St Patrick's Day Shamrock Doll -Home Decor

Happy St Patrick's Day!

I'll start my post with an Irish Blessing:  

May the road rise to meet you, 
may the wind be ever at your back. 
May the sun shine warm upon your face, 
and the rains fall soft upon your fields. 
And until we meet again, 
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

I'm celebrating St Patrick's Day with home decor and sweet dolls from Julie Nutting.  This darling wood shamrock is gussied up with some of my papercrafting favorites; Prima's world famous Julie Nutting Dolls Stamps, Maja Design paper from Sweden, shamrock shape from JoAnn's Fabric FabLab,  and gorgeous blooms from Petaloo.  (You can this piece in my ETSY shop find it right here. )

I added the Irish blessing from this post to the back of my decor piece.  I thought it would be a nice subtle place to add it.  I didn't want to totally clutter the front.  

Truth time confession....what goes on behind the scenes at my house.....

OK- actually when I added it to the front, my husband looked at the piece and said my shamrock shape now looked like a green tooth because I was hiding too much of the shamrock shape.  A giant green molar! That's what my "artistic" husband said. 

 I walked away muttering things like, "he has absolutely no sense of creativity", "what does he know", and simply "ugh blah grrrrrrr".  

Warning...never ask for advice and opinions unless you are prepared to accept what you hear.  It can be harsh. 

Soooooo I went back to my craft table and immediately moved the Irish Blessing to the back because he was sort of right.  

I'm only gonna admit to him being "sort of" right - because it didn't look like a molar for heaven's sake.   

Moving on.

It's fabulous to celebrate using favorites.  In fact, the paper I chose from Maja Design is also my favorite collection, FIKA.  I am  drawn to the purple and green combination.  

Here are some close ups of the Petaloo flowers I chose to adorn my creation:

Petaloo - Darjeeling collection - Garden Rosettes in Green 

Petaloo -Chantilly Collection -Velvet Hydrangeas in Maroon  

In this photo, my darling is holding the floral berries from

Petaloo - Burlap and Canvas Collection - Burlap Picks - Teal .  I didn't use the leaves from the floral pick, but I stole to berries from the pick to use as embellishments.   I'll save the teal leaves for a different project.  

Here are some additional close ups of my festive home decor piece. with the banner I made also using Maja Design papers. 

The wood shamrock shape is from JoAnn Fabrics's FabLab collection for St Pat's Craft.  It comes in natural wood and I painted it with Prima Marketing - Chalkboard Paint-Golden Olive.  After it dried, I gave it a simple quick sanding.  

My doll Julie Nutting doll is Candie.  I selected Candie because in my mind, she resembles an Irish dancer.  

I stamped her dress several times and layered it for a full ruffled effect.  

When I use dolls for home decor projects, I like to make them so they have some durability.  

The actual doll form ( without clothing) is 3 layers thick - 2 layers of watercolor paper so I could use watercolors for her hair and shoes...plus an inside layer of thin cardboard or chipboard for support. 

I also sandwich something very durable for extra support in the vulnerable areas of the doll such as the neck and the legs.  I don't want them to eventually bend and crease.  I tend to use a small piece of wood skewer for this, but a piece of wire or toothpick will also work (and again with the tooth theme...ugh).

Here is another image of the Irish Blessing found ON THE BACK of the shamrock.  

and a much better image: 

A final last view of the completed piece with the Irish Blessing located in it's final resting place.  Haaaaaa.  

Find this in my ETSY shop

This piece is available in my ETSY shop while it lasts.  

You can find it right here.  Some details - the finished piece with doll is 7"x7"x2.5" with the decor added.   The actual shamrock shape is 5"x5"x1.5"

This is a home decor piece that stands securely on it's own.  You can place it on a shelf, on a dresser or use as a tabletop centerpiece.  It does not say St Patrick's Day on it, so you can leave up all year round.  

You can follow Petaloo on their blog right here.  You can also follow them on Facebook right here and never miss a thing.  

Products: 
Petaloo - Darjeeling collection - Garden Rosettes in Green 1491-107
Petaloo -Chantilly Collection -Velvet Hydrangeas in Maroon  1272-182
Petaloo - Burlap and Canvas Collection - Burlap Picks - Teal 1204-205
Prima Julie Nutting Doll Stamp - Candie doll 910792
Maja Design paper - FIKA collection 
Prima Marketing - Chalkboard Paint-Golden Olive
JoAnn's Fab Lab Wooden Shamrock 1529-3343

Halloween Witch Hat Home Decor - with DIY video

It's Halloween and Time for some Home Decor -  With Julie Nutting/Prima and PhotoPlay

I created this witch hat using Julie Nutting's new die and stamp set from Prima.  I combined it with PhotoPlay Papers Bootiful Collection.  The colors in the collection make for perfectly festive fun home decor pieces.  

