19 April, 2026

Anyone home?

I have misinterpreted our current "Zoology" theme over at the Alphabet challenge blog, meaning I'll just post a regular creation this time instead of a DT inspiration. If you feel inspired by it, even better - just make sure you feature an animal on your project to qualify!
Anyway, I've been seeing those decorated mandala stones recently, and while they look absolutely stunning, I don't have the patience to line those dots in geometrical patterns (and how do you make them so even, I wonder?). I wanted to create something similar, though, and while on rehabiliration, I found a rather large snail house during a walk in the forest. I cleaned it up and let it dry, and brought it to my next crafting session. It took quite a few layers of white acrylic paint to cover up the surface, and by the time I was done, the lesson was over.
This gave me the opportunity to think about what to do next: decoupage with some tiny motifs? Cover everything in random colours, or a particular colour scheme? In the end, I decided to go for contrast with a touch of geometry. I took black acrylic paint, and started adding a pattern on the narural line of the snail house. I opted for something like petals, making them bigger and bigger as I continued from the top of the snail house to the opening on the bottom.
I even managed to end the petal pattern in a way that runs into the snail hole!
And while it was quite tricky to paint those tiny bumps because I didn't have the proper size paintbrush...
... It was just as tricky to go bigger, as I realized I had to pay attention really hard to keep the petal pattern symetrical. 
In the end, I even decided to paint the interior of the snail house - at least the part I could reach with my paintbrush. I tried white in the beginning, figuring only the pattern should be black, but I realized it looked way better once I covered the white inside with black. It gives the impression of an endless hole, all while the black pattern from the outside runs directly into the opening. 
Once all dried up, and I thought I was done. However, I took my snail house to my next crafting session to seal the paint job with clear varnish. My idea was to just give the project a neat finish, but only after comparing the before and after pics I realized what a difference a transparent layer can do. From a dull surface to a shiny new house - who would have thought! 
Before I went home, I left the snail house at the exchange desk - I figured somebody might want to take it home for decoration, as a reminder of their own rehabilitation stay, or as a tiny thing that fits in your palm and absorbs all your unspoken thoughts into the black void?

challenges: 
- allsorts challengeblog: ATG with optional twist "in the garden"
- C.R.A.F.T.: ATG
- card free zone: ATG but a card
- crafty catz: ATG
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06 April, 2026

Yellow flowers

Hello again, and happy Easter Monday to all of you. We've had a weather roller-coaster recently with really warm days and periods of winterly temperatures, but the Easter holidays couldn't have been more perfect: blue skies, sunshine, and pretty blooms everywhere. Matching the outdoors, we'd like to see "Yellow flowers" over at the Alphabet challenge blog.
For my DT inspiration, I decided to use napkin decoupage after ages. I found this *bottle of a popular beverage* amongst the crafting supplies at my rehabilitation, alongside with a pretty napkin featuring sunflowers. I got myself a bit of yellow acrylic paint, and applied it onto the bottle with a sponge. Not only is it way faster than using a brush, the coverage on smooth surfaces turns out to be way better.
I waited for everything to dry, and then placed the napkin onto the part where the label used to be. I glued the napkin on the glass using decoupage varnish, and let it dry for a bit. After that, I cut the napkin alongside the lines in the glass. To make the napkin stand out, I then took a string of gemstones - I didn't really plan this part, but the shimmering gemstone embellishment separated from my flipflops the other day, and I didn't want to throw it away. I figured it would make a nice touch to the glass bottle now vase, especially as it matches the colour scheme of my project.
In the end, bits of glue can be seen on the clear glass above the upper gemstone lining, but the string would only stay attatched after using a hot glue gun, and I'm not exactly familiar with using one. This is the best I could do, and not everything needs to be perfect. I think it gives vibrant soring vibes anyway, just as all the other yellow flowers out there.

