Queen of the Soiree

One of my favorite things to do is to up-cycle discarded books and give them new life. For this piece I used a discarded used hardcover book and turned it into a vintage style handmade altered book. 

I ripped the original pages out of the book and replaced them with chipboard pages that were layered in vintage ephemera.

The pages where glued and stitched into the book using my double button technique. I coated the covers of the book with handmade paper rosettes and vintage bingo boards.

The front cover was further layered with a vintage party image from my collection which is available on the mixed collage image cd. I further embellished the covers with lettering, card stock shapes, buttons, gilding, ink and German glass glitters.

The inside pages where layered with more rosettes, ephemera, doilies, laces, and trims. German glass glitter and inks were also added to the pages for more dimension.

After every page was layered with ephemera, rosettes and embellishments I added various aged lace trims which I dyed with Liquid Rit Dye Cocoa color using a spray bottle and brush. Finally I added crepe paper fringes, sequin trim and broken jewelry pieces throughout.

I'll share more sneak peaks of the book and inside pages soon. I hope this project inspires you to create and recycle some discarded books in your collection, the possibilities are endless.

xoxo
Lisa

Percy's Magic House

Here is another altered art house assemblage I created using products in my line: Cupie-ology by Lisa Kettell Designs, I made this using a small wood doll house shaped closet found in the wood section of the craft store, layered w/scrapbook paper, trim, glitter and embellishments from Lisa Kettell Designs line of products. The main piece was the painted Bailey embellishment sold in a painted pack of three.

This is an updated project from my book, Altered Art Circus, Quarry Books, where I have some projects in there using doll house wooden closets and houses that are turned into circus carts like the cover of the book and assemblages.
 

The Story: "Percy Grimwald lives at the edge of Stony Brook Forest by Bluebelle Fields and Hickory Stone which sits beside the Twin Star River. Percy can be seen overseeing his garden filled with wiggly wots, piddlebat, tweenseed and licorice root. Every Tuesday he heads to the Twinkle Spat Farms for the weekly farmers market where you can find his latest crops, in addition to Tye Wiggs' Candy Stalks, Caramel Blue Raspberry Apple Sticks, and Peppermint Elixirs. Here you can by Cherry Doc Bulbs, Bat Dust and a variety of magical delights.

After the market Percy invites friends over for afternoon tea elixirs and treats made from delights in his garden, you never know what sparks are going to fly out his windows if the Twinie Pixies show up for tea and begin playing twizzle stixs, which light up and spread moon dust everywhere.....

 

Stay tuned for new carnival/circus carts using my latest products.


xoxo
Lisa

Carnival Mini Frame Assemblages

Here is a fun project I have been doing for ages, using frames of all sizes as the base for an assemblage. The frames in this post are smaller in size and available at Michaels Craft Store, if you don't find a color you like, paint it with a nice enamel or multi purpose paint, I like the consistency of Marth Stewart Paints or latex paints found in the discarded section of your local hardware or paint store.

The frames are then layered with scrapbook papers, trims and trinkets. The main embellishments are from my line: Cupieology, Lisa Kettell Designs.

The embellishments I used from the Cupieology line are;

•  XL Cupie Head, Candy Pink, 

• Mini Carnival Cupies.

I further decorated my mini frame assemblages with additional trinkets and handmade banners created from scraps of paper and floral wire.

You can purchase the Lisa Kettell Designs Embellishments to make your own mini assemblage frames and other projects at: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/MoonfairesWorld/1/1/16631//

Along with other fun stuff to spark the creativity in you!

xoxo
Lisa

Guest Designer
Susan Dietz

Enchanting Spring Tags
Here is an amazing altered tag that Susan made using one of our collage images from Lisa Kettell Designs, which are also found in the back of my book: "Altered Art Circus", which has several pages of images for you to use in your art works.

I just love Susan's work, who is the creative face behind: "Flutter Before You" which is filled with enchanting and vintage designs that are sure to excite the inner fairy in you, from cake toppers to journals, books and vintage finds, Susan's shop will appeal to all.


I just love what Susan did to these tags using a variety of items, my fave is the whimsical polka dot background on this tag. Which really enhances the main image, just too amazing!

 In Susan's Words:

 The renewal of life again,blooming trees with soft pink and white petals,the bright yellows of daffodil's swaying in the breeze, and the scattering of tulips and purple hyacynth...Oh how I LoVe SpRinG!

