Risen-an Easter canvas by Lynne

Hi friends! I love bunnies and chicks (and of course, chocolate!) every bit as much as the next person, but I really wanted to create a meaningful project that reflected the true significance of the Easter season. Gypsy Soul's Gothic Crosses were a perfect start to my 12x12 canvas.

I decided which cross I wanted to use, then found letters in my stash that were an appropriate size and font, and arranged these before adding anything else, just to make sure things would be proportionate.

I ran the cross through this embossing folder before adding the embellishments ( a pearl heart and a piece from the Medallion Flourish Set) to the center of it.

Mod Podge was used to adhere and hold the shape of the cheesecloth that I added to the base of the cross. I was able to play around with positioning of flowers for a bit and then the Mod Podge adhered those as well.Keep in mind that this sort of project can be a great way to use up odd-coloured and mismatched flowers ( I have used some seriously UGLY ones on previous canvases-LOL! Gesso works miracles!!)

No canvas of mine is complete without texture paste! I mixed up a batch and added stencilling in several different patterns for added texture and interest.

I also added some rays emanating from the cross to make the image coma alive even more. These were cut from a sheet of bling sent to me by an online friend a while back., but adhesive rhinestones or pearls would have worked as well, and they often come in lines, so trying to get them on straight is easier than working with individual pieces.

After everything is attached and dried, a couple coats of gesso create a unified surface before colour is added.

The rays inspired me to use sunrise (or "SONrise") colours; I began with the yellow mist and then added some gold, peach and pink shades to create the effect I wanted. I then rubbed Art Alchemy Metallique Wax in Rose Gold over the letters and the dry-embossing of the cross to make them stand out more. I did add a little of it here and there on the flowers and foliage as well, and rubbed some coral ink on the edges of the cross and letters.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my canvas, and I wish you a happy and blessed Easter!

GYPSY SOUL ITEMS USED
Gothic Cross Set
Flourish medallion Set

OTHER ITEMS USED

Thickers Alphabet
cheesecloth

Crafter's Workshop Stencils

Tattered Angels mists
Tim Holtz, Petaloo and Recollections flowers
Mod Podge
homemade texture paste
white gesso

My Baby Girls first Year Memory Box

Hi everyone, it's Teresa here today and I am sharing another fun box I created to store your photos but this time it is for the first 12 months's of my Baby Girls pictures that I have saved.  This is a fun and easy way to save all those pictures/memories you have and you can have fun using all those papers that you have saved in your stash to do create it with.  Mine is done with the "Trim Organizer Box" and it's the perfect size for photos and I love how all those tags have such a beautiful shape and make it that much cuter!

With this kit you get this simple box to make and 12 tags like you see above and below.  I used all my Echo Park Sweet Baby Girl papers and ephemera cards and tags to decorate the front and inside of the box and for each of the 12 months of the year tags.  Then inside I also added 5 1/2 inch squares of white cardstock to add pictures and record all the special memories of that first year.  

It's so fun to experience all the amazing things your kids learn and do the first year of their lives with you and it's so important to save them so when they grow up they can read about it and enjoy the memories that you cherished for them to read about.  So much is lost over the years and it's important that you write down how much you love them and care for them.  

I think I am going to go back and add more goodies to my tags but here is just a simple version for you to start making your set with.

Aren't the prints in this paper line so cute... I can't wait to fill it up with pictures.

And here is just a card I did with the papers to go with it.  I was going to give it as a gift but I think I will use it for my daughter and either give it to her for her first daughter or the pictures I saved of her.

These boxes are really easy and fun to make so I hope you get a chance to stop in the GSLCuts store and see what is new and pick up a few for projects you need to make.  

Thanks so much for stopping by......Teresa

Supply List:

GSLC: Trim Organizer Box

Paper: Echo Park Sweet Baby Girl Collection

Adhesives: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Chalk Paint in white, scissors, paper trimmer, twine, ribbons, flowers

Hop Back in Time with this Vintage Bunny ATC by Betsy Skagen

With Easter approaching, it is the perfect time for springtime tales and bunny tails. I combined these themes with my take on a time-honored altered art form--the Artist Trading Card (ATC).

My ATC features a miniature calendar page I tore from a 1957 church flyer, text from a mid-century Little Golden Book and a teeny carrot. I constructed the ATC and easel using Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts' Chunky ATC Blank and ATC Stand.

Tutorial How to Make the Easter ATC

Begin by assembling and gluing together the ATC Stand. This step is easy and you will complete it in two twitches of a bunny's tail.

Paint the stand with light green acrylic paint. Dry with a heat gun and ink the edges with brown distress ink.

