Springtime Bunny Box

This project was recently featured in Graphic 45's newsletter. I thought it made for a fun piece of springtime decor, but it could easily be modified for any season, holiday or even a memory.

For this project I used Time to Flourish. This paper line is beautiful and super versatile too!

For those of you who are interested in seeing how this was put together I have created a snapguide for you to check out.  There are so many great tutorials on this site!

Check out How to Alter a Small Graphic 45 Book Box by Rhea Freitag on Snapguide.

I absolutely adore the lace sticker edging I used on this project.  Sad that it was the last bit I had in my stash...  Another great trick here:  I used a layer of 7 gypsies tissue paper that I covered in resin over the bunny rabbit that I cut out of chipboard.  This makes for a cool textural element.

I was super happy to have finally used one of my resin bezels I made a while ago with lots of Graphic 45 goodies sealed inside.  

I hope you enjoyed today's springy offerings!  I know one thing for sure, here in Michigan we sure are happy it is indeed the first day of spring!

Cheers,

Rhea

Sweet Sentiments of Spring

This project is a slight departure from my usual style.  I was inspired to make this little book when I scored the Matchbook die at a local crafty outlet.  I decided to use Graphic 45's Sweet Sentiments as the theme, since I could really use a dose of spring!  It has been a tough winter in Kalamazoo, Michigan!

Happy National Craft Month:  There is a full tutorial for this project over here on the Graphic 45 blog.  

Inside I affixed my pages with ribbon.  The holes were reinforced with eyelets to give it a finished look. 

My love of tissue tape shines through again.  I framed each of my pages with the trusty tape I love so much.

Here is a better picture of the eyelets.   I always find vintage ones at garage sales and I love them.  

I can't wait until the spring weather heralds in the garage sale season, it has been a while since I have been junking.

Cheers, 

Rhea

Altered Eggs

I was really inspired by these paper mache eggs from Alpha Stamps.  The first one I made is a bit quirky, but fun nonetheless.  This winged egg has lots of Tim Holtz hardware and a few filigree to make for a slightly steampunk look.  I originally cut a hole in the front to try to do something inside of the egg, but it did not work, so the window was added instead.



The second project that I finished is a hinged egg with a few surprises inside. 



The outside is simply colored with distress stain in silver.  I cannot rave enough about those stains.  Simple decorations were added by way of stickers and tinsel.



Inside the egg there are two little spring nests.  I absolutely love the tiny bunnies, which are actually brads.



Opposite is a more traditional spring nest with a brass bird and tiny eggs.

Perhaps posting of spring and Easter-ey things will help it to arrive a bit sooner in Michigan, boy am I ready!

Cheers,

Rhea

Bunnies and Chicks everywhere!

I recently finished creating pages for my second chunky book swap.  The theme for this one is Vintage bunnies and chicks.  I am looking forward to seeing how our book turns out once assembled.  Here is a shot of all my pages.

For some reason, I just love interactive features.  So in order to appease this interest of mine, I decided to use library pockets and tuck a little tag inside.  I do love how they peek out a bit.  Hopefully they will also add interest to the finished book.  On the back of the tag I affixed my swap card too, which has all of my contact information.

The background paper for this page is from Graphic 45's Once Upon a Springtime collection.  This paper was really my starting point and inspiration for my page.  The bunny/chick images are from Tim Holtz's Seasonal paper stash.  I liked that using these gives each page it's own little image for the pocket as well as the tag. 

I also used some die cut embellishments to add some different shapes and break up all the linear lines.  I am not usually one to use this type of store bought "ephemera" but I think it works well on this project.  I did distress all along the way. Coloring edges with inks, distressing edges and adding wear and tear are all ways to add a weathered feel to projects. 

Another great technique I tried, was to seal my pages with Tim Holtz's tissue tape.  This was another way to add texture and keep my pages together.  So interesting that just this very morning Tim posted on his blog a mini book that uses this same idea on the edges of the pages!  I guess great minds think alike.  I am in love with tissue tape!!!

The back of my page is very simple, very unusual for me!  I typically add layer upon layer of stuff in my work, as you have probably noticed.  I know I need to learn to edit a bit, so perhaps this is my first step.  However, of course, my creative voice is telling me that this side still needs something else...

I had planned on doing a packing tape image transfer with these little bunnies on the back.  Perhaps I did not do it right, because the first one I peeled, yielded no image.  I embraced the issue and just left the packing tape on my images and fussy cut them out.  I think that this technique still adds a bit to the page.

Come back later to see the finished project!!!