Thursday, November 5, 2020

Fairy Box Kit Platter of Christmas Treats Tutorial By Sherry Matthews

Design Team Member Sherry Matthews put together this fantastic Christmas Treat Platter and was lovely enough to take some amazing photos and show you how she created it! She also wrote a fabulous poem to go along with it! So grab a hot beverage of your choice, and enjoy! Thank you so much Sherry! Wonderful project!

From Sherry

Supplies: 

Little City ATC Fairy Box Kit
Pine Tree Cutouts
El Tiny Trinket House Charm
Glue
Acrylic paint (taupe/grey and white)

1. Lay out your box kit pieces and "audition" tree cut outs, the house charms and reserved stars from your house kit. Select the pieces you wish to use and where to place them.
2. Paint all your pieces with a taupe/grey base coat. Let dry. Dry brush with white paint.
3. Add white paint accents.
4. Glue together and assemble.
5. That's it! Now have fun with what to fill it with! It's really that simple! You can also set your treat box on a serving platter as shown in the photos!

'Twas the night after Christmas
And at the North Pole
Santa was tired
from his global patrol.

The reindeer, exhausted,
Lay down in the house
And the elves snuggled in
Right above on the couch.

Mrs Claus looked around
And thought "My! What a sight!"
With a smile, she set off
to make everything right!

She deftly assembled
A platter of sweets-
And a hot cocoa tray
For some post-Christmas treats!

She presented the feast
With a twinkle in her eye
Santa chuckled and exclaimed,
"What a JOLLY Good Night!" 












Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Mold Castings with Quick Cure Resin Inspiration


Resin Casting Inspiration by Kristin Hubick
    I'll admit I'm obsessed with molds! I just had the BEST time playing with our brand new molds and my new favorite Amazing Quick Cure Casting Resin! I couldn't believe how perfect those bee legs came out on my first try!!! I did learn a few things working with the resin, and I'm happy to share!
    1. It cures FAST so work in small batches. I did 2-3 castings at a time. Popsicle sticks are your friend.
    2. You can take it out right after it sets and the pieces are STILL flexible. Remove any "resin skin" as I like to call it from over-pouring at this time. You can also glue your pieces to a curved surface at this point too! Eventually it will turn rock hard, but at first it's sort of rubbery.
    3. Don't worry about over-pouring. It peels right off the silicone molds.
    4. This is little to NO odor. I was shocked!
    5. No mold release is needed with silicone molds. I didn't have anything stick. It was perfect!
    6. Since it starts off clear and turns white when it's set, it was very easy to know when it was ready! Yay!
    7. I made all of these castings and more and barely used 1/3 of each bottle. This stuff will be SO nice if you just need a few castings really quickly.
    8. This stuff is pure MAGIC!





Glue Gun Casting Inspiration by Linda Cain!


More Art Inspiration!


Inspiration by Marie Garot!  
    This lovely Exquisite Shrine was created by the talented Marie Garot! I adore her use of color. The colors work so beautifully together! "Synchronicity" indeed! As do the other elements. So perfect Marie!





Inspiration by Stephanie Rubiano!  
    This stunning Egg Shrine was created by the amazingly talented Stephanie Rubiano! We adore it to bits Stephanie! Awesome job!





Inspiration by Debbi Decker!  
    We love this sweet fairy by Debbi! She made it as a gift for a friend. A lucky friend indeed! Her glitter is so spot on too. She said it was glitter glue. Smart!

    (Sweetheart Fairy 2, Wood Butterflies, Glitter Glue, Face Mold, Prima Modeling Clay)

Art Inspiration!

    Inspiration by Lina Cain!

    From Linda
    "I used a piece of old watercolor collage to make this ATC with icing paste, a stencil, a paperclay-cast frame, glass glitter, stamps and a rusty clip. The frame is painted with Finnabair's liquid acrylic and Metallique paints."





Inspiration by Kitty Tatman!  

