Ol' Jack Frost with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Sherry Westfall Matthews

Oh, the weather outside is DELIGHTFUL!

I love the changing of the seasons and here in the South, it just doesn't feel like Christmas time until we see that first visit from ol' Jack Frost. Truth is, some winters, the closest we get to snow is a crisp, frosty morn where we wake to find rooftops glistening and our lawns looking freshly glittered.

That's when my holiday spirit kicks in and my inner kid peeks out!  Yep!  You could say that Jack Frost has a hold on my holiday heart. This is my tribute to the "Architect of the Flake".

From my rooftop to yours, Merry Christmas Y'all!

"It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. The crisp winter air if full of it."
-- John Burroughs, "Winter Sunshine"

Materials:
Relics & Artifacts® Figureheads 
Apoxie Sculpt 
Kroma Crackle
That's Crafty! Acrylic Upright, Arch  
That's Crafty! Dinky Stencil Snowflake background
Gel medium
DecoArt acrylics
snowflake confetti
bottle brush tree
buttons & beads in cool, frosty colors
bleach 

"Make a Wish on Butterfly Wings" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Lynne Moncrieff

Anyone who creates with RELICS & ARTIFACTS, surely are smitten with the fact that no matter the vignettes that swirl in our mind’s eye, there will be a RELICS & ARTIFACTS piece to transport a vague notion, into a completed project.   The scene in my head, of a butterfly child, was able to be manifested by pairing one of the smaller Papillon pieces with a Milagros. 

Make your way through the forest, where your footsteps are silenced from the cushions of moss which abound.   Can you spy the butterfly child?  They say the butterfly child is a chameleon, blending in to the backdrop of the moss as he rests against a tree trunk.  Sweet, berry coloured flowers burst in bloom.  Kneel down and place your cheek against them, the petals will give your cheeks velveteen kisses. 

An Archival Wooden Case allowed me to create a setting for the butterfly child. With Infusions (crystals colours with walnut ink base) and Moss Painted Finishes Kit, the case suddenly took the form of colours of a forest.

The Infusions were extended to several elements on this project, including the Papillon and Milagros.  By first applying a mere hint of Grungepaste, it heightened the sense of texture.  A final brushing of the Moss kit, merely brushing on and brushing off, left a hint of mossy-ness on the Relic.  The mottled effect suited the vignette.

The Milagros fit perfectly to the Papillon, with the placement of the wings giving the impression that they have sprouted from the Milagros, as well as the antenna.

When working with a theme relating to nature, I will often layer textural elements, most often found papers and torn textiles.  They capture that sense of bits of this ‘n’ that which might be caught up on a passing breeze and gathered around a tree trunk or caught in branches.  The butterfly child was layered onto calico, corrugated cardboard and lace, all of which had been stained by mopping-up the Infusions.  Torn pieces of silk sari ribbon, also stained, would flutter in the breeze.

A cluster of velveteen flowers were the perfect detail to add to the frame of the case, bringing interest and colour and most importantly, helping to set the scene for the butterfly child.  The final element was one of my stamped Affirmations, stamped onto some pieces of previously stained book pages. 

Why not seek out a butterfly today and make a wish!

Supply List:
RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Papillon
RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Milagros
RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Velveteen Flowers Tangerine Berry Blossom
RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Archival Wooden Case II
That’s Crafty Clear Stamp Set Lynne’s Affirmations Set 1
PaperArtsy Infusions
PaperArtsy Grungepaste
Plaid FolkArt Painted Finishes Kit - Moss
Memento Ink Tuxedo Black
Golden Gesso
GoldenGel Medium
found papers
various laces
sari silk ribbon
calico

Day 7 with That's Crafty! and A Recap with RELICS & ARTIFACTS®

What an amazing week it has been here at Relics & Artifacts®.  This week, we had the opportunity to collaborate with another company and show the world just how versatile not only Relics & Artifacts® craft blanks are but how equally versatile the products offered by That's Crafty! out of the United Kingdom are.  We were able to work with MDF and acrylic pieces, stencils, stamps and really flex our creative muscles.

We find inspiration and creativity in places we least expect it and in arenas we swore we'd never enter. 

 Day 1:  "Inspiration in Unlikely Places" by Chrissy Colón

All week long, we showcased individual works from each of the Relics & Artifacts® Ambassadors in a parade of creativity, vision, and one of a kind design, like simple everyday items which become intrinsic to our identities and personalities.

