Mirror, diary and some tips

I thought, that I've done with Xmas pieces, but my son-in-law asked for a diary... I've made one and want to talk about some tips which you might find useful.



The first point is ageing. Everyone knows that I like vintage items so the matter of achieving ageing effect is very important to me. Usually I use bitumen and other patinations but sometimes they add blur to the image and overall effect could be too strong. Here I decided to age background of the item before I glue the picture. In this case the image stays very sharp but overall effect is vintage.

Another point is the inside of the covers. I get crackling using shellac/gomma arabic pair and I like to wash off the layer of gomma arabic with water. It means to be very cautious to avoid water getting inside. With this diary I've lost concentration for a moment and ended up with water stains inside the cover. To rectify it I use the napkin again. The best is to use a second layer. Here I use the same napkin.



And here is a different napkin completely to underline the opulent feel of this diary.



And this is a mirror. Nothing special, but I like this napkin! Here again I shaded the frame corners before gluing the napking.

I am famous!

It's a joke but not completely! In Wednesday's issue of local newspaper The Press there was an article about the beautiful shop which is run by lovely ladies and my good friends Anna and Jemma. This is Anna in the picture:



And in there they've mentioned my name specifically and presented me as one of their main suppliers, a very crafty person and so on! All very flattery! With a picture of one of my Xmas decorations! Isn't it great? This is a Link to the article. Of course publicity is a great power! The very next morning a lady came in the shop and asked about my works in particular and bought three(!!) of them! As you can imagine I am very happy with this!

Merry Christmas!

This year I've done with Christmas decorations early and decided to show the most of them in one post. To make a greater impact! I made some decorative boards with Xmas motives, both sides are decorated to prevent using them as proper chopping boards!



This is a back of it, the golden craquelure is not noticable I am afraid...



This one is very nostalgic, my friend told me that she remember the picture from her childhood...



I like this one the most - it's tiny and rather cute!



A few hearts and a plaque. I decorated all of them on both sides. I think it looks more festive (and more professional to this matter!).

New Year Diaries

End of year means a new year, a new year means a new diary, it means decoupage! Every year I decorate 3-4 diaries with a very different images, but this one - medieval book illustrations - is always in presence. I bought this paper two years ago in some museum in Munich and use everywhere since. Sorry to bore you with the repeats but I love this paper to bits!



Of course I can't stay away from a vintage theme! This year it's going to be Americana and Wild West. Hope I haven't overdone ageing!..

New Napkins Giveaway

Xmas is closer and crafters are busier! I decided it's time to do a new giveaway. Set of 10 napkins, 7-10 of each variety to be send to you!

The rules are the same:

- there is no need to be my "follower", but you need to write a comment with the list of napkins you would like to get;

- anyone could claim up to 10 napkins, only one of each variety;

- it is on the "first come, first served" basis;

- the end of action - 12 December;

- your postal address should be send to my e-mail address. If you have already took part in my giveaways I might still have your address.

- if you get less then 10 napkins I will add some of my choice so you still will have 10 items.

Take your pick!

1.1/4



2.1/2



3.25x25



4.



5.1/2



6.1/2



7.25x25



8.



9.1/4



10.1/4

The Tray "Autumn Bouquet"

I was away for a while, then unwell with a cold... Today the weather was more suitable for making photos so I pull myself together and this is a result - finished tray.



I called it "Autumn Bouquet" because of rich colours and subtle hues of the season, that's why shading and craquelure on the tray are very delicate. It feels like autumn to me...

Another One!

Here we are again! I am working hard, this is another one!



I wanted it to look more 50's (or 60's?) that's why such a choice of motive and bold colours.

CD Rack "Old Music"

I've bought two CD rack blanks recently and started to work on them straight away! This is the first one, rather simple affair - a well known napkin and a old sheet of music (original!) inside.