My fridge was tired of being boring and purely functional so I decided to “Gauche” it up by snagging these magnets and giving them a Gauche Alchemy makeover!

I was given a series of Japanese Hello Kitty stamps and decided to incorporate those with my Moshi Moshi kit to revamp the magnets. The fabric and patterned paper in the kit was the perfect background for these babies.

I added various pieces from multiple Mixed Media Color Kits (by far my favorite thing in the shop!).

This last one was the most labor intensive thing I’ve ever done. I cut a flower from the patterned paper, then got the bright idea to individually cut teeny tiny pieces of the sewing book page and glue them in the outside of the petals. Luckily the time consuming cutting was worth it.

So if you have some boring refrigerator magnets screaming for a makeover, why not make them Gauche? If you do, we’d love to see! Make sure to add them to our Flickr Group!

Now go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi

For her last project, Roni made this art journal:

“I was so inspired by the red/orange adhesive backed material (in the kit)…it reminded me of a little outfit that my dad bought for me and sent back to my mom when he was in the service. I knew immediately that I needed to make something similar with this material.”

We’ve been so happy to have Roni Johnson as our guest designer this month! Be sure to visit Roni’s blog for your chance to win this art journal!

Now go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi

Michelle here.

Today we have a great video from Cheryl showing her design process and how she incorporates Gauche Alchemy fabulousness into her layouts.

I love looking at Cheryl work- she’s very self assured with her choices. I really like the way she layered her papers for maximum contrast and print variety- check it out!

Cheryl used ephemera from the Purple People Eater Mixed Media kit, papers from the Nearly  Nekkid and Acme Subscription kits as well as napkins for the Paper Napkin Art Kit.

These last few weeks have been a little difficult schedule-wise so instead of worrying about making something new and possibly causing a creative block, I rely on my favorite layout design- large versus small vertical (see below). I believe using Gauche color kit goodies changes the look and theme of each page so much I can get away with using the same layout over and over again.

Corrugated board, kraft grid paper, wood buttons and wood grain pattern punchinella- the Nearly Nekkid Kit really has everything I would ever want in a kit- it's like they opened my brain and looked inside.

If I am really over-thinking a project I will destroy and remake it several times before the items start to gel. I also like to use magazine layouts or covers, online page sketches and when I’m really feeling “inspired”, store windows. I know it sounds random but if you break objects down into basic shapes and  see the rest as negative space you get a layout. Try it next time you swing your favorite shop.

Once I started layering it just came together and I had to FORCE myself to stop. The photo is one of my all-time favorites. Lola is never "lead". She leads. We're usually going the same way anyway.

I used items from the Scarlet Fever Red Mixed Media Color Kit and red punchinella to add some contrast to the layout. My Nearly Nekkid Mixed Media Paper Art kit included a thin 5 x 7 piece of cork, a material I hadn’t used in a layout before. I had fun ripping it up into strips and now that I have a die-cutting machine, I’m also going to try to cut it into shapes for my next project- it’s certainly thin enough.

How about you? How do you kick the no mojo monster?

Thanks for swinging by!

First she created this layout entitled, “Fabulous Sophie” featuring some Punchinella:

She also made this layout, “The Expression Girl” using our Envy, Lady Marmelade and Banana Hammock Mixed Media Color Kits:

Two great layouts of little Sophie!

Now go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi

I first created the background using some of the sewing paper and then stamped onto that using the included PVC punchinella and blue and bronze paints. The rest came together when I decided that instead of using some of the thread off the card, I’d just glue the whole thing in there. lol I cut the woman out of another piece of sewing paper, drew lines on her dress and attached her using pop dots for some added depth.

I thought the thread card looked a little bare so I added the button from the kit and some crystal pins that I had saved from my wedding bouquet. See, hoarding does have its advantages! A little piece of PVC punchinella and the beaded string that comes with the kit and I was finished! A quick and easy project that’s found the perfect home in my craft room.

Thanks for taking a peek and don’t forget to go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi

Michelle here!

I’ve never liked those beauty stories where women are shown “before” and “after” because I always felt that the subject’s personal style was lost in the mad dash towards change.

