Friday, December 16, 2011

Graphic 45 and May Arts Blog Hop - Day 5


Hello and Welcome on this wonderful Friday!!!
Thanks for joining in on this incredible journey put together by Graphic 45 and May Arts!

Graphic 45 and May Arts have teamed up for a super fun blog hop December 12-16th! With tons of inspiration, fabulous prizes, incredible crafts and so much more! Behold the magic that happens when Graphic 45 vintage-inspired papers and embellishments join forces with gorgeous May Arts ribbons! Our design teams have gone all out to bring you the most enchanting crafts! Along the way you'll discover lots of fabulous new ideas to inspire your holiday season! So have fun and get inspired every day of this fantastic blog hop with Graphic 45 and May Arts!

And don't forget to leave your comments on each designer's blog to be entered for your chance to win some outstanding prize packs. One random comment will be chosen from one of our design team member's blogs and announced on Monday, December 19th!

There's also an exclusive Facebook prize! Check out the Graphic 45 Facebook page and leave a comment for your chance to win!
May Arts is also offering gorgeous prizes on their blog and Facebook page! So you'll definitely want to check it out! Just tell them that Graphic 45 sent you! So much inspiration! So many chances to win prizes! This is going to be a great week!

Here is what you could win from Graphic 45!!!!

The Gorgeous, and Brand NEW  Tropical Travelogue 12x12 paper pad, coordinating chipboard die-cuts 1 & 2, and some gorgeous May Arts ribbons!


Want to learn more about Graphic 45 and May Arts? Here's some fun information about these two fantastic crafting companies!


Graphic 45 an award-winning scrapbook and paper crafting company­— owned and operated by a mother and her two daughters. Together we create vintage inspired crafting products that capture the flamboyant style of the 1920's and 30's - with vibrant color, irresistible texture and imaginative design to create products with decades-old appeal that's both fresh and familiar. Let our products inspire your next scrapbook layout, card, album, altered art project, or home decor DIY project.
May Arts is a ribbon wholesaler, based in Riverside, Connecticut, serving over 16,000 customers worldwide. We offer an exceptional selection of ribbons, including sheer, satin, grosgrain, silk and a variety of patterns and prints. We also maintain a steady stock of inventory so that orders can be fulfilled immediately. As one of the country’s leading wholesalers of decorative ribbons, May Arts has been providing superior products and the highest level of customer service for over 25 years.

And Incase you are just jumping in today, here is a complete schedule of the entire week so you don't have to miss anything!!  Plus you still have till Sunday night to get your comments in for a chance a chance to win those prize packs...So what are you waiting for!!!
Monday, December 12th
Lynette Carroll - http://www.lynettecarrolldesigns.typepad.com/
Jane Tregenza - www.janetregenza.blogspot.com
JackandCat Curio - jackandcatcurio.blogspot.com
Candy Rosenberg - http://candyscraps.typepad.com/scraps/
Latrice Murphy - http://www.latricemurphy.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, December 13th
Ellen Sosnoski - http://closeyourears.blogspot.com/
Laura Denison - www.followingthepapertrail.blogspot.com
Charlene Driggs - http://www.paperandinkplayground.com/
Melaine Forbes - www.melanie-forbes.blogspot.com
Jen Shears - http://jenshearsdesigns.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, December 14thRobin Shakoor - http://robinshakoor.blogspot.com
Yuka Hino - http://nsnlso.blogspot.com/
Jenifer Cowles - http://scrapbooking-n-more.com/default.aspx
Gloria Stengel - www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com
Jingle - http://www.justjingle.blogspot.com/

Thursday, December 15th
Jinky Kowalski - http://jinkyscrafts.blogspot.com/
Sherry Cheever - http://sherrycheever.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Britta Swiderski - http://brittaswiderski.com/
Hilde Janbroers - http://hildejanbroers.blogspot.com/
Karen Baker - http://thebalddragonfly.blogspot.com/

Friday, December 16th

Tara Orr - http://eachmoment-onlyonce.blogspot.com
Kimberly Jones - http://serendipityvintagestudio.blogspot.com/
Nancy Wethington -  http://art-from-the-heart.typepad.com
Peggy Cain - http://www.createwithbubbe.blogspot.com/
 Nicole Eccles - www.NicoleEccles.blogspot.com  <----YOU ARE HERE
Vera Yates - http://www.lingshappyplace.blogspot.com/
Now enough sneaky peaky teasers, onto the real deal!
For my project I decided to alter a Bell Shaped Glass Ornament.  Found at most local craft stores, including Michaels and Hobby Lobby, also available at some Scrapbook Stores released by Melissa Frances. 
The glass ornament comes with a precut Chipboard base that can be decorated with any materials, and turned into an ornament, or a wonderful piece of altered art with a scene underneath!
For mine, I decided it was a woman's skirt!! 
Created by layering strips of May Arts yummy white lace side by side and on top of itself, then hand stitching them along the top, binding them all together. 
For easy placement upon the Bell Shaped Ornament, simply sew a small key ring to the top of the presewn skirt.
Now it will sit perfectly atop your ornament, and keep the perfect "skirt" shape, and now may be adhered into place using a high tack glue.

