1 January 2014

No More Shopping Sins! at Our Creative Corner

Welcome everyone and I want to start by wishing you all a very happy and creative 2014. It's the start of the month so that means a new challenge over at Our Creative Corner. Claudia is our host and has chosen the theme

No More Shopping Sins!
- Use (and show us) one of your former 'shopping sins'.

You may have received some fantastic new crafting stuff for Christmas, but we want to see one of those hoarded items that you have never quite been able to let go of at the centre of your makes! We need to know which 'shopping sin' you have used in your project, so 'confess all' -  you must name it in your post.

The intention is that you will find this challenge therapeutic. A popular pledge amongst crafters is "I will use up my stash". Don’t we all have cupboards and shelves groaning under the weight of things we’ve bought and decided to save for a project that never happens? And then you feel guilty so you hide it under a new pile of (new) stuff! So this challenge provides the perfect opportunity to finally get rid of that guilt. Find one of your former ‘shopping sins’, open the packet, stroke it one last time, and then USE IT!

This month we have a very generous sponsor;
http://www.craftyindividuals.co.uk/
Crafty Individuals will be donating a prize for one randomly drawn winner! 

I'm sure it would come as no surprise to find out that I have a 'thing' about buttons - seriously, those pearly kings and queens have nothing on me!! Some found their way onto projects in the past, but these Idea-ology ones have been in the DO NOT TOUCH pot for way too long. Not any more...


When I set up my craft stall way back in November the red and green beaded ribbon garland festooned the tent. It looked good but I knew more work would need to go into making it a work of craft in future.


I love that these little hearts have come out looking like enamelled jewels.


Hard to believe they started life as plain old hollow card ornaments.


I started by stencilling the flourish design onto both sides of each heart, adding three layers of Wendy Vecchi Translucent paste to get some real depth and strength to the pattern.


Then came the fun, applying metal foil tape over every inch of each heart. I found it paid to take it steady, using different sizes of embossing tools to ease the tape down in between the raised areas; you are effectively 'stretching' the foil tape so a little patience is required.


I'll let you into a secret; I added some Alcohol inks and Distress Paint at this stage but wasn't happy with the look.


Plan B. Every part of each heart was covered in a layer of clear embossing powder.


Then I could pounce Red Pepper Alcohol Ink over the top (allowing it to dry thoroughly).


This added the translucent colour I wanted but also let the tool marks on the metal foil show through - cool eh?


A final rub over with gilding wax and they were all ready to be embellished with those buttons (and some ribbon bows).


I went for broke and added all my favourite ones, tying some with some metallic embroidery cotton.


You might spot a 'rogue' button in this last picture - the leaf edged border one is a vintage button from my own collection. It came from my OH's grandmother and until now I couldn't bear to use it.


Gosh, that was a therapeutic exercise! Those buttons now have a purpose and can be admired by anyone visiting my craft stall in future. Plus I can still get them out and stroke them if the urge takes me in future - oh, how sad! I hope this has inspired you to reach for the DO NOT TOUCH items in your stash, and that once you've plucked up the courage to use them you will share them with us at Our Creative Corner this month.

Now all that remains is for me to urge you to head over to the main challenge blog HERE to see what the rest of the Design Team have created.
Take care of yourselves throughout 2014. Jenny xxx

34 comments:

  1. Happy New Year to you and yours may 2014 bring you everything you wish for.
    Stunning, absolutely stunning I just love these beautiful hearts and what you have done with them.
    BUTTONS, I Love playing with buttons. Nothing more therapeutic than opening the lid of the jar (a large sweetie jar) sticking your hand in and playing with all the different textures, shapes and colours.
    Really looking forward to seeing all the wonderful creations you make in 2014
    Have a great day
    Hugs

    Patricia xxx

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  2. Oh Jenny these are the most gorgeous little hearts. You have worked wonders on them to get this amazing texture and depth of colour, they will look delightful in your tent and tempt in lots of buyers I am sure. I too have boxes of buttons that I must get out more often, I must try and remember them.
    I am looking forward to seeing more of your fabulous creative art this year.
    Happy 2014.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  3. These are stunning Jenny, I love them! Hope you had a good Christmas, all the best for 2014. Chris xxx

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  4. Well done for opening that packet Jenny, your hanging is stunning with those fabulous buttons (I just had to Pin this) and the rogue one is gorgeous. The whole post made me smile, I find it so hard to use my much loved packets but I have resolved to do this more during 2014.... I hope 2014 is extra special for you. Hugs, Anne x

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  5. The textures on these little beauties are amazing Jennie as is the effect of the metal foil tape. A real labour of love by the sound of it, but so worth it, - they look amazing!!! And what great use of those lovingly hoarded buttons!

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  6. Happy New Year Jenny. I love those beautiful hearts and keep seeing them hanging on tree branch. A Love Tree maybe. Hugs Rita xxxx

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  7. Happy New Year, Jenny!

    You have been very brave in using the buttons - but they really turned these hearts into true treasures! I LOVE them!

    Big hug,
    Claudia x

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  8. Simply stunning,Jenny. Thanks for the handy tip about layiring up your texture paste. Happy New Year!