Gauche Alchemy is a place where the meaning of beauty and creativity expands. We like to make room for the slightly shabby, the fabulously vintage and sometimes overlooked object- we accept and appreciate all visual styles- no 250 dollar an hour stylist necessary.

A few of us got together and decided to show you our scrap pages BEFORE and AFTER we Gauched them up. Hope you like what you see!

First up is Maggi:

Here Maggi used some Cosmo Cricket papers and Gauche Alchemy lace panel to make a page commemorating her second pregnancy.

Lace from the lace ribbon variety pack and ephemera from the Purple and Orange color kits give this page some fun texture without eclipsing the overall design.

Maggi used items from the Lady Marmelade Orange Mixed media color kit, Banana Hammock Yellow Mixed Media color kit, Purple People Eater Mixed Media color kit , Pink Parts Mixed Media color kit and lace ribbon variety pack. She also matted the photo with purple punchinella for some extra texture and contrast.

I have to admit I had a hard time with this challenge. I usually design on the fly. Nothing is pre-planned or stays in the same location from start to finish so I had to force myself to be a bit more deliberate and “pre-plan” so that the before page was just as interesting (if a little empty) as the final one.

American Crafts and Basic Grey papers, my favorite 1 dollar alpha stamps and two SUPER cute photos later I have a clean and simple page I wanna Gauchefy!

Using items from my BELOVED Scarlet Fever color kit, I added some bling around the edges of the design and matted the second photo with Kraft Ouchless Cardboard. LOVE that plastic grid on the borders!

I used items from the Scarlet Fever Red Mixed Media color kit, Ouchless Cardboard in original kraft and a plastic grid usually used for needle arts from the Black Out Mixed Media color kit.

Gauche Alchemy’s Japanese affiliate, Yasu, used the Handsome Man kit (now retired) to make 2 versions of a masculine page.

A traditional 12 by 12 scrapbook page with items from a now discontinued kit "Handsome Man"

Here Yasu took the same layout and made it into a vertical format with a frame.

How have you used Gauche Alchemy goodies to punch up the drama in your scrapbook or mixed media projects? Please link them up to our Flickr page or leave a comment here with a link to your blog so we can swing by and check them out!

Have fun creating!

First, Roni made these two cards using leftovers from the kit she couldn’t bear to leave unused:

I love using scraps on projects, so much better to find a use for them instead of them hitting the trash! Things like cards and ATCs are perfect for this purpose.

Roni also made this plaque entitled, “Beautiful”

“This plaque was all about the dark orange/copper colored flower fabric. I loved the color, feel, everything about it. I noticed that it was a bit frayed and went from there. I love quotes and knew this was the perfect piece to add one to the clip hanger.”

Great projects Roni! Don’t forget that Roni is giving away all of her Moshi Moshi projects on her blog so check it out and leave a comment for a chance to win her creations!

Now go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi

Here’s what I made with mine:
I started by painting the box, including the inside, with brown and gold paints, then added a couple layers of Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint (I’m addicted to the stuff!) Then on top of that I rubbed on some Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

I’m proud to say that with the exception of the little vintage photo in the middle square, everything came from the kit.  Y’all know I gotta have my glitter so the butterfly in the bottom left got a dose of Stickles.  (Which, by the way, I had to do multiple times as my three year old kept sticking her finger in it.  D’oh!)

There are so many great components that come with this kit like rusty keys, game cards, cool fabric remnants and of course a piece of Punchinella which I used as a stencil and stamp on some of the backgrounds for my squares. And the little bit of bling that comes with the kit was the perfect finishing touch for part of the outside frame.

The Knick Knack Paddy Whack Project Kit is still available in the Gauche Alchemy store so go get one and then…say it with me…

Go glue something onto some awesome something!

Maggi

Michelle here.

We have a great video from design team member Wendy Morris. Wendy doesn’t make New Year’s Resolutions (I SO back her up on this!) they get ignored so often! Instead, Wendy proposes we use visual affirmations to keep us touch with our goals on a daily basis.

Take a look and tell us what you think:

What are your goals for this year? Show us your manifestos! Even better- make them into a project. Link them up to our Flickr page and you just might get published here!

Thanks for sharing!

I hope you have a wonderfully introspective and meaningful day!

Chells out!
 
Check Gauche out on the social net, mi gente!!!

