Edgar Allan Poe Mixed Media Assemblage

Edgar Allan Poe Mixed Media Original

This Edgar Allan Poe Mixed Media Assemblage Piece was created from three wooden pieces that I painted black (block, spool, game piece). The Poe image and the word "Nevermore" are digital stamps from Smeared Ink. The wings are stamped with a rubber stamp from a Tim Holtz collection. The sculpture measures 7.25" by 4.5". 

Once I had my bust, wings and crown collaged the way I liked them, I laminated the paper to increase durability and moisture resistance. I embellished the crown with black and red rhinestones and a piece of lace that I painted black. I also tied a piece of ribbon yarn around Poe's neck. I used double stick tape to adhere the laminated bust to the game piece. 

The spool in the middle has a page torn from a worn and aged Poe paperback. It is decoupaged to the spool with Mod Podge and then varnished. I wrapped some funky black eyelash yarn around that to give the piece some texture.

The base block has book covers and illustrations from Poe's work. They have been decoupaged on and then varnished. The word "Nevermore" was also decoupaged and then varnished onto a block. I used some purple chalk on the added EAP quote and the word "Nevermore". 

To see more about this Poe assemblage and also view other submissions for the Poe tribute, see my blogger.

~following my paper whims~ wendy

Vintage Romance Card

Vintage Romance Card

I created this card with two challenges in mind.  The Rogue Redhead Design Challenge is about using a circle, rectangle and square in your work. Vintage Elusions has a vintage romance challenge going on. I used an image from The Sum of All Crafts. They have a wonderful collection of images for crafter's to use.

The frame stamp is from a Tim Holtz collection and the antique rounds are from Inkadinkado. The card has lots of layers and I embossed the centers of the antique rounds with silver. The card is embellished with a resin rose and a piece of fun yarn.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Rogue Redhead - shape up card
Vintage Elusions - #4 vintage romance
Craft Your Passion - emboss it
Tammy's Scrapin - lots of layers
The Paper Shelter - #79 lots of layers
Fat Pages with Attitude - #21 anything goes

I hope you will visit the above listed sites and enjoy the artwork on display.

~chasing my paper whims~ wendy

Bobby Pins DIY from Fabric Button Brads

These colorful bobby pins are made from fabric covered buttons with beautiful crocheted detail. The button brads were purchased in the scrapbook embellishment section of the craft store. I used pliers to remove the metal brad prongs and then the buttons were hot glued to the bezels of 2" long bobby pins. The fabric button is one inch around and very dimensional.

These bobbies were so easy to make. You can create a set of bobby pins for yourself or if you are short on crafting time, these are available in my Etsy Store.

Pixie Dust Tag

Pixie Dust Tag

I created this round tag with a fairy image from Whoopsi Daisy. I colored her on the computer and just highlighted a little with chalks. It's hard to see in the photo but her wings and stars all have glitter on them. I choose iridescent seed beads to represent the pixie dust to give the card some more sparkle and bling. I attached a fairy charm and a fabric tie to the tag.

I am entering this tag in the following challenges:

Craft-room Challenge - pin/charm
Stampotique - color challenge
The Octopode - circles
Whoopsi Daisy - two patterned papers
Poodles Parlour - things with wings
Bearly Mine - #50 glitters
LEJ - #18 anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - lets sparkle
Party Time Tuesday - #83 anything goes
Through the Craftroom Door - #33 anything goes
Paper & Such - wings n things
2 Sisters - #106 elves, gnomes, pixies
Card Crafter's Circle - #37 use fabric

I hope you can take a minute to look at the artwork displayed on the above listed sites. You will amazed by the creativity!

~chasing paper whims~ wendy

Brooch - Anthropologie Catalog Floral Design

This Anthropologie inspired pop-up 3D brooch is eco-friendly. The pin was created with recycled and re-purposed materials. This brooch was made from an Anthropologie catalog floral plate photograph, magazine page images, pages from a damaged hardcover book and a cereal box. The design is embellished with two blue rhinestones.

The brooch is a 1 5/8" circle. Four different designs have been sewn together and folded to create a dimensional half sphere. Instructions for making your own brooch can be found on my blog. You will have fun going through your junk mail and old circulars. They contain all kinds of images that you can use to make a brooch of your own design.

If you would like to own this brooch, it is available in my Made it Myself Store.

