Winter Pods

I've been slowly working on a collection of little decorative seed pods using silk cocoons. As my collection grew I struggled to find a way of displaying them, and then walking past a bowl filled with pot pourri, I noticed this large seed head - perfect!!

As well as the silk cocoons I used felt, wire, beads, clay pipe stems, cinnamon sticks, eucalyptus bark, wired beads and pleated silk, plus a few touches of glitter for a frosty effect.  

So that's what is sitting on my desk today and I'm linking up with Julia over at What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday to see what other people have on their desks this week.

Coral Dreams - A Boat Full of Treasures for Paper Artsy

I was so thrilled to be asked recently to do a blog post for Paper Artsy, on the theme of stencils.  

The finished piece was a little boat surrounded by coral and filled with seashells and other special treasures!  Step by step instructions and information on the techniques I used are on their blog here.

 

Winter Wall Hanging

 On my desk this week for WOYWW - a small winter garden wall hanging.
I've been working on it  for a long time but put it to one side when it didn't seem to be going in the direction I wanted.   
After a break from each other we made friends again and I think I am calling it finished now!

 I recently came across a technique over at Patty's blog Magpie's Nest for making faux resin paper - she makes some beautiful art with it and it's well worth a look.  Here's a link to the Youtube video tutorial.  It seemed so easy that I just had to give it a try and I was really pleased with the results - here's some of it being used in the little wall hanging.