Art Doll Tag

This is my last post for Zeus and Zoe, and I just want to say a big thank you to Marivic (owner) and the design team members -  I have enjoyed this venture so much! Working with amazing designers, and the wonderful products supplied to us through the Zeus and Zoe Etsy shop, as well as the sponsors, has made it a real pleasure.  Thank you for having me as part of the team, and for making me so welcome!!

The Zeus and Zoe sponsor this month is Donna Salazar Designs.  You can find Donna's Blog 'HERE', so inspirational and well worth a visit. We received a beautiful array of papers - including dictionary papers to play with, and some die-cut elements.  I incorporated these papers into a doll art tag, along with the use of some lace, beaded fringe, ribbon, spray mist, die-cuts, flowers, doll stamp and large tag.  The doll was actually stamped on some very old paper from my DT kit, it is so gorgeous.

Die-cuts were used as foliage around the Manor House flowers, and to match the flowers I edges the leaves and foliage with gold stickles paint.  As you would have read earlier, I have a large collection of laces, and just had to incorporate one of my favourites, along with some beaded fringe.

  You can find a full range of beautiful vintage and intricate items in the Zeus and Zoe shop, and Marivic specialises in kits made personally to suit your own taste.  Don't hesitate to contact Marivic with any questions and ordering information, she is only too happy to help you make product choices.

In the Donna Salazar Designs paper pack I received, was some gorgeous printed papers resembling dictionary pages.  I used these words to do my journaling on the tag. 

...and before I sign off, there are still a few days left for the June challenge - see the challenge post 'HERE' with all the details. 

Happy Creating

Sandie

My Favourite Things Canvas

Denise and Norma, from the Zeus and Zoe DT are hosting this months challenge.  The theme is based on the song 'My Favourite Things', by Julie Andrews.  I must admit, I was singing that song over and over in my head after Norma and Denise came up with the theme!!!  You can find all details below this post, and the wonderful prizes that are on offer.

I created a 6" X 6" canvas, using papers of various types and die-cut shapes by Donna Salazar Designs, and incorporated some gorgeous elements from my Zeus and Zoe DT kit - including: Lace, Charms, Necklace Pieces, Pearls, Buttons, Flowers and more.  You can find all the kit goodies for Zeus and Zoe 'HERE'.

I also included journaling on the reverse side listing all of my favourite things, which include, but not limited too....

Rainbows - hence the colour in my canvas

Creativity - scissors, papers

Pearls - Old Necklace

Buttons - oh so many, my collection is huge

Trinkets - Eeep, I'd hate to say how many of these favourite things I have.

Butterflies - a huge favourite

Keys - I have a fascination for them, I have no idea why

Lace - I have been collecting since I was very young

Gold - I should be really rich LOL

Cats -  My best friends for life....

There are many items I did not add :-)

 I had to give the cats some new 'bling' eyes....so cute!

The canvas has some of the gorgeous Donna Salaza Designs textured and plain papers, all ripped and mod- podged into place. 

The colouring was completed using Gesso, Starburst Sprays, and a touch of Gold Shimmer Stick, then lightly sprayed with a sealer to protect.

I gathered some of 'My Favourite Things', and got to work in adhering to the canvas.

My inspiration for this project is from Arlene, From Butterfly Kisses.

 I will be back later in the month with another creation to share, 

till then, hope to see you join in the challenge...
Sandie

Zeus and Zoe Challenge

Hosted by Denise and Norma

Denise's Mood Board of Inspiration

Norma's Mood Board of Inspiration

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things!

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things!

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eye lashes
Silver white winters that melt into spring
These are a few of my favorite things!

When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember
my favorite things
and then I don't feel so bad!

