Vintage Inspired Dream Big Altered Journal

Recently I have been on a vintage altering phase and it has led to some really interesting things to make. After thumbing through numerous magazines and books, I decided to create my own "vintage-inspired" notebook. I sewed the pages into the book and then sewed the outer cover and back to the pages. I used various fibers to basically circle the entire book. Using various alphabet looks and shapes I added the word: Thought. I used a Tim Holtz Secret Key and some K& Co. stickers and embellies. Love how the book turned out.

Altered Vintage Halloween Tags

Last night, I was pondering over the idea of what to send to each group member of the Halloween ITT's. I wanted to make something special, and decided on Halloween Tags. They may all look the same but no two are alike. I used various fibers, a MS punch, Grunge paper, Feathers, and bling. Please enjoy!

Great Holiday and Christmas Magazine: BHG Holiday Crafts 2010 A+++

I picked up this magazine a few days ago at our local grocery store. Better Homes and Gardens published the 2010 Holiday Crafts issue for $5.99. It is filled with some great Christmas ideas and gifts for the entire year. There are many “re-use” patterns and crafts. I think this is one my favorite magazines of all time. I scanned a few of their "completed" items to show you that this is a great inspiration generator. Next time you are at the store you should thumb through it. Have a great week.

Altered Vintage Chipboard Notepad Holder

Currently, I am in a "vintage-inspired" swap on the Cricut Messageboard where we make 6 items in each category we signed up in. One of my spots was to make a notebook holder and include a pad of paper and a pen. I used new brown chipboard and cut it to size. I sewed paper on paper, added vintage lace with a velcro strip so it can be held together. I distressed anything that could be distressed on the altered holder with Cat's Eye Chalk Ink. I cut out little letters to spell :hi. I used a vellum looking dragonfly paper and tore the edges to give it an aged look. I added a paper flower that I made by hand and added a button in the middle. I cut corner edges and attached them to the front bottom. Each are a little different and have character. I sewed a piece of ribbon inside so that one could slip a new notebook in when the old one was used.

One of the Best Altering Books on The Market...

I would have to say that this title belongs to a book by Madeline Arendt called "Altered Art for the First Time." It comes in a hardback. I first saw this book in my local library and knew that this was a book I needed and wanted in my craft book collection. She has so many clever ways to "re-use" and alter every day items. I will post a few of her pics from her book. They are her projects and the book includes directions. This is a 5 star book. The ISBN# is: 1-4027-1655-9. She alters tags, flash cards, books, mint boxes, matchbooks, dictionary's and much more. You won't be disappointed by this book.

Altered Toilet Paper Gift Card Holder

It seems to me that there is always an abundance of empty toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls, and I hate just throwing them away. So, I was needing a gift card holder one day to give to a family friend. I decided to try my hand at making one. I pressed a toilet paper roll down flat which fit a gift card perfectly. I distressed the TP roll and punched holes on one end and threaded a twine rope through and tied little knots on either end. I attached a piece of scrap cardstock all the way around it with a glue gun. I took a bunch of my old postage stamps and scanned them in a row to resemble a border. I printed it out and cut out the row of stamps and distressed the edges with some Cat's Eye Distressing Chalk. I printed out one of my favorite quotes out onto a cream cardstock which I distressed again. I used a blue paperclip to close the top but make it easy enough to open. The reciever of the gift card said that she loved the holder almost as much as the gift card.

Altered Alice In Wonderland Remember Rabbit Photo Album

Recently, I purchased some Vintage-looking Alice in Wonderland Stamps and I wanted to play around with them. I decided to take the Rabbit "You are Invited" stamp and place it onto white cardstock which I cut to size to place where one would normally place a photo. I spray painted some brass brads with silver spray paint. I used some glue dots to adhere the purple cardstock onto the photo album. I glued the "remember" ribbon onto the front of the album. Using a sharp tool, I poked 2 holes on either side of the word "remember" to insert the spray painted brads. I found a little heart charm and glued it with a hot glue gun onto the corner of the rabbit framed area. I used a vintage button and a cloth prima flower and glued it to the corner of the album and used a paper photo corner for the other side. This is one of my favorite altered albums and I think that I gave the Rabbit new life along with the album.

