Eileen Hull

Three dimensional art... with heart

Featured Fan: Tonya Trantham

I am so happy to introduce our Featured Fan today- Tonya Trantham of Creative Addiction to Paper.

Tonya’s creations for the Art With Heart Challenge that we do each month on the blog really stood out to me. Her projects always blow me away because they are so creative, charming and colorful. Tonya uses dies in unexpected ways, which I love because it shows people how versatile dies can be. And wow! Has she shown us some beauties today- oh my gosh, they are so clever!

I invited Tonya to come over and tell us a little bit about herself- what got her into crafting and what she has been creating lately. Here’s what Tonya had to say…

Ever since I was small I have always loved to draw and make pretty things. Of course I took art all the way through school and even got a degree in commercial art…before computers…everything was drawn by hand. So I had big dreams of being an illustrator or working in graphic design but I got married, had a child and that dream got put on the back burner. When my son was in elementary school I discovered scrapbooking, which lead to card making and then altering and up cycling things which lead to me trying out for design teams…some I made the team and some I didn’t and then I saw the different challenges which lead me to Eileen Hull’s Art with Heart Challenge I have been participating in the Art with Heart Challenges ever since Eileen started this challenge last year and was blown away when she asked if I would be willing to do a guest post for her blog. Without hesitation I said yes. When I do purchase a diecut I always try and think of different ways to use each die other than what it is intended for and that is why I love the versatility of Eileen Hull’s diecuts. I am guaranteed to come up several fun projects and the Mixing Bowls and the Cookie Box diecuts are no exception.

With Easter being this Sunday I decided for my first project I would create a mini Easter basket from a sheet of Little Sizzles Mat Board, patterned cardstock and the Cookie Box diecut. I inked the inside, edges and creases of the basket with Broken China Distress Paint before putting it together. I adhered the patterned cardstock to the outside of the basket, added the mini pom pom trim and punched holes on either side and ran a pipe cleaner through each side of the basket to create a handle.
I used the Brenda Walton’s Medallion diecut-658339 (which is retired) to added a fun twist to the front of the basket along with a vintage little chick sticker and I printed the Happy Easter sentiment from the computer to finish it off. Since I am on a 21 day no sweets or junk food ban I filled my little basket with crafty goodness.

My second project I have had this idea in my head since I first seen the cookie Box die but wasn’t sure it would work. Not all the ideas that swim around in brain translate like I want at times but I am happy to say I made it happen. I turned the Cookie Box Diecut on its side to create some storage for some of my many rolls of washi tape I have. As you can see I glued two halves together by using my hot glue gun and I adhered six of the tabs to the ends/sides and cut the rest off to create the lid.

I painted the edges of the scalloped circles with Mowed Lawn Distressed Paint and covered with patterned cardstock.

I punched two small holes so I could add twine and knob as a closure for the chest.

I added paper flowers…store bought and handmade along with twine, thread, pearl sprays and the paper leaves are cut from the Holiday Greenery Diecut.

I adhered lace on the back of the chest to cover the edges of the cardstock I cut to define the base and the lid.

I glued four small spools to the bottom of the chest and adhered lace around the bottom to create a skirt.

Now it is ready to store some of my washi tape. 🙂
My third and fourth projects I cut two bowls each from the Mixing Bowl Diecut  and I also used the 3D Food Jar and Spoon Diecut “pocket” to create an adorable arrangement. I printed these little girls and the other little girl with bowl for the other mixing bowl and then fussy cut out. I purchased these from Eclectic Anthology.

I used the Rose, 3D Diecut (558504) along with the Holiday Greenery Diecut, a few punched flowers, tulle, thread and moss to add finishing touches to the bowl.

This little bowl I kept simply by adding a little moss, paper flowers and leaves and I finished off the outside with lace and flatback pearls.

I have you have enjoyed all of my projects I shared with you today and if you have any questions about any of them please let me know.

Thanks for stopping by, hope your Friday is awesome and enjoy creating!
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Tonya- thank you SO very much for sharing your beautiful projects with us today. They are truly stunning! We appreciate your willingness to be featured and hope you continue to post in our Art With Heart Challenge.
Thanks for stopping by the blog and please check back on Tuesday when we will post the Challenge for April!

Comments

  1. Jean Bullock says

    Tonya, I love your projects. You are so creative. I love all your projects AND my very favorite is your Washi Tape container. Brilliant idea! Well done!

    • Tonya trantham says

      The washi tape holder is my favorite too and since I now know how to put it together without all the mistakes I made making this one. Thanks so much Jean 🙂

  2. Anne R says

    Wow Tonya, you really have made wonderful creative use of Eileen’s dies! I love all of your wonderful projects but the washi tape holder has really captured my heart – so clever and so beautiful too! Anne x

  3. Michelle says

    Tonya, thank you for sharing your work with us. Your playful mix of patterns and colors are absolutely delightful. It’s always fun to see what you’ve created!

  5. Donna says

    Tonya your projects are fabulous! So creative, I love what you did with the cookie box! That is a great idea to hold washi tape.

  6. Carole z says

    Tonya, these are such fabulous projects, so creative and I love the colours you’ve used. Thank you for sharing and Happy Easter! Carole Z x

  7. TracyM #6773 says

    CONGRATULATIONS on being Featured Fan Tonya!!!
    WOW – your projects are FABULOUS – SO MUCH BEAUTIFUL detail!!!
    THANK YOU for sharing your CREATIVE INSPIRATION 🙂