DIY Vintage Bohemian Chic

I hate to keep repeating myself but just for any new followers I will... lol. I lived in a Victorian home in California for 20 years. At that time I love Shabby Chic, but as I aged so did my love of color. When we moved here several years back, I decided for the first time in my life that I wanted new things. We had a house built and I bought the main furniture new. I still had a few old pieces that I just could not give up but I thought I could mix them with the new and come up with my "style". I just felt like I was living in a hotel, so I looked at my art (since that is what I love) and noticed that I just love things that are earth tones, old, rusted, tattered and worn. Looking around the net I discovered what I really wanted was something between Steampunk (Victorian with a futuristic twist) and Vintage Bohemian... I think I am leaning more toward the Vintage Bohemian.

 

 I had a ton of those vintage pink rose shabby chic sheets in storage... just not my style anymore. So I got out my bottle of brown dye and went to work. They came out more of a mauve than they did brown but I still loved them. I think they totally look great on my bed and I really feel I have captured that Gypsy feel with the mix of textures and colors. I also had not realized how much I missed the feel of those vintage cotton sheets... there is just nothing like them :)

The Count's Castle

I have been working on this for some time now. I actually started the graphic's for it last year. I had wanted to do it for Halloween but time flew by and I knew I was not going to make it. So I started a Nutcracker theater, thinking I would have time to get that done before the Christmas season. Well that did not happen...lol
 

So off season or no I tend to work on my holiday projects year round because as you know by now, if I don't then it doesn't get done :)) I am calling this one "The Counts Castle" but I do intend to make some completer sheets for it in the future. Then it can be dressed for "The princess and the pea, Sleeping Beauty (a friends idea) and yes of course Haunted Halloween! It also might be a fun place for Marie Antoinette and her court to live.For those of you who have purchased the digital kit from my little etsy store, I also wanted to do a quick rundown on how I made it. I started with an old jewelry box from the local thrift shop. Then I cut a hole in the top. I left this kinda big so that it would be easy for little hands to maneuver the puppets.
 

Then I covered the box with the brick paper also in the kit. My box measured 7 inches high and 10 wide so the background paper was longer than the interior wall. Instead of wallpapering it to the back and bending it around the corners, I bowed it and just glued it in along the sides. I loved how it gave it a real theater feel.
 

I did the puppets, facade and the towers as I always do. I printed them on brochure paper but you can also use a light weight photo paper. Then I used spray glue to attach it to a medium weight matte board. You can purchase medium weight matt board at your local office supply store or just use the light weight gift boxes you get at the dollar store. Cut all the pieces out and sand the edges with a emery board..the heavy ones for artificial nails.
 

I curled the towers up and attached them to the sides. You can make them more pliable by pressing it against the corner edge of a table, in a sawing motion move the tower from side to side and it will start to curl, then go ahead and roll it into a tube. This way you will not get any wrinkles or bends in the matt board. Be sure to use a marker on the edges of all you pieces too. That way no one will see cut cardboard on the edges. If you do it right, it will be hard to tell it from a die cut image.

I have used some little wire puppet stands for display I used the picture from My Gotcher theater so you can see what the stands look like. Wands for "The show" and stands for display :) Don't forget to put a tab on the back of your doll to hook your wand to.

 

Little Clown Free Printable

What a cutie she is!

Feel free to pin the thumb above but please do not pin the actual download. I would like everyone to stop by here to download it so they don't miss all my other fun free downloads

Just me and my art, tutorials and free printable

 

Well I guess it is back to "All about me" :)) and things around this house has been just crazy. I did get this frame done and I am also adding a tutorial on how to make authentic looking cab cards below and a free printable to start you off.

The about me part, I have had company for the past couple of weeks and the last of them went home on the 3rd. Whew I thought! My son called me the next morning and told me my beautiful little grandson was sick. It did not look to serious but he was taking him to a doctors appointment. I told him to call me and let me know how he was. Shortly later my son called again and said that the little guy had Fifth disease, a virus that most children get. Between the time he had called me and the time he got him to the doctor he had broken out in the most awful red rash and even some blisters. So he had it to a more severe degree than most. It is not a virus that will really harm him as it will run it's course but if his momma who is 4 months pregnant contracted it there was a risk of significant harm to the unborn baby : / The doctor said it would be best if our little guy and his momma stayed in separate houses... sooo I have a sick little guy for the next week and his momma is in tears too since she can't be there for her sick little one. My son has been running back and forth between the two houses but each time he goes home he has to shower so our little momma doesn't catch it. I just keep saying "Gosh what next!" ... lol

How about how to make authentic looking cab cards! 

