Saturday, 16 March 2013

Friday Favourites - right this minute!

I have been challenged by my dear friend to get back to my blog. I did not forget about you. I have written some amazing blogposts in my head. Only problem is they never left my head to get on the paper so now they are lost or have fallen out!
I am working on a stack of journals right this minute. They are lined up in a row on the window sill drying. There might be a spare 5 or so for sale. It depends on how many more I can fit on the bookshelf without it breaking!!

So, favourites right this minute.


Love this TV series and Hello Kevin!!


Vintage Photo Distress Stain

Using it right now on my vintage journal



I cannot defend this at all.

*Tim Holtz Idea-ology MELANGE Tissue Wrap Paper TH93042

Tim Holtz Tissue Paper is Fabulous - I got it for Christmas and it is fabulous on the cover of my vintage journal.

8in x 10in Gel Printing Plate

Yes, it is true I have fallen for it. I am in love. So much fun with cheap paint, paper and the gelli plate. More to come on this.

TO DO
Learn to link pictures on the blog. I think I have finally found a class to teach me. I am hoping the tutor is excessively patient!!

Couldn't resist - here they are ...



Not quite finished - more photos to come in the next few days.

Thanks for visiting 
xx Michelle 





Thursday, 14 February 2013

Ephemera's Vintage Garden

Some of you may have visited Ephemera's vintage garden before and seen and played with the digital paper kits that Debbie-Anne creates. This was my first time playing and I had fun!!
I wanted to create something different than the ten journals sitting on my desk and looking at me with guilt in their eyes!! I need to finish them, I know I do but, but , but I had an idea and I had to follow it.
A super simple mini album made with two file folders. It is quick and cheap and decorated with Steamtown spring papers from Debbi-Anne, it is oh so pretty.

I made a video show and tell of the mini album


and I made a tutorial of how easy it is to make



I hope you enjoy it and visit Ephemera's Vintage Garden at
http://www.ephemerasvintagegarden.com/

Thanks for visiting
xx Michelle 

Friday, 18 January 2013

Lace Love

I have been working on another guest book and it was perfect timing to work in with this weeks challenge at Simon Says Stamp challenge of Lace Love. I wanted to use some of the paper doilies I had tea and coffee dyed and of course added a little distress ink!

This big fat guest book cover is made from good old cereal box cardboard and covered with Kraft card. I played until my fingers turned brown with Distress stains in Walnut stain and vintage photo and then glimmer misted with tattered leather. I ripped up three coffee stained doilies for the base layer and then added kraft and corrugated card with some of my rust embellies that I have made with my new Tim Holtz die - Tiny tag and tabs. Lots of my favourite distress inks in Walnut stain, Vintage Photo and the new must have and my new favourite Gathered Twigs (I love this colour!!!) I wanted the cover to be flat enough that it is easy to write in the book.


The inside pages are made with My Minds Eye papers that I have tea dyed, baked and then ironed. It gives  a fabulous pattern and texture to the paper and it is a fabulous grunge look which is what the recipient wanted.
Easy binding with a running stitch on the spine and it is ready to be written all over by guests at the party - this party is a 21st birthday for Josie - Happy 21st Birthday Josie.


Lots of gorgeous Lace Love inspiration over at Simon Says Stamp



Thanks for visiting 
xx Michelle 













Wednesday, 16 January 2013

How can I be behind already??

Happy New Year to you and yours.
I cannot believe that it is already the 16th of January. It is probably because I am already behind and I am in a state of anxiety and dread. This month is not one I have been looking forward too. My lovely son has just celebrated his 21st birthday and last weekend we partied. I am thrilled to have a gorgeous and fabulous young man as my son, but I wish it had taken him a bit longer to get to be grown up!! The second part of the dread is that in two weeks we will be helping him move 9 hours away to Film School for the year. Any Mother who has reached the dreaded empty nest will know exactly what it is like. Yes tissues are needed.
As a distraction I needed a guest book for my son and another one for his girlfriend and I realised that I had not shared a few photos here of things that are currently in production. This time the blog comes first. I have not yet videoed these projects.
Let the photos commence....

Ethan's 21st Birthday guest book





Good old cereal boxes provided the base and then I created a mosaic of texture with metal tape from the hardware store and Tim Holtz texture folders.


I created a fabric covered art journal.
The inside is filled with tea stained papers. The details don't really show here but this is deliciously tactile.


Pink and Brown Journal with My Minds Eye papers - Cover


Pink and Brown Journal with My Minds Eye papers - Inside is nearly finished


On YouTube tripledogdareu is having a challenge. This is where I am so far - lots of paper flowers

This is the link if you would like to join in the fun.



Today I am working on this guest book for a party girl this weekend. It is another 21st and the lovely lady wants grunge with favourite colours of red and green.


cover - doesn't look very good


Starting to look better with distress stains and glimmer mist


tea dyed papers, lots of distress ink and some home made envelopes - Hoping this will equal a gorgeous book by Friday!!

I will hopefully be able to post some completed photos and videos soon. In the meantime I hope everyone has a fabulous January, here in NZ we are in the middle of summer. I hope you are enjoying whatever season of the year you are in!! 

Thanks for visiting 
xx Michelle 






Monday, 31 December 2012

Nearly time for Resolution 2013

Here in New Zealand we are getting ready for New Years Eve. In preparation for the New Year I have started to create an altered journal for myself.



I have prepared an old book by ripping out some of the pages and glueing them to create a solid base of various sizes and a few pockets, of course!
The cover is started with the TH Cabinet card die and the baroque die and a selection of letters and numbers from various packs including some very cool grunge numbers. I have gessoed the cover and will be adding ink and other gorgeous stuff as I go.
 I think I will use this to journal January and prepare myself for the year ahead. Plans and hopes and lots of dreams.

Hope you and yours have a totally fabulous New Year and I look forward to meeting again in 2013.

xxx Michelle

Friday, 28 December 2012

Latest Videos are here

I have uploaded a couple of videos to show my latest projects.

The links are below if you would like to have a look


The Grand Mini Album


Ticket to Venice Travel Journal


If you would like to join in the fun with the Ticket to Venice Online class the link is '


Hope you are enjoying the last days of December 2012!!

xx Michelle


Tuesday, 25 December 2012

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it. Santa has been to my house and we are getting ready for a day with extended family. Here are a few shots of Christmas at my house.


I made the tree above many years ago and it still comes out every year.


The Kaisercraft advent calendar was made last year, and the Rocking horse is a treasure that is much loved.


The roses and sweetpeas were picked from the garden yesterday.


Christmas day in New Zealand - hats and sunscreen required!!

Wishing you all a Beautiful day wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

Xxx Michelle