Incipient wings

My Inner SongBird

2012-05-26T19:34:00.006-07:00

Norma is hosting this week's drawing challenge and she chose Paper doll/drama. It has to be a paper doll with the skirt area telling the story...this is the one I made.
I don't know how to sing, not like this anyway:) it's a wish....a talent I do not have.
But I dream it sometimes....I think my songbird is in there somewhere, singing a song only I can hear, safely hidden in my soul.

The Fairy Chair

2012-05-20T00:08:00.007-07:00

When I first saw this gorgeous image on my collage CD from Lisa Kettell, I knew I had to use it.
The image itself is called 'Take the fair face of woman'
I think she looks like a fairy:)

Supplies:
Collage CD from Lisa's shop
moss
artificial flowers
butterflies
glitter
small chair
hot glue
glue gun

Directions:
Hot glue moss to the chair seat
glue image to chair back
take the flowers apart and arrange them around image and on the moss. Add butterflies.
paint glitter onto flowers.

Now it's all ready for a fairy to rest on!

Tips:
you can find small decorative chairs at craft stores or yard sales.
use tulle or ribbon to make a skirt around the chair.
a small pillow can be used instead of moss.

Have a great Sunday!

Bye Bye Blackbird

2012-05-04T17:21:00.000-07:00

The theme this week for the Take A Word challenge is Blackbird.

This is my version of it.

Hope everyone has a great weekend, I'll see you on Sunday!

Fairy Wishes Crown

2012-04-29T23:08:00.000-07:00

I love crowns!The more outrageous the better:) I know it's still April but I thought this crown would be perfect for May day!
Ive created one using some of Lisa Kettell's amazing products.....

Supplies:

unfinished Baby Bailey doll by Lisa Kettell Designs

Charlotte doll head by Lisa Kettell Designs

cardboard crown template

assorted artificial flowers in your choice of colors

different sized butterfly picks

glitter butterfly ornament

glitter glue in gold, silver, pink, green

Acrylic paint in peach, brown and pink

rhinestones

wish ticket

ribbon

hot glue

Directions:

Paint baby Bailey doll peach. Add details to face with brown paint, then paint in hair.Color in

cheeks with pink paint. Use pink and green glitter glue to make a skirt.Set aside to dry.

Begin hot gluing flowers to crown template, filling in empty spots with artificial leaves.Glue
ribbon to ends of crown (no more than 12'' on either side)

Once it's covered, hot glue butterflies to crown. Attach baby Bailey and Charlotte doll head
to butterflies.

Add wish ticket.Brush glitter glue onto ticket, flowers, and dolls. Attach rhinestones.

Tips:

you can paint the crown template or cover it in decorative scrapbook paper

crown templates can be found online or at Jo-ann Fabrics and crafts store.

These are a great party activity for children, just use white glue and felt flower cutouts

Click here to shop for the adorable doll parts used in this project.For more Design Team projects stop by Lisa's Blog and her website!

Paper Dolls

2012-04-22T15:01:00.011-07:00

When I was 8 I had a friend that had a huge collection of paper dolls, fortunately she was generous and didn't mind sharing. We'd play for hours, changing accessories and outfits.One of the best things was being able to keep all the outfits that were damaged...I'd bring them home and "repair" them, adding glitter, construction paper, photos from magazines and fake flowers.
This week's project for Lisa Kettel Designs helped me remember how much fun that was.
I used an image from a collage clip art CD which you can find in Lisa's shop.

Marie Antoinette
Vintage Image
ribbon
pink ruffled ribbon
cage and bird stickers
red glitter heart sticker
resin rose stickers
glitter in dark pink, iridescent pink
paper flowers
small artificial rose
white pompom trim
rhinestones
decorative scrapbook paper
card stock
white craft glue
hot glue
glue stick

print image onto card stock
glue decorative paper onto card stock using a glue stick, press out air bubbles,
cut into skirt shape
attach image to top of skirt
hot glue ruffles to lower half of skirt, starting at the bottom.
add pompom trim using white glue
add paper flowers to dress
brush white glue to flowers and sprinkle with iridescent glitter
arrange rhinestones onto doll
attach artificial rose to skirt using hot glue
place cage on her head and bird sticker to her hand
add glitter heart sticker to hip
hot glue ribbon to back of doll to hang if you wish

Flower Fairy
Vintage image
glitter paper
fabric roses
silver glitter tinsel
artificial leaf
crepe paper flower
pink pipe cleaner
ribbon
coarse glitter in pink and gold
plastic wings
card stock

print image onto card stock, cut out
draw arms onto remaining card stock, cut out and glue to torso
glue leaf to bodice
add fabric roses to top of arms to form sleeves
glue tinsel ribbon to 'waist'
hot glue torso and head to tissue paper flower
drizzle white glue to flower and cover with pink glitter
form legs out of pink pipe cleaner and glue to inside of skirt
add more fabric flowers for shoes
cut out crown shape out of gold glitter paper attach to top of head
glue wings to back of doll.
add ribbon to back of doll to hang

Tip:
use butterfly wings or stickers instead of plastic wings
tissue paper flowers can be found in the greeting card/birthday section of Target
use crepe paper instead of fabric ribbon

Visit Lisa Kettell Designs, her artfire shop or her beautiful blog for more inspiration !!

