French County Altered Washboard

When I came across a collection of old washboards at an estate sale, I just knew I had to have one to alter.  Ever since I became a part of the Graphic 45 design team, I have been on the hunt for vintage items with flat surfaces to alter with their scrumptious paper.

You will be surprised at what you can find at thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets and estate sales if you pay attention.  Estate sales are my favorite.  

Supplies: 

Old washboard from an estate sale

French Country 12x12

French Country Patterns and Solids

French Country Sticker Sheet

French Country Flowers

Staples Stamped Brads

Distress Ink Brushed Corduroy

Modge Podge, matte finish

May Arts Ribbon (burlap and printed)

Since this was a very well used washboard, the surfaces were quite warped.  This caused me to have to embrace imperfection a little bit and also use a very wet glue application to get the paper to adhere.

 The flowers were placed strategically to also cover imperfections in the piece.

I absolutely loved using the flowers that Graphic 45 now releases with their collections.  They are really easy to make and they add great texture and interest.

I thought that the pins added to the bows were a nice addition.  I tried to make two similar bows, but failed. As I often try to do, I embraced the imperfection and used the two miss matched bows.

With just a little bit of creative thinking you can alter just about anything to create a simple home décor piece.  

Cheers, 

Rhea

Secret Garden Dresser

I absolutely love the fun items that Kaiser Craft makes for altering.  I decided to use this dresser with a stack of Secret Garden 12 x 12 paper from Graphic 45.  This was actually the first piece I made for them with stuff I had on hand while we waited for our dreamy introduction parcels.

I started out by staining the edges of this piece with Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Shabby Shutters.

When it came to the areas of the drawers, I used distress techniques (i.e. roughing up the paper) along the edges to hide my mistakes.

On the top a little bit of bling was added using a daisy chain Dresden border.

Looking at the back in the photos made me realize that more embellishment was needed.  I decided to give this little dresser away, so I added the name of the recipient with the coordinating alphabet stickers I received in my first DT kit. (sorry no photo.)

Here you can see that I incorporated the daisy chain a bit here too.  Lots of distress stain on the edges too, to add an aged look.

The insides were tricky to cover, I tried several approaches before figuring out the best way to accomplish my goal.  

Thank you so much for yet another installment for Graphic 45.  I am still in disbelief that I am part of their elite crew!

Cheers, 

Rhea

Steampunk Spells Card: Time Flies

Steampunk Spells Card: Time Flies

Steampunk Spells 12 x 12

Steampunk Spells 8x8

Steampunk Spells 6x6 Pattern and Solids

Staples: Keyholes

Staples: Key Charm

Steampunk Spells Card stock Alphabet Stickers

Steampunk Spells Card stock Banners

Steampunk Spells Card stock Tags and Pockets

Scor Tape

Distress Ink: Black Soot

Hinges

Brads

Gilders paste, copper and patina

E6000 adhesive

4 x 4 Chipboard Frame Set

I was really challenged to make this project with Steampunk Spells, as cards are not something I typically create.

 My approach here was to try and achieve dimension with collage and then finish with heavy metal elements.

On the inside of the card I really used my love for collage to decorate.

 Elements were cut from several different papers with the time theme, and then I layered away. 

Of course lots of metal embellishments were added along the way.

 I used the card stock banners in an unusual way by having them act as hinges for an additional flap on the cover.

I love the heaviness of this sturdy hinged card.  

It was really fun to step outside the box and make something that I usually don't.  I hope you are inspired to try something new as well!

Cheers, 

Rhea

Bohemian Bazaar Tag

The rich color palate of the new Bohemian Bazaar collection from Graphic 45 is just really rich and lovely.  We were challenged to make an upside down tag to show off this new paper.

Below you can see a little bit of fussy cutting detail I added to this project.  I popped up the image with glue dots.

The bottom has a great "tail" if you will.  I used a bunch of May Arts ribbons along with some ornate keys and chipboard pieces to add lots of texture and detail.

At the top of my tag I used a trim provided by Petaloo and layered it with some of the stickers.  I absolutely adore the border stickers that Graphic 45 makes.

The chipboard pieces that they have in the line make for great embellishments too.  In order to give everything a little bit of age, I used distress stain in shabby shutters on the edges of everything.

Last, here is  a close up of the fabulous stamped metal brads.  These are so fun to work with.  

Cheers, 

Rhea