Dressed up jewelry box and some cards

This is one of two "naked" jewelry boxes given to me by a good friend years ago. She knew I am into arts and crafts and would be able to transform the boxes into something beautiful. It took me a very long time to work on the first box and finally transformed it in 2008. You can see it here. Now, two years later, I worked on the second box. Here is the "before" picture.

The first step is to unscrew all the metal hinges and closures using a small screwdriver. Then sand the box and wipe with a damp cloth.

Then apply two coats of gesso all over the box including the inside, letting the layer dry in between aplications.

Apply two coats of brown acrylic paint making sure that the surface is totally covered and the white gesso won't show through.

Cut small pieces of patterned paper (I used Crate Paper Pink Plum Collection - Wildberries) to fit the sides of the box, as well as the inside bottom. Adhere the paper using decoupage glue. Dab a small amount of brown paint on the edges of the paper to cover the white core. Set aside.

Apply embossing ink on the cover of the jewelry box. Sprikle with UTEE and heat. Apply 3-4 layers of UTEE. After the last layer, let dry. Dab red and butterscotch alcohol ink on the dried layer of UTEE. Then dab copper alcohol ink to give it a metallic look. Heat again to bring out the shine. Before the UTEE dries completely, press a rubber stamp to leave a textured impression. Let dry. Embellish with flowers. Here is the top view with the stamped impression clearly visible.

Here's another view. You will note that I've re-attached the hinges and closures.

And inside, I attached a photo of myself and Ariel. Now, this is truly a treasure box!

Now, onto some cards.

Cut 8.5” x 5.5” pieces of paper (I used Crate Paper Pink Plum Collection papers). Fold in half to make the base card.

Using a die cutting tool, cut label shape from scraps of patterned paper or Kraft paper. Apply pink paint around the edges using your forefinger. Adhere die cut on the center of the base card.

Stamp sentiment on the upper right corner of the die cut and heat emboss using copper powder.

Cut Bazzil flower in half. Dip edges on embossing ink and sprinkle with distress embossing powder. Heat set. Adhere flower on the bottom left of the card. Embellish with cut outs from patterned papers (these are from Crate Paper - Paper Doll collection).

For the next set, prepare the same base card using patterned paper (I used Crate Paper – Paper Doll Collection papers) and Kraft Paper.

From scraps of Kraft Paper and patterned paper, die cut label shape. Distress edges of card and die cut shapes using Distress Ink. Adhere on the center of the card.

Stamp on a paper flower (Bazzil) using distress ink that matches colors of your die cut shapes. Adhere flower on the center of the card. Adhere fabric blooms (Basic Grey Sugar Rush) on the center.

This All-Occasion card actually takes only a few minutes to make and is a good way to use up your supplies.

These next two cards are very easy to make. Cut two sheets 4.25” x 5.5” rectangular shapes from Kraft Paper. Cut 2 pieces of the same shape from a patterned paper (these are from Crate Paper Pink Plum Collection). Get an old credit card, ATM card, playing cards or similarly shaped chipboard (I used the backing of Crate Paper Brads). Apply a strip of paint on the edge of the card. Use this to apply paint on the rectangular pieces of Crate Paper. It will not be perfect which is great. Some of the patterns on the paper will still be visible and the thin coat of paint will let the texture of the paper show through. Let dry.

Cut all four pieces of paper (the Kraft paper and painted Crate Paper) into a label shape using a die cutting tool – making sure you cut them one at a time. Now you have four pieces of label-shaped papers.

Score the Kraft papers about ½ inch from the left edge and fold. That will be where the card will open and fold.

Adhere patterned paper on the side of the Kraft Paper making sure that the painted side is facing up. Embellish with chipboards, stickers, trim and cut outs from your paper scraps.

Apply Stickles and Diamond Glazed on some of the elements for added texture, shine and dimension.

In the previous set of cards, I used some label shaped die cuts. That left me with a couple of negatives which I used in this next set. The card on top is made from Kraft Paper base while the one in the bottom is made from Pink Plum base.

I simple adhered the negative die cut which now functioned as a frame. The Kraft frame in the bottom was adhered using foam adhesive so it has a bit of dimension. I then embellished with chipboards and stickers.

