Friday, April 26, 2013

New Anatomy Shrine Kits and Curiosities!

 
Happy Friday to you all! We have some wonderfully unique NEW items for you this week! Anatomy Shrine Kits, a new Steampunk ATC Hutch Shrine Kit, tons of Curious Collage Sheets, and even some Vintage Teeth Models (yep). We're celebrating all things odd and awesome!

 
Speaking of odd, how about some curious Cabinet Cards? These were really fun to create and I definitely have to give tons of inspirational credit and a shout out to my good friend Denise Phillips. Her latest creations certainly had an influence!

 
Denise has been creating up a storm and will soon be offering CUSTOM digital pet portraits in her wonderful, creative style! And not just dogs either. Denise can do cats, birds, frogs, you name it. Keep an eye on her blog for more details coming soon! I can speak from personal experience that you will love working with Denise!

 
So of course I jumped right in and started creating with our new goodies. First, the new Steampunk ATC Hutch Shrine.
 

 
I created the pattern on the outside by first spraying my pieces with silver spray paint. Next I placed stencil board gears over my pieces using them as a mask and sprayed the pieces with black spray paint. Once dry I added some alcohol inks and white paint marker accents.
 
 
I also had lots of fun making these ATCs using several of the new goodies! I especially love the new propellers. So many uses for those!

 
I hope you enjoy the NEW goodies and find some art time for yourself this weekend! xoxo

Friday, April 19, 2013

NEW Washi Tapes + a SALE!

 
TGIF Everyone! We have 48 BRAND NEW Washi Tapes in the shop PLUS all Washi Tape is on sale through Monday! The sweet Washi Tape Art Samples above are by Design Team Member Amy Nieman. Don't they just make you want to play with your art supplies? Right now?

 
Washi Tape is so versatile and it's not just for 2D art! It works great on the sides of our shrines and in particular the Mini House Shrine Kits! This awesome gem is by Design Team Member Linda Cain. Note the Washi Tape on the sides! Visit Linda's blog for a complete tutorial!
 
Don't forget to grab yourself some Washi Tape at a great low price. Several of the tapes have been discontinued and supplies are limited so get it while you can! xoxo

Friday, April 12, 2013

NEW Tim Holtz Idea-ology and MORE!

 
Happy Friday everyone! We have ALL of the NEW Tim Holtz Idea-ology in stock and ready for you! But hurry, several of the items are limited stock. We also have several Happy Sunny Collage Sheets to get you ready for the summer and more!
You can check them all out HERE!
 
 
We love how so many of the Idea-ology products can be used so beautifully with our Shrine Kits. This gorgeous Circus Theatre Shrine by Design Team Member Linda Cain proves it!
You can find more info about Linda's Theatre on her blog post.

 
You still have plenty of time to join in the Mini House Shrine Swap! I've seen a few samples popping up already here and there and let me tell you they are fabulous. You don't want to miss this one!
 
You can jump to the Swap Page for more details.
 
The gorgeous house above were created by the talented Luci Brito for the swap!

Friday, April 5, 2013

New Goodies That Are Over The Moon!

 
Happy Friday! It's time for some New Goodies that will  have you shooting for the moon! A few weeks ago we released a Hand, Moon, and Star Shrine Kit, and this week we have them in even smaller sizes! Not to mention a fabulous new addition to our Medium Theatre Shrine Kits and several awesome Collage Sheets. And more of course!

 
 
I immediately wanted to work with the new Theatre Shrine Kit. I began by spray painting all of my pieces black. Once this was done the rest of my theatre only took one hour to complete! I simply cut out my pieces from the Blue Moon Theatre Curtains Collage Sheet and attached them using an extra strength glue stick. Sanded and inked the edges a bit, and then assembled my shrine. I added a strip of Aqua Fancy Scalloped Dresden to the front, and colored my Star Garland and Frame using Silver Gilders Paste. Finally I attached the moon that comes with the kit and done! I was pretty happy with the way it looked and I didn't want to cover up too much of the pretty curtains so...

