Sail away with Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts

Today I am sharing with you a mini book that I have made to remember our recent trip away.  I started with the Gyspy Soul Laser Cuts Bracket Edged Stagger album. This has a really nice collection of fancy edges.

I covered each of the pages with some nautical themed background pages. A tip for doing these easily, is to trace each page of the album onto the back of the patterned paper and cut it out first, then adhere. Another trick to get the edges nice is to gently sand them down once the glue has dried. 

I love the use of jute on nautical themed projects as it gives the impression of ropes. 

Next, I took the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Doodle Frame- rectangle and separated it into its 4 layers. I used silver gilding wax on the base layer, the outer frame was left natural and the inner frame was also dressed in silver wax. For the main upper layer, I coated it in regular fine sand, to really emphasise the ocean theme of my book. 

A word of caution though. If adding a photo to the cover, use a copy, not an original, as I can't be sure of the long term effect of the sand on the photo.

 I didn't do too much to the inside of the mini album, as I want to have space to add photos once we sort through all 1700 of them. I used the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Beach Shape Set-small as my embellishments along with some tags from the paper collection I used. I left the Beach Set pieces in their natural form as I like the effect of the raw brown chipboard as a feature. The implied texture works in really well with a beach theme.

Supplies used:

Beach set -small

Doodle frame- rectangle

Bracket Edged stagger mini album

The answer to your desk storage problems right here!!!

Maybe you are the sort of crafter who likes to have everything at their finger tips. I definitely am, but that creates some challenges around storage and organisation. I am typically a very organised person, but there are days when you would never know it looking at my desk. When I am busy working away at a project, I find that if I can't reach it from where I am, then I just wont use it.

 Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts has THE answer for you. They have created this awesome new storage system that you will love. Not only is it functional, and useful, but you get to build it YOUR way, and I am not talking in that annoying Ikea flat pack way either. This system is modular, so you can customise it to suit your own needs and then decorate it to suit your space more perfectly than any store bought system ever will. I even managed to co-ordinate it with another piece I already had finished. How great is that!!! I love that you can buy each piece separately, and combine them in a way that works for you. They are even stackable. I really want to get a second set to use for my classroom desk now.

These are fairly simple to put together once you sort out all the pieces. If you would like to see some more detailed pictures on how to construct each of these pieces, then please check out Susan's excellent post here and also see how different it can look depending on your choice of papers.  Read on for lots more pictures on the functionality of these pieces, and some ideas for what to use them for.

This is the full set of 7 different pieces arranged in just one of many ways. Go here to see more on the tool caddy I made some time ago, that co-ordinates beautifully with the rest of the set (no co-incidence, I really like things to match)

First up the storage chests. There is a 3 drawer version and a 6 drawer version. Naturally you'll want them both. You can even double up for even more storage. they are sturdy enough to stack on top of each other.

I like to use these ones to store glitter, seed beads, prills etc. Things can come in small bottles. They are also perfect for mini ink pads. 

I've been needing storage like this for a while. It was designed for Stickles storage, but my Liquid Pearls dimensional paint comes in the same  bottles. Of course, now I need a second one for Stickles. This unit stores a massive 32 bottles, all right there for you to see at a glance. So very handy.

Next up, are the storage cubes. One is 6x6 and the other 3x6. They fit together perfectly, while being versatile at the same time. Win-Win!!!You could even stack the smaller ones flat on top of each other. I love to use the big ones for all my different glue bottles, while the smaller ones house my scissors and my stamp blocks.

                    

I have decorated mine simply since there are so many pieces, but you could of course go all out. Maybe I will even add to them as time goes by ;) 

Available in the store now.  In the meantime, may I also suggest this Rotating Hobby Organiser, that would add even more storage and can of course co-ordinate too.

Organizer System

Gift Card envelope

Today I have taken a Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Tag Folder Small and turned it into a fun little gift card holder with the help of some really awesome new Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Henna Doodles 1 which I just love.

I started by covering the folder in patterned paper. Be sure to wrap the paper around the edges as otherwise you will end up with raw edges that don't look so good. Remember however that this will make the project three times as thick as the original, so I like to glue one section at a time, then wrap around the edge before adhering the next section, just to be sure you have a snug fit. I used complimentary colors for the inside and for the pockets. Tip: Adhere the paper in place before glueing the tab for the pocket. Seems obvious, but an easy mistake to make. 

I then sponged some gold gilding wax along the edges. I sponged the same gilding wax directly onto the Henna designs. This is a really easy way to add bright color fast. Just remember that it takes a little while to dry. I used a large piece on the front of the folder, and a smaller co-ordinating piece on the inside pocket front. 

I then adhered flowers and leaves over the edge. By having them touching, it creates a cohesive visual cluster, without losing any of the intricate design of the chipboard piece. I also tucked in some soft gauze mesh for texture, and added a metal corner embellishment to the front. Finally I added dimensional paint dots to the henna design for fine detail.

Tag folder small- Coming Soon

Henna Doodles 1- Coming Soon

Hidden Secrets with Alicia Barry

How clever is this Hidden Drawer Book Box from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts!  It looks like a regular treasure box, but has a very cool little drawer built into the spine. There are a few pieces to this one, but it's designed in a way that there is really only one way that it will go together. Start with the drawer, remembering that it has the second panel over the front. (add this at the end for perfect placement). The remaining pieces should look fairly obvious to put together, just match up all of the tabs and slots. I always like to place everything together and check it before gluing. 

