The Magic Pumpkins of Oz

"Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me."- Wizard of Oz


"A shooting star, Toto. A shooting star!-Return to Oz
 
Magic Pumpkins of Oz are pumpkin wand sticks I created as a tribute to the 75th Anniversary of the Wizard of Oz, the book; Return to Oz, Halloween, Wizards and Pumpkin Picking.

Starting today through October 31, I will periodically be posting fun and whimsical Wizard of Oz type projects to celebrate 75 years of the classic movie, in addition to other themes such as Halloween, Wonderland, Cupie and Lisa Kettell Designs projects.

As for this project its extremely easy to create and a perfect recycled project using leftover paper straws and crepe paper streamers from a party, last years harvest floral picks or fruit picks of choice, scrapbook paper, floral wire and glue, that's it.




Materials

• Paper straws, navy blue, Aardvark Straws
• Pumpkin floral pick, Nicole Crafts
• Crepe paper streamers, blue green color, lime green color
• Oz scrapbook paper, Graphic 45
• Scrapbook paper, Crate Paper
• Glitter scrapbook paper, AcMoore
• Floral wire, white
• Star punch
• Glue/Tools; hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, scissors 

 Directions For Wand Base

1. Insert stem of pumpkin floral pick into the opening of paper straw, hot glue in place.
2. Punch stars from glitter paper using a star punch of choice.

 
 Directions For Wizard Hat

1. Cut a 5 inch by 5 inch square from scrapbook paper of choice.
2. Now cut square in 1/2 for a triangle shape.
3. Roll the ends of the triangle in to form a cone, secure with hot glue.

 Directions For Finishing the Wand

1. Attach the wizard hat to the top center of the pumpkin wand.
2. Cut a 12 inch piece of crepe paper from streamer, fold in 1/2, attach to hat base, repeat until desired amount of crepe paper fullness is reached.
3. Cut a piece from the Oz scrapbook paper, attach to hat base, tilting slightly for a whimsical effect.
4. Insert floral wire to the hat point, secure with hot glue, wrap around hat, secure with hot glue at base, twist ends for more whimsy.
5. Randomly attach the punched stars around the floral wire with hot glue.

 
Now your wands are ready to spread some magic and if you are lucky they might just transport you to wonderland.

Tips/Tricks

• Visit my You Tube channel to learn how to pleat, fold and crimp crepe paper for embellishing.
• You can use all types of fruit picks for this project to works for any season, like apples, pears, strawberries, large cherries, plums, lemons, limes, or gourds, all will work for this kind of project.
• Use discarded toys, vintage cake toppers, plastic novelties to make fun wands for kids or parties.
• Insert floral flowers, mistletoe and more in red or green paper straws for holiday decorating or table toppers.
• If you aren't a hot glue lover, try using a thick glue of your choice.

Hope you enjoyed the magic,
Have a wonderful Saturday!
xoxo
Lisa

Altered Composition Book

No matter where you go, you gaze eyes upon composition books, they are so cheap and in-expensive to buy, but let's face it, these diamonds in the rough need a facelift. A while back at CHA I assisted Beacon Adhesives on a project that Mike was teaching to a group which was altered composition books, using scrapbook paper, zip dry and flowers. I never finished mine, after a few months, I picked up my unfinished project and this is the result, a frou frou altered composition book with Dresden scraps, crepe paper, millinery and flowers.

Materials
-Composition book
-Scrapbook paper
-Scrapbook tags, labels
-Dresden scraps or vintage images
-Millinery and paper flowers
-Chipboard lettering
-Crepe paper
-Ribbon and trims
-Glues: zip dry, kids choice, liquid laminate, decaupage medium
-Tools: scissors
-Clear glitter, green flocking 

Directions
1. Coat one side of composition book w/zip dry, place scrapbook paper onto it and push to secure, then coat the spine and other side of the composition book with more zip dry and scrapbook paper.
2. Attach ribbons to the borders of the composition book leaving about 12 inches on each end in order to tie a bow.
3. Pleat 3 yards of crepe paper streamers, fold in half and twirl into a circle shape, glue in place with kids choice glue.
4. Apply decaupage medium to millinery flower leaves, sprinkle green flocking onto it, let dry.
5. Begin layering your composition book with Dresden scraps and images, trims, ribbons and millinery.
6. Apply liquid laminate to the images, let dry, apply more to the crepe paper and sprinkle clear glitter onto it.





Now you are ready to begin writing inside your composition book, perhaps write down your bucket list, your craft ideas, your thoughts or your dreams.
xoxo
Lisa

Playtime Carnival Scrapbook Layout

Here is a fun, whimsical and easy to do scrapbook layout I created using a variety of supplies from Making Memories products, K & Company products and Lisa Kettell Designs products.