Next adhere springtime-themed cardstock to the Chunky ATC Blank.

Tear text from a mid-century Peter Rabbit Little Golden Book. You can often find these at garage sales for a dollar. Ink the edges with brown distress ink.

Next tear a page from a miniature vintage calendar and ink the edges. Cut a slightly larger rectangle from coordinating cardstock and adhere the calendar page to the cardstock.

Adhere the text and calendar elements to the ATC. Then add decorative studs.

Next fussy cut a rabbit from a cardstock printable and adhere to the ATC. Add a miniature carrot and greenery.

Complete your ATC by cutting an Easter advertisement from the same coordinating cardstock set and adhere it to the back of the ATC.

I hope you have a terrific spring and this post inspires you to hop right to making your own crafts! -Betsy

Great Stuff

Chunky ATC Blank
ATC Stand
Assorted Cardstocks from Authentique Jubilee 6 x 6Pad
Rabbit printable
Little Golden Book text
Vintage calendar
7gypsies Brass Studs
Miniature carrot
Artificial leaves
Green ribbon
Brown Distress ink
Acrylic paint
Adhesive

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

Capture Life Folio and Mini Books

Hi everyone!  Barbara here today on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog.  Today I am sharing this super cool Folio & Mini Book.  This is so much fun to decorate, and not so overwhelming like a larger mini album.  I am using paper from the Kaisercraft Keepsake 12"x12" paper collection but, of course, use what you have.

To cover the folio outside, cut paper slightly smaller than the size of each section and distress edges of each piece with Frayed Burlap distress ink.  You can use the following measurements for leaving a slight border, or adjust them to your preferences.

Folio cover outside

Beginning from the flap at left, use the following measurements for each section.

Section 1 - Trace around flap section and trim inside traced lines.

Section 2 - 3/4" x 8-3/4"

Section 3 - 6-1/4" x 8-3/4"

Section 4 - 1/2" x 8-3/4"

Section 5 - 6-1/4" x 8-3/4"

Section 6 - 1/2" x 8-3/4"

Section 7 - 3-1/4" x 8-3/4" - make pocket with scrap to measure 3-1/4" by 5-1/2", fold down 1" along top edge and cut a decorative scallop design.  Add two decorative brads to hold folded piece down.

Section 8 - place strips of 3/8" wide double-sided adhesive to tabs at top and bottom, as shown in photo

To cover the folio inside, cut paper slightly smaller than the size of each section and distress edges of each piece with Frayed Burlap distress ink.  You can use the following measurements for leaving a slight border, or adjust them to your preferences.

Folio cover inside

Beginning from the flap at left, use the following measurements for each section.

Section 1 - Leave blank.  It will not show when glued to the inside.

Section 2 - Leave blank.  It will not show when to the glued inside.

Section 3 - 6-1/4" x 8-3/4"

Section 4 - 1/2" x 8-3/4"

Section 5 - 6-1/4" x 8-3/4"

Section 6 - 1/2" x 8-3/4"

Section 7 -  Trace around flap section and trim inside traced lines.

Cut a strip of print paper to  and glue to center of belly band.

Belly Band (the color is really green but looks brown in photo)

Adhere belly band to right side of folio, as shown.  Flip sections 1 and 2 over and adhere tabs to make pocket.  (see photo of Folio cover inside above) 

To make the tag, cut a scrap piece of flower print paper to 2-3/8" x 6", trim top at an angle, punch hole and insert ribbon through hole.  (See photo of Folio finished with mini books inside at bottom of post.)

To cover both mini books - Cut two pieces of print paper  6-1/8" x 8-3/8" for outsides.

Mini Book 1 outside

Mini Book 1 inside

Mini Book 2 outside

Mini Book 2 inside

For Mini Book 1 - cut flaps from different print papers using the following measurements as shown in photo below.

Flap sections for Mini Book 1

• Flap 1 - 5-3/4" x 4-3/8" - score at 1" along top edge - punch along top edge above score line with decorative edger punch (white punch in picture) - use corner punch on both bottom corners
• Flap 2 - 5-3/4" x 4-3/8" - score at 3/8" along top edge - use corner punch on both bottom corners
• Flap 3 - 5-3/4" x 5-3/8" - score at 3/8" along top edge- use corner punch on both bottom corners
• Flap 4 - 5-3/4" x 6" = score at 3/8" along top edge- use corner punch on both bottom corners

Turn flaps over, adhere double-sided sticky tape to the paper just above the scored line on each flap.

Reverse side of flaps for Mini Book 1

Adhere first flap to inside of Mini Book 1, as shown, aligning the score line at 1-1/4" mark down from top of book.

