Creating The Perfect Gift With Rhea Freitag
Hello G45ers,
Are you searching for the perfect gift idea? Handmade gifts are such a wonderful way to make a friend or family member feel loved and appreciated. Today we are going to show you three beautiful ideas that are sure to captivate your imagination. We are so happy to be introducing the gorgeous work of Rhea Freitag, one of our new 2013 Deisgn Team members! She has created the most lovely variety of crafts that would make incredible handmade gifts! Get ready for a breathtaking dose of inspiration as we introduce you to Rhea's stunning work! But first we wanted to say hello to our amazing community on Facebook! The Graphic 45 Facebook page is a great place to get all the latest Graphic 45 news and daily inspiration! Plus you can post your latest Graphic 45 creations and connect with a fantastic community of G45ers just like you! Here is an awe-inspiring Steampunk Spells tag that was recently posted to our Facebook page! It was created by Maggie Harding and it is simply gorgeous! We encourage you all to check out the Graphic 45 Facebook page! It's so much fun!
Graphic 45 Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Graphic45
And now it's time to say hello to a very talented artist, the fantastic Rhea Freitag. Her incredible creativity is evident upon first glance of her superb crafts. There is a story in each and every one of her creations. Whether it's a marvelous piece of altered art, mini album, card or layout, Rhea brings a whimsical and fun-loving spirit to everything she makes. Her marvelous blog Starrgazer Creates is overflowing with beautiful ideas and exquisite vintage-inspired treasures. Her splendid style is just perfect for Graphic 45! Rhea also loves to share her passion for creativity on her blog with wonderful tutorials and helpful tips! One look at her dazzling crafts and you'll definitely feel the urge to start creating! Please join us in giving Rhea a very warm Graphic 45 welcome!
About Rhea:
I have always been identified as a creative person, but quite recently my inner artist has really emerged. Assemblage work, jewelry construction, art journaling and book making are all genres of mixed media art that I employ. I strive to make art that tells a story, has a soul and engages the viewer through interaction, movement, memory and story.
Another aspect of the creation process that I adore is the adventure of searching for unique art supplies at estate sales, flea markets and antique shops. Taking classes, blogging and gathering with my artsy pals are additional facets of the art world that bring me great pleasure and inspiration. For me, my creativity also provides a welcome escape from my challenging career as a regional Director for Family Preservation Services serving five counties in Michigan
Rhea's Blog:
http://starrgazercreates.blogspot.com/
We begin with this breathtaking Bird Song altered art box and mini album that Rhea created. The stunning Asian-inspired look of Bird Song comes to life in this marvelous creation. This is such a splendid idea for a personalized handmade gift! We love Rhea's clever combination of vibrant Graphic 45 papers and gorgeous embellishments. The colors in this project are so gorgeous! Get inspired to create a marvelous handmade treasure like this one with your favorite Graphic 45 paper collection!
Supplies:
Birdsong Papers both 8x8 and 12x12
Copper Guilders Paste
Distress Stain Black Soot
Tea Dye Distress Ink
Japanese Women Collage Sheet*
Vintage Metal Patinas Ancient Coin
Red Metal Flowers*
Thin Dresden Borders Red
Fly Away resin Bird set Prima
Seam Binding*
Antique Gold Dragon Charm*
Antique Brass Asian Charm kit*
Small antique gold puffy oval bead*
Buddha Head Bead*
Corrugated metal pear bead
Cinnibar Bead*
6 mm flower spacer raw brass*
Bird on a Branch*
Lion Head Handle*
*items from Alpha Stamps
Next we have another stunning handmade gift idea by Rhea. This amazing hand-bound altered book was created by combining 11 different Graphic 45 collections! It just goes to show you how you can create a beautifully unique treasure by mixing and matching your favorite Graphic 45 papers! This project was a part of Rhea's audition for our 2013 Design Team and she definitely put a lot of love and thoughtfulness into it! Get inspired by this wonderfully unique work of art! Want to know how it was made? Rhea created a fun and informative tutorial on her blog that shows you how to do ribbon book binding! Wow!
