Maisy the Cow

Hello crafty friends!  I'm over on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog, inviting you to join me down on the farm!

I've had this little rubber cow magnet for at least 25 years.  At some point it went from refrigerator to supply box, and now she's made her way back to the farm... or the cow pen.

I used the 3 x 3 Bagatelle Box.  I love these boxes since they are small but deep enough (for a milk bottle!).

I cut my farm-themed papers to size, then glued the box together.  Once it was dry I added the papers with Mod Podge.  Quick and easy!

And here she is, happy to be out of the supply box and back on the farm.

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,
Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used
Bagatelle Box 3x3 #ED6E

Edgar Allan Poe Tunnel Shadow Box

Hello crafty friends!  I'm here today to share a new project made with elements from the Alpha Stamps August Kit:  Tunnel Book!

The kit comes with great seasonal papers and timely sunflowers, but my 4x4 Arch Tunnel Book is a little darker with an Edgar Allan Poe theme.  Hey, I'm a Baltimore girl and I can't pass up a Poe project opportunity!

The design team will show you different ways to use the tunnel. I made mine into a shadow box.

To begin, I chose the center element first.  This photo shows how I rigged it up so I could see the chipboard layers and plan the elements.  (Note to self: put wee lights in the next tunnel book.)

I painted all pieces with black gesso, then decided to cover with papers.  The easiest for me was to paint the adhesive onto the tunnel panels, then put that onto the paper and allow to dry.

I cut the centers out with a straight edge on a self-healing mat. See how ragged they are?  My fix for that is sandpaper.  I used two grits - first was 320 to sand the paper up to the chipboard, then a finer grit of 600 (or higher) to "polish" the paper and get it ready for the next step.

Using sandpaper on your projects is a lot like using a good knife in the kitchen.  Choose the right tool and it will do the work for you.  You'll only need the smallest amount of pressure.  And maybe more patience.

White core on paper makes me squint and squish my nose, so I use the edge of a brush marker to color it in.  If you want to try this, keep light contact between the paper and marker -- the paper will soak up only what it needs.  Polishing the paper with the 600+ grit sandpaper keeps the sanded area from soaking up too much ink, so it's an important step.

I used the brush marker (brown or black) to color the edges of all the collage sheet elements.  When doing this, make sure you always come from behind, as I've done in the photo below.  It's easy to "fall off" the edge of the element (especially fussy cuts) and accidentally swipe a dark brush stroke on the surface.  Much better to have that on the back than the front!

Here's a view of the panels, ready for assembly.  The polka-dot panel is already attached to the Edgar panel (the back of the book).  I was a little eager and didn't photograph before putting those two together.

There are so many great motifs throughout Poe's writing.  Here I've included a raven, heart, cask, skull, and, of course, Lenore, all from Alpha Stamps collage sheets.  There's also a pendulum, eyes, premature burial, and doubles.  Oh... if only I'd used the 6x6 Arch Tunnel Book!  :)

Back to the project at hand, Susan... To create the space in between, I used layered strips of excess chipboard to separate the panels.  I save all kinds of board "just in case".  I'm not a pack rat... just a planner!

Once all the panels were attached, I covered the sides and back with heavy black card stock, and used the same for the top and bottom.

Thanks for your visit today!  You can view my complete Alpha Stamps supply list HERE.

Cheers
Susan


Other supplies used
My Mind's Eye paper
Heavy black card stock
Mod Podge
White glue
Zig glue pen to adhere dresden trim
Gold paint pen around interior window openings
Black gesso and acrylic paint
Black Tombow brush marker

Voltaire Mini Assemblage Box

Hello creative friends!  I'm on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog today, sharing a wee assemblage/shadow box.

I like to use quotes.  A lot.  I have them scribbled on scraps of paper, a white board, a notebook, the tablet; all waiting for inspiration to strike.  Recent events inspired a quote by Voltaire, an 18th century French philosopher.

To see how I made this (featuring mitered corners on Dresden trim!), pop on over to the GSLC blog!

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used
Mini Shadowbox Set C33P Set of 6 
House Ornament Fence D172HF

Thanks for your visit.  I hope you find positive inspiration today!

