Saturday, November 30, 2013

Snowman Magnet Kits and More!



Happy Weekend Everyone! We have some lovely new goods in the shop including some handsome snowmen, Tim Holtz Stamps and Stencils, Charms, and more! Why fight the crowds when you can stay home and shop in your pajamas! CHECK IT OUT HERE.
I made these mixed media snowman magnets for our Angel Ornament Swappers and just in case you would like to make some too, I put together a kit for you!

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Victorian Scrap Angel Ornaments and More!

 
Happy Weekend Everyone! With the holidays drawing near, I'm really excited about our new goodies this week! We have awesome Victorian Scrap Angel Ornaments inspired by Vintage German Scrap Angels, More of our Cameo Frame Silhouette Ornaments, more dress forms, Christmas papers, glitter and bling, and lots more! The Victorian Scrap angels coordinate perfectly with our Articulated Angel Ornaments.The heads and wings are the same size! CHECK IT OUT HERE


I had a blast playing with the new ornaments! Since the surface is a bit smaller than the full size angels, they are faster to make. I whipped these gals up pretty quickly! They would make fantastic gifts for your family and friends. Handmade is always best! Here are the supplies I used: Victorian Scrap Angel Ornaments Style 1 and 2, Angels and Saints Doll Head Paper Cuts, VerDay Paint and Patina Set, Gold Doilie Rub Ons, Snowflake Cut Outs, Peace Dove Cut Outs, Mod Podge, White Sharpie Paint Pen.
 

These stunning Victorian Scrap Angel Ornaments were created by the talented Diana Darden. Don't you just love how they glimmer and sparkle? I also love the bits of vintage papers and sheet music that she used. These gorgeous gals will be a part of Diana's upcoming juried Gallery Show at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts November 15 - December 23. If you are in the Minnesota area you should check it out! SHOW DETAILS
 
 
The new Dress Form Cut Outs and Small Angel Wing Cut Outs are just the right size for jewelry and small ornaments so I had to give them a try. I created this sweet necklace which I plan to give as a gift to a sweet friend! Here are the supplies I used: Dress From Cut Outs, Small Angel Wing Cut Outs, VerDay Paint and Patina Set, Mod Podge, White Sharpie Paint Pen, Vintage Copper Bead Chain.  
 
 
Sugar Skull Magnet Kits! A few weeks ago I made some Sugar Skull magnets as gifts for the DOTD swappers. Since so many of you asked for a tutorial and/or a means to buy some, I listened! Not only is there a tutorial, but there is a KIT so you can have some fun and make your own! Grab them while you can!
Tutorial: http://ow.ly/qZ9kB
Kit (hooray!): http://ow.ly/qZ9vG
 
 
Swap Reminder! Angel Ornament Swap Reminder! Angels are due December 2nd. Details HERE. Please note, that is the Monday after Thanksgiving, just over a week from now, so be sure to get them in the mail by early this week!
 
Have a fantastic weekend! www.RetroCafeArt.com

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Sugar Skull Magnet Tutorial + a Kit!

 
Hi Everyone! Last week I made some handmade sugar skull magnets to send as gifts to our Day of the Dead Mini Shrine Swappers. (you'll want to check out all the eye candy for sure!)
And then I decided to have a giveway with the extras!

So many of you asked for a tutorial and/or the ability to buy them, so here we are! And even better than that, I have put together a KIT for you, so that you can make your own Dia De delights! All you need to do is add the glitter, glue, and anything else you would like. They are available in two colors and you can find them HERE!


 
The Tutorial (couldn't be much easier!): First, grab yourself a kit. Each kit will make four! If you want to add color to the back of your magnet, I recommend doing that before attaching your Sugar Skull Paper Cut. I painted the back of my Masonite base with basic black acrylic paint so that I could sign them with a White Sharpie Paint Marker. Attach your Paper Cut to the base using Mod Podge or a similar glue. If you wish, you can ink the edges. If you want to seal your piece, you can do that now. I used a Spray Acrylic Sealer to protect my image. You could also use Mod Podge, Diamond Glaze, Glossy Accents, Crackle, Resin, etc. Next add some bling. I used Pink and Turquoise Stickles, and then finished off the piece with a Swarovski crystal. Finally, attach your magnet using a strong glue such as E6000!
 