Maggi here to share some more wedding layouts created by Yvonne for her cousin’s wedding last weekend. I showed some off on Monday and here are two more!

Yvonne created “Sweetheart” using the Wedding Night Mixed Media Color Kit and the Blue Streak Mixed Media Color Kit.

And she also created “Wow” using the Black Out Mixed Media Color Kit:

Can you imagine how cool these must have looked at the wedding???

Now go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi

Sew Beautiful

Roni tells us:

“When I opened up my package of goodies the very first piece of paper that caught my eye was a page from a vintage pattern book…pair that with the cool thread bobbin and I was on my way. The color of the lace set the tone for the entire collage.”

Roni's background layering

I love how Roni used the punchinella. One of the first things I always think to add to my projects is some good old punchinella stamping and stenciling.   Sew beautiful indeed!

Roni’s told me that she’ll be giving away ALL of her Moshi Moshi creations on her blog this month. Wow! So head on over to her blog and comment on the appropriate post for your chance to win Sew Beautiful!

Now go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi

Here we are well into the second week of January but I’m still in review mode- nothing like a good look back at how far you’ve come to more clearly see where you are going. Holy MOLY did Gauche Alchemy have an incredible line up of  mixed media artists in 2011 or what?

Prepare for a feast for the eyes AND the mind. Links for each month and the artist’s personal website are provided in case you’d like to read further. Happy 2012!

March’s Guest designer,  Julie Fei Fan Balzer, started the party with this beautiful page:

March's guest- Julie Balzer. "Looking Forward" using the Hot For Teacher Kit

I love how Julie outlined the circle and turned all those patterns and colors in the Hot for Teacher  kit into an amazingly cohesive and unique design.

April’s Guest designer, Amy Tsuruta, made me reach for my Sizzix machine:

Amy used ouchless cardboard and items from the Gauche Acme subscription to really add dimension to this wonderfully modern ATC.

I LOVE that corrugated butterfly! I’m definitely going to try this! Amy used  Ouchless Cardboard, Scarlet Fever Red Mixed Media Color Kit and the Acme Subscription Kit. Our new Moshi Moshi kit features Japanese newsprint as well.

May’s guest designer, Julia Stainton, showed our readers how to incorporate Gauche ephemera into their projects:

Julia really hit home with this delicate and visually complex Mother's Day card. How gorgeous is that mix of beige, silver and white? LOVE!!!

Julia used clear punchinella, items from our Wedding Night White Mixed Media Kit  and papers from our Acme Subscription kit but you can reach similar results using our Bare Nekkid and Nearly Nekkid neutral tone kits.

Gauche took a small breather over the summer but came back strong in September with Dina Wakely  who rocked the house with this project using bee’s wax and paint:

LOVE Dina

Dina used the Going Postal Mail Art Mixed Media Kit- WOW!!! Just WOW!!!

In October Gauche had some fun with the Halloween theme and introduced the  Monstrous Mutant Robots from Outer Space kit and Guest artist July created several fantastically whimsical pieces:

This mini book is AWESOME. The color, the painted bits- LOVE!! Those three square brands on the bottom along with the torn and doodled edges are great details.

In November Frieda Oxenham quietly tilted the axis of my creative horizon with several projects you can check out here:

Frieda used a napkin, punchinella and corrugated cardboard to make a show stealing 10 by 10 mini quilt but it was this layered and evocative ATC that stole the show for me.

Frieda used our Bare Nekkid kit to make this ATC- the layering and red accent stitching on the leaves make for an beautifully subtle work of art .

And lastly, in December, Cat Kerr took the Knick Knack Paddy Whack Kit and ran gleefully away with it:

Absolutely, positively smashing!! Love every detail in this project!

More on Cat’s wonderfully detailed process can be read in the original post here.

There you have it. Inspired yet? I am going straight to my crafty corner after this sentence to get started on my next project- if it has an ounce of the creativity shown here I will be extremely happy.

Chells out!

Yvonne’s cousin got married over the weekend and Yvonne created all sorts of decorations for the wedding. These decorations included some layouts to show off the happy couple. The first layout is “You Are Mine” on which Yvonne used our Scarlet Fever Mixed Media Color Kit:

She also created this layout entitled, “So Glad We Are Us” using our Lady Marmelade Mixed Media Color Kit and the Ribbon Lace Variety Pack.