Steampunk Heart

Steampunk Heart Card

I created this card with a steampunk heart with wings digital stamp from Smeared Ink. It is part of the Heart Wings set. I printed the hearts out on light pink paper and just touched them up with some darker pink chalk. The words are from an American Art rubber stamp. The letters are heat embossed.  I added some bling and glitz to the card with glitter and rhinestones. I also added some steampunk gears for fun.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

The Crafty Blogger - #2 pink + black
Dream Valley - steampunk
Craft Punked - #34 steampunk
Dilly Beans - hearts
Craft Your Passion - #125 emboss it
Cute Card Thursday - #231 bling it up
Dutch Card - #179 bling it on
Bearly Mine - anything that glitters

Please take the time to view the artwork on display at the above listed sites. You will be happy you did!

~chasing paper whims~ wendy

DIY Bobby Pins

These bobby pins were created using a tutorial I have posted here. They can be made using junk mail, magazine pages or catalogs. They are easy and inexpensive to make. If you know how to make a paper bead, you could whip up a dozen in an hour. Imagine the possible colors and images you have available to you in your paper stash.

If you do not want to make your own bobbies, these and more colors and designs are available in my Etsy Store.

ATC - Owl Love

front of ATC

Surprise pop-out element!

I had fun creating this ATC. The owl rubber stamp is from Michael's Dollar Bin. I used papers with lots of circles for the challenge going on at The Octopode Factory. I added a paper punched heart for the "heart" challenge on Dilly Beans. The ATC is embellished with red rhinestones and three colorful buttons.

I created the "surprise" factor for the "hide and seek" challenge on The Game. When you open the magic door on the front of the ATC, an owl pops out from the inside. I used a strip of pleated paper to make the owl "pop".

Along with the challenges listed above, I am entering this ATC in the following challenges:

Wicked Wednesday - #46 owls
Divas by Design - #49 anything goes
The Poodles Parlour - things with wings

Thank you for looking! Please take a peek at the beautiful creations on display at the above listed sites.

~following my paper whims~wendy

Altered Game Piece Pendant Necklace

Frida Pendant Necklace

back of pendant

Memory Game

 I created my Frida Pendant from a Toy Story Memory Game card. I purchased the game at a garage sale and could not wait to repurpose the game pieces.

I tried a new technique for the background. I used a piece of paper torn from a damaged book as a base layer. I then used gesso, watercolor crayons and plain old Crayolas to give the background some color. The Frida image I used is from Dilly Beans. I colored Frida with MS Paint and then gave her cheeks a little blush with chalk. The butterfly is from Dover clipart. The pendant is embellished with two black metal snaps and one shiny red rhinestone.

Don't throw away your children's discarded puzzles and games. These items are treasures just waiting for you to transform them. I'm going to make some more pendants and maybe some brooches out of the rest of these cards. I could also use them for magnets...endless possibilites.


This necklace is available in my Etsy Store.

~following my paper whims~ wendy

                                                                                                                                                   

Bobby Pins - Green Crafting!

These animal print and colorful bobby pins are created from magazine pages and discarded catalogs. They are available in my Etsy Store or you can use my easy to follow tutorial and make some funky bobbies of your own. I was talking to a friend recently who told me she followed my advice and did make her own hair pins and she was delighted with the results.

To make your own bobbies, see my tutorial.

I hope you experiment and make some of your own bobbies but if you really love the prints posted above, you will have to buy them...lol!

Owl ATC

Owl ATC

I created this ATC with a free digital image from Anji's Antics. The site has lots of free gorgeous images for crafters to use in their artwork. Check it out. The ATC is embellished with a word charm (wisdom), twine and three golden gemstones.

I am entering this ATC in the following challenges:

Wicked Wednesday - owl ATC
Stampalot - take flight
Craft-Room Challenge - pins/charms
Creative Card Crew - newsprint, map, etc.
Crafty Creations - #184 gems + twine
Crafts & Me -  #98 autumn colors

There are lots of beautiful cards and papercrafted creations on the above listed sites. Take a minute to browse.

~chasing paper whims~ wendy

Edgar Allan Poe - The Raven - Brooch

Brooch

This Edgar Allan Poe "The Raven" brooch was made from a copy of the cover of a vintage book illustrated by John Rea Neill. I added the words "the raven" with print from my computer. The finished design was heat laminated with 7 ml. lamination film. The Raven Brooch is a 1.75" circle. The pin is embellished with three black seed beads.

Brooches are little pieces of wearable art. They can be used to adorn clothing, purses, hats or any surface that you can attach a pin to. Buy one for yourself or choose one as a gift for someone special.

If you like Edgar Allan Poe and darker more gothic jewelry accessories, this raven brooch was made with you in mind.

Bobby Pins

I have relisted some of my paper beaded bobby pins in the Etsy Store. These and more designs are availabe there.

