Stationery Box with Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts

Hello everyone!  I am so excited about the new products offered by Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts, and this is one of them.  It is called a Split Front Box, and it is fabulous.  It is a good size, 9"x7", made of strong chipboard, and would be perfect for storing your craft materials, housing a beautiful mini album, or even for gift giving.  The choice is yours.

There are basically two parts to this box.  The first part if the box itself.  I like to lay the chipboard out the way it will be glued together.  

I chose a pretty collection of scrapbook papers from Prima to cover the box.  I measured each section, cut the papers to fit, making sure not to cover the dove tails on the box, and ran each piece through my Xyron machine.  You could also use any glue to adhere the papers.

Turn the pieces over and cover the outside of the box in the same manner.  However, do not cover the outside bottom of the box yet.

Glue the box together.  I like to use a fast grabbing tacky glue for this purpose.  

One thing I forgot to do when measuring my paper to cover the outside of the box.  As you can see in the photo below, I did not measure the paper to cover the dovetail joins for the outside of the box.  I recommend measuring and cutting your outside paper after you cover the inside and glue the box together. 

If you forget, as I did, that is okay.  You can add border strips, ribbon, paper, etc., or even paint the edges.  There are so many options to take advantage of, so don't fret.   Do not cover the bottom of the box yet.  

The second part of the box is the two top halves.  Again, I laid it out as it will be glued together, and this time, I only measured my paper for the inside. Again, leave the dovetails free of paper so they will fit securely together.  

Glue the top pieces together.  They should look like this.

Lay the two top pieces over the top of the box and carefully turn the box upside down.

To make a hinge for the top pieces, cut two strips of card stock or Tyvek to 6-5/8" long by 2" wide.  I prefer using Tyvek because it is pretty much indestructible, and simply will not tear.   (Save those priority mail envelopes you get in the mail.)  Fold strips in half and use a white glue to adhere them along the bottom edge of the box, as shown.  

Now we can cover the outside of the box.  This time, we will measure each side so we can cover the dovetail joins.  When covering the short sides of the box tops, wrap extra card stock around to the bottom, over the Tyvek hinges, for added support.  

Another option would be to use metal hinges to hinge the top to the bottom.  It's so versatile and easy to make it your own.

After covering the outside of the box top, I used a sanding block to sand and distress all of the edges.  I like how the white edge shows and gives that worn look.

Next, I added some off-white paint to those edges that I forgot to cover with paper.  I tried to make it look similar to the distressed paper edges.

Here is a picture of the top of the box covered with paper.

And here is how the box looks when the two top halves are open.

And a view of the bottom of the box.  Cut your papers to add the best decorative elements from them.

But don't stop there.  Let's add some chipboard elements to give it dimension and added pizazz!

After adding some of the matching 3x4 journal cards and tags from the paper collection (right side), I added a card stock doily, flowers, and a butterfly.  I also adhered the "Treasured" banner below the journal cards.

On the left side, I added " Memories" , a label with a pearl jewelry piece, and two dragonflies with swirly pearls gem stickers.  I left the chipboard in its natural state.  I love how it matches the colors in the paper.

For the sides, I cut pieces of chainlink and adhered to each side, as shown.  A dragonfly was added to one side. 

A butterfly was added to this side.

Here are some pictures of the sides of the box.

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Supplies used:

 Split Front Box (coming soon)
Cardstock Doily Set Intricates
Word Ribbons 1
Words and Phrases 1
Stackable Labels Shape Set
Butterflies and Dragonflies
Chainlink 8x8 Panel

Other Supplies used:

Prima Stationer's Desk paper collection
Prima Stationer's Desk 3x4 journal cards & tags

Xyron adhesive

Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue

Flowers and various embellishments from my stash

This is such a lovely box, and the best part is that you can make it to your very own taste.  What will you keep in your box, love letters, ephemera, receipts, note paper, stationery?  The possibilities are endless.  

I hope you enjoyed my project today and are inspired to make one for yourself or a special friend.  Be sure to visit the blog for daily inspiration, and the shop to see all of the latest and greatest laser cut chipboard around.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a creative week!

Barbara

STEAMPUNK Mixed Media Canvas with ColourArte

Hello everyone!  Today, I want to share my project for the ColourArte Design Team Call.

 

I am in a bit of a steampunk mood again, and I got lots of steampunk chippies (that's slang for chipboard) from Gina's Designs to use with all of my ColourArte Perfect Paints.  I pulled out some papers, a 12x12 canvas, and lots of metal to get me started.  So lets do just that!

