Hello everyone, today I'd like to show off some amazing projects from the Calico Collage fan group's creative ladies.  I published the new Layered Heart Cards earlier this month, and so many people fell in love with them and began creating right away.  I invited several of them to share what they'd made, and they didn't let me down.  Without further ado, please allow me to present you some lovely Shabby Chic Valentines. 

Shabby Chic Valentines

The 1st is from Amanda Taylor of World of Muchness

I really love how she added more ephemera such as the paper dolls and topped them with buttons and bows.  So adorable.

2nd is from Joan Brown of The Brown Dragonfly (check out her Instagram as well)

I particularly liked how she incorporated the similar fabrics.  The stitching really add to the cuteness of these cards.

3rd we have Katherine Hawkes of Hennies Pennies

Her use of ephemera behind the sayings was a fantastic idea, as was the way she softened the edges with ink and rounded the corners. 

Lastly we have Linda Israel of Linda Israel Art

Her collage technique, combined with her sewed edges and ribbon, completely transforms these cards. 

 

Thank you for stopping by and I hope that you are following Calico Collage on social media.
You can find Calico Collage on Instagram and Pinterest: @calicocollage
If you are a fan of Calico Collage, come join the Facebook Group - Fans of Calico Collage
If you are a BIG fan, make sure you are on the VIP mail list to receive exclusive freebies and coupons.

 

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Shabby Chic Heart Cards

Hello,
Today I'd like to tell you about these lovely layered shabby chic heart cards.
I made these using one of Calico Collage's newest printable kits, as well as some string and lace.
These adorable little cards would make an ideal Valentine's Day gift for your Galentine.

How I Made These Shabby Chic Heart Cards  

What you need:

Calico Collage's Layered Heart Cards
Glue Stick
Scissors
Twine or Lace
Distressing ink

1st you will need to print out your layered heart card from Calico Collage.  This kit includes enough to create 6 to 8 cards.  I did print these out on 32lb cardstock.

Select 1 large card, 1 smaller card, 1 to 2 heart & 1 word phrase from the kit.  Ink all the edges of your paper.

Experiment with how you want to layer your card.  Keep in mind that the smaller card does not have to be perfectly in the center of the larger card; feel free to place it at an angle or even off to the side.  When you're satisfied with how your layers look, glue the smaller card to the larger card.

Now, wrap the twine or lace around the layered card.  I used tacky glue to keep the twine in place, but I later realized I didn't need to do so after adhering my hearts on top.

Glue your heart(s) over the twine, followed by the word phase.   And you are done!  Your adorable cards are ready to give or use as a journaling card in your junk journal!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope that you are following Calico Collage on social media.
You can find Calico Collage on Instagram and Pinterest: @calicocollage
If you are a fan of Calico Collage, come join the Facebook Group - Fans of Calico Collage
If you are a BIG fan, make sure you are on the VIP mail list to receive exclusive freebies and coupons.

 

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Hello everyone!  Valentines is only a month away and I thought I would share these cute little retro valentines day ephemera cards with you.  

Free Valentines Ephemera

When I first saw these adorable little characters, my attention was drawn to the flowers, and I knew I had to have more of them.  So I changed the background in both designs to a pattern effect created with the flowers. 

This single digital download include 2 designs, 1 bear & 1 fairy, and is repeated for a total of six 3x4 inch cards.

Download Free Valentines Junk Journal Ephemera Cards

Thank you for stopping by and I hope that you are following Calico Collage on social media.
You can find Calico Collage on Instagram and Pinterest: @calicocollage
If you are a fan of Calico Collage, come join the Facebook Group - Fans of Calico Collage
If you are a BIG fan, make sure you are on the VIP mail list to receive exclusive freebies and coupons.

 

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Dragonfly Art Journal

 

Hello!  Today's post is going to show you one of my latest art journal pages.  This page uses art from my latest ephemera book, Dragonfly Delight that is now available on Amazon.

Dragonfly Art Journal Page

What was used:

Dragonfly Delight Ephemera Book
Washi Tape
Tattered Angels in Dried Lavender
Old Book Pages, and Paper Scraps
Exacto Knife
Scissors
Elmer's Craft Glue Stick  

Like many of my art journal projects I didn't have a plan, am I the only one that is this way?  You start a craft project with no idea how you want it to turn out?  Is it just me?