Main Prize:

Donna Salazar is a wife, mom, grandma, artist, designer, teacher and kid at heart. Her playful nature tends to come across in her products and classes because she believes that art should be fun. Donna is known for blending contrasting elements to create what she calls her “Girlie Grunge” look. Donna's style is especially appealing to mixed media artists, however her love of flowers and all things sparkly seems to appeal to crafters of all types and styles. 
Donna is a licensed designer and has product lines with 5 different companies: Clearsnap, GCD Studios, Spellbinders, Want2Scrap and Zutter. Donna offers free video tutorials, e-classes and a LIVE webshow, called Tuesday Tutorials, where she gives away lots of prizes from her partner companies and/or original artwork created during the show!
Random Prize

Random Prize An Australian owned and loved brand, Couture Creations is the culmination of 20 years experience in the scrapbooking industry. From its final inception in 2010, Couture Creations has been devoted to producing expertly designed, high quality products overseen by veteran designers and crafters for a result that is both simple and elegant.

Couture Creations is part of Artdeco Creations growing collection of quality craft brands available worldwide. Distributed through a network of the best industry representatives in scrapbooking and craft internationally, Artdeco Creations has the ability to test and meet global expectations for quality and precision beyond local trends and markets.

Special Quote, Vintage Tag

 My next project for Zeus and Zoe is a tag with a favourite quote of mine... Quote can be seen more clearly in a photograph below.  I have used a range of products from the Zeus and Zoe Etsy Store, and the wonderful kit Marivic put together for the Design Team.....and of course the wonderful sponsors this month Couture Creations, and May Arts. 

The background was embossed using the Extra Flint embossing folder by Couture Creations.  Leaves, twine, lace, fancy braid are beautiful products from May Arts.

The challenge this month has some fabulous prizes from the sponsors, there is still a couple of days to enter.  All details for the May challenge can be found 'HERE'.....hope to see some wonderful entries, inspired off Riikka's beautiful Mood Board.

Thanks for calling in for a visit.....

Sandie

I Love Thee - Layout - May Challenge

 Hi Everyone,  the new Zeus and Zoe challenge for May is inspired by a beautiful mood board that Riikka has created.  You can find all details in an earlier post, by clicking 'HERE'.

My inspiration this month comes from the contents of the mood board, and I had a lot of fun in combining my Zeus and Zoe kit contents, with the sponsor items.  

Our sponsors this month are Couture Creations, and May Arts.  It was fabulous using such beautiful products - the beautiful lace die above and below on my layout is from Couture Creations.  I also used lace which I dyed with Shadow Mists, and leaves from  May Arts. The leaves I actually painted, and then inked to get that earthy appearance which teamed nicely with the colour hues already used.

There is a fabulous prize this month, consisting of 20 yards of  May Arts ribbons, lace, trims. 

  and.....a random prize (below) of a gorgeous die, and embossing folder pack from Couture Creations. 

 The photograph I scrapped for this layout is of my Mum, with my Grandfather, and my Aunts Helen, Janet and Diane.  I am unsure who the blonde lady is and must ask my Mum!

I loved the words below and thought it would be nice to incorporate as a tile.

The old doily, key, papers, ornate yellow jewel piece and flowers are from my Zeus and Zoe kit - Marivic puts together the most amazing kits, and even custom makes them for her customers.  You can find the Zeus and Zoe Etsy Shop 'HERE'.

I will be back later in the month with another creation to show....

Sandie

Beaded Cabochon Tutorial - Vintage Inspired Tag

Hi Everyone,

The kits available through Zeus and Zoe host a beautiful array of vintage and beyond items.  Often, cabochon's of some description can be found in the kits.  Actually, Marivic the owner of Zeus and Zoe custom makes many of the kits to suit each customers taste.  If this is of interest to you, do drop her an email to discuss.  The Zeus and Zoe Etsy store can be found 'HERE'.

I created a tag from items in my DT kit, including - old book paper, buttons, charms, lace, an old doily, and cabochon. I love cabochon's and have a lovely collection of them.  In previous crafting ventures I have beaded around the outside rim, to decorate and give a more finished appearance.

Today, I am sharing with you a tutorial on how to complete the beading.

