And The Winners Are....

I am so pleased with the turn out of the Design Challenge!  All the pieces were beautiful & all the designers will be getting a special 35% off coupon for just entering!

Now onto those winners!

Now I have changed things up just a bit, as stated in the rules there was only going to be 2 winners, 1 winner will be picked by the public & the 2nd winner is going to be picked by me.  Now I have deiced to add a 1st & 2nd place for the Public Vote along with a 1st & 2nd place & honorable mention for my picks.

Lets begin with the public vote.

Lets all congrats Glynna for winning 1st place in the public vote with this stunning design!

Glynna will receive her pick of 2 free collage sheets from my Calico Collage shop.

Bobbi won 2nd place in the public vote with the show stopping design!

Bobbi will get her pick of 1 free collage sheet from my Calico Collage shop.

Now for my picks.  This was so hard.  I don't know how long I just stared at my screen looking at all these beautiful designs.  They were all unique and beautiful in their own way.  I really love them all.

Now onto my picks.

Lets all congratulate Shannon on her 1st place win with her beautiful bracelet.

What I loved about this design was the color palette, the splash of blue in the beads really brought out the blue in the butterflies wings.  I also love the detail of the center piece, how she gave the image a burned effect making it a rustic/vintage feel.
Shannon will get her pick of 2 free collage sheets from my Calico Collage shop.

Holly won 2nd place with her romantic necklace.

What I loved about this design was her combination of metal & ribbon, also how she combined 2 shades of metal.  I feel the pendant really brings it all together, it really give this romantic piece a raw feel, exactly how love can be, raw. 
Holly will get her pick of 1 free collage sheet from my Calico Collage shop.

Valerie has received an honorable mention with this stunning necklace.

This necklace will sure turn heads.  It is very elaborate.  I can tell that Valerie put a lot of effort and detail into this pendant that contains a mixture of new & vintage beads that frame the beautiful show girl in the center.
Valerie will receive a coupon of 45% off her next order at Calico Collage.

Thank you to all that entered & be watching her email box for your special coupon.

Thanks for reading & StayCrafty
~Ella

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Calico Collage's Designer Challenge

On September 30th I started a sign up for Calico Collage's very first design challenge.  This challenge was in celebration of Calico Collage's 3rd birthday.  The challenge for those talented people who signed up was to create a fashion accessory, this could be anything from a piece of jewelry to a belt & they only had about 3 weeks to do this.  Now it is time for the voting!  Please look thru all the images below & vote for your fave in the poll found to you right ---->

Now with out further ado here are the beautiful enties!

This beautiful necklace was created by the Bobbi Horst of BH Bead Creations

This time stopping necklace was created by the Donna Bradley of Stranded Beads

Glynna Gower created this stunning whimsical necklace

Another show stopping necklace from Glynna Gower

This beautifully unique necklace was created by the Holly Westfall of SilverRose Designs

This adorable charm was created by Jacque Holt

Kari Asbury of Hippie Chick Designs created this dreamy tropical necklace

This elegant necklace was also created by Kari Asbury of Hippie Chick Designs

Kristi Harrison of Keepsakes by Kristi designed this adorable pony tail holder

Here is another unique design by Kristi Harrison of Keepsakes by Kristi

This unique bracelet was created by Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp of Skye Jewels

Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp of Skye Jewels also created these adorable earrings.

This stunning necklace was created by Martha Eason of Menagerie Studio

This stunning Necklace was created by Valerie Martinier of Poppy in the Sky

This stunning bracelet was created by Shannon Chomanczuk of For my Sweet Daughter

Now that you have seen each entry scroll back up and cast your vote for your favorite!
Voting will be open from now till November 1st at midnight.

Thanks to all that entered & do hope to doing this again soon!
 ~Ella 

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Happy Birthday Calico Collage & New Christmas Collage Sheets

I have been super busy since my last post.  After creating the Vintage Halloween Collage Sheets (which has been a new top seller) I was asked for some Christmas collage sheets!  WHAT?!?!  Christmas?  And at the time it was requested it wasn't even October!  Wow!  I wish I could get started on Christmas that early....Yes I am one of those who wait till the last moment to buy gifts...I am so pitiful sometimes.


A little news before I show you the Christmas collage sheets.  This month Calico Collage is celebrating her 3rd birthday!  It's so hard to believe that Calico Collage has been open for 3 years now!  As a thank you to all my great customers I would like to offer a Special Coupon for all of October!

Use Coupon Code HAPPYBIRTHDAY2011 at my Etsy Shop.

Now onto the New Vintage Christmas collage sheets!

This design comes in a lot more sizes & of course if you need another size that I do not have listed, just ask. 

