Favorite Recipes Altered Notebook - Christmas Gift Ideas - Part Two

Hi friends,

I am deep in gift making mode still so I have more notebooks to share with you, this time using some cool baking-inspired chipboard elements.

So here we go!  As I mentioned in my last post, I decided to make some custom notebooks for some Christmas gifts and I thought the notebooks would be easy to post and easy to customise to each person.

Here are the notebooks I'm using, which are A5 size, and a popular size with bullet journalists so you will probably know the size I mean.  It's approx 5.5 x 8.x inches. I started by painting the covers with black gesso, to give myself a good, primed base especially as these are clothbound books.

While that was drying, I sorted through my chipboards and selected a few that I might potentially use, keeping in mind the person for whom they were intended.   I had already made two notebooks and was now on to the third. I wished that I could think of something for my third notebook which was for a friend who has just become head lunch lady at her kid's school.... Of course - the Kitchen Utensils set would be perfect! I was on a roll!  I also used Favorite Recipes for the title on this cover, and lined up the cord from the hand mixer so it looked like it was attached to the F in favorite.  This Favorite Recipes Title shape actually comes with a wooden spoon along the bottom of the Recipes word but I had to cut it off so I could arch the letters and make them fit on the cover.  I added the spatula and spoon to the bottom for the cover and glued everything down.  Then I used a few more of the utensils on the back cover.  There is one more shape left, an oven glove, which you will see at the end, but that also got painted with gesso!

Normally this is my favourite part of the process but this time I just didn't seem to be able to decide how to paint this one!  So rather than paint with metallics, I decided to try matt acrylic in a nice light blue that was giving me 50s Diner vibes and thought it would go well with the recipe book idea.  So I painted it blue...

I left it to dry overnight but in the morning I wasn't so happy with the colour - well that's not exactly true, I do love the colour but not for this project.

Time was not on my side and I was very conscious of the pressure of needing to get this finished and posted!  With that in mind, I painted it yet again...

This is much better!  I used a gorgeous teal metallic acrylic and painted the entire cover and left it to dry again.

Then I used silver metallic paint and old silver wax to colour and highlight all the little elements on the cover.  I like to use my fingers for this job as they are easier to clean than brushes, though you can use old paintbrushes for this job, or stippling brushes also work quite well.

If you want a less organic approach, sketch out a plan for your notebook covers, plan and test your colours, assemble all your elements in advance, and then glue them down and gesso them all at the same time.  As I started off with the intention of making Christmas cards, I did not have a plan in place for notebooks but was still able to make it work!

Oh and just because I felt like it needed a little more personal touch, I added her name onto the rolling pin using some Tim Holtz dies, and I also used the oven mitt chipboard from the set, and covered it in embossing powder, and tied it onto the bookmark ribbon as a little extra!

I hope you enjoyed this project and that it has given you some gift ideas for reasonably quick and customisable gifts that can be used all year round, but are perfect now for Christmas gifts that can be tailored to the recipient.

Till next time,


Elle
Empire of the Cat


PROJECT RECIPE:
GSL Cuts - Favorite Recipes Title D54I, Kitchen Utensils D54J
A5 clothbound notebooks
Black gesso
Finnabair Metallique Paints
Finnabair Impasto Acrylics
Finnabair Wax
Jacquard Lumiere paint
Tim Holtz Alphanumeric dies
Wow embossing ink and embossing powders
Glue
From Stash: cereal box cardboard

Gentle Snows

Hard to imagine how quickly seasons change from one to another and we find ourselves in the season of stillness and waiting. Although truth be told, the holiday season for most is far from that with the hustle and bustle of all the to-do lists it sometime difficult to find solace in this season. This is the inspiration for this project I’ve created what I liked to see looking out my drafty cold ancient wooden windows.

1.                   Take apart  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Double Window Ornate [D32C]

2.                   Paint Back Portion with Golden Interference Blue Fine Acrylic Paint. Use several layers to get the full effect and flash of color.

3.                   Use Versa Mark Pad and Oil Rubbed Bronze and Walnut Stain Embossing Powders to cover the front portion of the frame. Cure with a heating tool. Repeat until you have the desired effect.

4.                   Print your graphics and text, using a vintage parchment paper adds an aged look to your images easily.

5.                   Use a pencil to trace the image you’d like showing through your window frame.

6.                   Cut and secure to frame using Weldbond.

7.                   Next carefully add the front portion of your GSLC Ornate frame to the back portion.

    8.                   Allow to dry flat using clamps or pressing tool of       your choosing. I’ve used plastic bags filled with kitty

      litter, a basket filled with coins, or a stack of heavy

      books.

9.                   While it is drying prepare your wooden embossed substrate. I used a Tim Holtz Sizzix Lumber #D Texture Fades Embossing Folder and acrylic paints to give mine an aged panel appeal.

