Dr. Col Lector - Doctor of Optometry

Hello!! I'd like to introduce Dr. Col Lector aka Collector. This is the 2nd of 3 projects made for Tim Holtz's amazing Halloween Idea-Ology release. The eyeballs were the inspiration for this project. As I sat with them I thought of a traveling salesman's kit. Then as I was reading all of the type tokens my backstory took a spooky turn when I came across the "Found Objects" token.

Dr. Col Lector is an optometrist but just how reputable is he? His case of found objects leaves many questioning where he finds his inventory. 

 

The base of this piece is a Vignette Box covered with paper from the Abandoned Paper Stash. The top of the box features the Cigar Box from the Layers and Baseboards Frames. The Poison label came from the same package. The Poison label was messy stitched onto the piece of Abandoned paper before adhering to the box. 

Any good salesman's case needs a handle for easy traveling. I adhered a Mini Hardware Pull to the side of the Trinket Tin using Distress Collage Medium and layered the Pull with Hardware Heads. Before adhering the Pull I wrapped it with Craft Thread distressed with Walnut Stain Distress Crayon. Once the handle was dry I added the Found Objects Quote Token on a Loop Pin. 

To finish off the open corner of the box I added an Apothecary Vial, Alpha Dice, and vintage lens. 

This artificial eye chart also from the Layers and Baseboards Frame set was perfect for our devious doctor. The eye chart is layered behind a Baseboard Frame that has been sanded and distressed. I added Hardware Heads to the corners. The bottom of the frame is adorned with a Toxique label and that creepy White the Druggist eye was perfect for the top. 

This particular Paper Doll had just the right amount of creep. He holds his favorite tool a spoon from the Silverware Adornments. 

The doctor's fine inventory on display. As you can see he has had some business and will need to restock soon. 

The calling card is fashioned from a piece of wide vintage velvet ribbon. The doctor's info was created using a label and words from the Curiosities Sticker Book. I have to say the Sticker Book was one of my favorite things from this release. 

I added a border of messy stitching not shown here before adhering the calling card inside the case. 

Here is a peek at how I made the dividers for the case. I began by cutting chipboard to length to fit the tin. I cut two longer pieces to run horizontally and three smaller pieces to run vertically. After measuring where they would intersect I cut small notches in the chipboard. I then covered all the pieces with the same vintage ribbon used to make the calling card. After the glue had dried I went back and snipped the ribbon where the slits had been cut in the chipboard. I then assembled the dividers and inserted into the case. 

I love how just a little bit of Alcohol Ink can up the spooky factor of these eyes. I used a very fine paintbrush and Watermelon and Latte Alcohol Ink to add veins to the eyes. 

The backside of the piece follows thru with an eye chart and Apothecary Vial. The lid to the Trinket Tin was distressed with Mushroom Alcohol Ink and then layered with a label from the Halloween Ephemera pack and a Quote Chip. 

I hope you enjoyed this walk-thru of the project and peek into the background story I had in mind while creating this piece. 

All I know is I sure wouldn't want to find myself in a dark alley with Dr. Col Lector.

Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

The Timekeepers

Hello!! I was recently cleaning up my studio and found my stash of Altoids Inserts Fairy Tale Frames leftover from a class I recently taught. When the thought occurred that they would be the perfect size for a small collaged magnet. My hubby's man cave is full of industrial stuff which means lots of metal so he'll have something to decorate those metal surfaces with now.

Begin by preparing base layers for the collage. Cut top layer of collage to size and distress using Distress Oxides in Old Paper and Vintage Photo. Tear and bend card in random areas for added interest. 

To add stability to the magnet cut a piece of heavier weight paper to size of frame. I used a piece of watercolor paper from a rust background. 

Prepare frames with  a faux rust finish. Paint a base layer of Raw Umber on all frame pieces. Then working one frame at time and in sections paint a second layer of Raw Umber while paint is still wet apply cinnamon powder to paint. Continute building layers of paint and cinnamon until desired texture and effect is achieved. Apply Metallique Wax in Vintage Gold and Opal Magic for added patina. 

Prepare gears from the Gears Shape Set by heat embossing with choice of embossing powders. I used Burnt Copper Leaves, Charred Gold, Rocky Road and Ancient Amber. I also used the faux rust on a few.  

Prepare clock hands from the Clock Hands Shape Set by heat embossing with gold powder. Once the hands have cooled off add depth by rubbing on and then buffing off Walnut Stain Distress Crayon 

Trace around edges of Paper Dolls from Tim Holtz with Brushed Corduroy Distress Marker. 

Figure out placement of Paper Doll and how to layer the gears in the background. I found it worked best to have one gear adhered to the background piece and the 2 remaining gears on each magnet to hang over the edge of the frame. 

Once gear placement is decided adhere Paper Doll to the frame then adhere frame to collage background. 

Finish off frame with added details of die cut numbers, Clippings stickers and attaching clock hands. 

Once all layers are dry apply a magnet to backside. 

As always thanks for stopping by. Wishing you a great weekend with a bit of creativity thrown in!! 

Happy Creating~ Jennalee 

Valentine Doll House

Hello and happy Friday!! I love Valentine's crafting, the pink and red make my heart happy. This project doesn't have any pink in it but the bold red and black were fun to experiment with.

I started with the Mini House Shadow Box 3. I thought it would be fun to make a "doll house" and have the house be the doll's body and contain a heart full of love.

I started by painting all pieces of the Mini House Shadow Box 3 with black gesso. 

I then cut a template out for the main wall of the shadow box. I cut out a piece of white cardstock slightly larger than my template. Using a black sharpie and a messy cursive strip I wrote out 'I Love You' repeatedly across the paper. I also did this for strips to cover the outer roof of the shadow box. It was a nice meditative exercise to write out such sweet words. 

I then cut strips of black and white polka dot scrapbook paper to cover the rest of the shadow box walls. I ran all the pieces thru my Xyron. It makes for super easy application. 

To finish off the inside of the house I heat embossed the floor with a red glitter embossing powder before assembling the Mini House Shadow Box 3. Using foam dots I attached a red glitter heart in the middle of the shadow box. I stamped and colored a paper doll and attached to the back of the house. I will admit this project took on a life of its own as I went, but sometimes the process of making is the more fun than the end result. 

I hope you all find some creative time this weekend!! Happy Creating ~Jennalee