Handmade Holidays Blog Hop

I am so very pleased to get to participate in the Third Annual Handmade Holidays blog hop through Graphic 45.

This is a three day event filled with amazing talent from the best crafters and designers in the industry.  We have all come together to share a series of handmade gifts for the holidays with the hope to inspire you to create something from the heart this winter season.  We also intend to show how to use products in innovative ways. I hope my offerings are up to par!

I could not help but showcase my favorite medium, assemblage.  I had a table full of scraps from another project, which is what triggered this small thoughtful collage quote box.

Supplies:

7 Gypsies Solo Shadowbox Tray

Typography 12x12 paper

Typography 8x8 paper

Typography Chipboard

Graphic 45 Ornate Keys

Graphic 45 Keyholes

Metal Clothespins

gilders paste; silver and black

Distress Stain: Black Soot

Petaloo Flowers

chipboard

Industrial Chic Charms (pencil, wheel)

large domino/Scrabble tiles

Found objects: thimble, typewriter parts, metal jack, watch part vial

Strong adhesive

The project I am sharing with you today is a sentimental quote box made with Typography paper from Graphic 45.  To start off, I used my go to art item for altering paper, metal and wood: gilders paste.  I simply apply with my finger and buff all along the edges.  I do not mind getting messy, but if you do, a soft cloth or rag will do the trick.

Then, to add interest to the sides of the quote box, I applied tissue tape.  I wanted this to act as "noise" or pattern along the inside edge.  To push it back a bit, I added another layer of gilders paste over the tape. Notice my work is not perfect, sometimes you just have to embrace imperfection.  I will also strategically place my objects so that it covers any unsightly sloppy spot.

To make my quote stand out with dimension, I backed the paper on heavy chip board.  Please note, this project would work well with a photograph in place of the quote if that is more your style!  I tried to pull in some holiday hues, while still creating a project a friend could display year round.

The edges of the statement were coated with black stain and more gilders paste.

Now it is time to add the background layer of papers for your box.  I chose coordinating patterns with a holiday palate in mind.

To make my image stand out I hot glued an old domino in my box for dimension.  You can also use foam or any other object you have on hand.  Use what you have!

Here you can see my focal has now been affixed.  I was on a hot glue kick, which is great for speed, but it is not always the most steadfast adhesive.

I then started to plan out my little cubbies at the bottom.  I chose to use a few treasures I had on hand that went with the theme.

In the smaller bottom compartments,  I used old Scrabble tiles to pop out my statements.

Continue to add elements, being mindful to balance your composition.  Use odd numbers of objects and be sure to have different heights, depths and placement.

If your embellishments don't match your color palate, a little bit of gilders paste can solve that quandary.  I actually ended up only using half of this clothespin because it would not lay flat in my tray.  The spring was allocated to another cubby and I saved the other side for a future project.

Keep on adding elements until your feel your piece is finished.  I chose to add some flowers from Petaloo, customizing them by adding a few bits of the Typography Chipboard.

Another Ornate Metal Key gets dusted with gilders paste so that it matches the festive palate.

I love that I was able to locate one of my vintage typewriter keys to match the saying "A stitch in time, saves nine."

It is hard to tell, but inside the tiny bottle is the definition of the word "friend."

I hope you enjoyed seeing how easy it is to make a memorable collage as a holiday gift.  Please follow along to the other blogs below to see a ton more holiday gifting inspiration!  P.S.  There are prizes to be had so please comment below!

Clearsnap

Craft Attitude

Smoothfoam

Donna Salazar

Walnut Hollow

100 Proof Press

Graphic 45

Ice Resin

Stampendous

Eileen Hull Designa  Sizzix 

 Mistra Hoolahan Donna Salazar Designs 

 Elise Durneburger 100 Proof Press 
Lexi Grenzer Ice Resin

Graphic 45 Rhea Freitag *** You are Here
Debbie Cole Clearsnap
Vickie O'Dell  Smoothfoam

Teresa Abajo 100 Proof Press 
Amy Bowerman Sizzix
Jo Deserio Jones Ice Resin 
Lisa Fulmer Smoothfoam 

Cheers,

Rhea

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Happy Haunting Houses

And fall is officially well under way!  The arrival of Halloween this week means that those cold cozy days will be upon us in no time. Graphic 45 challenged the team to come up with some easy Halloween decorating ideas and this is what transpired.  

For this project I was inspired to upcycle something I had in my existing stash.  These painted wood houses from a rummage sale had been on hand for quite some time and I knew they would be a perfect fit for this project.  Since I still have more on hand I am thinking I could do several season and change out the display.

To start, I simply covered each house in black gesso.  A layer of paper on each side made for a perfect base for my simple collage.  Notice how I chose to use the positioning of the paper to create a fence on the back side of the house.  

I used some acrylic paint on the edges to give the houses a bit of a grungy look.   It was so hard for me to use that starry paper.  I have been hanging on to the two sheets I have forever.  Alas, I now only have scraps.

The owl cuts outs are from Retro Cafe Art.  Kristen has a ton of cut outs that make for awesome artsy elements.

I hope you are inspired to look at some of your stash in a new way. 

Happy Halloween!  

Rhea

Steampunk Spells Handmade Book Tutorial

This little Steampunk Spells book I made for Graphic 45 was so easy to alter and I am going to show you just how I did it, so be sure to check out the tutorial in my post. 

Supplies:

Old Book

Steampunk Spells 12x12 paper

Steampunk Spells 8x8 paper

Steampunk Spells Chipboard 1

Steampunk Spells Cardstock Stickers

Steampunk Spells Alphabet Stickers

Steampunk SpellsTags and Envelopes

Steampunk Spells Banners

Distress ink and Stain: Black Soot

Scor-Pal

Xyron Mega Runner

Seam Binding in Black and Spice

Craft Knife

For this project I was inspired to use the ribbon binding technique in yet another way.  This time I decided to upcycle an old book I had on hand.

To start out, I used a craft knife to remove the inside of the book.  Be very careful not to cut too deep.  Don’t forget to save the inside pages for other projects.  This text is in French, I think I forgot I even had this book in my stash. 

Next I chose a 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper for my cover. 

I cut the paper large enough for about an extra inch of paper surrounding the cover.  I have always been one to work around measuring. 

I used the Scor-pal to guide my creases for my folds to wrap the cover. 

A quick adhesive was used as I folded down all my edges.  I really love my recent discovery of “dry” adhesives!

Next I folded my spine to break it in a bit and I cut and scored my signatures. The paper will need to be just less than double the width of your desired page size.    The size will be dependent on your book.   You simply score down the middle of your paper so you can tie in your pages. 

For the last step, simply tie in each of your paper signatures.  I chose to use seam binding from Alpha Stamps.   This time I chose to go with classic bows instead of tying uniformly at the bottom.  I like the volume and texture the seam binding provides.   Now you have a fun altered book or photo album to document your spooky Halloween season.  

Happy Halloween folks, I hope you enjoyed and found a bit of inspiration. 

Cheers, 

Rhea