This started as a plain paper mache hat that needed to be gussied up.  I grabbed this at a great discount from Joann's  - part of the new Fab Lab collection.  

I had a few options for decorating my hat.  I could paint the entire thing, or use paper.  I chose paper because I love the PaperPlay Bootiful collection.  However it's way too difficult to paper something with such precision without edges and crevices showing.  Impossible for me at least.  

Painting the edges and crevices BEFORE papering and decorating helps eliminate the stress of perfection.  That's what I did.  I painted the edges of the hat, the tip of the hat, and the underside of the hat.  I absolutely did not want to bother decorating and wasting paper on the underside of the hat.  

After the paint is dry, I went ahead and added paper to the hat.

Creating a Template to Start the Decorating Process

 I have to admit that when I started the decorating phase of this project, I was certain it would be super easy and quick to cover the cone on the hat.  Heck , how difficult  can it be?  And how difficult can it possibly be to make a hat band as well?  

Wrong, wrong wrong.  I was so wrong.  It was not easy.  In fact it was frustrating as all heck.   But I have this quick technique I use when I am working with odd shapes, paper mache and wood pieces.  My template process is a snap and takes the frustration out of the paper crafting process - at least for me.  

  

 I have a super quick 2 min video that will help provide some tips when working with paper mache and tips on how to make easy templates in a flash.  

The doll die is much taller than I wanted so I cut her legs off.  Sorry little darlin' but I had to do it!

In order to make her be a sturdy and durable embellishment on my hat, she is 3 layers thick.  I cut 3 layers, glued them together and then decorated the top layer.  Then I added a layer of black foam to her in order to attach her to the hat.  The foam adds a nice dimensional layer between the hat and the doll.  

You can see the foam in the photo below ( near the bottom of the doll).

In order to protect the paper hat from moisture, I coated the entire hat with Mod Podge in a matte finish - even the under side.

Looking down on the hat....

Thanks for stopping.  

Products Used:

Prima - Julie Nutting - Halloween - Cling Mounted Stamps and Metal Die Set - Lil Witch -911614

PhotoPlay Paper - Bootiful Collection  12x12 paper
Paper Mache Witch Hat - JoAnn's Fab Lab collection
Black Cardstock
Black Acrylic Paint
Mod Podge - Matte Finish
Ribbon 

Julie Nutting Dolls - and Photo Play Paper - Card

Let's Play Paper Dolls - with Julie Nutting Paper Collections

While tags seem to be to popular way to use Julie Nutting doll stamps, I had fun making a card with the beautiful Camille stamp.  I dressed her using the 6x6 paper pad from "Paper Dolls" collection by Julie Nutting and Photo Play.  

The colors in the collection are fresh and happy.  And with the end of summer upon us, I still needed to hang on the feel of a sunny warm picnic day at the park. Well - that's what I'd love to wear to a picnic at the park on a sunny warm day at least.   

  I embellished my card with 

chipboard images from the Paper Dolls collection as well.  Paper Dolls Collection adhesive chipboard comes in a 6x13 sheet - chock full of adorable images.  

The background of my card is quite simple - just a stencil with molding paste and a die cut on top of the kraft card base.  I want the doll to be my real focal point.    

I also love to make my doll clothes dimensional, as if the sweet warm summer breeze is tossing her skirt about.   You can see more of the dimensional aspect if you scroll down.  

You can find the Photo Play paper collection and the Julie Nutting Dolls available at the Flying Unicorns.  

Thanks for looking

Prima Julie Nutting Doll Stamp - Camille 911409

Photo Play Paper - Julie Nutting - Paper Dolls Collection 6x13 Adhesive chipboard PD2157

Photo Play Paper - Julie Nutting - Paper Dolls Collection 6x6 paper pad PD2200

Prima Mask Set 6 -582852

Kraft pre-folded card

Ranger Archival Ink

Spellbinders Triple Tear Die

Ranger Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress ink

Prima's Julie Nutting Dolls Are Everywhere - Eileen Hull Suitcases

Julie Nutting's Dolls ( from Prima) are EVERYwhere! and popping up in even more places...

The Dolls are Everywhere challenge continues.  You can find the original post and challenge right here.  

