Tag Banner: Tag #5

Happy Tuesday!  Sorry for the long break between tag posts -- summer is coming to a quick end around here and we are scurrying around, trying to get ready for back-to-school.  Here is tag #5 -- it's a bit more simple than some of the others.  I used scraps of one of my favorite vintage organza trims, along with a bit of vintage lace and a large chipboard rose.  I added some sparkle with Stickles. 

I had planned to do 7 tags, but now I'm wondering if 5 is enough for the banner, given that I'm hanging it in a bookshelf (a pretty small space).....   I've also started working on another tag banner that is a gift, so no pics for now.  Anyway, I hope you enjoy what is left of your summer!  Happy creating!

Tag Banner: Tag #4

My tag banner is still coming along, slowly but surely! Here is tag #4 -- this one is currently my favorite.  I just love the charming chipboard and of course the tatting. 

I hope you're having a great Monday!

Tag Banner: Tag #3

Here's tag #3!  My favorite things about this tag are the small doily that I used as a background, and the tiny sewing pattern piece of chipboard.  I love the wonderful graphics on old sewing patterns, but because of their size, I have a hard time figuring out what to do with them.  Maybe I could reduce them on a color copier?  Hmmmm....  Anyone tried that?

By the way, if you're looking for some darling old sewing patterns, Kari has a nice selection in her Etsy shop!

Well, that's all for now -- off to work on tag #4!

(Hope you're staying cool.  It's going to be 102 degrees today.)

Tag Banner: Tag #2

Here's tag #2.  This one is a bit more simple than tag #1, but I have to tell ya, I'm in love with these chipboard doilies.  So cute! I wish I had a box full. 

 See you tomorrow for tag #3!

Tag Banner: Tag #1

I'm in the process of creating a small banner for my office.  I've made various banners before (usually for holidays) but before I've always used chipboard as a base.  This time, I decided to use layered cardstock in a tag shape.  I'm planning to make 7 tags for the banner, but the neat thing about this approach (IMHO) is that you can add/subtract tags to/from the banner whenever you want.  So, we'll see how it looks when I get seven tags done -- maybe I'll be done, and maybe not!

I'll be posting each tag as I finish it. Today is tag #1.  For all of these tags, I glued together 3 layers of cardstock (which ends up being a nice sturdy base).  On this tag, I wanted to use one of my stitched dresses, so it was the main focus, and I embellished around it.  I'm trying to use some of my "good stuff" that has been sitting around, so these tags will have some very nice lace and trims.

Check back tomorrow for tag #2! 

Finally, this is off-topic, but I can't believe it's already August!  How is that possible??  I need another couple of months of summer....

Fun with Decoupage

My sweet oldest baby girl is now 11 years old.  It's hard for me to wrap my head around how this happy little toddler could possibly already be a "tween!"  Ugh!  To celebrate her birthday, she wanted a slumber party with a "Night in Paris" theme.  I came up with an art project for the girls, in keeping with the theme.

Using flat canvases (available in packs of 8 at Michael's), we made decoupage collages with antique papers, old sheet music, French-themed scrapbooking papers, and all sorts of fun embellishments (including lace, of course!).  Here's the sample that I made so the girls could see a finished project:

I did several layers of paper, used lots of distressing ink, added lace and flower trims, and at the very end, embellished with bronze-colored Stickles (I love that stuff). The whole process took a couple of days, so that each layer had time to dry.

Here's the busy project table that the girls used at the party:

And here's the birthday girl's project, almost finished:

This was a fun, multi-step project that kept the girls busy in small doses over the course of the evening.  I think they enjoyed it, and their artwork really looked fabulous!

All that said, if anyone has a magic potion that will turn my tween back into a 5-year-old, please pass it along!

Eye Candy: Dreamy Pastels

These trims make me wish that I could actually sew!  I unpacked them and they were in a big, frothy pile on my living room floor, and they looked so soft and gorgeous.

I may need to put together a kit of some of these pastel gems for my next giveaway....

Hope you're having a great week!