Grandma Brown's Childhood Heritage Scrapbook Page

When I recieved this picture of my Grandma Brown as a child holding her large doll and cuddling her favorite doggy, I decided a black, white and silver them was befitting to the page. I used Cat's Eye Chestnut Roan to distress the edges of the white page. I found silver glittery Chipboard letters at a local craft store, and then wrote a little note above the picture entitiled "To be Young Again." Grandma loved looking at this page when she came to visit.

50 Years Together Anniversary Page

Growing up, I did not live near many family members and so I was very close to my Grandma and Grandpa Brown. I wanted to make them a special page which paid homage and respect for their love and devotion and for being married over 50 years.

Vintage Heritage Mother's Day Page

With my love of vintage items, I decided to create a heritage Page dedicated to my  mom. I used a Mother pin from the 1920's which you will see right above the rose on the lower right. I found a really neat poem and typed it out with a vintage looking font. This is one of my favorite pages.

Altered Art "The Girl With A Pearl Earring Classic Cigar Box,Handbag & Purse

The Girl with A Pearl Earring Classic Cigar Box Handbag and Purse

    One day while shopping at Michaels Craft store, I walked down the unpainted wood aisle and stumbled into uncharted territory and a new love was born. There were wooden boxes, letters, shapes, benches, jewelry boxes, trunks, wooden handbags and much more. There were all sorts of handles, and mirrors to adhere to the inside of the wooden box. I bought a package of a 3”x3” mirrors. I used a silver acrylic paint both inside and outside. I printed some classic pictures from Dover Art software: The Girl with a Pearl Earring, and one of a classic lady resting.I added a few words around the outside of the wooden Purse box and it reads: Do You See What I feel? Peace, Hope, Love, Pain, Sorrow, Fear. I added a blue ribbon on the edges of either side with a glue gun.

 I used some Cat’s Eye Chalk ink to distress the edges. Then, I took out the Modge Podge and attached the pictures to either side of the box. I added a pearl stone so that it would make the earring pop. I wanted a unique handle so I bent 2 silver spoons and hot glued them to the bamboo handle.

 For extra durability I wrapped a blue ribbon around the spoons. In the inside of the box, I glued the small mirror I bought and glued the same blue trim around the mirror.

I have used it only a few times but I truly enjoy just looking at it. These box purses can be made to fit the person who is making it or for the person you plan on giving it to. All it takes is a little creativity to create a masterpiece.

Vintage Inspired Custom Tags and Easter Paint Can

I was recently in a Easter Paint Can swap, and recieved some of the most beautiful and wonderful items. One of my partners created these 4 beautiful tags which I think are some of my most favorite in the entire package. I would like to pay homage and respect to this wonderful artist, her Message board name is Scrappin_RN on the Cricut board. All 4 tags have been distressed, inked, and given their own personality. There are prima flowers on 2 of the tags along with brads. One o the tags has the word Memories done in glitter, and it is so beautiful. The other tag with the prima flower has the simple but wonderful quote: Life is Sweet. The thrid tag has been distressed and has the words: Live, Laugh, Love. Last but not least, is a beautiful vintage looking sunflower tag. These are so beautiful that instead of hiding them away, I am planning on matting and framing them. She also made me one of the most beautiful paint cans decorated with the letter E on the lid. The box was overflowing with scrapbooking, crafting supplies. I heard about a designer called Tim Holtz, but did not own anything of his until now. I totally love those products, chipboard, stamps and others. Next time you go to your local scrapbooking store, check out the Tim Holtz line, you won't be disappointed. Below, are the photos of various angles of the can and the contents inside. Enjoy! Thank you so much Scrappin_RN for such a beautiful and wonderful gift. It was such a wonderful spirit lifter!

Vintage Ephemera Inspired Altered Black Photo Album

Today I was feeling creative, and found an old, unused, empty photobook that was black and spiral bound. I went to my Office Word and typed out all sorts of sayngs, quotes, poems etc and printed the words on fancy, shabby chic, vintage looking paper. I cut the paper to fit the cover of the book and then distressed the edges using Cat's Eye Chestnut Roan ink. I took vintage lace and attached it to the middle area of the paper. I took a glue gun and finally attached the paper to the book. I added chipboard, a red poker chip, 2 feathers, vintage ephemera scanned to a smaller size, corner edges, a little paper bird I created, then added a few buttons. I thought I was done when I found a heart that used to be a piece of jewelry and attached a tassle to it. Ta-da, old things, made new.... I am truly proud of this project. Took me about an hour to complete.