Couture Creations 2

Magnolia Lane Butterfly Explosion Box

by Sue Smyth 

One of the things I like doing the most is 

explosion boxes, and when you design

your own papers one of the perks is

you can design papers and images that 

will suit your favorite types of projects.

So here is one I had in mind all the time

when designing Magnolia Lane ..hope you like it 

I have used a label die to cut the four sides of the box

you can then simply score and fold the labels

and attach to any size square you like to form the base.

The decorated top, has my take on a 

sugared Magnolia.

See step by steps below to make this.

I have used the beautiful Resin corners too 

with their lovely pearly sheen.

I have then used the panels from Magnolia 

Lane Poetical Labels to decorate the inside of the box.

The cheeky butterfly is roughly cut out

then adhered to white cardstock with a 

glue stick. Then I fussy cut and adhere it

to a toothpick.

You can also cover the wings in 

dimensional magic and sprinkle with 

white glitter for a sparkly look.

Sugared Magnolia

1. Spray the center of the flower with a soft pink mist.

2. Dry off with heat gun.

3. Spray with adhesive and dip into white glitter.

4. Remove the outer petals to make the flower smaller.

Products used

ult157497 Magnolia Lane Poetical Labels

ult157501 Magnolia Lane Resin frames

Ult157508 Magnolia Lane Rosettes

Ult157508 Magnolia Lane paper Magnolias

ult157489 Magnolia Lane floral fancy

ult157519 Magnolia Lane dies, Tassels

ult157524 Magnolia Lane dies Rose cutting

Ult157506 Magnolia Lane white lace

ult157509 Magnolia Lane Magnolia lace clear stamps

 Happy Crafting 

Imaginarium Post

Things with Wings Frame 

and Wishing Well book

By Sue Smyth

This year so far I seem to be in a bug phase, at the 

beginning of the year I found a silver cicada ring,(which

I bought) and I loved it so much I looked for 

a plastic one to craft with.

I found lots of tubes and packets with assorted

plastic bugs which inspired me to this framed 

specimen board.

I have layered Imaginarium chipboard butterflies with 

dragonfly's and solid butterflies. 

to create a mythical layered flying machine. 

I have then topped it with a painted bug.

With a wide selection to choose from in 

the bag of bugs, I have chosen here a dragon fly.

Each panel is different. 

To achieve the pearlescent look, I

have sprayed the chipboard with

matt black spray paint and allowed it to dry.

Then I have layered over metallic gold paint, and 

assorted colours of metallic Inka gold.

I have also use some of the Stemple farbe for  

a glittery look to some of the wings.

You can mix contrasting colours for a really

neat look that pops.

This little creature is a chipboard butterfly that

I have added Mega Flakes to, you can

just follow the instructions below to 

create a gorgeous opal look like this.

I tried a plain black frame first and while 

it was ok, the white frame above looked so 

much better.

Step 1

Paint chipboard butterfly black with

Matt black spray paint and 

allow to dry.

Step 2

Rub over flitter glue,this is a sticky size

that will dry tacky and help

the gilding flakes adhere.

You can fudge this with ordinary glue,

but the flitter glue is better.

Step 3

Level the glue out with your fingers, so it will

dry evenly.

Step 4 

Place Mega flakes randomly over top of glue, when it 

is dry.

Step 5

Tap down the flakes so that they 

cover most of the black chipboard.

Step 6

Then use a scouch pad, (plastic scourer)

to remove excess gold flake,to reveal 

the gilded wings below.

Step 7

I have added a little purple inka gold

to the edges of the wings to

Match with the other 

creatures I have made

Step 8

Cover surface with a thin coat of dimensional magic 

to seal the surface and give a wonderful shine.

Here are some close ups of each creature I have made

The larger middle butterfly sits in a gilded frame.

This, I have gold embossed twice for a lustrous effect.

The dragon fly has black opal seed beads

adhered to his body for dimension.

I have used Dimensional magic to 

affix the beads as it dries glossy and clear.

I have added in some metal charms too, for 

smaller and shiny layers.

Each creature sits on a chipboard panel

I have created with Magnolia Lane papers and stamps.

This butterfly has a Magnolia Lane die cut

in the middle for a touch of realism 

Each bug is sprayed with matt black spray paint

too. And when dry rub over gold metallic paint first,

as a base.

Allow to dry and then dab or blend

contrasting colours of inka gold.

It picks up all of the texture.

Dont forget to decorate the centres, I have used a rhinestone

and silver bugle bead here.

Chipboard used 

Wishing Well Address book

This practical little book is made from 

a purchased address book from a supermarket.

This project is a little more simpler than the last

but still pretty.

I have used texture paste, lace and braid to 

alter the surface of the book.

Then added trinkets, chipboard and resin shapes in a 

cluster to decorate my cover.

Everything gets painted with gesso and painted 

with Calypso Teal Dylusions paint. 

I have double embossed the frame, and while 

hot, spray with Calypso teal Dylusions, continue

to heat for a second or two and then allow to cool.

this gives a wonderful antiqued look.

When you are happy with your book, rub over

copper and turquoise inka gold for 

a burnished patina.

Imaginarium Chipboard Used

Happy Crafting 

couture Creations 1

Altered Book

by Sue Smyth 

Hi Bloggers

Today I am sharing another of my CHA projects.

I love an altered book, they can be so much fun to make 

and are a great decorator statement.

You can also make them useful by 

altering inside to form a journal.

Or like I do sometimes I cut all of 

the pages out and turn the inside

into a box. So I can then store things in it. 

I have altered the flowers, but wicking

you simply need to wet the paper 

flower first before dipping into

spray of your choice, this way the 

ink seeps up the petals for a softer look.

Or Magnolia Lane paper flowers are perfect for this.

Then I like to spray them with adhesive and sprinkle

with white glitter...

I have trimmed out the Magnolia Grandiflora panel

and adhered it to scrap cardstock for stability.

Then cover with Dimensional magic for 

shine and strength, and sprinkle the smallest 

amount of white glitter over top for a faint sparkle. 

I have used the gorgeous tassel die, I love this one most I think.

Cut the die from scrap cardstock or even old cereal boxes. Did you

know our dies will cut light weight chipboard?

Then, I have double embossed with gold embossing powder for

a rich full look.

Here I have die cut the leaves form green cardstock 

and then dry brushed with white gesso.

Then rub over gold paint for a neat gilded look.

Inside the book I have, glued all of the pages

together by painting the edges of the pages 

with gel medium. Then paint over 

gold paint to hide the gel medium.

I have left the front pages as is, to decorate 

with Magnolia lane papers 

Here you can see the tassel die in action again

this time I have die cut them in white cardstock.

I have covered them with Dimensional magic and 

dipped into white glitter for a classic look.

The leaves this time I have blended a 

little Victorian Velvet ink over the ends 

for a burnished look.

The Finished book!

Oh how to do the cover, well that is a whole nother post, coming 

later!

Products Used 

Ult157498 Magnolia Lane Pretty Patches

ult157519 Magnolia Lane Tassels die

ult157530 Magnolia Lane Square frame die

Ult157523 Magnolia Lane Rose Cutting die

Happy Crafting !