Apply Stickles and Diamond Glazed on some of the elements for added texture, shine and dimension.

Crate Paper and Basic Grey products are all available at My Little Attic. Check it out!

Thanks for looking!

Crate Paper Goodness + Certified Cutie Photos = Fresh New Layouts!

I'm happy to have scrapped in the past two weekends. Actually, I've been scrapping every now and then but didn't have time to take photos. Anyway, I just thought I'd first share my most recent layouts. I am very excited about these because of three reasons: 1) The color scheme are not my usual. I'm not really very big on pink since I usually scrap about our travels, and pink, lots of it, doesn't figure well into our outdoor photos. So, because I have pink papers, I decided to scrap about other people. So another reason why I'm excited about these layouts is: 2) My subjects are totally adorable - kids! My niece, nephew and a friend's daughter. Lastly, it's been a while since I used this brand of scrapbooking stuff. So I love this set because: 3) I used Crate Paper in all of them.

When I showed the layouts to my hubby, he asked me if I will give them to the kids' parents. Hmmm...maybe...or maybe not. I love the layouts and I love these kids. I took the photos myself and they were taken during out of town trips. They are part of my life. So maybe I will hold on to these pages for a while. :D

FACES

Materials:
Paper – Crate Paper Pink Plum (Pink Cherry), Paper Doll Collection (Katie Addi), Brook Collection (Sunshine); Ink – Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Mustard); Embellishments – Basic Grey Sugar Rush Fabric Flowers, Chatterbox Chipboard Stickers, Crate Paper Sparkle Chip Pink Plum Collection; Alphas – Basic Grey Sugar Rush Mini Mono Stickers; Others – Ribbon and lace

Instructions:
Punch one side of the Pink Cherry paper with an edge puncher. That side will be the top. Apply a thin coat of gesso on the upper portion of the base paper and let dry. This will tone down the color and pattern of the paper. Once dry, sand using fine sand paper to smoothen the painted surface. Using a distress foam, distress around the edges using Mustard Seed Distress Ink. Set aside.

Cut along the wavy line pattern of the Katie paper to make a strip approximately 1.5 inches x 12 inches.

Cut out paper doll patterns from Addi paper.

Matte photos using the Sunshine paper. Apply Mustard Seed distress ink along the edges of the photo matte.

To assemble, adhere the strip of Katie paper on the base, just slightly above the center. Stick ribbons on the strip of paper. Adhere the photos. Adhere the title. Embellish the page with chipboards, pattern cut outs and fabric flowers. To finish, apply distress stickles on the alpha stickers to add sparkle.

What I love about this layout:
Where do I begin? The photos are just adorable! I think these are some of my favorite portrait shots ever. I also love the techniques used here - the gesso on the base paper, the distressing.

I also love the trim!!! Let me tell you a secret. Do you see the pleated ribbon? It's very easy to make. My secret weapon? The TINY ATTACHER. The staples are so small you can easily hide them under a layer of trim. So I stapled the pleats and adhered a strip of lace on the ribbon so the staples don't show.

Clever huh! Oh, and before I forget, I LOVE the EK SWIRL BORDER PUNCH! I'm all about tools!

BLESSED

Materials:
Paper – Bazzil Glazed Cardstock, Crate Paper Brook Collection (Pebbles, Sunshine), Crate Paper Paper Doll Collection (Olivia Grace); Ink – Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Worn Lipstick, Antique Linen, Tea Dye); Chipboard – Crate Paper Brook Collection Chipboard Accents, Pink Plum Collection Sparkle Chip; Brads – Crate Paper Brook Collection Art Brads, Crate Paper Pink Plum Collection Art Brads; Stickers – Crate Paper Brook Collection Title Stickers, AdornIt Mini Alphas; Ribbon – Basic Grey; Bling – Basic Grey

Instructions:
Distress edges of Pebbles Paper using Tea Dye Distress Ink.

Cut Glazed cardstock to 11 inch square. Distress around the edges with Tea Dye, Worn Lipstick and Antique Linen inks.

Matte main photo using the reverse side of the Sunshine paper.

Cut Sunshine paper to 3 inches by 12 inches, tearing one long side by hand. Ink the edges with Tea Dye Distress Ink.