If you would like to make your own paper beaded bobby pins, I have a tutorial on my blogger. It is a fun way to make hair clips to match your outfits or mood!

One Layer Vintage Steampunk Card

I created this one layer card using the Leather Girl Image from Smudgetastic Digital Stamps. I colored my image using MS Paint and then printed the design and the poetry out on designed scrapbook paper. Finding a paper that wouldn't overwhelm the design was a challenge.

I love steampunk and vintage so I decided to combine some of this week's challenges with this card. The card is embellished with three purple rhinestones and three steampunk gears.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Stampotique - one layer card
Art Impressions - one layer card
That Craft Place - vintage
LEJ Designs -  #17 vintage
Dream Valley - steampunk
The Crazy Challenge - #127 anything goes
Whoopsi Daisy - include a sentiment
Craft Your Passion - #124 power of three
Created with Love - #3 three of a kind
Simon Says Stamp - no rules

I hope you will take the time to view the artwork on the above listed sites. You will be happy you took a look!

~following my paper whims~ wendy

Poe-etic Blog Hop

Blog Roll:

Terra

Tori

Susan S.

Lady Brayton

Black Dragon

Julia

Jane

Windy

Kristy

Lisa

Shell

Candace

Wendy

Joyce

Monique

Madelein Bouquet

Ike

Vee Cassidy

Sandy

Little Black Kitten
 

Woo Hoo! It's time for the August Smeared & Smudged Member's Blog Hop. The hop theme is called Poe-etic! What a great way to celebrate the master of mystery and the macabre! I have created a mixed media piece for my Poe-etic entry!  My Poe masterpiece is created from a wooden block, an old wooden spool and a rectangular block from a game similar to Jenga.
 

The Edgar Allan Poe image and the word "nevermore" are digital stamps from the Quoth the Raven set by Smeared Ink. The crown is a page from a damaged book that was cut with the Cricut machine, painted red and stamped with a chain link pattern stamp from Great Impressions. The wings are from a Tim Holtz clear stamp collection set. Once I assembled my Poe bust, I put it through the laminater to give it stability.

The images around the base of the block are from collage sheets. They have been decoupaged onto the block base. I added the Edgar Allan Poe quote "to elevate the soul, poetry is necessary" . The piece is embellished with black and red rhinestones, lace flowers that I painted black, striped ribbon yarn and black eyelash yarn.

 Please leave me a comment about my Poe-etic assemblage piece and then hop and bop over to the next blog site which is

                                     Joyce

 I am entering my altered piece into the following challenges:

That Craft Place - vintage
The Crazy Challenge - #127 anything goes
Craft Your Passion - #124 (three flowers with 3 red rhinestones)
Created With Love - #3 (three flowers with 3 red rhinestones)
Simon Says Stamp - no rules
Bearly-Mine - #49 anything goes
Creative Card Crew - #17 newsprint
LEJ - #17 vintage
Tammy's Scrapin - #24 anything goes

As always, Smeared and Smudged have given the members a great blog hop theme. Visit the participating "hoppers" and leave them some love. Also check out the creations on the above mentioned challenge sites. You will be amazed and inspired to start a crafting project of your own. 

~ chasing after my paper whims ~ wendy

Edgar Allan Poe Hanging Sculpture

Edgar Allan Poe Mixed Media Hanging Art

This Edgar Allan Poe hanging mixed media sculpture was created from a cereal box and paper. The art piece measures 6.5 inches long by 6.5 inches wide (wingspan). The images are digital stamps from Smeared Ink. This piece was created for a week long art challenge. You can see the posting here.

The dangle is embellished with red and black feathers, a gold tone raven charm, striped ribbon yarn, three ruby red rhinestones and a black chain. The backside of the dangle is painted black. The paper has been varnished to increase durability.

This dangle is now available in my Etsy Store. If you are an Edgar Allan Poe fan or know someone who is, this is the perfect lightweight piece of original art for you!

Itsy Bitsy Spider?

Itsy Bitsy Spider Card

I created this card using a sketch from the Smeared & Smudged Challenge for August. I also wanted to use the dark fairy tale/nursery rhyme theme going on at Smudgy Antics and Poisoned Peas.

