Thank you to all the lovely people who have become new Followers (and those who continue to follow me), I really appreciate having you along on this amazing journey!
Eileen Hull has a new challenge on her blog HERE at Art With Heart and the theme is 'Go Green'. You can create a project for St Patrick's Day, or up-cycle something or create something with an outdoor Vintage Travel theme. Eileen always has fantastic prizes and this month is no exception, I hope you will check it out!
I decided to go on the up-cycle route and transformed some drinks mats for my project. I also made a holder using one of Eileen's fabulous Scoreboard XL dies - The Caddy - an extremely versatile die.
One side of the holder, complete with the finished drinks mats.
To create the holder I die cut two caddies from Mat Board (Mount Board) and painted all of the pieces with DecoArt Chalkboard Paint in black. This fantastic paint coats in one and gives a wonderful semi matt finish. If you do want to use it as a chalk board, I would recommend two coats but one was sufficient for my needs. I painted the top of four well used drink mats in the same way (sorry I forgot to take a 'before' picture).
I applied a fairly thick coat of Weathered Wood Crackle Medium (by DecoArt) to the caddies and also the drink mats and let this dry. To make the top coat I mixed some Cobalt Teal Hue DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic with some Titanium White (a mix of approx 30/70%) which gave me the lovely blue that you see on the caddy and the mats.
I stamped my favourite flower from the Tim Holtz Flower Garden stamp set - I know, I keep using it but I am ever so slightly obsessed with it... it was stamped onto tissue paper, painted from the back with more DecoArt paints and attached with Ranger Matt Medium. Another coat of Matt Medium was applied over the whole of the mats to seal and protect them.
As I had cut two caddies, I put them back to back so that I could pop a block of memo note paper into the other side and also attached a butterfly to both sides of the caddy, using a Stampendous stamp from the 'Butterflies SSC028' set.
A view from the side to show the whole piece. The ribbon is Tim Holtz Crinkle ribbon coloured with Tumbled Glass Distress Stain.
So, you don't have to use green if it is not your thing, just up-cycle something, or create something with an outdoor Vintage Travel theme and come over and join us HERE in our Go Green Challenge.
Thanks so much for looking and I hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Anne xx
Oh WOW Anne! I love the way the crackle background works with the flowers and it's such a clever idea to use these super caddy holders back to back. As ever you are a source of amazing inspiration. Jenny x
ReplyDeleteFantastic Anne. Love the colour scheme - those flowers really pop from the blue crackled background and it's make a lovely gift. Is there no end to your talent? Elaine xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a great project Anne! I love the design with two holders placed together - the beautiful crackle you achieved - the pretty bright flowers on the coasters - this will be a lovely useful piece of art wherever it is placed!
ReplyDeleteTotally gorgeous, such beautiful colours and the crackle effect is stunning! Sorry I haven't been to visit for a few days!
ReplyDeleteRebecca.
x
Love how you used the caddy Anne, the crackle is fantastic and the yellow flowers really pop against the background. Lovely piece of recycling. Beautiful butterfly and bow too. Tracy x
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm floored, I love your up-cycling project Anne!! As always, your projects are practical aaaaaaand beautiful, and this is what I love so much about your work. Hugs, Georgie xx
ReplyDeleteI'm all warm inside from so much of my favorite color! This double-sided caddy is surely unique? It is practical as well as a work of art fitting for any decor! And the crackled coasters with the beautiful cone flowers are stunning!! I love everything about your creation, Annie!! Hugs, Darnell xxoo
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous creativity ! Anne- the colours , the crackle, the stamps , the die ! You have really showcased upcycling at its best not only with the drink mats but also with the back to back caddies ! I so admire your wonderful ideas n ability to carry them off to produce a real quality practical product ! hugs xx
ReplyDeleteAnother superb make Anne, I love the crackle and the luscious background colour you used.
ReplyDeleteYour butterflies are incredibly lifelike; such a beautiful piece ((hugs)) xo
Wee Man said, "thank you Anne, I'm glad you like my painting" Hugs from Wee Man xo
What glorious crackle, Anne - and how wonderful the flowers look against it. A brilliant make with the caddy!
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
It is simply fabulous Anne - you are soooo creative and clever. LOVE the teal shade you mixed up - it looks gorgeous. Fantastic crackle effects and those flowers are truly beautiful! Brilliant as always. Nicola x
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning Anne, such a wonderful design. I LOVE the colours. beautiful flowers gorgeous butterfly too.