We've had dolls being posted in front of craft stores "shopping for clothing" ( Julie McGivern Vincent‎), dolls going for boat rides (Toni Samskar‎), dolls waiting to go to the beach (Julie Blough), dolls taking bike rides ( Suzanne Downing), and dolls even helping in the garden ( Sheri Levitt).  But we all know the dolls are going so many more places.   

 

Julie and the Design Team thought it would be fun to get our favorite Prima dolls ready for vacation. Summer, after all, is right around the corner! Maybe in your area, you are already experiencing the start of summer vacation from school. 

We used the Eileen Hull suitcase die #657124 from Sizzix to get our creative juices flowing.  I decided to use Gina and give her a vintage look with an old worn suitcase and mount onto an 8x8 canvas.  Gina is one of Julie's new designs.  You can find a great selection of Julie's products here.  

I thought I'd take a few shots that show the dimension and depth of the piece.  

Isn't Gina adorable? 

Visit Julie Nutting's blog to stay on top of the newest doll designs.  She's got some funnnnn stuff coming out soon. 

 To join the Dolls Are Everywhere challenge, just take a photo of your doll in front of some place special - going on vacation?  Take the doll too.  She'd love to join you.   Going grocery shopping?  Dolls love to shop.  Going to the park?  You bet dolls love a day at the park.  

After you snap a photo, post your creative shot to one of our Julie Nutting Facebook  doll groups.  They can be found here: Julie Nutting Paper Doll and Other Fun Stuff or Julie Nutting Doll Club.  

I can't wait to see where your doll turns up.

Products Used:  

Prima, Julie Nutting Doll Stamp Gina - 911379

Prima Soft Matte Gel Medium 961428

Prima Stencil 584641

Prima Finnabair Mechanicals Star 963354

Prima Color Bloom Mist ( on Suitcase)  - Antique Gold 573843

Eileen Hull/Sizzix Scoreboard XL Die- Suitcase/Bag  Die 657124

Paper - Maja Design Life by the Sea collection

Ranger Archival Ink - Black

Ranger Tim Holtz - Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Ranger Tim Holtz - Faded Jeans Distress Ink

Wink of Stella Clear

Clearsnap - Mixd Media Inx - Vintage, 

Christmas in the Country with Julie Nutting, Prima and Blitsy

Christmas in the Country with Julie Nutting, Prima and Blitsy

I'm up on the Blitsy blog today sharing this sweet little 5x7 canvas using Julie Nutting's darling doll stamps and stamp sets.  

I have a complete and detailed step by step tutorial for you to follow and learn a few of my tricks.  You'll also be totally surprised to find out how I made my tree.  

So giddy up on over to the Blitsy Blog and see what's up.  Start the hoedown right here. 

Prima's Julie Nutting Cowgirl Becky - Christmas In the Country Canvas

Christmas in the Country 

 Christmas in the country - Julie Nutting style! This is Julie Nutting's Becky doll stamp.  Isn't she just darling? I thought it would be fun to have her celebrate Christmas.    

So it's time for a Prima Ambassador Class!

I'll be teaching a class at Buffalo Stamp and Stuff using this canvas and sweet Becky. 

    When?  Sat Nov 21st.  You need to call ahead and reserve your spot.

    Time 1:30pm - 4:30pm 

Address: 3356 Sheridan Dr, Buffalo, NY 14226
Phone:(716) 834-3540

I stamped the doll using a watercolor paper pad. I dressed her using Prima's Victorian Christmas collection and a few embellishments.  

After I dress the doll, I like to give her a nice rich coating of ink on one side like shadowing. 

 I colored her hair using the Prima water brush and some distress ink.  I dip the tip of the waterbrush right into the Distress ink. 

 The canvas I used is a 5x7 canvas board.  I stamped and inked to create the background - as the two images below show.

You can find a large variety  of Julie Nutting Stamps right here.


Supplies:
Prima Art BasicsSoft Matte Gel 961428
Prima Julie Nutting Doll Stamp 910457
MgGill Leaf Punch
Martha Stewart Punch - Branch
Prima Chalk Edgers - Olive Vine 891121
Prima Chalk Edger - Raspberry Pie 891053
Prima Chalk Edger - Teak Wall -891268
Prima Chalk Edgers - Rose Bud 891046
Prima Chalk Edgers Lime Pie 891305
Prima Victorian Christmas 6x6 990541
Prima Victorian Christmas Flowers -Rudolph's Nose 583446
Prima Victoria Christmas Say It In Crystals SIIC 582333
Cheese Cloth
Prima Color Bloom Mists - Lime Wedge 573850
Hemp String

Julie Nutting Canvas - Christmas scene and Step by Step ( Flying Unicorns)

Welcome to the Flying Unicorns kit for November.  Getting closer to Christmas, I thought I'd create a frosty scene using the "off the page" project.