challenges:
- 613 avenue create: ATG with optional twist
- allsorts challengeblog: ATG with optional twist "springtime"
- C.R.A.F.T.: seasons/weather/ATG
- card free zone: ATG but a card
- crafty catz: ATG
- creative inspirations: Easter/spring
- everybody art: favourite colour (yellow)
- fabnfunky: Easter/spring
- nachteulen: spring/Easter
- pearlysparkles: something old, something new (new napkin, old gemstones)
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22 March, 2026

Spring to go

Just a quick little post today, an impulsive crafting project I made recently during my rehabilitation stay. We had a bit of a snowstorm shortly after I arrived, which left many trees in the area damaged. Some have fallen, others have lost branches. I decided to pick a small piece from a chestnut tree and place it into one of those paper coffee cups.
I didn't know what to expect, and in fact, nothing happened for a while, but suddenly, the bulbs became bigger. After a while, they opened up to show soft green foliage.
To make the sight more acceptable, I decided to upcycle the paper cup in one of my crafting sessions. 
I covered it in multiple layers of white acrylic paint, and once that was dry, I added different shades of brown using a sponge. I let that dry, too, only to realize the upper part had white patches when I was done. I covered that up using dark brown and a pencil, which makes for that difference in colour. I liked the contrast, however, and decided to leave it that way.
I then created a small tag saying "Spring to go". I didn't use my best handwriting, but I added two tiny hearts and a pink button. It was the best thing I could find among the crafting supplies, and I used its holes to position it onto the cup: taking a raffia-covered wire, I pierced through the paper cup and the tag, adding a button, and finishing everything with a bow. 
As for the papercup, I decided to leave it like this, just a plain paper cup covered in brown acrylic paint.
Once I was done, I placed the tiny branch back into the paper cup. I think it gives for a nice, even though modest, Easter/spring arrangement. The bulbs have opened up completely by now, and the leaves are growing from day to day. I wonder how much they'll continue growing? And what will I do with it once I'll be heading home? I guess I'll leave it on the exchange-counter for somebody else to enjoy and observe the development.  

challenges:
- krafty chicks: CAS
- card free zone: ATG but a card
- crafty calendar: spring
- crafty catz: ATG
- creative crafty uncles: spring/Easter
- little red wagon: signs of spring
- love to craft: ATG 
- make my monday: all tied up - string, ribbon, twine
- nachteulen: spring/Easter
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06 March, 2026

Wildflowers

Hello and welcome to yet another challenge over at the Alphabet challenge blog. We've reached the letter W, and your task is to showcast "wildflowers" on your creations. With nature awakening, I'm sure you'll find plenty of ideas everywhere. And of course, the DT has been busy as well, preparing a variety of wildflower-inspired art for you. 

As for my DT project, it goes way back to my rehabilitation last year. I found a wooden bunny during crafting therapy, and I knew immediately that I'd like to bring it to life somehow. As I focused on other projects, however, I only managed to cover the silhouette in white acrylic paint. I then took it home, but never really found the time to finish what I had in mind. Partly, because I couldn't pick the right napkin for decoupage, partly because renovations & moving, and mostly due to health issues. 
When I packed for this years' rehabilitation, I decided to take the bunny with me. I also packed a couple of art supplies which I'd leave in the crafting room fto refill the stash. Amongst the things I wanted to keep for myself was a napkin with wildflowers - you see, I already had a faint idea on how to decorate that bunny, except I ran out of time before I left for rehabilitation.
Once I found myself in the art therapy room, I quickly picked my crafting supplies. I covered the bunny in another layer of white acrylic paint and proceeded to cut out a couple of wildflowers. Turns out the bunny silhouette was rather small in comparison to the blooms, but I tried to pick the ones that wouldn't look all too odd. I also decided to add a bee on each side.
When that was dome, I placed them onto the bunny, and added a bit of grass by using different shades of green acrylic paint. I then sealed everything with napkin glue. 

