Shadow boxes

I have been saving these cool boxes because I knew they would make something fabulous. These tiny ballerina boxes are made using a Cavellini & Co. paper tape box.

I couldn't get a good picture with the front closed because of the glare.  I adore these.  The pink ballerina's dress is made from old sari silk.  You will notice a lot of bottle brush trees in my work too(I might have a slight addiction).  

And check out this little guy.

He is standing in my iPhone box.  The 5c came in a white plastic box with a clear cover.  I used alcohol inks (silver and gold) to cover the inside edges and the entire exterior.    

I used washi tape to spruce up the sides.  Inside I used paper from Authentique.  The stripes and 'Merry Christmas" are from their Joyous line.  A bottle brush tree decorated with mercury glass beads.  I am so excited I found some of these.  I really think the mercury glass gives the trees the vintage look I so love.  Some tinsel trim, mica snow, and a jolly tiny Santa baby with a huge candy cane complete the box.  

Again I couldn't get a shot with the front on without tons of glare.  Maybe trying to take a shot without my Ott lite on might have helped(duh).  Just thought of that. 

Hope you have a crafty day.

Jess

Tart tin ornaments

These tart tin ornaments are so cute and they will look amazing when the tree lights make all the glitter twinkle.

The best part about these was I can make them so quickly.  I busted these out in just a couple hours. Waiting for the glue to dry took most of that time.
Have you started your Christmas crafting?
Jess

It's beginning to look a lot...

Holy cow! It's been a week since my last post.  I have been a bad blogger.  I hate to say it, but this time of year is bad for me.  Working in retail I am at work far more than I would like to be this time of year.  However, it is also my favorite time of year.  I love Christmas.  I love the music.  I love the shopping.  Although I shop year round for Christmas knowing that I will be working a lot I plan ahead.  I love baking.  My favorite holiday tradition is baking with my Mum.  Every year we spend one entire day making cookies.  Last year we made 17 different kinds.  Not 17 dozen.  17 full batches of cookies.

We always wear the same aprons.  We always try a few new recipes.  We are always exhausted at the end of the day.  It is totally worth it.  

I also love decorating for Christmas.  I have been working on a few little things here and there to get me in the Christmas spirit.  If you follow me on Facebook some of these might be familiar, but some are brand new.  

This paper mache house is adorable.  The mica snow is so sparkly.  I can't resist a good bottle brush tree.  Check out the cool snow garland. The chimney flags are great and add a vintage feel.   The little hanger on the back side is a hanger used with model trains.  A little glue, paper, a bingo marker and it's all made over for Christmas.

 I love birds.  They show up in a lot of my crafts and decor.  This little princess sits in her gilded nest a top a repurposed spool.

Bottle brush trees.  Love.  Love.  Love.  

How cute is this?! Such a cute little vintage nut grinder turned into a fantastic ornament.  

I will end this post with a tag.  And another bottle brush tree.  I also can't get enough Frozen Charlottes.  

I promise to post some more this week.  

What are your favorite holiday traditions? How to you like to decorate?

Jess

Here are a couple tags I made today using my newTim Holtz Distress Stains.
 I started using warm fall colors: Gathered Twigs, Ripe Persimmon, Spiced Marmalade, and Vintage Photo.  I smeared them on the craft sheet and misted them with water.  I ran the tag through several times and dried in between each layer.  Next, I used Tarnished Brass Distress Stain directly on a stamp and stamped on the background.  It added a nice subtle layer of shine.

I decided to cut some leaves with a really old Sizzix die.  Then I covered two with Distress Glitter.  The third I used Martha Stewart glitter for extra shine.

To complete the tag I stained crinkle ribbon using the same colors as the background.  I threw in a touch of Mowed Lawn too. I added a Muse Token and safety pin.  I used Remnant Rubs and an Ornate Plate for my sentiment on the bottom.  

I should have cropped this photo.  You can see the dirty craft sheet.  Whoops.

Okay, here's the next tag. 

Since it was almost 90 degrees here today I decided to ditch the warm colors and try something springy.

I love this background.  You can't tell from the photo but I used Perfect Pearls so it has a subtle shimmer.  

