Published!

I was so happy to find out that some of my buyers have been submitting their own creations that include Calico Collage's design in them.  I thought I would share those publications now!
My first publication was back in February.



In the February edition of Bead Trends you will find this beautiful necklace designed by Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp of Skye Jewels on page 30!  She created this beautiful necklace using an image from collage sheet #695.



You can grab the collage sheet used for this necklace HERE!

You can buy this Bead Trend edition HERE!

Then just last month I was informed by another fabulous designer, Kari Asbury of Hippie Chick Jewelry & Design, that she will be published in the July edition of Bead Trends! 




In the July edition of Bead Trends you will find this stunning bracelet on page 58!  I was so honored that Kari included my image in this sentimental piece in honor of her grandma. 




You can grab the collage sheet used for this bracelet HERE!

You can buy this Bead Trend edition HERE!

The latest publication, that honestly blew my mind, is from Jewelry Stringing!  The stunning necklace on the cover (That's right, the cover!) was created by Cindy Cima Edwards of Zimaj.  I first learned of this publication from Marie-Noel who was blowing up my Facebook just to tell me about the necklace.  The tile itself was created by Marie-Noel also of More Skye Jewels using one of my designs, but it was the talented designer that put this all together! 

You can grab the collage sheet used for this necklace HERE!

You can buy this Jewelry Stringing edition HERE!

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What's New!

I know that I have been unable to create anything truly new in a while, but theses past few day I made up for it.  So lets show you what I have been busy creating!

Since the movie "Snow White & The Huntsman" came out, there has been some request for vintage images featuring the Ebony Hair Beauty.  So I went threw my large collection of vintage images & was able to find some that I'm sure will be pleasing to your eyes.  This set is offered in 1x1, 1x2 & 1x3.  Of course if you would like to see them in other sizes, just let me know.

Snow White Digital Collage Sheet

I am so proud of this next set of images.  I was finally able to get the most beautiful scans of beautiful seed packet catalogs ever!  Some of them date back as far as 1804!  I am very pleased to present "Floral Gems"

Floral Gems Digital Collage Sheet

Floral Gems is available in 1x1, 1x2 & 1x3.  Please let me know if you would like to see them in another size. 

Now for my latest creation, a vintage eclectic collection of pure randomness.  I must say that this collection as to be my new favorite.  I love the contrasting colors & the verity of the images. With this set you will find Flowers, Frogs, Dragonflies, Keys, Alice in Wonderland, The Eiffel Tower, Birds, Bees, A Peacock and just so much more!  Vintage Eclectic is available in 1x1, 1x2, 1x3, 1in Circles & 1.5in Circles. 

Vintage Eclectic Digital Collage Sheet

That sums ups for what's new at Calico Collage!

Thank you for reading & Stay Crafty!
~Ella

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How to Make A Bottlecap Charm

When I need to completely relax I always find myself at some craft shop?  Am I the only one who does this? LOL   

After our in-laws left I had to get out of house, so I headed over to hobby lobby.  While I was there I found this nifty little product called Magic Glos.  I just had to try it.  So I picked up some other goodies and headed home to try it out.  After some trial and errors I'm ready to share what I have learned with you along with making this short & easy tutorial.

Lets get started!

First you will need:
Bottle of Lisa Pavelka Magic Glos 
Bottle Caps
Printable Collage Sheet, I'm using Antique Clock Faces Digital Collage Sheet
A Bight Sunny Day (You can also use a UV lamp)
Glue - I will be using super glue but any glue will work.
You will also want to have Tooth picks & a Lighter/Matches on hand to pop any bubbles that may form. 

Cut out your desired image to fit the bottlecaps.  Some bottlecaps are 1 inch circles, but the ones I am working with are just a tad bit smaller.

Once I have my image cut to fit, I placed a small amount of glue in the bottlecap and then placed the image down into the bottlecap.

TIP: If you should skip this step you will risk the gloss going under the image and that will result to bubbles rising surface.

Once the glue dries you are ready for the gloss!

Since Magic-Glos is a self leveling gloss, it is best that you start in the middle, also make sure you are working on a flat & level surface.  You don't want a lop sided dome on your charm.

TIP: If you get any bubbles use matches or a lighter to pop them.  Just wave the flame over the bubble. If the bubbles are deep in the gloss us a toothpick to either pop them or to bring them to the surface so that you can pop them with the lighter. 

See how pretty it domes?  I love it!

Once you have your charm the way you like it, set it out in the sun!

All you need is about 15 to 20 minutes of direct sunlight to cure Magic-Glos.

TIP: I find that I get better results on a non-windy day, it seems that if there is too much wind the gloss seems to bubble after you place it out in the sun.  

And there you have it, a pretty glass like topped charm.  Pretty simple & so much fun to do. 

I really like how this little charm turned out that I decided to add a few more things to make it a pendant. 

With a little, E-6000, A Key & a few other findings.  I wrapped the bottlecap & added the key & charms to create this.....

Thank you for reading & I hope that you have enjoyed the tutorial. 

Stay Crafty!

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Calico Collage's 1st Giveaway!