Cut patterns from Olivia Grace paper.

To assemble, adhere glazed cardstock on Pebbles paper. Stick Olivia Grace cut outs on the bottom portion of the page. Adhere the 12-inch sticker on top of the cut outs. Adhere the strip of Sunshine Paper partially covering the sticker strip. Stick the photos on the Sunshine Paper. Attach brads on a ribbon and adhere along the bottom of the photo. Adhere the title/journaling and embellish with chipboards and bling. Add clear glaze on the flower centers for added dimension and texture.

What I love about this layout:
Aside from the photos that I absolutely adore, I also LOVE the Glazed cardstock from Bazzil. It's the first time I've seen one! At first, I didn't know what to do with it. But then, I realized I can distress it and the glazed area will resist the distress ink. Voila! Instant patterned paper!

I also love the flower shapes at the bottom of the page from the Katie paper, and the distressed cardstock provided a very nice background for those lovely blooms. Did you notice the glaze on the flower centers? It mimics the epoxy brads I used as accents. At least that was my intent. :)

PUPPY AND ME

Materials:
Paper – Crate Paper Pink Plum Collection (Very Berry, Tangerine), Crate Paper Paper Doll Collection (Katie, Olivia Grace, Addi, Ashley); Ink – Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Tea Dye); Chipboard – Crate Paper Brook Collection Chipboard Accents and Sparkle Chip, Pink Plum Collection Sparkle Chip; Brads –Crate Paper Pink Plum Collection Art Brads; Stickers – Crate Paper Brook Collection Title Stickers, AdornIt Mini Alphas; Others – Thickers, Stickles

Instructions:
Distress edges of Tangerine paper with Tea Dye distress ink.

Cut Very Berry paper to 8.5 x 11 inches. Then, from the remaining scraps, cut out some branches and flowers.

Cut Olivia Grace paper to 8 x 5.5 inches.

Cut Katie paper to 8 x 1.5 inches. Punch the edge with a fancy pattern. Distress edges with Fired Brick ink.

Cut Ashley to 5.5 x 4 inches. From the scraps, cut a few bag patterns.

To assemble, adhere 8.5 x 11 sheet of Very Berry paper. Then adhere the Olivia Grace 8 x 5.5 sheet and the strip of Katie paper. Stick the photo at the center of the 8.5 x 11 sheet. Add the trims and embellishments – stickers, chipboards, paper cut outs. Add the title. Apply Stickles on the foam alphas for additional sparkle.

What I love about this layout:
I asked my hubby if he likes it and he said YES. He said he likes the glittery title. And I have to agree with him. I'm glad I decided to add the Stickles. 

I also love the layered trims on the side of the page - again, I used the Tiny Attacher to pleat the ribbon. I also like the gathering of embellishments below the photo.

AND the branches! It took a while for me to cut them out and at first I didn't know what to do with them. I am just happy that it all came together.

That's it! Special thanks to MY LITTLE ATTIC for providing the materials. CRATE PAPER products are available at the store so feel free to drop by and get some of these yummy goodies.

Sweet As Sugar

I instantly fell in love with Basic Grey's Sugar Rush Line. I love the range of colors that are not too bright but still evoke a very happy and warm feeling. I think I am getting better at using BG products. I was able to complete the following projects in one sitting. Yay!

I have this photo of Ariel which I took using my lensbaby. I loved it and wanted to scrap it so badly. And then I have this paper, Cinnamon Bear, which I fell in love with and wanted to use the moment I saw it. Both are a bit busy so I had to find a way to make it work. I decided to mat the photo with Jelly Beans paper (I used the back) to make it stand out against the busy background. I distressed the edges of the paper with chalk ink to define it against the busy backdrop. And because the base paper has such gorgeous colors that I want to show, I opted for a simple layout with a lot of white space.

To avoid cluttering the page, I opted for hidden journaling which I inserted behind the photo.

I used the matching Sticker Elements to embellish the page. I used the tree branch horizontally as a perch for the bird instead of vertically, which I thought was very clever. LOL! I used foam adhesive on the bird and some parts of the branch for dimension. The title was from the Mini Monograms of the same line.