Day 2:  "Glasses With A Story" by Milagros Rivera

We can rediscover our own spirituality or possibly be inspired by another culture's beliefs systems.  With art and inspiration, there are no wall, no boundaries.

Day 3:  "Ganesha" by Monica Downing

Thoughtful affirmations struck chords within our hearts and caused us to take a step back and truly believe in the power within ourselves to just reach for the stars.

Day 4:  "The Stars" by Lynne Moncrieff

Poetry married with mixed media breathed new life into the basic substrates laid before us.  A vision and a story begin to form and our hearts are unveiled.

Day 5: "The Heart, Unveiled" by Sherry Matthews

Finally, art and the blending of items within our creative arsenal can take us on a journey through time.  We can go back to times long forgotten and rediscover the timeless treasure of inspiration.

Day 6: "Ancient Rome" by Heather Thompson

You see, what this collaboration and celebration of creativity with That's Crafty! has done, is spark a new flame and opened a new realm of possibilities within our own creative selves.  We were challenged and thus inspired to look at substrates we would not necessarily have thought to pair with Relics & Artifacts® and breathe new life into not only our creative souls, but our imaginations.  From this collaboration came pieces we had not dared to try or ideas that were merely ideas collecting dust in our proverbial rolodex of thoughts.

We hope this week has been as inspiring to all of you as it has been for us.  The ladies over at That's Crafty! were a pure joy to partner with and we were honored to work with each of them.  Please be sure to visit That's Crafty! today and see what Lynne Moncrieff has in store on this final day of our creativity celebration. 

Don't forget to visit each day's post and leave a comment to be entered in our giveaway.  A winner will be drawn Monday and will receive **3** sets of Relics & Artifacts® Matte Resin Craft Blanks of their choosing. 

Cheers!

Day 6 with That's Crafty! and Inspiration from Ancient Rome with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Heather Thompson

Day 6 of week-long celebration of Relics & Artifacts® and That's Crafty! is another day of stunning inspiration from Heather Thompson.  She takes us on a journey inspired by ancient Rome.  Read through her story and be sure to continue leaving love to be entered to win **3** Relics & Artifacts® sets of your choosing!

What an amazing week it has been with so much creativity and such unique projects. So now it's my turn to showcase my piece.

I absolutely love the Visage set but never had the nerve to try and put something together. So when I got my Acrylic Wall Hanging from That's Craft the creativity was just flowing. I loved how they cascade down so why not keep going with the flow?

I used some alcohol inks on the substrate until I got the desired marble effect, something well aged and vintage. Using Dresden Trim Silver Rosette to higlight the focal pointsreminded me of the laurel crowns of ancient Rome.

During Roman times the crowns were made with leaves of the bay laurel, and were worn as signs of victory and triumph. The faces of the Visage are so masculine, with the crackle aged look, it adds to that feeling of the great empire that was Rome.  The crisp background of muslin and texture remind us of tunics and calceus (open toed sandals) against the back drop of aged marble.

As I look at this piece I  am think of lost Roman treasures around the town of Cosenza in southern Italy that have been overlooked and eventually by the passage time.

What a remarkable journey back in time!  Don't forget to return to present day and leave a comment to be entered to win!  Also, you won't want to miss the fun on the That's Crafty! blog as Donna Ragdoll has an eye popping piece of inspiration for you!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Visage"
Relics & Artifacts® Dresden Trim Rosette
That's Crafty! Surfaces Acrylic Rectangle Wall Hanging
Ranger Alcohol Inks
 

Day 5 with That's Crafty! and "The Heart, Unveiled" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Sherry Matthews

We are beginning the home stretch in our week-long party with That's Crafty!  What do you all think of both groups of rock stars so far?  It's been such a great feast for the eyes so far, so why stop now?  Today, we have Sherry Matthews with a piece that will cut straight to your heart not only visually buy symbolically as well. 

No beam outshines light from within one's soul,

Nor reflects more purely of words, yet told,

Nothing more powerful than the gilded hold,

That the heart has, once revealed.

No gift is greater than given attention,

No treasure more precious than love's first mention,

No act more heroic than the promised intention,

That the heart gives, once unveiled.

What a provocative and beautiful poem and piece!  Be sure to swing by the That's Crafty! blog to see what Fliss Goodwin has in store for you and remember to leave a comment on each day to be entered to win the prize at the end of the celebration!

