Thursday, November 2, 2017

A Vintage Journey - November Challenge - Mini Marvels!

Well - it's the first Friday of November (in Great Britain!) and so it's time for the A Vintage Journey November Challenge to be announced!
 Anne is our hostess this month - and her challenge is:  Mini Marvels and this is her description of the challenge:
"This month's challenge is to create something in miniature - it could be a little book, a tiny scene, a small canvas, a wall hanging or even a box. It MUST be 4" or less in size and be created in your vintage; shabby; mixed media; art journaling; industrial, timeworn or steampunk style."

I wanted to use a fun new die I recently purchased for my project.  It's called Heart Shrine from Sizzix.  It's just over 4" with the decorative piece on top but the box itself is just 2" x 3 1/2"  which you'll see in a photo below.  
I made a little reindeer stall for one of Santa's reindeer who is getting all decked out for Christmas with a green wreath around his neck - 
Yes, he is a real reindeer (not a trophy on the wall) even though you can't see into the stall to see the rest of his body!  That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Here are a few photos of how I put this together.  I cut the shrine out of cream matboard and cut some papers to cover the various pieces.  I also got out the reindeer and a couple of wreaths I might use.
Sorry for the lines across some of my photos - I think my camera is ready for retirement!?!
I glued the papers to the matboard pieces and colored the white reindeer with an Antiqued Bronze Distress Crayon.  I used woodgrain and plaid papers from PaperStash Tidings from Idea-ology.  I had this already-decorated green wreath in my stash and it fit perfectly around the reindeer's neck.  I think the snow was Gesso and there's a red rhinestone there too.
To age the stall, I brushed some Rust Effect Paste from Prima over the fronts and backs of the pieces.  When that dried I painted Gel Matte Medium over everthing to seal it.
I added a little LED battery button light to the inside bottom of the stall - you just press on the left side and it either blinks, blinks fast, or stays lit depending on how many times you press it. 
(I got them at Papertrey Ink a year ago - but they don't have any in stock right now)
back of battery lifght
I couldn't get a great photo of it lit - so here's a not so great photo just to show you how it looks lit up!
 From the side
From the back
from the other side!

So please join us this month and show us your MINI MARVELS! 

Our generous sponsor this month is Southern Ridge and their prize for a randomly chosen entry is $50.00 which can be used for a varied selection of chipboard & wood veneer laser cuts!
You can find them here

 You'll find lots of creative inspiration from the Creative Guides over at A Vintage Journey and the link up for your project!

I'm also linking my project to:
The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

The Merry Christmas Challenge
Anything Goes + Christmas

Paper:  Little Sizzles Cream Mat Board  - Sizzix, DP - Paper Stash/Tidings - Tim Holtz/Idea-ology.
Accessories:  Heart Shrine Die - Sizzix, Idea-ology Clippings Stickers/Christmas, Trophy Antlers,  Rusted Stars from antique/craft store, thick foam dots, Gel Matte Medium - Dina Wakley, red rhinestones, LED light strip, Tacky Glue, green wreath, Gesso.

20 comments:

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Wow! This is amazing! I am certain that it looks even more awesome in person. Excellent work!

S@ndy Diller said...

This is so fun Julia, I love how you went with the story and showed exactly what you meant.
Love it! Hugs, S@ndy

Samra said...

This is gorgeous!!! What a fabulous make Julia!
Hugs
Samra
Paper Talk with Samra

Monika Gulyas said...

Hahaha!!! I love your projec,t Julia!!! You are right, this die was perfect for making a reindeer stall!!! And this reindeer has a beautifully decorated place!!!

Brenda Brown said...

Oh my Julia this is so beautifully designed and made up, I love the very traditional look with the timeworn, rusty stars and all the details you have included. The little light is a masterpiece especially when little ones come to see you, what fun they will have with this. xxx

Astrid Maclean said...

Oh wow Julia, such a cleverly designed project! Gorgeously vintage with those wonderful rusty starts, a truly wonderful decorative piece!

Bonnie said...

Wow! This is so cool and creative!

Words and Pictures said...

What a cleverly designed piece of holiday decor, Julia - I love the deer in his shadow box home, and the great wood look for the box itself. Fabulous mini marvel!
Alison x

A Pink said...

This is fantastic Julia . Such a great idea! You really do make some wonderful seasonal projects with this one being no exception. Terrific use of the die and so creative. Love it!
hugs x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Lovely little shadow box Julia. Love he rusty stars and the fantastic dimension. Fabulous piece. Tracy x

Janis Lewis said...

Wow! This is amazing. Thanks for sharing at Holly & Ivy.
Janis, Design Team Member

Redanne said...

If this is not just the cleverest idea ever, I don't know what is Julia!! A genius idea to add the reindeer and make the shrine into a stall - I love everything about it, it has such a wonderful vintage vibe! Love it! Hugs, Anne xx

sarascloset said...

Oh, Julia!~ I am squealing with delight over your festive mini stall! What a wonderful die and you have used it so very creatively here. Love those plaid and barn plank papers--my favorites from the stack. Was happy to hear this is not a trophy on the wall, but a deer safely in a stall. I'm am giggling over your comment on my blog...sleeping the month of October! Sending hugs!

Mona Pendleton said...

Wow Julia! What a fabulous project! So fun and festive! Obviously made with a lot of love! Thanks for the inspiration!

Jennie Atkinson said...

An absolutely adorable mini christmas decor project! Gorgeous design and use of the die and I love all the wonderful Christmassy colours with the rust. Just fabulous! Jennie x

Nikki Acton said...

Wow everyone has created some gorgeous mini's and this is no exception! What a great die and love how you have used it here. Such amazing details with the light and rust . Fabulous design! xxx

Mac Mable said...

So enjoyed reading your post. Great techniques and love your attention to detail on this amazing project x

Let's Art Journal said...

What a wonderful project! Your reindeer sure has a fun new home and I love the beautifully distressed tartan and thoserusty stars - amazing 😁. Wishing you a Happy November! J 😊

Carol said...

Not seen this die before lovely xx Your project is gorgeous so many layers and details xxx

Deb said...

What a fabulous creation Julia and love your story! Great vision to make the shrine die into a stall and I do love those Trophy Antler deer. Thanks so much for sharing it, Deb xo