Christmas Card Swap

CBA is having a 1-4-1 swap and this is what I am sending to Nola in the ACT. I had my beads out for another project and thought I would like to use them on this. I wasn't going to make Christmas cards this year but I am thinking I might make these. Now I just have to remember where I got those spirals from!

Bead Swap

CCSwaps is hosting a beadazzled swap. I made a phone charm using these cute wire cages, I was able to open them slightly and place a bead inside, I really like this one. On the card I used silver micro-beads on the heart and 22 gauge silver wire with an assortment of beads. Using pliers I twisted the wire to create interest. Hope my swap partner likes both of these.

Something Textured

On Chunkybooks we are doing different challenges and the 1st one is anything with texture. I made this box a while back and really loved how it turned out. I used crushed tissue paper, coral paper, mesh, crushed paper, heavy textured paper, gauze, mulberry paper and hot glue - basically anything with lots of texture. I glued everything down really well with gel medium and when it was dry gave the whole box two coats of black gesso. The good thing about this technique you can use any scraps laying around and it doesn't matter if it turns out oddly coloured because you paint over it. You can't tell on the photos but I covered the sides in the heavy texture paper too. When that was dry I highlighted the lid with gold, crimson and grape lumieres. Left that to dry and gave two coats of 'Gloss Crystal Kote' It is quite glossy to look at but I don't think the photos do it justice.

Bracelet

I bought these beautiful glass hearts at the local markets and wanted to make a charm bracelet with them - I really like this piece and thinking of putting it in a swap that I am in - not sure if I want to part with it though!

Shrink Plastic - CCSwaps

It's been awhile since I have played with Shrink Plastic - with this piece I used almond shrink that I had sanded and rubbed brown chalk all over, then stamped with black Staz-On ink. Cut out the image and heated it with my heat gun. I used an ATC size photo mattboard that I sprayed with suede paint added a skeleton leaf and some cool mesh ribbon bought at Canterbury Paper Arts Festival - wrapped the whole piece with gold thread and glued on the shrink and wording with 'Pritt' glue - hope my partner likes it!