Wednesday 16 April 2014

Make and Take!

Hello and welcome to Magpieheaven on a wonderful spring day! Just to prove that it really is a blissful day here - a picture of my make in the Magpie Garden!
With Easter on the horizon and lots of visitors expected, along with my English students beginning to panic about the upcoming Summer exams, I've had so little time to create. However, I was determined to do some crafting and I created this simple plaque for my daughter. I enjoyed doing this so much I would like to create some more with different embellishments and colour combos.
It started life as a 'make and take' from Ally Pally. The lady on the MDF man's stand had us covering little MDF hearts with this gorgeous paper. Unfortunately I didn't remember the name of the designer and I would so like to buy some more of her paper. If there is anyone who knows her or can remember the designer's name, please could you leave me a comment so I can order some? Also the lady who was demo-ing was a brilliant teacher! I think she was waiting on the station with me as we took the train up to London and I had no idea we were both bound for the same place, or that I would learn something from her later on that day! She told us to cover our hearts with PVA glue right to the edges, using our finger. We then lay the hearts face down on the paper, gave them a little wiggle to dispel air bubbles and cut roughly around the edges. She then showed us how to simply sand down the edges so that we had a really professional look. My family could not believe this was paper stuck onto the surface! We then threaded through a nice piece of shabby chic string.
When I got my heart out again to play with it, I painted the edge and the back with Bora Bora Fresco Finish followed by just a touch of dry brush Chocolate Pudding. I also stamped over the paper with the script stamp from Paper Artsy Lynne Perrella Collection 028 in Wendy Vecchi Potting Soil Archival Ink. Here is the reverse side of the MDF heart with a couple of coats of Fresco.


I also sponged a little Hey Pesto around the edges. The heart needed some more embellishment so I decided to try out my brand new rusting powder. I have been so longing to have some of this! Words cannot describe the excitement I felt as I approached that little tub of wonder!
My very dear, crafting friend, Lucy had given me a lovely collection of flowers, so I took one of these, covered it with some PaperArtsy Matte Medium, sprinkled it with the magic grey powder and spritzed with vinegar. In this shot, you might be able to see the grey powder and how the flower is gradually changing colour as the vinegar activates a chemical process!
While the rusting powder was working its magic, I selected a  crochet flower from one of these little beauties sent all the way from Canada by my dear Magpie Cousing, Dianne. I chose a coffee coloured one and matched it up with a single gold skeleton leaf.

Three Prima wooden butterflies provided the finishing touch. I painted them with some Bora Bora and a touch of Hey Pesto, edging the wings with Old Gold. Finally I stamped them with the Lynne Perrella script again, in Wendy Vecchi 'Watering Can' this time.
 There it is -  a heart for my daughter. It was the simplest 'make' I've done in a long time, but I was happy creating it and I fashioned it with love. As I worked I thought of one of my favourite poems, 'The Good Morrow' by John Donne. It's a poem about true love, the kind built on mutual understanding and maturity that I hope that my daughter will know some day:
My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,
And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;
Where can we find two better hemispheres,
Without sharp north, without declining west?

As the Spring begins to work its magic and Easter approaches, may your creativity increase; may you create with love in your heart and may you discover all kinds of  new and lovely delights!

22 comments:

  1. Looks fab with your personal additions, love the butterflies xxx

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  2. Oh! I don't know who the paper designer is but I love what you did with this! Fabulous!

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  3. As usual I'm not only blown away by your art by also by your blog post. Thank you so much for sharing the technique on the heart. I think it looks really great. I also love the contrast of the rusty flower resting on crochet. Butterflies are always a favourite of mine, and these are no exception. Love it all! Xx

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  4. Your heart is beautiful, in both senses of the word, Julie Ann! This is a lovely make. I love that you used your Make and Take from Ally Pally in this way and I love that you rusted the flower I gave you. I can let you have some more! Looking forward to meeting up again soon! (And I love that poem!),

    Lucy x

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  5. I love that heart Julie Ann! I've been thinking about the lady who did the make and take and am sure she usually demo's for Ali-Craft so she must be spreading her wings! I knew I recognised her when we saw her on the way, but thought she was just visiting like us! Hope you find the source/designer of the paper, it's fab.

