100th Blog Post and Blog Candy

Post has been edited and the rest of the blog candy photos added.





Before I get started, just a reminder that Lisa Volrath at Ten Two Studio is running a St. Patrick's Day countdown so do go check out the free images there after you finish reading my post.
Well this is finally it, my 100th post, well part of it anyway. I've had to keep quiet here for awhile because I wanted the 100th post to be about my latest prizes and they are not quite ready yet but I just can't keep quiet any more and I just can't wait to show you the third place blog candy. I will edit and add the first and 2nd. prize in a day or two. Now how's that for putting pressure or motivation on myself? In the meantime go ahead and post a comment on this post to be in the draw if you don't mind risking what first and 2nd prize will be.
This journal for third place is the third assignment for my course. The project was to use old book paper and a chipboard flower or other shape and paint with stamp pad ink and a wet paint brush. The ink is stamped onto freezer paper used as a palette and then painted on the book paper which is glued to the chipboard;, but instead of a flower, I decided to do the journal covers. This little Zutter bound journal is 4.25 inches by 5 inches with 12 blank watercolour pages just waiting for your art to be added. For the inside covers, I added some green cardstock that I had mono-printed with gold and pearl gel paint. The chipboard and wires are small pieces leftover from the 12 Days of Christmas Gift Journals. I used brads to add a decorated chipboard shape stamped with "Friends" in green Stazon ink. There is also a Quietfire Design quote stamp which was stamped on the blank white sheet from a paper napkin and glued over the old book paper and a bunch of ribbons tied onto the wires. This was a fun project, I hope you like it.

Well the pressure I put on myself worked, the prizes were finished in a few days. It has just taken me more time to get online to post them. Well here they are. Second prize is a 5X5.5 inch knit felted bag. It is bias knit in garter stitch with a self striping wool and soy yarn and then machine felted. This little bag will arrive empty just waiting for you to fill with tresures.
Now for the first prize, a 5.5X6 inch felt bag which I designed with a diaganal flap. This is again bias knit garter stitch from a 100% wool yarn and machine felted. Next I needed just the right button, so I checked out my collection and could not find just the right one, so I went to a jar of vintage buttons my Mom had given me and this one seemed perfect. This little bag comes with a 4X4 inch journal tucked inside and you can read more about it in my next post. Of course you could remove the jouranal and fill the bag with whatever treasures you would like. Now to win one of these prizes leave a comment on this post by March 28, 2009 and I'll draw 3 names on March 29, 2009. Please check back after Mar. 29 to see if you are a winner, I will then have instructions for claiming your prize. Good luck to all of you, I hope you have as much fun as I did.

Altered Tin

Altered Tin
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

This is the second part of assignment 2 of the online course I am taking. I used a large tomato tin and painted with white craft acrylic paint with a little of African Violet paint mixed in. The centre band is a strip of coffee stained cotton fabric rubber stamped with a floral background stamp with purple dye based ink. A strip of green ribbon is added along the top and bottom of the cotton and silk daisies are glued on. The feet on the bottom of the tin are three sets of 3 buttons glued together and the handle on the lid is 2 buttons and a chipboard button glued on. You may like to see a previous altered tin I created for holding ATC blanks. I think this one will be a Note caddy for holding notes and quotes I collect.

Bee Tag Set 2

Bee Tag Set 2
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

Here is some more of the tags for my "Tell The Bees" tag book. I made two versions of the Garden Buddies and I'm not sure which one I'll use, but I' m leaning towards the funky flower background.

Bee Tag Set 1

Bee Tag Set 1
Originally uploaded by okanagan_spirit

I've been working on some tags to make my own version of a "Tell The Bees" tag book. These are what I've done so far. Most of the images are collage images from PC Crafter. I've used a distressing tool, chalks and Vintage Photo" distress ink. I also painted Making Memories Asphalt paint on sequin waist and pressed in on to a tag painted with Making Memories Shopping Bag paint.