Lace Envelopes...

Here are more of my little kraft envelopes. They are merely 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" so much too small for ATCs. I managed to sew some of my favorite lace around them. Then I took my heart punch and made some tags. They are colored on one side and plain on the other so I could write a thank you note.

Then I created some charms and attached them to the heart tags. This tassel is made of beads strung on beading thread. I sent this to a special follower as a surprise.

This charm is made from an old costume earring. I love the pearls effect and how it dangles.

This charm is a special mix of beads I bought in Rome Italy on holiday.

Each of these charms is attached to a lobster clasp and can be used for zippers, charm pins, decoration on curtains or pillows or anything else you can think of.

I just love the look of lace on the tiny little envelopes. The photos do not show that the lace continues on the flap to complete the look. Therefore instead of sealing the flap I chose to tie ribbon around the envelope to close it.

A little beaded surprise wrapped in tissue enclosed in a tiny lace covered envelope. Yum!

I still have a lot of these tiny envelopes so I shall be putting on my creative thinking cap.

Please share any ideas you might have for using them. I think I have a balance of at least 400.

I am still weeding, trimming and cleaning house in preparation of company arriving. The hours and days are passing so quickly. I must adopt the attitude that whatever I do get done will be far more than nothing. Got to get back to my duties as "daylight's a burning" so Mr. C says.

Happy Summer Creating...

Painting Envelopes...

While ordering office supplies late one evening I was compelled to add a box of small coin envelopes to my order. I knew I could craft with them and they would be fun to decorate. Mr. C was not amused. "What are you going to do with so many little envelopes!" he said. I replied, "I don't know however I will use them!"

Here I am painting each little envelope with gesso to tone down the kraft coloring. I included my hand as proof that I can get messy. I am very fussy and never like my hands to get dirty or messy at all. So in true artist style I am forcing myself to allow messiness as others say it is part of the creative process and even others say it is part of the fun. Hmmm...my hands did clean up after the painting and it really wasn't so bad. There might be hope for me after all. :o)

No picture of my hands here but trust me they got lots of paint on them with all of this process. I painted each envelope with different colors on both sides. I wanted a variety.

Here is my favorite little blue envelope. I even added liquid silver leaf circles and it really gave a lustrous shine.

This treatment of dry brushing several colors included a metallic copper which I really liked. The photo does not show it well.

This little one was dotted with some black ink. I used the end of a square chop stick.

Hard to see the gold leafing dry brush technique here. I thought the colors were representative of a bright spring day with all the trees leafing out.








What am I doing with my little painted and gilded envelopes? Now that is for another day.

Here we are in a new week and I shall be busy cleaning and weeding and ironing and weeding and generally enjoying being a homeowner.

How is your week shaping up?

Wonderful week and I hope you make time to make art...

Lace Wrappings...

I was giving a card recently and decided the envelope was far too plain. So I wrapped it in some delicious lace and stitched the sides to hold all in place.

The back flap was now really too plain so I stitched some more lace onto it. Then as a closure I stitched a circle of lace to hold the flap closed by sliding it onto the envelope. No photo of this part but I added a name label to the front with some more lace. No more plain card envelope for this gift.

Now for the gift box. Wrapped it in gold foil paper. Then a sleeve of more delicious lace. And to mate with the card a band of lace to hold it all together.

Oh how can I stop yet? No. More lace. This time I made a lace flower complete with pin back that can be attached to the package and then removed for additional uses by the recipient.

Now you see the package completed with it paper, laces and flower. This is a gift I am proud to give.

What is your favorite style of wrapping a gift?

Happy middle of the week to all...