Trim ends of lace to desired length of skirt once adhered to ornament.
The woman was hand cut from Graphic 45's Steampunk Debutante Line, wings were stamped separately onto dictionary paper, cut out and adhered. 

*To add strength to your angel, firmly adhere a popsicle stick to her back!
For smaller paper projects, use toothpicks!!


Under the skirt I wanted the appearance of a peaceful snowy scene.  Using miniatures found at my local craft store, I was able to create the feel I was looking for.
 
First I covered the chipboard base using Vintage Silver Flower soft.
Once dry, I adhered my tiny white Christmas Tree, and decorated it using vintage looking wooden beads found from my local craft store. 
And last a tiny plastic deer lazing about placed right in front of the tree.
Super simple for such an elegant effect!!


Last, I adhered the decorated chipboard base atop a rusty looking cast iron candlestick using E6000.
Allow plenty of time to dry
Finish the whole thing off with a Cream Satiny Sweet May Arts Ribbon tied around the center, and set into a worn ceramic dish.   For effect add a few glass ornaments and a Pine Cone, or even some fresh greens or Potpourri and you have an instant Elegant Christmas Buffet or Mantle Piece!!! 

Also, for easier storage, do not glue the glass ornament to it's base, instead treat it like a Cloche that can just be placed over top.  This way it can be wrapped safely away from the weight of the cast iron, and won't accidentally get broken!

Thank you so much for stopping by today on your amazing journey with Graphic 45 and May Arts!

Don't forget to visit all the other incredible designers that have been featured today, and not to mention all week long!! 
And leave those comments along the way for your chance to win some goodies!!!
Stay Warm this weekend, and take some time to Alter Your World!!!

Nicki Chicky

Supplies Used:
Graphic 45 Papers:
Steampunk Debutante: Eclectic Emporium
Colorbox Decades Inks: Photogenic
May Arts:  White lace, Cream Satin Ribbon

Stampers Anonymous: Angel Wings
Flower Soft: Vintage Silver

Other: Bell Shaped Ornament w/Chipboard Base, Cast Iron Candlestick, Wooden Beads,
Miniature Xmas Tree and Deer, Dictionary Paper







70 comments:

Gloria L. said...

This is impressive on so many levels!

Anonymous said...

Wow really gorgeous!

Sheron N

Charmaine said...

Great project! You are very talented!

Primitive Seasons said...

This has to be my favorite of all the projects I've seen on this blog hop. I love dress form type things and this is FANTASTIC! Woo hoo!

Mary

PamSpradlin said...

I don't know what to say...this project is amazing. I am in awe of your talent!

Unknown said...

Impressive! Wow!

Vail said...

Wow, love your project, very creative.

Jackie - aka funhockeymom25 said...

love the lace skirt!! very delicate!

csparky61 said...

Absolutely lovely.. and it is so versatile, change things up for every holiday, season or special occasion. Thanks for sharing.

eyes2theocean said...

All I can say is.. I want!! LOL this is so beautiful... I would have never thought to alter a glass bell. Wonderful idea. Thank you for sharing, :) Sara T

Sharon said...

What a pretty project, love the Maya lace.

Wanda H. said...

Wow, I have one of those bells laying arround and I did not know what to do with it(well now I do). You are so talented and creative. I just love what you did for the blog hop,The May Arts ribbon and the graphic45 paper are just beautiful and were perfect for this project that bell shape lady just rocks, Thanks for sharing and all the inspiration.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful take on a steampunk Christmas.

Jeyatha said...

Woow.. That was awesome.. Beautiful piece of work.. Loved it.. what a learning in this blog hop..

sharon g said...

I didn't even notice the detail--thanks for the close up!! Nice.

Anonymous said...

Great decoration and I am inspired to make similar using my granddaughters picture for the angel on top. I will use a plastic cup and she can have it for her bedroom. Thanks for the inspiration! Mary WErner

Miriam Prantner said...

So unique! This is really an art piece!

paru's_circle said...

great artistic mind taught this one up! congrats are in order!

Y.C said...

i just love your inspiration. I would have never though of that!

Barb said...

Very cool piece

Renee Collier said...

This is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. Love it!

Stampin2day said...

Need I say BEAUTIFUL!! wow!

