Thursday, January 1, 2015

Our Creative Corner - January Challenge - Christmas Leftovers

Hello Everyone!

I'm back today to kick off the new year with the very first Our Creative Corner challenge of 2015!!

With the holidays merely a shadow behind us, my guess is you still have bits of Christmas leftovers stashed everywhere, not to mention bags of Christmas bits meant for the recycle bin. I am a hoarder of all things I think I might get around to using one day, and Holiday bits are no exception! Every closet, drawer and cupboard is overflowing with the little things I collected throughout the holidays. Things I think I might use and things heading to the curb.

Christmas wrapping, gift bags, tinsel, ribbon, gift boxes, tissue paper, Christmas crackers, wine boxes, empty gift wrap rolls, Christmas cookie tins, even the images from the fronts of cards I received...you name, I hoard it! Let's put those bits to good use this month!

With that in mind, for my introductory challenge theme, I have chosen CHRISTMAS LEFTOVERS

I have used some empty gift wrap rolls and the mesh sleeves off of the Christmas dinner wine bottles to make this paint brush organizer for my desk. One randomly drawn entrant this month will receive a prize from our generous sponsor Nicecrane Designs so let's reach into that recycle bin ladies! I can't wait to see what you come up with! 



The dragonfly is an Elizabeth Craft Designs die and I used my distressed metallic / porcelain technique to give it a wonderful mix of colours. I used white, copper, peach and yellow embossing powders as well as UTEE.


I cut the flowers using a Joy Crafts flower die and coloured them with Tim Holtz distress inks Wild Honey, Scattered Straw and Tea Dye. The burlap leaves I cut out by hand and painted with green acrylic paint. The kraft leaves were cut using Spellbinders Foliage die set.



HOW DID I DO THAT ??


- I cut the roll up into sections in increments of 1/2" starting at 2.5" all the way to 5.5".

- I glued all of the pieces together and then coated everything with a THICK layer of my homemade texture paste. While it was still wet I took the mesh and pushed it into the texture paste leaving a wonderful pattern embedded in the paste.


- I applied a layer of  DecoArt Crafter's Acrylic Tan Paint and then I whipped out my Tim Holtz distress sprays! Man I love this stuff! I randomly spritzed some Gathered Twigs, Brushed Corduroy and Walnut Stain here and there and everywhere until I liked how it looked (drying with my heat gun now and again).

- I used some Tan, Antique White and White paints and dabbed all of the raised areas to highlight the texture.

Presto, ready to decorate!






That's it for today. Thank you for stopping in and for all the amazing comments. I read and appreciate every single one! If you have any questions, please let me know.


114 comments:

  1. Fantastic project! Happy New Year to you, Sweetie! Hugs, Valerie

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    1. Thank you Valerie! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO! big hugs :)

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  2. I would so love to visit your creative mind sometime and pick out a few ideas!! Who would have thought that gift wrap tube and plastic mesh could look this good!! Genius!! xx

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    1. Aahhh, how sweet! Thank you so much Sarah! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU! big hugs :)

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  3. Wow, eine phantastische Arbeit

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    1. Thank you very much! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU! hugs :)

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  4. When organization meets creativity! Lovely project! Happy New Year Pamellia!

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    1. Thank you so much Lys! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO! big hugs :)

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  5. WOW! Such a stunning creation Pamellia. Your design is outstanding and all your detailing is gorgeous.
    Thank you for the fabulous tutorial and wonderful inspiration.
    hugs Sue xx

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    1. Aahhh, thank you so much Sue! You always make me smile with your visits! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU! big hugs :)

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  6. This is very pretty Pamellia. Veerle ;-)

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  7. Such wonderful upcycling for this beautiful piece. Thank you for showing how you made it

    Happy 2015

    Love Chrissie x

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    1. Thanks so much Chrissie! big New Year hugs to you :)

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  8. Totally gorgeous, it is hard to believe this started out as rolls of cardboard! Love it! Happy New Year! Hugs, Anne xx

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    1. Thank you so much Anne! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO! big hugs :)

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  9. Hi Pamellia, Happy New Year. A fantastic upcycling project with the paper rolls and meshing. Your texture paste is brilliant and you have embellished the paint brush holder perfectly. Sally D.x.

