Ex Voto Shrine by GDT Member Rhonda!

I can't believe it is my final week as a guest designer for Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. It has been an honor and I could never thank Gina enough for this opportunity!

For my final project I chose this House Shrine Box. It was calling for me to make it into a grand exhibit. I have always loved Ex Votos and have a beautiful collection of several vintage ones. An ex-voto is a votive offering to a saint or to a divinity. I was thrilled when Relics & Artifacts began to sell several blank designs. I decorated several and have been trying to think of a way to display them. This was the perfect display for not one, but two of my designs. 

I found this beautiful piece of jeweled fabric that I decided to use as my for background.

After tracing, I roughly cut out the design. I knew I didn't want the fabric to fit over the joints, so I trimmed it to fit just inside.

Before attaching the fabric I gave the edges a good coat of Viva Decor Inka Gold - Gold. That way my edges would blend together.

I then added more to inside parts of the shrine. 

Next, I began to assemble my shrine, starting with the side pieces and a touch of glue. 

I aloud the glue to dry for a few minutes before moving forward with my assembly. I added the lower piece as well as the front part of the shrine, again with a tad of glue and dry time.

 

The next part I attached was the roof. But first I wanted to cover it with a paper that reminded me of an old, weathered roof. 

I think this one did the trick.

I liked the combination of this hat fabric with my background fabric, so I chose it for the back of my shrine. I was still undecided on which of my Ex Votos I was going to use, but since they were all done in rich colors it didn't matter. 

For the lower back area I decided to use more of the Viva Decor Inka Gold - Gold. Then I would chose some trim to neaten it up.

I tend to be a spur of the moment artist sometimes, decide as I get to the part that is current. That posed a problem for the front of my shrine. I decided I wanted to cover it with one piece of designed paper, so I had to get creative to cover the piece and trim out the center opening. Hmmmmm, What to do, what to do?

I decided to trace the piece onto the paper of my choosing and knew I had a new, sharp, exact o blade for trimming.

Some extra trimming, a bit of filing, and some touching up with more gold. Perfect!

I wanted the Ex Voto to be "protected" so I decided to use this Wrought Iron Set to really embellish several areas. You can see below how many pieces come with the set. Don't be afraid to trim parts off that you like. It makes it your own and adds such creativity. 

Now that my shrine is all built, it is time to decorate!!

I added a touch of Distress Stain in Vintage Photo as well as some Distress Paint in Cracked Pistachio, to give the "metal" an aged look.

Not only did I put an Ex Voto on the inside, I also attached one to the back. They are covered with several vintage jewelry pieces.

Gold Dresden is always a wonderful addition to any piece, especially when you want it to look luxurious. 

I added Garnet Cabochons to the top on both the front and back to give it a royal look. Large Red Glass Window Beads were used on the legs. 

I hope you have all enjoyed my Guest Design Team work and that I have inspired you to create something of your own. Many thanks to Gina of Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts for this amazing opportunity. I have loved every moment and have so much more I want to do. You MUST check out the web site. I guarantee you will find excitement to create and loads of inspiration. 

Special thanks also to everyone at Alpha Stamps for many years of growth as an artist and joy in creating.  I so love my "job" with this team! 

xoxo

Rhonda...

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Supply List

House Shrine Box

Wrought Iron Set

Alpha Stamps Supply List

Double Dot Vintage Gingerbread Scrapbook Paper 

Viva Decor Inka Gold - Gold 

Distress Stain in Vintage Photo 

Distress Paint in Cracked Pistachio

Garnet Cabochons 

Large Red Glass Window Beads

Faux Book Box

Thank you so much for stopping by today to see some new inspiration on the Gypsy Soul Blog today. It's Teresa here again as a guest designer this month and I am sharing a really pretty box I just finished using the Faux Book Box and the Victorian Wall Shelf.

This was a really fun project to make and the boxes go together so easily.  This one I glued together first and gave it a quick coat of paint to seal around all the edges in a peachy tan color.  Then I traced and cut pieces of the Prima Vintage Emporium papers and inked them all up.  Then I glued them on and added that little punched border around the bottom edge in ivory printed paper to give it a more lacy look.  For the top I wanted a bit more added dimension so I used a stencil and some crackle medium and applied it with a spatula.  Then I let it all dry really good.

