A 'Swaddle' Baby Boy & Baby Girl Exploding Box With Tutorial

For today's project I have my very first try at an exploding box.  I've used both the baby boy & baby girl versions of the 'Swaddle' collection by Authentique for these projects.

I got the idea for this sort of exploding box from a YouTube video that I saw promoting a die that creates the cuts for this style of box.  The origin of the die is in the United Kingdom.  I loved what the die did & I searched for it here in the states--but was not able to find it.  I found a shop in the UK that would ship worldwide but found it a bit costly to have it shipped here.  In the end I decided to try my own version of what this die creates & these exploding boxes would be the end result.

It's a bit more work but I like how they came out.  What I like best about creating your own--is the flexibility of this project.  You can make the boxes bigger or smaller--you'd just have to adjust the measurements based on what size box you decide to make.

The boxes measure 4 3/4" x 4 3/4" inches & are approximately 3" inches deep.  These exploding boxes open up to reveal four smaller boxes.  The four inner smaller boxes measure approximately 3" x 3" inches.

The smaller boxes can be used to store several types of different items.  Anything from chocolates to mementos, memorabilia, photos, trinkets...just about any sort of bits & bobs can be stored.  These would make for a really cute baby shower gift and just think of the possibilities when you make these in a different theme--such as for Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's Day etc...

Here's the baby girl version.  I kept the decorating of these boxes similar for both the boy & girl versions.  The baby girl exploding box is available for sale in my Etsy shop The Midnight Kraft Desk.

This baby rattle 'shaker' was made from one of the 3" x 4" inch cut a-parts from the collection.  I had circle dies in my stash that matched the diameter of the baby rattle in the cut a-part...from there I created a miniature shaker & then fussy cut the rattle from the cut a-part & adhered it to the lid with pop dots to give it some dimension.

I love collecting mini items of just about everything.  :-)  Mini flocked teddy bears, ducks, bunnies, mushroom birds, mini lambs...anything in miniature I collect.  As you can see, they make for such a cute embellishment for these sort of projects!

I also loved the fact that for both boxes, the 4" x 4" inch cut a-part that I used as the base for my boxes places the face of the baby images right in the middle so they are visible from top.  This was such an awesome coincidence!

Supplies: Paper - Authentique, Embellishments - Authentique, Fabric Flowers - The Midnight Kraft Desk, Other - Felt Flowers, Mulberry Paper Flowers, Sequins, Seed Beads, Rhinestone Frame

Below you will find two videos.  One is an overview of both boxes.  The second is a tutorial showing how I went about creating the base for these boxes.  Thanks for stopping by & enjoy!

An Altered Wooden Photo Frame with 'Nightfall' and an Owl Shaped Mini Album with 'Harvest'

I have two projects for today's post.  One is this wooden photo frame that I altered with the 'Nightfall' collection by Authentique.  The second is a throwback project made with the 'Harvest' collection also by Authentique.

 The frame holds a 4" x 6" inch photo.  The photo frame was unfinished raw wood.  I painted it, adhered the designer paper to it, sanded it down & embellished it turning the frame into a super decorated Halloween frame.

The picture is of my son from 2015.  He was a scarecrow that year & it was a year that I actually made his costume instead of purchasing it.  A personal accomplishment.  :-)

The 'Nightfall One' paper from the collection provided the perfect background to my frame.  It was a quick way to transform a plain frame & I only had to add a couple of more embellishments to finalize the project.  

I added three 'streamers' tucked in within the Halloween spray.  They are 12" inch strips cut from the coordinating solids measuring approximately 1/4" of an inch in width.  I simply curled them with my scissors & hot glued them within the Halloween spray.

The frame is sealed with a glittered specialty finish by Martha Stewart.  I've had this type of medium in my stash for a long time & have used it to seal on various projects.  I like the fact that it seals but also provides a shimmery effect to your project which you can see in the photo above.

The orange glittered border seen around the photo opening was created by adhering double sided tape (1/8" inch).  Once the tape was applied, I sprinkled the orange glitter on top & pressed down.  The glitter adheres to the tape creating an even border along the edge.

Here are the steps I took to create my photo frame.

I painted the entire back & sides of the frame (not shown here) as well as the front border of the frame with black acrylic paint.  Once the paint dried I traced the design of the frame (including the oval opening where my photo will be placed) onto my designer paper with a pencil.  Then with scissors I cut the design out.  

Next I adhered the designer paper to my frame with Decoupage adhesive & ensured the paper thoroughly adhered to my frame--especially the edges.

Next comes the sanding.  I sand all the edges of my frame to give the edges a nice finished look.  For this process I use a couple of sanding tools shown here.  You can probably use nail files for this process if you don't have craft ones on hand--I don't see why these wouldn't do the job as well.  

This is probably what takes the longest when creating this sort of project since you have to go around all the edges--including the photo opening--with the sanding tools & remove any & all excess paper as you sand.

