Friday 7 December 2012

Away from the Norm

Have had a lot of fun making this little project - it made a great change from the Christmas cards as I was definitely beginning to get all Bah Humbug! 
Am not really a Christmas person anyway - just cannot get excited about it at all and although I like making seasonal cards I needed something else to do in between all the snowmen and glitter.

Warning now - this may be a rather picture heavy post -

My altered spool is a Studio 490 Art Part.
I started by covering the two bases and cylindrical stand with paper from K and Co 'Madeleine' paper pack and then stamped it with Peeled Paint DI and a 'crackle' stamp.
 
I made the two similar coloured flowers from grungepaper cut out with nesties, colouring with Barn Door, dried Marigold and Mustard Seed DI  and using black this time on the 'crackle' stamp, before giving them a coat of Mod Podge. The flower centres are two buttons from my stash.

The other flower was made using a flower stamp which I have owned for eons from the Stamp Bug. Stamped it, cut out and assembled together with a black dew drop in the centre, then a liberal coat of glossy accents.

The flowers were then stuck onto coffee stirrers ('obtained' from a well known high street coffee store- LOL) which had been coloured with Walnut Stain DI.

The leaves are Maya Road chipboard pieces again painted with Peeled Paint DI.

Out with the metal next - stamped the words and large flower using Stazon then cut out the flower.  The birdhouse is a Marianne Die.
No birdhouse can be left without an occupant! The little birdie is from the same die set and I coloured him with distress inks too - tried to make him look like a robin! 

Finished off with a ladybug from my stash and some fibres which during my recent 'tidy and clear out' I found in a small jar which had less than a teaspoonful of 'flower soft' in it - so before the jar went in the bin, it's contents were glued onto the fibres so that birdie can keep his feet warm! 

My little creation is now sitting on one of my newly put up shelves and I hope you like it!

Even with all the Christmas stuff going on I DID manage to find a couple of challenges -

TIOT - Lets Get Inky
Artistic Inspirations - Anything Goes
Crafty Bloggers Network - Anything Goes
Crafting 4 All seasons - Flowers
Totally Stampalicious - Anything but a Card

Am glad you found time to pay me a visit today - enjoy what is left of your day! x

30 comments:

Caroline said...

WOW this is stunning. Caroline xxx

Unknown said...

bloody hell...soz thats literally what i said viv when i first saw ...this is awesome totally took me by surprise but a nice surprise and a stunning creation well done you...its a credit to your talent hugs sassxxx

Unknown said...

OMG how I would love this little garden. How sweet is that little bird. A gorgeous creation. Good luck with your challenges.

Wilma x x

Teresa Kline said...

wow, this is gorgeous...fantastic creation!

enjoy *~*

Jacqui's little piece of England said...

WOW I love this creation Viv

jacqui x

Craftin Suzie (Susan Wykes) said...

Oh wow this is a stunning creation Viv! Love the varnished look you got on the flowers!! x

Wendy said...

WOW! Stunning creation Viv.
Wendy xx

Meggymay said...

Wow, this is awesome Viv. Love all the details and those gorgeous flowers. Thank you for sharing it with us at TioT's this time.
Yvonne x

Pattie said...

Brilliant ! certainly different from the norm :) love it !

Sherry said...

It's a real work of art Viv - love it!

Netty said...

Like it? I LOVE it Viv, this is such a splendiferous garden full of great delights. Enjoy the weekend, Annette x

Monica said...

This is a brilliant handicraft - so pretty in everywhich way... love the little ladybird and the birdhouse. Fantastic flowers.
I know what you mean about Christmas... I am so glad I have finished with my Christmas card sales. It gets on to you after a while.
Monicaxxx

Shelby said...

So cool and uber creative! Love how you've done the little bird and those flowers are amazing. Great work

Shelby

coops said...

oh wwo this is fantastic viv.love all the gorgeous details and stunnign colours :D

xx coops xx

Jackie said...

What a wonderful creation! It's amazing what and old spool and imagination can conjure up. I am not much of a Christmas person either, but I do love making, giving and receiving Christmas cards :o)
Jackie xx

Rene from OZ x said...

This is beautiful Viv, so much detail. I have looked everywhere on your site to find a link for a newsletter, do you have one?
Thanks Rene x

Beccy said...

What a fantastic project Viv, I just love all the little details you added. The flowers are amazing, it's hard to believe they're made from paper! I love the little birdhouse hanging from the leaf, that's a lovely touch too.
Cheers,
Beccy

Jules said...

Oh Wow Viv!!!

This is super amazing!!!

Love it. Very ingenious and gorgeous colours. Clever you!!

Hope you are having a good weekend.

Love Jules xx

Viv said...

Wow Viv what a lovely little masterpiece this is! well done again I love it. You made me laugh with your comment......off to buy some large hooped earrings now lol :) Viv xx

Ally said...

oh my gosh this is sooooooo coool and so beautiful!!! wow wowo wowoooooow!
Hugs, Alessandra

Maverick said...

So this is what you are doing behind my back 'literally' - your OH.

Very Impressive

Doreen said...

This is gorgeous...Thanks for sharing with us at Crafty Bloggers Network.xxx

Carol Willis said...

Brilliant creation Viv, I love it, especially the little Robin with warm feet lol.
Hugs
Caz x

cotnob said...

This is a stunning Secret Garden.
Thank you for joining us at Crafting for all Seasons.
Pauline
x

Crafty Lark said...

Fabulous project, love the colours also. xx Flora

Patricia said...

Oh! My! Word! this is stunning, what a fantastic project.
Popped over from Jules Blog and am I glad I did. I just love what you have done.
Have a Great Day

Patricia

cass said...

Stunning project, the flowers are amazing

Unknown said...

This is a very pretty project. I can see that so much love, care and enjoyment and gone into making it.

Thanks for joining us as Crafty Bloggers Network
Claire
(CBN DT)

Cathy L. Calamas said...

Oh my goodness. How uniquely fabulous is this!!I have not seen altered spools before. And, Thank you for playing along in our Let's get Inky challenge over at TIOT.

My name is Cindy said...

wowzer how fabbydoozy is that (resorting to making up words as I am sure all the sensible ones have been used already)!!!! Great project, Thanks for joining us at TioT, Cindy xxx