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    1. You are so sweet, thank you Sally! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO! big hugs :)

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  10. You are good Pamellia.....no,you are wonderful! I thought these were real little logs at first glance! They are fab and I'm definately going to be making some too ;))

    Extra big 2015 hugs
    Donna xxx

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    1. Thanks so much Donna! They do look like logs, don't they! ha! HAPPY NEW YEAR HUGS TO YOU TOO!

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  11. A wonderful paint brush holder, great colours and some very ingenius recycling there Pamellia. Great inspiration and a wonderful first challenge for you with OCC :-) xxx

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    1. Thank you so much Mo!! You always say the sweetest things! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU! big hugs :)

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  12. WOW WOW WOW, each time I visit I am enthralled with your talent and makes, this is absolutely beautiful and what an asset to your desk.

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    1. Thanks so much Faith!! I should have taken a picture of it after I filled it up, it works so perfectly for paint brushes! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU! big hugs :)

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  13. Happy 2015 Pamellia.
    Loving your blog and enthusiasm to show your know how , you are so talented thanks for sharing . xxx
    Big Hugs
    Elaine H X

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    1. Thank you so much Elaine and HAPPY 2015 TO YOU TOO! big hugs :)

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  14. Happy New Year! This is so clever, so pretty and so useful. Now why didn't I think of something like that - probably because I am not you :) Love the way the mesh was used to create the texture on the tubes and loving the flowers a lot.
    Hugs!
    Cec

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    1. Isn't that funny because I feel the same way about your projects!! Thanks Cec, hope you had a great New Year! big hugs :)

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  15. OMG You left me quite speechless again!!! Only you can think of something like this!!! This is just another proof that you are THE Crafting Queen!!! I bow to you!!! All the colors and textures are out of this world!! All the flowers, butterfly, dragonfly and fancy embellishments are stunning! BRAVO! What a way to kick off a new year! Big crafty hugs :) from freezing Las Vegas! Top of my swimming pool partially froze!!! Brrrrrrrrrrrr

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    1. Thank you so much Samra!! It's cold in Las Vegas?? It never looks cold on the CSI episodes! HA! Anyway, thanks again my friend, for my daily dose of Samra sunshine! big hugs :)

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  16. How very creative Pamelia, you have done a lovely project here, so clever!

    Happy New Year to you and yours!

    Hugs Jacee

    Simply Paper Card Design

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    1. Thanks so much Jacee! Happy New Year to you too! hugs :)

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  17. What a great way to recycle! I love your recipes for the pastes you use. Thanks for the first great challenge of 2015 Happy New Year my teamie. Laurie

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    1. Thank you so much teamie and Happy New Year to you too! hugs :)

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  18. Love all the detail Pamellia. Those texture pastes are amazing, you must have had fun inventing them! Great challenge, Happy 2015 x

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    1. Thanks Jan! It was fun, but also very messing...baby powder everywhere! ha! Happy 2015 to you too! hugs from your new teamie :)

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  19. WOW this is stunning Pamellia! What a fabulous way to recycle gift wrap rolls!! Gorgeous textures and design and I love that dragonfly! Wishing you a very Happy & Healthy New Year!!
    Big hugs, Tammy

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    1. Thank you so much Tammy! Happy New Year to you too! hugs :)

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  20. Absolutely brilliant , you would never know these were made from leftovers, fantastic. Wonderful texture and I adore how you embellished . Happy New Year. Tracy x x x

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    1. Thanks Tracy, so sweet! Happy New Year to you too! hugs :)

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  21. GASP!!!!! This is FAAABBBUUULLLOUS Pamellia!! Such a wonderfully creative and GORGEOUS idea!! Your mind must be always in high gear Girl!!! Happy New Year!!
    Take care,
    Beth

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    1. Thank you so much Beth, for this and all the comments you left me this year!! Happy New Year to you too! hugs :)

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  22. This is beautiful
    Happy New Year

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    1. Thanks Miss Kitty! Happy New Year to you too! hugs :)

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  23. Hi Pamellia
    When I saw "Christmas Leftovers" I thought "crikey, don't tell me she's gessoed and textured a turkey leg!"
    Only you could have the fanciest paint brush holder in the universe and quite right too! However, Im quite concerned at the amount of wine consumed in the name of craft lol!
    Best wishes.
    Ang x

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    1. haha! Too funny because I was worried about people assuming food, when I picked my title. Oh well, if anyone enters a mountain made of mashed potatoes, then I will start to worry! HAHA!