 
See, now wasn't that easy? While you are most welcome to follow this tutorial to a T (permission granted), there are so many other possibilities too. Color them with Copics, add more crystals/bling, create an antique crackle effect, spritz them with Glimmer Mists, add some gold teeth via Stickles (lol), break out your glitter pens... you get the idea. Most importantly, have FUN! These make great gifts. You can even give the kit as a gift! Oh yes, they also make fantastic heads for our Doll Kits too! I'm so glad you were all as excited about these as I was. Thanks for the little push to share! xoxo

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Sugary Sweet Marie Cupcake Dolls & Much More!

 
Happy Weekend Everyone! Keeping with last week's theme, we have some exciting new goodies in the shop! As soon as I designed our Dress Form Dolls last week, I knew what I was doing next! CUPCAKE DOLLS! Very Marie Antoinette "Let Them Eat Cupcakes"! A very 3-D version of one of my favorite Marie Collage Sheets from 2009! They are the perfect compliment to all of our Doll Kits! They are so sugary sweet, you'll want to eat them up!
 
 
 
Of course I jumped right in and played with one of the new gals! Here are the supplies I used: Small Cupcake Doll, Marie Doll Head Paper Cuts, Gold Doilie Rub Ons, Pink and Red Stickles, White Mica Flakes, White Sharpie Paint Marker.) Find even more fun goodies in our French Inspired Section.
  
My favorite part about the Doll Kit has to be the CHERRRY HAT! I giggled when I was designing it, and I'm even more giddy now! The Stickles really make it pop. And I'm also amused that the bare Masonite, made for the perfect cherry stem!
  
For the cupcake top, I first applied a
layer of hot pink paint, and then I covered the entire thing with Pink Stickles. While it was still wet I sprinkled on some Mica Flakes. LOVED the result. The photo below shows it better.
 
Oh, and I was also excited that the bit of vintage bling I used looked like an "S" for sugar :).
  
 

 
Design Team Member Linda Cain created this stunning Votive House Ornament! You can find more photos and step-outs on Linda's blog. I adore the way she used the Scalloped Dresden as shingles! Always thinking!

CHECK IT OUT HERE
 
 
Angel Ornament Swap Reminder!
 Angels are due December 2nd.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Ooh la la Dress Form Art Doll Shrine Kits & More!

 
Happy Weekend Everyone! We have some exciting new goodies in the shop. Dress Form Art Doll Shrine Kits!!! So in love. They are the perfect compliment to our Theatre Doll Shrine Kits, Angel Ornaments, Fairy Shrine Kits, and well, just about all of our Doll Kits! And of course you NEED Marie Antoinette Head Paper Cuts to go with those Dress Forms. We have those too, and much more!  
 

 
I absolutely could not wait to play with one of these gals! Similar to our Angel Ornament Kits, only with a really fun "wire form" skirt just begging for some bling! Here are the supplies I used:
  


 
Can you say texture? Yum!

 
Angel Ornament Swap Reminder
 
Angels are due December 2nd. Come play!

Friday, November 1, 2013

Breaking Bad & Sugar Skull Sweetness!

 
If you are a fan of the show, Breaking Bad, you will love this week's goodies. Inspired by the talented Deb Moon (see below), we cooked up some fabulous Cut Outs. AND since it is officially Dia De Los Muertos, we had to add some stunning Sugar Skull Paper Cuts as well! You will also find some lovely Christmas supplies and Minis. A little bit of everything this week! You can check it all out HERE!

 
 We recently hosted our 2013 Gothic Tombstone ATC Swap and all of the entries were nothing short of fabulous! Deb Moon, being a fan of the hit show Breaking Bad, centered hers around this unique them. The details were incredible, and being a huge fan of the show myself (you must watch!), I decided to design a few embellishments! Thank you Deb for the inspiration and for your wonderful tombstones! We now have Heisenberg Heads, Periodic Table Cut Outs, and Chemistry Bottles (add your own "blue stuff"), in the shop!

 
Design Team member Linda Cain created these fabulous DOTD shrines for our swap, but also posted awesome photos and tips on her blog for you! What a wonderful way to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos, which happens to be going on NOW!