Today I decided to assemble before gluing. There is no need to paint all the inside pieces, and in fact I would recommend not painting them, as it may make it just a little harder for the drawer to slide in and out.  

I used black gesso as a base for a change on this one. I really only need the edges to show. I then cut patterned paper panels to fit and adhered with liquid glue.  

For the top of my box, I wanted to create a steampunk effect without going to too much effort to add lots of layers and textures as I felt that it might interfere with the delicate design of the butterfly wings. Instead I created a faux rust kind of effect by first painting with black gesso, then I sponged with Dylusions paint. This paint is so vibrant, that I barely needed to add any at all. Once dry, I sponged again with gold gilding wax. I also sponged the edges of the box with the gilding wax. This stuff is amazing, and works so incredibly well on chipboard. 

Notice how I doubled up two of the same butterfly, so I could really emphasise the height on the wings. I set this onto a decorative border to frame the top of the box. I refrained from adding colour to this piece so that the butterfly would really stand out. 

Some metal decorations on the spine are the only hint that the drawer is even there. 

 Hidden Drawer Book Box

Butterfly of Gears

Reach for the Stars with Alicia Barry

My daughter started competing in gymnastics this year and has just finished out the winter competition season and did very well especially for her first time. To celebrate this milestone, I decided to make this Arch Top Triptych decoration for her room.

To make the colours really pop, I used white gesso first. I used a combination of silks paints to create the background. I like that these have a shimmery finish to them. I let them dry slightly in between so that the colours wouldn't get too muddy. I also used some 3D stamp paint in violet. I swiped it on with my finger to help it blend in with the paints. 

I used some gold gilding wax to coat the Reach for the Stars title, and gymnastics silhouettes from the Gymnastics Shape Set. Note that I did trim the bottom of the star in the title so that it would sit flat along the bottom of the project.

I used the same gold gilding wax applied with a sponge around the edge of the project. 

For the stars, I painted them with white gesso first, then lightly sponged with the gold wax that was left on the sponge.

Note that because of the size of the title, it overlaps the middle panel, so that I wasn't able to angle two panels to allow the project to stand on its own. Instead, I'll add some hooks to the back and hang it on the wall.

Supplies used:

Arch top triptych

Gymnastics shape set

Reach for the Stars 

Love and Cherish cards set with Alicia Barry

Today I have created a sweet card set using stackable labels, words and leaves from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. I started with some vintage style background papers from the same collection, but in two different colour schemes. This means that they will co-ordinate together, but each stands alone as a piece of art.

 I wanted to create layers and dimension on the cards along with some texture, so to create this I have treated each chipboard layer with a different technique. The first layer of the Stackable Labels Shape Set pieces are inked with brown distress ink. This creates a matt finish that is fairly subtle. (tip: if you want to create a more vibrant colour effect using ink, paint the piece with gesso first).

The next layer is the plain label centre. For this I covered the piece in the same patterned paper as the background. This helps to create a cohesive flow across the project.

The next layer is the word from the 10 Words set. For this I used dimensional pearlescent paint which I painted on directly using the nozzle to ensure complete coverage. I kept the paint fairly think, and by pushing it around with the nozzle, I was able to create a great textured finish, along with the shimmer of the paint.

 The final layer was the Skeleton Leaves. This set is great value, as you can use the leaves as a full branch as seen, or separate them for a bunch of individual leaves. These were done as  a combination of the other techniques. First I applied ink to give some background coverage. I then added dimensional paint in two different shades, except this time I swiped it on with my finger to achieve a more variegated look. Finally I added some clear glitter glue across the top, before slightly shaping each piece and adhering to the card. You'll notice that the rest of the card design is deceptively simple allowing the eye to focus on the chipboard cluster which I created off centre to make interesting use of the residual negative space.

Supplies used:

Stackable Labels Shape Set

10 Words

Skeleton Leaves 2

Tool Caddy with Alicia Barry

If you could see my desk right now,  you would know just how badly I need this Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts tool caddy to get me organised. The things on my desk all have a place, but there are a handful of items that I use every single day, that are too useful to put away after a project. They are the things I need at hand all of the time. This caddy is perfect for this as it is small enough to be close by without getting in the way of my work, but big enough to hold the essentials...in fact it holds a surprising number of items right in arms reach.

I began by coating everything in gesso. This gave me nice white edges on the narrow, visible surfaces. It also gives a nice finished look to the inside of the project.  Never just assume that those parts can't be seen. Always finish off every face.

Next, I traced the sides onto card stock, cut and glued in place. You can just glue on first, the cut, but I find it hard to get a nice clean edge that way using scissors. If you do prefer this method, use a craft knife to trim. Sometimes on projects like this, I like to sand the edges once glued to ensure a nice close finish on the edges.

Once the visible sides are all covered in paper, go ahead and assemble as shown. From there it was onto embellishing. I used some fussy cut florals as my base. Even though I knew I would cover a good amount of them,  I wanted to have the leafy foliage visible. I had some die cut off cuts that I tucked into my main cluster, then adhered some gauze tucked under the edges of the cluster. To finish off and add an elegant touch, I coated Feathery Flourishes Mini in gold acrylic paint, and adhered to each side of the cluster.

You can see that I mirrored the cluster with a second one on the diagonal corner of the project, along wth a tied ribbon bow. This is a slightly smaller cluster, to compliment the large cluster without competing with it for attention.

GSL Supplies used:

Tool Caddy

Feathery Flourishes Mini