First you will need to print your image (and you can use the one below) on semi gloss brochure paper. Then you need some light weight matt board, like the white gift boxes you can get from the dollar store. Oh yes, you will also need a can of craft spray glue.

Cut out the image you are going to use for the front of the cab card and spray glue the backside. Stick it to the light weight matt board and let that dry. Cut out the image you are going to use for the backside leaving about a 14 inch extra around the edges. Spray the backside of your image with glue. Then lay the image already on the matt board onto a light box or hold it against a window so you can see where the edges of the card will be. Align the front image with the back image. Once dry using your already cut out image, cut the matt board and the backside image to match the front.

Use a heavy emery board to sand the edges and round the corners.

Use an ink that matches the print all around the edges also touching it here and there direct to the paper on both the front and the back. Then blend it all with a blending solution or a blending pen. Since I had used a laser printer, I could just use alcohol.

 

I also bend it here and there and bang the corners to give them the look of having been handled through the years.

I placed mine in the frame above with some originals and as you can see it is difficult to tell the difference.

 

 

Now for the printable :)

Feel free to pin the thumbs below but please do not pin the actual download. I would like everyone to stop by here to download it so they don't miss all my other fun free downloads

Enjoy!

Inka

Flaunting on Friday no more :(

Well I think I gave it a try but I had so many problems. First of all the linky did not work half the time. I had so many tell me that it made my blog load slow or they could not figure out how to use it. I did not find too many who were interested either :( But the entries I did get were phenomenal! and I so enjoyed each one! I want to offer a special thank you to everyone who entered!
This week I had to choose the "Clock Maker Box" by Nancy over at The Trinket Collector. It is the perfect little box for a little wind up "steampunk" to live in and I just love the way she scrunched the clock faces!
 

Congratulations Nancy ... Visit my little etsy store and choose a single collage sheet. Email me your choice and I will get that sent off to you :)

Flaunt Friday 2-25-11

Oh gosh... I hope you don't all think that I am going to pick a theater every time but I just had to choose this one by Michelle over at Nacreous Alchemy! She used the "Goacher Theater" collage sheet to create this stunning little version of a Moulin Rouge theater. For her entry she gets to choose a single collage sheet from my little etsy store!

Now...It is time to flaunt your stuff!
So come and play along!
Have you created any artsy goodies that you used an image you got from Altered Artifacts? You can use any of the images available at my little Etsy store or one of the many free images posted here on my blog in the past! Join in and get a chance to win a free collage sheet from me!
Also just for entering you will get a free bonus image
exclusively for entries only! Just email me with I entered in the subject line and I will email you back your free bonus image!!!
I send really yummy bonus's so don't forget to email me!

Use the link below in the Linky box to add your project to the list!
Make sure to post a way to contact you as well so I can send you a fun bonus image!

Easter Bunnies Troupe

In honor of the upcoming holiday, I made a little bunnies pendant! I had to print it really small for my little pendant but I sized it down successfully.

Flaunt Friday 2-18-11

Wow... this week has come and gone! I wanted to feature two of the entries ... The little cabinet that had the rabbit on the bicycle painted on it by Amy over at "Art From The Heart" and Fairy Theater 1. I just could not choose between the two!

I love the Fairy Theater 1 by Jo Anne Webster. Now she doesn't have a blog so I hosted her photo for her.

 

And this little cabinet with the painted bunny is so yummy!!! I am at awe how Amy was able to turn a little black and white image into such a stunning little work of art!

We had a little bump last week since Linky was upgrading its server so it was not working for some time. I think we lost several entry's. I too am still working out the kinks. I have it set now to end on Thursday midnight so I can do the new post on Friday.

