TH  pearl pull with a tassel of silver chains. I threaded this thru a faux antique metal button and glued it on securely -but still - it is only meant for decoration.

 In the bottom right corner I added a small metal mirror surrounded by a cluster of roses and a butterfly.
Excuse the blurry picture!

 In the top left corner is a Prima flower that I misted and added platinum stickles to. (I just squeeze on a bit and rub). The flower centre is a wonderful beaded treasure made by Angelica over at Angelica's Scrappenings.

I forgot to take a pic but the bottom is covered in a textured grey felt and has large flatback pearls for feet.

Next came the album. The wedding is in an Old Town Hall complete with stage and ticket booth.

How fun is that!

So, I wanted to reflect that on the album cover.

Again I used MME paper then added some tickets with their names on and a small cluster of flowers.

A 'postcard' printed on the paper show the address and date. 

Of course we need a rhinestone flourish to add some Hollywood bling.

The covers are made of chipboard and the pages of card stock then all bound together using my bind-it-all

A sheer black ribbon also keeps it tied neatly together.

Now fitting the album into the box required some finger dancing.

Although the album fit fine and everything that I wanted to show thru the window was fine, the cluster of flowers had to be gently pressed down while sliding the box open/closed so they wouldn't looked trampled on!

So here is the finished album in its box.

Simple, fun, elegant - Old Hollywood!

The album had 8 envelope pages each with a monogrammed journalling card and pocket (one for each bridesmaid) as well as one or more tags to add more pics or journalling. 

I'll just share a few here to give you an idea.

I had a lot of fun making this project and hope the Bride and Groom fill it with lots of happy memories of their special day.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

It's sad and hard to believe that summer is over but I have to admit that Fall is my favourite season.
I  love the colours, the cooler (but not cold) temperatures, the fall harvest - pumpkins, squash, apples, the rustling of leaves under your feet, the smells of the leaves and crisp air and of course our Canadian Thanksgiving.

This past year has been a difficult one for me with the passing of my husband. I miss him dearly each and every day but I have so much to be thankful for.
I am thankful for all the happy times and memories my husband has left me with. It is  these and his little sayings that bring a smile to my face every day.
I am thankful for all our children.
I have watched my stepchildren grow from young children into wonderful adults. I am so thankful that they came back into our life. I am so happy and thankful that my husband died knowing that they are now safe, happy and settled.
I am also thankful for our own children. They have been my supporters, listeners, advisers and comfort during the past year.
All of them have shown so much love and support and have been my rock. I couldn't have done it without any of them!
I am also so very, very thankful for our little grandchildren. Only 17 mos., 7 weeks old and 4 days old when my husband passed. They are what has kept me going.
They are such a Blessing!

We took advantage of the beautiful fall weather last weekend and took them to the Vancouver Zoo. We could have saved ourselves some money by going to the park as they loved the leaves the most!
Looks like they love Fall too just like their grandma.

HAPPY FALL EVERYONE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I Knew It!

Yep, it happened. I kept my scraproom to the last to unpack because I knew once I started nothing else would get done. So with everything else unpacked and organized my scraproom is 85% done - and that's where it sits!
I need to finish it - but now there is paper,glue, paint, glitter....everywhere!
Someday it will be complete - some day!
To be honest I had ordered paper, etc. for the custom order I need to make. An old Hollywood style box and album. I was anxious to start it so finishing my room was put on hold. I haven't completed the album yet but had so much fun making the box.
Normally I make my own chipboard box but decided instead to use a 8x8 Graphic 45 Matchbox. From past experience I knew the box would not slide open easily after adding paper (or paint) -  it tends to swell. So before starting I cut 1/4" off 2 sides with my exacto knife.
I used paper from My Minds Eye - various Lost and Found lines plus a couple from G45. Then I went to town with embellies - so much fun!

I added black pearls around the 'window' of the box and added a large Prima flower that I misted and added glitter to and a circle of pearls and rhinestones in the centre. In the bottom corner I added a cluster of flowers, a little antique bronze mirror frame and a butterfly. I kept it simple to not take away from the pretty glittery MME paper and the cover of the album which will show thru the 'window'. Once I add that then I may do more - what would you do?
On the drawer I put a Tim Holtz dangly  pearl thing - lol - sorry forget the name - and attached it thru a faux vintage metal button.

I covered the bottom of the box in textured grey felt and added large flatback pearls for feet.
I'm hoping it's vintagy and Old Hollywood enough. The pages are constructed but are still waiting for papers and embellies.
This is too much fun to call work!
And like I said, SOME DAY my room will be completed.

Back in Business!

