Current Challenge Themes For My Favorite Places

Eclectic Ellapu - Anything Goes - ends 25th May
Outlawz, Paper Ala Mode - Anything Goes - ends 25th May

Drop by and join in the fun!
Hugz always 
Elaine aka Ellapu xxx

NEWS
My new challenge blog ALTERED ECLECTICS will be live on July 1st - There is now a DT call running until 31st May.  This is an altered art only challenge blog.

Apothecary Shop in Turmoil.......

Hey everyone

This week it is my choice of challenge over at Eclectic Ellapu and I took the easy option again!

Anything goes

I chose to put together a canvas.  I love working with canvas... oooooooooooooo!

 I smothered the canvas with modelling paste mixed with green acrylic for part of background and then added blue for the remaining areas.  

I used cogs to imprint the background.  Once dry,  I dry brushed over the raised areas using red.  I then used a gold spray and finally gilding wax in bronze.  

I filled the two glass vials with red paint and the other with gold mica spray. The smaller bottle with the red paint appears to have toppled over, look at all that red mess... wheres the cleaner when you need her lol.  

The wooden vials, the Bunsen burner, ravens, watch face and cogs had modelling paste wiped over the top to give depth and treated the same as the canvas background apart from the ravens.  They were painted black with rock candy over the top.  

I coiled some copper wire from my stash and just randomly placed onto the canvas.   

 

I do hope you have enjoyed your visit as much as I enjoy you visiting me.  Please do call again real soon. Oh and don't forget to pop on over to Eclectic Ellapu and join in with the fun.

Hugz Elaine xxx

This has been entered into the following challenges

One Stop Craft - anything goes 24m 
Inspire me fridays - anything goes 24a
Simply Create too - anything goes 24m  
Whimsical designs - mixed media 29m 

 

Altered Frame

Happy Saturday one and all

The weather is so changeable today, sunny then cloudy, sunny then heavy rain and now just dull and cold.  Where has our summer gone?  Oh yes we had it week before last lol.  Anyway I decided the best thing to do on a day like this is to get ma butt into my craft room and get on with a project.  I have been feeling creativeless for well over a week now and it was worrying me.  I eased myself back into my room last night and put together an easy tag and today I thought perhaps an easy frame may help so here it is lol.

I cast some cherubs using plaster this morning knowing that I would want to use them immediately as they are so so cute.  I had itchy palms to get started.  I have a pile of frames in my room that need something doing to them so I picked this one with the 3 apertures... Perfect!

I painted the background white. the aperture mount board and frame in black.  I was originally going to crackle them with gold but decided against it.  I wanted a different look.  I used a crackle stamp using white ink against the black and black ink against the white.  I then dry brushed my lil cherubs using aged gold acrylic paint and placed them in the apertures.  Voila all done!

Well that is it for today.. well perhaps not, we will see. 

Hugz and stuff

Elaine xxx

This has been entered into the following challenges

Our creative corner - anything goes 28m 
Sweet stampin - CAS 17m
Brown sugar - angels or fairys 17m
Creative corner - things with wings 16m
Inspire me fridays - anything goes 17m
Simply create too - anything goes 24m
Crafting for all seasons - monochromatic 15m
Crafty creations - something old something new old frame/new plaster cherubs 14m
Divas by design - anything goes 14m
7 kids college fund - ABAC 22m
Simon says stamps - things with wings 15m
Whimsical designs - alter it 23m
Whimsey inspires - anything goes 7j
Anything goes - shaped not square 20m
Artistic Inspirations - monotone 13m
613 Avenue create - anything goes 12m 
OSAAT - anything goes 12m 
That craft place - altered 12m


   

Tried something simple....

to try get my mojo back.  I feel right at this moment that my creativity has walked out the door.  I hate not knowing what to do next, what style, what project.  So I sat at my table with a blank tag.  I covered the back with distress inks.  

Out came one of my stamp boxes - there are so many I have not used yet.  I grabbed the 'I'm so special' set by Katzelkraft.  I used the background stamp obviously for the background lol.  I then stamped and embossed Mr Special himself.  I love him.... just so special!  

