All the Stars Shine

Hello friends,

Today marks a special day on the project table as we feature Palette Multi, the highly anticipated final collection in the beloved Palette series!

To celebrate the conclusion of this wonderful journey, I wanted to create a project that truly captured the essence of the series—and what better way than to use multiple fabrics!

Palette Multi is a fantastic group featuring 9 vibrant prints and one essential neutral. What sets this collection apart is that while every Palette fabric can shine solo, Multi's magic is found in the combination of color and pattern. It's not just about one dominant color or scale; it's a dynamic interplay that makes every print work beautifully on its own or together in a wonderful ensemble.

So lets get started!

Paint the Vignette Tray with Speckled Egg Distress paint or any other neutral color. When the paint was dry, I sanded the wood and gave it a coat of Collage Medium to seal.

While the paint was drying, I worked on the quilted back ground. I used the Multi "Ephemera" fabric + cotton batting + a Frixion pen and my clear ruler to mark the lines (1" apart) for stitching. 

Turn the piece and mark the lines going the other direction, making a diamond pattern.

Go to the machine and stitch the fabric and batting together. Trim the edges to fit the back of the tray.

Use Collage Medium to add Design Tape Trim to the edges of the Tray.

Add Collage Medium to the entire back of the tray and add quilted panel. Press down.

I wanted to add a shelf to my project but I didn't want to wait till my husband got home to cut the wood. SO just got a scrap piece of wood from my stash and cut it to length (the width of the tray). Then I stacked Etcetera Trims - Pinked (I cut these to length individually before glueing the stack together).

I glued the wood piece to the stack of Trims with Collage Medium and let it dry for about 15 minutes, before painting it the same color I painted the Vignette Tray.

Once the paint was dry, I added a piece of Backdrop paper (from the neutral pack) to the top of the shelf.

I used Collage Medium to add the shelf to the tray, 3 3/4" up from the bottom.

INSIDE

I chose these ladies from Paper Doll Groups pack. They are a favorite from the pack! I colored them with Distress Crayons, mostly coloring directly on the image and then rubbing the color with my fingertip or a cotton swab (FYI: the color will be lighter using a cotton swab). I used a dry Detailer Water Brush to color the stripes on the center dress.

I wanted to use the neutral fabric that is part of Palette Multi called "Vintage". As I was trying to figure out how to do that, I had a thought that the fabric looked like the moon texture you might see in a telescope. So I et out to make it look like the moon. 

First I punched out the center of one of the Etcetera Facades. Then covered it with Collage Medium and added the fabric. Once dry, I cut out the circle and added a layer of Collage Medium over the top (that helps with the fraying of edges).

I added just a small about of Spray Stain over the top BEFORE the Collage Medium was dry (it will not adhere if the CM is dry).

From there I added Lost Shadow Distress Crayon to the left side to create a shadow (it rolls right on over the sealed surface).

Then the stars.

I've been using these a lot lately. It's just the Falling Stars die cut from Sparkle Kraft Stock. Because the paper is thick, you might have to pop the stars out with a pair of tweezers.

I used a thin brush to add Collage Medium to the back of each star and then placed them where I thought they should go, starting with the largest stars.  The last stars I added to the edge of my moon, then once dry I cut the excess that was hanging over the edge. This little trick really helps the moon to look like it's rounded.

Because I added3D foam squares to the back of the moon, I need to add doubled bingo chips and foam squares to the back before placing the paper dolls onto the tray. The goal is just to have the ladies stand up upright over the moon.

I set them a little off center from the moon and left them to dry for an hour before standing the tray upright.

BOTTOM COMPARTMENT

To start the bottom compartment, I added a ripped piece of paper to the bottom of the tray (the same paper I used on the shelf).

I wanted to add some Corked Vials to the tray. I used different sizes of tape to make stripes on the bottles. I pounced over the tape with Gold Mixative and let it dry for a few minutes before removing the tape, leaving the gold stripes on the glass.

I used Collage Medium to add Clippings to the bottles, then filled them with a combination of shredded Mummy Cloth and pearl beads (from the craft store) colored with Mushroom Alcohol Ink. I love they way they turned out.