And she created “Love” using our Pink Parts Mixed Media Color Kit:

I love the idea of using layouts as wedding decorations. The best part of this is that the couple can add these to their own scrapbook after the event to remember their day. Terrific layouts Yvonne!

I’ll be back later in the week to show off some more of Yvonne’s wedding work, until then go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi

Michelle here!

I’m being distracted right now by the outrageous purr of Mae West in some random movie- that’s what I love about New Years- the movie marathons!

A.NY.WAY… today I want to share some of our past design efforts to celebrate the closing of another year. I had a hard time choosing just 1 favorite from each designer so I will show you something from each that used Gauche products in fun ways.

First up: Cheryl with a wonderful video showing us how to use Punchinella 7 different ways:

That whole putting the punchinella in the oven thing blew my brain right up- it’s so PUNK ROCK!!

What you THINK is a regular ol’ mint tin in Christina‘s purse is actually a homage to past relatives! Cue the creepy music: TUN TUN TUUUUUUN!!!

This smashing Day of The Dead tin from Christina- beads, buttons and punchinella- OH MY!

Cheryl, Chrissy and I all used the Gauche Alchemy Punchinella ribbon variety pack in our projects. Here is my first Gauche Alchemy project and one of my all time favorite pages ever.

My own totally random page using punchinella, the Wedding Night White Mixed Media Color Kit and whatever was cluttering my desktop at the time.

I LOVE the metal bits you find in the mixedmedia color kits. I used up all the upholsery tacks I found in both the Black Out and Wedding White Night Mixed Media Color kits on this page.

Past Gauche blog writer Ngaire made these BEAUTIFUL Christmas deer decorations with pre made forms, sari fabric ribbon and cord and LOTS of patience- SPECTACULAR!

In the project below Yvonne used paper from the Monstruous Mutant Robots from Outer space kit. The red reflector and “blah” sticky note are from the Scarlet Fever Red Mixed Media Color Kit.

This totally fun page is from resident simplicity and design expert Yvonne. I love that paper from Bam POP! but never knew exactly how to use it without having it compete with my photos- THANKS YVONNE!!!

Amy blew everyone away with this beautiful present for a friend that layered printed paper on wood to make a memory box that had special meaning for the recipient.

Love the color and pattern layering on the cover on this!!

Music and note print paper can be found in our Bare Nekkid Mixed Media Paper art kit. Next up are Carmen with a fantastic canvas and Wendy with a great mini book.

Carmen whipped up this inspiring mixed media canvas using a quote she found on Pinterest and Gauche punchinella as a template for background texture.

Wendy makes fantastic minis. Here she uses items from the Acme Monthly Subscription Kit and Ouchless corrugated board to whip up a meaningful log of past vacation travels.

Video maven Elina shows us how to combine the Blue Streak Mixed Media color kit, blue punchinella, mixed print paper from the Acme monthly subscription kit and an embroidery hoop to make a beautiful wall hanging as a gift or for the home.

Ouchless corrugated board is one of my favorite Gauche Alchemy products. The corrugated material Gauche offers is flexible and easy to stitch on or punch through using large simple shape punches.

Lastly (but not leastly!), Maggi knocks it right out the park with a beautiful mini canvas.

I was blown away with this mixed media mini canvas! Maggie used bee's wax, the Acme Subscription kit and a LOT of thinking outside the box. LOVE this!

Tune in next week where I will recall some projects from our many guest designers in 2011.

I hope you had a fabulous New Year’s Eve AND day and I hope 2012 brings you nothing but love, health, and happiness.

Chells out!

Veronica (Roni) Johnson is a life long artist and the author of the daily rubber stamping and altered arts blog – InkStainswithRoni. She is also the author of Teach Yourself Visually Collage & Altered Arts. Like her blog, this book is a technique oriented book that encompasses a wide variety of projects, mediums and areas.

In addition to the blog and collage book, Roni also designs for various manufacturers and retail companies in the rubber stamping and altered arts. When she isn’t creating, Roni enjoys spending time with her family on their small farm in rural Indiana, scouring various flea markets or antique malls for unique vintage finds, reading and pursuing her love of photography.