Book Binding Tutorial:
http://starrgazercreates.blogspot.com/2013/05/junk-book-ribbon-binding-tutorial.html
Supplies:
Papers:
Halloween in Wonderland
Kraft Reflections
Olde Curiosity Shoppe
Curtain Call
Magic of Oz
Le Cirque
Steampunk Debutante
Communique
Botanica Bella
Other stuff:
Copper Guilders Paste (I love this stuff and use it lots. Here used to gild page edges)
Art Parts (for cover of book)
Sticky Back Canvas
Distress Stains: Black Soot, Vintage Photo, Burnished Brass, Gathered Twig
Silk Ribbon (used stains to dye it)
Distress Ink Vintage Photo
Tim Holtz Metal File Tabs
Tim Holtz Chit Chat and Salvage Stickers
Tim Holtz Idea-ology: metal numbers, clock faces, game spinner, philosophy tag, key hole
Other bits of junk from my stash
Last but not least is this magnificent altered printers tray that Rhea created with Olde Curiosity Shoppe. Printers trays are so much fun to alter and they also make amazing gifts! Think about your favorite Graphic 45 paper collection. Just imagine the possibilities for a beautiful and one-of-a-kind piece of home decor that you could create! Combining fussy cut elements with pretty paper layers and sweet embellishments helps add depth and sophistication to any printers tray! You can really let your imagination fun wild! Here Rhea explains her inspiration behind this captivating craft!
"This piece was really easy to make by simply using all the great imagery from one of my favorite paper lines, Olde Curiosity Shoppe. By simply matting images and using some unique junk from my stash, I created a simple art piece that looks great and tells a story." -Rhea
Supplies:
Olde Curiosity Shoppe Papers, both 8x8 and 12x12
7 gypsies letterbox tray
Bits of odd junk from my stash
We hope you all had a lot of fun exploring the amazing work of Rhea! We are so happy to welcome her to our new Design Team! It's going to be so much fun! We want to thank her for her gorgeous work today! And big thanks to all of you G45ers for stopping by our blog! We hope you will all come back and see us tomorrow for more fun and inspiration to brighten your week! We wish you all a very happy day!
With Love and Pretty Paper,
Your Friends at Graphic 45
OMG Rhea your work is divine, that Birdsong mini is absolutely marvelous. I love Asian inspired art!!!
Thank you G45 for showing my tag on your blog. I am honored!
Posted by: Maggi Harding | June 25, 2013 at 05:07 AM
These are gorgeous! I am loving that box!!!
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | June 25, 2013 at 05:17 AM
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Posted by: {vicki} | June 25, 2013 at 05:30 AM
Beautiful work, loved everything you made.
Posted by: Holly Mira | June 25, 2013 at 05:40 AM
Rhea, your art is outstanding! Your diverse use of paper is astounding. I really want to do the book so I will be visiting your blog.
Posted by: Pat Peele | June 25, 2013 at 05:40 AM
Rhea, you are a rock star! Love all you do xoxo
Posted by: Nichola | June 25, 2013 at 05:47 AM
All your projects are so beautiful! Loved the hand-bound altered book.
Posted by: Candida | June 25, 2013 at 05:59 AM
Love the projects
Posted by: cherrie fish | June 25, 2013 at 06:40 AM
Rhea, splendid work. Such inspiration!
Posted by: Sharon Young | June 25, 2013 at 06:42 AM
Beautiful projects!!!!
Posted by: Jeniff Sthory | June 25, 2013 at 07:19 AM
Gorgeous work Rhea! Love the vintage look of the hand bound journal/book.
Posted by: Sleigh | June 25, 2013 at 07:35 AM
I love Olde Curiosity Shoppe line. Rhea fabulous job.
Posted by: Debbie Bradley | June 25, 2013 at 07:38 AM
She makes amazing things. Everything is beautiful.
