Tuesday 31 March 2015

Decorating a Create wooden box

This project shows how I painted and decorated the wooden box with the gorgeous new Santoro range by Trimcraft and Home Decor chalk paint by Plaid.

What you need:
Create wooden box
Trimcraft Santoro A4 Glitter Decoupage packaging 
Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint (by Plaid) - Sheepskin, Castle, Sage, Tuscan Red and Oatmeal
Folk Art Home Decor Clear Wax (by Plaid)
Dovecraft Crafter's Glue
Dovecraft Glitter Glue

sponge, paintbrush


1. Using fine tip scissors, carefully cut the image from the "band" which is around the outside of the Santoro A4 Glitter decoupage pad and set aside.


2. Choose the paint you want to use for the box and stir well. There is no preparation necessary for  the Plaid Chalk Paint so you can apply straight on to the bare wood.
I have used "Sheepskin" paint.


 3. Remove the wooden divider.


4. Paint one coat directly onto the wooden box.
This can be done with a brush or roller. I have used a brush.


 5. After one coat.


 6. Paint the inside edges and divider. Paint a little onto the edges of the inside of the box because the paper will not fit exactly.

7. After two coats.

8. Choose colours of Chalk Paint to match the image  - I'm using Castle, Sage and Oatmeal. Apply these around the edges of the box lid with a sponge and stencil brush (as shown).


9. The three colours applied round the edges leaving an oval shape in the centre.

10. Leave to dry fully for 24 hours before applying the wax.
Then allow the wax 24 hours before buffing the wax with a soft lint-free cloth. The longer you buff the higher the sheen.

11. The wood on the inside of box is very porous so you can either give it a coat of paint first or brush it well with a paint brush and water. Cut your chosen paper to fit and cover the entire back of it with slightly diluted Crafter's Glue. Position it in the box and smooth it down firmly with a dry cloth, making sure you have attached it in all areas.
Reattach the wooden divider.

12. Glue the cut out image to the front of the box.

13. Using a fine paintbrush, paint the bird and butterfly in Sheepskin, Sage and Tuscan Red. Add Glitter glue to highlight.


14. Glue the painted wooden element to the box front.


15. Just for good measure, I made a little matchbox type packet decorated with the same papers and some Santoro die cuts in Silver Mirror card.






Monday 30 March 2015

The new Santoro range from Trimcraft!


I've had to keep my makes with the gorgeous new Santoro range under wraps till now and I'm so happy to be able to share them with you at last!
This range has not been released just yet - so have a look and dream about it for another couple of weeks. It's sure to be a winner!
 I painted a wooden box with chalk paint and added part of the packaging from one of the paper pads on top. 

 One of the little birds painted with chalk paint and glitter added.

A chalk painted wooden butterfly from the range.

 A little bag made from beautiful A4 linen textured paper with a silver die cut made from one of the new dies in the Santoro range and a decoupage bunch of roses.


Using the embossing folder,paper pad, dies and decoupage.




 Inside the box decorated with Santoro papers.

 Some more goodies from the new Santoro range...:)


Saturday 28 March 2015

Home again and thanks!

I'm just home again after a great day in Art and Hobby, Jervis Street, Dublin! I'm almost hoarse and totally "talked out" and now that I've had a quick look through the 20 or more photos which the lovely Sarah took, I know why I'm kind of sore all over - I must have been waving my arms around as if I was directing the traffic!! 
There was a wonderful turnout and you all kept me on my toes as usual! 
A big thanks to Sarah for all  your help and also to Catherine for the lovely present and card  ...and to Isabel for the kind gift you gave me before you left at the end.
The two new ranges from Trimcraft (Belle and Boo and Paper Flowers) went down a treat and I hope you all enjoy what you bought today. I'd also really love to see some pics of what you make with the wooden boxes you bought  - I'll be able to post photos of a couple of mine on Monday after being given the go ahead this morning :)


 There's Maria, Arlyn, Deirdre,Catherine, Mirza and others taking it all in :)

Some serious note taking going on!!

 And Annette is keeping an eye on me


 I love my job:)

What is it with this card? I get asked to show it again almost everywhere I go.




Plaid chalk paint being sampled

 Isabel, Shirley and friends.

Thursday 26 March 2015

Just because I love you!

 Just posting this quickly before I rush out.It's another Tonic Studios and Papermill combination.
The dies I've put together this time are Lych Gate and Splendid Screen Verso Strip dies, along with Just Because and I Love You.
I've used grey smooth, white linen and raspberry smooth card from Papermill - goes great together!
It shows that a card base doesn't always have to be white or cream :)



Wednesday 25 March 2015

Aunty card - Tonic Studios die sets

 I've got a vintage style card to show you today  - all made with Ivory Linen card from Papermill and given an aged look with distress ink .

 I've used the Tonic Studios Harriet and Helena Header Fold dies to give the shaped top to the card and Buttermilk Crystal Drops around the edges.

The Just for You Essentials die set was used for most of the rest of the card and the Aunty is from the Family Member Sentiments 2 die set and the embossing folder is "Victoria".
I've added 2 hand cut butterflies from the Trimcraft Botanical Notes paper pad.


Tuesday 24 March 2015

This week's Papermill offer Dark Moss Green card

This week's offer at Papermill is the lovely Dark Moss Green card I've used in my Easter card above.
You can see the offer HERE

.  "At 300gsm this card would make an ideal base and compliment any Spring crafts.
A small box of 75-80 A4 sheets is only £4.05, that's an amazing 50% off our normal coloured card price."

I have used the Tonic Studios Annabel embossing folder on white hammered card from Papermill.
I've also used the Tonic Studios Deco Geometric Layering diesArt Deco Collectable dies and flowers from the Radiant Roselily die set.

Monday 23 March 2015

Colouring "Adrift" with Promarkers - for Mary


This is for Mary - sorry I forgot to get back to you:(
These are the colours I used for the "Adrift" stamp.
1. I used Marsh Green for the dress and boat. Then added shading with Olive Green.
I used Olive Green with the fine nib to get the "wood" effect on the boat.
The flowers are Pastel Beige and Marsh Green.The hat is Ivory, Marsh Green, Olive Green and  little Walnut.The flowers on the dress are Ginger.
I have coloured the first layer on the hair Ivory.
I used Almond and Dusky Pink for the face with Baby Pink for the cheeks and lips.

2. I then added Ginger to the hair.

3. Next I added Spice and then Burnt Orange.

4. Then some Walnut with a fine nib.

5. Lastly, I outlined the whole image with Tea Green.
In my hurry to take the photos I managed to get some Walnut Promarker on the card where I didn't want it (see the photo above) so I removed it with the Blender pen :)
I love my Blender pen :)