Cheers
Susan

A Secret

Hello crafty friends!  I'm over on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog today with this wee house of secrets.  I'm fascinated by the secrets people keep, from big whoppers to little things that can cause big misunderstandings.  I'm all for honesty and communication, even when it's hard.

Allow me to reveal all...

This "secret" key had been hanging around my stash for at least 5 or 6 years (if not more).  I had the chance recently to work with Stamperia's 'Time is an Illusion' paper, and set aside a small image of a woman's face.  I figured it could be a big element of a small project... then I found the key.  Bingo.

I started with the GSLC Tiny Little Shadowbox Houses #1.  This comes as a set of two houses.

I gave it a coat of white gesso first.  I thought at first I'd do a light base color, hence the white gesso.  I quickly decided to go dark, and repainted the seams with black.  (I took the photo after the shingles were added, so ignore them for a minute.)

Aaand a minute's up!  It's shingle time.  I used Tiny Shingles - Standard, alternating the seams.  (At this point, I thought I would hang something from the roof, but ended up skipping it and covering the hole.)

Once one side was fully shingled, I added shingles to the other side but left the last one off to give the scissors room to trim.  Before cutting, it's best to allow the glue to dry completely overnight.  Trim the shingles on both sides, then add the final layer.  I held that final piece in place until the glue set up, in order to ensure there wasn't a gap at the top.  Once dried, I trimmed that one, too.

The keyhole got a coat of Lumiere brown metallic paint, then I lightly swooshed my finger across the high details with a little copper metallic paint.  It took a few swooshes to get the coverage I wanted.

By this time in my project, the papers are adhered with modge podge, except the inside bottom.  The night before, I used E-6000 to attach the painted black base to the shadowbox, with the intention of adding the final paper once the E-6000 dried.  The next day I realized the weight of the key would have made this top-heavy with such a small base, so I added a metal washer and wider wood.  Once that cured overnight, I painted with black gesso then acrylic.

I'll share a secret with you:  I use the washer trick a lot.  I really makes a difference for the stability of shadow boxes, altered Altoids tins, and the like.  Plus, layering wood bits in this way helps give projects their own uniqueness.

Now, back to the face image... I love that she's right behind the key.  Does she have secrets, or is she the secret?

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers
Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used
Tiny Little Shadowbox Houses 1 - #C20A
Tiny Shingles Standard BB57A
Keys Engraved D12Q - coming soon

Other Supplies Used
Stamperia Time Is An Illusion
black gesso
black acrylic paint
wood bits
E-6000
TH "secret" metal key
Tiny eye screw
White glue
Black twine
Metallic paints
Pilot gold marker
Tiny gold balls

#Engage

Hi friends - Here's my latest project on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog, using the ATC Shrine Box.  Pop on over to see how I made it!

Thanks for your visit today!  --Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used

ATC Shrine Box #BD12X

Apothecary Cabinet

Hello crafty friends! Today I'm sharing an apothecary cabinet made with one of the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts' fabulous hinged boxes.  Come see the treasures inside!

This apothecary cabinet comes with a shelf for the center middle and a drawer for the center bottom -- I have left both of these out.  I glued the pieces together with white craft glue and allowed to dry.

I wanted the hinge holes set before I painted or papered (haven't decided which way to go yet).  I laid the hinges in place, marked the brad holes with a pencil, then used a tool to poke the holes.  I attached them to make sure the cabinet doors hung evenly, then removed for later use.

I measured the harlequin paper for the back center and painted all sides with black acrylic paint.

In this next photo I have attached the back harlequin paper and the door front/side papers.   This allowed me to attach the hinges permanently.  Now that it stands, I gathered bits and started the inside design.  During this, I realized I wanted to paper the insides.

The papers are cut and scored, but I added front door handle holes first.  (I didn't end up using the handles but was able to disguise the holes on the front with black Dresden trim.)

In this photo, I've added the inside papers with Mod Podge.  After that dried, I coated all sides with matte varnish.  Time to fill the shelves!

Front

The label on the tall bottle is a rub-on.  I carefully dabbed wet glue all over the glass bottle for a frosted effect.

Thanks for your visit today!  I hope you are inspired by all the designers over on the GSLC blog.