Well finally the day has come! My Etsy Shop SAPPHIRE NOTEABLES is now reopen and back in business. YAAY!!
Now that I'm finally able to sit back and enjoy the summer, it's almost over. Cheese and rice where did it go!! I was busy packing, moving, unpacking and renovating. But it's all good.
My scraproom is still not ready for it's picture debut but it's ready enough for me to start some long awaited projects and my Etsy Shop is ready to go.
I started working on a  mini album with the new Zippydee Doodle line from Bo Bunny. This paper is out of my comfort zone but I love the colours - blues, greens, black and white. The papers are young and funky with lots of doodling, chevrons, paisleys and flowers. The book is still a work in progress so I will post pics once done.
So watch for pics of that and also of a custom order - an old hollywood style book and box in pinks and black. What a fun challlenge!
I also promise to get my scraproom finished and ready for its debut soon.
In the meantime do not forget to check out the huge sale in my Etsy shop (click HERE or the link on the right column)  EVERYTHING is on sale from 20 - 50% off!
Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Still Here

I just thought that I had better check-in before you forget about me while you are so busy enjoying the sun! Wow we've had a great summer in BC. I hope it keeps up into September.

I am pretty much unpacked but can't say that I'm settled.
There is still organizing to do, lights to hang and smaller pics and accessories to hang. The worst is over though - painting is done and the kitchen is reno'd. and functional.
It ended up being a complete makeover.
I prefer white cabinets so I had the dark brown ones painted white and added new hardware.That's all - just white cabinets and new knobs. That's all I wanted!
But then I knew the beige countertop would look awful so I put in a black laminate one - well not ME but you know. Oooh now what about that ugly beige backsplash? I love glass tiles but it seems like everyone else does too! So I went with your classic white subway tile and added a narrow strip of glass tiles down the centre. I had the bulkhead painted a dark grey with a hint of plum (the glass tiles have black/greys and plum).
It all seemed great - until you looked down  at the beige vinyl floor!
So I had a light grey porcelain tile installed - I actually wanted slate but it has a rough texture which is not very wheelchair friendly - especially in small spaces.
Dominoes anyone?
I never made an accessible kitchen for the sake of resale (although I never plan on moving again - EVER!) but I did buy a new slide-in range with the controls at the front to make cooking safer and a pull-down faucet with a single lever to also make life a little easier for me.
I finally thought the kitchen was taken care of - until that is I discovered water and mould in the dishwasher. Whaaat!!! - it wasn't like that when I bought it!!
 Apparently the garburetor was broken and I don't know the mechanics of it but I guess they are both inter connected. So, a new garburetor and a repaired and cleaned dishwasher and I was good to go.
Or so I thought!
It seemed that  the new range from Sears had some issues - 3 to be exact. After 3 visits it finally worked as it was meant to be!

So FINALLY here is my new kitchen. I am really happy with the way it turned out. It's not big but it is all my design and best of all it's all  mine (not a rental) - it's a good feeling. My husband would be proud.

One of my least concerns is turning out to be my biggest. The ramp onto the patio! A large patio with room for my patio furniture and barbecue as well as a covered area and electrical outlet for my scooter were on my 'must have' list. I managed to find just that. With a ramp installed it would be perfect - well it is - if someone pushes me! For now, my scooter is parked in my dining room till I come up with Plan B. Why do they have to have the blasted  lip anyways - it is not required in townhomes or houses - just condo's!

My scraproom?? Well, it is or I should say WAS coming along good. The room is painted and most is unpacked and organized There was just a valance and light to install and a desk to buy. 

It's looking good eh?

 That is until my contractor painted the laundry room and put everything in my scraproom!

 And there it sits - until next week at least.

Here's a sneak peek of the patterns and colours it will be.

Patience my dear, patience.

 So hopefully I will get a desk next week and the room will be cleared (again!).

   SOON I will be able to open my Etsy Shop and get back to work! Well, I call it work - not really but yeah we'll call it that - LOL.

With everything going on I thought I wouldn't even have time to think about scrapbooking - but I can't wait to sit back, turn on some music and start creating again.

I hope to be back soon!

MIA

WOW! I never realized how long it had been since I posted.
 I do realize though how much I miss scrapping.
To update everyone I have decided to move closer to my children and grandchildren since the death of my husband earlier this year.
So between looking, buying and packing my scrapbooking has been put on the back burner for now. My Etsy shop is also taking a vacation. I hope to return to both in September. Watch my Etsy shop for a huge Clearance sale.
Once moved and settled I will post pics of my new scrap room - I have lots of ideas floating around in my head and can hardly wait to move in and try them out. Finally - not a guest/scraproom or dining/scraproom but just a scrap/scraproom! I will tell you this - it will be a soft, calming blue with black and ivory - with a distressed look and a bit of bling.
Right now everything is packed and ready to move but I don't think I shared my last project with you.
I used Graphic 45 'French Country' line to make a mini album. It was a few months ago and I can't remember all the details but I do have pics of it.

I used burlap on the spine to add to the rustic country charm. And speaking of charms, I added an antiqued bronze metal charm and skeleton key.

A few of the inside pages.

It's in my 'Sapphire Noteables'  Etsy Shop but like I said, it is taking a  vacation. The good news is that it will be included in the sale in September.

Be sure to check back then but in the meantime enjoy your summer and don't forget to take lots of pics!