October Dreams

2012-04-15T11:49:00.018-07:00

Hello!
Guess what?
It's Halloween in April!!!.....
That doesn't seem to have the same ring as 'Christmas in July' does it?
Oh well, either way I'm ready to show you my latest project for Lisa Kettell Designs

Supplies
12x12 canvas
12x12 decorative scrapbook papers in peach, black and parchment
sticky back border trim
Unfinished china doll head by Lisa Kettell Designs
Small star ornament
birdcage charm
assorted adhesive rhinestones
glitter:yellow, hot pink, black, blue, purple and star shaped
1/2 yard each of orange and black tulle
ribbon:orange and purple
Halloween tiles
hot glue
white glue
glue stick
acrylic paint in white, pink, black, maroon, brown
scissors

Face
Paint china doll head white
add in facial details
paint hair black, sprinkle with pink and blue glitter
brush forehead with white glue, add star shaped glitter

Hat
create a small cone with black paper, hot glue to keep shape
cut circle out to form brim, hot glue to paper cone, add black glitter
attach to doll head

Canvas
cover surface of canvas with glue stick, attach peach colored scrapbook paper, press down firmly to remove wrinkles & creases.
add border trim to top and bottom of canvas
hot glue Halloween tiles to sides
Draw a form onto parchment colored paper,cut out and glue to canvas with white glue
make a dress bodice using the black paper, cut out and glue to form on canvas
Hot glue doll head to top of form
hot glue pieces of tulle and orange ribbon to bottom of bodice, alternating the colors to form skirt.
make a belt using a piece of purple ribbon, hot glue at waist
drizzle white glue on belt, sprinkle with purple glitter
crumple small bits of black tulle and glue to tops of arms
add rhinestones to skirt and neck
attach birdcage charm
Hot glue star ornament to canvas
embellish with yellow and star shaped glitter

Tip:
Halloween stickers can be used in place of tiles
star ornament and birdcage charm can be found in craft stores
you can use wooden star cutouts instead of an ornament
tissue paper can be substituted for tulle

You can find more of the design team's creations on Lisa's blog:)

Keeper of the Sweets

2012-04-08T00:09:00.012-07:00

It's time to share my next project for Lisa Kettell Designs!

This is what you need:
Lisa Kettell Designs cotton candy pink Charlotte doll head
Model Magic
acrylic paint in pink and peach
iridescent tinsel
candy stickers
assorted ribbon
cupcake ornaments
decorative button
admission ticket
glitter paint in green
micro glitter in gold and white/clear
small cage
white glue
hot glue

Cage
paint cage pink and let dry
glue green ribbon around base
attach candy stickers
paint green glitter onto different areas
glue large cupcake ornament to inside

Doll
mold a simple torso and arms out of model magic and attach to top of cage with hot glue, let dry over night then paint peach.

glue tinsel to Charlotte doll head, top with cupcake ornament
attach to torso with hot glue
add decorative button and ribbon to front of doll to create necklace
edge ticket with white glue and dip in gold glitter
hot glue to doll's hand
paint white glue onto arms and hair, sprinkle white/clear glitter

Tips:
Cupcake stickers can be used in place of ornaments
shredded packing material can be used instead of tinsel which can be found at craft and hobby stores
cages can also be found at craft stores, thrift stores and yard sales
detailed instructions on how to make cupcakes out of model magic can be found in Lisa Kettell's amazing book, Altered Art Circus.
Doll parts and other goodies can be purchased from Lisa's Artfire shop

Party Girl cuff & Charlotte ring

2012-04-01T10:18:00.008-07:00

I wanted to share my first Lisa Kettell Designs project with you!!!I had a lot of fun with these!

Cuff
Lisa Kettell Designs party girl doll head
small doily
flat back rhinestones
sequin ribbon
plain fabric cuff
twinklets diamond dust glitter
white craft glue
hot glue
jewelry glue

attatch sequin ribbon to edges of cuff with hot glue
glue doily to center of cuff
cover party girl doll's hat with white glue and dip in glitter, then affix to the doily with a bit of hot glue.
randomly place flatback rhinestones on cuff with jewelry glue
TIP:instead of rhinestones you can use resin flowers which can be found at most craft and hobby shops .