I added a few more elements on the upper left portion of the page to balance the grouping of elements on the lower right portion. Here, I used foam adhesive on one heart to add dimension. The red pearls add touch of elegance and texture.

For this next layout, I used Candy Hearts as base. I thought it brings out the greens in the photo. I brought out my cardstock (Bazzil) stash and found one that I can use for this layout. I then cut out a strip from the Jelly Beans paper, and some patterns from Peanut Brittle paper. I arranged the cut out patterns on the cardstock, right side down, and sprayed the cardstock with Shimmerz - Bamboo Leaf.

I also decided on a hidden journaling since the page is already very busy. I added a bit of Diamond Glaze on the heart at the center of the flower for a bit of dimension. It's not that visible in the photo but it's there.

I also added Diamond Glaze on the circle with heart to make it look like an epoxy sticker (again, not that visible in this photo). The bird was adhered using foam tape. I thought the die cut sticker that says "today is: absolutely perfect" just captures how I felt at the time the photo was taken.

I also cut out a pattern from Bottle Caps paper. After starting on one pattern, I realized it's too hard! It's that plant at the lower left side of the photo. But since I've already started cutting, I decided to just finish one. So there it is! The butterfly was cut using Slice.

The sparkly stuff are mica flakes. My favorite element here is THE TURTLE! Isn't it the cutest?
I used white Thickers for the title which I painted a bit with Antique Lace Shimmerz which I absolutely love (photo is horrible though), and topped with a bit of mica flakes.

After the layouts, I decided to use the leftover scraps for cards. I made two 5x7 cards from the scraps. The paper here is Bottle Caps - I used both sides! I cut one piece which is slightly smaller than the base card, and another one that is even smaller. I just layered the papers on the card and embellished with Rub Ons and a stamped butterfly which I colored with a marker. I used red pearls to embellish the card.

I used foam adhesive on the butterfly wings to add dimension.

This one has the same basic design, using both sides of Peanut Brittle paper. I stamped the sentiment on a strip of paper and perched the owl on it. I used googly eyes (is that what they are called?) on the stamped image to make it more fun. I gave this card to a colleague who recently lost her sister in a tragic fire and my note was a bit serious so the cute and fun owl sort of lightens the mood of the card.

I also adhered the owl using foam adhesive to make it three-dimensional.

I really enjoyed making the layouts and cards! I was so inspired by the papers and I found it easy to use them on my projects.

Basic Grey Sugar Rush line and Shimmerz are now available at My Little Attic. I was told only a few items are left so better hurry and get some before they are gone.

Thanks for looking!

So Blessed

The photo is the inspiration for this layout. It was a candid shot of myself and Ariel taken by my friend and fellow scrapper Karen. This was taken during last year's Hot Air Balloon Festival. It was indeed a blessing to be able to enjoy the festival with good friends.

I used June Bug papers for this layout. I think I'm getting used to the bright colors and bold patterns. Don't you just love the colors on the base paper? It looks like a painting. It's colorful, but not loud. It's very soft and feminine.


I did some hand cutting on this page. I used foam adhesives on some of the cut outs to add dimension to the page.

I also used Rock Candy Stickles on the flower cut outs and chipboard hearts to add shine and texture.

Here's another close look at the details.

Materials: Cardstock - Bazzil Basics; Patterned Paper – Basic Grey June Bug (Corsage, Crazy Quilt, Park Bench); Chipboard Stickers – Chatterbox; Others – Rock Candy Stickles, Chalk Ink, Floss

How to:

1. Mat photo on white cardstock. Apply chalk ink that matches the photo.
2. Cut a 4” x 12” strip from Crazy Quilt Paper. Adhere photo on the lower portion of the paper.
3. Apply adhesive along the top and bottom edges of the strip of Crazy Quilt paper and along the right edge of photo. Adhere on a sheet of Corsage paper (I used the back).
4. Cut patterns from the Park Bench paper. Insert along the edges of the Crazy Quilt strip, using foam adhesive on some cut-outs to add dimension.
5. Apply stickles on some of the flower cut-outs.
6. Adhere the title.
7. Embellish the page with chipboard stickers. Thread floss through the chipboard buttons for texture and dimension.