Posted by: Karen Wedding | June 25, 2013 at 07:48 AM
This stuff is beautiful!! Each one is more lovely than the next.....thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Theresa Grdina | June 25, 2013 at 07:58 AM
Great inspiration!TFS
Posted by: Liz Russell | June 25, 2013 at 08:01 AM
Wow beautiful projects.
Posted by: Gitte | June 25, 2013 at 08:05 AM
Such wonderful projects!!!
Posted by: Tona | June 25, 2013 at 08:22 AM
I love these projects. I especially love the junk journal-beautiful work.
Posted by: Traci | June 25, 2013 at 09:08 AM
Gosh, your work is just breathtakingly beautiful! I love each one of your amazing creations!
Posted by: Romy | June 25, 2013 at 09:09 AM
Your project are fantastic!! I love all of them! Graphic 45 has the greatest collections! Thanks for sharing your amazing talent and creations!!
Posted by: Patricia Molnar | June 25, 2013 at 09:09 AM
Great projects. Fantastic tutorial on the bookbinding. Thank you.
Posted by: Carol Mc | June 25, 2013 at 09:49 AM
you have the most talented designers here at G45! love the tag and all of the other projects shown here. simply gorgeous! :)
Posted by: Jennifer Scull | June 25, 2013 at 09:56 AM
Really love the tag. Would love to see more cards.
Posted by: linda ann murphy | June 25, 2013 at 10:18 AM
Wonderful!!!
Posted by: Dorothy | June 25, 2013 at 10:25 AM
Off the chain! As always :)
Posted by: Paula | June 25, 2013 at 10:28 AM
Beautiful and creative, love the projects, thanks so much for the inspiration...
Posted by: Angela | June 25, 2013 at 10:42 AM
It seems that altered anything is the current paper crafting trend. Who knew this art form would become so popular? G45 papers were made for this! Sure would be great to win this product package!
Posted by: Martie Rollin | June 25, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Wow. Gorgeous inspiration!
Posted by: Kathi R | June 25, 2013 at 10:52 AM
What wonderful projects. Thanks for sharing Rhea's work with us.
Posted by: Kathleen Rimer | June 25, 2013 at 10:55 AM
Love the printer's tray. I have a lot of small dollhouse items that would look good displayed in a tray like this. Have to remember this idea. Thanks.
Posted by: MaryLouH | June 25, 2013 at 11:02 AM
Fantastic job Rhea! No wonder G45 picked you for this design team. Looking foward to much more!
Posted by: Wendy Wakefield | June 25, 2013 at 11:13 AM
Rhea has some amazing talent. I especially like to see a project where the crafter has combined different lines. It gives me hope that I might actually get all my paper used up.
Posted by: Pam Spradlin | June 25, 2013 at 11:19 AM
Rhea, you are so talented! That printers tray really set my imagination soaring. I think I see Christmas presents here! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity. I love what you do!
Posted by: Dreamer | June 25, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Wow I am in awe of the book., astonishing amount of papers & pages, adore the binding with all the trinkets & charms!!!! Love love love.. :)
Posted by: Caroline | June 25, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Fabulous projects again today! I love the printers tray.
Posted by: Lynn Hardy | June 25, 2013 at 12:15 PM
Love ALL of your creations Rhea .. fantastic :)
Posted by: Jeanann Cavalier | June 25, 2013 at 12:25 PM
Rhea, your creations are just BEAUTIFUL -- I love your style and unique way of putting together any kind of craft! I can tell it's going to be an amazing year with you on the team!! Can't wait to see what you create next!
Posted by: Maria Cole | June 25, 2013 at 02:04 PM
very talented lady...especially love the
the printers tray
Posted by: Yvonne Boucher | June 25, 2013 at 02:21 PM
Fantabulous! Love it all, especially the bird song box and album. Gorgeous!
Posted by: Jean Bullock | June 25, 2013 at 02:27 PM
Fabulous projects... the handbound altered book is out of this world!
Alison x
Posted by: butterfly | June 25, 2013 at 02:30 PM