And then, I started looking for a location for the photoshoot. I figured it would be fitting to include some wildflowers which came out out during the past warm and pleasant spring days. I sneaked my bunny into the local rose garden, where patches of primroses grow along the paths. The bunny seems to blend in with its flowers, and doesn't the bee look like it's alive? 

Fun fact: this was only my second attempt to get decent pictures. In my first try along the road, I managed to incorporate some primroses as well, but the direct sunlight seemed to cast a strong contrast between the surfaces, which is why I figured the shady gardens would be more suitable.
However, as I was packing up, I noticed a movement in the grass... a tiny red button crawling onto the primrose blooms... 
I can't help but the sight of a ladybug is like an instant shot of happiness to me, and you can imagine my surprise when I discovered a whole ladybug family! Apparently, they spent the night under an old leaf and were only waking up when I barged in with my bunny. If only I could know what they were thinking?

challenges:
- 613 avenue create: ATG with optional twist "things with wings"
- a place to start: ATG with optional twist "small critters"
- C.R.A.F.T.: spring/Easter/ATG
- card free zone: ATG but a card
- crafty catz: ATG
- creative inspirations: cute critters
- critter crazy: ATG animals
- little red wagon: include an animal
- morgans artworld: ATG
- moving along with the times: birds and/or bees
- nachteulen: ATG
- traumfabrik: Sing - all kinds of animals
- vesela hiska: daisy
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21 February, 2026

Volume (dimension)

Hello, and welcome to another challenge over at the Alphabet challenge blog. I'm back from another break - I meant to improve my routines after the new year already, but it didn't work out. I'm trying to stay afloat with everyday chores, dealing with pain issues still, and after ages, I managed to create some DT inspiration for the theme "Volume", which wants to see some depth in your projects. Use foam pads to raise parts of whatever you'll show us, we can't wait to see what you'll come up with. 

As I had limited time to create something, I opted for a small card base - one of those that can be placed on a bouquet, a box of chocolate, or any kind of a "just because" gift. I went through my paper stash, where a strip of autumn-inspired patterned paper caught my eyes. To be  precise, it's part of the album cover of a paper set, which featured a strip with samples of the papers inside - but I think it looks way too pretty to be thrown away.
Then, I remembered this tiny little penguin in my stash - it was on the wrapping of a children's face cream for cold/rainy weather, and you *may* remember I used it before ages ago. 
I think it couldn't be more perfect for the occasion. It matches both the colour scheme and the autumn feeling I was going for. I cut it from the packaging and placed it on a piece of light orange cardboard. I then took a piece of light blue paper to place onto the card base - I figured the blue and orange would be balanced out by doing so. 
I then took a bunch of colourful snippets from my paoer stash to punch out some autumn leaves. I basically decided to stick with the colours in the background, placing the leaves as if they were dancing in the wind. Then, I added a tiny gold sticker in the top and bottom part of the blue background. The reasoning was that the blue strips looked just a bit too big compared to the small amount of blue on the sides. I therefore used those decorative borders to elongate the patterned paper for a bit, and also to add a bit of bling to the card. I think it turned out quite fine, what about you?
To emphasize the rainy weather, I added a couple of tiny blue gemstones to the penguin motif. Once everything was done, I placed said picture on 3D adhesive pads to elevate it from the background papers. 

challenges: 
- 613 avenue create: ATG with optional twist "animal magic"
- a place to start: ATG with optional twist "small critters" (I'm not sure whether it counts for the twist, but I like to think this is a small penguin)
- allsorts challengeblog: ATG (the focal penguin image comes from the packaging of a Paediprotect skin cream for kids, it features their old logo which is not available anymore)
- as you like it: cute or elegant (while I try to add a bit of elegance to every project, my emphasis is always on the "cute". I like to work with cute motifs because they go well with my paper stash, I like to add cute little details like paper flowers punched embellishments, and I think that even the most elegant occasion can go with something cute when the opposite is not always the case.)
- crafty catz: ATG
- critter crazy: ATG animals
- fabnfunky: dies or punches (punched leaves)
- little red wagon: just the way you are
- lovethoseprettypapers: ATG patterned papers
- nachteulen: ATG
- traumfabrik: Sing - all kinds of animals
Posted by at 16 comments:

16 November, 2025

Pumpkin soup

Hello and welcome to another challenge over at the Alphabet challenge!
As we're getting towards the end of the Alphabet, we'll be stopping at the letter P this fortnight, and what could be a better match for that other than "Pumpkins"? Have a look at what the DT has prepared to inspire you, there are numerous projects to admire. For my DT task, I decided to create a little autumn tag, which can be placed onto a seasonal present, a bouquet or else. And as usual, it didn't turn out quite the way I planned. 
You see, I started this tag ages ago, when I came across this gorgeous orange paper. I cut a piece to place it onto a kraft tag, and decided to decorate it with golden stickers depicting autumn foliage. I intended to use this side as the front side, as the shimmering leafs seemed so pretty, but I couldn't come up with a way to embellish the back. Until I recently tried to recycle the front page of an album of patterned papers. With different writings in the page, I could only make use of a tiny bit of paper, but it was enough to cover the tag. The stripes in the pattern seem a bit too geometrical at first glance, but I think with all the polka dots it doesn't look that bad, especially as they all come from a warm colour palette. 
I then tried to come up with something to add to what I still thought was the back of my tag. With my  DT date coming closer, I needed to act fast, and I turned to the internet looking for pumpkin colouring pages. I figured if I could find a small motif and crop it in size, I might be able to finish the tag and present it for the P challenge, making a great win-win situation. 
I did find the perfect pumpkin image, and after a bit of colouring, I decided to add more paper. To be precise: a piece of golden paper to be placed behind the image, and a patterned paper with orange swirls to be used in the background. Once that was done, it became clear to me that the back side of the tag was now clearly the front side, and vice versa. To make the unintended star shine, I added shimmering gemstones and a golden sticker, which complements the stickers on the other side. They all still look wonderful, adding a seasonal touch to my tag, but this clearly isn't the front anymore.
To make my tag complete, I then added a robust twine, and that's about it. 

For more autumnal inspiration and warm colours, you may join me on a short trip to the mountains. Because there's nothing like the forests turning orange when the seasons change, especially if the hillsides glow in the afternoon sun while the valley down below is full of fog.
I decided to make use of the autumn weather by making a short trip to Poden/Bodental. Knowing I won't be able to explore much in sights and duration, I tried to enjoy the car ride itself and focus on the major views... as well as tiny details along the way.
And nature certainly didn't disappoint with the abundance of colour! I do bealieve that the smell of forest is among the most amazing smells ever - the smell of warm wood in places that are exposed to the sun, the smell of moisture in the shadow, and above all, all those tiny sounds that are produced by nature itself as well as the creatures living there. 
And so my path led me to Jezerce/Meerauge, a tiny leftover of an ancient glacier, now surrounded by tall mountains and autumn colours.
Turns out I wasn't the only one seeking sunshine and warmth.
And if this isn't the very definition of a picture-perfect autumn day, I don't know what it is.

challenges:
- 613 avenue create: ATG with optional twist "thank you"
- as you like it: favourite embellishment (my favourite embellishments by far are shimmering gemstones. I like to add them when all the "major" work on my crafting projects is done, and I believe it adds a bit of sparkle to anything I create - not only literally, but figuratively. I like how the shimmer depends on the light conditions, and I like how this brings life into a flat creation in a way that can't be achieved by flowers, die cuts, patterned papers or else.)
- C.R.A.F.T.: ATG
- card free zone: ATG but a card
- crafty catz: ATG
- do-all kreatives: ATG with optional twist "bookmark"
- little red wagon: gold or silver (gold: stickers, paper)
- lovethoseprettypapers: ATG patterned papers
- path of positivity: send an unexpected surprise
- pennys papertake: ATG paper
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