Check out Linda's blog post HERE.
 
Reminder! Shrines for our Mini DOTD Swap are due Monday November 11th! Several have arrived and they are FABULOUS!
 
BIG SALE!
Several major categories are ON SALE through the end of the weekend:
Halloween
(prices further reduced! Stock up for next year)
Stamping
 Gilders Paste and Inka Gold
Viva Décor Paints and More
xoxo

 

Friday, October 25, 2013

Homes for the Holidays!

 
Last week we released some fabulous new Christmas goodies and this week we are continuing the trend! I'm especially excited about our brand new Votive House Shrine Kits! Sized perfectly to "house" a battery powered votive. Nothing says Christmas for me like the warm glow of lights on a tree (or mantel!). We have several other fabulous new goods in the shop as well! You can check it all out HERE!

 
I couldn't wait to jump right in and play with a few of the new houses. They were designed to look great facing either way. I love how our mini Nativity Sets and Bottle Brush Trees fit inside the shorter houses! I still have the light on inside my house as I type and it's feeling all warm and cozy in here!

 
Last week I announced our 2013 Christmas swap! Articulated Angel Ornaments! I made my first and am in love! I especially love the way her skirt turned out using our Scalloped Tulle Circles! (a few of you asked how I made the skirt. Layer two of our scalloped circles, fold in half, fold in half again, cut off the top, and wrap around your angel with wire or fibers. Easy!).
Get the swap details HERE!

Friday, October 18, 2013

New Christmas Goodies and Art Swap!

 
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas? For some of you I know it’s still early. For others, I know you have been chomping at the bit, so here we go! We have so many amazing new goodies in the shop, you’ll just have to go see for yourself! And yes, I know I'm a bit early this week too. Tomorrow I'm headed to my first Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. I get to jump back into Halloween mode for a few more days anyhow :). You can check it all out HERE!
 
 
I’m excited to announce our 2013 Christmas swap! Articulated Angel Ornaments! I made my first and am in love! You can find my supply here. I especially love the way her skirt turned out using our new Scalloped Tulle Circles! Get the swap details HERE!

 
I had a bit of fun playing with our new 3-D trees as well! So cute, and FAST to make. You can easily turn them into ornaments too! I listened to some Christmas music to get me in the mood while I was designing the new goods (I kid you not!). Now I'm feeling the Halloween AND Christmas spirit. Happy Creating! xoxo
 

Saturday, October 12, 2013

 
We have some delicious new goodies in the shop this week. Super cool Cameos and Settings, Charms, and some brand new Land of Enchantment Collage Sheets. Several of the Cameos work great for either Halloween OR Dia De Los Muertos Art! Perfect! You can check it all out HERE!

 
If you played in our Gothic Tombstone ATC Swap, your goodies are in the mail and on the way to you! The art was absolutely amazing this year! You can check out ALL of the artwork HERE on our Facebook Fan Page! AWESOME job artists! A big thanks to all who played!

 
Reminder! We are hosting a Mini DOTD Shrine Swap. Shrines are due Monday November 11th so you still have lots of time to join in! This is going to be another fantastic swap. I've seen some of the pieces floating around Facebook and they are stunning. Don't miss out! Get the details HERE!

Saturday, October 5, 2013

MINI Theatre Art Doll Shrine Kits!

 
Hooray! Our marvelous Theatre Art Doll Shrine Kits are now available in MINI! They are so cute and practically fit in the palm of your hand! We love the Medium too! In addition to the new kits we also have lots of new Washi Tape, Collage Sheets, and more! You can check it all out HERE!

 
I've been dreaming of a Frida mermaid for some time and finally, here she is! 
 
 
Reminder! We are hosting a Mini DOTD Shrine Swap. Shrines are due Monday November 11th! In honor of the swap, all of the new Mini DOTD Shrine Kits are ON SALE!
Get the details HERE!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Presenting... Theatre Art Doll Shrine Kits!

 
I'm beyond excited about our six NEW Theatre Art Doll Shrine Kits, gracing your big screens for the first time. I've been dreaming of these ever since the talented Virginia Smith created her Bunny Doll Theatre from our Medium Theatre Shrine Kits last March. Well, they are finally here and they are a BLAST to play with. And it just so happens our Medium Theatre Collage Sheets, Fairy Doll Head Paper Cuts, and more fit them perfectly.