This beautiful Moon Shrine was created by the talented Kitty Tatman and I just had to share. I'm so in love with her swirly painted background. It reminds me of a Van Gogh painting! And I adore how she attached her girl so she can swing back and forth! So cool Kitty!





Inspiration by Stacey Smith!


More Inspiration by Stacey Smith!    
    Another STUNNING doll by Stacey Smith, who is on a roll! Awesome colors and textures throughout! A true beauty Stacey. Thank you for letting me share!   



Even More Inspiration by Stacey Smith!  
    This lovely doll is by Stacey Smith. We're loving the fun, vibrant colors. She's gorgeous Stacey and just full of personality. Awesome!

Santos Dolls by Kim Collister


Design Team Member Kim Collister has been on a roll with our Large Santos Doll Kit! And I just had to share them all with you. Each one is so unique and different. And each is SO STUNNING! Amazing job Kim!


















    (Supplies: Large Santos Doll (ON SALE this week in honor of Kim's doll), Terra Cotta Clay, Angel Wings (used on head), Rusty Labels, Machine Parts.)













Monday, March 25, 2019

Brand New Tim Holtz Idea-ology Ready To Ship - Transparent Wings + More


Brand New Tim Holtz Idea-ology!  
    You guys!!! All of the new Tim Holtz is in the shop and ready to ship! These are just a few of my personal favorites. Some of it won't last long, like the transparent wings (swoon) and baseboard dolls (double swoon). Grab it while you can! Oh, and it's all ON SALE too! Happy Weekend! xoxo
    https://www.retrocafeart.com/category_130/NEW.htm



A New Cottage House Kit and Gorgeous Art Sample by Kim Collister + More


New ATC Cottage House Kits + Windows!  


    I'm so excited that our fabulous ATC Cottage House Kits are now available in two more styles, without windows! These Kits are perfect if you want more room for collage and mixed media goodies! Also, the windows from the other kits are also available on their own in sets of 4! The windows are so lovely, and perfect for tags, ATCs, journals, shrines, and just about any mixed media project! I know some of you loved them so much, you wanted more! So there you go!
    You can also use the new window sets on the new plain House Kits with an image behind them for another style option! 





Tea Cottage Inspiration by Kim Collister!  


    Design Team Member Kim Collister didn't waste any time playing with the new Cottage House style! As I had envisioned, she covered her house with amazing collage, dresden, patina, and more, in her beautiful style. A stunning paper art creation! I'm just loving her captivating Spring-like theme.





More Prima Modeling Material Samples!  


    Several of you have had a chance to try the Prima Air Dry Modeling Material now, and all of the reviews have been 5 star! I recently restocked this magical stuff, so come grab some while you can!


Play Time with Linda!  


    Linda has been playing with the Prima Air Dry Modeling Material again this week. Above is a recent step-out photo from her WIP using the Prima Molds, Modeling Material, and Escutcheon Door Plates. Stay tuned for this amazing project! 
    Linda created the knobs below with the Curio Trinkets Mold and our Wood Knobs. And of course the modeling material. 
    These knobs make a GREAT embellishment for mixed media projects!!! They don't have to be functional knobs. They certainly can be, but have tons of other uses too.




Finnabair Gessos and Heavy Gel!  


    The amazing Finnabair Gesso Mediums (white, black, and clear) are now available in the shop. These mediums are a must have staple and are used as a base for SO many projects, like the altered tin below. This gesso is also perfect to use on or masonite or chipboard, so your paint etc. goes on like a dream! 

    We also have the Heavy Gel listed now too. The gel dries clear and you can make your own pastes by mixing in paint, mica powders, glitter, micro beads, and so much more. Your custom pastes can then be used with stencils or as an embellishment. You can also use the Heavy Gel to glue down objects. Another must have staple with tons of uses! Linda Cain said it's her favorite Finnabair Medium.

    You can find the altered tin video by Anna HERE or by clicking the photo below!