10.              Glue a piece of pale blue metallic cardstock to the prepared wooden panel.

11.              Trace  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Stained Glass Frame Fergus [D83G] onto a piece of white cardstock and paint with Golden Interference Blue Fine Acrylic Paint to mimic the GSLC frame used for the font of the card.

12.              In a similar fashion use the embossing powders and techniques you used on previous frame on this one.

13.              Place the text inside the window and glue all pieces sandwiched together and dry completely flat using the pressing tool of your choice.

14.              Send out these greetings to special friends knowing that many will be framing them and adding to the winter or holiday decorations for years to come.

Some final thoughts. It is no secret that I love walks in the woods, a good Robert Frost poem, or a song from my favorite singing group, Over the Rhine.

Their song “Let It Fall” is my wish for you this holiday season:

Have you been trying too hard
Have you been holding too tight
Have you been worrying too much lately
All night
Whatever we've lost
I think we’re gonna let it go
Let it fall
Like snow

‘Cause rain and leaves
And snow and tears and stars
And that’s not all my friend
They all fall with confidence and grace
So let it fall, let it fall

Have you been carin' too much
How this one ends
Y’know it’s not the kind of fight
That you lose or win
When you’re down so low
You feel…

Have you been carin' too much
How this one ends
Y’know it’s not the kind of fight
That you lose or win
When you’re down so low
You feel the imprint of the ground
On skin
Look around
Breathe in

‘Cause rain and leaves
And snow and tears and stars
And that’s not all my friend
They all fall with confidence and grace
So let it fall, let it fall

A treasured memory I have is visiting a dear friend while he was living on an uncle’s farmland home and we walked to the nearby forest in the gentle falling snow and we reached a clearing where we had gone camping earlier in the year. It is circled in mighty pine trees with a fire circle in the center. We built a booming bonfire and stood nearby staring up into the sky as the snowflakes fell and melted onto our warmed faces. A time of rare  peace and beautiful share solitude, in the silence of the snow storm.

Supplies:   Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Double Window Ornate [D32C],  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Stained Glass Frame Fergus [D83G], prepared wooden embossed substrate, (I used Tim Holtz Sizzix Lumber #D Texture Fades Embossing Folder and various acrylic paints),  Golden Interference Blue Fine Acrylic Paint, Embossing Powders Oil Rubbed Bronze, Walnut Stain, Versa Mark Pad, Heating Tool, Images and Text, Weldbond, Metallic Pale Blue Cardstock, Clamps or a Pressing Tool of Your Choosing

I cannot wait to see your interpretation of this project. Share it on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Craft Group Page on Facebook. I would love to see what new creations you are working on!

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It's Plaid to See by Betsy Skagen

Buffalo Plaid is all the rage right now. I especially love my plaid purse I picked up on ebay last year. It is what inspired me to create this holiday ornament. 

There is plenty of texture in this shadow box ornament--from plaid, to billowy wisps of snow, to deep black glitter.

To make this ornament, begin by assembling the Fold Up Box Oval and covering both the inside and outside with plaid paper. Use a utility knife to cut out the oval window.

Ink the edges with embossing ink, cover with Black Magic Embossing Powder and activate with heat gun. Assemble the two pieces of the box and adhere together with glue.

 

Punch two holes in the top of the box thread black velvet ribbon through. Tie and adhere to the inside top of the box. Because my ribbon was wider, I folded my ribbon in half and glued it together to form a narrow thick velvet rope.

 Paint a plastic toy deer with matte medium and cover with black glitter.

While the deer is drying, completely cover the front of one large and three small metal stars with embossing ink. Dip in Black Magic Embossing Powder and heat until the embossing powder turns to liquid and fully covers the stars. Repeat if necessary. While the embossing powder is still hot, sprinkle black glitter over the stars and let cool.

Use a strong adhesive to adhere the deer and stars to the box. After the glue thoroughly dries, pull apart a cotton ball and glue it to the bottom of the box. Dab white Stickle glue to the cotton to add a little shimmer.

To finish your box, print a message on your home printer, adhere it to some glitter paper and glue it to the front of your box.

All that is left is to hang your ornament on your tree! -Betsy

Great Stuff

Fold Up Box Oval
Plaid paper
Eileen Hull Black Magic Embossing Powder
Embossing ink
Black glitter
Tim Holtz metal stars
White Stickles
Cotton ball
Beacon Fabri-Tac
Matte medium
Lock-Tite
Black velvet ribbon
Plastic deer
Glittery paper
Inkjet printed message

Christmas Tea Party Tag Ornaments

Happy Saturday, everyone! Connie here to share some festive holiday ornaments I made using the GSL Stagger Tags Small.

I used the smallest of the tags, it's 2.5 by 3.5 inches. The paper I selected is DCWV Winter Basics. I used the tag as a pattern for tracing. 

 

I cut paper for both the front and back from the same collection and used a hole punch to add the hole for attaching ribbon later. 