Ring
Lisa Kettell designs Charlotte head doll
small doily
tinsel pipe cleaner
micro glitter
plain ring base
white craft glue
hot glue

Cover Charlotte doll hair with white craft glue, sprinkle micro glitter over it
then hot glue doily to the back
shape tinsel into flower shape
glue to the back of doily
add a small amount of hot glue to center of ring base and place on the back of doily

TIP:use felt stars or flowers in place of doily

Don't forget you can find the adorable Party Girl and Charlotte doll heads in Lisa's Art Fire shop.

Some Sweet News

2012-03-17T19:57:00.007-07:00

Hello again!
Hope everyone is doing well.We all had a bout with a cold but every one is much better now.
a couple weeks of not being able to make anything had me aching to paint, glue, draw, sculpt...anything!!!for now I made some candy lights, courtesy of Aunt Peaches.

Mine are a bit different from the ones on her blog, but it's pretty much the same style.
I used an old string of valentine's day lights with some colored cellophane & clear plastic plates from the dollar store.
Of course I got carried away and made some for my garden! This is a solar light that used to have a glass mushroom cover over it...well the cats broke (2) playing soccer or something, lol and all that was left of the covers were shards of glass.
This worked out nicely:)

I also have a bunch of empty ice cream cone bubble holders that I'm trying to figure out what to do with...any ideas?

AND....I also have stupendous-amazing-awesome-fantastic news to share with you!!!
Ive been chosen to be on Lisa Kettell's design team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I'm beyond excited-over-the-moon-hysterically-happy about this!

Ok, next post will be a giveaway for you!Here's a hint...it's magical, fruity and book(ish) haha!!
Have a wonderful night, see you soon.

Fairy matchbox

2012-03-06T16:09:00.014-08:00

Wow did time get away from me! March is here and is it windy today!
Been working on lot's of cool projects lately & I can't wait to share it with you.
For now, I'd like to show you a matchbox I created recently for another swap.
Ive never really worked on a matchbox and I was a little intimidated to start ...but I figured, if I can turn it into a little person somehow, then I'll be good to go. So of course I decided on a fairy:)

This is the open matchbox filled with teeny goodies..

Then she was put into another box..

The inside lid...

I tried to get it to look like an apothecary, filled with bottles...

OK... I'm off to finish a project...I will be back here very soon with a magical give away!!!
I hope every one has a wonderful week, Happy March!

The images of the fairy and the apothecary bottles are from Lisa Kettell's book Altered Art Circus:)

Swaps

2012-02-11T15:21:00.000-08:00

Hello,
hope everyone is doing great.
First of all, I'd like to thank everyone that left me a comment on my last post, you all make blogging so worth it.
Before I get to announcing the winner I'd like to share a few pretties with you.
The Tucson Swap Queens had an envelope swap, the one I received was stuffed full of amazing goodies, from the lovely Alex Hardy but I opened it before I had a chance to photograph it....this is the one I made.

I also participated in The heart and flower Valentine swap hosted by Wendy from Bliss Angels and my partner was WENDY!!!She sent me one of her deliciously magical creations:

The beautiful card she created...

this is the tin I sent her,
The lid...

the inside,

Then!Linda from Olde Baggs 'n stuft shirts sent me this beautiful sweet smelling little sachet she made!For no reason, other than she's just an awesome lady, thank you so much Linda!

Once again I used a random number generator to choose a winner for my 2 years of blogging gift and the winner is #16...Kristin from Twinkle Twinkle.
Have a great week and thank you for stopping by.

Two years old!

2012-02-02T23:24:00.000-08:00

The 30th of January marked two years since my first blog post
Thank you to everyone!You have been so supportive and kind.
I've having a give away to show my appreciation.
Just leave a comment and on Friday the 10th I'll pick a winner.

Mushroom Fairy

2012-01-27T12:38:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, in a tidy little cottage, there lived a woman.
Every night she would sit at her window and gaze up at the glittering heavens and imagine her true love. Night after night she sat hoping he would appear, but to no avail.
So one rainy afternoon, she made a decision. After digging through a beautifully carved trunk of books, she found the one she needed.
Armed with a cauldron filled with roses, candles, herbs and her magical book, she set off through the damp, tangled woods.

In a grove filled with wild flowers and poisonous toadstools, she cast a love spell so powerful, even the predators of the forest felt no animosity in their hearts when they spied her amongst the trees.

