Sweet Hymnal Pumpkins

A quick lesson in using vintage papers... Yes the rage is vintage papers, ledgers, music, french/german writings from long ago, postcards, recipes, journals, the list is endless. Perhaps you even have a few pieces laying around your arts/crafts supplies. I love to find old dictionaries, novels ( I love the covers), sheet music ledgers, but my favorite of all has to be old hymnals. A sweet caveat to working with these papers is that I begin to sing the hymns and can hear my grandmother singing when I was a child and of course my parents (who are still very much alive) voices as well. If anyone passes by the studio during these moments, they can hear me singing "Tell me the story" or "Love Divine" . In fact, as I am writing this, the tunes are in my head. Music is powerful. Yet I digress. Some of you may be enamored with vintage papers until you begin to work with them and then you may become frustrated. I have been there a time or two myself. No one seems to want to say that these papers, albeit they are look we crave, are far less that perfect to work with. So I would love to share a few (certainly not all) tips of the trade when working with these papers...First and foremost, know the strength of the paper. For example, hymnal paper is thin..doesn't hold up to distressing, running through a xyron, and easily sticks to your fingers if you have to much adhesive. Sheet music such as Hanon's virtuosos are printed on heavier paper and can be distressed but if they are too old, they will break if folded. Ledger papers depending on the thickness may take to adhering to flat surfaces but will not do well with curved or intricate details. If there is any sheen to the ledger/journal paper, it will not take ink but some will take paint. Paint will create a stiffness, so adhere to your surface first then paint. Postcards can create great backgrounds but are so stiff that they will not work for rounded curves. They do make great transfers on to muslin or canvas. Some of the colors on the postcards can smear if they become inked or wet with adhesive. For some vintage papers, it is best to make a photocopy and use the copy on your work. As with any vintage papers, try to test a small piece of the paper in the manner that you want to use them. It will save you frustration in the end.

These little pumpkins are a great way to use hymnal paper. Each pumpkin took approximately 2 small hymnal pages. I'll take you through the steps with word pictures as of course (you guessed it), I forgot my camera during the process....

First you will need.. 2 small unfinished plain white ceramic pumpkins (Hobby Lobby last year) whatever thing you want to cover...hymnal pages, modpodge, (2) foam brushes, paint (color of your choice for the stems and the bottom), Ribbon, embellishments, tag, hot glue gun, hot glue.

Let's begin...

(1)Tear your hymnal pages into small sections a little smaller than the height of the pumpkin.

(2) Pour modpodge(mp) onto a palette (my favorite..my mom did decoupage in the 70's with modpodge and it still has held up)

(3) Using foam brush, apply adhesive to one piece of paper at a time. Begin to smooth the piece with your finger. *tip..apply a small amount of mp to your finger so the paper will not stick to you.

(4) Continue to work the pumpkin, overlapping the paper. After you have covered about 1/4 of the pumpkin, let is dry. IF you continue to work, you will accidentally remove some of the other paper due to the drying of the adhesive and your sticky hands will pull off the paper that is dry (trust me, it happens).

(5) Work in small sections until the pumpkin is covered, making sure you are smoothing the paper in the curves with the foam brush. Once the pumpkin is covered , go over it with one more coat of mp- this will seal it and make sure all edges are secure.

(6) Once completely dry, begin to embellish with ribbon (securing it with hot glue) and other embellishments of your choice...I used shells and an old metal rose.

(7)Adhere tag with burlap string....

To make the tag, I stamped the scripture onto muslin and then stitched it onto a piece of burlap. Adding an eyelet to the corner, I used a piece of burlap string (the frayed piece) and secured the burlap with hot glue.

Here is the back side (Do pumpkins have a backside?)...
And another view....
I hope this will inspire you to use hymnal pages (as well as vintage papers) for your creative endeavors or to soothe you soul through song...this project did both.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good!!! Psalm 136:1

Today's Treasures...

I wanted to share with you a few found treasures...some for inspiration, some for repurposing and some just as they are...

4 little "iron" chairs...have a few ideas for these little seat warmers...

The makings of an Apron from a vintage skirt..A little shiny purse for my "take-along" embroidery, buttons or this'n that,...
A ready made stencil in a frame....Look for some pillows soon.Not 1, but 2 pottery barn silver candle holders... I am in love with these. They were 99 cents each!!!
An beautiful old floral pitcher..either for flowers, paint brushes, markers,....
Lace motifs, lace flower appliques plus 4 pairs of embroidery scissors- for $1.50!!
A copper dish (needs a little clean up) but it certainly looks like this could hold some jute balls, shells or cute little gourds....

A weathered galvanized wine cooler...This deserves a great place...ooh but where???

And then for one of the greatest treasure that I came across today....

John 10:3b-4 He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all of his own, he goes ahead of them and his sheep follow him because they know his voice....(vs. 9) I (Jesus) am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. they will come in and go out, and find pasture.

I am so grateful to be a name not a number, not a nameless face in the crowd. Yesterday I ran across a sister of a College friend. She knew me many years ago, I ate dinner with them in College and visited quite frequently their parents home..This woman did not remember me...Heart breaking. Yet the One who is the Savior of the world is my Savior. He knows my name!!! As a horse/chickens owner, I understand that a leader is crucial. The leader gives security, peace and safety, nourishment andthe needs of life. He (she) is responsible for his flock, herd. Jesus promises that he'll lead me by still waters, he will keep me secure in the midst of strife, he will provide for all of my needs, In fact I shall not want.