For my laser cuts i inked them in pink and peach chalk inks and then antiqued it up a bit with a subtle brown around the edges.  I let all of them dry and then glued it to the top and front of the box.  The flowers and leaves I added next and to finish it I glued a brad on the top with a nice sentiment inside of it.  On the back I added tiny little hinge I found at the craft store by my house so that I could open the top up easily to put fun things inside.

You can use it for a trinket box or go a little further and create a cute mini book to go inside of it.  I have lots of paper so I think i will do the mini book next and I have the perfect person in mind to give it to.  Below is my supply list so you can create one for yourself!!

Supply List:

Victorian Wall Shelf-Small

Faux Book Box

Prima Vintage Emporium 6x6 pad, flowers and brads

Prima Gesso and paint brush

Americana Gloss enamels in Flesh tone

Border Punch and leaf punch

Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive

Chalk inks in pink, peach, white and brown

scissors and paper trimmer

Have a great day and have fun making something crafty!

Shabby Treasure Chest

Hello crafty friends. Happy Monday (although many people feel the words "happy" and "Monday" have no business being in the same sentence - lol)! Here's my take on the adorable Treasure Chest that Gina recently added to the Gypsy Soul store. I love the size and the solid feel of it-perfect to store small items in or to use as a gift box for someone special.

I used FabScraps papers that are appropriately named "Shabby Chic"and covered the inside pieces of the box before putting it together, then covered the outside. I was able to wrap one 12x12 strip around the front and sides so that the only seams are in the back. I used a similar process to cover the two overlay sections, tucking lace under each of them before attaching them. I found hot glue worked best to attach both the lace and the chipboard strips.

The top was papered as well; I layered the punched out center of the cutout lid piece on top of the main lid piece for more dimension. When the box is opened you are able to see the cutout piece. I also decided to add hinges.

On the top of the box I added some lace loops and some edge-punched loops cut from the same paper as the box is covered in.  I then some paper roses, burlap foliage, and metal leaves to match the metal heart lock I hung on the front. I inked some edges here and there for an even shabbier look ,but I have to admit those gorgeous FabScraps papers did most of the work in that regard! 

This was such an enjoyable project to create and I can't wait to see how you decorate your own Treasure Chest. Be sure to tag me when you post it on the Gypsy Soul Craft Group Facebook page so I don't miss it. Have a terrific week!

GYPSY SOUL ITEMS USED

Treasure Chest-coming soon!

OTHER ITEMS USED

FabScraps Shabby Chic papers

small hinges from dollar store

Donna Salazar inks

Fiskars punch

Dragonfly Altoids Mixed Media Book Cover By Ginny Nemchak

Hey there Paper Peeps. Ginny here to share a great little mixed media project I created with the Altoids Book Cover and layers and layers of chippies from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts and oodles of mixed media supplies.

What's great about this cover is it's like working with a mini canvas. Also is realllly thick so there's no need to worry about sprays and paints and gels. I really went at it with every supply I had I think and it's still nice and sturdy with absolutely no warping. To create a nice base I used some texture paste and a brick wall stencil to add dimension. After giving all the elements a coat of gesso I decided on the arrangement and glued it all in place. I used just about all my sprays and mists to create a very mottled effect. For the bloby areas I took the sprayer out of the bottle and dabbed it on for a more opaque effect.

I used the Chains & Gears Frame snipped in half to give me pieces for the front and back. These were given a layer of Steel Luxe paint.

 



There is an additional gear from the Steampunk Shapes Set tucked under the wing from the Dragonfly.  Itty bitty micro beads for accent and a large bling jewel.

I used some washi tape on the Altoids tin so it would be neutral and give your eye someplace to rest between all the patterns.  Before adhering the cover I added pretty dyed silk ribbon to tie a simple loopy bow.

The back has the same elements and finishes.

This is a better angle to see the layers and shimmer from the sprays.  Those leaves are from the Fanciful Elements set.

~Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Supplies~

Chain & Gear Frame

Butterflies and Dragonflies

Altoids Book Cover ( coming soon)

Steampunk Shapes Set

Fanciful Elements

Okay that's all for me wishing all of you a happy and productive day with lots of time to be creative : ) G