Tutorial: My Gnomescape: Cosmo Cricket and Pink Persimmon Make Me Happy

This.
Is my Gnomescape.
What is a Gnomescape, you ask? A Gnomescape is a happy little 3-dimensional gnome home created by MEEEEEEE!!!! And it happens to be on the list of cutest things EVER! Today, I am going to share with you how to make a Gnomescape like mine (or a similar type of shadowbox piece if you happen to not be into gnomes and mushrooms and such. Although, I'm not sure why you wouldn't be into those things because they are pretty much just GREAT!!!!)

Here is what you will need. Cosmo Cricket Earth Love collection (LOVE is RIGHT!!!), Pink Persimmon Ribit Stamp set, Nikoart gnome stamp, a 6x6 shadow box frame (mine is Jolee's by EK Success), various inks and applicators, a sheet of vintage book paper, a chipboard house, colored pencils and/or markers, some glittery stuff, adhesives, and some wire. That should pretty much cover everything.

Begin by cutting your background paper to the correct size to fit the back of your frame. Mine was not quite 6x6, so be sure to use the backboard as a guide. Ink the edges (you will be doing a lot of this).

Stamp your images onto cardstock. I usually stamp a few of each that I want to use just in case I don't like the coloring the first time around. I think I colored 3 of that large mushroom before I was happy with it! LOL!

Cut out the images that you plan to use in your scene. Be sure to leave the black ink line when you cut out your images so that they really pop when layered onto the background.

Cut two more layers to add to your background. I used the bird paper in the middle and then used the rolling paper for the 'ground' in my scene. I simply used the patterns on the paper to guide my cutting. Adhere with multiple layers of foam adhesive. Note: If layering onto different levels your adhesive may have to be different thicknesses on the top and bottom - be sure to watch for this so you keep it all even.

Cover the chipboard house with the vintage text paper. Assemble the elements onto the background as you want them.

Be sure to add your elements at a variety of depths to give your piece a lot of dimension.

For the very bottom of the frame I wanted to add something that looked fantastical, but also added some fun to my piece. I chose to cut a strip of cardstock to fit the bottom of the frame and cover that with a shimmer flake. I spritzed it with some Glimmer Mist to change the color a bit and added a few pearl beads, as well. I then adhered the strip to the frame.

Because this is such a dimensional piece, it only seemed right to have something hanging in my shadow box. I cut these fun flowers from the Earth Love papers out to dangle from the top.

To adhere them, simply add a glue dot to the back of the flower and attach a piece of wire. Coil the top of the wire (the part not glued to the flower) and use a glue dot to stick that to a circle of cardstock (I chose to use the center of more flowers to keep them decorative) and then adhere to the top of the frame at various depths. Trim off any excess wire.

Once you have everything in place all you need to do is assemble your frame and hang! I love this thing! It was TONS of fun to create and even more fun to have in my studio! It makes me SOOOO happy!!!!

What do you think? It's totally a happy-making kind of project! Really! I promise! It is! You could totally make these as gifts! And...it actually doesn't take all that long. I know it looks like it would take forever, but it really doesn't!

***Also, don't forget to check out the giveaway posted above!

What could be Sexier than a Man in an Apron?

HA! Now THAT is surely a way to draw you in! LOL!



Julia over at the Apron Goddess is hosting a fun blog carnival that is ALL ABOUT THE APRONS! I just found out about it, but I have had these photos for a few days just WAITING for the PERFECT post opportunity and this is SO it! LOL!

So, a couple of weeks ago The Hubbums was making dinner, as he often does since I sort of suck at the whole cooking thing. Baking I can do...cooking, not so much! LOL! (Someday I will have to tell you about the 'spaghetti pie' incident! It wasn't pretty, I tell ya!) Sorry about that...on to my story. So, The Hubbums was making these really crazy yummy kabobs with steak strips, potatoes, corn and RANCH! (I know...awesome, huh?) But, the thing of it is...it was a slightly messy process. So...The Wifee had a BRILLIANT idea!

