Altered book box

I have started to alter this book, that opens to reveal an empty area. Watch this space to see how I get on!

Pen Pots

I bought these at one of my stash buying sessions, I think I got them when I went to Doncaster Dome show, I could not make up my mind if I wanted the shaped top one or the straight one, so as all good stash buyers know......buy them both!

Making or decoration something for your self is a lovely way to keep some of those lovely papers that you buy and sometimes do not want to use.

I painted the first one with gesso then some Craftynotions acrylic paint in terracotta, but looks orange to me! It matched the biggest butterfly on the paper that I wanted to use. The paper for the front (which is also on the back as well) and also the other paper on the sides are both, I think, Kay & co. I have had them for some time, if they are not Kay & Co then they will be Anna Griffin, they have all got a bit mixed up! After i had stuck the papers on to the painted tub and let this dry I painted over the whole thing with Studio multi-medium matte, to give it some protection.

I wanted to put some paper flowers on the front with the decorative brad, but I thought the flowers would get dusty and damaged, then I remembered something I had watched on create and craft. They had dipped flowers into melted utee, so out came the melt pot and I had a go! It went on a bit thick at first so I got out my heat gun and blew some of it off on to my non stick mat, this seemed to help. They are still a little thick, but it has made a lovely embellishment that will hopefully last longer than the paper alone would have.

What colour for this one? Off to look at my papers again :)

Sisters birthday card

It was the big ....4.....0 but instead of going with my first idea of a card in the shape of 40 I wanted to stamp forty instead. Then i made a tag for her gift as well

Second Altered Matchbox

Thought I would do one for the Craft Stamper monthly swap. It is usually ATCs but this time they asked for a matchbox decorated with stamps and a colour scheme of duck egg blue and brown. This was my attempt. Shouldn't think it will be good enough for them to photograph for the June or July edition, forget which one they were going in. But I enjoyed making it and can not wait for the one I will get as a swap.

First ATC this year.

Thought I would do an ATC as well.

Altered Matchbox

Had a go at my first altered matchbox. It is called Gardens. I tried to put a pattern on both sides and on the inside.

Nails

I have found a new love with painting my nails thanks to a blog I follow. Thank you Colette. I have been on ebay and bought some nail stamping plates. ThI did take a photo, but shows too many mistakes (knew I should not have bought that new camera) I will take one when I get them totally right. I have got to find a top coat that will not discolour the white or make the pattern run. I may try to contact Colette to see what top coat she uses although she is in America. I have also tried her nail marbling, and that looks great. Will take a photo next time I try it again.