Roni got a chance to play with our Moshi Moshi Kit before anyone else and next week I’ll be sharing the first of her projects so make sure to head on back to see the terrific creations Roni has made!

Until then, go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi

Maggi here to announce our super cool new kit for January! Please to enjoy our Moshi Moshi Mixed Media Paper Crafting Kit!

I just love this kit! I got some time to play with it before it hit the Gauche Alchemy store and let me tell you, it rocks! Most of the contents in this kit came straight from Japan. It’s got a little bit of kawaii, a little bit of vintage goodness and a whole lot of awesomesauce! (And yes, I did just say “awesomesauce”, this kit is that cool.)

Here’s what you get:

- 1 12×12″ Tinkering Ink floral paper
- 1 12×12″ Basic Grey Wisteria paper
- 1 8.5×11″ Bazzill cardstock
- 1 sheet vintage origami paper
- 1 5″x12″ piece of PVC punchinella
- 1 swatch of fabric with sticker adhesive on the back
- 3 Japanese children’s book pages
- 1 sheet of Japanese newspaper
- 1 sheet vintage dressmaking book page

- 1 Chinese foreign text page
- 1 Japanese foreign text page
- 1 page from a Japanese tourist book
- 1 card of vintage Japanese embroidery floss
- several Japanese paper game pieces
- 1 swatch vintage silk kimono fabric (pattern varies)
- adhesive fabric book tape swatch
- Bento box food picks and cupcake liner (pattern varies)
- small Asian-themed bookmark
- novelty eraser from Japan (in this photo, the milk carton – varies)
- a patterned binder clip and a novelty wooden clip
- mini patterned packing tape roll
- fabric-covered button from Japan
- tiny seed bead trim from Japan

I want to make sure you note that this kit includes some of our new PVC Punchinella and let me just tell you, I LOVE the PVC Punchinella.

Our Moshi Moshi Mixed Media Paper Crafting Kit is now available in the Gauche Alchemy store!

Now go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi

We here at Gauche Alchemy have the unfortunate task of saying good-bye to one of our stellar Alchemists, Ngaire. Ngaire is a great artist, we loved having her with us and look forward to seeing where she goes in the future!

We also have a new addition to the team, help me in welcoming Wendy!

Hello! I’m a Southern girl from Alabama. I’m always inspired by things around me and make time EACH day for something “artsy fartsy”….living in the motto to “find inspiration everyday everywhere”. It’s funny that when I’m not creating I’m usually jotting down ideas/sketches/pinning on Pinterest color ideas and patterns for creations later once back in my art room. Since scrapbooking 15+ years ago, I’ve been addicted since the beginning. I have a strong passion for life art, lots of creative spirit, and fearless in working with new products and techniques. My style would be defined as very versatile in delivering lots of details, mostly in mini books, and blending the old + new + typically adding stamping always in the mix.

Within my blog, ScrapNspire I share life, art ideas, what inspires me through fashion & vintage finds, techniques, tutorials, and projects.

I’m currently on the design teams for Bella Blvd, Simple Stories, and myStampBOX. Past design teams include Donna Salazar Designs, Sausan Designs (German Art Stamps & Digi Hybrid), Creative Imaginations (Danelle Johnson), Scrapbook News & Review Magazine, and Memory Works.

I’ve been published in Scrapbook Trends: Mini Albums, Scrapbook Trends: Cards, Scrapbook Trends: Simply Handmade, ScrapStreet Magazine Online Ezine, and Scrapbook News & Review Magazine. Also, I’ve taught scrapbook classes locally, nationally (including CKC and Scrapbook Expo), and internationally in Germany for retreats.

Aside from the artsy mix of things, I’m a full-time audit manager with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting with a masters equivalency.
Yes, quite a tumble fumble with the right brain vs. left brain.

Welcome to Gauche Alchemy, Wendy! We’ve have so many great things in store for you in 2012 so go grab some Gauche Alchemy goodness, strap yourselves in and go glue something awesome onto some awesome something!

Maggi

This is Michelle.

I’m having a very bad month craftwise. My crafting has dwindled to ZERO, ZILCH, NADA.

I have a full box of LOVELY Gauche Alchemy stuff just sitting there on my table.

What. to. DO???

Chrissy says PLAY and spread the craft love by giving your final result to a friend.