I then used mica fragments down the side and frantage copper to the left.  I then triple embossed the entire tag to give it a really top shine.  I attached a ribbon with a stapler.  That was it.  Simple and a little satisfying that I achieved something.

Well how simple was that lol.  Instant gratification! well almost instant.

Thanks for dropping by and please please call again.

Hugz Elaine xx

This has been entered into the following challenges

 Splendiferous creations - Blogger - Tags JFF 16m
Crafty Catz - anything goes 16m
Delicious Doodles - anything but a card 16m
Inspire me fridays - anything goes 16m
Simply create too - anything goes 23m
Crafty ribbons - no patterned paper 23m
paper Crafting journey - anything goes 16m
Divas by design - anything goes 15m
Creative craft2 - all about animals 14m
Loves rubber stamps - anything goes 14m 
Papertake weekly - anything goes 14m
Twisted Tuesday - free for all 14m
Crafty boots - use stamped character 13m 
MIM - anything goes 13m 
Paper playtime - emboss 13m 
613 avenue create - anything goes 12m
OSAAT - anything goes 12m

Just had to......

do something other than sort out blogs this bank holiday weekend.  All this computer stuff is really time consuming lol.

So off I went upstairs and pulled out a canvas.  I wanted to throw something together quickly to make me feel I had achieved something.  

I basically stuck some flowers, mini wooden birdhouse and birds to the canvas.  I had transferred a vintage image onto some calico and laid that down too.  I added web like lace and added some feathers between the flowers.  

I had already cast some hearts in plaster on Saturday and thought they would be ideal for this project. I then painted it all over using white and pink acrylic.  

I used TH distress ink, aged mahogany to highlight the different textures and give some shadows to it.

Now that was quick huh.  I feel a little happier now I have achieved something.  Hope you all enjoyed your visit today and please do drop on by again soon.

Hugz and love 

Elaine xxx

This has been entered into the following challenges

Anything goes - anything but square 20m 
Everybody art - fabric 15m
Inky Chicks - shabby chic 13m
Artistic Inspirations - monotone 13m
Craft my life - non card 5j
613 Avenue Create - anything goes 13m
Challenges 4 everybody - anything goes 10m
OSAAT - anything goes 11m
That Craft Place - altered 11m
One stop craft - flower power 10m
Our creative corner - anything goes 28m
Five simple things - anything goes 11m

My Turn, My Turn.............

Well it is my turn to host the challenge this week at Eclectic Ellapu.  I chose Anything goes and how exciting is that lol.

Why not head on over and join the fun... 

I recently bought some plastic face masks to decorate and couldn't wait to get going on them.  I just did not know what theme I want to concentrate on so I just went with the flow.

I used paper mache for the basis of the mask for a couple of layers and used muslin for the final layer.  The masks are so flimsy it would have made it difficult to work with otherwise.  

Once I had completed the layering of material and it had dried I smothered the entire mask with modelling paste mixed with gold acrylic.  I then embedded black spider netting into parts of the mask.  For the remaining bare areas I mixed some crackle embossing paste with black acrylic, laid it over those areas and let it dry.  

I sprayed the entire mask with gold shimmer mist. I then wiped some gold rub n buff over the textured areas.  I also used the gold over the metal embellishments, butterflies, made up flowers and leaves.  I trimmed the edges using a goldish braid.

Before........

And after.........

Well that's it folks and I hope you have enjoyed visiting my blog and do hope to see you join in with this weeks challenge over at Eclectic Ellapu.

Hugz Elaine xxx

This has been entered into the following challenges

Our Creative Corner - anything goes 31m 
Alphabet Challenge - F for fantasy JFF 8m 
Five simple things - anything goes 9mFEATURED
ABC - make it sparkle 13m
Heck of a challenge - fashion 1j
Crafters Cafe - for a female 1j
Decorate to celebrate - for the girls 15m FEATURED
Sisterhood of crafters - anything goes 5m WINNER
Creative card crew - bling 13m
TTCRD - anything goes 9m
Artistic Inspirations - layers 6m
Craft my life - anything but a card 9j
Challenges 4 everbody - anything goes 10m
That craft place - alter 12m  TOP THREE
Allsorts - add some sparkle 11m

Emblies Rock!