Materials:
Relics & Artifacts® Ancient Soul
Relics & Artifacts® Chivalry
Relics & Artifacts® Dresden Trim, wrought iron (gold)
Relics & Artifacts Bohemian Jewels, aquamarine
Apoxie Sculpt
That's Crafty Surfaces, Acrylic Uprights-Arch (pack of 3)
That's Crafty Dinky Stencils, Moroccan background (TC069)
Viva! Mirror paint
Gilder's Paste(antique gold, german silver)
E6000 glue
Fabric glue
DecoArt Elegant Finish Paint in "Emperor's Gold"
DecoArt Acrylic Paint Black
Modelling paste, palette knife
Dremel tool, carving bit
Sari fabric scrap
Wood chess pieces

Day 4 with That's Crafty! and "The Stars" by RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Lynne Moncrieff

We are moving right along with our mash-up with That's Crafty! and today is no disappointment either!  Today, we have Lynne Moncrieff and a piece inspired by the stars.  It's loaded with so much texture, you'll wish you could touch it through your screen!  Remember to revisit each post this week, leave a comment, and cross your fingers that you are picked to be our winner of *3* Relics & Artifacts® Matte Resin Craft Blanks of your choosing!

One of many wondrous aspects of creating is when a gathering of supplies magically unveil a narrative, a vignette, bringing meaning to a project.  When the result has personal significance, even though it might not be evident to another’s eyes, that is when creating becomes a multi-layered experience.  This project is such a piece, with the personal significance of my relationship with Relics & Artifacts and That’s Crafty, both companies coming together in this week of collaborations.  I am in such a privileged position to be on the teams for both companies, companies whose products I adore, add to that, the honour of being in teams who are passionate about their creative lives. 

Relics & Artifacts constantly inspire and with a wide range of That’s Crafty surfaces available, it is a wonderful marriage when combining products from both companies.  Often, it is the Relics & Artifacts, whispering their stories into my ear that is the springboard for a project however, this time, the journey began with a stamp, one of my That’s Crafty Lynne’s Affirmations, “Always believe the stars are within your grasp”. 

It is easy, in this world, to become jaded; positive words can seem cliche.  But my belief, Affirmations can surely do no harm so long as the intention is always from an honest place and used appropriately.   The realisation that a Relics & Artifacts Milagros hand paired with the Affirmation stamp, could come together in the form of a shrine, thanks to a That’s Crafty Art Shrine.

In life, we truly are on a journey and as with any journey, no matter the distance, it is not always the smoothest of rides, yet we keep our focus on the destination. This I tried to convey with the elements I brought together such as the Infusions stained corrugated cardboard scrap, set in the niche of the shrine, a symbol of ruts in the road.  Dipping into a Rust Painted Finished kit, I set about altering the silver star Dresden Trim into rusty stars. The contrast of the Diamond Bohemian Jewels on the rusted stars gracing the arch of the shrine, represent the shining light of hope we should try to keep within us.  Barely seen on the face of the shrine and look closely, stamped onto wispy pieces of mop-up paper (Infusions stained kitchen paper towel) are stars.

Lives are busy but it would be wonderful if you found time to visit each Relics & Artifacts and That’s Crafty collaboration project.  Each team artist has created inspirational art with their individual styles shining through.  Today, Nikki Acton has an awe inspiring piece in monochromatic splendor for you.

Supplies:
Relics & Artifacts® Milagros
Relics & Artifacts® Dresden Trim Star Chain Silver
Relics & Artifacts® Bohemian Jewels - Diamond
That’s Crafty Surfaces Matchbox Arch Art Shrine
That’s Crafty Clear Stamp Set – Lynne’s Affirmations Set 1
PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics: Seth Apter Set 1 (Buff, Midnight)
PaperArtsy Grungepaste
PaperArtsy Infusions: Sleight Blue, In The Navy
Plaid Folkart Painted Finished Kit - Rust
Golden Gesso, Matte Gel Medium
Staz-on Jet Black Ink

Extras: star shell button, black cotton sewing thread, re-cycled cardboard ribbon spool, motif cut from vintage doily, rusty tin wire, re-cycled corrugated box packaging, calico, various Infusions stained laces and mop up papers

Day 3 with That's Crafty! and "Ganesha" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Monica Downing

We are kicking of day 3 of our supercharged collaboration with the very dynamic team of That's Crafty!.  This entire week is devoted to showcasing how perfectly Relics & Artifacts pairs with the glorious inventory of That's Crafty!.  As with most big events, we love a little bribery to get you to party with us because we never turn down a good time!  How does a chance to win *3* sets of Relics & Artifacts® Matte Resin Craft Blanks of your choosing sound?  Absolutely sinful, right?  Keep reading to find out how to be entered!