      Thanks for dropping in my friend and Happy New Year to you! hugs :)

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  24. Fabulous recycling and awesome textures, would look good to use with many things.
    Yvonne x

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  25. I just love what you've done with the rolls, the homemade paste and the mesh Pamellia! Such a creative and original make. So lovely to be working with you at OCC.
    Happy New Year to you and your family.
    Julia xx

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    1. Thank you so much Julia! The honour is all mine!! big hugs teamie :)

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  26. Pamellia, I am inspired to make a ton of these now. I actually do need to organise copius amounts of pens, liners and brushes etc. I think those flowers on there are simply stunning.....as you know I have a hard time with making pretty flowers.....The texturing is GOOORRRRRRRJJJJJJUUUUUSSS, what a clever idea to use wine bottle diamond mesh, and I loved that you made your own texture paste - I am a bid advocate of Crafting Chemistry - where you hack your Craft mediums. Loved this idea from the beginning - definitely motivated to organise my workspace now!

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    1. Thank you so much Candice! I do enjoy making as much of my products from scratch as possible. Saves money and it gives me a sense of accomplishment! Like minds, you and I!! Happy New Year teamie! hugs :)

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  27. Pamellia, you leave no stone unturned in your creative journeys! What sensational uses of your Christmas leftovers! You are such a beautifully brilliant crafter. This project is so unique and I am still stunned at how you even think to use the mesh from the wine bottles! :o) LOVE it! Not only are the bases incredible, but the detailing you added to each is truly lovely. And I must mention the exquisite color palette! Pamellia, my dear friend, thank you for always bringing such joy to my heart! The days have been hard, but visiting your blog always lifts me up. :o)

    Hugs and blessings,
    Karen

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    1. Thank you so much Karen! I do hope that you had a lovely Christmas and New Year!! I look forward to getting to know you better in 2015!! Big hugs and smiles :)

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  28. Oh my gosh Pamellia. That is amazing. You turn trash into treasure!! Unbelievable what you have done with things the rest of us would throw away. I bet you have the most beautiful work desk around. :) Great job! Loll xx

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    1. Aahhh, thank you so much Loll! You are such a sweetheart! I hope you had a wonderful New Year yesterday! Here's to another fabulous year of crafting! hugs :)

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  29. Happy New Year Pamellia! I hope you've had a wonderful time over the festive period and that 2015 is filled with good health and lots of brilliant things for you. You are certainly starting the year on a high note with this gorgeous project - I love how you've turned everyday items into something so beautiful! I'm so looking forward to another year of your stunning creations :)
    Rebecca.
    x

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    1. Thank you so much Rebecca! I had a wonderful holiday thank you, I hope you did as well! Here's to another year full of fun, laughter and lots of crafts! big hugs :)

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  30. Hi Pamellia, well I am always in awe of your stunning creativity, but what a wonderful first DT project...you must have a fabulous work desk! Hugs Carole Z X

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    1. Thanks so much Carole! I hope you had a fabulous New Year!! big hugs :)

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  31. Happy New Year!! I'm amazed by your ideas ... this left me speechless ... I adore it and will now go in search of all the rolls I too have hoarded!! You are a creative genius!

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    1. Aahhh, that is so sweet of you to say Ros!! Happy New Year to you, here's to another year full of fun, laughter and lots of crafts! big hugs :)

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  32. Pamellia,
    I'm laughing out loud, beacause just last night I started to use my Christmas leftovers on a couple of projects, and remembered I had just thrown something out with the night's trash that I could use on a mixed media piece. Yep! I did some dumpster diving! So hopefully it will be done in time for OCC's chanllenge deadline.

