Saturday, December 6, 2014

Not A Card


The new challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow starts today and this time it is titled NOT A CARD.  We want you to make gifts, home decor, altered items, etc. and while they do not have to be Christmas themed you might want to take advantage of the fact that it is that time of year.  Your project must be shabby chic or vintage.

Before I tell you how I made this ornament, I have to let you all know that this is going to be the last challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow.  With the exception of some much appreciated help from a couple of former DT members, I have been running it by myself for 3 years and after careful consideration I realized that it was time for a break.  During this time I have also been looking after my Mother-in-Law who lives 2000 miles away and just recently had to go and move her from one care facility to another one because her dementia has increased and she had started to wander.  While I am pretty good at multi-tasking, I have hit the wall.  I have certainly enjoyed all the wonderful DT members and the participants in our challenges over the time that I was running SCH and then took over ownership of it so I will miss them.

Now on to my ornament.  No matter how hard I tried I could not get a photograph that represents the true colour so it seems to have a slight orange tinge to it that isn't there.  It is really red, white and gold.  This is another "It looks better in real life" moments so I am starting to nag my husband again for a good photo setup.

I tried something different and love, love, love the result.  I started with a big square of white cotton duck fabric recycled from an old pillow protector .  Next I painted it with Folk Art Barnyard Red, Deco Champagne Gold and Folk Art White acrylic craft paint that I mixed 1:1 with Americana Fabric Medium.  The fabric medium allows the paint to dry while still keeping the fabric soft and pliable.

Next I randomly stamped some script with a Recollections stamp using Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink.  Then I stamped some small snowflakes from the Artistic Outpost Sleigh Ride set and a few large snowflakes from a Class Act wood mounted stamp using Brilliance Moonlight White pigment ink.

The next step was to cover the stamped fabric with crumpled tissue paper by adhering it with Mod Podge.  I hand cut two large hearts with my pinking shears and I also cut three smaller hearts from fleece, which were sandwiched between the fabric hearts.  I used strong glue to put the hearts together but would sew them in the future - I just didn't feel like hauling out my sewing machine.

I found some red seam binding in my sewing stash and used that to make the hanger and bow.  To embellish the heart, I painted a little heart charm from my stash and a filigree medallion from Bead Landing with the Champagne Gold paint.  Then I added some Recollections pearl flourishes, some red gems and gold pearl stickers from Recollections and flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts.  Finally I made a bead charm to dangle from the bottom.

I am going to enter this in the following challenges:

A Crafty Mess - Anything Goes/Traditional Christmas Colors
Artist Trading Post Exchange - Recycle for Christmas (white cotton duck fabric)
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Christmas
Crafting by Designs - Anything Goes for Christmas
Fresh Brewed Designs - Christmas  Anything Goes
Bearly Mine - Christmas Decoration (Not A Card)

10 comments:

  1. So THIS is what you were doing with that fabric! Absolutely gorgeous Cec! What a wonderful pattern and it's so shimmery! The pearl sprays are stunning! Can't wait to see this in real life! hugs and happy weekend my friend :)

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  2. What a great way to reuse your old pillow case! I love what you've done with the paints too. The colours are gorgeous and isn't it annoying when you take a photo and then have to explain the colours - I get that from time to time too.
    Thanks so much for joining us at the Artist Trading Post Exchange.
    Juliax

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  3. lovely creation thanks for joining us at a crafty mess Jane DT

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  4. A stunning ornament Cec, and super recycling. The colours look rich and the whole piece glistens.
    Yvonne x
    p.s. Thank you for sharing this with us at the ATP Exchange as well

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  5. A great piece of recycling Cec! You have created a beautiful heirloom ornament! Thank you for joining our recycle for Christmas challenge over at the Artist Trading Post Exchange toni x

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  6. Very pretty ornament. Love the antiques feel. Thank you for sharing with us at the C.R.A.F.T. Challenge. - Myrna DT

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  7. Thanks for playing with us at C.R.A.F.T. Challenges this week and good luck!
    Monica - DT

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  8. Gorgeous ornament Cec ! Love how you've used the fabric, I'm sure this will have pride of place on your tree ! Sue C x

    P.S . Thanks for joining us at ATP Exchange. Sue C x

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  9. What a fabulous ornament design.

    Hugs diane

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  10. An absolutely gorgeous tree ornament Cec. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a creative New Year. Jenny x

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I love to hear what you think about my work, so please leave me a comment.

Thanks!
Cec