Week Thirty-Six: Purple Ombre Mask

Sorry I'm late this week, I'm back at uni and it's been keeping me very busy!

This week I've made my second mask and it's a dramatic purple ombre this time! Trying to get a few of these for the next markets I'll be in, though none are officially scheduled, there is a possibility for Christmas time...

And look, they're on sticks now!

I decided that the stick option worked better than ribbon as what beautiful lady would want a mask that interferes with her hair? The result is very elegant and sophisticated, and looks so natural displayed in a vase don't you think? I just bought a long piece of dowel from Spotlight, measured, marked and had my hubby cut it up, then I got all sandy and painty.

So many ideas for these. And it was easier this time, so hopefully I'll get faster at it each time.

 

I'm glad I have a hobby that 1: produces pretty things 2: pays for itself through selling what I make and 3: gives me something artistic to do when I need to take a break from my studies.

 

Next week we've got another framed piece to enjoy!


xnata 

Week Thirty-Three: Bridal Gowns

Dum-dum-da-dum, Dum-dum-da-dum...

This week I've made some bridal gown cards for weddings or bridal showers, they're easy to make and can look really special and sweet for the couple or bride-to-be. I sometimes add a rub-on 'congratulations' to them, but this time I've left them word free so the buyers can say whatever they want.

We've got this big swirly wirly pearly gown....

....This feathery fluffy gown with 'something blue'...

...and a slinky mermaid type one with little capped sleeves, for those brides with nice curves that they want to show off...

I've given these to bride friends of mine in the past and they've mentioned that they've kept them as one of their keepsakes. Handmade cards are more special and worthy of being kept whether you're the one who made them or not though. The receiver gets to know they have this one of a kind card amongst their treasures, it's just nicer, okay?

 

The swirly one was done by forming the bodice, then a skeleton of the skirt which I filled in with lots of swirly bits and pieces. It's very big and princessy, and I added some pearl detail to the slim waist line of the gown.

The feathered skirt gown is mimicking those ruffled tulle type gowns, but in a feathery way that I just love. We've got a ribbon around the waist and some scrapbook paper to be the 'something blue', and I love how soft and feminine this one is. This was a bit more free-form than the other two, I just created the love heart bodice and then made lots and lots of the feathery shape and built it up and up until it was at a shape I felt happy with. Delightful.

Then the mermaid dress  was done similarly to the first one, with an outline being created and then filled in with teardrop shaped pieces which are a really easy shape to use for filling a space. It's so slinky and reminds me just a little of my own wedding gown, though mine was unfortunately sleeveless (it was so hard to find any with sleeves, and when I did they were for plus sized brides so I was left with no choice but to have a faux-fur made for my shoulders - you'd think these wedding gown makers would want to encourage winter weddings! Mind you on the day I had no sense of being cold because I was so excited and nervous). It's got a sweet bow at the waist, very romantic.

I'm working on next week's project at the moment, we're getting into this framed piece collection for the next few weeks, and this one is shaping up very nicely. Now please, remember that our give away is still going on on the Facebook page, so head over and comment to win the mask or the framed piece from last week! I'll be drawing that competition a week from today so get your entries in, I've pinned the competition photo to the top of my page.


xnata

Week Thirty-Two: 100th Blog Post GIVEAWAY!!!

We're here, it's time to start that competition!

If you were watching my Facebook page you might be very eager to see more of the two prizes, as I put up cheeky sneak peaks on there of the two options. Now lets have a good look at them!

OPTION A: Our first option is the first ever of a new quilling venture I'm taking on, there will be more in many colours and designs, but this is your chance at the very first, in a colour scheme I like to call 'Cinderella', as it reminds me of Hillary Duff's lace mask in a Cinderella Story.

The key to making these masks is PATIENCE. Oh, and a cheap plastic mask from a craft shop to use as a mould.

I started at the centre, and did little bits at a time, waiting for sections to dry before adding more. This is essential, you could really end up with a quill-tastrophy if you tried to do it all at once!

Once it was all done I turned it over and gave it a really good coat of pva to really set that shape, at first lying it in the mask to dry for a bit, then once it was semi- hardened I put it back the right way. Next, Glitter glue! Finally, a coat of sealant spray to protect it a bit better from weather, make up and other hazards it might encounter (still, do NOT get it wet future owner! And if you are going to wear it with make up, make sure you use a make up setting spray to reduce the likelihood of staining the inside of the mask.)

I haven't added a stick or ribbon yet as if the winner has chosen this I want them to pick, but I think pre-made ones will be all on sticks and custom orders will get the choice. I really must get my online shop open again...


OPTION B:


For those not interested in owning the mask, and perhaps looking for something pretty to place on a wall or bookshelf, perhaps in a nursery....

This sweet little apple tree houses a little blue bird, with a cheery little yellow flower at the base. This would be great in a baby's room, for either gender as it's a nice gender-neutral colour scheme. The frame is white, so it would suit pretty much any home décor.

 

Such a cheery image. I made the tree trunk much more detailed than I usually do with my trees, using two shades of brown and lots of lines and swirly bits.

I particularly like the idea of this being given to a Mummy-to-be for the nursery. It's such a brightly coloured piece without being over the top or loud.

HOW TO ENTER:

1: Head over to the Facebook page (link above) and find the 'comment to win' photo of these two lovelies.
2: Comment with either the word 'mask' or the word 'frame' (yes, you have to pick just one)
3: if you want to double your entry, SHARE the photo on your timeline

You've got thirteen days to get those entries in, and then two weeks from now I'll announce the winner! I'll privately contact the winner to arrange delivery and necessary adjustments.



So that's the competition info all sorted and explained, sorry if I spelled it out a bit but I don't want anyone to be confused. Let's just look now at what has been achieved so far in these 100 blog posts...



100th Post Stats

Total Blog views so far- 12, 270

Most Popular Post- Week Seven: Butterfly Husking Technique with 807 views!!!

~ which has been sold - Oh shucks I better make another... It is also the most pinned (see photo below) ~

Facebook followers: 126
Blogger followers: 35
Pinterest Followers: 90


My Favourite Quilling Project so far- Week 29: Imagine...Create!

~Which has now been sold, and its new owner is donating it to decorate the walls of respite home Coolibah House, where I hope it will do the job of inspiring its patrons to make their own wonderful art! Couldn't think of a more perfect place for something special like that to go. I can make more of this one too as I drew an extra of the silhouette and I have all the fonts (the quilling wouldn't be identical though - I'm not a machine!), so if anyone wants to place a custom order with that look it can and will be done.~


Let's see if we can make the next hundred have even better stats!


Next week we'll be turning to the subject of romance once again, and watching as the entries for the competition continue to fly in.

Thank you all, dear readers.

xnata