Now...It is time to flaunt your stuff!
Have you created any artsy goodies that you used an image you got from Altered Artifacts? You can use any of the images available at my little Etsy store or one of the many free images posted here on my blog in the past! Join in and get a chance to win a free collage sheet from me!
Also just for entering you will get a free bonus image
exclusively for entries only! Just email me with I entered in the subject line and I will email you back your free bonus image!!!
I send really yummy bonus's so don't forget to email me!

Use the link below in the Linky box to add your project to the list!
Make sure to post a way to contact you as well so I can send you a fun bonus image!

Three Little Maids

 

While in town today I got to see some dear friends. So I am going to dedicate this card to them :D I am calling it "Just Friends" and I am naming these three little maids... Carolyn, Inka and Barb... you can guess which one is which... lol. It had been some time since I had seen them so it really felt good to sit and have coffee, chocolate and chat a bit.

Flaunt Friday 2-11-11

The Winning Featured artist this week is Nancy from The Trinket Collector
She won for "The Queens New Shoes"

Nancy will receive a free sheet collage sheet from my little Etsy store ! and a badge that says she was featured here!

 

 
Everyone else who entered last week will receive a bonus image! This image is not offered on my blog! If you entered last week, and you do not get your free image emailed to you today, I must not have your email so just email me with "I entered" in the subject line and I will get it sent!

Now...It is time to flaunt your stuff!
Have you created any artsy goodies that you used an image you got from Altered Artifacts? You can use any of the images available at my little Etsy store or one of the many free images posted here on my blog in the past! Join in and get a chance to win a free collage sheet from me! Also just for entering you will get a free bonus image exclusively for entries only!

Use the link below in the Linky box to add your project to the list!
Make sure to post a way to contact you as well so I can send you a fun bonus image!
Linksy is doing an upgrade so if you don't see the link to add your image please check back tomorrow :)

One World One Heart 2011

It's Here!!!
Every year I have such a wonderful time hopping from blog to blog, seeing all the amazing artwork and signing up for all the wonderful goodies being given away.

If you click on the link above it will take you to the list of participants so you too can have an amazing blogtastic adventure and meet some amazing artists!

But Wait!
First leave a post so you can be entered into my drawing!

 

 

 

I am offering my Music Hall Theater!
This little theater was designed from a famous Stage Curtain that was hand painted by Philip Goatcher in the early 1900's. I have created graphics to give it the dimension that the painting depicts and I have added even more dimension by layering the same graphics onto chipboard and creating layers of the architectural details. I have also added the "Music Hall" marque and some of my favorite little musician images. The little tree is not included...lol

To make sure you are in the drawing, leave a post with a way to contact you if you win!
You do not need to have a blog nor be a participant of the OWOH event to win!
Please post a comment only once, all comments will count as one entry. I will draw the name of the winner on February 16, 2011 and I will post the winners name here.
I also hope you find the time to browse my blog, learn a little bit about who I am and see my artwork :)



And the winner is!
Marlynn over at Honeysuckle Breeze

Congratulations Marlynn ... now just email me your shipping info and I will get it sent :)

Steampunk ATC

I made this little ATC with my new steam punkers collage sheet, if you click on the picture it will take you to a close up. I made the little holder at Christmas time. I had planned on sharing it then but the pictures went missing with my camera. I used a little antique candy mold and turned it upside down, then I glued a the piece that holds the candle from a candle holder to that. Hubby bent me the rusty wire and then I tied some vintage fabric and trims around the bottom.

Tarnished Treasures

You may remember this photo from Christmas. I am only re-posting it as a before picture. My house is a small house but most the rooms are open to the rest of the house and the living room/dinning room area has ridiculously tall gable ceilings so it doesn't feel as small as it is. The problem is all that blank wall up there ↑
So in the dinning area I have a set of cabinets that I use as a "sideboard" and above that hangs an antique print of roses that I love!

 Above that is lots of wall!
I had this ridiculousness small iron scroll hanging there but it just looked lost with all that wall above.

 

So last week I got to digging around in the cupboards and collecting what ever I could find that was silver and this is what I came up with. Some of the pieces had some tarnish already but I think I will like it much better when it has had time to really darken.

First I laid them out on the floor. I moved things around until I came up with a design I liked. Then I took a picture of it so I could remember how it had been laid out.

Then I used the command mounting adhesives to stick them to the wall. Three of the pieces are footed so I had to use Herculie's hooks to attach them.