Scrabble
1x1 Inchies

1x2 Domino
1 Inch Bottle Cap
1.5 Inch Rounds
2.5x3.5 (1)
2.5x3.5 (2)
2.5x3.5 (3)
2.5x3.5 (4)

Thats all for now!  Thanks for reading & stay crafty!
~Ella

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Spooky Halloween & New Scrabble Tile Collage Sheets

I never really realized how early people start getting ready for Halloween or even Christmas for that matter!  About a month ago I got some request for a new set of Halloween image.  So I did!  I really love the TTV or "Thru The Veiwfinder" look and I thought that it mixed well with the great vintage images from Halloween cards & post cards.

This set comes in

Scrabble Tile
.85in Charm
1x1 Inch
1x2 Inch
1x3 Inch
1.5x1.5 Inch
2.5x3.5 Inch

Another new Collage Sheet  set that I did is the "Queen Bee" theme set!  I'm not much of a "Bee" person but I just couldn't help myself with this one.  I love the faded fintage look all together.  But what are bees with out their Hives, Crowns & Flowers?  You will find them all in this whimsical set!

This set comes in the following:
Scrabble Tile
.85in Charm
1x1 Inch
1.5x1.5 Inch

Make sure to check out what else is new at my shop!  What's NEW? 

Thanks for reading & Stay Crafty!
~Ella

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You could win up to 9 Digital Collage Sheets!!

I wanted to post this earlier than this, but things have been very busy here latly, so I look at it like this - better late than never! <3

Calico Collage is sponsoring "Alter It Monthly" , a monthly challenge blog for altered artist.  This month's theme is Sirens, Mermaids & The Deep Blue Sea!

The winner will get their pick of ANY 9 Digital Collage sheets from my Etsy shop
Runner Ups will also get to pick 1 sheet as well!!  That is 3 chances to win!

Collage Sheet #687

Check out "Alter it Monthly" for rules & I hope to see your entry!

Thanks for reading & Stay Crafty!

~Ella

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How to make an Image Pendant

I have gotten a few requests asking "What are some things I can make using your collage sheets?"
With this I have deiced to create my very first tutorial.  This is such a simple pendant tutorial and any one can do it!

Lets get started!

What you need:

• Scissors
• Bezels (Some kind of setting for your image, I am using Beadlanding's Pendant Set)
• Glaze (I will be using 2 kinds, Aleene's Paper Glaze & Inkssentials Glossy Accents, you will understand why I am using 2 by the end of the tutorial)
• Printed Collage Sheet (I am using Vintage Eiffel Tower for 1x2 & Alphonse Mucha for 1x2

Since the images on the collage sheet are larger than the setting you need to cut them down.  Since my son decided to use my last measuring strip for a lasso, I can't measure.  I found it easy to get a small piece of paper and fit it into the setting & making a template to go by.

Cut out the image you want to use for your setting from the collage sheet.  With your paper template you just made use it as a cutting guide.

Place your image into the setting.  Make sure it lays flush into the setting.

Now use the glaze to top your image.  I find it best to apply the glaze from the outer edge and work your way toward the middle.  For the image above I am using Aleene's Paper Glaze.

I wanted to try two glazes to see what one works best & to see what one has a better "Glass" like finish.  So I did the same steps listed above for the 2nd pendant.  For the 2nd pendant I used Inkssentials Glossy Accents.

All finished.  Both pendants have been glazed and now you just need to wait.  I placed both of my pendants in my pantry so my boys or cats would not find them.  Oh! would that be a mess!  I left them set for about 9 to 12 hours.

OH MY!  Only the 2nd pendant dried clear?!?!  I was very shocked to find this, but no need to worry....

Order yourself "One Craft Project Gone Wrong" on the rocks!
Since these glazes are not water proof, a long soak will do the trick.  You can put a little dish soap in the water as well if you wish.

Let it soak for about 5 hours or until the glaze gives way when you push on it.

Now time to remove the glaze.  I used a bone folder to break the glaze & to remove it, but you can use anything that can do this job as long as it will not break the Bezel.

Clean up the Bezel & you can start again.

I do hope that this tutorial was helpful for you!  I would love to hear your comments.


Thank you for reading & Stay Crafty!
~Ella

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Paris in my Heart!

I just Love Paris, I would love to go to Paris one day...but then again who wouldn't?!?!?

While looking thru some of my Eiffel Tower postcards & Images I decided to created a collection of nothing but Eiffel Tower images. Each image has been edited with dozens of photoshop layers to create what you see. I hope you like them as much as I do.