Supplies:
-Scrapbook Papers, Making Memories
-Decadent Edges, Sabrina Collection, Making Memories
-Vintage Frames, Pink, Sabrina Collection, Making Memories
-Medium Kit School, Vintage Findings, Making Memories
-Mini Kit Baby, Vintage Findings, Making Memories
-Looking Glass Stickers, Giggle Kids, Making Memories
-Gem Collection, Pink, Making Memories
-Metallic Chipboard, Colorbok
-Baby Cutout Set, K& Company
-Dress Me Bailey, Doll Part, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Baker's Twine, Wilton
-Vintage Images -Baby Bells, Pink, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Pink apothecary plastic charms, Lisa Kettell Designs
-Ribbons, Trims
-Glues: Zip Dry, Kids Choice Glue, Beacon Adhesives, Adhesive Tape

Directions:
1. Attach adhesive tape to back of decorative cut scrapbook paper and attach to scrapbook paper base of of choice, I choose pink polka dot paper for my base.
2. Lay your images across the middle of the page, making sure you center the main vintage image.
3. Begin filling in the open spaces under the images with the decadent edges strips, ribbon and trims.
4. Cut a strip of bakers twine and place diagonally across the top of the page. Then cut triangle shapes out of the scrapbook paper and glue to the twine using kids choice glue.
5. Begin decorating your page with various embellishments such as the dress Me Bailey part, bells, jar, trims, gems, and more.


To purchase the pink bells, the mini apothecary bottles, the bakers twine and The Dress Me Bailey Doll embellishment visit:
-My store: Piddlestixs, Lafayette, NJ
-My Artfire Store (click on the link here)
-Email me direct

Rockin Ruby Rock-It!

Over a year ago, I attended CHA Winter 2010 and during one of my free moments I walked the show and stumbled upon Ruby Rock-It Designs, I instantly fell in love with their products and the fabulous people behind the products, who frequently visit the US to bring these products to you, all the way from Australia .

Joanna and Warren's passion for Ruby Rock-it is like no other, then add in a warm and friendly group and you have a fabulous product.

Fast forward to CHA Winter 2011 and you have a happy Lisa, why, because I got to see my pals for Australia and their new collections, which instantly got me excited, two collections I just love are the Avalon and Le Jardin Lines, filled with everything a scrapbooker, paper or mixed media artist is going to want from: Felt cuts in the shape of chic silhouettes, girlie patterns, and Birds/Birdcages, sophisticated and chic ribbons and flowery trims, dazzle/rhinestone effects, fun lettering, enchanted butterflies and other must have embellishments.Many of their papers have double sided patterns filled with chic patterns, Bo-Ho, Light Steampunk and Garden Sophistication, some are rounded shape which make nice layered additions to your layouts, add pop dots for some added dimension when layering your papers.Ruby Rock-it also has a great collection of brads and ribbon flowers, they are one of my sponsors for the workshops, Mid Spring Nights Dream held at my store, Piddlestixs, where each student will receive a few surprise goodies from their line of products.
I am currently working on a few paper projects and layouts using their fabulous products which just arrived. They inspired me to make a new Kewpie which I will be adding into one of the pieces I am making. The Avalon Collection with the silhouettes, has me thinking Paris Storybook Romance, Soirees, Tea Parties and Frou Frou, One of the pieces I am making is a Soiree 3-dimensional layout, Birdcage and a castle, stay tuned for sneak peaks on some of the finished items.

For now I hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse into the wonderful world of Ruby Rock-it and have fun with their products!

To Purchase or for more info:
http://rubyrock-it.blogspot.com
http://www.rubyrock-it.com

Have a wonderful day,
xoxo
Lisa!

The Sweetest Kewpies on the Block!
Meet the sweetest kewpies on the block, the new faux candy series of doll parts and embellishments. These kewpies are made to look like chocolate, they are faux chocolate and not edible, however edible dollies are not far off from my mind or plans.

These kewpies come un-finished as pictured above or with painted faces, to help those who don't like to paint in the features. These newest additions have become my new fave in the line. Check out the following project made using these kewpies, its a paper cone meets atc. This project combines atc making, mini assemblage, dolls and paper cones, perfect thing to create using left over papers and embellishments. The simple techniques involved in this project can expand. Try making larger cones aka tussie mussies aka cornocopia's aka party cones, using a half sheet of 12 by 12 scrapbook paper, raffia, a medley of kewpies or my larger kewpie doll part, paper medallions, lettering and other fun embellishments. What about a party hat using this same concept or in a cigar box assemblage, atc banner, etc. My parts, pieces and scrapbook papers make for some fun crafting and art time, let them take you to a world of pure imagination.

For more cone and paper project ideas pick up my book: Altered Art Circus, Quarry Books, you will find more atc ideas, tussie mussie and cone template, images and more.Here is a fun image to cut out and use in your paper cones or atcs:
See you soon with more ideas!
Magic and Joy,
Lisa!