The web and spider are clear rubber stamps from Inkadinkado. I just purchased them on Saturday and couldn't wait to use them. The glittery orange spider is from a Prize Pack I won at a challenge last year.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Smeared & Smudged - August Sketch Challenge
Smudgy Antics - itsy bitsy spider
Fat Pages with Attitude - #20 anything goes/texture
Poisoned Peas - #6 dark tales
The Crazy Challenge - #127 anything goes
Whoopsi Daisy - include a sentiment
Simon Says Stamp & Show - no rules
Tammy's Scrapin - #24 anything goes
Bearly-Mine - #49 anything goes
Card Crafter's Circle - #36 rich earthy colors

I hope you can spare a minute and take a look at the artwork displayed on the above mentioned sites. You will be so impressed!

~ following my paper whims ~ wendy

Upcycled Anthropologie Catalog Bobby Pins

These handcrafted paper bead bobby pins were created from an upcycled Anthropologie catalog page. They are bold and colorful. They will add some excitement to your hair while taming your tresses.

The paper bead is 2" long. It is varnished to help resist moisture. It can be used in wet hair and can be worn in the rain but it will not withstand being immersed in water. You apply the bobby pin to your hair the same way you would an unadorned hair pin. You can wear one, two at a time or all of them at once. It's up to you. Have fun!!!

I have created a paper bead bobby pin tutorial if you are interested in making your own bobbies. But if you like the designs on the pictured bobbies shown above, you can purchase them in my Etsy Store.

Alice in Wonderland "Surprise" ATC

Hidden Surprise ATC

Surprise!

I created this "surprise element" ATC for a couple of challenges. The challenge going on at Altered Alice is to incorporate a disappearing element into your creation. Using a metal brad as a pivot, my ATC has a secret reveal. This was a new technique for me and it took a few tries to get it right, lol!

I also used the Bingo board on The Game for elements of my ATC. I used the collage image, paint, ATC, shimmer mist and fabric line. The Alice collage image is from Paper Imagery Designs. I used the same Tim Holtz rubber stamp with black ink (fabric) and gold paint on the botton ATC. I sprayed the image with golden shimmer mist and used a piece of yellow and white gingham for the fabric background.

I am entering this ATC in the following challenges:

The Altered Alice - disappearing element
The Game - Bingo
ABC Challenge - V is for vanish
The Stamp Man - precious metal
Allsorts - #168 heavy metal
Dilly Beans - bright colors
Card Makin Mamas - try something new
That Craft Place - vintage
The Crazy Challenge - anything goes
Whoopsi Daisy - include sentiment

I hope you spare a minute to visit the above mentioned sites. You will be amazed by the wonderful artwork on display.

~ chasing after my paper whims ~ wendy

Altered Game Piece Pendant

Frida Pendant Necklace

I created my Frida Pendant from a Toy Story Memory Game card. I purchased the game at a garage sale on Saturday and I could not wait to alter and repurpose it. I saw so many possibilites!

I tried a new technique for the background. I used a piece of paper torn from a damaged book as a base layer. I then used gesso, watercolor crayons and plain old Crayolas to give the background some color. The Frida image I used is from Dilly Beans. I colored Frida with MS Paint and then gave her cheeks a little blush with chalk. The butterfly is from Dover. The pendant is embellished with two black metal snaps and one shiny red rhinestone.

Altering this game piece was so much fun that I can't wait to make more!

I am entering this pendant in the following challenges:

The Stamp Man - precious metal
Stampotique - #261 alter it
Paper Play - #33 upcycle/recycle
Dilly Beans - bright colors
Card Makin Mamas - try something new
Allsorts - #168 heavy metal

Please visit the above mentioned sites and take in the wide assortment of artwork.

~following my paper whims ~ wendy

Fashionable Card

1917 Fashions Card

I created this card with a collage image from my Flickr Group called Collage Images (not for posting art). They have wonderful images that are free for collage artists to use. I added some rubber stamped swirlies to two corners of the card.  The card is embellished with a sticker, fiber, lace, button, pearl, rhinestones and a dark brown button. I followed a recipe from the Rogue Redhead Challenge and used a square, circle die cut and a rectangle shape on my card.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Craft-room Challenge - fashion
Card Crafter's Circle - #36 rich earthy colors
ATC's and cards with Attitude - anything goes/lace
Rogue Redhead Challenge - shape up card
The Game - Bingo (sticker, die cut, fiber, collage image, create a card)

I hope you will take the time to visit these sites. There is some fantastic art on display.

~chasing paper whims ~ wendy

Bobby Pins created from Magazine Pages

DIY Paper Beaded Bobby Pins

These handcrafted paper bead bobby pins were created from magazine pages. There is a flirty orange geometric pattern, a purple marble-look pattern and a multi-colored brush stroke design. These colorful hair pins will add some fun and flair to your hair.