"Hubbums, if you want I can grab my apron for you." *giggle*giggle*

"Okay."

Wifee: Thinking to her self, "SERIOUSLY???? HE WILL ACTUALLY WEAR IT???!!!!"

So....I ran off to grab it and brought it to him and he put it on. HA! How cute is my Hubbums? Seriously? WAY TOTALLY CUTE! He's the bestest! LOL!

So, there stands The Hubbums donning an absolutely adorable Boojiboo Japanese Dolls Apron. HA! I love it!











LOVE THESE PHOTOS!!!! LOL! They make me smile and remind me just how much fun this fabulous man of mine is!!!

Incidentally, as he was looking down at the Japanese Dolls, he decided that Boojiboo should make him a more masculine apron. He wants a Boojiboo Samurai Apron. LOL! Do you think they would do that for him? HA!!! How stinking cute would that be???

So, there you have it! My apron post! I know...it's not a sexy picture of me in an apron, but I think this is WAY better than that! LOL!!!

Oh! And...since I totally love my Boojiboo apron, I can't help but to toss in a plug for them! If you are an apron lover, you should totally check out their shop! I love them!!!!

For more fabulous apron posts check out the linky over at The Apron Goddess!!! Join in and let me know if you do! I'd love to see yours!!!

***Don't forget to check out the giveaways from earlier this week! I have THREE open right now! It's craziness!!!!***

*Etsy Love* Jen Kiaba Photography *GIVEAWAY!!!*

Hello, everyone! I am excited to introduce to you an extraordinary photographer! Her work is simply fabulous! I am quite sure you will fall in love just as I did!

Jen Kiaba specializes in what one might call poetic photography. Each of her photographs tells a story and you know how I love photographs that speak!

She has several series in her shop right now including Gothic Prints, Fantasy Art Prints, Steampunk Prints, and Vintage Prints. Each photograph sings its own song in such a beautiful collection of light, color, and imagery! They are simply a pleasure to take in!

Here are a few of my favorites.

For Remembering. The color is so strong and the light is just amazing!


A Lazy Dream. The playful nature of this print captured me as soon as I saw it in Jen's shop! Whimsy and stillness brought together. What a wonderful juxtaposition.


Vintage Dress. This photograph is beautiful. Yes, that is an ordinary word, but I still believe that it describes the simplicity and the elegance that you see here. It. Is. Beautiful.


And this print...this is my very favorite from Jen's shop! I feel the chill and I am lost in a wonderful, magical world the moment I set eyes on it. This print makes me happy. It is called Narnia Fantasy Landscape. Narnia. *sigh*


You simply MUST check out Jen's work both in her Etsy shop and on her blog!

Also, Jen has kindly offered a wonderful, generous giveaway! One VERY lucky reader will receive a choice of ONE print from either the Black and White Prints or the Photography Prints section! (Jen can help you out if you aren't sure when you win which you can choose!)

Here are the rules to enter:
***To be entered you MUST go to Jen's shop and come back here and tell me which print you liked the best. Don't worry...if you win you can choose something else. This entry is MANDATORY.***

These are all optional entries to earn extra opportunities to win!
Remember to leave a separate comment for EACH.

1. Follow my Blog and leave a comment letting me know you follow. Current followers do count!
2. Follow Jen's Blog and leave a comment here letting me know (feel free to leave her some love, too!)
3. Follow both Jen and Me on Twitter AND Tweet about this giveaway. Leave a comment with a direct link to your tweet!
4. Make me a favorite in Technorati (see small green widget on the right).
5. Make a purchase from Jen's shop for THREE extra entries! Leave THREE comments to let me know what you bought! (This will be confirmed.)
6. Blog about this giveaway and include a link to this post. Leave a comment here with a link to your post.

Contest closes at 11:59pm on Tuesday, June 23rd.


This contest is open world-wide and will be shipped by the featured vendor.

Thanks for checking out Jen's amazing shop!!!! I can't wait to see what you guys love about it!