 I've Been busy making a few tags to share with you too! I am really loving these Vintage circus inspired images from Lisa Kettell... So stinking cute!!! I'm feeling like a butterfly coming out of seclusion and cacoon state, emerging out into the warmth of the sun to dry my wings.....flexing,stretching, feeling renewed energy, gaining strength, preparing to FLY!!!

For more info on Susan visit her blog at: http://flutterbeforeyou.blogspot.com
I'm so excited now to make tags, thanks Susan for inspiring all of us! Can't wait to see what else you come up with.


xoxo
Lisa

Design Team Project
By: Amy Mayfield

Let’s get crafty and go to the circus with a spoonful of stars–we can skip the $15 balloons.

Hey y’all! Today I’m tickled to show you a wood plaque turned into a marvelous circus as a project for the Lisa Kettell Designs Design Team. Get crafty, grab a spoonful of stars and let’s go to a circus where there’s no crying children or $15 balloons.

Supplies Used:
 
Unfinished Wood Plaque
Three Sheets of Scrapbook Paper from Lisa Kettell Designs
Lisa Kettell Fairy Follies CD
Lisa Kettell Sweet Shoppe Carnival Embellishment  (unpainted)
Bakers Twine
Fiskars Banner Punch
Pink Pom Pom Fringe
A Ticket
Scrapbook Paper: Music
Scrapbook Paper: Dictionary
Stickles in Diamond
Glitter or Glitter Paper
Tiny Star Sequins

Directions:

The first thing I did was to cut a piece of Lisa’s scrapbook paper to use as the background. I cut a crown from another sheet of Lisa paper and painted the Sweet Shoppe Carnival. Sadly, while I can paint many things a straight-ish line is not one of them. Ditto for cutting a straight line; paper trimmers are my friend.

I glued a piece of glitter paper to the back of the carnival after using a knife to cut out the “door” area, I wanted it to open to something full of sparkles. I glued music down the side, glued in the crown and glued down the carnival. I chose the word brilliant from a page of dictionary scrapbook paper, pinked the edges and glued it along the top. The fairy came from Fairytale Follies CD. I carefully cut her out and used adhesive foam to give her a little dimension and then traced her with the Diamond Stickles.

She has silver stars dripping from her hands; they were attached via glue stick and given a little extra sparkle with the Diamond Stickles. Using my hot glue gun, I bordered the box with the pink pom poms and added the ticket. Using my banner punch, I cut out 5 pieces from another sheet of Lisa’s and attached it to the bakers twine with my glue gun. A dot in each corner holds the banner in place and allows it to hang freely. Because I don’t think you can EVER have too many sparkles, I traced each banner piece in the Diamond Stickles.

I recently read “The Night Circus” and between that and Lisa’s magical creations, found myself very inspired. If you haven’t read the book, pick it up! Also, Lisa has added some NEW collage CDs to her Artfire store and has some very affordable options. I picked up the Halloween one and am eyeing the Circus one and the Vintage Storybook and Ephemera Disc.

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How amazing is this project that Amy did?, could have come straight out of a circus, I love love love it, Now to make one of my own, hmmmmmm, perhaps an elephant circus one!

xoxo

Lisa!

Design Team Project
By Amy Mayfield


I have been a bit obsessed with Halloween as of late. As of today, there’s barely six months to prepare! Where has the year gone?
I had another project all planned out in my head for Lisa Kettell Designs  when I was rooting through my craft supplies and came across these wonderful witches; the  Kewpie Magic Witches from Lisa Kettell Designs. These come in handy because capturing a witch of your very own is tricky, witchy business and even these little ones are full of tricks and treats.
Supplies Needed:
Kewpie Magic Witches
Mini glass cloche (I took apart some ornaments I got on Christmas clearance that I bought just for the cloches. You could also use a small jar.)
Printed scrapbook paper
Thin cardboard
Stickles in silver, black and tarnished brass
A  letter from scrapbook paper or cardstock
Moss
Hot glue gun
Tiny silver stars
Black pompom fringe
Some sort of little adornment, I used a brass moon
I jazzed my witch up using the silver Stickles because witches love sparkles. Honest. I also popped a tiny star on the tip of her pointed hat and made her a “top” with black Stickles. While she dried, I used a paper punch to cut out two circles with pinked edges to use as a base. I cut out a circle from the thin cardboard and glued them together to make a base. I covered the top and bottom of the cardboard with the printed paper–which is important if you plan to use her as an ornament. Then I made a ring of moss around the base, using the bottom of my cloche as a guide since I wanted the majority of it under glass. When the witch was dry, I made a big dollop of hot glue and dipped her feet in it, pressing lightly until she was “set.” Then I glued some tiny stars around the moss because, in my opinion, you can never have too many sparkles.