    And I have a couple of empty paper rolls waiting to be used. This is a great idea, and I'm so stealing, um....borrowing it if I may! I love that texture and what a GENIUS idea to use the wine sacks. Your inking and painting is spot on, as usual, and the flowers are so durn yummy! Magnifico! (I hope I spelled and used that word right!) Good Golly, Pamellia! You never cease to amaze me! Big textured hugs to you!

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    1. Aahhh, how sweet are you!! Thank you so much Sara! I can't wait to see your version of a gift wrap roll organizer, it will be magnificent, I know it!! I hope you had a fabulous New Year my friend!! big hugs :)

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  33. This is stunning... beautiful and practical, what more could a gal ask for?! You make some truly spectacular stuff. I'm new to your blog but plan on having a proper nosy soon. I can't wait to discover all these hidden gems of creativity.
    Hugs
    Georgie xx

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    1. Aahhh, what a lovely thing to say Georgie! I welcome you to My Little Craft Things with a big huge smile and tons of bear hugs!! Happy New Year! :)

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  34. Wow that is so cool, very creative and beautiful embellishing!

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  35. Wow! This is absolutely stunning Pamellia, you are so creative - such a wonderful addition to your craft desk.
    Pauline
    x

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    1. Thanks so much Pauline!! It actually holds a lot of paint brushes too! hugs :)

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  36. Hi Pamellia,
    my what a superb creation.
    this is so fantastic, and a very clever idea, and so superbly created as usual.
    You are the queen of re-cycle I think.
    Thank you for your lovely comments on my work.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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    1. Thanks so much Jenny! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and a fabulous new years! hugs :)

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  37. Hi Pamellia! What a fabulous project, indeed. Absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for instructions and idea. Thanks for nice comments :)
    Have a happy weekend,
    love and hugs, xx

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    1. Thank you so much Sirkkis! Happy weekend to you too! hugs :)

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  38. Hi Pamellia,, a very Belated Happy New Year to you and your family. I have just taken a look over the last week on your blog to see what I have missed, my you have taken my breath away, such beautiful creations, they are just amazing, I would love to spend a day with you in a workshop. Love how you explain how you have done everything too, sadly I do not own half of these products so unable to give it a go but hey yours are fabulous. love the recycled brush caddy, your notebook was out of this world as was your jewellery box.

    BIG Congratulations on your two new DT memberships, well deserved and no surprised they have snapped you up. I wish you all the very best with them and look forward to seeing what other delights you have for us in 2015.

    Love & Hugs

    Jacquie J xxx
    http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Aahhh, thank you so much Jacquie! It's great to hear from you, I hope you had a stellar holiday!! I'm sure we could arrange a sit-down...I'm only an overseas flight away! haha, just kidding! big hugs my friend :)

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  39. Oh Pamellia you are amazing my love.....such a wonderful creation makes me as always, want to go and make some of these.. just adorable....wish we lived close and you could teach me everything you make...I am so glad we are blogging friends .xxxxx You could always come over this way to Australia and teach me...{The Journey is the Start – my personal blog}


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    1. You are so sweet and I feel the same way! Thank you so much Annie! big hugs :)

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  40. Wowsers, I just continue to be gobsmacked by all you make Pamellia! What a stunning, stunning alteration! Extraordinarily done! Those flowers are beautiful, hey, the whole thing is beautiful. You must have the prettiest workdesk around! Nicola x

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    1. Aahhh, thank you so much Nicola!! All the best to you for 2015! big hugs :)

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  41. This must be the prettiest paintbrush holder, ever. I love how you took things most people throw away and made it beautiful.

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  42. Absolutely fantastic project Pamellia...so clever and very detailed made...I love it!

