Collection Folio

So the question today is...can you mix Found Relatives with real ones?
The answer - yes.
And I'm gonna prove it.

Enter the new large Collection Folio...a huge hit at CHA.  Super heavyweight kraft colored "chipboard" (for lack of a better term) that can hold up to multiple layers of paint and multi-medium without warping.  The kraft color is awesome, so no need to cover it with paper unless desired.  And the spine inside?...so many ideas for that (this is only the start).  I will mention that the elastic band on the Folio is removable in case you want to slip something on to the elastic, as I did with the Wordband, or you wanted to replace it with ribbon, jute, etc.

I used Wallflower paper on the cover, my favorite Found Relative (love the polka-dots!), and a couple new dies, Frameworks - trellis and Curvy Banners.  It's all about the details here, from the color to the texture.  The metal bird is part of the new Adornments - Nature set.

Frameworks continues into the inside of the folio, this time I used Sticky Back Canvas and paint.

There are at least 5 layers of paint and Multi-medium over the (much anticipated) Layered Butterfly.  This die comes in a special pack - one Bigz die that cuts the Butterfly shape and a texture folder that gives you the detail of the wings.  I have used the butterfly die to cut and emboss Ranger watercolor paper, chipboard and Grungeboard...every single one looked amazing.  I believe the new Layered dies are a June ship, so time to save the money to get one or two!

I used the new Industrious Stickers to add quotes throughout the project.  This one was printed on a transparency so the Wallflower paper could show through.

Inside the project, the layered spine becomes a gallery of sorts, one layer leading to another.  Since I used the words "Precious Things"on the cover, I gathered a few quotes that would support the theme. I printed them either on paper, as you can see here, or transparency.  It always amazes me when using a transparency over paper how it will remain in place without tape...in fact it can be difficult to even pick it up to adjust it.

I used layering stencils and Distress Ink on each section of the spine.  Lots of stamping, Remnant Rubs, Ephemera and even some glitter.  The layer with the heart on it is a piece of packaging plastic I cut using the Ornamental die.  I also colored the plastic with Alcohol Ink - pool before adding the heart and Remnant Rub - Love.

In this section about travel, I used Vial Labels to record dates of trips taken over the years.  You can see I also used my sewing machine to add a #8 tag that has been stamped (Words For Thought CMS132).  Notice the quote next to the picture?  Looks like it is printed on the Wallflower paper, but it's printed on a transparency and laid over the paper.

 

Here you can see I used a 4 x 4" picture as a pocket.  I have my Instagrams printed at Printsagram (say that 3 times fast).  A super user friendly website to choose your photos...cons: the shipping cost.  $7 to ship any quantity so the more you buy the better.  In the end, it will cost you about .80 cents a piece for the 4 x 4" but the matte paper is ultra heavyweight and I LOVE that, so I keep going back despite the shipping cost.

The cut leaf shape is from the Decorative Strip Spring Greenery.

You can see in this section the spine is now wide enough to journal on (loving that heart layering stencil).  Again, another Instagram used as a pocket for hidden journaling.

I ended the project with this last quote:

“Your problem is how you are going to spend this one and precious life you have been issued. Whether you're going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.”   - Anne Lamontt

I loved working on this project just because it gave me time to reflect on what is precious to me.  Things that were more personal, like thoughts about my husband, were written inside cards and tucked away in a few places.

I hope this gives you a bit of inspiration for a project on precious things.
What would be on your list?

now carry on,
paula

InLinkz.com

Alice meets Downton Shadowbox

Back today with another one of my favorite CHA projects.  This one is a bit of fantasy after last weeks more personal piece.  The shadowbox is made with a 5.75 x 5.75" Configurations box with all but one of the small inner boxes removed.  The little girl is part of the Found Relatives pack.  Although, I did add vintage tatted lace across the front of her dress.
As I said in a previous post about Found relatives, I like to make up stories about the people.  Her story is that she wandered into a conservatory where specimens of exotic plants and other oddities are kept...hence the corked domes and low slung branch.  A little Alice in Wonderland meets Downton Abby I think.

 The box was painted with Iced Spruce and set aside to dry.

I cut manila cardstock using the new Frameworks die - Courtyard.  Then colored the cardstock using Distress Stains Frayed Burlap, Iced Spruce and Tattered Rose.

 I added a little Brushed Corduroy around the edges of the Frameworks with my Blending Tool.

Then added the Frameworks to the sides of the box with Muti-medium, including a layer over the top of the Frameworks to seal it.
Once dry, I used my fingers to add more Iced spruce and Walnut Stain Distress Paint over the top.

Wallflower paper from the 8 x 8 mini stash and Tissue Tape were added into the inside of the box with Multi-medium...with more paint over the top.  I love how the paper really looks like miniaturized chinoiserie wallpaper!

While that part was drying I worked on the Foundations feet using Iced Spruce Distress paint and Alcohol Ink in Pebble, as well as Mushroom.

For the Corked Domes, I added a butterfly from the Remnant Rubs Sheet to one and a metal flower stock to the other.  I painted the flower stock with Adirondack Dabber paint in Aqua and Citrus.

 A Clock Key was added to the top as well as a Word Band on the front.

More remnant rubs were added, as well as a stick from my neighbors tree, a vintage picture frame and vintage pearls.

I think the vintage picture frame really makes the piece.  Something I bought in a junk shop but not cheap by any means...think I paid $12-15 dollars for it since the case is leather and it did come with an old tintype.  I just removed the tintype and added a bit of map paper.
I also stamped the front edge with the Distress Damask stamp and Watering Can Archival Ink. Loving this combination.

Well, that's it for today...hope this shadowbox inspires some great creations this week!

Now carry on!

paula

InLinkz.com