Once the sanding was done, I applied the specialty finish shown here.  I let that dry & the last step I did prior to embellishing the frame was to ink all along the edges of my frame with black distress ink in order to make the edges stand out.

My second project is this owl shaped mini album made with the 'Harvest' collection.  This collection came out a few years back for Autumn.  I created this mini many moons ago but had simply never shared it.  I decided it was time to share.  :-)

The base of the mini was made with the use of a Sizzix Owl Bigz die (Item# A10165).  Mini measures approximately 4 3/8" x 3 1/2" inches which is what the owl design measures once cut.  

The album consists of 6 pages & the pages are adhered to the spine with hinges.  This mini can stand on it's own & be displayed on any shelf, table or desk.

Mini is held closed with a piece of jute string.

I have not yet embellished the pages.  I did leave about a 1/4" inch gusset in between each page which will allow for some dimension to be added to the pages of the mini.  Even though this mini is small, you can still do a lot with it.  It depends on how creative you want to get.  You can add pockets, mini frames, belly bands, tuck spots, envelopes & other bits & bobs in addition to the small photos in order to embellish the pages.  It's a work in progress.  :-)  Mini album will eventually be available for sale in my Etsy shop, The Midnight Kraft Desk.  Feel free to subscribe to my shop's FB page in order to stay up to date on the latest items added to my shop.

I hope this project inspires some of you to use your dies in new ways.

Supplies: Paper - Authentique, Embellishments - Authentique, Dies - Sizzix, Flowers - The Midnight Kraft Desk, Other - Mulberry Paper Flowers, Mini Pine Cone, Fabric Flowers, Jute String

Thanks for stopping by!

Altered Jumbo Wooden Clothespins

 

Today I bring a Pinterest inspired project with one of Authentique's latest collections--'Beginnings'.  I found this collection to be especially versatile because the colors in the collection can be used for either a boy or girl.  They are are neutral colors such as pastel greens & yellows with just hints of blue & pink. 

So when I saw this large wooden clothespins being altered as photo holders on Pinterest, I thought 'what a great idea!'  I've seen these oversized clothespins at my local craft store for ages & never really thought on how they could be used.  So as soon as I saw this idea on Pinterest I ran down to my craft store & bought three of them.  The best part is that they're only $1.00!  What a great bargain!

 This is what the clothespins look like prior to altering them.  They're just plain oversized...well, clothespins!  They measure approximately 6" inches in height & just a tad under 1 1/2" inches in width.  The best part is that they can stand & display the photos on any shelf or desk.  Love it!

 

You can actually pull the pins apart from the metal hinge which works out perfectly for painting purposes.  So in doing so, I was able to paint the pins both on the outside & inside.  I painted each wooden pin with acrylic paint.  I used Americana acrylic paint--Lemonade.

 

Once they dried (TIP: I use a heat gun to speed up the drying process because I'm very impatient!) It was time to embellish them which is the best part. 

 

I used a variety of different stickers from the sticker sheet that comes with the 'Beginnings' collection along with a few other bits & bobs from my own stash such as the mini flocked teddy bears, glitter chipboard stars & other baby themed embellishments. 

 

I have to say that I loved how these turned out.  I then printed three different photos of my little guy & have these clothespin photo holders currently sitting in my craft room.  The best part is that you can change up the photos at any time.  These make for unique decorations and/or as quick & easy gifts!

I hope this inspired some of you to alter those jumbo wooden clothespins found in various craft stores--usually in $1.00 bins.  Enjoy!

Supplies: Paper - Authentique, Embellishments - Authentique, Paint - Americana - Lemonade, Chipboard Stars - Freckled Fawn, Other: Jumbo Wooden Clothespins, Mini Flocked Teddy Bears

Colorful Ribbon Wreath

Today I'm sharing my very first ribbon wreath!  I've seen several of these on Pinterest & decided to give it a try--I'm very happy with the end results.  I now have a colorful decoration in my craft room & best of all, I got to use up a ton of ribbon scraps & ribbon in general!

This wreath was made for the promotion currently going on over at the Authentique blog with both Imagine Crafts & May Arts.  All the ribbon seen here is by May Arts.

To further decorate the ribbon wreath--I added some handmade embellishments.  I used papers from Authentique's 'Harmony' collection to die cut a couple of flowers with the use of the 'Tattered Florals' die by Tim Holtz. 

The bird was fussy cut from one of the 'Harmony' papers (Spirit). 

All the embellishments had their edges inked with Midnight Chalk Ink by Imagine Crafts in order to make them 'pop' more.

Here's a close up of the wreath. As you can see there were many, many strips of ribbon used.  As a filler I used a couple of strips of tulle from my own stash in orange, yellow & gray.

This ribbon wreath can be a bit time consuming but it's worth the effort.  Also, it's a fairly easy project to make.  Here are some tips on how to make your own ribbon wreath...