I tried to catch it in this close up, but I don't think the camera picked it up.  The word is from Melody Ross and the flower is Prima.  This tag is pretty basic, but I think it came out so pretty. 

Just want to give another shout out to Inspiration Emporium.  My stains arrived in no time and their customer service is amazing!  Check out the site for supplies and, of course, inspiration. 

I made a couple more tags, but I will save them to show you later this week.  

Hope you had time to create this weekend.

Jess

New goodies from Inspiration Emporium

I can't wait to start creating with my awesome new distress stains. This is what I chose to get with my Twelve Tags winnings.  The service and speed from Inspiration Emporium has been absolutely amazing! This will not be the last time I shop with them.

Stop by tomorrow to see what I came up with.

Jess

Playing with chalk

I finally had a few minutes to sit down and play with a cool technique I learned in Creative Chemistry 102.  It is also the technique Tim Holtz features on his 12 tags for November. I have to say that chalkboard stamping is pretty cool.  The frosted crystal embossing powder from Antiquites is the magic element for this technique.

I figured I would start with a simple design to get the technique down.  How cute would this be on a Christmas gift?

Then it was time to really play.  And here's what I came up with...

I don't know if you can tell from the photo, but the image is stamped on the tag and then raised twice.  I cut the main watch and wings out for the first raised layer.  I just cut the wings out for the second raised layer. The watch face has real watch hands and a gear.  Various gears and springs complete the tag.  

This was a fun technique to try.  I can see trying it on cards just using text to make it appear more like a chalkboard.  

Have you tried this technique? What did you think?

Jess

Tim Holtz 12 tags winner

Tim Posted his tag for November today and he announced the winners for October.  My tag was chosen!!  I am so excited.
Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013
Check out the link to see the newest challenge and to check out my tag.
I can give you a peek here too.

I used distress crackle paint and distress stain to make the background.  I ran some kraft core through the Sizzix with an embossing folder for the next layer.  The Eiffel tower and Fleur de Lis are painted with metallic distress paint and then covered with distress glitter.  The crinkle ribbon is colored with more distress stain.  I finished it off with some washi tape, chit chat, and a crown charm.
This was the first project I have ever entered in a contest.  I am so honored to be chosen.
Thank you Tim for recognizing me.  My mum has been telling me for years I should show off my work.  Lesson learned.  Mum, you were right.
Jess

Boston Girl

I am a Boston girl.  Born and raised.  Even though my family moved to Arizona almost ten years ago, we all still consider ourselves to be Bostonians.
Tonight was amazing.  After 95 years the home team won on home turf.  I was inspired to create a tag to celebrate my love for a truly fantastic city.  I think this tag is wicked pissa.

I used Tim Holtz distress inks in Barn Door, Faded Denim, Pumice Stone, and Vintage Photo for the background.  I also pounced some Slate alcohol ink on there too. Then I used the star stencil here and there.  The metal tag has remnant rubs and more Slate alcohol ink.  Tissue tape highlights some more tiny details including a silver heart and a vial label.  The Boston die cut is from the Leaky Shed and covered with Festive Berries Distress glitter.  A few more odds and ends complete this piece.  I am really pleased with the way it came together.  

Here's a couple detail shots.  They aren't super clear, but you get the idea.  

Hope you liked today's project.  Go Sox!!

-Jess

Welcome to TwoMadDahlias

Welcome! Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you enjoy my crafty blog.  Here are the projects I worked on yesterday.  It took me a bit to get started, but I really like the way the finished product looks.

The first is a burlap canvas.  I used lots of Tim Holtz goodness, including tags, distress ink, distress embossing powder, and metal embellishments.  The image is an old card from a set that has various images from around Italy.  The frame around the religious medal is made using Mod Podge melts and then patinaed with Ten Second Studios patina.  This stuff is seriously awesome.  You can patina anything-plastic, chipboard, metal, the list is endless.

 This tag was made using perfect pearls and distress ink for the background.  The three flowers are made from Mod Podge melts and colored with alcohol ink.  The flower is Prima.  The ribbon is hand dyed sari silk.  She has a tiny millefiori flower in her hair and a small metal key.  The other metal embellishments are from Tim Holtz.

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