Once the moon had risen, golden and ripe, she carefully poured the elixir into a vial for safe keeping.
Not noticing the single drop that fell silently to the ground, she packed up her cauldron and headed home.

From that errant drop sprang a beautiful fairy, so tiny, the wildflowers towered over her.
Her small heart was overflowing with love, and everything she touched felt the power of it.
Birds sang sweeter, wild beasts grew tame and human hearts beat faster.

She lives among wildflowers.So remember next time you are out walking on a trail or camping in the woods, if you happen to see a flash of bright red or feel a fluttering in your heart, it could be her. To actually see her, means true love is near.

As for the lady that cast the spell, well that's another story.

The End

Happiness!!!!

2012-01-18T13:33:00.000-08:00

a few years ago, while at the bookstore, I happened to find an amazing book...I fell in love with the inspiring images and the whimsical projects.

I couldn't stop looking through it! Of course I purchased it.
I took it everywhere with me.... doctor's appointments, DMV, the airport to drop off Paul....any place that made me nervous or sad...it made me feel better, it made me feel safe somehow.
It wasn't until I looked up the author Lisa Kettell, that I decided to start a blog.
So you can imagine my absolute delight when she used some of my art...

in her newest printed zine Piddlestix!!!

I'm so, so excited!!!!!
If you get a chance please take a look at this kind-tireless-multi-talented-faerie-woman's blog...you will be completely enchanted!!

And please don't forget that in eleven days i'm having my 2 year blogiversary and giveaway!

see you soon.

Little surprises

2012-01-11T02:04:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!
what do you get when you combine glittery stars and polka dots?? Well, I'm not sure either, but I'm know it's going to be something fun, especially when the stars were only fifty cents.

I love finding magical little treasures on a regular day. Look at these adorable cupcake ornaments that were 75% off.

And this kitty...he's perfect, no knocking iphones off the sofa and shattering the screen...no jumping up and landing in the toilet...no smacking you as you walk by..

And who else has seen the glittery bunches of daisies at Walmart? So cute!

It was a day filled with little surprises, the perfect kind of day to have I think.
And speaking of surprises....I have one for you, My two year blogiversary is on the 30th and I'm working on a glittery give away just for you!
Now to finish off the day I'm off to have a freshly baked brownie:)
see you soon!

A new year

2012-01-04T13:33:00.000-08:00

Now that the dust has settled, and the party goers have gone home...

We move on to sweeter holidays:) I don't know about you, but I love January and February...the air seems sweeter, almost like you can smell candy wafting in the breeze.

This of course, is inspiring to me, I can imagine fairies whispering from the branches of trees, crystals sparkling in the sunlight, goblins selling their enchanted wares...they're there, we just need to look

It's a new year with so many amazing possibilities.
I hope you find much happiness, magic and inspiration.
Happy New Year!!

Glitter and stuff

2011-12-28T15:42:00.000-08:00

Hello!
I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas! We had a great time...watching a four year old zipping around preparing for Santa is very funny and a little sad at the same time, I know it wont be long before she outgrows this.

we tried to create something festive every day.
Some salt dough and cinnamon ornaments,

Felt gingerbread boys,

Glittered paper trees,

cotton beard Santas,

An assortment of oddly decorated cookies,

More cotton ball usage,(remind me next month when I rant about how we've run out of cotton balls)

I also made a sugar plum fairy mobile to hang over Helena's bed, which was so fun to do I am going to make some more to hang out in my fairy garden in a few days.

Have a wonderful evening, take care this weekend and I'll see you next year:)

Candied Oranges

2011-12-17T13:00:00.001-08:00

Candied oranges!
They're delicious and easier to make than you think.
I followed this recipe from food network
All you need is:
6 thick-skinned navel oranges
4 1/2 cups sugar, plus extra for rolling
1 1/2 cups water
Directions
Cut tops and bottoms off of the orange and score the orange into quarters, cutting down only into the peel and not into the fruit. Peel the skin and pith of the orange in large pieces.
I got Paul to help me cut the peel into strips about 1/4-inch wide.

Put the orange peel in a large saucepan with cold water to cover, bring to a boil over high heat. Then pour off the water. Repeat 1 or 2 more times,this helps remove the bitterness.Remove the orange peels from the pan.

Whisk the sugar with 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 to 9 minutes (If you took the sugar's temperature with a candy thermometer it would be at the soft thread stage, 230 to 234 degrees F.) Add the peels and simmer gently, reducing heat to retain a simmer. Cook until the peels get translucent, about 45 minutes. Resist the urge to stir the peels or you may introduce sugar crystals into the syrup. If necessary, swirl the pan to move the peels around.