Glue two pieces of scrapbook paper to the canvas, tearing one and layering it over the other, as shown.

Begin adhering chipboard alphabet randomly to the center of the canvas and the word "STEAMPUNK" along the top.

Paint background with white gesso and let dry.  Randomly add molding paste through mini grid stencil and let dry. The stenciled areas will show up in following photos when color is added.

Spray background with Radiant Rain Mists Fern, Key Lime, Seafoam, and Elderberry.  Dab some Hot Cinnamon Radiant Rain dauber randomly, then spray Radiant Rain Butternut Shimmering Mist over all.

I know it may seem crazy, but apply a wash of white gesso over entire background again and let dry.  Mixed media is all about layers, i.e., layers of texture and color.  The wash still allows some of the previous colors to shine through.  Next, paint background with Radiant Gels Olive Vine, Key Lime, Emperor's Gold, and Spiced Pumpkin.  Let this layer dry.  

Try as I might, the camera just cannot see all the colors I see in person.  Trust me, they are there.

Use Green Pearls Radiant Gel to highlight around the letters "STEAMPUNK" to make them pop, then randomly add it to the background, mixing with Twilight to get that beautiful turquoise color.  Apply patches of Luv U Pink and Autumn Leaf Radiant Gels.  

Awww, there it is,  a mix of all the colors radiating out into the light.  

Now to work on the embellishments.  Ink bottom of dress form with Versamark ink, heat emboss with Pewter Iced Enamels.  Trace and cut out top of dress form onto a piece of silver aluminum foil and emboss with Tim Holtz Diamond Plate embossing folder.  Antique with DecoArt Black Shimmer.

Adhere embossed foil to top of dress form and adhere a small scrap of chipboard to the back to add some lift when it gets applied to the canvas.

Ink wings with Versamark ink, heat emboss with Turquoise Iced Enamels.

Delaminate a piece of mica.  Lay mica over the hourglass portion, trace and cut out the outline of the glass only.  Set aside.  

Heat emboss the rest of the hourglass with Versamark ink and Chartreuse Iced Enamels.

Adhere mica to hourglass with 3D Crystal Lacquer or Glossy Accents.  Ooooh, doesn't it look like there is sand inside?  

Adhere the chipboard pieces to the canvas, as shown.  This half of the photo shows a closeup of the dress form and wings, some paper and metal flowers, gears and other steampunk style embellishments.  Can you tell which gears are chipboard and which are metal?

I also used the Egyptian Gold Radiant Rain dauber over the wings, flowers, and embellishments to give them a cohesiveness and make them appear even more metallic.

I added a metal spring and metal studs over the dress form.

On this half, you can see the chipboard bird with his mechanical parts and key winder to make those gears turn.  He was embossed with rust embossing powder, and Egyptian Gold Radiant Rain dauber added randomly.

The hourglass was also added, a "rusted" chipboard key, and more metal!

To really make the STEAMPUNK letter pop, I used a charcoal pencil and water brush to detail around each letter.

And here are two closeups of each side of the chipboard gears border at the bottom of the canvas.

Aren't these colors just fabulous?  I cannot say enough good things about ColourArte.  They truly have become my "go to" paints.

Now, let's finish off the sides of the canvas. In keeping with the metal theme, emboss a 14" strip of 2" wide silver aluminum foil tape with the Diamond Plate embossing folder.  I cut a slit in the top of my embossing folder so I could keep the tape running through continuosly.  Paint a light coat of the black antiquing creme over the entire strip.  When dry, use a soft damp cloth to remove excess paint.

Add a coat of Patina color to the aluminum strip and wipe away the excess.

Cut aluminum into ½" wide strips.  You need four. 

Adhere the strips around the canvas to cover the edges and give it that Steampunk style metal finish.

Supplies used:

ColourArte: Radiant Rain Shimmering Mists: Fern, Key Lime, Seafoam, Elderberry, Butternut
Radiant Rain Gels: Olive Vine, Key Lime, Emperor's Gold, Spiced Pumpkin, Autumn Leaf, Luv U Pink, Twilight, Green Pearl
Radiant Rain Colour Concentrates Daubers: Hot Cinnamon, Egyptian Gold
Silks Acrylic Glaze: Honey Amber
Primary Elements Arte Pigments™: China Black

Gina's Designs:  Steampunk Shape Set, Steampunk 2 Shape Set, Dressforms and Wings Shape Set,

12X12 canvas (Artist's Loft)

Finnabair A4 paper pad (Prima)

Chipboard alphabet (my stash)
White gesso (Liquitex)

