Spring Tea

 

I have come to a point in life where I have so many things that I've inherited, that I keep lovingly protected in a cabinet. What if something were to happen and I accidently broke it? I got to thinking, why? Some of these items I've been told stories about, like my mom's mother and grandmother, and my father's mother and grandmother's china. It finally occurred to me, why not use these items as a base for some artwork? I think it was a brilliant idea and hopefully I will inspire you to do the same. 

I began by stuffing a bit of wadded paper into each cup and the pot. Then I used a variety of greenery including Light Green Turf Gound Cover, Mini Spring Leaves, Course Turf - Olive Green, and the most useful for full coverage was the Variegated Green Vines. 

The pattern on this teapot is one of my favorites. I decided to use some Scalloped Gold Dresden Lace to accent parts of the teapot and a Raw Brass Olive Leaf Spray  

As you've probably guessed, I had several miniature paper flowers to use, and I don't know what could be better with teacups and other tea accessories. You can find an amazing variety of paper flowers here, at Alpha Stamps. 

My favorite part of the teapot is where I used this Fancy Lavender Berries Mix. The green leaves helped to easily attach it to the pot with a tad of liquid glue. This means that I can always easily remove the items, if I want to down the road. 

You can never go wrong with tiny critters. I used several for this project including these Tiny Resin Bunny Rabbits and their mother. 

This next teacup was fun because the Mini White Resin Pigeons or Doves were a blank slate, and I was able to make them into whatever bird I wanted including a Mourning Dove, a Mockingbird and a Wood Thrush.

For this little scene, I needed a backdrop of sorts. I loved the Fringed Gold Dresden Curtains and decided to use a piece of cardboard to design my garden in the same shape. I colored the wall with a bit of green acrylic marker and then added some Green Dyed Mini Wood Chips and spaced these bushes in a pattern to create a lattice of sorts. There can't be a garden wall without roses, and I had just the right ones with these Mini Rose Buds - Red Cream Variegated.

I have a new obsession with acrylic paint markers because you can use them on many types of surfaces including resin and metal. I love the water I created in the Tiny Metal Bird Bath. 

Not only did I use actual miniature critters, but I used some from collage sheets like Nature's Creatures to add a little snail to the scene. I like to curve the items that I use from collage sheets to give them more depth. 

I think this Pink and White Flowerbed Mix is so festive. 

Oh my goodness, could it be a few of my favorite things? Why yes, it is! I'm a nut for squirrels, pun intended and am mad for mushrooms. And once again, this other pattern from the Fringe Gold Dresden Curtains, blended in nicely with the gold from the teacup. 

Tonight, for the first time, I heard frogs in my backyard, which brought me such joy. Obviously, these Small Green Frogs did the same. 

Do you like the pink eggs in this bird's nest? They were created using Fancy Pink Berries Mix        along with some speckles created with acrylic markers. 

Alpha Stamps Supplies Used

So, are you inspired? What are you going to create within your precious teacups and teapots? Enjoy the process and thanks for stopping by!

xoxo

Rhonda...

Gift Wrap Central

🎵 It's the most wonderful time of the year! 🎵

There are some great sales going on downtown at the Five and Dime Department Store and they are even offering FREE gift wrapping! Can you believe that! Granted, there is a huge waiting line, but what a great offer for the tired Mom! 

Every nook and cranny is full of festive holiday decorations. I asked if I could purchase one of these snowy trees but the lady behind the counter said they were for decorative use only. I will just have to figure out how to make one on my own.

These shelves are just too cute, and what a great idea, putting beautiful lace and trims as a border. I will have to do this in my dining room. 

I am going to take full credit for the wrapping of my gifts and these adorable cozy boxes with Santa and other designs on top. 

Here's a little secret. If you go to the wrapping counter you will find the cutest boxes of Christmas Cards and they are 75% off. And the boxes they come in can become a fabulous holiday decoration for next year or imagine using them for a small box of fudge for the mailman. 

Usually, there is that one card design that I just don't like, but not with these boxes. 

I just don't think there is a thing of too many Bundles of Silver Christmas Tinsel Garland. It's one of my favorite decorations. Unfortunately, my cats love it too.

These tins are stuffed full of assorted cookies, including short bread. So yummy!

