On the back, I added the
explanation for the card.
Alpha Stamps Products Used in This Piece
Monday, July 30, 2012
The Magician Tarot Card Designed For Alpha Stamps
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Christmas in July Bookshelf and Mini Albums - Designed for Alpha Stamps
The
bookshelf holds several mini albums depending on the thickness of each album. The albums are also made of Masonite and come
in packages
of 3 albums.
Below
are some tips on assembling and decorating the bookshelf and mini albums and a
supply list.
Decorating and
Assembling the Bookshelf
- Before I started decorating the bookshelf I figured out how it was assembled. Familiarizing yourself with the assembly helps when deciding where you want different pattern paper to go and to make sure it’s on the side you want and going in the direction you want.
- You’ll also want to do as much decorating as you can before assembling the bookshelf, as it is much harder to decorate once the piece is assembled. I painted, added all of the paper and borders before assembly.
- I started by painting what will be the visible edges of the bookshelf red and the pages of the mini albums green.
- Next, I glued paper on all of the visible surfaces of the bookshelf. I used an X-acto knife and sandpaper to trim the paper from the edges.
- If you use paper to cover the surfaces you will need to reopen the holes used to assemble the bookshelf. Reopen the holes on the inside of the pieces not the outside so that the outside paper hides the construction.
- To give the piece a more vintage look and to cover the white edge of the paper I used Ranger Distress Ink (Brown Corduroy) on the edges of the paper.
- I added Visions of Christmas Foiled Die-Cut Cardstock Borders to the outside and inside of the pieces. I love these borders. Some of the patterns can be used for non-Christmas projects.
- I glued the bookshelf pieces together.
- For feet I bent Brass Filigree Corners and attached them to the bookshelf using E-6000 glue. You need to use a strong glue to support the weight of the bookshelf. I also used tiny brass nails to add extra support to the feet.
- Next, I added collage sheet images and other decorative embellishments to the outside of the bookshelf and trimmed the edges with Dresden borders.
- To create the wreath at the top, I cut the center out of a plastic lid so just the edge remained. I then wrapped the edge with gold, red and silver tinsel. And of course added lots of embellishments. I glued the wreath to the bookshelf with E-6000 glue.
Decorating and
Assembling the Books
The mini
album pages come in a sheet. I broke the
sheets apart, clipped the tabs off with a pair of sturdy scissors and then used
sandpaper to file away the excess.
- There are different ways you can assemble the album pages. You could use paper to create an accordion fold album or you could glue the pages to a spine (which is what I did).
- If you are going to glue the pages to a spine you need to decorate the pages first and stick to flat embellishments (paint, paper, rub-ons stamping etc.). Whatever you add will create bulk. If you attach the spine before decorating the pages the book won’t close.
- I covered each page back and front with decorative paper. I inked and embellished the inside pages.
- I cut a piece of paper to act as the spine.
- I glued the front page to the spine paper.
- Next, I glued just the edge of the two inside pages to the spine. I used E-6000 glue as you need to have a strong bond between the Masonite pages and the paper spine so that when you open the book the pages won’t separate from the spine. Alternatively you could use fabric tape (bookbinding tape) as a spine.
- I glued the back page to the spine paper.
- Lastly, I decorated the covers of the albums and the spines.
Book Covers
Spines
Inside Pages
Alpha Stamps entire line of Christmas
collage sheets are on sale plus all of the Christmas paper. This includes the collage sheets and papers I
used in this project.
Alpha Stamps Products Used in This Piece
Brass
Filigree Corners – Bookshelf Feet
Visions
of Christmas Foiled Die-Cut Cardstock Borders – Bookshelf & Wreath
Tinsel
(Gold/Silver/Red) - Wreath
Brass
Snowflake Charms Wreath
Large
Brass Snowflake with Hole - Wreath
Gift
Box Buttons - Wreath
Christmas
Filigree Set – Wreath / Bookshelf
Red
Sheer Dots Ribbon (Red/Green) - Wreath
Metallic
Stickers – Fans – Gold & Silver – Bookshelf
Metallic
Stickers – Vines – Gold – Bookshelf
Gold
Mini Rosette Dresden Borders Bookshelf and Books
Gold
Zig Zag Dresden Borders – Mini Album
Cameo
Frames: Ovals – Mini Album
Small
Dresden Oval Frames – Mini Album
Red
Round Beads with Brass Loop – Mini Album
Collage Sheets
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Pretty Potions and Poisons Apothecary Event September 2012
I’m
also excited to announce, that as part of this event I’ve created a series of
apothecary collage sheets for purchase.