 
I happened to look down and noticed the new Over The Moon Collage Sheet sitting on the art table and was drawn to the sweet girl. I adore paper moon photos and turns out she was the perfect size. I simply did a fussy cut and then attached her to the top of the curtain so she is suspended, just like a real paper moon photo shoot! I also tinted the moon with a yellow colored pencil. I may add more later, but for now I love my little paper moon photo booth!
Have a great weekend! I hope you enjoy the New Goodies! I'm looking forward to playing some more! xoxo

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Road Trip Fun, Design Team Art, + a GIVEAWAY!

 
Hi everyone! Last week I went on a fantastic road trip from Indiana, to Minnesota, to Iowa, and back again! I had a great time and thought I would share some of my photos with you since much of my trip included two of my favorite things (and likely yours), Art + Antiques!

 
Many of you have seen me post the wonderful art of Diana Darden, well on my trip I had the pleasure of meeting Diana! She has the most fantastic studio (pictured above) and is very prolific in her work as you can see. Her work is fantastic and she does amazing things with our Coffee Break Design Shrine Kits!
 
 
Diana sells her work in several galleries, such as Three Rooms pictured above. Her Male and Female Articulated Art Doll Shrine Kits are so cool! Diana has a Facebook Fan Page where she often posts her work. Go like her page and you won't be sorry!

 
Maybe it was the lack of sleep, maybe it was the sugar and caffeine, but Diana and I had a blast in the short time I was visiting!

 
Thanks to Yelp and my iPhone navigation, I was able to hit several antique stores on the road, 10+. My favorite was definitely Hunt and Gather in Minneapolis.

 
This store is a mixed media artist's dream come true. Bins and bins of treasures, just waiting to be picked!
 
 
How often do you seen this? Not often enough in my opinion!

 
Apothecary anyone?
 
 
Now not to worry, I didn't forget about you. While I was away I planned to buy up some things for our weekly Random Wednesday giveaway on Facebook! Several of the included items came from Hunt and Gather and others from the many antique stores I visited. I also added in several other goodies from the shop. I'm a huge fan of mixing antique and modern supplies. So here it is, this week's Random Wednesday Giveaway! And yes, you even get the cigar box! Everything you see below and several things you don't see!
 
 
Go leave a comment on the Random Wednesday post on Facebook (the post with the same photo above) for a chance to win! You have until Saturday when a winner is drawn!
 
..................................................
 
Now, how about some eye candy from the awesome Retro Cafe Art Gallery Design Team!
 
 
Gerri Herbst created these beautiful cards using our Bunny Ear Cut-Outs as well as our Roses Roses and Screen Siren Collage Sheets. These sweet cards are sure to make anyone smile!
 
 
Linda Cain created this stunning piece using the Medium Circus Theatre Shrine Kit, Steampunk Gears II, Star Cut-Outs, Large Oval Cameo Frame, and several Idea-ology Embellishements. I would love to see the show that would take place in this theatre!
 
 
Amy Nieman created this awesome work of art using the 6 Pane ATC Window, Hello Dollie Collage Sheet, and Falling Heart Border Stencil. This wonderfully whimsical piece makes me so happy!

 
Lynn Stevens created this darling Mini House Shrine using the Mini House Shrine Kit, Small Frozen Charlotte, and a Fleur Brass Crown. Lynn created this for the Mini House Shrine Art Swap happening right now. You still have time to play in the swap! Thanks for the inspiration Lynn!

Friday, March 15, 2013

Oh My Moon and Stars!


Happy Friday! We have some fantastic NEW goods in the shop for you! What you see above plus many many more! 


I know you are loving our Mini House Shrine Kits, and I thought why not merge them with our Hutch Shrine Kits? And voila!


I was simply over the moon excited to play with our new Moon Shrine Kit!



I found the Theatre Character Stands very handy to add my owl. I simply painted one the same color as my shrine and glued in my Owl Paper Cut! (my glue was still wet in the photo but dried clear. I'm sure you were worried. lol)


I was really happy with the way my background turned out. First I painted the whole thing aqua with acrylic paint. Then I dry brushed some white paint over the aqua in certain areas. Already looks very moon like! Next it was time for the crackle. I ADORE the Deco Arts Two Step Crackle. It's very easy to use. Simply follow the instructions on the bottles. The crackle you get will be clear, so the under color shows through. To highlight the cracks I simply brushed on some brown acrylic paint and then with a semi-moist paper towel rubbed it off so the paint would remain in just the cracks! Other colors such as gold, silver, or black would look cool in the cracks as well.