Adhere the second flap just below the first flap, as shown, by flipping the first flap upward and butting the top of the second flap right against the folded, scored line.

Repeat the process for the third flap.

Repeat the process for the fourth flap.

Repeat the process for adding the flaps to the right side of the mini book, as shown.

Mini Book 1 Inside with flaps

To embellish the cover of Mini Book 1, take one of the small Journaling Blocks and trace around the solid portion onto scrap print paper (see Fig. 1 for Mini Book 2 below).  Insert pencil tip into the tiny holes to mark the lines.  Cut out paper piece just inside the pencil lines.

Color outer edges of journal block with Alabaster ink pad to lighten the chipboard, let ink dry.  Color the outer edges and leaves with Olive Pastel, add some Rose Coral to the flowers and berries sections.  Let inks dry.

Adhere the journal block to the front of Mini Book 1.  Add a few embellishments from the paper collection to the journal block, as shown.

Mini Book 1 Outside front cover

Mini Book 1 Inside with flaps and additional trims

For Mini Book 2 - cut flaps from different print papers using the following measurements as shown below the photo.  This book is thinner, so you will need less flaps.

Flap sections for Mini Book 2

• Flap 1 - 5-3/4" x 7-1/4" - score at 1" along top edge - punch along top edge above score line with decorative edger punch (white punch in picture) - use rounded corner punch on both bottom corners
• Flap 2 - 5-3/4" x 6-3/4" - score at 3/8" along top edge - use rounded corner punch on both bottom corners
• Flap 3 - 5-3/4" x 7-1/4" - score at 1" along top edge- punch along top edge above score line with decorative edger punch (white punch in picture) - use rounded corner punch on both bottom corners
• Flap 4 - 5-3/4" x 6-3/4" - score at 3/8" along top edge- use rounded corner punch on both bottom corners

Turn flaps over, adhere double-sided sticky tape to the paper just above the scored line on each flap.

Reverse side of flap sections for Mini Book 2

Adhere flaps 1 and 3 to inside of Mini Book 2, as shown, aligning the scored line 1-1/4" down from top of book.

Adhere flaps 2 and 4  just below flaps 1 and 3, as shown, by folding the flaps upward and butting the top of the second flaps right against the folded, scored line of the first flaps.

Mini Book 2 inside with flaps and trim at top

To embellish the cover of Mini Book 2, take one of the small Journaling Blocks and trace around the solid portion onto scrap print paper.  Insert pencil tip into the tiny holes to mark the lines, as shown below.  Cut out paper piece just inside the pencil lines.

Fig. 1

Color outer edges of journal block with Alabaster ink pad, dabbing the ink pad several times to achieve the depth of white color you are looking for.    Use the Rose Coral ink pad to edge the paper, then glue it to the center of the journal block.

Adhere the journal block to the front of Mini Book 2.  Add a few embellishments from the paper collection to the journal block, as shown.

Mini Book 2 front cover

To finish embellishing the Folio cover, cut one of the filmstrips apart in a jagged fashion.  Ink it with Charcoal chalk ink and adhere to a scrap paper with your chosen caption inside the frame, as shown.  I also inked the edges of the paper that shows through the filmstrip edges.  Cut away excess paper in a jagged fashion, also.

Adhere to edge of folio tab, as shown.  

Ink a piece of chickenwire with Chestnut Roan chalk ink.  

Fussy cut camera and flowers from second piece of patterned paper and adhere over same images with foam tape.  Weave a piece of pink film strip from the patterned paper collection through the chickenwire and adhere to the top portion of the front cover.  A second piece of the pink film strip was also adhered near the camera at the bottom.  Click on picture for a closer look.

Finished Folio Outside

Cut one of the fastener tabs in half and adhere beneath front flap to keep folio closed.

Tombow Fastener Tabs

Folio finished with mini books inside

Supplies used:

GSL Folio & Mini Book
GSL Botanical Journaling Blocks Small (coming soon)
GSL Filmstrips 1 Shape Set
GSL Chickenwire Large
Kaisercraft Keepsake 12"x12" paper collection
Distress Ink Pads
  Frayed Burlap
Colorbox Chalk Ink Pads
  Rose Coral
  Charcoal
  Chestnut Roan
  Olive Pastel
  Alabaster
Decorative Punches
  Martha Stewart Doily Lace edger punch
  Fiskars corner rounder
  Fiskars deco corner punch
Ribbons and trims
Scor-tape (3/8" wide) (1/2" wide)

I hope you enjoyed today's project and are inspired to use up some of those pretty papers you own and turn them into one of these fabulous Folio and Mini Books.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week!

Barbara