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used
Apothecary Cabinet for Larger Bottles #C45AL

Other Supplies Used
White craft glue
Black acrylic paint
Designer scrapbook papers
Liquitex Varnish - Matte
Assorted bottles and bits
7 Gypsies labels rub-on
E-6000

"Study" Shadow Box

Hello crafty friends!  Over on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog today I have a peek into a curious person's study.  I don't know if a mad scientist lives here or just a collector of ... oddities.  I can only imagine what's tucked into corners all over the room!

Come visit to see the step-by-step for this box!

Cheers,
Susan

"His Collection" Shadow Box

Hello crafty friends!  Today on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog I have a masculine-themed shadow box to share with you!  I used the 3 Story House and packed it to the rafters with bits and pieces.  Visit the GSLC blog for all the details!

Thanks for your visit today!

Cheers,
Susan

Civic Duty Shadow Box

Hello crafty friends!  I have a civic-minded shadow box with you.  While we were clearing out the attic the other day Husband found a 70s-era patch that set the tone for this weeks project using the Arch Top Cabinet w/Doors (and feet -- really great feet) from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts.

You'll see the patch at the bottom of the post.  For now, let me walk you through my construction.  Remember my crafty education team motto?  "I make the mistakes so you don't have to!"

Here all the parts laid out.  The dimensions when finished are 4" x 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" (10.16cm x 3.81cm x 16.51cm).

The first thing I did was to outline the body on my chosen paper.  I like to score corners rather than cut separate panels, but you can do that, too.  If you do one big piece like mine, leave extra on the side flaps to account for the corners.  See how there's more on the left edge (and barely more on the right)?  That's what I mean AND what you see here was barely enough.  While it's flat, outline the base arches, moving the left and right panels out a little first ( accounting for that scored corner).  Set this aside and do the same for the doors and front panel.

I picked out door knobs and poked a hole in the first door.  To match the second door, I laid the first onto the second and marked where the hole needed to be.  These doors are marked "front" and "back" in pencil, and -- even though you can't really see there are two doors here, they are stacked front-to-back-to-back-to-front.  It doesn't matter as much at this stage, but if paper or paint had already applied, I can guarantee I would have something upside down. ::shrug::

 I now have all my outer papers cut.  Notice I've penciled in the base arches but not cut.  I glued the top and bottom then the sides, and let it sit for a while.

Score the paper where you think the corners are.  This sounds scary, but you can score a little to the left or right of the original score lines if needed.  I had to adjust both and it didn't make a difference in the finished appearance.

Once the cabinet is dry enough to handle, double check the paper width before cutting out the base.  This is where I needed to adjust my score lines.  Cut out the center arch first, then check your pencil lines on the side arches and adjust as needed.  Once your arches are cut out, go ahead and glue the paper to the cabinet, starting with one side and wrapping around, making sure to flatten the paper as you go.  I like to use Mod Podge for these kinds of steps since it briefly allows me to nudge the paper a little if needed.

At this point leave the doors and front alone.

I applied black gesso to the inside, base, and top.  Later I painted the top outside and bottom outside with a mottled brown-black-red combo to mimic the door paper.

I used linen hinge tape to attach the doors to the frame.  I put as much as possible on the narrow frame and marked the spot.

Next I separated the tape from the backing and stuck it the the door; I reattached the backing to the little flap as I worked on the red door panel.

I don't have photos, but here's what I did: sanded the left edge of the paper at an angle to account for the hinging.  This was easier to do before attaching to the door because I didn't want to sand the linen tape.  I did the same for the right door, then attached the paper to the door panel.  I sanded the rest of the edges a bit and then inked all around.

Here is what it looked like at this stage.  Notice the doors fall in a bit - at the end I made door stops from the little dashes left from the laser cutting.  (I keep all of these "just in case").  In the future I'll add the door stops before the front panel is attached so they can be better aligned.

I let it dry overnight with the doors open.  The next day I sanded all the edges (and reinked as needed), then decorated.

Thanks for your visit today.  Please vote in your local elections as well as the big ones!

Cheers,
Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used
Arch Top Cabinet with Doors #D11B

Other Supplies Used
Tim Holtz Seasonal paper
Brown Dresden trim
Acrylic paints
Black gesso
Mod Podge
TH metal door knobs
Vintage photo
1970s fabric patch
Cheese cloth
Vintage brooch
Lineco Linen Hinge Tape