Materials:
Cabochon
Tiny seed beads
Beading needle
Fray Stoppa or adhesive
Adhesive
Felt or calico
Thread - either beading or quilting thread

**Please read through all instructions before commencing**

1. Cut a small piece of fabric, a little larger than the cabochon.  Adhere cabochon to fabric using a strong adhesive, and allow to dry.

2. Turn cabochon over, and cover fabric with fray stoppa, allow to dry fully.  This eliminates the fabric from fraying whilst beading, and also when fabric is cut away when beading is completed.

3. Double thread needle with a long length of beading thread or quilting thread, knot well.

4. Take threaded needle and come up from the bottom of the fabric, at top, and as close to cabochon base as you are able. Thread 5 beads onto needle, and pull beads down thread. Lay the row of beads along the edge of the cabochon, and insert needle close to end of where beads lay and pull through to the back.

5. Come back up with your needle half way through previously sewn beads, with the needle being between the cabochon base and the beads. Thread needle through the 3 last beads as seen in photographs above.

6. Continue steps 4 and 5, till the whole outside rim has been beaded, as shown below.

7. Tie off thread onto back of cabochon.  DO NOT CUT THREAD

8. Bring needle and thread back up between cameo base and beaded rim, at top of cameo once more, as pictured below.

 9. Add 5 beads, count 3 beads, and thread needle straight through the 4th bead, as shown in below photograph.

10. Add another 5 beads, count 3 beads, and thread needle through the 4th - keep repeating this pattern, until you have returned to where you started, see above and below photographs.

11. To secure, go down next to last bead placement, come back up and over 'a' thread, and back to the back again.  Tie off, using small knots.  Apply a light application of adhesive over the knot to totally secure, as shown.

12. Carefully trim off excess fabric - be careful not to snip too close and catch a thread - that would mean starting all over again, so do be careful!!

13. Your cameo/cabochon is now ready to use on a project.... 

...and before I sign off, don't forget this months challenge - you can find all the details 'HERE'.  There are some fabulous prizes to be won, including a Zeus and Zoe kit, and also some wonderful trims from May Arts.

enjoy your day and thanks for visiting....
Sandie  

Life As It Is Now - April Challenge

Life as it is now.... April Challenge

Thanks for calling in and checking out the new challenge for Zeus and Zoe for April!

The main aim of scrapbooking is to turn out photographed memories, into stories that can be passed down through generations.  Often, those creating the stories of the photographs, are also the photographers, and more often than not, are not in many photographs themselves. I know I am one of those people, and even though I scrap about my childhood, I rarely scrap about myself as the person I am today and who I am.

The challenge this month will be to create and journal a project about 'life as it is now', the subject being 'you as an individual'.  There is much interpretation in the depth of how you can create, whether it is a canvas, a mini album, or a scrapbook page.  You can add as much detail as you wish, and about what topics you wish to share about yourself - this is totally up to you.  Hidden journaling for personal information is fine - quite often I will write my journaling, add to an envelope and adhere this to the back of my project creation. 

There is one additional requirement for the challenge, and that is to incorporate the use of buttons into your creation.  Everyone has a button stash, and in our DT kits from Marivic were some truly amazing, vintage buttons I have been just itching to work with....

I have created a paper bag, mini album. The post was going to be extremely graphic intensive, so I created a video to show all of the album.  This project is a work in progress, and still has a fair way to go for completion.

I really hope that my mini album inspires others to take part in this months challenge....
Sandie

   

The winner of April's challenge will receive a kit from Zeus and Zoe Etsy...The kit includes a package of flower, pin sticks, buttons, ephemera items, La Blanche Stamp, Washi tapes, A package of Magicals from Lindy Stamp Gang. Unfortunately NO Macaroons included...They're just there for decoration. This is what you will normally get as a part of a custom kit if you order from Zeus and Zoe.

Our main sponsor for May is kind enough to send some extra trim for a random winner this month..

The random winner will get trims from May Arts.

