Crafty Home Decor Made with Love

Hi Everyone, I have a quick and fun piece of home decor to share with you today using the Crafty Alley Kit for May which is available for purchase HERE (only 1 or 2 left I believe). This was the first project that I completed when I saw this awesome kit. I created it using the scalloped chipboard piece; which I first painted (2 coats) with my Adirondack Dabber in Snow Cap. I then painted the surface with Distress Crackle Paint in Rock Candy and set it aside to dry over night. The next day I sprayed it with Moonlight Glimmer Mist so that the detail of the crackling effect would be more visible and give it a more aged appearance. The May kit comes with an entire roll of Magic Mesh. I added a strip of it behind the photo. The photo itself is matted on some of the patterned paper from the Vintage Findings collection (also included in the kit). I Glimmer Misted the 2 Prima Flowers from the kit in Olive Vine and Moonlight, added a fabric flower and 3 gems from the kit. The trim is from the Crafty Alley Shop; which can be purchased separately.

Here's what I used from the kit for this project:

Scalloped Chipboard Square/Rectangle

Magic Mesh

2 Prima Flowers

Vintage Finding Patterned Paper (photo mat)

Ribbon

Gems

Hinge Clip

Garment Pin

Tag

Crafty Hugs,

Robyn xx

Scalloped Chipboard Clipboard

Hi there everyone and thanks for stopping by. Today I'd like to show you a little project that I've made using items from the gorgeous May Vintage Findings Kit.

Everything apart from the flowers and image I've used which is in the May Vintage Findings Kit. I'll put together a tutorial on how to make this cute little clipboard and post it on here in the next few days - so watch this space :0)

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Hugs Michele xx

Tutorial Wednesday: How to make a Carnation Flower

Hi guys,

Katie here, and I have a quick tutorial to share with you today.

I don't know about you all, but I am slightly obsessed with flowers. I grow them, I buy them, I draw them, I paint them, I decorate with them, I make them, I even eat them (edible ones, in a salad of course).

One of my favourites (not to eat!! ha ha) is this type of carnation, so I decided to work on a method to make a flat(ish) version out of paper that I could use on cards and other papercrafting projects. And, the best part of this tutorial is that it uses SUPER cheap materials.

I'm not at home at the moment, I had to go unexpectedly to the UK so don't have access to all my usual equipment, so big thanks to Jo Brett for allowing me to use all your things! She has the pink Cuttlebug, isn't it cute??

For this tutorial you will need:

• plain old white computer printer paper
• any type of edging scissors
• glue
• watercolour paints
• a die-cutting machine and die, or flower punches. Whichever you use, you will need to be able to cut three different sizes of flower. I am using the Hello Kitty nested flowers Sizzlet.
  

Firstly, you will need to cut your paper pieces. Die-cut or punch 7 large flowers, 3 medium flowers, and 3 small flowers.

Then, use your scissors to trim off the very ends of your petals to give a frilly look.

With your 7 larger flowers, gradually cut off more and more of the petal to make the petal layers gradually reduce in size.

You should now have something like this:

Now, using whatever colour you like, paint the edges with watercolour paints. You could also use inks, or pens, or whatever you have. I just love watercolours :)

You should now have something like this. On the smallest flowers, I also painted some yellow and green into the centres.

When they are dry, it's time to add some body to the petals. For this, I have used a hair grip! But you could use whatever you like. I thread each petal into the grip, and twist.

This makes each layer look a bit like this:

When they are all completed, you should have something like this:

Now, layer up your pieces and glue into place, and you're done!!

Well that's all for today. I hope you have found this tutorial useful. If you decide to make some carnations, why not leave a comment here with a link to your project, I would love to see what you come up with.

Also don't forget, if you have bought the May Kit you can apply to be a Crafty Alley Guest Designer!! Check out the Ning network for more details.