Altered Mini Wooden Dresser (Jewelry Box)

Good afternoon!  Today I have a mini altered wooden dresser/jewelry box that I created late last year.  This was a project I sent in for Authentique's CHA booth. 

This wooden box was purchased completely unfinished. It was sanded, primed & painted in white & then embellished with designer paper & trinkets.  I've used papers from Authentique's 'Flourish' collection which turned this box into an ideal keepsake for a little girl.

On top of the dresser I have a little mushroom bird sitting on a nest along side a few flowers by Prima & a few from my own stash.  I also included a small glass vial filled with seed beads.

All the embellishments on top of the dresser are adhered except for the mini frame.  This frame is removable & it can be used to hold a quote, sentiment or even a small photo.

The chipboard vine going across the drawers was painted & then heat embossed with translucent Star Dust embossing powder which gives it a nice shimmer in person.  I positioned the chipboard strategically across all the drawers & then snipped it right where the drawers open & close.  Therefore, the drawers can open & close & the chipboard vine is not an obstacle. 

The insides of all the drawers were matted with solid paper from the 'Flourish' collection.

Here's the back of the box.  The box measures approximately 8" inches high, 6" inches wide, and 4" inches deep.

In this photo you can see tiny butterflies fluttering along the side.  These are punches made with a Martha Stewart butterfly punch.  I added a few butterflies on both sides of the box to dress it up a bit more.

Since I have a son this jewelry box is just sitting in my scrap room with no one to use it.  Now we can't have that right?  So it's been put up for sale in my new Etsy shop The Kraft Nook.  I'm hoping it'll be purchased for a little girl whom I'm sure will find lots of uses for this mini dresser/jewelry box!  :-)  If interested, please feel free to visit my shop.

Thanks for stopping by & enjoy the rest of the week!

'Precious' Altered Clock

So this is a first for me.  I finally decided to alter a Tim Holtz clock.  I think it came out OK for my very first try.  I ended up playing around with it for two evenings--but I finally got it to look how I had 'envisioned' it in my head.

I made this project for the CHA Authentique booth since I've used Authentique's 'Precious' line to make all the embellishments that decorate the clock.  I wanted to use it as a frame for a photo taken at my son's first birthday photo session.  I love this picture of my son--he looks just like a 'little man' in this one!

The clock ended up having a really cool 'frosty' looking texture.  I achieved this by first priming the entire clock with gesso.  TIP: if you decide to completely paint your clock, I suggest you take it apart.  I ended up 'borrowing' some of my husbands tools to remove the front glass & the bells.  This made it much easier to cover the clock completely with my mediums.

Once the gesso dried I applied a thick coat of Martha Stewart's Terra Cotta paint in White.  This paint has a sand-like texture to it that I really liked.  Next to give it a bit of color, I took a medium sized paint brush & randomly applied Mint Julip Pearlz from Shimmerz on it.  Finally once it was all dry I applied a coat of Martha Stewart's Frost Paint which is a sort of sealant with a touch of glimmer to it.  I love the effect the combination of all these mediums gave me!

From the start I knew I wanted something hanging from the clock's bells.  Charms, ribbons, tags...I just didn't know what I wanted.  In the end I took some of the sticker elements from the 'Precious' collection & with Glossy Accents adhered them to a couple of Tim Holtz Fragments that I've had in my stash for an eternity plus one.  I then attached the charms with jump rings onto a Tim Holtz swivel clasp--added a little teddy bear charm on top & hooked it from one of the clock's bells and ta-da!  My vision became a reality! 

Three different dies were used to make the hot air balloon, spiral flowers & butterfly.  Aren't those spiral flowers cute!  Note to Self:  I really need to make more of these for my projects in the future! 

With hot glue I adhered a string of mint green pearls around the front of my clock.

Tim Holtz is all over my clock it seems.  I've used his Tattered Floral die to create this large flower.  I combined acrylic, vellum & designer paper onto my flower.  I love adding acrylic/transparencies into my flowers--it gives them a different effect/look.  I have a tutorial on my blog showing how I decorated the edges of the acrylic petal so that it stands out more & how to create flowers with the use of transparencies.  You can find the tutorial here if interested. 

The inside of the clock is decorated with some frosty netting that I had in my stash.  I believe I bought this netting around Christmas--the netting is frosty & covered in glitter--half of the glitter is still sitting on the floor of my scrap room!  I scrunched up a bit of the netting & adhered it with some double sided sticky tape to the bottom of the clock.  My photo is matted with papers from the 'Precious' line & I've added more spiral flowers along the bottom side of the photo to decorate it.

Supplies: Clock - Tim Holtz, Dies - La-La Land Crafts, Die-namics, Memory Box, Tim Holtz, Paint - Martha Stewart, Shimmerz, Ribbon - May Arts, Hardware - Tim Holtz, Embellishments - Tim Holtz, Other: Mini Wooden Frame, Flocked Teddy Bear

Hope this inspires some of you to experiment with different elements.  Take care & enjoy the rest of the week!