Bragging once again!

This was just so amazing I had to show it off! Laura Comito sent me this picture of an altered clock face done with my "Wonderland" theater collage sheet and I am loving it. Do stop by her blog as she has some much better pictures than I do.

I have been wanting to start a brag day!
if there is enough interest ... How about a "Flaunt Friday"???? We could start next week, just send me a link to your artwork done with either my free downloads or one of my sheets and on Fridays I will link to your blog posts or your flicker!
 

 

All things old are sometimes new!

I had this old earring holder but it had been designed for the old clip on earrings and it was very unstable. It had just a wire tripod for the bottom. So hubby used the cutting blade on my dremel to cut slots in it to accommodate my pierced style earrings. Then I used the base of an old candle holder to give it some stability.
 

and all those old parts.............

Well they became my new bracelet holder.

We drilled a hole in the little silver coaster to hold rings and the bracelets that did not hang well and then used old parts from a candle holder and some dead clocks we took apart.... very steampunk kewl!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hubby's Gift :o

I told you it was good

Can you spot it there amongst all the clutter?

Here let me take those little calling cards off the top and give you a closer look!

 

and this picture doesn't even do it justice!

 

 It is a tiny little silver plated postal scale... Just 3 1/2 inches across the bottom.
Marked Wilcox Silverplate Co Sept 5, 1898

and here is another mystery for you
What really kewl thing can you make from this random mix of parts???
and no that is not the little weight plate from off the little postal scale :D

Answer tomorrow so stay tuned to the next exciting adventure of
Inka's Junky side :))

Vintage Children 4 Theme Thursday Challenge

I used my new "Steam punks" sheet for this little ATC for Theme Thursday Challenge The Stamp that I used for "London" is from Scrolls Work Stamps ... by the way she is having an awesome sale right now... and the background is my free printable that I promised yesterday :)

Feel free to pin the thumb below but please do not pin the actual download. I would like everyone to stop by here to download it so they don't miss all my other fun free downloads

 

 

 

 

Sharing some pretties ♥

I probably won't post every time someone does an example for my collage sheets because I want my blog not to be just an advertisement for my shop but rather about me and my art...however since the list of artist willing to do examples for me is new and Laura did such an awesome job on these I just had to share :))
 

This darling ATC really gets to the heart of the sheet that Laura revived... I called it "Here's my heart"

This is a 6 x 6 canvas that Laura called "I will love you forever"... isn't that just perfect!

My Camera has arrived!

... and I will be snappin pictures soon. I can't wait to share what hubby got me for Christmas too! I will try to get some pictures of it tomorrow. I have been working on a cute little ATC as well... again, tomorrow :)) It comes with a kewl free graphic download so don't forget to stop by tomorrow evening and grab it.
 

As you know I hate posts without a picture so here is a really bad picture taken in my bathroom mirror this evening :))

New Year, New Day, Old Loves

and now I have decided to go back to old things :))

 

I think I have mentioned before that I had an antique store in California for years... and hubby and I bought the home I grew up in and we lived there for over 20 years... for me it was an additional 20 years :)) ... it was totally Victorian shabby chic... anyway when we moved to Idaho, I sold a lot and put a lot in storage. I decided for the first time in my life that I wanted new things. We had a house built and I bought the main furniture new. I still had a few old pieces that I just could not give up but I thought I could mix them with the new and come up with my "style" At first I just felt like I was living in a hotel. Then slowly I starting putting things on the walls and trying to make things look like "normal" people.... Well I am not "normal" people and I just have not been comfortable.
 

Over the past year or so my art has been drawn back to my love of all things old... only rusty and worn rather than the white and pink of shabby chic of my past. I found that when I was working on my art pieces that I was happy. My love for rusty and worn started to drift into the other rooms and it made me happy :D So this year instead of fixing the place up, I am going to be wearing things out, rusting things up, adding my art to the rest of the house. I think the best description of the style I love is "Tarnished Treasures" So if this interests you, click "Decor or Tarnished Treasures" on the "Quick Links" on the right hand sidebar. I will link the few projects that I did last year and as soon as my new camera arrives I am going to start snapping pictures around the house and giving you a run down on the how too's