Some black cord, Prima and ZVA bling, a 7 Gypsies tin, red bead trim from the GA Scarlet Fever Red Mixed media color kit and lots of ink- BOOYAH! Perfect gift card holder!

According to Chrissy:

“I’m hoping that this ‘Harlequin Tin’ has enticed my mojo to come back from its drunken bender at a cheap Caribbean motel.  I am using this tin as a gift card holder for a friend of mine whose birthday is coming up.

I knew I wanted to use a bold color palette and a dramatic theme.  Voila!  The Harlequin Tin!

I used a 7 Gypsies tin that I’ve had for a couple years now and went to town on it with my alcohol inks.  I brushed and dabbed the color “Watermelon” using a Tim Holtz felt applicator pad.

Love the red, black and silver color palette!

Once the ink had dried, I used my harlequin stamp (a new fave!) by Technique Tuesday and stamped the diamond pattern onto the tin with Ranger Archival ink in Jet Black.  I found it’s easier to skip mounting the stamp to an acrylic block and just carefully wrap it around the tin for full coverage.

The alcohol ink still felt tacky after fully drying. To bring back some of the “wet paint” shine and
get rid of the tackiness (HA HA!!), I sealed the whole thing with a coat of clear high gloss acrylic spray.

Love- LOVE!!!! this- will have to try it- silver punchinella really brightens up the lid.

To Gauche things up, I used some silver punchinella as a border wrap around the tin and on the top.  I also used some Ouchless Cardboard and made an accordion flower.  I then used some Prima floral and bling goodies as well as a mini key from the Wedding Night Mixed Media Color Kit and the red beaded strand from the Scarlet Fever Mixed Media Color Kit.

I love that red beading from the Scarlet Fever Mixed Media Color kit! Check out Chrissy's Ouchless Corrugated board accordion flower.

Making the corrugated board accordion flower is easy!

Ouchless corrugated flowers before and after some heat embossing and glimmer misting.

Simply fold the cardboard after every two ridges- no scoring necessary.  Try skipping ridges for more texture.  Then glue the ends of the corrugated strip together, press the inside circle down onto the table and glue onto a chipboard piece holding it until the glue hardens.”

So there you have it! I really love how Chrissy constantly raids her stash- it’s really inspiring.

I actually have 3 family birthdays coming up right after New Year’s. The idea of giving cash or a gift card in a Gauched up tin is FABULOUS- I get shivers just thinking about venturing into a shopping mall right now- ACK!!!- TOO SOON!!!

Chells out.

Michelle here with a super quick and easy idea for New Year’s Eve party fun- a mini top hat!

I’ve seen these on several online shops and always wished I had the 80 bucks to splurge on one. Leave it to Gauche Girl Elina to set me straight! All you really need is a spare plastic cup, a hot glue gun, 2 circles and a Gauche Alchemy Mixed Media Kit.

For this particular project, Elina used the Pink Parts Mixed Media Color Kit, the Acme Kit and lace from the Lace Ribbon Variety Pack.

Check out her fabulous “How To” here:

Question!! Elina WHERE did you get that industrial length glue stick??? I have stick envy.

(brief pause as I snicker obnoxiously)

What are you doing for New Year’s Eve, dear reader? Oh oh- now I won’t be getting that song out of my head for the rest of the day.

Chells out!

"wink"

yo yo yo and ho ho ho!

Ngaire  here with a couple of right quick and awesome ideas for  ”past the last minute” super cute gifts you can make yourself! Courtesy of the cute and clever  Yvonne! So if you have realised it is boxing day.. and you still  have Christmas gifts you need to give.. READ ON!!!

First up, Yvonne  upcycled a free pin badge!

“…. glue some old book paper onto a pin badge, gesso  it and mist in pink and green. Add somepunchinella and embellishments from the cool and applause worthy mixed media kits... then seal everything with Glossy Accents.  and set aside to dry!”  EASY PEASY!!!

perefct for Christmas Crackers or stocking fillers!

Why not use this simple recipe with different colour combos and see how many you can make in an hour!

But wait!! there’s more…..