Hugs,

Katie xoxo

Fun Squash Book

Hi Ladies,

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I have a Squash Book to share with you today using supplies from the May Crafty Alley Kit. Hope you enjoy it.

The supplies from the kit used were:

Bazzil cardstock

Vintage Findings patterned paper

Metal key

Bling

Tim Holtz Fragment

Bling

Garment Pin

Crafty Hugs,

Robyn xx

Guest Designer Nicole Mullen's Hanging Shopping List

Is this not what every home needs? This beautiful hanging shopping list was designed and created by Nicole Mullen using May's Crafty Alley Kit. We love the use of the lace for framing and the papers Nicole has chosen. We will be looking forward to seeing a lot more from Nicole!

You can see more of Nicole's work over at http://nicoleqmullen.wordpress.com/. Why not stop by her blog and say hello!

Big thanks to Nicole for sharing her work and being our first guest designer!

Cathy x

P.s. Remember you too can be a guest designer - just send in a picture of something you have made with a Crafty Alley Kit by Friday evening and I will post it the following Monday!

Fun in the Sun

Hi there everyone and thanks for stopping by. Today I'd like to show you a card that I've made using items from the gorgeous May Vintage Findings Kit.

Everything listed below is what I've used on this card is from the May Vintage Findings Kit:-

• DP Making Memories Vintage Findings - Green Floral Findings & Postcards Findings
• Bulldog clip
• Postage stamp
• Green gems

If you would like to see what other gorgeous items are in this kit, please click here.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend

Hugs Michele x

Chez Marguerite...

Hi guys,

Well you all know how excited I was about the new kit that came out this week! Well, now I have it, and I LOVE it!!!!

So.. with no further rambling on my part, here is my first project using the May Vintage Findings kit.

I used the scallopped chipboard piece, covered it in one of the patterned papers and inked the edges. Embellishment wise, I used the Prima flower, lace, butterfly ribbon and gems from the kit, and the decorative panel is from the elements page, backed on to the plain Bazzil cardstock.

I used my Windsor and Newton bottled inks to add some colour to the centre of the Prima flower, and also to dye the butterfly crimson. I also stamped a flower image in Brushed Cordoroy Distress Ink and coloured the edges with the same crimson ink.

It looks tres cute on the back of my craft room door!!

Hugs,

Katie xx

May Kit Video

Prima Paintables

Hi Ladies,

Included in the absolutely amazing Crafty Alley Kit for May is a lovely 12x12 Prima Paintable from the Iron Orchid Designs line. I just love working with these! They are so versatile and are made from watercolour paper, so works well with inks, paints, chalks, etc.

If you would like to see what else comes in the fabulous kit, you can click here for further information and ordering details.

Crafty Hugs,

Robyn xx

Vintage Findings May Kit Now Online

Hi all, 

I am delighted to announce our latest kit which is based on Making Memories Vintage Findings Range.

In this kit you will get 

This month we bring you an amazing kit based on the Making Memories Vintage Findings Range. In this kit you will get 

• 3 Bazzill Cardstock in 12x12
• 1 Sheet of Vellum 12x12
• 1 Prima Paintable 12x12
• 8 Double Sided Vintage Findings Paper 12x12
• 1 Polka Dot Ribbon
• 2 Lace Ribbons
• 1 Butterfly Ribbon
• 1 Scalloped Chipboard Piece
• 1 Card and Envelope
• Darkroom Door Art De Fleur Thumbnail Images
• A Magic Mesh Roll
• A Distress Stickle
• 2 pots of gems
• Tim Holtz Swivel Clasps, Fragments, Hinge Clips
• 1 Large and 2 Small Prima Flowers
• Vintage Findings including Envelope, Labels, Tickets, Stamps, Flower Pin and Garment Pins
• 2 Cut Piece of Fabric (Red and Ivory)

The value of this kit is well over €50 but we are selling it to you for just €30!

Don't forget to see what our design team are doing with this kit by visiting The Crafty Alley Design Team Blog

Cathy