In the meantime, we have Monica Downing's absolutely exquisite, exotic and everything exciting project here for you today. 

I am really excited to share this project with you all!  I finished this piece some time ago, and let me tell you.  It's been like pins and needles just waiting to be able to share it.  I'm telling you, absolutely excruciating!  I may have even considered just doing shots to calm my impatience and just chill.

I had actually had this idea for a long time. When I received the clear acrylic uprights from That’s Crafty!, it was the PERFECT vehicle for what I wanted to do. It was like finally scratching that pesky itch that you just couldn't reach!  Bring in Relics & Artifacts® Egg Shrine and it's like a full body massage!

Now, a little history lesson on Ganesha along with an intellectually stimulating diagram illustrating his illustrious symbolism (some deep stuff right here):

Ganesh, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesha, is the Lord of Good Fortune who grants prosperity, fortune, and success to his followers. He is considered the Lord of Beginnings, and the Remover of Obstacles, both materially and spiritually. He also places obstacles in the path of those who need to be put in check.  (He's gangster like that.)

Because he is a jack of all trades (and clearly a master of all), Ganesh is widely respected by almost all levels of society in all parts of India, regardless of any other spiritual affiliations (Once again showing just boss he is!).  His image is found everywhere, in many different forms, and he is prayed to before starting of any task.

He is considered to be a patron of the Arts, Sciences and Letters. Devotees believe that if Ganesha is worshiped, he grants success, prosperity, and promotes unity in diversity.  Sounds like a cool dude to me!

The more you know, right?  We all have learned something new today!  Thank you so much for embarking on this lesson in history, culture, and spirituality.  What an amazing project and lesson.  Who knew what a remarkable place in such a deity held in Eastern society? 

Now for the giveaway!  If you've been following along each day, that's great!  You are well on your way to being entered into the giveaway.  All you need to do is be sure to visit the Muse each day this week and leave some love.  It's that easy, and we like easy!  Also be sure to hit up the That's Crafty! blog because they have a li'l something' somethin' up their sleeves too! 

Today, Alison Hall inspires us on the That's Crafty! blog.

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Egg Shrine"
That’s Crafty! Clear Acrylic Upright-mixed pack of 3
That’s Crafty! Dinky Stencil – Fleur
Ice Resin Iced Enamels – Ivory
DecoArt Acrylic Paint
Ganesha Printable
Gold Leafing
Gold pen
Large Metal Filigree Embellishment.
Large pink flower

Information Source:
"The Hindu God Ganesh: Who Is This Elephant Headed Deity Anyway?" Retrieved from http://www.kashgar.com.au/articles/ganesh.

Day 2 with That's Crafty! and "My Glasses: A Story" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Milagros Rivera

It's day 2 of our week-long shindig with the lovely ladies of That's Crafty! in the United Kingdom.  All week, we are partying it up with fabulous projects featuring That's Crafty! melded seamlessly withRelics & Artifacts®.  Be sure to follow along with us all week because there is a giveaway at the end of the celebration!  Keep reading for details.

Today, we have Milagros Rivera and does she have an awesome story to tell!

Since I was little, my mom used glasses.  She actually has had to wear them since her teens. I was the designated companion to help her pick her prescription frames.  She always purchased an inside pair and an outside pair.  And they were BIG!!!! II loved being able to help her make the decision and I secretly loved trying them.  She wouldn't let me try her glasses because she was afraid the prescription would hurt my eyes, but in the store it was game time!

Come of age is here and now it's my turn to need glasses and to bring my daughter with me, and I totally know she has the same fun experience because she tries dozens every time she comes with me!

Back in January for Creativation, I had the pleasure of seeing Sandra again and to meet for the first time fellow Art Sisters, Monica Downing, Cat Kerr and Heather Thompson.  My current choice of glasses reflect those treasured trips I with my mom to eye doctor. I enjoy them immensely and they have an effect on people I can't describe.  They are a conversation piece of sorts and I have ended up talking with a lot of people because of them.  So when the time came to do my collaboration piece I decided to go with this Visage piece I hadn't used and make a me of sorts on the That's Crafty substrate!

Besides giving you a closer look to my textures (I made you a Snapguide) I will give you a closer look at all the people that wore them while in Phoenix!