Hello everyone

Time for this weeks challenge over at The Outlawz, Paper ala Mode which is 

Anything goes with birds

So out came a canvas.  I stamped the entire canvas using a script stamp and I then used a leaf mask from CE and sprayed with glimmer mist.  I then stamped lightly over the background using a flower head stamp and sepia archival ink.  The sentiment came from a set which I think is called Art flowers.  All the wooden embellies used are from CE.  Some I used metallic paint on and the some I covered in glossy accents.  I am pretty proud on my word flower lol.

Anyhow here are the pics and I hope you enjoyed your visit.

Hugz Elaine xxx

This has been entered into the following challenges

Creative Corner - flowers 9m 
Five simple things/inspire me fridays - anything goes 9m
Peachy keen - 3d flowers 9m
Crafting Musketeers- anything goes 30m
Country View Crafts - how does your garden grow 30m
Fresh brewed - flowers 31m
Our Creative Corner - anything goes 28m
The cupboard Trilogy - spring flowers 1j
Creative Belli - Spring 8m
Sisterhood of crafters - anything goes 5m
Celebrate the occasion - anything goes 5m 
Artistic Inspirations - layers 5m  
Sentimental sundays - mixed media canvas 5mTOP THREE

Mannequin ... well kind of!

Happy Sunday everyone

I hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend.  I know I have even though I have slept most of it away lol.  Today I am showing you a something or other.  Not quite sure what to call it lol.

I started off by making the spool base using a toilet roll innard and 2 circle of chipboard.  I mod podged tissue paper all over. For the next layer I used modelling paste mixed with grey paint.  I dry brushed black over the top and rubbed a little gilding wax over the texture.

I had some chipboard diecuts of mannequins in my stash.  I tissue papered the small ones and wiped wax over the top.  

The three larger ones I covered in modelling paste and dry brushed those too.  I stuck them together in the form of a triangle.  I dabbed red paint over a black leaf vine ribbon also from my stash and draped it over the forms and base.  

I attached a small piece of purple mesh as a stiffener beneath the black spider web netting to form the skirt and the veil, attached to the red rose which symbolizes the head on the forms.  I covered the small dress forms with wire coils made from the flower stems, painted red.

   I suppose I have created a dark version of a wedding dress. 

Anyway that is about it for today. 

I do hope you like my latest creation and if you don't thats okay too.  I am unsure myself lol.

Hugz to all

Elaine xxx

This has been entered into the following challenges.......

Allsorts - ABAC 3m
Inspire me fridays - anything goes 3m
Crafting by design - anything goes 1m
Simon says stamp - anything goes 1m
Sisterhood of crafters - anything goes 6m
TTCRD - anything goes 30a
Craft my life - non card 2j
Crafting for all seasons - no stamps 31a
joanna Sheen - recycle 3j
Unstampabelles - ABAC 2m
Crafty Bloggers network - anything goes 1m 
Challenges 4 everybody - anything goes 11m 
Creative Inspirations - anything goes  4m
That craft Place - altered item 12m
Craft my life - ABAC 9j

Paper Ala Mode Challenge....D

Hello all

It is that time of the week again.  Another ANYTHING GOES challenge over at the Outlawz.  

I needed a couple of cards so put these together - kills two birds with one stone so to speak.

They are pretty simple really.  The backing papers are from Summer Driggs.  The stamps are Art Flowers.  Told you this was easy lol.

I am so not used to typing up such a short post.  More time to craft huh!

Hope you enjoyed your visit and I hope you will pop on over and join in the fun.

Creative Corner - CAS 3m 
Stamping for the weekend - diecut 9m
Stampin with the dragon - spring 9m
Crafting by design - anything goes 1m
Creative moments - spring 31a
Pennys Paper Crafty - anything goes 31a
Simon says stamp - anything goes 31a
Sisterhood of crafters - anything goes 3m
Die Cuttin Divas - diecut 1m
Artistic Inspiration - card for a lady 28a
Crafty bloggers network - anything goes 30a
MIM - anything goes 29a
613 Avenue create - anything goes 28a

More quickie cards needed......D

Happy Sunday everyone

Today I needed to make a few cards for my stock.....