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  6. Just incredible work of art, Julia Ann! I'm sorry we have gotten out of touch since I stopped being a weekly visitor to WOYWW. I came over from your cousin's nest because I always think of the two of you at the same time. I wanted to catch up on your kitchen and I see that it has been put on hold because of the flood victims needing help. You Magpies are so generous and loving and all that will come back to you! I'm glad your children and your Mum are doing well! Happy Easter to you and your whole family!! Hugs, Darnell

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  7. Gorgeous creation and I love the fact you took the Make & Take item and truly made it your own.
    I was the same way when I received a tub of rusting powder, I sat in wonder at the transformation. I can feel a rusting session coming on!
    BTW - beautiful crochet items from your lovely Magpie Cousin :)
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  8. Looks gorgeous, Julie Ann - the rusty flower is the perfect addition to that beautifully shabby chic heart. Lovely layering with the crocheted lace too... Thank you for the Donne too - always a feast for the mind here!
    Alison xx
    (Strangely, I think I understand exactly what you mean about the Virginia Woolf!)

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  9. Oh Julie Ann I do love reading your posts and this one is beautiful as is your gorgeous heart. It's driving me silly because I'm sure I know which papers it is but just can't thing of the name. House of Zandra keeps jumping into my head?

    Hugs
    Lesley Xx

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  10. I was right Julie Ann! Look here http://www.houseofzandra.co.uk/12-x-12-20-c.asp :o)) It won't keep me awake now, lol!

    Hugs
    Lesley Xx

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  11. This is just lovely Julie Ann and I sure your daughter is going to love it. I really love how you layered the doiley under your flower and the pretty colors of the fresco. I hope you find out the name of who sells the beautiful paper too! xx

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  12. Beautiful, elegant and simple, the rusting looks superb and just adds to the shabby look. Really lovely. Jo xx

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  13. Hello Miss Julie Ann, your heart is gorgeous, that i beautiful paper,I love the colors you blended in the back, the rusted flower is stunning, beautiful butterflies, it may have been the easiest, but it is full of love, and I know Matilda will love it, you took you take and make and made it into a treasure, she can keep forever, I knew anything I sent you you would create something beautiful with it, Thanks for sharing, it has been a healing to my heart to visit, hope you have a wonderful Easter, filled with love, family and chocolate :O)...((( BIG HUGS)))..

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  14. A gorgeous heart with fantastic elements - love the metal flower.

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  15. Gorgeous! The rusty flower looks wonderful.

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  16. Fabulous embellishments and design.

    Hugs Diane

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  17. Fabulous heart Julie Ann! Embellishments are very gorgeous and I like background photo is stunning!! xx

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  18. Wow Julie Ann- just gorgeous as well as all of the above comments! I love your embellishments- great minds!! Your post is indeed lovely and I am so glad to have found you- thank you for easing me into my morning ") hugs and love to you

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  19. Beautiful!!! I love the rusty embellishment!
    Alison xxx

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  20. This heart is absolutely gorgeous! Love all the details, you do amazing work.

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  21. Hi Julie-Ann, sorry I'm so behind, injections, easter hols, sons birthday, dad been really poorly so taking him to appointments and then on Tuesday I had mum and dad at docs, took mum home, got a phone call from dad saying mum was really ill and I ended up rushing her into hospital, thank goodness she is out now but I'm keeping a close eye on her. Its accounting month so working a lot. Thank goodness apart from bad sinus (I reckon there is something inthe air that is upsetting sinuses at the moment lol) I'm fine, good job I had my injections as I was miss speady whizzing around with mum in a wheelchair lol. I really really love what you have done with the heart, the rusting looks so fab. I really love rusting powder but it's the vinegar smell that puts me off lol. I have told my other half that when we start having nice days I'm having a rustic day outside!!! Diannes crohet doilies are stunning, I wonder if she does a pattern. Lots of hugs Kezzy xxxxx

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