Gorgeous Sandra Evertson sporting the look!

Switcheroo between Monica and me!

 Heather Rocking it!!!

Yes Cat wore them too!

Jamie Dougherty looking great!

Yes! Dyan Reaveley was also wanting to try them too! Turns out we have the exact same prescription!

As you can see we had a lot of fun, and I thought my post had to reflect that equally! Who knows?  Maybe you'll get to meet me and rock my glasses as well!  Enjoy the next post over That's Crafty!

Now for the giveaway details!  Be sure to follow our celebration of all things Relics & Artifacts® and That's Crafty! all week.  Visit the Muse for inspiration, leave some love along the way, and be entered to win ***3*** sets of Relics & Artifacts® Matte Resin craft blanks of your choosing!

Be sure to visit the That's Crafty! blog and see the beautiful project Carol Fox has in store for you today!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Visage"
Relics & Artifacts® "Regalis"
That's Crafty! MDF Upright "Decorative Top"
That's Crafty! Dinky Stencil "Floral Background"
Apoxie Sculpt
DecoArt Dazzling Metallics
DecoArt Americana Acrylics
DecoArt Metallic Lustre
The Crafter's Workshop White Gesso
The Crafter's Workshop Modeling Paste
 

A Team Up and "Inspiration in the Most Unlikely Place" with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Chrissy Colon

This next week is going to be a week that is absolutely jam packed with inspiration from both sides of the pond!  Relics & Artifacts® is teaming up with our friends from That's Crafty! in the United Kingdom for an overload of creativity, inspiration, and did we mention a giveaway?  More on that at the end of the post!  So without further ado, let's get this party started!

First up this week, is Relics & Artifacts® Ambassador Chrissy Colon with a colorful project inspired by one of our resident muses, Frida Kahlo.

How exciting is this?  We got a chance to play with products from That's Crafty! and they did not disappoint!  For my project, I chose to use the plain MDF board and some fun little bits Laura was kind enough to send in our packages. 

Now for an earth shattering fact about me: I love comfort.  I love comfort foods, comfy blankets, comfort zones.  I love comfort zones so much, that I never realize that I am fully entrenched in one, until something like this comes along.

Little known fact about me:  I am very comfortable with is working under pressure.  There is nothing like a looming deadline to really push your creativity to its limits.  I recently saw some images that inspired me to want to do something in the Mexican folk art vein.  I love talavera and the simplicity of color.  I love that imperfections are embraced and that there really isn't a wrong way to paint such patterns.

Another little known fact about me:  My favorite color is red.  But I never use it in my crafting because it terrifies me when I start slapping it down.  Do you know how hard it is to make sure red paint doesn't look like blood smears or splatter?  This piece is all sorts of covered in red!  And it doesn't even look like something that just fell out of CSI!

And yet another little known fact about me (get ready to clutch your pearls and shoot me some mean side eye):  I am not a Frida Kahlo fan.  I know, right?  In our little universe of creativity it seems so sacrilegious, so blasphemous.  I always told my friends, "You won't see a Frida piece come from these hands."  ::insert walk of shame::  So what happened today?!  I have no clue but I reveled in it.  The unfamiliarity, the breaking down of walls and barriers, the joyous feeling of a mind reopening, it all felt so fresh and so new!  I found myself on Etsy browsing all the Frida things.  The result?  Pure, simple, magic.

Now about that giveaway!  Follow along all week, visit the Muse and the That's Crafty! blog, leave some love on each day and be entered to win *3* Relics & Artifacts® sets of your choosing!  At the end of the week-long event, we will choose a winner!  If you are really looking for some extra fun, That's Crafty! is also hosting a giveaway as well so be sure to follow along with them too! 

The ever so talented, Moira, is the first on the That's Crafty! team to share in the fun!  Be sure to give her some love from the Relics & Artifacts® side of the house!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® "Ex Votos I" (sold out but any heart will do)
That's Crafty! MDF Panels
That's Crafty! MDF Hearts #3
That's Crafty! MDF Panel #1
That's Crafty! Dinky Stencil "Moroccan Background"
Iced Enamels "Garnet"
Iced Enamels "Chartreuse"
Iced Enamels "Turquoise"
Iced Enamels "Amethyst"
VervePrint "Frida Kahlo Part 1"
Cemerony "Frida Kahlo Cuffs"
Liquitex Acrylic Paint
Copic Multiliner