 

November's bounty comes with a perfectly selected "off the page" project. Included in each Main Kit, is always a fun and unique "off the Page " item. This darling wheel barrow is perfect for the season. This unique item is chosen just for November, and just for you.

This is the November Off the Page project - "OTP".  The actual OTP item is a sweet metal wheelbarrow and was included in the main kit for November.  The main kit, Your Passion Your Art , always comes with an item to alter.

I wanted to create a winter scene at Christmas time with Toby and his dog have cut their tree down and are wheeling it home to decorate.  The doll stamps are from Prima- Julie Nutting and are two of my favorites to use because they represent the love and loyalty between a boy and his dog.

Grab this piece in my ETSY shop right here

How did I make this?

When I am making a project like this, I make it to withstand a little physical abuse.  I find it important to figure out ways to attach the embellishments to the canvas so it will last.   I believe I have come up with some pretty clever ways of attaching items if I do say so myself!

Important items in my scrap box of tricks?

• Clear fishing line (nylon filament)
• Heavy duty staple gun.  
• Wood skewers
• Needle nose pliers and palette knife

To create the shadow box effect, I simply turned a canvas around and used the reverse side.  I then painted the canvas and wood with Prima's Chalkboard paint because it has a great matte finish that I love.  I tried to create an ombre effect by painting the darker Jewel Blue first at the top , then progressing down to Sea Breeze and Egg Blue before transitioning to white for the snowy ground.

I prefer using a foam brush because they are inexpensive, provide great coverage and I don't have to clean them.  I am honestly horrible with paint brushes and sadly irresponsible.  I hate washing them out so they will be crusty and dirty when I go to use them.

To secure the wheel barrow, I use clear nylon filament or fishing line.  Yep - common fishing line.  It's pretty inexpensive, very very durable,  and is a staple in my crafting box.  I often secure the fishing line with a few heavy duty staples stuck into the wood part of my canvas.

I will also secure the trees to the canvas with fishing line. 

The palate knife or needle nose pliers are used to slightly raise the staple so I can wind the fishing line around the staple to use as an anchor to tie the fishing line to.

You can also see that I used the heavy duty staples to secure the Christmas trees.  I tied the trees tightly with fishing line so they would stay exactly where I want them. Then I anchored the fishing line by tying it to the staples.

This is what the canvas looks like before I embellish it.  I did add some of the new Prima Snowflake paste to the bottom for a snowy effect. 

Julie Nutting Doll Stamps

Julie Nutting Dolls = when I make a dimensional project and want the dolls to be part of the dimension, I often stamp two images.  I glue pieces of wood skewer  onto the bottom stamp layer to help stabilize the doll.  Then I glue the images together.    As you can see, I stamped and cut two Toby images and two dog images.  I also made sure I inked the edges of the bottom layer to help blend the layer and make it less noticeable.

After I have the wood skewers in place, I glue the top layer on and am then ready to continue with my project.

I made sure to provide a little extra support to the heads with some dimensional foam dots ( pop dots).

Here is a shot to show how I added the nylon fishing line.  

I made a  tree sign using paper and more skewers.  I decorated my tree sign with some Lime Green Stickles and Prima snowflake paste. 

Last finishing touch, I covered all my staple mess with cheese cloth for a snowy base.  I also dabbed the cheese cloth with Prima's Snowflake paste.  

so do not delay in getting yours!

You can also find this piece in my ETSY shop right here

Flying Unicorns  Nov Kit of the Month

Prima Chalkboard Paint, Sea Breeze 577230
Prima Chalkboard Paint, Jewel Blue 577223
Prima Chalkboard Paint,Egg Blue 577216
White Gesso
Prima Finnabair Extravagance Snowflake Paste 962906
Darice Metal Wheel Barrow 7in x2.8in
Prima Flowers - Victorian Christmas Rudolph's Nose 583446
Prima Flowers - Victorian Christmas Poinsettia Kiss
Prima Poppies and Peonies Canvas Banners
Prima Julie Nutting Dolls - Toby 910969
Prima Julie Nutting Dolls - Dog 910846
Prima Watercolor Paints Soft Neutrals - 576707
Prima Chalk Edgers - Branch Bark
Stickles - Lime Green and Christmas Red
Wood Skewers
Cheese cloth
8.5 x11 canvas