Furry friends

We're having a new challenge over at our alphabet carousell, and we'd like to see "Furry friends" on your creations this fortnight. Show us your critters, big or small! 

I had a number of ideas for my DT task, but I settled on a transformation in the end. I took an old book that I got myself from an antique shop years ago for the purpose of using the old pages in some of my crafting projects. I was looking specifically for tattered vintage-looking pages in a language I don't speak, as it wouldn't cause me headache if my crafting theme interferred with the text in the background. In fact, I found an old French book that matched my idea. However, I never really went to work, meaning it remained untouched and ready to be used now in a completely different project. 

Namely, I decided to wrap it up in some pretty papers to create a fake book, probably to be used as a spring/Easter decoration. 

For the base, I used a dark brown cardboard, which I layered up with things that came to my mind. One of the first things I picked was this cute bunny among flowers by Nina Štajner. It's actually from a cover of Nina's paper album, but I found it too beautiful to be thrown away. 

For the upper layers, I wanted to play with Nina Štajner papers, too, but I just couldn't decide on "the one" among all the beauties in my stash. I almost picked a pattern of tiny leafs for the entire cover of the book, which would give an autumn-ish look, but it didn't quite match with the rabbit image. However, as I flipped the paper around, I discovered this wonderful forest scene on the other side. You might remember it from the woodland challenge, but I just couldn't not use it again :) I placed a polka dot paper under it, which is barely visible but still created a transit between the patterned paper and the dark background.

With the back side done, I began focusing on the front cover. I thought the forest background would be a bit too busy, so I opted for a piece of doily and the brown polka dot paper. To fill the blank brown space I intended to use pearls of different colours and sizes. 

While one side of the "book" is lined by the shabby pages, I embellished the spine with a vintage heart ribbon from my stash. 

Back to the front page, I added a small spring-themed sentiment to complete the centerpiece. 

Once the motif was glued onto the book cover, I began adding the pearls. I stuck to brown and beige shades mostly, with a bit of green and white inbetween. 

As the upper part seemed a bit empty, I originally thought about adding another sentiment, but I didn't want the message to interfere with my main motif. I opted for two floral pieces from my wood stash instead. I only planned one central pearl for each bloom, but then the little ones on the big blossom just popped up out of nowhere :)

And to round up your task, a little furry bundle hiding from the summer heat. 

challenges: 

- 613 avenue create: ATG

- a bit more time to craft: ATG

- as you like it: favourite crafting tip (my tip would be to always look in your stash, or at least have an idea what is there - I managed to get to use some wooden flowers that have been in my stash for years (literally!), and I wouldn't even know I had them if it wasn't for an occasional check through my drawers. On the other hand, a stash with no overview will result in your stuff accumulating and you not using it because you just don't know it's there - a guarantee for desaster.)

- basteltraum: animals

- classicdesignchallenge: ATG DT

- crafty catz: ATG with optional twist "animals"
- crafty sentiments: ATG
- craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper

- creative inspirations: spring
- creative moments: ATG
- cute card thursday: ATG with optional twist "critters"

- do-all kreatives: small & tall

- everybody art: bingo (flowers, pearls, ribbon)

- fabnfunky: for a child
- little red wagon: bits

- love to craft: ATG 

- make my monday: outdoor fun

- morgans artworld: ATG
- pennys papertake: ATG
- scrapping4fun: ATG with an animal

- through the craftroom door: ATG

- wortartwednesday: ATG
- worldwide open design team challenge: ATG