Botanical Tea Easel Album

With all the excitement of my publication, I am late to post this project for Graphic 45 with their new Botanical Tea collection.  This is my personal favorite of the newest releases.  The imagery is perfect as always and I love the colors they chose.

I just love this vibrant blue bird image.  I also love all the lush botanical images.

As always, it was hard to use some of my precious things...like the metal staples doorknob, but I managed and the project is much better for it.

The bottom of the easel book is actually the side that now opens.  I cut the album along the seam and used the new washi tape to seal up the edges.  A fun latch gives the book more character.

Inside I made several two page layouts.  I simply let the papers speak to me as I went.

Lots of paper flowers by Petaloo were added along the way, as you can see they are a perfect compliment.

Some of the images were simply matted and some were fussy cut to add interesting but simple additions to each page.

Since I did not have any of the coordinating embellishments I created some of my own, like the tiny pink corners used to frame the fern.

I just cannot get over the beautiful muted tones of this palate.

More sweet floral patterns along side classic botanical prints.

A tip for the inside of the book:  before adding my papers I stained the inside of the coil with picket fence distress stain.  Adding this muted white really helped with the shabby chic look I was going for.

I got a bit carried away with matting images.  It is such a simple way to add detail.

Here you can see one of the shabby chic metal keyholes.  I really love the new finish.

Thanks for sticking with me to the end!  I hope you were inspired just a bit.  I know looking at these nice spring images was fun, especially in the midst of all this snow!

Cheers, 

Rhea

Meet the Alpha Stamps Design Team Blog Hop!

I have to say that being a part of the Design Team for Alpha Stamps has been amazing thus far and I am loving every minute of it.  To introduce the new team a blog hop has been arranged with lots of avian inspiration and some prizes too. Be sure to check out the links below for more chances to win lots of amazing art.  Simply leave a comment here by June 10 on this post and you will be entered to win one of these small bird houses.  The winner will be announced on June 11 right here, so be sure to check back, leave your email or become a follower so that you stay informed!

Our recent kit was bird themed, and I found it to be quite fun.  We made altered coasters which you can see here and we also embellished these cute little bird houses.  There is a swap for "Birds in Hats" altered coasters that anyone is welcome to join, simply click the badge on the right to get more information and see what is on sale. There is also a huge "Birds in Hats" kit being given away on the Alpha Stamps blog, so be sure to stop by and comment for your chance to win there too. 

I decked all of my little houses out in gold Dresden Borders.  These are so nice to have on hand and make for a very easy elegant project.  When in doubt, a little Dresden Border will do the trick!

I love the watch hand beak on this dapper guy.

This owl is carrying a note that was once a charm.  I simply used pliers to break off the jump ring and I had a wonderful embellishment.  I actually had to add this element, as I was covering up a hand from a girl pictured next to this owl in the imagery I chose. You also may have noticed all the cool Gothic Windows that were used.  These are so fun.  They were treated with a crackle paint and then altered further with a product called Inka Gold.   

I hope I have managed to inspire!  Have fun visiting the rest of the Design Team and don't forget to comment here for a chance to win a little bit of my birdy art.

Now on to the rest of the hop, there is much art to be had!

Cheers,

Rhea

P.S.  Comments now closed as the hop is over!  Feel free to flit around to other posts and leave some love if you are so inclined. 

Birds in Hats!

The theme for my last design team kit from Alpha Stamps was really quite fun, it was all about "Birds in Hats."  There is a swap and a sale that is worth checking out, I will be joining in on the fun of this one for sure.  For the swap, participants will create and exchange three 4x4 coasters that will all be decked out with feathers and finery from Alpha Stamps.   If you decide to join, you may just get one of these little dandies. 

I think this one is my favorite.  I am not sure if it is the dapper hat, or the odd combination of grunge meets nature, but I really like it.  The wings and gears are cut from waste material that I picked up at an industrial outlet.  

One of the elements I like on this one is Tim Holtz's new word bands, I have been wanting these forever and finally caved and got some.  I cut the hat out of ephemera and used a bit of stain to give it color.

On this coaster, I made a nest by gluing down bunches of brown fibers.  

Here is another quirky steampunk one.  The cap on this guy was cut out of a really old Sears and Roebuck catalog.  

I am looking forward to see my return on this swap.  I think it will make for a very fun exchange.  All are welcome so fly on by and check it out.  

Cheers, 

Rhea