Next I need a sentiment. I took the easy route and used a Label Frame and Quote Chip - Labels that match up perfectly.I added some white paint to the frame, let it dry and then added the Quote Chip with just some scotch tape on the back.

I added the Corked Vials, the Label Frame (using two more bingo chips), and a nest I made in the summer for another project. I made multiple nests from wire and Spanish moss adding a Tiny Egg that has been painted blue and splattered with Scorched Timber.

The mushrooms are from the Field Notes Ephemera pack. Neutral reindeer moss was added to disguise the bottom of the mushrooms, like they are growing right out of the moss.

TOP COMPARTMENT

We ended the top compartment when we added the ladies standing in front of the moon. I didn't want to add much, but it needed something on the left side. I had the idea to make something like a covered button (showing my age there), so I took an idea-ology Vintage Flair button and removed the silver ring from the back with a pair of needle nose pliers (it comes off easily).

I added Collage Medium to the front of the Flair and some on the back edge. I pre-cut a piece of Palette Multi "Botany" fabric (I love this fabric!!) over the top and pushed it around the edge to the back side, just like making a covered button. I love how fabric is flexible so it stretches so easily around the circle.

I added the Vintage Flair button to an Optical Frame (I had already tested it for fit), then added a little bird that I had previously rubbed white paint over. I adhered the bird with Collage Medium and left it to dry for about 30 minutes.

I added the button to the top compartment (it has a wood block behind it to help it stand up), along with a Tiny Vial that again has Gold Mixative on the bottom and is filled with Mummy Cloth and pearls.

You can see that Tiny Vial much better in this close-up.

Details matter.

The last thing I added was more ephemera from Field Notes. A label glued on the top of the Tray with added Cello Tape...

 and a label tied with string around the neck of the knob.

This one was a fun one to make, I especially like using the fabric three different ways to enhance this piece. And I might just be covering more Vintage Flair with fabric!

If you missed the Palette LIVE with Tim on Monday, November 17th, please take the time to watch the replay. There are so many great fabric projects from both Richele and myself using not only Palette Multi but also Palette Christmas. I promise it will be great inspiration!

Now carry on,

paula

Be Your Beautiful Self

Hello friends,

Can you believe it is June already? I know I can't! Time marches on whether we like it or not! With our sweet niece Ellie graduating from high school in just a few days, it seem's like a real end of an era for us. All 4 nieces and nephew will soon be in collage and far away from home. Sunday dinners will never be the same! We can't do anything about the pace of life except support and enjoy on the sidelines.

Well enough about the goings on around here, lets move on and talk about todays project! This is a sweet little book made with Folio Folders, then covered with fabric from Palette Orange (Botanical). It is truly one of my favorite fabric of the Palette Collection because of both design and the colors. Right in my wheelhouse. Botanical just goes with everything, including this little book I made. So lets get started and I'll show you how I put it together (including that cover).

I am using 3 large Folio Folders for this project (1 package). But the fun thing about this project is that you can add on as many folders as you like. So if you had two packages of Folio Folders, it could be twice as thick. Totally up to you.

I started as I always do, by spraying the folders with Antique Linen Spray Stain, then wiping it off. I sprayed both sides of each folder, drying with a heat tool between sides.

I used Distress Oxide Bundled Sage and the Ornate stamp from Stampers Anonymous to create a pattern along the inside of each folder. To get the fading top edge, add the ink to the stamp then use a wet wipe to feather the edge before stamping. Give it a spritz with water and stamp! You can practice on another piece of scrap paper before stamping the folder if you want. And remember, you only need to stamp on the inside of each folder, not the outside.

NOTE: Feathering creates a much more random, worn look that will fade away, rather than giving you a hard edge right in the middle of your page.

Choose three images from the Collage Paper pack Serendipity. Add Collage Medium to one side of the folder, then lay the Collage sheet into the glue. Press down (with clean hands), then add another layer of Collage Medium over the paper.

Create a puddle of ink to the side (gathered Twigs and water). Immediately use your finger to randomly add the ink over the glue. Once satisfied, use a paint brush to flick more ink over the glue before it dries. You can set it aside while you work on the other two or dry with a heat tool before moving on.