I have always wanted to have some of my designs as postcards so this past week I did just that, I ordered a few of my designs from my RedBubble shop & 4 days later they were in my mail box.  I was so impressed with the quality of these post cards that I just can't keep them all for myself.  So I would like to hold Calico Collage's very 1st Giveaway.  So 4 lucky readers will get a chance to win.  One lucky winner will receive five of my new Post Cards (printed originals, postal mailed to you at no charge) along with one free digital collage sheet from my calicocollage.etsy.com. Three runner-ups will receive one free digital collage sheet of their choice.

To enter this giveaway contest, you must:

• Be a follower of this blog (through Google Friend Connect) and leave a comment stating which collage sheet you would like to win. Be sure to include your email address in the comment or if you would prefer send us a follow up email so we can have your contact information in case you win.

• If you have your own blog and want a 2nd chance to win… After leaving a comment on our blog regarding which Digital Collage Sheets you’d like to win, mention CalicoCollage.Etsy.com in a new post on your blog and let us know about your post. Do so and we’ll enter your name a 2nd time in our random drawing.

• For a 3rd change to win...after leaving a comment on our blog, LIKE and leave a comment on Calico Collage's FaceBook Page with the link to the collage sheet that you would like to win. Do so and we’ll enter your name a 3rd time in our random drawing

Remember....  Be sure to send me a follow up email so that I'll be able to contact you if you win. Our email address is calicocollage@yahoo.com

Deadline for entries is March 24th at 11:59 pm CDT. Instead of using a random number generator we will be doing it the old fashion way of writing the names down & drawing them from a hat!

I look forward to seeing all the comments & entries!

Thank you for reading & Stay Crafty

~Ella

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This week's Weekly Specials!

This week's Weekly Specials are:

Whimsical Fun in MicroSlide

Aloha Hawaii in 1x1 Inchies

Rooms in 2.5x3.5 ATC

Black and White Mod in .85x.85 Charm Size

Alphonse Mucha in 1x3 MicroSlide

For this week (3/12 - 3/18) only these collage sheet are marked down to $2.75

Thank you for reading & Stay Crafty!
~Ella

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My new "Office"

I could not be more proud of the fact that I have an actual office space.  Being a military family we move around more than 1 wishes to do & I personally find myself putting "my" area on the back burner.  With my hubby's new orders it looks like we will be here for some time now & I thought what better time to make my own space now!






The 1st thing I had to do was replace my old computer desk!  I really loved that old desk.  My husband bought it for me over 4 years ago.

The "old desk" picture is far from an new picture.  But you get the jifts of the image.  That poor desk was falling apart, I had added more hard wear just to keep it together.  The 2 front cabinet doors had broken off in moves & that is why you see little curtains.  My new desk is a smaller than my old desk but for the price I couldn't argue.  It was what I needed & only $89 at Wal-Mart.

Since I have 2 monitors, I'm using the desk a little backwards, but I'm still happy with it.  Under the hutch is my nifty leaser printer & my catch all cork board.  I even recycled some key from a broken keyboard to make tack pins.  I got that cute little pen holder for a $1 at hobby lobby!  It has the cutest little bird on it & See my pretty computer below - it glows blue! 

I did not like the cheap plastic handle that came with the desk, so while I was hobby lobby I grabbed 2 little drawer pulls to replace it.  Since one of the pulls was in the shape of a  Fleur de Lis I found a matching set of 4 adhesive vinyl wall art & used the Fleur de Lis from it & saved the other to go on the side of the book case.

My mom bought me that pretty little bird canvas art while she was visiting, I feel in love with it.  The little yellow "Budda Kitty" I have had since 2001 when my husband & I got married.  It is supposed to symbolize a long & happy life.  So far I guess it has worked ; )

This is the top of my book case, that basket is making a great catch all with out being an eye sore.  That is the door from my old desk in the middle.  The door originally god badly damaged during one of our moves & I decided to fix it with some modpodge & scrap-booking paper.  As you can see I do game from time to time.  Do you really think I create collage sheet 24/7 ;)  I got that cool Dolly Parton coaster set from Recycled Album Art

...And that sums up my office space that I'm so glad to call my own <3

Thanks for reading & stay crafty!

~Ella

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I'm here & with new Digital Collage Sheets

This post is more than over due, I hate being on hiatus for this long but as many people may know my family & I had to move back to Mississippi due to my husband's job.  While I am more than just pleased to back in the south, I have never liked moving and getting back into the swing of things has been harder for me than I expected.  I am happy to say we are all unpacked & I have gotten my little "office" back up and running.  I have been able to create new collage sheets these past few weeks & I have posted them.  You can see all the new sheets here.

Among those new collage sheets are Clocks.....

Birds....

And by popular demand, more OWLS!

I have also listed some other popular designs in 1in Circles & Scrabble tile size, so make sure to stop by and check out what is new!

I would also like to give a shout out to one of my loyal buyers, Marie of Skye Jewels, & say congrats to her for being published in the February issue of Bead Trends with her beautiful necklace.  When seeing the magazine I was very pleased to see that this stunning necklace included one of Calico Collage's images.

Time to sign off and get back to crafting!  Thank you for reading & Stay Crafty!
~Ella

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