Yvonne also  upcycled a coffee mug container.! This is the lid you can see in close up here:

sweeeeeeeeeeet!

and here is  a “before and after “:

how cool is this???

the perfect gift tin for cookies.. or sweeties… or a handmade somethin’ somethin’. Grab yourself a mixed media kit or two, some napkins for the base patterns and lid background, and some gel medium, and go to town! You can use the same idea for glass bottles and tin cans too!

hope you were  still on the Fat Man’s  ”nice” list!!!

Ngaire

x

Michelle here!

Today I want to wow you with Christina‘s wonderfully detailed and traditional wreath. There is also a mini photo tutorial for those who want to try to make a few of the roses for  their own project- no special tools needed other than some scissors, tweezers and a hot glue gun!

Victorian style Christmas wreath made from printed book pages and Gauche Alchemy's Acme subscription kit

As Chrissy tells it:

“Here it is!  My finished wreath!  My very first wreath EVAH MADE!  This was a total labor of love.

I used ripped out pages from an old telephone book, pages from an old romance novel ‘For the Roses’ by Julie Garwood and papers from the Gauche Alchemy Acme kit.

I love the textured effect Chrissy got by using different sources of paper and by having the rosettes face in different directions so the sun strikes hem differently- that's beautiful!!!

I rolled each. and. every. rose. by. hand.  I can’t even tell you how many I made!  A couple hondo easy. After they were rolled, I applied some Tattered Angels glimmer mist in gold.  I then added some Diamond Glaze and a healthy sprinklin’ of crystal glitter by Scintillement.  After everything dried, I shook off the excess and
hot glued them onto my wreath form.

This is a particularly beautiful detail shot

The floral spray was a stem I bought at a local hobby store and completely dismantled.  Once I had my leaves arranged and glued, I used the pine cones and some berries to fill in any bare spots.  My finishing touches are poinsettias by Irene’s Garden for Blue Hills Studio and a resin Santa ornament.  I dressed up my pine cones with some twine from the Twinery and the berry clusters with some green hemp from May Arts.

Well will you look at that! A perfect bow!

Now, onto the biggest headache of this wreath, THE BOW!  I HATE making bows.  I suck at it and have NO patience for it.  I used ribbon from May Arts to make all of the bows.  Sure.  That bow looks all neat and
pretty.  But the backside of it….YIKES!”

The rosettes are the star of the show in this amazing holiday craft project. Here’s a quick and easy step by step tutorial:

Cut yourself a circle. A punch that will work too. I like the imperfections for character but it really doesn't matter. Start at the outside edge and cut the circle into a spiral. If you make a wavy cut, it will look more like "petals" as you make the flower. Stop just short of the actual center of the flower. You'll have a small circle at the end of the spiral which will act as your base for the flower. (Editor's note- LOVE the imperfect cutting tip Chrissy! I tend to over-think this step and end up with rather boring florettes- I like these much much more)

Using your tweezers, start at the outside edge and roll the spiral tightly around the tweezers, making your way to the center, once again stopping just short of the little circle in the middle.

Remove the rolled spiral from the tweezer and let it unwind. Add a dot of hot glue or quick drying adhesive to the unrolled center spot. Press the center spot to the flower.

Depending on how tightly you wound up the rosette your flower can be budlike or a full bloom. After applying hot glue to secure the rosette Chrissy added mist and glass glitter to make her flowers shine.

Go on- try it! You’ll have roses left over which you can use on ornaments for the tree or even better- as fancy tag adornments for wrapped gifts!

Merry Christmas!

Season’s Greetings!

 Ngaire here with some fabulous ideas for a very Gauche Christmas!

Our Fearless Leader Amy has her gifts all wrapped and ready.. and just the teeniest bit gauche!

Get a load of these:

A strip or two of ouchless cardboard….

and  some lace.. … some punchinella ….

 some fibres… and some brown paper. ( the exact paper that your Gauche Goodness will come wrapped in.)

and you have got yourself some awesome parcel just begging to be opened!

Counting down now! How are YOU going with your prep?

Me.. I could use a few more days! LOl.:)

until next time.

to you.

Ngaire. out.

xxx

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have a colourful Christmas, my DEER!

Woot!

Hello gentle reader!

We are OH SO CLOSE to Christmas now.. and I bet you just have HOURS and days of spare time to fiddle around with a silly project that serves no real purpose at all other than to look sweet!….. No?

