Friday 3 November 2017

Mini Marvels for AVJ

Welcome to my CG post for the November challenge at A Vintage Journey where the lovely Anne has chosen 'Mini Marvels' for the theme. To make sure I was creating within the right guidelines I re-read the challenge description which says - 

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 journalling; industrial, timeworn or steampunk style.
Well I didn't choose any of the descriptions above because I found some old Wendy Vecchi pocket watch pieces and thought these would be fun and because I'm having a huge clear out of my craft supplies and rearranging the space I have to work and store everything I thought I could also use up some pieces from the bits box before it all goes in the dustbin.


I took a three of the watch chipboards which are approximately 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches in size and well within the expected size and I did three of my DecoArt media paint techniques on the them -
rust, burnished gold and tarnished silver.


Then the three leftover offcuts for the backgrounds.
A drippy paint background with crackle paint over the top.


 Silver card that had been put through an embossing folder and to which I added gold paint, some gold rush metallic lustre and a carbon black watery wash.


Then a piece of card on which I had experimented with a silver and patina experiment which totally seemed to fit the bill.


I cut each piece to fit behind the pocket watch part and picked some focal embellishments which I thought would be great to make these into gift tags for men for Christmas gifts.




When I assembled them I added some other little bits to finish them off.




Thanks for stopping by and for all the lovely comments on my meagre posts whilst I have been out of action for a while, I'm still not back into the routine of commenting and getting projects made very ahead of time but I'm sure I'll get there.

I hope we'll see you entering your little projects into the AVJ challenge and please do pop over to see what the other Creatie Guides have created, they're amazing (as always).

huge hugs Brenda xxx

I daren't show you a photo of one of the bedrooms which has tubs piled high and excess furniture in it, nor my messy workroom, but here is the empty room which is going to be my second workroom and storage room, I've decided to have one messy space and one clean space and hubby has agreed to me using the two smallest bedrooms and by the time this post goes live, in less than 5 days time, I hope to have the storage furniture up and in place (well I should say he hopes to have completed it by then).




27 comments:

S@ndy Diller said...

This is such a great idea Brenda. Nice way to use some of the things that have been forgotten for awhile. So clever!! Hugs, S@ndy

Monika Gulyas said...

Fabulous Christmas ornaments!!! I love them!!! xx

Susanne said...

Your mini watches are super cute. I love the blue one!

Gina said...

Gosh those mini artworks are for too special to be used as gift tags!!! I suppose the recipients could always keep them as tree ornaments :D Looking forward to seeing you "tidy" space. I keep trying lol XXX

hazel said...

Wonderful mini watch ornaments, I love them all.
xxx Hazel.

Astrid Maclean said...

These look super Brenda, each totally delightful in it's own way, and to see them altogether looks amazing. Arty and gorgeous, love them!! Good luck with the renovations!! I am sure it will be wonderful (and so useful) when it is all done!

Words and Pictures said...

Oh, these are such a great idea. The pocket watch is perfect for a tiny gift tag, but I agree with Gina - these are little artworks in and of themselves. Lovely to be able to make use of some of the bits and bobs before the box is emptied - and I love all three metallic finishes. Fab final detailing too - marvellous minis indeed! Good luck with the reorganisation... fantastic idea to have one clean room and one messy one (though in my world the clean room would probably also become messy quite quickly!).
Alison x

Julia Aston said...

How wonderful to find lost pieces that end up being perfect for what you need! love the different patinas/colors you used on each of the three - and the lovely decorations on each! Julia xx

A Pink said...

These are fabulous! Brenda and their size is ideal for the Challenge theme. Love how you have altered them , keeping each one unique. They sure will dress up those Christmas gifts just perfectly. Lucky recipients .
Looks like a great space for your twin craftroom. Hope its coming together nicely . When ya hubby's finished send him round - mines in desperate need lol .
hugs x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Oooh two creative spaces, you lucky thing. Good luck with all the moving around. Love your mini designs, your backgrounds are superb, as always. Love the layered elements and how you embellished. Have a lovely weekend. Tracy x

Meggymay said...

Wonderful decorative pieces Brenda.
Your work rooms sound like they will be good places to work.
Yvonne xx

Lisa said...

These are so amazing, Brenda!! I am in awe of the texture you achieve!! Each piece looks so stunning!! I love the details you added!! Good luck with the tidying up!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Patty O'Malley said...

Awesome projects, Brenda! They would make wonderful ornaments. Your are so lucky to have two craft room! I have everything stored in the basement and have to bring it up to the dining room when I craft as I don't have a separate room. Maybe someday...

Kate Yetter said...

I love all your watches. I love that each one is different. And so many details. Lovely!
Kate

Jenny Marples said...

So glad you didn't toss these pocket watches Brenda! They now look gorgeous and would be perfect hung from a a vintage tree. Loving the new workspace in progress too :) xx

Redanne said...

Mini marvels indeed Brenda, your pocket watches are gorgeous in those three wonderful colour tones - you certainly packed a lot into those tiny watches, they look fabulous!! How wonderful to have two rooms, I love the idea of a messy and a tidy one... I wonder if David would move out of his study.... lol! Hugs, Anne xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

These are fabulous little keepsakes - such beautiful textures and decorations! I know exactly what you mean about keeping (or catching) up! Good Luck with the new rooms! Chrisx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Brenda, men can be very understanding when they try or is it just that they like a peaceful life Lol! Loving the pocket watches too. Have a great creative week, Angela xXx

Hazel Agnew said...

Good luck with your removals Brenda, sounds like a great plan.
I love your mini creations. Don't know how I would part with them myself. Such beautiful treasures . Lucky recipients to have these on their gifts. Xx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Your little fob watches are just adorable Brenda! All those wonderful textures and layers in such a small space and so clever to use up some of your bits and bobs too!

I hope by now you will be settling in to your new spaces - how wonderful. I have a HUGE room and have managed to fill and really do need to have a good clear out. You may have spurred me on so plenty of pictures of the new spaces please!

Jennie x

Jannet said...

These are just gorgeous, a unique idea for a decoration or tag. How very lucky someone would be to receive it tied onto a gift it is a keepsake gift in itself !

Nikki Acton said...

Wonderful mini designs! Love your painty effects as always - especially the silver card with gold and black! See you soon x

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, what amazing tags! They are all so elegant and unique, I love the background designs you created and all the wonderful embellishments you used - beautiful 😁. Wishing you a Happy November! J 😊

sarascloset said...

Oh, Brenda! So sorry to be late, but I wanted to be sure to have plenty of time to really soak in all your creativeness! You have created three marvels here, for sure! Each one of them a masterpiece that will be sure to be treasured by the men in your life! Hard to pick a favorite, but each one is so cleverly embellished to reflect the outer watch's finish. I think I may have to go with the rusty one, but without seeing them here now that I'm in comments, it's hard to say! Very inspiring post and project! Huge hugs!

Carol said...

So cute - love them all that texture and yummy layers xx

Elaine said...

These are fabulous and would look great hanging on a tree or as a special gift tag. Elaine xx

Deb said...

What a fabulous idea to use the pocket watches and those gorgeous backgrounds to make your mini marvel ornaments Brenda, I love them to pieces! Each is packed full of gorgeous goodies as well, what lovely little works of art. Thanks so much for sharing them and hope that your creative spaces are coming together, sounds like bliss to have two areas to create! Deb xo