When Zoe first came up with the suggestion that we send some bits and bobs to one another as a Challenge, on Just for Fun, to make something from, using at least five of them, I wondered what the delightful Von would send to me. Von had been drawn out as my partner. Must admit, when I opened my package I groaned as the following fell out:
Some fibres, a plastic letter "a", a piece of packaging (the red card), two small pieces slate, a small cork cut in half, a slice from a cork, some balsa wood shapes, a metal plant sticker, staples from a box, the plastic inner from red liner tape and something "dead". The "dead" thing looked interesting but I hadn't a clue what it was - emailed Von and she said it was a Laburnum Seed Pod - dried! Right!
Then a light bulb went on and the idea was born - in my head. A couple of days later got around to fixing it and this is what I ended up with:
Bird Cottage
Cut the card (mountboard weight) to make a rectangle and a roof shape. Covered in TH paper and cut an edging for the wainscotting (think that is what you call it on a house) using my TH die which he gave me and signed eighteen months ago (showing off). Drew round the outside and inside edge of the plastic red liner inner and cut kind of between those lines to make a circle to stick on the plastic inner. Coloured it all in silver Dabber and stamped Paperartsy image (Ding & Dong 4) of the clock on the inside. Attached three small Balsa wood shapes coloured with Ink Stains.
Cut a plant pot from the uneven bit of cork, coloured with Ink Stains and took the bottom bit from the Laburnum pod and stuck both down with glossy Accents - my tree! Ran the metal plant label through the Embossing Folder (Bird & Swirls) and put the words "Bird Cottage" on with my Dymo Label Maker.
Would have loved some quirky images but didn't have any suitable, these CI ones were the perfect size and the tag one cut down fine for the door. Added them as three windows and a door (complete with silver bead knob) to the front of my house.
Painted the two small half corks red (Ink Stains) and put slits in them to stand the house in so they looked like little feet. Nice idea but too small - wouldn't stand. So back to the drawing board. Used two of the staples from packaging, opened up a bit and stuck on the back of my clock, then hung over a satay stick (coloured with ..... Ink Stains) and finally a piece of Raffia.
Did I enjoy my Challenge? Yes, I did - when is the next one Zoe! (Mind you I am going to have a right load of old tat ready for that Von next time).