NOTE
As of 1/13/18 Create for Less online store is carrying a 7 1/2" x 5" x 3" box that would work perfectly for this project. You would need to purchase 4. if you want the link to the product, email me using the "Email Me" button in the right side column of my blog or post a comment on the YouTube video.
ASSEMBLING and DECORATING THE CABINET
This haunted journey starts with viewing the tutorial below which covers assembling and decorating an apothecary cabinet. Once you finish the first video you'll want to continue on to the others which cover altering bottles and tins, making books, decorating coffins and cauldrons.
Video Tutorial #1– Assembling and Decorating the Apothecary Cabinet
Feel free to download the images below and use them in your art.
FREE IMAGES
The haunted journey continues with viewing the second tutorial in the series which covers altering bottles and tins.
Video Tutorial #2– Altering Bottles and Tins
I’ve broken this tutorial into two pieces so be sure to watch them both.
Part One of Two
Part Two of Two
FREE IMAGES
Witches Hat Template
The haunted journey continues with viewing the third tutorial in the series which covers creating books, decorating cauldrons and coffins. You don’t need to be experienced in bookbinding to make the simple and fun books I’ll be demonstrating.
Video Tutorial #3– Books, Coffins, and Cauldrons
Monday, July 23, 2012
The Moon Tarot Card Designed For Alpha Stamps
This is the second of four tarot
cards I designed as an inspiration piece for the Alpha
Stamps Gypsy Fortune Teller Swap”.
The base of the card is made from a chipboard pennant which measures 4”
x 6”.
The moon at the top is
covered with various rhinestones and pearls.
On the back, I added the
explanation for the card.
Alpha Stamps Products Used in This Piece
Friday, July 20, 2012
Gypsy Caravan Designed For Alpha Stamps
The picture above is of the back of the caravan. I used stars, moons and beads to create the beaded curtain. The steps are made from dollhouse shutters attached to pieces of swirled chipboard.
SIDE ONE
The square piece is a Phases of the Moon Rubber Stamp that I stamped in paper clay and once the piece was dry I colorized it with various colors of guilders paste.
SIDE TWO
I used two different beaded
trims to accent the sides.
BACK
The doors are made from dollhouse shutters.
The doors are made from dollhouse shutters.
TOP PIECE
I used a bead cap to mount
the top piece on the roof. The jeweled
moon and silver ring are floating in the middle of the clock.
Side That Opens
One of the sides is hinged
and opens to reveal a gypsy fortune teller.
There is a small latch under the roofline that keeps the side closed.
Alpha Stamps Products Used in the Piece
Concertina Chipboard Pennants
Celestial
Stickers - Top Piece
Metallic Stickers – Bows
& Vines
- Sides
Cranberry Alcohol Ink- Railing on Front
DRESDEN
BEADS/CHAINS/FRINGE
Wine Beaded Fringe- Roof Fringe
Large Fancy Oval Beads- Lantern Inside
Iridescent Star Mix- Beaded Curtain / Top
Piece
Mini Chandelier Crystals- Table Inside
Violet
Gypsy Bead Mix in Bottle- Beaded Curtain
Lavender/Pink
Bead Mix – Beaded Curtain
COLLAGE
SHEETS & RUBBER STAMPS
BRASS &
METAL
Tiny Faux Ring Handles– Front Door
Brass Halo– Top Piece
Large Game Spinners– Top Piece
Fancy
Star Bead Caps– Candlesticks and Lanterns on the Back
Gypsy Coin Mix– Table Inside
Stay tuned as there is a lot more of my
gypsy art in your future!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card – Designed for Alpha Stamps
The Gypsy’s have come to Alpha Stamps and they are one of my favorite subjects! As you can imagine I was so tickled when I found out that they were our next theme. I’ve been super busy over the last few weeks creating tons of gypsy themed art. I’ll be posting the pieces throughout the rest of July and into August.
This first piece is the tarot card “The Wheel of Fortune”. The base of the card is made from a chipboard pennant which measures 4” x 6”. On the back, I added the explanation for the card. The background papers I used for this piece and several other pieces is the yummy Weekend Market 6” x 6” paper pad that is full of rich vintage colors and images.
Alpha Stamps Products Used in this Piece
I’ve looked into my crystal ball and have seen that there is new gypsy themed video tutorial in your future.