I had recently bought some shoe stamps and to be honest I don't why.. I just did.  So I had to put them to good use.  I didn't want to make anything complicated so basically I used some papers from my stash that I had printed out a while ago.  I stamped out the images and used a small brush and TH distress ink pads to roughly colour parts of the shoe.  I wanted to give them a little life.  I also wiped over them using brushed corduroy.  Voila all done.  I did say they were quick makes - also quick description lol.  

I do hope you have enjoyed your visit and hope you will call again.

Hugz Elaine aka Ellapu xxx

These have been entered into the following challenges

Allsorts - passion for flowers 27a
Splendiference creations - Bloggers In Bloom JFF 27a
Crafts 4 eternity - flowers 27a
Docerela stamps - flowers 3m
QKR Stampede - diecuts 28a
Simply Create too - use your stash 27a
Wags n whiskers - may flowers 3m
delightful challenges - colour 28a
Shellys images - flowers 31a
Nutcrafters - anything goes 3m

It's all in the stars - Astrological Signs.......D

Where does all the time go...it's time for yet another challenge over at Eclectic Ellapu and it is the Pink Teams turn.  The challenge this week is being hosted by the lovely Dawn and the theme is 

Its all in the stars - Astrological Signs.

This can be interpreted in any way you wish ......

I chose to alter yet another canvas.  I gessoed and then laid down modelling paste mixed with dark blue paint.  I then used crackle embossing paste with a patina coloured paint.  Once crackled I collaged over the top using individual zodiac signs which has covered most of the textured crackling lol. 

I then stamped a zodiac circle on white card and tore round it.  I dabbed navy and red DI over the top.  I then triple embossed it using utee.  Once dry I cracked it in places for the battered look.  I added a pointer in the middle to choose the birth sign required.  The same technique was used for the lettering.  

I will be giving this to my son instead of a card for his birthday in May.

I do hope you have enjoyed your visit and I hope to see you join in over at Eclectic Ellapu this week.

Hugz Elaine aka Ellapu

xxx

Simon says stamp and show-stamped background 23a

This has been entered into the following challenges


2 sisters - color 27a
One stop craft - not square 26
crafty Catz - for the boys 26a
Dutch dare - ABAC 26a
Vickies challenge - anything goes 7m
WOW - altered or recycled 31a
Artistic Inspirations - ABAC 22a
613 Avenue Create - anything goes 21a

Paint brush holder needed...D

As it says above I just needed one seeing as I had the perfect cookie tin to alter.  It is also convenient that I needed to create a project for this weeks Outlawz Challenge of Anything goes.  Perfect timing!

Anyhow I gessoed the tin and covered it in modelling paste.  I then embedded a stringy webbing around parts of the tin.

For the parts that were webbing free I used crackle embossing paste with a little brown acrylic paint mixed in.  I used a brownish braid around the top and bottom and attached a braid handle just in case I felt the need to hang it up.

I used a bronze metallic rub and a purply rub n buff over the textured area and finally varnished the finished project.  I was going to put some flowers on it, which I have to say I made specifically for it but they did not look right.

Why not pop on over to the OUTLAWZ and join in with our fun challenge this week.  We would love to see you there.

Hugz Elaine xxx

This has been entered into the following challenges

Simply Create too - use your stash (stringy webbing) 26a 
 Crafty Bloggers network - anything goes 31a 
Dutch dare Card challenge - ABAC 25a 
Crafting for all seasons - no stamps 30a 
Rhedd and Rosie - monochrome 27a 
Artistic Inspirations - ABAC 22a

New Crafty-Emblies Challenge .......... D

Hello everyone

Its time for the new monthly challenge over at Crafty-Emblies(CE)  Now for those of you who know me will understand that I struggle with Shabby Chic and have always gravitated toward the darker colours so I set myself this personal challenge.  I have to say I am quite pleased with the result however will not be repeating it anytime soon lol.

I used one of the new shadow boxes from CE and painted it white with a little crackling going on.

I then started to fill the cubby holes.  I will show the individual pics and try to describe what is going on with the pic lol.  Long haul this is.