Here are the rules: 

1. Projects must be linked up to our linky tool in the side bar, using the URL of the ACTUAL POST, not your entire blog.
2. You may submit as many entries as you would like and combine your entry with up to 2 other challenges.
3. Post this challenge to your blog and mention, in your post, that you are playing along at Zeus and Zoe TOGETHER with a link back to our Zeus and Zoe blog.
4. All entries must be received by MIDNIGHT EST on the 28th. February 
5. Entries to be submitted via the linky tool at the top of the sidebar ONLY, not by email and not by linking up in the comments section please.

Information about our challenges:
1. Zeus and Zoe Challenges are open to anyone, anywhere in the world.
2. Our DT do their best to comment on all entries, you can make their job easier by turning off your word verification.
3. Challenges are held monthly and each month TWO winners are chosen. One winner is chosen by our DT and the other is chosen by random draw.
4. Challenge winners will always be announced within a week of the challenge closing and winners are then required to contact Marivic.
5. Prizes not claimed within two weeks will be forfeited.
6. The Merit winner will have an image of their project featured in the winners post, together with a link back to the homepage of their blog.
7. Winners will be awarded a Winner's Badge to post on their blog...full bragging rights included!

We can't wait to see your entries for this challenge! 
Thank you for your visit! 

Challenge Layout - March - New Beginnings

Hello Everyone and welcome to my first post, as a Zeus and Zoe DT member.  This month Dana has picked our challenge theme of 'New Beginnings'.  For me personally, this year I have started a new beginning by researching my family ancestors - and what a journey it has been so far, I am amazed at where my family origins come from and find this part of 'life' fascinating.  

So, today I share a layout of a photograph of my relatives from my Maternal side of the family.

This month Zeus and Zoe are sponsored by Deco Art and were sent some amazing products to play with, including paint and stencils. I had a wonderful time playing with these fabulous products, and will look forwards to using a lot more of them in the future.

Product Overview

DecoArt has one of the widest selection of paints and finishes for arts, crafts, and home decorating. DecoArt has a full product line which includes over 25 brands of paint and finishes.

Our products are sold in all major craft chain stores in the United States, as well as having a strong market presence internationally in over 75 countries abroad.

Our Commitment to Quality

DecoArt assures its loyal and new customers that they can use our products with confidence.

All DecoArt products are non-toxic and user- and enviromently-friendly.

We make safe products. Our paints and specialty products are made in the USA to federally-mandated and industry-wide safety and quality standards as established by the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI). ACMI employs one of the nation's top independent toxicology groups at 

Duke University. All of our formulas are reviewed and have been certified as non-toxic by this group.

Main Challenge Prize

 Random Challenge Prize

 

To create my stencil background, I mixed Deco Art gold paint in with the texture medium forming a muted gold colour - and applied using the Deco Art Jacobean Floral stencil.  When completely dry, I applied a light brush of straight gold paint onto the textured surface, highlighting some of the pattern. 

As I am a GD over at the Berry71Bleu for March, I used one of Marivic's gorgeous hand-made tags.  The detail in this tag is amazing, and the photographs really do not do it justice.  To purchase tags - visit 'HERE'.  Also, I used a variety of vintage delights from the Zeus and Zoe Etsy Shop.  Marivic puts together the most amazing kits, full of vintage and beyond goodness. If you have something in mind colour wise or content wise, Marivic is also happy to create a kit especially to your own personal requirements.

I layered the many vintage elements from my DT kit - including writing paper, note paper, receipt, a post card, old doily, pattern paper, buttons, lace, and a large key charm. My kit contained an old pearl necklace, which I (reluctantly) pulled apart, and adhered along with other beads as a highlight to my layout. You can find all Marivic's beautiful vintage and 'more' kits and embellishments 'HERE'.

I do hope you can join in with our challenge theme this month, and really look forwards to seeing the entries and all the 'New Beginnings' emerge.  Shall certainly be some wonderful talking points.

Enjoy your creative journey,

Sandie