Fabulous Friday Challenge - Recycle/Upcycle!

Hi there.  Earth Day is coming up soon and Frosted Design is celebrating it by having their Fabulous Friday challenge promoting recycling/upcycling projects!. I couldn't be happier. For this, I'm recycling a very-yellow toolbox that I found at flea market recently. Making it more ... feminine.

The toolbox is so handsomely yellow, I have NO IDEA what to make of it. Then came this challenge. Liva's yellow submarine actually reminds me of my toolbox!. LOL. This is how my effeminate toolbox looks like after some work :).

I dropped the idea of painting inside. Added pattern papers, instead. Minimal alterations. Used an old postcard, a lacy ribbon, a stamped butterfly image and decoupaged roses as embellishments. How convenient to have the original embossed words, 'Do It Yourself' on the lid. I just inked with Stazon to highlight the words.

I decoupaged roses on four corners. Then inked some more on all the sides for an 'aged' look. Lastly, glued a silk rose to the lid. Now, I've got a girlish toolbox for a storage!. I hope you're inspired. 

And Happy Earth Hour Kuala Lumpur!

XO,

Shahrul

Your Favorite Vintage Style - Frilly & Funkie Kick Off Challenge

Hi there. First of all, congrats to Frilly & Funkie for its kick off challenge. I have been waiting to play along in this challenge for days. It is called "Your Favorite Vintage Style". I was blown away by the teams' vintage creations. Just take a peek here for inspiration. So, I decided that I would stayed up late last night ... maybe cook up something special. First thing this morning (after my cats are happily fed) I started blogging :)). 


So, the question is ... what is My Favorite Vintage Style?. My art work is still evolving. I'm at the point of trying out different things. Most of all, I love to alter things old or new and turning them into objects of beauty & artsy. I love earthy and warm colors, frillies & vintage papers. Sometimes I add little surprises and playfulness in my work :), just for fun.

This is an altered book that I managed to create late last night. It's the cutest old book (4" X 6") that I found at a flea market. I re-styled it to be an inspiration booklet I could hang on the wall or when closed, it became a little purse!.

I used an old bracelet as the handle and a butterfly pendant as the lock. The booklet is actually quite tiny and skinny too (camera cap for scale). When opened, it shouts "DREAM"!. Bet it'll inspire me to create. I used only the cover of the old book and discarded the pages. Added a small box as the 'body' of my booklet-purse. Then, embellished with laces and pattern papers. I used two littlest canvases I could find and filled them with my favorite little things. And lastly, a pencil symbolizes my love for sketching & painting. 


So, that was it. A tiny toy for Frilly & Funkie first challenge. Till the next project, happy creating.


XO,
Shahrul  

City Crafter Challenge Blog Week #101 - Copy Cater

Hi all. Happy Spring! Oh how I missed Springtime (... I live in the tropics now). I saw this gorgeous looking bird @ City Crafter Challenge Blog and I immediately thinking about Springtime. Inspired me to create something floral and sweet. The image fits perfectly as the main theme for another altered project (altering an old IKEA clock).

The gorgeous yellow bird image from Graphics Fairies LLC collection.

And so I made this;

I used an old, rusty clock that no longer works as the base of my project. I 'prep'ed the clock with black gesso, green & pink acrylic paints, decoupaged and stamped lace images. Then I started decorating the clock face with bird, flowers and mood-lifting words :).

I also stamped & decoupaged a rose on one of the sides. Stamped on the back as well, even on the bells :)). Metal flowers for additional 3D decorative accents. I'm so happy to see the bird sitting comfortably on the flower bed. Seemed like he's singing, " It's time to love, twirl & dance".


I had fun making this one. It really brought back great memories. First days of Spring in Colorado, when apple trees blooming pink & white blossoms. Clear blue sky. Cool breeze. BLISS. 
Happy creating everyone.


XO,
Shahrul.

Photo Block LESSology Challenge #12

Hello friends. 

OMG, I almost forget about this challenge!. LESSology Challenge #12; Photo Block. Only today that I was able to create something. And this is my version of the photo block.

It is a tribute to the most beautiful love of all time; the love between Mr. Darcy & Elizabeth Bennet, that is. 'Be Happy' because they ended up together :)) LOL. I chose wooden blocks 'B' and 'E' mostly because, the word 'BE' inspires me a lot. I keep reminding myself to be kind, to be grateful, to be brave and a lot more to be's. I stopped trying ... but just BE. 

   

Other than alphabet wooden blocks and wire bookmark, I also used a heart photo locket (a flea market gem), old perfume bottle caps, ribbons & laces. Oh look who's there??. {Mr. Darcy of cource:)}. So happy, I was finally been able to use this pendant locket.

I used favorite screen stills and phrases from the 2004 'Pride & Prejudice" movie to decorate the photo block. In the end Darcy said to Elizabeth, " I love, love and love you. I never wished to be parted from you from this day on". Or something like that.

On one side, you'll see that they are dancing at the Netherfield Ball. When turning the blocks the other way, Elizabeth's words when she turned down Mr. Collin's proposal.

In summary, I love making these puzzling project!. Photo blocks are so much fun. I hope you like it too. Happy creating.

XO,

Shahrul

Canvas he{ART}

Canvas Heart project!. 

First time ever, making a mixed-media canvas art. Sharon Yong, Sharon K and myself were playing with the hot hot Balzer Designs' stencils at the store (Scrappingville) last week. 
It was fun to play with texture paste & mixing lots of acrylic colors. And I just played along, no expectations, just trying new things, making lots of mistakes and creating art (I hope). We've got to work really fast when using texture paste & clean the stencils super fast too. I was not THAT happy with my initial creation. So I went home, thinking how to make it more 'artsy', and sleep on the idea. 