Re-atelier said...

When I think I saw all the goodies..... Wow that it is fantastic........
Great piece of art!!!!!

Laura said...

Wow, I have never seen anything like this great project idea.

Margie said...

This is so gorgeous!!

C said...

Amazing!! I've never seen those glass ornaments but you can bet I'm going to look now.

Karen Bahit said...

My Oh My... this is beautiful!!! I am a bargain hunter at thrift stores and when I find the candle stick, I am making one...

Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with me...

May you have a joyous Holiday Season!!

Karen
http://www.facebook.com/karen.bahit

B. Poteraj said...

That is sooooo beautiful!

Sharka said...

WOW! Very unique and great creativity! Thank you for sharing this with us today :-)

Sparkly Engineer said...

Totally inventive and kewl. I would never have thought of altering a bell. Awesome.

Sharon L-S said...

An interesting decoration. Way cute. Thanks for sharing & Merry Christmas.

Scossie Jane said...

Oh My! How stunning is this! Love, love, love the lace skirt over the glass, with the little scene inside. A beautiful piece of Christmas art.... Hugs x

Rea' said...

Very creative piece!

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

I love your altered art. What fun and such a beautiful result.

Marianne Louise said...

wow I would have never come up with this to make with the paper and ribbon.
Great project.
Thanks for sharing.

Marianne

Marina said...

Absolutely stunning piece of work!

Lala said...

Ohhh, you are so very creative. What a beautiful seasonal decoration.

Anonymous said...

Love the tree under glass. Thanks for the chance to win, Denise
roseyandbasil at yahoo.ca

Deb said...

This is so charming! And it fits the decor I love...vintage/shabby chic.

Evelyn said...

Just fell over in my chair! LOL! I love the idea of this ornament. E Valencia

Kathy said...

Beautiful creation as usual. I love your blogs. You are so talented and creative. I get ideas just looking at your marvelous ideas. Happy Holidays and keep creating.

Boni said...

I love this dress forms and dolls are my favs Merry Christmas

Scrappin Abby said...

Great project...thanks for sharing :)

Peggy said...

This is so unique. Great job.
Christmas blessings,
Peggy Allen

Vera Yates (Ling) said...

Wow, this is fabulous!

Trisha said...

Wow, love your project. This is truly a victorian beauty. Thanks for sharing. patnbobcuddy at gmail dot com

Cindy Lou said...

Wow Nicole! You have rendered a work of art that is absolutely fantastic! I love the May Arts ribbon skirt, so very cool with the peek at the scene inside. Great work, thanks for inspiring us to think out of the box and off the card! Blessings :)

Farley said...

She is beautiful! How creative and clever.

Kathy said...

Wow, this is awesome!!!

Kim Sirak said...

I think they left the best for last I will be heading to michaels to see if I can find that ornament. keep up the fabulous beatuiful works.

Pendra said...

So gorgeous! You are very creative and very talented!
Crafty Holiday Hugs,
Pendra

Barbara Mason said...

She really comes alive - this is a wonderful project - one of the most unique on the hop!

Anonymous said...

Very Pretty!

Mohawk Crafter said...

What a great idea! I don't really think in the way of altered art. This is great.

Carol said...

Wow, such a creative and unique project!

Carol B
ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com

Susie Bentz: My Time to Play said...

OMG - I LOVE this!

Fruit Jar Nicky said...

Greatness!! Thank you for your participation! Inspiration galore. Very unique project!!

Karenladd said...

Wow, this is gorgeous and so unique! LOVE that surprise under the skirt!!

NanaConnie said...

Love the way you did that skirt! Fabulous project.

Chris Dring said...

This is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing and for a chance to win!

Carolyn McCravy said...

This is so unusual and very clever. I am amazed at the creativity shown on this blog!!

Lisa Fowler Windsor, CO said...

So creative! What a beautiful project! To see a bell shaped glass ornament and then to come up with this beautiful angel--brilliant!!

Tammy B said...

WOW! great project! So much detail, thanks for sharing!

rush said...

such an interesting effect. i love how the skirt peek-a-boos to see the scene inside. thank you for sharing. rush8888 at gmail dot com

Nancy D. said...

Love your beautiful project!

KellyCreates said...

This is fabulous! Your imagination is incredible!

Sheila said...

Gorgeous! Gorgeous!

Carol W. said...

Simply amazing Nicole! I love your creativity and this wonderful piece is fabulous. Thank you for sharing.

From my home to your Happy Holidays!

Stampindamour said...

I LOVE G45! Your creations are so fantastic! I bet they are even more fab to see in person! Will they be on display at CHA?

-pamela :)

DistinctiveLMNts said...

Very unique and very clever.
Hugs to you.