I knew I wanted the woman to be the main focus of the page.  My mother, who passed away in September, adored this particular illustration.  This was the first time I had physically worked on an art project since her death.  Throughout the process of creating this page, I kept her in the forefront of my mind, selecting ephemera and colors that I believed she would have chosen if she were right beside me.

 
I removed the pages I wanted from the Dragonfly Delight ephemera book with an exacto knife.  Here is a little tip for when you do this, make sure to open the book far enough back to see the white edges in the center.  This will make removing the pages easier.

I selected all the old pages with brown hues in mind.  I selected one particular piece of old paper because my mother was a woman of God and she loved singing so I picked out a page from an old hymnal titled "Oh, Home, Sweet Home".  I felt it was fitting since, I know she considered heaven her home.  

One of the images from the Dragonfly Ephemera Book was from a very old catalog featuring fine silver soap boxes and puff boxes.  My mom actually had a puff box that her mother gave to her.  I remember seeing it as a little girl and that is why I picked this particular piece of ephemera.

With all the papers picked out it was time to glue them down.  I used an Elmer's craft glue stick to do this.  Once the old pages were glued down, I started laying up with washi tape and the ephemera from the ephemera book. 

Once everything was glued down the way I wanted it, I splashed Tattered Angels "Dried Lavender".  This is a glimmering purple color.  I picked this color because it was purple and purple is the ribbon color for Alzheimer awareness, the terrible decease that took my mother.  

This particular page means a lot to me.  Art truly is therapeutic.  Remember to create everyday and even more then you are traveling down those more bumpy roads of life.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope that you are following Calico Collage on social media.
You can find Calico Collage on Instagram and Pinterest: @calicocollage
If you are a fan of Calico Collage, come join the Facebook Group - Fans of Calico Collage
If you are a BIG fan, make sure you are on the VIP mail list to receive exclusive freebies and coupons.   

 

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The New Year brings very exciting news to share!  My first set of Junk Journal Ephemera Books are now published and available on Amazon!  

From the time I began selling digital art in 2008 there have been steady requests for physical printed copies of each piece of art.  I didn't want to offer just any kind of prints, and wanted to make sure what was offered would be of the best quality and now I truly believe that time has come.

Junk Journal Ephemera Books

My top three selling junk journal kits were the first choice to make into books; One Fine Day, Fairy Garden, and Dragonfly Delight.  Lets dive into what each book looks like now.

Dragonfly Delight Junk Journal Ephemera Book

About This Book 

26 Double-Sided Pages. (56 pages total)
14 Designer Papers (These pages can be folded in half for Junk Journals)
12 Designer Ephemera Papers (a mix of ephemera cards, tags, fussy cuts, etc...)
All Pages are 2 Sided With a Matching Design
All Pages Coordinate With Each Other.
All Pages are Designed for You to Cut or Rip Out.
All Art is Printed on Quality 24lb Paper. 

 

Check out Dragonfly Delight Junk Journal Ephemera Book

 

 

Fairy Garden Junk Journal Ephemera Book

About This Book 

29 Double-Sided Pages. (60 pages total)

17 Designer Papers (These pages can be folded in half for Junk Journals)
12 Designer Ephemera Papers (a mix of ephemera cards, tags, fussy cuts, etc...)
All Pages are 2 Sided With a Matching Design
All Pages Coordinate With Each Other.
All Pages are Designed for You to Cut or Rip Out.
All Art is Printed on Quality 24lb Paper.

 

Check out Fairy Garden Junk Journal Ephemera Book

 

One Fine Day Junk Journal Ephemera Book

 

About This Book 

27 Double-Sided Pages. (54 pages total)

12 Designer Papers (These pages can be folded in half for Junk Journals)
15 Designer Ephemera Papers (a mix of ephemera cards, tags, fussy cuts, etc...)
All Pages are 2 Sided With a Matching Design
All Pages Coordinate With Each Other.
All Pages are Designed for You to Cut or Rip Out.
All Art is Printed on Quality 24lb Paper.

 

Check out One Fine Day Junk Journal Ephemera Book 

 

Thank you for stopping by and I hope that you are following Calico Collage on social media.
You can find Calico Collage on Instagram and Pinterest: @calicocollage
If you are a fan of Calico Collage, come join the Facebook Group - Fans of Calico Collage
If you are a BIG fan, make sure you are on the VIP mail list to receive exclusive freebies and coupons.

 

 

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