It was fun adding a charm dangle and some fibers. Not something I get to do often.


Here is a close-up of the crackle. Yummy right?

"Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars." - Les Brown


I also had a blast playing with our new Star Shrine Kit! 


For this shrine I stared by covering the whole thing with decorative papers. I stamped the inside (before assembling the pieces) and then dry brushed some white acrylic paint here and there. I stenciled on some stars and then attached my bits to the inside. To give the crown a lovely chippy look, I painted it and then sanded it in certain areas to reveal the dark masonite underneath. Finally I tried out the new Viva Pearl Pens. I must say they were super easy to used and I loved the results! They also dried really quickly!


There are plenty of other New Goodies in the shop too!


I'm also extremely excited to welcome the talented Amy Nieman to the Retro Cafe Art Gallery Design Team! Amy created this postcard using Collage Sheet DP267. Don't you just love her fun, colorful work? We sure do and you can look forward to lots more. Welcome Amy! xo

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Easter Goodness!


Spring and Easter are just around the corner, so to celebrate I have this Free "Spring Love" digital collage sheet for you! Download the sheet from our site HERE. Happy Spring!


And speaking of Spring love, check out this amazing theatre using our Ornate Medium Theatre Shrine Kit created by the talented Virgina Smith. Isn't it just stunning? Thank you for letting me share Virginia!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Mini House Shrine Swap + New Goodies


Hi everyone! I'm excited to announce all the fantastic NEW goodies in the shop! Mini House Shrine Kits, Vintage Ruler Charms, and yes, even a Shrine Kit made from vintage rulers! Too much fun.


I couldn't wait to get started making some little houses. They are the center of our latest SWAP too!


To make mine, I started by assembling the houses and then I spray painted them white for a nice base coat. For my tall ruler house, I used Washi Tape on the sides (so easy!), stamped the back, and used vintage ledger paper for the roof. On the inside I added my Charlotte with the word "grown" (I covered the text with diamond glaze to protect), a bit of moss, and the glued the vintage ruler charm to the front. To create my second house I used several colors of acrylic paint applied with q-tips. The roof is my favorite part. I attached 2 vintage postage stamps and then covered them in diamond glaze (several coats) to harden. Finally I attached my assemblage bits and added mini dice for feet (my favorite part!). These were so easy and took just over an hour to create. I can't wait to make more for the SWAP!


Loved that the mini dice just happened to match the stamps!


I had so much fun making my houses that I knew you would love it too, so we are hosting a Mini House Shrine Art Swap. 
New to making shrines or assemblages but wanted to give it a try? This is the perfect project to start with, so give it a shot! Seasoned shrine maker? Then this swap is right up your alley. The possibilities for these houses are limitless. You can get all the details for the Art Swap HERE

Friday, February 15, 2013

New Shrine Kits & More!


Happy Friday everyone! I  have some lovely new goodies to share with you. My favorite are our four NEW Shrine Kits. They start off pretty simple, but what is awesome about these shrines, is that they can be transformed using any of our ATC Frames or ATC Arches. The frames fit right inside. You can attach them to the inside front, add them to the back, or both! The two Box Shrine Kits are also designed for adding Box Feet!


Same Shrines, different fronts via ATC Frames! The possibilities are endless! And the frames fit perfectly. I didn't even have to glue them in for the photos.


You can also add a frame to the front and back for a really unique look.


Also very sweet with the frames to the back.


Even the Layered Chipboard ATC frames look cool. Really endless possibilities.


And speaking of Shrines, how about some gorgeous samples? The above Shrine was created by Design Team Member Gerri Herbst using the Heart Shelf Shrine, Red Stickles, and an Alice in Wonderland Paper Cut. So awesome Gerri! This just makes me smile!


And this beautiful Shrine was created by Lindy Vogt using the Large Exquisite Shrine Kit, Valentine Word Cut Outs, Collage Sheet CV90, Filigree Heart, and Paper Roses. So sweet and romantic Lindy! Thank you so much for sharing!


In addition to the new Shrines, there are several other fabulous new goodies. You can check them all out HERE. Have a wonderful, creative weekend! I know my head is spinning with ideas! xoxo