I don't think the shop was prepared for the swarm of people they were going to get, offering free wrapping. One lady began to raise her voice, that she had been standing there for hours and did not believe them when they told her they were running low on Chunky Gift Boxes. Apparently, the back Shop Counter was stuffed earlier that day, but they weren't lying, the boxes are really low in stock. 

Isn't this so thoughtful as well, a festive Tiny Toy Chest full of goodies and free candy canes for the kiddos. After seeing some of the kids, I think they should add a sign that says "One Candy Cane Per Person". 

 I hope they don't run out of paper too.

Even the back hallway was decorated with gift wrap. 

I just love the holidays and I hope yours is full of love, peace and joy!

Alpha Stamps Supplies Used

As always, thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Rhonda...

Something Spooky

Welcome to the historic town of Spookville. I kid you not, it's a little place where the families have lived for generations. The community takes pride in their ancestors homes, and even more importantly to the forever places where their loved ones are laid to rest. The Spookville Cemetery, established in 1797. The tombs are massive and the gravestones are carefully cleaned and preserved solid. 

It all started with this sinister Tombstone Tray. A place to add all sorts of creepy, Halloween fun and creativeness. What could possibly be better? 

Using black paint and black glass glitter always brings me Halloween joy. Plus it's easy to do and looks great!

Imagine if these Chubby Bronze Cone Bead Caps could start walking on their own. I added a bit of black acrylic paint, just to blend it in with the rest of the darkness and add some character. 

You don't have to add anything to the tray. It will lay flat on any surface and still look fabulous. 

For some reason, all of the black cats not only in Spookville, but the surrounding area, come to gather and purr on this huge old tree just outside of the cemetery walls. Some say that all the cats take pride in their ancestry too and are all related. Meow, hiss!

I used a lot of designs from the above Halloween Mini Cookies - Polymer Clay Slice Mix and the  Black & Orange Halloween Polymer Clay Slice Mix. There are so many others polymer sets to choose from at Alpha Stamps. 

This poor little skeleton got all tied up with tree roots. You just never know what could be lurking in the dirt below you. 

Here is an example of the love the community shares for their cats. The top of Spookville City Hall has an ancient carved Black & Ivory Cat Cameo displayed and they have festivals twice a year to celebrate the nine lives of the cat. 

This house belonged to the original founder of Spookville. You might think those large cats are just statues, but they are real, and if you aren't a citizen, you better stay back. There are other critters as well where these came from with this set of Halloween Bottle Toppers. 

I was a bit nervous using these lighter weight papers, but they are surprisingly strong and easy to work with. Plus the designs are especially good for tombstones. 

If you are ever in Spookyville and you see either of these two guys, run the other way. They wander around all night drunk, singing the songs of their ancestors and keep going till the sun comes up. 

This little dude is my favorite both in his original form, (Little Darlings Collage Sheet), and his spooky form, (Halloween Darlings Collage Sheet). And how bout his little ghosty friends, too cute! 

Forever, and ever, and ever.

This neat little Mausoleum Pocket Card is special, because it can carry a secret message inside. The house arrives flat, but a couple trails of ghostly glue and it is solid. 

There is also a new Folded Haunted House Card which is my favorite because there are so many cool surfaces to create on. I used some Polymer Clay Pumpkins to give some festive character and an acrylic Raven.

What a great party! Look at all of the spooks having a fun time. I think it is time for me to join them! 

Alpha Stamps Supply List

Here's to all Halloween parties being successful ones! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my recent work. Happy Halloween!

xoxo

Rhonda...

Odd that my first blog post without my dad discusses loved ones and cemeteries. I used to copy him on my emails to Alpha Stamps own Leslie, showing my recent completed, photographed, edited, written and aligned post, ready to go live for my readers. He would always tell me, "I just don't understand how you can do all of that work and be so focused". He was always proud of my work, which meant the world to me seeing how he was a Scientist. So I dedicate this post to my daddy, my best friend, my rock. I knew it would hurt when you were no longer with me, but this pain is excruciating and unimaginable. Every day gets harder as I spend it missing our daily chats and seeing you. Thank you for waiting on Abigail and I so that we could say goodbye and that we love you one last time. I know you were excited to be with mom again, but it meant so much to us to be there as you left this life. I love you daddy and will always be your little girl. Chirp!