You can check them all out HERE.

 
 
(Other supplies used: Archival black and brown ink, Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray, Gold, Glue, X-acto Knife, Scissors, Sand Paper.)
 
Spray paint all pieces front and back. Cut out images and attach. Sand and ink all edges, and then add embellishments. Easy! xoxo

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Everything's Coming Up Roses

 
Happy Saturday everyone! Keeping up somewhat with last week's release, we have several NEW goodies in the shop that will continue to fuel your Dia De Los Muertos art! If you like roses and flowers, you will love the new goodies. They are a blast to play with. I definitely took my turn (see below)! Check it all out HERE.

 
I had so much fun making these Rose Ornaments! I started by spray painting both pieces white. Then I added some collage, stamping, and acrylic paint. Super easy and I loved the result!

 
For the Open Rose Cut-Outs, I spray painted all of the pieces white and then added color with acrylic paint. The colors really pop!

 
Love the Layered Rose Cut-Outs. Again, simply white spray paint and colored acrylics!

 
The Rose Shrine was the most fun to make. First I assembled the shrine. Then I spray painted the entire piece red. A little acrylic paint, embellishments (including my rose from above), and paint marker accents and done!
 
 
 
My Frida Shrine above will be included in our Dia De Los Muertos Mini Shrine Swap! Come join us!
xoxo

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Dia De Los Muertos Goodies and a NEW ART SWAP!

 
I'm super excited about the new Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) goodies in the shop. It all started with some adorable Handmade Skeleton Dog Figures. Of course they needed a Shrine that was the perfect fit! And then Fifteen Shrines later... well, you know how that goes! We have tons of new Mini DOTD Shrine Kits, Charms, Ceramic Beads, Metal Roses, and so much more! You can check it all out HERE.
 
 
Since we have so many cool new Mini DOTD Shrines in the shop, a SWAP is definitely in order! Shrines are due Monday November 11th! In honor of the swap, all of the new Mini DOTD Shrine Kits are ON SALE! I had a blast playing with mine as show above! Get the swap details HERE.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Skulls with Removable Craniums and More!

 
Happy Weekend everyone! We have some seriously amazing NEW goodies in the Retro Café Art Gallery shop and lots of them! Pretty much all of the new Tim Holtz, including the entire Stencil line, awesome Halloween Stamps, Washi Tapes, Skulls with Hinged Jaws (the bomb!), Halloween Charms, and so much more! Go see for yourself! You can check it all out HERE.
 
 
Come join in our Gothic Tombstone ATC Swap! You still have plenty of time! Tombstones are due October 7th!
(Art Sample by the talented Laurie Davis)
Get the details HERE!
 
And if you want to see even more awesome tombs (and other pieces of Halloween Art Candy) come find us on Facebook!

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Halloween Fun and More!

 
Happy holiday weekend everyone! We have some wonderful new goodies in the shop this week including 6 new variations of our Door Shrine Kits, New Halloween Collage Sheets by Cassandra VanCuren, Charms, Stamps, and more! You can check it all out HERE.

 
Design Team Member Amy Nieman made some STUNNING ATCs using the New Halloween Collage Sheets! She also used our Spider Web ATC Frame, Falling Star ATC Frame, and Halloween Word Paper Cuts. Amazing!


 
Love them all Amy!

 
Speaking of love, check out this awesome Gothic Haunted House Shrine created by Design Team Member Lynn Stevens. She also used Bat Cut-Outs, Gravestone Cut-Outs, Flourish Cut-Outs, Colorful Skeleton Paper Cuts, Halloween Word Cut-Outs, Brass Skull and Bones Charm, Ivory Skull Bead, Hello Dollie Halloween Collage Sheet, White Pumpkin Repeats, and Skull Cameo Embellishments. Absolutely SPOOKTACULAR Lynn!
 
So now you're ready to create some Halloween art right?
 
 
Well, then why not join in our Gothic Tombstone ATC Swap! You can get the details here. The gorgeous tombstone above was created by Design Team Member Linda Cain. You can see more on Linda's Blog here.