Once the papers were adhered to the tag using tacky glue, I sanded the edges with a fine grit sanding block and inked them with galaxy gold Brilliance pad. 

 

I wanted to fill the tiny porcelain cup I used so mixed up a small portion of Ice Resin that was colored using a tiny bit of burnt sienna oil paint. 

 

I made Christmas cookies by cutting small squares of beige polymer clay, baking them for a few minutes, browning the edges with chalk pastel and painting white acrylic 'frosting' on top.  To fancy them up, I printed small images of edible wafer paper cookie transfers and glued those in place. I actually made these exact cookies in real life a few years back with a friend!

I painted a GSL Snowflake Shape Set Mini with white acrylic paint to sit underneath the tiny plate of holiday cookies. 

The final touches include a napkin made from scrap of fabric tied in ribbon with a mini candy cane tucked inside and a plate of polymer clay sugar cubes and lemon cane slices. 

Since this turned out so cute, I made another.

 

And then a Harry Potter themed one. 

 Thanks for stopping by!

GSL Products Used

Stagger Tags Small

Snowflake Shape Set Mini

Other Supplies Used

Tacky glue

E6000 glue

Acrylic paint

Hole punch

DCWV Winter Basics paper

Polymer clay

Fabric scrap

Polymer clay cane

Miniature pottery

Ice Resin

Brown oil paint

Printed images

Fabric scrap

Ribbon

winter's light

December days are short as darkness settles in early and makes for long evenings.
It is so nice to put out the Christmas decorations as we begin to celebrate this wonderful season.
During these times, I love the warm glow that candlelight provides. I thought it would be fun to create a winter lantern, using die cut greens and the Gypsy Soul Laser Cut lantern cage style.

The finished lantern measures approximately 3-1/2" square x 6-1/2" high. It arrives flat in 10 pieces. I like to pre-assemble the pieces before I begin my actual project. This helps me to envision the final piece, as well as understand which parts go where and the best method to put it all together.

When all of the pieces are carefully removed from the surround, use a dry rag or paper towel to wipe down all of the edges. I first paint all of the pieces with black acrylic paint.

When that paint is dry, I paint the exterior faces of each piece with brushed pewter distress paint. I use a dauber top to apply the paint lightly along the mullions and exposed edges.

When the paint has dried, I assemble the main part of the lantern. Add a small line of glue along the bottom edge of the side panels and insert the tabs into the openings in the base. I prefer to use tacky glue as it gives me a little extra open time so that I can be sure all of my pieces fit correctly, and if necessary, I am able to make adjustments before that glue has dried. I assemble three sides of the lantern base, as well as the top section. I do not glue down the uppermost top piece or the lantern door. I leave the door as a separate piece so that whatever is placed inside can be easily accessed.
A knob (handle) is added to the lantern top before it is attached to the lantern. To ensure that it is centered on the top, turn the piece over. Draw diagonal lines to opposite corners. Where these lines intersect is the center of the square.

Using a dremel (or an awl) drill a hole large enough to accommodate the knob screw, directly at the center. Slip the screw through the hole and then screw the knob onto it from the opposite side. Once the knob is secured in place, glue the top onto the lantern.

The lantern is now ready to be adorned. I had many ideas for this piece and decided to keep it simple, thus extending the period that I can leave it out on my shelf. I die cut bunches of various evergreens, then colored them using distress inks and paints.

I create a wreath to attach to the top panel around the knob and some additional greenery pieces are located around the base.  Inside, I place a red (battery operated) candle amongst the greens.
 Note: the GSLC lantern is made from flammable chipboard, do NOT use a traditional candle inside the lantern due to fire hazard

The lantern interior is easily viewed from the exterior. It could reasonably accommodate a snowy Christmas scene inside, or even a mini faux poinsettia plant. The lantern could also be used in a non-holiday fashion; perhaps as a base for a steampunk styled piece. The possibilities for this lantern are endless. I do hope that you have been inspired to create your own lantern cage style.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I truly appreciate it.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season,
~Ann 


Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts used:

Lantern Cage Style

Deck The Halls Christmas Greeting Card

Hello there friends and GSL fans! Happy first of December to all of you.  Of course I'm sharing a Christmas greeting card created with gorgeous Gypsy Soul chippies.

I'm using the tree chippie as my focal point. It's extra festive with a pretty sparkly finish.

This card has a snowflake border to separate the paper patterns.

Additional snowflakes are tucked in to the flower arrangements.

These flowers are made by me with loopy twine bows and die cut holly leaves tucked in.

A second smaller collection of flowers on this corner for balance.

I've wiped down the chippie to prepare them for altering. I also clipped one of the snowflakes off the border strip to fit the card.

The tree is finished with verdiris embossing powder and the snowflakes are finished with white embossing powder. All the chippies were heat set for a nice shiny effect.

~Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts~  Pine Tree Shape Set, Let it Snow

Wishing everyone a happy and productive day : ) G