Basic Grey papers are available at My Little Attic. A little birdie told me that awesome stuffs are coming soon, so check the MLA site often for new surprises.

Thanks for looking!

Creative Souls - Another BG Layout

My photo printers are both busted. I was saddened by the demise of my Selphy, though I think the 4 years that I've had it had been worth the price I paid for it. Now my Epson Stylus R290 is a different matter. It's only 15 months old and simply saying it cannot be fixed is unacceptable. Anyway, I called Epson and I was told that they still have parts to fix it. So hopefully, it would still have more years of use before it dies a natural death.

Anyway, the lack of home photo printing capability made me restless so I embarked on a photo hunt. I found a few at home and it led me to a scrapping frenzy. I have a photo of myself scrapping at home with three of my colleagues. The photo was taken from above and it shows our beautiful mess of a table. It inspired me to create a layout packed with color. And what better paper to use than Basic Grey's June Bug! So here it is!


I really love the colors of the June Bug line. However, I still have difficulty using bold and bright patters on a layout. So as usual, I had to break down the papers into smaller pieces. This time, it's flowers! I cut out flower patterns from the papers. And I also made flowers from punched circles. Here's a closer look.


Materials: Papers - Basic Grey June Bug (Kaleidoscope, RicRac, Fresco); Fabric Paper – MAMBI; Rub-Ons and Bling – Basic Grey Bling It On; Pearl – Basic Grey Opaline; Chipboard Stickers – Chatterbox

All of the materials listed above are available at My little Attic.

And here's how I created the layout:

1. Cut RicRac paper to 6 x 12. Cut the remaining RicRac paper to 5 x 12. Tear about 1.5 inches from the edge of the smaller paper. Adhere the smaller paper on the left edge of the 6x 12 paper with the yellow side up.
2. Adhere photo on the center of the RicRac paper, making sure that the upper left corner does not have any adhesive.
3. Cut a small rectangle, about 3.5” x 4”, of the Kaleidoscope paper. Insert in the upper left corner of the photo. Adhere the photo to the journaling card, and adhere the journaling card to the base. Clip a small piece of ticket to the photo.
4. Stamp sentiment on the lower-right portion of the yellow paper.
5. Cut flowers from the Fresco paper and adhere on the page.
6. Punch two large, three medium and three small circles from the Kaleidoscope paper. Spray with water. When soft, crumple and fold edges. Apply chalk ink on the edges and dry with a heat gun. To make the flower, layer the circles from smallest to largest and adhere with glue. Put pearl on the center of the flower. Adhere the flower to the page.
7. Embellish with rub-ons, bling and chipboard stickers.
8. Adhere the title.

Happy scrapping everyone!

Bright Colored Layout

I gravitate towards warm colors and earth tones when picking my patterned papers. Bright colors usually overwhelm me although I love looking at them. Basic Grey's June Bug papers are filled with bold designs and bright colors. I knew it would be challenging to use them on layouts. In fact, it took a while before I determined what to do with them. My solution: Break them up to little pieces. That's exactly what I did with this layout. Here's how.

Materials: Papers - Basic Grey June Bug (Picket Fence, Strawberry Cheesecake, Kaleidoscope, Fresco, Orchard, Apron), Rub-Ons and Bling – Basic Grey Bling It On, Ribbon – Basic Grey, Button and Bird Chipboard Stickers – Chatterbox.

Choose a base paper. I picked Strawberry Cheesecake from the June Bug line.

Then I got the Apron paper and cut it to 11 x 11. I used the back portion which is more like a distressed cardstock, since the base paper is already very colorful and busy. I distressed the edges using a paper distresser and then adhered it on top of the base.

I then got some paint and sort of made a sweeping motion with a foam brush at the bottom right portion of the paper, where I decided my title will go.

Now here's the fun part. I got my square punch and well, punched squares from different patterned papers. I distressed the edges of the small squares and lined them up in two rows to form a grid. I trimmed my picture so it would fit in the space left by the square papers.

After that, I just embellished the page with cut outs from the patterned papers, rub-ons, bling, chipboards, ribbon and of course, a bit of stamping.

Here's the layout. I used a colorful photo to go with the colorful papers.