Add a Layer Frame from the Montage pack to the blank side of the folder. These frames have been pre-stitched so it looks like you have stitched it down but that step has been done for you! I used Scor-tape to add the frames.

I could leave the Collage Paper images alone, but I thought I would use Distress Crayons like watercolors and paint the scenes. To do this I chose a limited palette; Rustic Wilderness, Salvaged Patina, Abandoned Coral, Lumberjack Plaid, and Mustard Seed. I scribbled the crayon onto the glass Studio Mat and picked it up with a small damp paint brush.

I colored each of the Collage Paper images as well as some of the background with the Distress Crayons. I didn't want too much color but wanted to give some life to the images. This coloring was so relaxing!

Once the basic inside of each folder was complete, I lined up the folders in the order I wanted, then marked the outside so I would remember after adding the tape.

I added 1/4" Scor-tape to one side, then peeled the tape to adhere one folder to the next, while creating a pocket between the two folders. That means, don't add tape on one side edge, because that will be the opening for one of the two pockets.

When the two folders are taped together, you should be able to add a card (any kind of card) to the pocket you just created. I cut my cards from Distress Mixed Media Heavystock and repeated the stamp pattern.

So lets now start at the beginning of the book and you will be able to see the order. 

I will label each section folder 1, folder 2, and folder 3.

Folder 1

Paper Doll (Distress Crayons - Salvaged Patina, Mustard Seed and Aged Mahogany), Classic Label Stickers, Clippings, Collage Paper, Cello Sticker Tape and Postmarked stamps.

I used Thin Foam Squares under the paper doll and the black label sticker.

Clippings, Cello Sticker Tape and Number Strip.

Folder 2

Paper Doll (groups) with crayons - Mustard Seed and Salvaged Patina. Classic Label Stickers, Cello Sticker Tape and Postmarked added with a Tiny Attacher.

Here you can see the first pocket with a card in it on the left.

Clipping Stickers, Stabilo Pencil, Antiqued Gems + eyelet.

Antiqued Gem with Mushroom Alcohol Ink 

Folder 3

Number Strip and Cello Sticker Tape

Second pocket on the left with added Classic Sticker.

Paper Doll (Distress Crayon Mustard Seed and Aged Mahogany), Classic Label Stickers, Clippings, Collage Paper, Cello Sticker Tape and Postmarked stamp. Gold Mixative used for the dots in her hair.

I used Thin Foam Squares under the paper doll and the black label sticker.

Once the folders are complete, open the book so only the cover is showing. 

Cut one piece of Pallet Orange fabric - Botanical approximately 6.5 x 11" (I like a piece larger than the book so I can cut away the excess later)

Use Collage Medium to add the fabric to the cover. I did it one side at a time so the Collage Medium does not dry on you. It dries so fast!

Once fully covered, press down making sure it is adhered well to the paper below (especially along the spine).

Cut away any excess fabric with sharp scissors (Tonic Haberdashery Scissors are sharp to the tip).

Once I had everything secured - I went back and added more Collage Medium from the edge to 1/2" in (you could cover the entire cover if you wish) to stop any fraying. 

I folded the book back and forth and added more Collage Medium along the spine and let that dry.

Once the cover was secure, I wrapped a beautiful ribbon around the cover. I found this silky, satiny...and kind of grungy ribbon in my stash and I have no idea where it even came from! But I'm glad it come out of hiding today because it is just perfect!

To finish off the cover, I added more Classic Labels (that have had a dip into the ink puddle). I stamped the label in Peeled Paint Archival Ink using a phrase from the Tiny Text stamp set. WHat do you do when your phrase is too long for one sticker? stamp two stickers!

I wanted to sew the labels onto the cover but I couldn't do that at this point so I thought the next best thing is to do some faux stitching. I used my Simon Says Stamp powder tool to take away the sticky back of each sticker so I could run them through my sewing machine.

Once stitched, I added the labels to the cover with Collage Medium...and seriously, no one would ever know I didn't stitch them on!

I love this cover so much! It has my heart!

Just some extra shots of the inside!

I hope you'll give this easy folder book a go! And remember, you can add as many folders together as you wish! It's all up to you and your imagination!

Now carry on,

Paula