I offer this collection in:
Scrabble Tile
1x1 Squares
1x2 Domino
1x3 Microslide
1in Circles
1.5in Circles
and soon I will offer these in 2.5x3.5 for Gift Tags, Card Design & other medium sized projects.
Of coarse if there is a special size that someone would like I will be more than happy to do a special resize for them.  Just contact me.

On a completely different topic...I am in just awe that my little baby turned 8mo today!  It seems like just yesterday I was bringing him home from the hospital.  He is now crawling and chasing that cats all round the house in his walker...as we tease "No cat tail is safe in our house" LOL

Thanks for reading & Stay crafty!
~Ella

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New Collage Sheets!

Yep, its that time again! I have listed new collage sheets.  Make sure to check out all of them here.

Right now I would like to point out a few of my favorites.


I thought my altered artist may like this one.  Vintage game pages & cards.  I personally love the word searches.  I have done those all my life & still to this day I can't help but pick up a word search book every now & again.

Collage Sheet # 632
Vintage scans of games pages such as score cards, bingo cards, word search pages & Cross Word Pages. I have edited each image to give it more of the aged look.


Another sheet that fits more for altered art & even mixed media would be my fairytale theme words.
Collage Sheet #640
I created this collage sheet with fairytales in mind.  Each line is in a handwritten font & layered on a dreamy blue & pink faded peice of paper.  

Now I can't leave out the scrabble pendant makers out there!  Who doesn't love butterflies? 
Collage Sheet #637 is full of pretty butterflies layered on either pink, blue, green or duck egg colored backgrounds!

These are just 3 of the 10 collage sheets that I listed.  Make sure to check them all out!

Thanks for reading & stay crafty!
~Ella

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Treasury Thursday!

Its that time again! Today's Thursday Treasury Theme is YELLOW! Yellow is one of my favorite colors...just 2nd to red ;)



Thanks for reading & stay crafty!
~Ella

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Treasury Thursday!

I really love the Robin Egg Blue it is such a peaceful color really.  While creating a new collage sheet yesterday I got the idea for this treasury & I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks for readying & Stay Crafty!
~Ella

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20 New Digital Collage Sheet

Oh where to start?!?!  Over the past week I created 20 new collage sheets & I have now finished listing them.  Among these collage sheets are:

Shabby Designs, a pretty and simple collection made to be used "as is" or for the creator to add their own little touch. 

I created this design in:
1x1 Inch
1x2 Inch
1x3 Inch

Of course if needed I will do custom orders for this design is their is a particular size that you need.


A personal fave is this adorable postcard design that features children in coy like kisses.  I really like the image that came from a vintage postcard of a little boy in a tux & he is kissing the hand of a little girl dolled up in a pretty green dress.

You can find this set at my etsy shop
Young Love Collage Sheet


I am not going to boggle this entier post with all 20 collage sheets, you will just have to take a look for yourself!

120 Famous Art Works Scrabble Tile Collage Sheet
Marie Antoinette Postcard ATC Hang Tag
Fairy Dress Forms ATC Hang Tag
Paris Chic 1x1 Inch Image Tiles
Vintage French Blue Toile ATC Hang Tag

On other news, I have finally created a FaceBook page, make sure to like me!
Like Me On FaceBook

Thank you for reading & Stay Crafty!
~Ella




 

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Up, Up & Away : Vintage Hot Air Balloons

I just love these new Vintage Hot Air Balloon images I got the other day!  These illustrations are from the the mid 1700s to early 1800s.  Personally my favorites has to be #022 & #051, mainly because they give that steampunk feel that I really like.  Gotta love steampunk! <3

Collage Sheet #022

Collage Sheet #042

Collage Sheet #051

One of my personal favorite collage sheets was featured in a great treasury yesterday.  Please take the time to check it out.

Collage Sheet #204

Thank you for reading & Stay Crafty!
~Ella

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New Sheets on the way!

I have been very busy working on my "to do" list this past week. I am happy to see that I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I am also happy to say in between those request, I have been re-working my older collage sheets along with making new ones.
My new collage sheets will cater more to the altered & mixed media artist, as these are atc backgrounds & "typewriter" words.

What a peek? Sure!

Collage Sheet #005

I will be listing this collage sheet along with the others I have designed Monday morning.  So be watching.

Like I stated above, I have also been re-working a few of my older collage sheets.  With what I have learned these past few years,  I have a few sheets that have what lacks to be desired.

Here are the ones that I have re-worked:

Collage Sheet #010

Collage Sheet #043

Collage Sheet #048

Now I must get back to work!  Busy Busy Busy is Me.
Thanks for reading & Stay Crafty
~Ella

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