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Welcome everyone, I hope to inspire you and share some of my papercraft work. You can find out where I teach and what I am up to, what inspires me and what I am working on next. I love to share new ideas and neat ways of adding creativity to your pages or cards etc

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Friday, December 21, 2018

December cheer


Christmas Cheer Journal and
keepsake box 


I love a good journal, and use them all the time, so earlier in 
the year I created this one for Christmas in July. I have 
also taught it around Australia, but now 
will share with you a quick tutorial on how I created it.



I just love to team turquoise and teal together, for me, just add in 
some white snow and it shouts of Christmas 


And of course some glitter and shine, here I have 
used the red beaded trim you can buy at Christmas
simply snip it up it to individual balls. I buy
them in all colours and use them 
year round.



One of the last things I do to my flower cluster is add some faux snow
a mix of gesso and white glitter. I like to add it with a soft 
small brush.


My magnificent jewel is actually an earring that I bought 
really cheaply at $4.00 a pair, it makes a fabulous element to my book.
Always look outside the square for materials.


So first I have added texture, this time with just 
gesso and a stencil as I did not want the texture 
to be too deep and I wanted a softer look than texture paste.


When dry, I spritzed with a little turquoise glimmer mist
and dried it again, then with a fan brush and water
I painted the surface with turquoise inka gold.
Remember they are actually water soluble and a valuable 
paint medium, as well as a rub.


Then I have added some platinum inka gold, just rubbing
in with fingertips. Then to add sparkle
I have painted with a glitter medium.


I have die cut branches and painted with white 
gesso, dry off..



Cover with dimensional magic and sprinkle with micro beads.
When dry I have painted with white gesso again.
This looks like coral or a textured winter branch.



Paint the window arch with white gesso.


Mix up a batch of faux snow, 1 teaspoon of white gesso
and 1 teaspoon of white glitter, then smear all over the window
with a large wooden stick.


The snow flakes, I have painted with white gesso and dried, then
I have painted with platinum inka gold for a neat shine.


Start the layering process, by adhering patterned 
paper into the window (this is Highland Christmas my new paper range 
here)


Add the snowflakes and window frames.


Snip up the branches to include in the cluster at the 
base of the window.



Add poinsettia and metal flower 


Fill out the cluster with some red pip branches cut up
and some green chipboard holly leaves and muslin.


When you are happy with the cluster add
some faux snow to the flowers and branches, and 
add the red earring to the centre of the window.


Keepsake box 



Over the years I have collected a few vintage 
Christmas decorations and they are very precious to me, and 
it occurred to me that to pass them on to my children
they needed to be kept safe in a sturdy box.



So I have used chipboard to decorate an old tin box 
using lots of gel medium to adhere in place.


I wanted to keep it pretty simple in comparison to my 
books and canvases as this has a practical use and I don't 
need things catching or making it hard to store.



Once all the chipboard is in place,  have painted the box with black
gesso and then with graphite inka gold.


Then I have added lots of rhinestones and decoration, which
I have covered with Art Alchemy White gold wax for a pewter
look.


To give it an aged look I have stained it with rust 
alcohol ink, blot off the excess for a vintage rusty look.


Just the ticket to store my vintage ornaments in.
The sweet blown glass mushrooms I purchased at 
an old antique shop in South Australia
when I visited our lovely Jane Tragenza, 
she recommended the store and was right, it had 
everything  !!!





Happy Crafting 
and Merry Christmas to all
See you next year !!


3 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful projects Sue, I particularly love the keepsake box, what a great idea for storing your vintage decorations. Thank you for the step-by-step instructions and all the little hints and tips.
    All the best for a fabulous Christmas!
    Cheers,
    Beccy

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  2. Hi Sue. Oh what lovely projects you shared today . I love and adore both. The window scene is so elegant, scenic and still has the touch of rustic I love. And the box is fabulous. I really love how you decorated it. And the colors are gorgeous. It really looks line a genuine vintage box ! Thank you so much for sharing. And thank you for the tutorials as well.
    I wish you and your family a fantastic Christmas and a happy New Year. Thank you for all the inspiration you shared in the past year.
    Hugs from Monica .... Spain
    PS : Is it a clay face you used on top of the box lid ? From a mold ... and which ???

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    Replies
    1. monica it is a resin face and I cannot remember what or where I got it lol, thank you for your kind words

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