Treasures come in all shapes, sizes, price tags and purpose. The trinkets make their way in to my home, my art, my gifts. Jesus' treasures makes their way into my heart and leads to the abundant life. Thank you for taking a treasure stroll with me. I would love to know what treasures have you discovered lately? Until next time,

Blessings,

LOVE ALWAYS.....

Can you believe two posts in just a few days? I am not sure what is going on. Perhaps it's the cooler weather we had this past week (don't be too excited- 100 degrees are on the horizon), the New Martha Stewart Paints, being inspired by others or that I have remembered my camera. You would be surprised to know how many "before and after's" you have missed because I realized I didn't take any pictures. So here's to remembering the camera this week for 2 of the many projects going on in my little part of Texas...

I have come across a company that makes whimsical paper pads, home decor and accessories..the problem is that they are strictly wholesale and by the time they get to the store they are expensive. Sometimes, I look at things and think "How did they do that?" and appreciate their artisan talent. At other times, I think - "Oh, I can do that." and appreciate that I can add my own creative touch,also. This is one of those times. So with this art print from this company as the inspiration I began to create my

Love Always..

Here's what you'll need: Acrylic paints in white, black, red and blue (Pool by Martha Stewart is an awesome blue!), ruler, pencil, adhesive tape, brushes, wooden placque (size is up to you), letter stamps or stencils...

See the price...so very doable!!

Paint the plaque with white. Depending on the wood, a second coat may be necessary. Let dry. ***LOVE the attachments to Martha's paint bottles***

Then begin to tape, measuring for the blue lines (to resemble notebook paper) Be sure to mark and tape the horizontal line for the red line in the "Paper". Then using your blue-paint the lines.

Remove the tape - you may let the paint dry first but if you're like me, I can't wait to peek, so peal the tape ever so carefully. (You can fix the "boo-boos" later)

Once everything is dry, paint the red line of the "Paper". Since the blue and white paint are dry, you may run two lines of adhesive tape, so your red line doesn't bleed into the other areas....

Oops..I accidentally had a little red smear on the corner...I actually liked it so I left it...Happy Accidents sometimes are the perfect touches to our projects. I did sand the edges of the lines as to remove the pencil markings and to give it a bit of a rustic feel....
Next, using letter stamps- Stamp your sentiment with black acrylic paints. I used some of the foam letter stamps from way back. You could also use stencils. If you use stencils, just make sure your paint is dry before you move on to the next letter.
Here's a close up....

The inspiration just had the word "always". When Savannah saw that, she said "always what"? My response was "love always..."

Tin-spiration

I love tin cans, big, small, galvanized, new, vintage (just another word for weathered and worn.) There was a time when I carried a metal lunch box to school, had metal watering cans, used metal buckets to wash our car on Saturday. Then metal fell out of fashion and plastic became the rage..and for a time you could only find metal pails, buckets and trash cans at hardware stores or feed stores. But as with everything, there back in fashion, (I promise shoulder pads will come back - but that is another story). Everyone raves about their vintage galvanized tins... the dollar stores, craft stores carry nesting, painted, plain,..you name it. So, I thought I would share a little idea for our little tin cans, using the new Martha Stewart paints and accessories.... This was fun and fast and will make great gifts- you can fill these little gems with anything....here we go....

First you'll need: Tin can(s) new or old, 2 colors of paint ( I used linen and beetle black- love it!!), burlap, stencil of your choice, stencil brush (2), adhesive tape (Martha's rocks!), metal brads, adhesive of your choice ( I use ultimate), wood craft sticks, floral moss (optional) and dont' forget some type of covering for your work surface and of course paper plates...

Let's begin, cut your burlap into squares according to the size of your tin cans...

Now using your first color, sponge on the burlap creating an area of color..

TIP: Stack the burlap squares 2 at a time, as you paint some of the paint will seep through and begin to cover your 2nd burlap square.

Next, choose your stencil and place a scrap piece of burlap underneath. Using the adhesive tape secure your stencil....

Once you have practiced your stencil and feel comfortable with it, stencil the rest of your squares of burlap . Make sure the first color is dry!! With burlap, it dries quickly!

Here are my stenciled squares....No need to worry about the fraying, the paint secures the edges...

Next, add brads to the corners...

Then using your adhesive, cover the back and adhere to your tin pail....

If you would like to add floral moss, now it the time. Using Ultimate ( my go to adhesive), add the moss to the edges or the front. As you can see in the first picture I added the moss in different areas. I am thinking of now adding a sweet sentiment but am waiting for just the perfect thought...

Set your pail aside to dry and admire your work...It looks good!!

Here is another idea to incorporate the holiday season that is coming up....Orange burlap is available at your fabric store---So add it to these little pails and you have an instant fall decoration. Fill it with sweet treats or a holiday scented candle such as pumpkin pie or spiced apple or fill it with little gourds or pumpkins..

Hope this little tin-spiration has found you at just the right time. Until next time,

Chantal