Drain the peels, then roll them in sugar and dry on a rack, for 4 to 5 hours. Return to the sugar to store.

Once they are dry you can dip them in dark chocolate but I like them plain.
Enjoy!

A composer & a circus act

2011-12-15T22:21:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone for their lovely birthday wishes!I had an incredible birthday this year, with good food, great company and beautiful gifts.
My daughter, Gabriella made this for me using products from my favorite artist Lisa Kettell.
I LOVE it!!!

And she made this ring for me too!

We have a winner for the birthday giveaway....
Random number generator chose comment five, congratulations to Ann from tin and sparkle.
I'll be back soon, I'm off to make candied oranges:)

Birthday Giveaway

2011-12-10T01:10:00.000-08:00

It's time to make a...

blow out the candles...

And have a huge chunk of gingerbread cake...

it's also time to leave a comment so you can win a little gift.

Thank you everyone!

Christmas swaps

2011-12-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

Hello! are you having fun baking, shopping and savoring every single sweet minute?

I'm trying:)I've participated in a couple holiday swaps,
Wendy from Bliss Angels hosted The Christmas cheer tin swap, (thank you Wendy!)
This is the tin I made (which you have seen)

this is the inside,

Then Karen from Karen's Monday Musings invited me to join in an altered cigar box secret Santa swap (sheesh say that 3 times fast!)with her super talented friends in the Tucson Swap Queens group.
I was secret Santa for someone that likes Angels,
This is what I made..

this is the inside...

And this is what I got from my secret Santa...

The inside was filled with homemade cookies and peppermint pretzels...which are all gone:) so no pic!
I hope everyone is getting into Holiday mode, I've been busy decorating, even the gypsy wagon has a bitty tree in it..

Come back soon to get a chance to win a small bag of magical goodies on my birthday!
Have a great night!
Marfi

Birthday week (give or take a few days) & it's December

2011-12-01T01:37:00.000-08:00

I love December!
makes me think of gold & silver glitter softly falling, pink frosting, the smell of gingerbread! Wonderful magical happy stuff.

And it's my birthday this month on the tenth:)So you know what that means???Cake!
Candles!

And of course a giveaway for you!
I'll let you know what goodies I have in store for you soon.
Meanwhile, it's time to go outside and soak up the December weather, it's overcast, 57 degrees and sprinkling!
Have a magical day!

Sweetness

2011-11-27T22:50:00.000-08:00

Hi, how was your holiday weekend?
Ours was very nice, quiet & uneventful, plus My dad is feeling much better (thank you!)
Once stress slips away my muse comes by for a visit, so I was able to finish up a swap I was working on.

I found some adorable lollipop ornaments,

which inspired me to make a little garland, using pompoms and foam marshmallows

November just flew by for me, and I'm hoping that December can be enjoyed more thoroughly, I'd like to squeeze every last bit of sweetness out of it if I can, and savor every moment.

I hope everyone has a sweet week.

Incipient Wings

2011-11-20T18:25:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone
Just wanted to write and share what's been going on in my little corner of the desert with you...
My dad is feeling under the weather so I'm pretty stressed out about that.
I wont go into to detail...but prayers would be helpful:)

Another thing is that I recently found another blog using my exact name.
It's a bit upsetting because it's not just a name I picked because it sounded neat.
The title of my blog was something that I took a while settling on, I was new to blogging and afraid of putting myself out there for fear of rejection of my thoughts and ideas..
So I chose Incipient Wings because that described how I felt with everything...barely emerging, art, life, writing, photography, friendships.
it also represented how we are always learning and no matter what we all have incipient wings about something somewhere in our lives.

I just wanted my amazing friends and followers to know this, just in case this other blog leaves comments for them...

So that's the long and short of it around here, thank you for visiting a not so happy blog post.

I hope everyone had a good weekend.
Marfi

PS When I went to look at this other blog, I noticed a couple comments from people that know of My Blog I don't know who you are but I thank you for trying to help out:)

M

Song to the moon

2011-11-15T15:16:00.000-08:00

I think I have four favorite fairy tales, & most of you know that The Frog Prince is one of them. Now I'd like to tell you about another one...
The Little Mermaid...
everything about this story is beautiful to me.. her incredible garden under the sea, with it's treasures salvaged from ship wrecks, the immense love she feels for the beautiful prince, even the way she perishes in the end.

Sometimes I find different versions of this story which are good, But I recently read this..

It's absolutely enchanting!If you've not read it yet, I highly recommend it.

I've created this painting in honor of The Little Mermaid and for another of my favorite things, the opera Rusalka. The first song on my playlist is from that opera, in case you want to give it a listen.

Have a magical day!