Close, But No Cigar!

I can't help myself it seems, to stop creating things with this gorgeous paper line from Graphic 45, "A Ladies' Diary".  It speaks to me on so many levels, but especially when it come to altering items like cigar boxes, especially the old, vintage ones.  When the price tag inside the box says 15 cents or 35 cents, you know you are dealing with some "oldies", that's for sure!  This paper is so gorgeous and elegant, it seems more suitable for "beyond the page" altered items, rather than layouts (one might cover up some of its' lusciousness were you to add pictures to your page--lol!)

Three of these boxes have now been transformed into altered, vintage beauties.  The first two are on display at my LSS, Pages in Time.  They are currently hosting their annual "shop hop", with stops at scrapbook stores scattered around the area.  Karen did a fabulous display of altered items featuring papers from Graphic 45 (two different paper lines) and Bo Bunny.  This is the link to her FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pages-in-Time-Purses-and-More/163263483767076

Altered Wood Cigar Box



I left the edges exposed on the box to accent the wood, plus it makes it unnecessary to remove the hinges or trying to neatly cut around them (which I find virtually impossible, BTW!).  As is my norm with the vintage look, I did a lot of distressing with my favorite Ranger Distress Ink, "Vintage Photo".  In my stash of goodies, I had this amazing laser-cut page of butterflies and flowers that seemed perfect for the box top.  I "popped" up the middle oval and used black card stock to offset.  I used Liquid Pearls in a sweet color, called bisque as the crowning touch to accent the middle section.



Resin Lock & Bow Accents



Antique Brass Bead "Feet"


As with all of my altered cigar boxes, I try to make the inside as attractive as the outside.

As always, thanks for checking out my little treasures--I do so enjoy making them!  They make great trinket boxes, jewelry boxes, or clever storage for note cards or greeting cards.  I use them sometimes as gift boxes, that way the gift box is as much of a gift as its' content.

'Til next time,

Happy Scrappin!

Swaps, Swaps, & More Swaps

I love, love, love swaps, the good ones that is; every so often there is the "one bad apple" that really does spoil the whole bunch, girl--LOL!  Bad Apples show themselves two ways.  The first bad apple jumps in with both feet, quick to add her likes and dislikes, and then just when you think you are getting to know her, she disappears.  We call these gals "flakers".  You've spent hours or days even creating the special items you are sure she will be delighted with.  You've shopped or found the "perfect items" she wanted--the envy of all her fellow shoppers.  And now what?

Your "hostess" is left in a "lurch"!  She either has to "angel" the flaker's spot, or adjust the recipients to exclude them.  Neither way is very fair, puts undo stress on the hostess, and leaves everyone with a bad taste in their mouth.

The other type of bad apple makes a mockery of your hard work.  Their goal is to get done using the least amount of effort possible.  One participant asked "just how long should a card take to make anyway?!"  This comment shocked me to say the least, as I know it did some of my fellow swappers.  One card can sometimes take all day or hours upon hours until it is "just right".  This is ART, people, not a quick sprint to the finish line.  You can only imagine the kind of shoddy workmanship you receive from the "sprinters"!

 

So, moral to the story, don't waste your time and effort unless you can be fairly sure of the outcome and the participants.  And more importantly, don't sign up if you aren't giving 110% effort.  Many of us ladies are like "elephants", we never forget and maintain that "flakers" list!

These are two items I made for a recent swap hosted by Martica, the true hostess with the "most est"!  And by no means am I trying to say my items are better than someone else' items......just sayin, hours of love and creativity go into everything that comes out of "Smart Art" creations!  In closing, I have a great quote from my favorite inspirational author, Maya Angelou, "You can't use up Creativity, the more you use, the more you have." 

HAPPY SCRAPPING, MY FRIENDS!



Reflections & "A Ladies Diary"

Been some time since I added anything to my blog--life just always seem to get in the way or takes some turns not expected; and although the journey has been rocky--I can't really say I would change a thing.  Life is just that....a journey, lessons learned and some parts may have to be revisited over and over until we can move on.  Painful, joyful, difficult or exhilarating--it's all a part of this journey we call life.

Enough of the introspective and onto the creating!  Without further ado, I give you "A Ladies Diary" Mini-Album.  The paper is all from Graphic 45, "A Ladies Diary".  The base is a simple chipboard album & rings purchased at Michael's for a $1.  I use the Xyron 900 to adhere all the paper to the pages.  It holds more firmly than just adhesive on the edges.  I also use it for altered projects--like cigar boxes.  Modge Podge is a popular choice, but I find it messy and not happy with how it changes the surface appearance.  Just sayin..



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Front Cover



Page One

Added some liquid pearls to the ladies "jewelry" and to the oval frame.  The dress form is stamped and with walnut stain distress ink & then embossed with distress embossing powder, which gives it more of a vintage look and rougher feel than other embossing powders. 

 



Inside Cover

I used bits of lace, pearls and lots and lots of Stickles throughout the album.  My favorite is "Rock Candy" because it adds texture, sparkle, with a hint of glamor.  The edges of all the pages were distressed with "vintage photo" distress ink--my favorite "distresser"



Page Two

Layers upon layers, all machine stitched, comprise this page.  Just love machine stitching!!


Page Three



Another page of multiple layers, stickers, vintage look Prima button & flowers edged with Stickles




 Love this black lace!! What could be more perfect than black pearls?


Page Five

I used the chipboard index tab on this complimentary page, more stickles (in copper this time) and vintage look Prima buttons and another chipboard tag.

Thanks for visiting; your comments always make my day!