ReplyDeletehugs Sue xx
Gorgeous colour you have mixed and I love the crackle effect too Anne. The flower is so beautiful I can see why you want to use it. X
ReplyDeleteamazing crackle Anne - this all looks stunning - the coneflowers look amazing too - wow - what a fabulous set!!! Big hugs Rachel x
ReplyDeleteLoving this Anne. I just can't resist the crackle effect and it looks fabulous in this colour.
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing just looks great. Happy crafty hugs, Angela x
Another amazing project, and I'm loving that you recycled to make this striking holder. A pretty & useful (and also very cheery with that gorgeous flower image) piece to have about your home. The butterfly looks ready to fly away with the wonderful crinkled ribbon trim. TFS & Hugs
ReplyDeleteGreat minds…… I up-cycled a couple of coasters at the caravan at the weekend - nothing as wonderful as these though, and they have gone straight on to the coffee table! I love the crackle on yours and the fabulous flowers but best of all the fabulous holder for them all! Thanks for the tip - tried and failed to change it - hey ho! Moving on…. Hugs Chrisx
ReplyDeleteThis is a stunner, Anne. LOVE the colors and such a beauty. I love the idea of up cycled coasters and a double sided caddy! So practical, functional and aesthetically beautiful. Wowsers all around! Hugs.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, Anne!!! Love the caddy idea with the coasters,and that beautiful stamping and coloring! You've inspired me for some Christmas gifts (yikes, did I just say "Christmas"?!!)
ReplyDeletexxx Lynn
BEAUTIFUL upcycling project Anne, stunning colours, fab idea that is practical as well as looking amazing. Must check out Eileen's caddy die, must have missed this one.
ReplyDeleteAlways a pleasure visiting your blog
:-) xxx
What a super piece of recycling Anne. The drinks mats look fabulous and that caddie is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteToni xx
What a fab project Anne ..... and useful too! Gorgeous colour and I love the crackle. This new set of stamps from Tim is fast becoming one of my favourites too. Hugs ..... Linda xx
ReplyDeleteWow, this is fabulous Anne! Love the aqua colour, it's a gorgeous backdrop for the vibrant yellow flowers! A wonderful project idea! hugs :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! What a fabulous project! The holder, the coasters, the colors, everything! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Anne, this is so pretty and useful, I love the set and the colors are gorgeous together. I love the crackle, love the style, you are so professional you should have a Etsy shop!
ReplyDeleteHugs Kelly
Beautiful Anne, love the crackle texture and that your caddy does double duty!
ReplyDeleteAnne this caddy is so cool! I love how you crackle painted matboard- it looks just like wood! The butterflies fit just right and are perfect colors. Love. it.
ReplyDeleteHey Kid! What a great idea and your caddy can be used for many different purposes. Your crackling looks great. I am still waiting for a shop to restock that candy box die!
ReplyDeleteWill this move never end! I never knew I had so much stuff!!
Enjoying your blog -
Sandy xx
Anne, you are a genius. What a fabulous gift this would make. I pinned!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.pinterest.com/pin/415386765607251908/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/415386765607251936/
I am behind on treating me eyes to so much gorgeousness! Love the cracked background and those flowers and butterfly are amazing! Love this much! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI was just looking at this stunning creation over on Eileen's blog...this is totally gorgeous! hugs Carole Z X
ReplyDeleteCompletely Amazing caddy, Anne!! I love everything about this--the colors, the crackle background, those beautiful yellow blooms, (love that new TH set!) EVERYTHING!! Just a fabulous project and what a great gift idea, too!! Thank you for sharing your steps on this!! XOXO-Shari
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous piece Anne, the gorgeous crackled caddy, the wonderful coasters with such beautifully vibrant flowers and all put together so cleverly. I love your creative ideas.
ReplyDeletehugs Brenda xxx
what a beauty of a piece!!!
ReplyDeleteFirst time I have seen this caddy die Anne and your make is so inspirational. Another on my wish list. (do you know any millionaires)??
ReplyDeleteWarm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.
Just beautiful Anne, that crackle is amazing and in such a gorgeous colour. The coasters are something else, perfect use of that stamp...so pretty. Wonderful!Hugs Ruth xx
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh!!! Another beautiful project using DecoArt products! Love this little coaster holder and coasters. So pretty! The crackle is amazing!!
ReplyDeleteSo I obviously completely missed this the first time round, so glad I caught it on FB now... absolutely adore this Anne and what an amazing die!! The crackle looks fantastic, I totally love how you did the casters and the idea to do a double one is genious, what a brilliant gift idea!!
ReplyDelete