Here's a closer look. I used the Bling It On rub-ons and matching bling to embellish the photo.

I used a blue paint to bring out the yellow title. I also used a yellow ink for the stamped journaling block.

Basic Grey products are available at My Little Attic. By the way, there's an ongoing sale at My Little Attic/Scrapbooks Hawaii. Check out the website for the MLA items.

Thanks for looking!

Baguio 2006: A Mini Album

I recently discovered our photos from our Baguio trip in 2006. I just have to scrap them - I was 20lbs lighter then! Anyway, I thought it would be the album to use the Wisteria papers in. So here it is.

Cover: Album - Basic Grey Tabbed Chocolate Chip Album, Wisteria Papers (Cornflower, Jardin, French Topiary), Chipboard – Bazzil Chips, Paint – Making Memories, Alpha Stickers – Making Memories, Bling – BG Bling it on and Prima

Here I painted the cover with green acrylic paint. I punched lots of butterflies and you'll see more inside the album. The title was cut using the Slice.

A close up on the beaded embellishment. I actually made this butterfly during that Baguio Trip so I thought it would be good to use it in the album.


Page 1: Wisteria Paper (Cornflower), Chipboard – Wisteria Chip Sticker Shapes, Cardstock – Bazzil

I typed the journaling on cardstock and highlighted some words by using a different font from the rest of the text and making them bigger.

Page 2: Wisterial Papers (Jardin, Cornflower), Bling – BG Bling it On, Cardstock – Bazzil

I typed the journaling again and highlighted some words. This is one of my favorite photos in the set. Ariel took a photo of me while I was beading - the butterfly on the cover was one of the embellishments I made that time.

I cut the flower from some of the scraps, colored a portion of it and added bling on the center.

Page 3: Wisteria Paper (Cornflower), Chipboard – Bazzil Chips, Cardstock – Bazzil, Others – Paint, Shimmer Mist, Liquid Pearls

The journaling on the right side was printed just like in the previous pages. The strips of words on the left were stamped on cardstock. The crown and flourish were done by using a rub-on adhesive and rubbing gold foil on the pattern. I painted the base green just like the cover of the album.

Page 4: Wisteria Paper (French Topiary), Chipboard – Bazzil Chips, Cardstock – Bazzil, Others – Paint, Ink, Perfect Pearls

This is definitely my favorite photo in the set. Journaling was handwritten on this page. The flower and flourish chipboards were painted using paint dabbers. Then I stamped on the flower using a glue pad after which I dusted perfect pearls to bring out the stamped image.

Page 5: Wisteria Paper (White Dynasty), Chipboard – Bazzil Chips, Cardstock – Bazzil, Others – Paint, Stickles, Alpha Stickers

This is a very simple page. I simply used stickers for the journaling. I just did a bit of cutting - the flowers were cut from scraps of the same paper and then I layered them on top of the flower patterns.

Page 6: Wisteria Paper (Garden Patio), Chipboard – Wisteria Chip Sticker Shapes, Others – Vellum

I printed the journaling again but this time on vellum so that the pattern behind still shows through. Then I just embellished with chipboards. It's not obvious in the photo but the flower center was dotted with Stickles.

Page 7: Wisteria Papers (Stone Wall, Garden Patio), Chipboard – Wisteria Chip Sticker Shapes, Bling – BG Bling It On

More butterflies and bling on this page. No special techniques here.

This is actually the "negative" from a butterfly chipboard (you'll see it on the last page) which I adhered on a piece of patterned paper.

Page 8: Wisteria Paper (White Dynasty), Bling – BG Bling It On

The lovely rub-on on the right side of the page is actually BG Bling It On which I absolutely fell in love with. I thought the rub-on and bling combo adds a nice touch to the page.

It adds a bit of sparkle, texture and dimension on the page. It's also very easy to use.

Page 9: Wisteria Paper (Stone Wall), Chipboard – Wisteria Chip Sticker Shapes, Bling – BG Bling It On

There's the butterfly chipboard! Can you see another Bling It On on the page? I scattered the rub-ons and bling across the page.

Here's the full album again.

All the Basic Grey products featured here are available at My Little Attic.

Thanks for looking!