I know, I know….. There isnt actually time to scratch yourself.. BUT maybe in the after Christmas craft sales.. you could pick a couple of these little beauties up and be on the hop and ready for Christmas 2012??? All you need is a big old tub of gel medium, some balls of yarn, string, wool or silk, lace , ribbon or a combo of all of them, some trinkets and bells, and some wire.. and a whole lot of patience.:)

The picture below is how the deers started out. They are papier mache and purchased for not a lottta $$ from a big craft chain.

naked deer, a leg and a dog. ( leg and dog not required for project!)

(there is a better photo of what you are looking for here.. thank you, Mr Google)

You may have seen these deer around in the home styling stores this Festive season.. some are decorated with yarms, some string, some fabrics… They cost quite the pretty penny, and I love saving $$$,.. ( cheap-arse) …so decided to make my own.

close up of deer necklette.

All you do is cover a section of the deer  with gel medium ( mod podge, impasto whatever you have…we started with the legs.)  and then wrap your yarn of choice around and around the limb until you have “coloured” it in with the yarn.

flowers in your hair...

This WILL take hours.. get comfy and have a coffee or a wine while you wrap.  Every now and then go back over what you have wrapped, and apply more gel medium to it , to secure  to to the deer form.

a rainbow of deer.

and here’s a tip for young players…. thicker wools and fabric strips will be MUCH quicker…. and it doesnt have to be perfect! Imperfections are part of the charm of these.

One you have completely covered the deer with yarns, secure all ends with more gel medium and allow to dry over night.

trims of wire and bells and beads and wool.

Next day… trim your deer with bells, and wire and flowers and beads.. whatever takes your fancy.

step back.. and admire your decorating skillz.

ta daaaaaaaa!

go on.. give it a go! start small and simple.. and see if you like the effect.. you can move onto the big-ass ones if you dont HATE the process.:)

4 sleeps to go!

Ngaire

x

Michelle here.

Stressing out yet?

I AM!! I have exactly 2 presents bought- my Mom’s and my daughter’s. I hate shopping in crowded stores!

Every year I have the same problem- what to give to the host of the Christmas and/or New Year’s Eve party? What to give to the unexpected guest who arrives for Christmas diner- you know- the new girl/boyfriend we just found out about 2 hours ago?

Well… how ’bout this?

From Amy, Co-Head Honcho in Charge- a pillar candle, some of our wonderful new PVC sunburst punchinella and pretty ribbon- PRESTO instant Hostess gift!

I LOVE this new PVC punchinella! It’s so sturdy it PERFECT for cards and other projects that need flexible but tough material.

If I got these as a gift they would take center stage on my table! Great idea Amy!

You got 6 days mi gente! Time to get creative!!!

Hi , and Hello , and a very merry Ho ho ho to you, gentle reader.

Ngaire here…. this time bringing you   a gobsmaking holiday project from Chrissy the amazing. As we have established..I  adore Christmas.. and this fabulous idea made my heart sing when I saw it.:)

It’s “the Twelve days of Christmas goes up market and stylin’ ” , in a hanging garland of wonder! just LOOK at how beautiful it is!

Chrissy says: “ I have a huge stash of muslin, hemp and raffetta that I wanted to use
up.  And the only thing I managed to make a dent in was the raffetta!
I cut out my sack pattern and sewed it on my nifty handy dandy sewing
machine.  I cut up some Echo Park christmas paper I had left from last
year.  Ok.  Honestly.  I got it last year and never used it.  Good
thing though!”

“My glittery sparkly numbers are Amercan Crafts Thickers.  The red
rhinestones are from my awesomely awesome saucy red mixed media color
kit.  I used a hefty amount of twine for accenting.  I stuffed my sacks with the
raffetta and let some of it peek out the tops of some of the bags.”

(A note from Chrissy: ***You could fill each bag with treats.  My kids have been fighting
non-stop.. so they get raffetta! “

You can find a simple pattern for making the sacks here. 

am loving this project idea… and I think lollies would be fabulous in the bags… maybe  a different recipient could get a bag on each countdown day?  Or maybe you could get one each day yourself??

wishing you much crafty gift making and many organisational skillz this beautiful December! Until next time.

Ngaire

x