Before I left for my North Carolina adventure, I had a little party for some special friends. Kecia, who I met at Tiffanys in CA is on quite an adventure herself. A two month plus trek across the country, hop scotching from one friend, family member, junk shop, to another. She stopped to see me here at the cottage on her way across I70.
And my beautiful friend, Angie, was having a birthday. Two reasons to celebrate!
You know me, it doesn't take much to convince me its time for a party. I love any excuse to set the table and invite friends over.
And with two special occasions, I was raring to go.
I stole my buddy, Carol's tip about using vintage wallpaper as a table runner. And I just happened to have a few rolls to choose from…
Angie had another very important celebration, she is a first time grammie as of a few days ago! So, I broke out the extra special, hoarded, fairytale wall paper from the 20s and made a frame for her to put a baby picture in.
Instead of just having a dinner party, I invited everyone to come for the afternoon and have craft day too, and friends dropped by here and there for whatever time they could make it. Some just for craft day, some just for dinner.
My favorite way to spend a day. Good friends, good conversation and stuff to make!!
I'm still hooked on slopping modelling paste on my collages. So, I made some books with covers all textured up. (this one is in the Boutique)
On this one, I collaged the back too, but instead of texture, I dry brushed paint over the collage, then inked it a bit.
This book needs a slight re-do. I've filled it with pages and pages of old papers, and they are too delicate to turn with ribbon ties. I have to add some rings instead.
Here is the back of this one.
IIt will be a while before I burn out on this technique, I'm super into smooshing the modelling paste around over pretty papers!
Dew Drop's mommy, our Gypsy, made a journal this way too, Beth worked on some stiitching, the other Karla was doing needlepoint, Shanna had some painting to do in an enamelling project, and Angie was foofing up vintage bottles with messages and trinkets.
The great thing about craft day, is that everyone works at their own pace on whatever they feel like, and the conversation flows here, there, and everywhere.
Kecia arrived later in the day, and said she had not had a chance to create while on her trip, so I set her up with supplies to make a book too. I love the layers she put on her cover.
After dinner, when the other guests had gone, she and I went back out to the studio and worked till after midnight finishing our books.
Twinkle bonded with her, and we will both miss her, the visit was much too short!
What a delightful time! You are blessed with having people nearby who “get it” and enjoy a play day like that. Love the books and need to try the smooshing!
What fun. I agree with Kathy’s comment about having people nearby who “get it.” Wish I had some close to me. You don’t want to move to Mt. Dora by chance?
. . . OK. Didn’t think so.
The fairytale wallpaper is beyond fabulous. Perfect for Angie’s beautiful celebration.
Many years ago when I did a lot of crafting there was a liquid product that could be “painted” on a paper image that would make it very shiny and sturdy. It looked like glass. I don’t think it was Mod Podge. Seems like it was liquid glass or whatever. Maybe it is still out there. Do you know what I might be referring to, or something that works in that way?
Have a wonderful week, and many thanks for your posts.
Diamond glaze? Or paper glaze? Yes, I know what you mean, Ellie, I
Love that stuff
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Loved the photos and the smooshing…. had to laugh at the ears on that cat in the last pic! not his/her cup pf tea to be ‘bonded’ with the pooch! what is modeling paste? sounds dumb probably…. but I’m loving the look!
What fun!! I love how the journals turned out! And that fairy frame was very special, too. I missed out on seeing Kecia when she was in CO — too much going on that Saturday. I can tell I missed out!
You are right, the cross species bonding was barely tolerated.
Modeling paste is sold near the gesso and gel medium by the acrylic paints. Its a thick pasty, white stuff that dries thick. You could do the same thing with joint compound, but it is grayish
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I continue to love the dreamy effects you put on your photos!!!
That baby picture frame for your friend Angie! Love it. And the books are gorgeous.
You are obviously a very hospitable person. Oh, if I only lived closer. Maybe I would be invited to one of those special dinner/crafting extravaganzas. : )
Oh, and I love doggies. I bet I would bond with Twinkle if I got a little time with her. So sweet that Kecia gave her some special love.
I’m adoring every word and photo in this post — and with more than a little envy for your crafty times and beautiful parties! Lucky friends to be so honored! The frame is the best. No, I just can’t decide!
In every store I asked about diamond glaze, they looked at me like I was nuts. So, good ole google came to the rescue. Yes, that is what it is called. Will probably order on line.
Thanks for the info. I was beginning to think I didn’t know what I was talking about.
Have a blessed and peaceful weekend.