The paper bead is 2" long. It is varnished to help resist moisture. It can be used in wet hair and can be worn in the rain but it will not withstand being immersed in water. You apply the bobby pin to your hair the same way you would an unadorned hair pin. You can wear one, two at a time or all of them at once. It's up to you. Have fun with them!

If you love these prints, you can purchase this set of three bobbies at my Etsy store. I also have a tutorial on my blog with step by step directions on how to make your own.

~ chasing paper whims ~ wendy

Bobby Pins - DIY from Paper

Pretty Bobby Pins

I have relisted these paper beaded bobby pins in my Etsy Shop. This collection of handcrafted paper bead bobby pins focus on four colors: turquoise, black, white and yellow. The hair pin designs contain some flowers, polka dots and circles. The images were found in fashion magazine pages. They will add some color and creativity to your hairstyle.

I have a tut on my blog if you would like to make your own OR these are available for purchase in my Etsy Store.

Big Bad Wolf Card

Look out Red - it's the Big Bad Wolf!

I wanted to create a project for the "dark fairy tale" challenge going on at Poisoned Peas. I think Red Riding Hood better watch herself the next time she enters the forest. I created this card with a wolf digital stamp from LEJ Designs. I colored the wolf with MS Paint. I used lots of layers and a die cut to frame my image. The card is embellished in all four corners for the challenge on Haunted Design House. Embellishments include three metal steampunk gears, two red rhinestones and a scrap of fabric.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Totally Papercrafts - #120 frame it
Just Some Lines - layer it up
Poodles Parlour - die cuts
Poisoned Peas - #6 dark fairy tale
The Secret Crafter - gold, silver, bronze
The Stamp Man - precious metal
Haunted Design House - hiding in corners
The Paper Make-up - 3,2,1 recipe
Paper Pretties - #52 anything goes
Whoopsi Daisy - anything goes
Pile it On - Bingo (gems, image, fabric)

I hope you will be inspired to create some artwork of your own. Check out the beautiful samples provided by the design team members on the sites listed above.

~following my paper whims ~ wendy

Beware of Dragon Tales

Dragon Tale Card

I created this dragon card for the challenges going on at Smudgy Antics,  and Haunted Design House.The challenges this week deal with dark and gothic fairy tales. The card is layered with shapes (square, circle and rectangle) and some of the papers have been scrunched and sanded for some distressing. The sequins hiding in the corners represent dragon scales.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Sweet Stampin - things with wings
Allsorts - #167 going around in circles
Totally Paper Crafts - #120 frame it
Just Some Lines - layer it up
The Paper Makeup - 3-2-1 (3 shapes, 2 red bead eyes, 1 image)
Smudgy Antics - dragon tales
Dilly Beans - distress it
Haunted Design House - hiding in the corners
Paper Pretties - #52 anything goes
Whoopsi Daisy - anything goes

Beware the dragon...please take a minute and look at the artwork displayed on the above listed sites. You will be delighted!

~chasing paper whims ~ wendy

Clean & Simple Card

Clean & Simple Square Card

I created this square card for the clean and simple challenge going on at Cas-ual Friday. The image is called Dia De Isos Muertos from Strange Skin Digital Stamps. The challenge for me was to keep it simple, lol! I minimally chalked the design and added a little red marker. The image is embellished with two red rhinestones.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Cas-ual Friday - #65 clean & simple + square card
The Crazy Challenge - #126 black, white + one other
Paper Pretties - #52 anything goes
Whoopsi Daisy - anything goes

I hope you like the simplicity of this card. Check out the artwork on the above mentioned sites.

~ following my paper whims ~ wendy

The Raven Tag

The Raven Tag

I created this tag for the Oh! The Horror! August Challenge on Smeared and Smudged. The challenge was to create artwork that represents the movie "The Raven". The movie poster features a black background, red wings and John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe.

The Edgar Allan Poe digital stamp is from Smudgetastic. The heart with wings digi is from Smeared Ink. I used some oval red rhinestones to represent blood drips. I haven't seen the movie yet but I did watch the trailer and  it looks like a "wet" one. My tag and circle were cut with the Cricut die cut machine. I enhanced the images with a little chalk and red marker.

I am also entering this tag in the following challenges:

The Crazy Challenge - black, white + one other
Pile it On - Bingo (image, tag, raffia)
The Sisterhood of Crafters - tag you're it
Dutch Dare - #177 tag you're it
Poodles Parlour - die cuts
Pattie's Creation - anything but a card
Paper Play - #32 shaped card

Please take a minute and view the artwork on the above mentioned sites. You will be inspired to get creative.

~ following my paper whims ~ wendy