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  43. So fantastic, Pamellia - a wonderful creative project, making such good use of leftovers, texture, sprays all to create that wonderful wood effect. Brilliant, useful, and beautiful!
    Alison xx

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    1. Thank you very much Alison! big hugs to you :)

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  44. What a great idea I love it! Again your textures are great and the composition. Hugs, Justyna xxx

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    1. Thank you Justyna, for all of your wonderful comments! Happy New Year! hugs :)

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  45. FANTASIC OCC Christmas Leftover Challenge theme & creation, Pamellia!! I LOVE the close-up photos that you've shared, I feel like I can almost reach through my computer screen and touch your organizer!! I LOVE all of the texture and embellies!! What a lovely décor piece you get to enjoy every day--not to mention a wonderful reminder of your brilliant challenge theme!! CHEERS to you, Pamellia!! XOXO-Shari

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    1. How sweet are you!! Thanks so much Shari! big hugs to my new teamie :)

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  46. There really is no end to your amazing talents Pamellia. What a fabulous project, made out of what others would consider to be trash. I am so regretting throwing away all of those tubes out of the centre of my wrapping paper.

    Wonderful as always.

    Dionne xx

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    1. HAHA, I hear ya Dionne! That's why I never throw anything away! Thanks for making me smile my friend! big hugs :)

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  47. Hi Pamellia....sorry I've missed so much....well I have been seeing stunning things appearing on your blog but life has been so hectic that I have been unable to leave the comments that your creations deserve. I've just drooled over them and I can't pick a favourite because they are all so gorgeous..I love the textures and detail you create..Cec's card, the Joy card, Christmas cottage...well I will just have to pin the ones I adore slightly more than others!....though the DEC 11th post I went off you slightly as you said you were ready for Christmas...I hadn't even started! Congrats on Marje Kemper blog appearance....and huge congrats on OCC and Frilly and Funkie, 2 blogs I follow and I'm constantly inspired by. You will be such an asset to both teams. Belated Merry Christmas and wishing you a very Happy New Year Pamellia. Hugs Ruth xxx

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    1. Aahhh, Ruth you are so sweet! I appreciate you taking the time to drop in and visit me when you can. I know how busy life can get, and it's no worries! Hope you had a wonderful holiday and a fabulous new year! cheers to you for 2015! hugs :)

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  48. WOW, Pamellia! So creative and BEAUTIFUL!

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    1. Thank you so much Sue! big hugs and best wishes for you on your break! hugs :)

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  49. Wow this is amazing. Such a pretty and useful creation. A beautiful addition to anyone's desk.
    Lorraine

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  50. Beautiful project Pamellia! Love the texture and all the pretty blossoms!

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  51. A super new project to start of the year and your time as a DT member of OCC! Love the effect of the mesh, - brilliant that, and the colour on the tubes has turned out so beautiful! Gorgeous flowers and embellies too and this project is useful, - what more could anybody want, - love it!!

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    1. Thank you ever so much Astrid! You put a big smile on my face this morning! hugs and smiles to you :)

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  52. Wow Pamellia, this look like little Christmas logs and to think cardboard rolls. Love all your finishing touches. Beautiful. Congrats on being on the DT at Our Creative Corner, you will be a real asset to them.
    Julie x

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    1. Thank you so much Julie, for the kind words and the congrats!! hugs and smiles :)

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  53. I was sure I commented on this post before ... Hmmmm ... Looks like my memory is playing games with me. ;)
    I know wxactly what you mean you hoard everything that you think could be useful one day. I'm the same. Gotta love recycling. ;) Who would have thought that empty gift wrap rolls could become brush holders. It's a fab idea! Thanks for the tutorial on how you made this as well. You are awesome!!! :D
    Big hugs coming your way! :) xx

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    1. Glad to know I'm not the only one! My hubby used to give me funny looks, but now he knows that NOTHING goes in the trash without checking with me first! HA! Thanks so much Maja, big hugs and smiles :)

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  54. Oh my gosh, you are the most clever and creative lady ever!!!! I'm in love with these beauties and all from paper towel rolls!!! Genius!!! A must-try for the new year!!! thanks for the amazing inspiration!!! :)

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    1. Aahhh, so sweet! Thank you so much Linsey! big hugs and smiles :)

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  55. I love practical art. Great idea for the recycling. I was looking at wine bottle nets the other day and thinking hmmmmmm?...... Off to check out your homemade texture paste cos it looks yummy. Hugz

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    1. Thanks so much Gail! I had a lot of messy fun with those nets and they're plastic so they wash right up to be used again! hugs :)

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