• Art - Blog - Creativity

    A new happy ending

    December 9, 2016 - By 

    Some quiet reflection brought me to this page.

    new happy ending

    I used light cardboard for my substrate adding layers of paper and paint.

    glass-look mason jar using punched plastic

    Gelatos were used on this paper pieced mason jar. I punched a jar from a plastic sleeve and adhered over the butterfly giving the illusion of glass.

    charcoal doodles with white pen journaling

    Before punching holes in the page for my polka dot journal I did a bit of paint scrapping, doodling with charcoal pencil and personal thoughts in white pen.

    nearly full polka dot journal

    My polka dot journal is basically full. I may do two more pages that I can adhere to each of the inside covers before called this one complete. I originally thought I’d do something on the front cover as well but unless it’s non-dimensional…which has not been my MO lately….it’s likely better that I leave it just plain.

    I hope you forgave me for being so insensitive…so long old friend.

  • Blog - Creativity

    A second look: rusting result

    November 2, 2016 - By 
    Second on the 2nd

    Today for Second on the 2nd I’m sharing a second look at rusted fabric. This was the first time I tried this technique and was quite pleased with the results. Since then I’ve rusted more fabric and even some watercolor paper.

    Take a look…

    eyes

    6/20/2011

    I just couldn’t wait any longer. I had to unwrap the fabric.

    I’m going to leave them to dry in the yard for a little while.

    Just look at all the rusty goodness…

    And this…

    Love it!!

    My question now is…do I rinse the fabric or leave it as is? I love the look of it right now but don’t want to endanger myself or others if it should be rinsed.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    I did end up rinsing the fabric at the urging of Elizabeth…it faded a bit but was still quite glorious. This post reminds me that I need to ask Mr. G for some more scrap metal that I can use for rusting.

  • Art - Blog - Crafts

    Tree collection additions

    November 28, 2015 - By 

    Over the past few years I’ve started collecting Christmas trees. Mostly because I keep making a new kind each year but I’m not opposed to buying one at a thrift store or garage sale if it really speaks to me.

    This year I was inspired by Mini-me. She had to film a tutorial for her technology class. Her group of three girls each picked a different Christmas craft and bought enough material for the three of them to each create their own.  She was inspired by this tree.

    inspiration tree | Halle's Hobbies

    Her version used smaller pieces of cardstock. It got very tedious for her towards the end of both punching all the scallops and hot gluing them to the paper cone. It was her punching all those pieces that had Mr. G prompting me to try my Silhouette machine again.

    Speaking of paper cones…I made the cones from poster board after first seeing the price of a craft store foam version and then realizing that the foam would melt with hot glue. Glad I thought that one through before starting!!

    lace wrapped tree materials | Halle's Hobbies

    This tree came together really quickly.

    vintage lace trim for lace wrapped tree | Halle's Hobbies

    This vintage trim was in the bottom of my sewing box likely bought for some project my mom had intended to make in the 1970’s. At least it’s getting used now! lace wrapped Christmas tree| Halle's Hobbies

    Isn’t it sweet. I had the tiny glass ornaments in my stash as well. All it needed was a topper. I auditioned several ideas but finally decided a star was in order.handmade star for lace wrapped tree| Halle's Hobbies

    I drew a star on a piece of paper so I’d have a guide to do my bending. I used a twisted piece of 22 gauge wire. I had to “tie” the star at the crossover points “barbwire style” for stability.

    The second tree (well technically it was the first one) was yarn wrapped.

    yarn wrapped tree| Halle's Hobbies

    I used a leftover partial skein of acrylic yarn for this one. Again I had some tiny trims in my stash to give the tree a finished look.

    Nothing I love more than to use stash items! No cost…no trip to the store…AWESOME!

    Tree collection | Halle's Hobbies

    My humble little collection in our game area of the family room. You may be able to see both my Suess tree and cork tree. Additionally you also may be able to see the recycled Christmas card balls I made last year and the 12 days of Christmas swap book from several years ago adorning the table.