Regular Matte Gel Medium (Golden)
Extra Heavy Gel/Molding Paste (Golden)
Carbon Black Antiquing Creme (DecoArt)

Stencils:  Mini Sketch Grid (TCW456s)
Embossing folder:  Diamond Plate (Tim Holtz)
Black Shimmer Metallic Lustre (DecoArt)
Versamark inkpad
Gilders Paste: Copper, Patina, German Silver
Iced Enamels (Susan Lenart Kazmer): Pewter, Turquoise
2" wide silver aluminum foil tape (hardware store)
3D Crystal Lacquer
Prima paper flowers, metal flowers and trinkets
Blue Glass Glitter (Melissa Frances)
Metal studs (CTMH)
Charcoal Pencil

I know this was a long post with lots of photos, but I try really hard to get realistic, true-to-life pictures of this fabulous paint products from ColourArte.  I hope I was able to do just that, and I am thankful to you if you were able to stay with me this far.

As always, I am so glad you stopped by today, and I would love to hear what you think about my project.

Have a wonderful and creative week, my crafty friends!

Barbara

Mixed Media Art Journal Pages: Amazing Wonder

Hello chippie fans.  Barbara here again with my last post as guest designer for Gina's Lasercut Chipboard.  But never fear, I am not gone for good.  I will be back next month as a regular designer on their design team. Yay, I am so excited about this fabulous opportunity.

Anyway, it is no surprise to those who know me that I am super fond of birds, and all animals, for that matter.  It is no "Wonder" that I am always "Amazed" by their sweetness, as well as their ability to fly!  Hence came the name for my journal pages.

Lay a background of printed tissue paper onto journal pages with matte medium.

Blend Radiant Gels Twilight and Celedon on both pages, spritzing with water to keep the transparency.

Dab Radiant Rain Coral Berry dauber along top edge of journal page, mist with water and allow color to run and spread.

Spread Twilight Radiant Gel through stencil with spatula, let dry.

Dab more Radiant Rain Coral Berry dauber randomly over background, spritz with water and add Kiwi Silks Acrylic Glaze, blending the two over the background.

Paint Flights of Fancy Music Girl with flesh tint acrylic paint.  Draw in a few facial details with a pencil.

Add highlights to face by mixing white gesso with the flesh tint paint.

Continue coloring face details with markers.

Cover face with paper towel and mist with a mixture of PE China Black and water for hair.  I love the mottled look this gives the hair.

Dab Radiant Rain Egyptian Gold over two Damask Singles.Heat emboss the ornamental bird cage with Versamark ink and silver embossing powder.  While the powder is still hot, sprinkle black embossing powder over it to give it an antique silver look.

Spray bird flourish with Fern Radiant Rain mist.  Add Twilight Radiant Gel to the bird only.

Spray Fern Radiant Rain Mist over the leaves and ornament.  These were the punch outs from the large Damask Single. Aren't they pretty?  Nothing goes to waste here.

Dab Egyptian Gold Radiant Rain dabber over words, then mist with Pewter Radiant Rain Mist.  When dry, add Delicata Silver Shimmer randomly over words.

Dab Egyptian Gold Radiant Rain dabber over the Damask Singles.

Adhere chipboard embellishments to pages as shown in photos.  I also added a piece of jewelry chain between the damask single and the birdcage to make it appear like it is hanging from the ornament above.

I added he three chipboard pieces that were punched out from the Damask Single to the based of the Music Girl, as shown.

One last thing I did was to add splotches of Egyptian Gold randomly over the page.  This is one of my favorite techniques to do with these daubers.  Make sure the dabber is juicy and just tap it down onto the page.  It will splatter the ink and make these perfect splotches.  Love it!  TIP:  Don't wear your expensive clothes when doing this. 

And here are the two pages once again.  

    

Supplies used:
Gina's Designs:  Flights of Fancy Music Girl, Damask Singles, Ornamental Bird Cages Shape Set, Words and Phrases 2, Birds and Flourishes Shape Set
Cottonwood Arts A2 Canvas Notebook
ColourArte: Radiant Gels: Twilight, Celedon; Radiant Rain Daubers: Egyptian Gold, Coral Berry, Radiant Rain Shimmering Mists: Fern, Pewter; Primary Elements Arte Pigment: China Black
Print Tissue Paper (Tim Holtz)
Embossing Powder: Silver, Black
Markers: Faber-Castell
Stencil: Dylusions

Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to check out Gina's Designs for more fabulous chipboard shapes for all of your art work!  And please feel free to leave me a comment and let me know what you think of my pages.  I love to hear from you.

See you next month, and have a creative week!

Barbara