Once everything was dry, I ran a line of hot glue around the bottom of my glass cloche and, carefully but quickly, moved it in to place. Using the glue gun and my small black pompom trim, I made a border around the base of the cloche. I glued my W, for witch of course, to the top of the cloche using its ring as the base. If you are making an ornament, I would run my ribbon or whatnot through the ring before attaching the letter. Then I simply glued the moon to the letter and with a dab of glue, to the glass.

Now my tiny witch is spellbound and ready for happy hauntings and magical mischief!
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I love love love this project that Amy Made, how amazing is it? Love, now I'm ready for Halloween or some Harry Potter Magic!

Here's the link to buy some of the Kewpie Follies pieces so you can make this project too!
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/MoonfairesWorld/4405535/Kewpie_Magic_The_Follies_Value_Pack_20_Lisa_Kettell/Dolls_Miniatures/Miniature/Other 


or this link:

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/moonfairesworld/2596104/kewpie_magic__kewpie_witches_set_of_5__lisa_kettell/supplies/handmade_supplies/doll_making


Magic and Joy,
Lisa

You're One Of A Kind...Altered Notebook

Design Team Project
By Kim Smith

You're One Of A Kind...Altered Notebook

I made this little altered notebook using one of my favorite images from the Seaside CD by Lisa Kettell Designs!  Here's a quick little tutorial on how to make your own....

You're One Of A Kind Altered Notebook

Seaside Images CD by Lisa Kettel Designs
4x6 Composition Book with soft cover
Glue Stick
Glitter Glue
Rhinestones
Tissue Tape
Chalk Inks
Rubber Stamp
Spray Finish
Rayon Ribbon
Asstd Buttons

1. Pick your fav image from the Seaside CD and print it out to match the size of your notebook. In my example, my notebook measures 4x6 inches.
2. Glue the image to your front cover and let glue dry completely. I used a gluestick for mine because it dries quickly.
3. Embellish your image with glitter glue and rhinestones. I typically use flatter embellishments for my little notebooks so they are easy to carry.
4. Use tissue tape (Tim Holtz is used in this example) around the edge of the notebook. It gives a nice clean finish if folded over the edge.
5. Accent edge with chalk inks in desired color.
6. Stamp your message on image. I used Inkadinkado stamp for this project.
7. When all is dry, spray your cover with a clear finish. I used Krylon Low Odor Clear Finish in Matte because I like the soft vintage feel but you could also use a gloss if you prefer.
8. Wrap dyed rayon ribbon around edge of cover, tie at bottom, add fun buttons or charms if desired.

A quick fun project! Please visit Lisa's blog Faerie Enchantment for info on where to buy her fabulous images to make your own altered notebook. xoxo
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How fabulous is this project? I love love love this, Now I want to make one too!
xoxo
Lisa!

Design Team Project
By Amy Mayfield

The Fairy Follies: a how to-ish post

I’m jazzed to share my latest creation as a part of the Lisa Kettell Design Team. I can’t help it, I love to make little theatres and shrines and, again, I can’t say no to glitter.

Supplies Used:
Lisa Kettell Steampunk Moon Small
Lisa Kettell Fairytale Follies Collage CD
Square Shrine Opera House Digital Collage Sheet
Paper mache box
A smidge of acrylic paint
Stickles in a variety of colors
Scissors
Cutting Mat
Glue
Xacto knife
Small bits of adhesive foam
White cardstock

To start with my box was deeper than I wanted it to be and didn’t have a hole in the front. So I made the box shorter and used my xacto knife to cut a square out of the box top. (Do I need to remind people to cut carefully?) I used four different images from the Fairytale Follies CD and sized them down considerably.

The backdrop I printed at around 4 inches and the fairies inside were printed around 2.5 I glued the backdrop to the back of the inside, carefully cut out the fairies and attached them using the foam adhesive. I layered two pieces on the women and just one on the back of the couple so they’d have different depths. I painted the moon with gray acrylic paint, set him aside to dry and then smeared some silver Stickles on him. The “stars” are just dots of Diamond Stickles.

I can’t resist adding sparkles to everything and I love the way Stickles hold their shape and are easy to write with. The blue at the bottom was an off brand that didn’t work out well.