This is what it looks like after a little more work done to it:

I'm ever so inspired with Kelly Rae Roberts winged creatures. Yup, I need much inspiration to make time for art. So, thanks girls for the fun lesson. I love to make more of this. Definitely a feel good project. Happy Friday.

XO,
Shahrul

'The Journey' Altered Book

Hello friends. 

I have been very busy of late and not been able to blog much. A quick update to share yet another altered book to go along with my upcoming April classes for Scrappingville; celebrating all things altered :)). I'd used lots of metals for my previous project 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. The latest project is quite different. 

It is called 'The Journey' altered book. It's a journal with random quotes and phrases that I love, cut out from old books. I didn't use texture paint or stenciling in this project. Just a few stampings here and there. Although, I have to say that I'm outside of my comfort zone here, as I'm using SOOO much fabrics, ribbons and laces. It's so much fun to choose funny phrases from old books and then glued or sewed them on fabric. I have always admired fabric altered books (and round robin mini albums) and this time I've got to create one.

Here how it looks like; 

I've been very generous with laces, scrap fabrics and ribbons for this book. I love the deep red color of the covers so I left them bare. I discarded the original pages cause they're quite fragile. I built the pages from several pieces of felt fabrics. Later I sewn onto them some laces & pattern papers. I discard the spine to show off the beautiful lace pattern from the pages. Added a magnetic buckle & ribbon to secure the pages. 

I like to add odd things onto my pages. Stuff like, buckles?
This project along with 'Bohemian Rhapsody' altered book are scheduled for classes in April. Do check out Scrappingville's website for class details.
Happy creating.

XO,
Shahrul


Materials used:
*Pattern Papers: Collections Elements, Love Elsie (Toby Thoughts)
*Cardstock: American Crafts
*Alpha Thickers: American Crafts
*Stickers: Glitz Teeny Alpha, Jenni Bowlin Studio, 7 Gypsies Auto Collants
*Transparency: Hambly Studios
*Chipboard Windows: Collections Elements
*Prima Flowers
*Magnetic Buckle: Basic Grey
*Tim Holtz Ideaology: Book corners, Baubles, Game Spinners
*Ribbons, laces: Momoyos

'Bohemian Rhapsody' Altered Book

Hello everyone. Recently, I had a chance to work with Collection Elements chip boards, metals and the many neutral colored pattern papers for my latest DT projects. As you know, I LOVE flea market finds!. So excited that I'd be making two different mixed-media projects for April's classes. 
This is one of the completed project. I called it 'heavy-metal' NOT because of rock-and-roll, but because the book is kind of heavy with all the metals & flea market finds that I used.

'Bohemian Rhapsody' is my fav song. 

So, what is it?. In a nutshell, it is a humble old book (found at a flea market) which was altered & re-styled into a grungy & artsy journal of some sort. I used as many metal charms & found objects as I like, to decorate the book's cover (but it's totally optional). Inside, I created four pages that featured my favorite quotes from magazines, inspirational words or simply a phrase to ponder. 'Rhapsody' means a piece of music which has an irregular form and full of feeling. So, the title fits the nature of this project perfectly.

I discarded the original pages of the old book (because they were friable), and painted the cover first with black gesso then cream acrylic paint. I added angel wings to both front & back covers using stencil & texture paint. I LOVE the rough edges on the covers.
I glued a key to the key-hole, for fun. Now anyone can enter, NOT just Alice. Dangling metal charms tied up on string, later attached to the spine. Front felt gate with a charm that says 'loving life'.

Two little chipboard pages held by staples (with pearl charms, no less) add interest to this altered book. And how cool to have your own wishing well in mini albums?. Wishing well basically made out of pattern paper envelope, to keep my prayers.

So, that was it. I had a blast making it. Just can't wait to teach this book in April. Do check out also our March classes schedule & prices @ Scrappingville website. Stay tune for my next mini album project. Happy Tuesday.

XO,
Shahrul


Materials used; 
*Pattern Papers: October Afternoon, Basic Grey, 7 Gypsies, Prima Marketing, Making Memories
*Transparency: Hambly Screen Prints Potrait Gallery
*Felt Gate & Flowers: Prima Marketing
*Art-To-Borrow Pictures: Stampington & Company
*Keys & Lock, baubles, game arrows: Tim Holtz
*Chipboard windows: Collection Elements

Day After Tomorrow LO

Hi everyone. How was your weekend? Today's simple layout is based on From Screen to Scrap's March inspiration; the movie poster 'Day After Tomorrow'. 

For extra 6 bonus points, we're encouraged to use;

* white title (1 pt), 

* 1 photo (2 pts) 

* monochromatic color with a touch of blue (3 pts).

In the poster there were frozen sea, stormy sky, and city skyline. Immediately, I remember about the summer vacation I had in San Francisco with four best friends from college days. It was always breezy and cloudy in the early afternoon. And I had just the perfect photo of San Francisco for this layout.

So this is what I came up with;

Paper strip for waves & white lace symbolizes a bridge. The square wooden flower reminds me of the intricate carvings on some of the San Francisco's Victorian homes.

I splashed bluish grey watercolor paint to mimic the stormy clouds in the poster. Added butterflies for playful, breezy summer mood. The title is from stamping with gesso r& later outlined in black.

... I'm a big fan of 'less is more' kind of layout. So, I used minimal embellishments as always. Buttons, lace and splashes of paint. This is another fun gig for me. Happy creating.


XO,
Shahrul