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  9. These are fabulous, Jenny - the patina you've created on the hearts is just glorious... wax and alcohol inks over the metal tape gives it such a wonderful sheen. And they are certainly well worthy to showcase those beautiful buttons - the vintage one definitely being the highlight!

    Happy New Year!!
    Alison xx

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  10. Absolutely stunning jenny! the hearts look amazing and I love the depth you have achieved. The colour is so striking. I absolutely love these. Happy New Year. Tracy x

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  11. These hearts are fabulous and well done for using your precious buttons in a way that you don't actually have to get rid of them by selling or giving away - crafty indeed.

    All the best for 2014 - wishing you all you wish yourself...

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  12. Happy New Year to you Jenny! I just love these wonderful hearts - they are absolutely stunning. The depth of colour you have created is amazing. And your buttons! I can understand why they are strokables! I have some very old family buttons from a wedding dress and you have given me a great idea of how I might be able to use them. Thank You! Best wishes x

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  13. Fabulous hearts..... love all the texture and wonderful depth of colour!
    Best wishes for 2014
    Suzi B xx

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  14. Your hearts are stunning Jenny and I loved reading how they evolved. I find it really exciting to take an ordinary looking object and make it into art - just as you do! The colours are gorgeous and as I love ribbons, buttons and your chosen colours, this project is perfect for me. I'm not much of a ribbon or button user but this really makes me want to have a go. Thanks for your really kind words lately - they mean so much. I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year with good health and all that you need for life and fun.
    Hugs, Juliaxx

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  15. Forgot to say how much I love your vintage button and can see it would have been difficult to break that one out! xx

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  16. Wishing you a happy, healthy and creative year 2014.
    Your little hearts are really amazing. Love every detail.

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  17. Wow and wow again! These are one of the most fabulous craft projects I have ever seen. I adore metal work and these are a fantastic example. And the patina you created is absolutely gorgeous. Love the red - my favorite color. What a beautiful canvas to display your lovely buttons! Seriously awesome work!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  18. Happy New Year! :D
    Superb use of some luscious buttons :D x

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  19. Gosh Jenny I would love to get my little mits on your DO NOT TOUCH pot what delights must be lurking in the depths.

    Thank you so much for showing these beautiful enameled jeweled hearts. I love the foil technique but haven't used in a while so another thank you for the reminder of this. Oh my the buttons are such a perfect touch. Adorable.

    I hope 2014 brings you health, wealth and above all true happiness.

    Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

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  20. What a gorgeous hearts Jenny!

    Best wishes for 2014, Alie

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  21. I'm so impressed by your work...fantastic, amazing. Thank you for sharing your creativity! Happy New Year.

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  22. PINNED and saved in my files! I am IN LOVE with these! What a transformation...they look like vintage metal boxed hearts! Love the embellishments too! Fabulous work, and fabulous inspiration that you have brought us in 2013! Thank you! Happy happy new year to you, and may it bring you many blessings of health and happiness, and much more crafty goodness!

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  23. A very Happy New Year to you and yours Jenny, may 2014 be a terrific year. A tremendous amount of time must have gone into these Jenny - gosh working all that foil - what patience you have. The end result is seriously impressive - they will look fabulous on future stalls. Looking forward to all your creations in the year ahead. Nicola x

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  24. Wishing you a happy new year...a gorgeous piece , stunning textures. X hugs x

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  25. GASP!!!! Unbelievably tempting and gorgeous. I am in love. What you've allowed yourself to use to create these is sensational. I was just needing some inspiration for our family Valentine tree and viola, here you come along. ;)
    Thank you and HUGS!
    Lisa

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  26. Happy New Year, Jenny! What a gorgeous way to start 2014! These little hearts are glorious and I just love the texture and depth! Love these! Hugs!

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  27. Jenny I am lost for superlatives so I will settle for the first into my head - AWESOME.
    I love this challenge too as how much do we get excited by and never touch.
    Your arty transformation is wonderful
    And now you have treasure.

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  28. I am not concentrating Jennie so hot and humid here I feel like a puddle. So if another comment appears it's because I can't think whether I hit Publish or not! Soggy, truly soggy.

    Now confession is done so now I can say once again the transformation is awesome, totally gloriously awesome!
    I don't need to wish you arty adventures for 2014 as you are already well and truly in there - making wonderful to inspire!

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  29. Gorgeous hearts,…I love this very much!
    Happy New Year!

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  30. Happy New Year, Jenny. These are just amazing - - three layers of the paste really builds up beautifully. Love your appropriate button usage.... makes me smile! And that theme at OCC is fantastic. Hoping to join in later in the month.

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  31. oh my word! what a labor of love! fantastic detail and technique--amazing finished product! Helene

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  32. Absolutely gorgeous and very worthy of your long cherished buttons. Love, love , love them!

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  33. Okay Jenny - I need a few of your buttons. I want to make these gorgeous hearts so bad I could spit!
    This is really stunning - Lisa M put it the best I think and I quote "GASP"
    Sandy xx

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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