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

Twinkle Twinkle Altered Box

As soon as I saw the star themed papers in the new Mother Goose paper line by Graphic 45, I knew I would have to make something with that theme.  I have been fascinated with the night sky ever since I was a youngster.

I finally caved and used one of the lovely door knobs that Graphic 45 makes for their staples line.  It was hard to use, but I think it fits the piece nicely.  Of course to add a little age, I brushed on some patina gilders paste.

In order to achieve dimension and depth, I mounted my focal on some foam I had on hand.  Lots and lots of Petaloo flowers were used too.  When I am making something like this, I will root through my stuff and pull everything I can in the intended palate so I have lots to choose from as I create.

Here is another look closer inside.  It is hard to see, but I did use a glitter pen over all the letters that frame out this project.

Another trick I used in this project was to add lots of ink to tone down the colors.  The yellow was just too bright for my taste, so I used faded jeans distress ink to change the hue and edge my fussy cut flowers.

I hope you enjoyed this fun little project.  I know I enjoyed reminiscing about how often I used to wish upon stars and I have been inspired to do so again.

Cheers, 

Rhea