On the left I made 2 lil boxes out of white card and decorated.  The bird and trellis are from CE.  I filled the glass vials with pearl gems and pink paint.  On the right I made a frame and used a tiny basque from CE and next to it is a rosebud - unable to see it due to the angle of pic.Next to it is a larger basque from CE edged with cream marabou feathers for the skirt and crystal hearts scattered about.  Beneath one compartment has a CE key and lock painted white again hard to see due to angle.  Next to it is- you'll laugh at this) I knitted some hairy wool using cocktail sticks - however so hairy not that clear - you can see the stitches on the sticks lol.

 Left - I made the pearl flower using my stash of odd beads. I used another glass vial with flowers from my stash.  I tossed a few lonely pearls inside also. I used a tiny Victorian lady image and placed it into my handmade frame embellished with more pearls.

On the right you will see the front of a birdhouse, 2 mannequins, scissors, buttons, birds, sewing machine and to the side a huge sewing needle threaded with ribbon - all from CE.  the tiny reels are from my stash as were the lace and trimmings.

 Both images enable you to see the 3D effect and see the key peeking out of its compartment.  The birdcage I snapped and bent enough to make it 3D.

To the left is another 3D view.  To the right are the jars again.  beneath that you will see another handmade pearl flower.. the rest you have already seen.

Another 3D view but this time of the top.  I made letters out of mulberry papers and a Kaisercraft script stamp.  I added an old pen nib to add to the effect.  Beneath are just a few flowers and lace from my stash. Next is the dragonfly on the trellis.  What you will not be able to see are the birds behind the trellis.  If you look hard enough you will see another bird peeking out through the trellis.




This is a bottom view.  to the left I made a pin cushion with a couple of cut down hat pins.  A metal butterfly painted white.  Next is another trellis with flowers, leaves and bird from CE.  A couple of punched out butterflies also.

This butterfly is from a spellbinders die a friend gave to me.  Love it.  I painted it pink and decorated with pearl trim. The dangly pearl is one of my wedding earrings so a touch of real gold there - pure opulence!  Don't worry no memories shattered using this item.  marriage was over years ago.  You wait until I start cutting up my wedding dress for flowers! Joking far too expensive for that lol.

Another view of the CE birdcage and 

another bird behind it.

In this last picture before

the entire creation you will see a tiny mirror in a frame.  This was also made by me.  The lamp posts are also from CE.  I hope I have covered it.. OMW my finger tips hurt typing this out. LOL.

And now for the final picture which you may or may not have been waiting for.

Thank you for taking the time to read/look at my latest posting and I do hope you enjoyed peeking.  I think I have it all covered and apologies if I have missed anything. 

Do pop on over to Crafty-Emblies and join in with our fun challenge.

Happy Crafting everyone 

Hugz Elaine aka Ellapu xxx

This has been entered into the following challenges........

Crazy4challenges - wooden accent c4c181 20a
One stop craft - 224 colour challenge 20a
Crafts 4 eternity - wings  19a
Left of center - ribbons and twine challenge 3 19a TOP THREE
Simply Create too - use stash 29a
Happy Campers - flower power 17a
milkCoffee - welcome spring 26a
Crafting by design - spring flowers 17a
Crafting for all seasons - floral delight 17a
Crafts and Me - lace and pearls 128 17a
Creative belli - pastels 23a
Creative moments - things with wings 17a
Divas by design - flowers 17a
Flutterby wednesdays - 235 17a
Little red wagon - lace 17a
Simon says stamp - april showers or spring flowers 17a
Clear it out - flowers from stash 15a WINNER
Creative craft - alter it 16a
Die cuttin divas - pastels 16a
LEJ designs - show us your ribbons 15a
Party time tuesdays - anything but a card 16a
TTCRD - anything goes 16a
Artistic Inspiration - anything goes 15a
Crafty Bloggers network - anything goes 31a
Incy wincy designs - out of the box 14a
Shabby tea room - photo inspiration 14a HONORABLE MENTION
Unstampabelles - anything but a card 31m
613Avenue Create - anything goes 21a
Challenges4everybody - anything goes 26a
CI - spring flowers 20a