I didn’t completely cover the interior since my theatre facade has a good bit of overhang. To make it, I carefully cut out all the nooks and crannies, trimmed it in Gold Stickles and attached the fabulous fairy head from the Collage CD that I had sized down. Make sure you line up the bottom of the opera facade closely with the box top to avoid any standing issues or cardstock wrinkling.

I applied a little glue and slapped it all together:

I can’t get enough of the Fairytale Follies Collage CD. It will keep you crafting happily for a super long time. What are you working on?

Amy!

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Amy has me wanting to make some carnival or operatic, fairy theaters right now, I think I'll do just that! Thanks so much for sharing this fabulous project Amy, its over the top amazing, I'm so inspired right now!

XO

Lisa

Altered Art Circus: Party Hats, Tussie Mussies, Cones!

In my book; Altered Art Circus, I have a few projects revolving around cones such as the Marie Antoinette Tussie Mussie and The Marie Antoinette Cone Doll Hat/Centerpiece. These projects revolve around a simple cones shape which can turn into a variety of projects such as a doll, tree topper, holiday tree, wreath, party hat, party cones, flower cones aka cornucopia's, pocket posies and tussie mussie's, candy favor cones, wizard hats, witch hats, princess hats, rosettes and more, all from one simple shape.

Creating cones is extremely easy, you can open up a cheap party hat and trace it for a template. Try tracing a large plate onto card stock or poster board, find the center, mark the point, and draw line from edge to the center point, cut that line, fold in and glue. Buy paper mache cornucopia cones already made at your craft store or just buy my book, and photocopy the template inside to your desired size and use that.

Over the year I have transformed my cone projects into a few things and incorporated my scrapbook papers and embellishments from my line into them. The following 2 photos are samples of some of the papers and parts! The first is the Candy Paper and the next some of the embellishments to accompany my papers.


Party Cones and Hats Examples:



Here is a rosette made from layers of cones:


For instructions on making cone shaped projects and for the template, photo copy the template in the back of my book: Altered Art Circus, and scout out the projects in the book. Visit my flick photo gallery for tons of extra free images and inspiration!
Magic and Joy,
Lisa1

Who loves inspiration and a giveaway?

If you want to be inspired, escape to a magical circus and enter in a giveaway, then take a stroll over to Mod Podge Rocks, where Amy Anderson has written a wonderful review on my book: Altered Art Circus, shares her favorite parts of the book, showcased some new works adapted from it and is hosting a giveaway, where one lucky winner will receive:

A copy of Altered Art Circus AND a few sheets of paper and ephemera from my scrapbook line to get you started on your own magical adventure.

Many of the projects from the book are made using various Plaid products, especially mod podge or as I spelled Modge Podge in parts of the book, lol, my lingo, hey I'm from NJ, lol.

There are easy to create projects from the book, an image gallery in the back for you to photo copy and use in your works. I remind you this book is for the fun at heart person, someone looking to escape to their own artful world and meet some friends along the away. if you are the experienced artist, this is a fun book to help you get inspired and learn some new techniques.

My fave projects from the book are:
-The Circus Carts
I began re-creating the circus carts using my handmade dolls and storybook characters in place of images. This is the box I did the demo of at CHA:

-The Carnival Toys
-Frame Book
-Fairy Bulb Wands and Jars
Here is another version of the bulb wand:

-The Traveling Bumbelina's
Here is another version of the Traveling Bumbelina's Project which uses poker chips as the base. In this project I turned the poker chips into small chairs. I'll post the project instructions on how to create the poker chip chairs this week. Also in this photo is another version of the jar fairies, which I used a wine glass instead of a glass jar.

-The Cone Doll Hats/Tussie Mussies/Centerpieces
I have begun creating Candy Cones adapted from the Tussie Mussie Project from my book. Inside you will find a template for these, which you can en-largen or shrink to make various sized cones. Turn into candy cones, flower cones, party cones or hats. Perfect for favors at a party or event, create mini ones for a garland or use in a wreath.


At CHA this past year I did a demo on the circus carts using new techniques such as my model magic dolls/characters, and vintage trimmings. I've re-created new atcs, books and wands using the original projects from it.

To enter the giveaway visit: Mod Podge Rocks
http://modpodgerocks.blogspot.com/2010/09/altered-art-circus-book-review-and.html

This week in celebration of the giveaway I will be dedicating my blog to project how-to's and new adapted projects from my book, stay tuned!
xoxo
Lisa!