Friday Favorites--Angela McLean, My Pink Bag

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted a Friday Favorite!  Let's try to get back on track, Lisa!! 

I've had this feature in mind for several weeks, ever since I received my Summer issue of Art Doll Quarterly magazine and discovered Angela McLean's amazing brides.  Most of the magazine was focused on bride dolls submitted in their recent Bride Doll Challenge.  Angela's work stood out to me because it is so fresh and unique.

Angela makes these fabulous bride dolls from PAPER! (And have I mentioned I have a thing for paper? Yes, I think I have...)  She uses different weights of paper, beads, micro beads, and paper embellishments to create these lovely gowns that have such wonderful dimension and detail.  They are beautiful little works of art.  I think her work is stunning and I've been dying to share it with you. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angela also does custom orders.  You need only contact her and send her a photo of your bride that shows the details of her dress.  She will create one of these lovely paper dolls especially for you.  Wouldn't that be a lovely keepsake of your wedding day? 

 

You can find Angela here, at My Pink Bag on etsy. 

 

I hope your enjoyed these lovely paper dolls! 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Lisa

 

 



Paper Pleasures--A Halloween Treat

 

Halloween is just over a week away.  Do you have a few special goblins that deserve a nice treat?  This project is fun and pretty easy, and makes an ordinary Hershey's chocolate bar a bit more fun.



Aren't these cute?  Here's how to make one:

 

You will need the following supplies:

Two coordinating printed papers of your choice

Some scraps of solid colored cardstock for the tags

Three ribbons that match your paper

A regular size Hershey bar (or Nestle Crunch, or Mr. Goodbar, etc.)

A sentiment stamp of your choice

Ink

Adhesive (I prefer 3M's Glue-Dot runner, but glue stick, double-sided tape, or tape runners all work equally as well)

Knife and/or paper trimmer

1/4" hole punch

 







Assembly:

Cut one sheet of paper to 5-3/8" x 6"

Cut your focal point paper to 4" x 6"

(Note: if using 8-1/2 x 11 paper, cut to 5-1/2" instead of 6"--it will work fine and make the best use of your paper.)

Glue the smaller sheet to the bigger sheet.

Wrap around the Hershey bar and secure with adhesive.

Stamp your sentiment on cardstock and trim.  If desired, mat with a second color and trim again.  Punch a hole with a 1/4" hole punch.

Cut your ribbons to about 13" long. (I use three different widths of ribbon, but you can use whatever you have.)

Stack the ribbons, tie the first half of a double knot using all three, then finish the knot using only the bottom ribbon. 

Thread your tag on the remaining two ribbons and tie a double knot. 

Trim ribbons if necessary.

 

This is a fun and easy project and these adorable candy bars would be great treats for special neighbor children, your child's teachers, your grandkids or even your co-workers. 

 

Happy Halloween!

Lisa

 

 







Paper Pleasures--Wedding Cards

I may or may not have mentioned that I am a paper addict.  I LOVE paper.  It all started back in college when I did letterpress printing and bookbinding.  I have sheets and sheets of lovely handmade papers.  Quilters can relate---it's much like hoarding fabric.

In recent years, I've discovered a much more budget friendly paper.  Scrapbooking paper is cheap by comparison to lovely handmade paper.....except, of course, that I tend to buy SO MUCH of it that I suppose it all balances out in the end.  (Honestly, probably not.  I've traded one for the other, and the new obsession has probably cost me loads more in reality. Oh well!  There are worse things one can spend money on, I'm sure.)

Several years ago my niece and I started doing some very simple scrapbooking.  We bought a multi-pack of solid colored card stock and thought we were going to be satisfied with that. Well, not for long anyway.  Soon I discovered all the lovely patterned paper, and I couldn't quite leave well enough alone.  It's a sickness, I know.  I can hardly leave Hobby Lobby without a few sheets. 

And then, of course, there are the embellishments!  Ribbon!  Buttons!  Charms!  Oh, my!  Soon those started piling up as well, and I had to start doing more with them than a few random scrapbook pages.  I thought, "Why not make some greeting cards?", and suddenly a new enterprise was born. 

I LOVE making cards.  I make cards for all occasions and have been selling them at art and craft fairs for the past eight years.  I go on card making binges when I spend days stockpiling my inventory.  It almost doesn't seem like work, I enjoy it so much!

Since wedding season is upon us, I'm sharing with you a few of my current favorite wedding cards.

"CHERISH"

Inside message:  In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities

(I found the inspiration for this card here on Pinterest.)

Supplies used:  white, grey, red, peach cardstock (Hobby Lobby)

black ribbed cardstock (Archivers), white floral embossed cardstock (Doodlebug Design)

white metallic paper (Reminesce),  black and white satin ribbon, red flower (Hobby Lobby)

vintage 'pearl' seed beads, "Lasting Quotes" acrylic stamps (Fiskars), black ink

"SIDE BY SIDE"

Inside message:  Wishing you a Happily Ever After

This card is a gatefold design.

Supplies used: peach cardstock (Hobby Lobby), black ribbed cardstock (Archivers),

white metallic stripe paper, black metallic paper (Hobby Lobby),

 glittered floral cardstock (Doodlebug Designs),

black and white satin ribbon (Hobby Lobby), black mini brads (Spare Parts),

white pearl bead string, white organza flower, white paper rose (Walmart)

rubber stamp (Wordsworth), black ink

"BRIDE AND GROOM"

Inside message: In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities

Supplies used:  grey, red, white cardstock (Hobby Lobby)

white dotted swiss cardstock (Doodlebug Designs),

clear square gems, red heart buttons (Hobby Lobby)

Bride and Groom rubber stamp (Stampendous), black ink

"Lasting Quotes" acrylic stamp (Fiskars)

"TAKE THE CAKE"

Inside message:  This is a day to celebrate new love, new hope,

 new dreams....a new life

Supplies used:  peach, light green cardstock (Hobby Lobby),

white embossed cardstock (American Crafts),

wedding cake 3-D sticker (Jolee's Boutique), white orgnaza ribbon (Hobby Lobby),

rubber stamp (Endless Creations, Inc.), olive green ink

"SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW"

Inside message:  Wishing you a happily ever after

Supplies used:  white, pink, light blue, black, red cardstock (various sources),

blue swirl metallic paper (unknown), lace, white dotted ribbon, pink satin ribbon (Hobby Lobby),

organza flower, blue bow (Walmart), gemstone brads (Archivers),

 black ink, rubber stamp (Wordsworth),

computer fonts (Blackadder ITC, Century Gothic, Papyrus, Bradley Hand ITC)

I think a lovely handmade card is a wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of a new life together.  Any couple would be thrilled to recieve one of these cards, perhaps with a gift card tucked inside!

Wishing you a happily ever after....
Lisa

P.S.  My cards are not available in my etsy shop, or anyplace else online.  But if you are interested in any of these, or in cards for any other occasion, please email me at apieceoflisa@cox.net