With Wonder Shadowbox

Hello!! Happy Friday and Happy New Year!! I spent the first day of 2019 in my studio playing, and this was the result!! I had put together this Mini Shadowbox a while back and found it in my drawer while looking for the Pocket Watch, which was the inspiration for this whole piece. Being the new year I wanted to make something with a watch or clock theme. From there I just let the piece guide me. Those are always my favorite projects!!  

Begin by covering the inside surfaces of the 3-inch Shadowbox with vintage ledger scraps and cigar label patterned paper from Tim Holtz Paper Stash. Then assemble the box.

Cover the back of the shadowbox with a ruler print patterned paper. Cover the sides of the shadowbox with a faux rust background.  Sand edges and ink to help everything blend together. 

Apply Distress Crazing Medium to back of box and allow to air dry. Once dry add distressing using Prima Artist Powders.

Make a photocopy of a vintage photo booth photo on plain copy paper. Heat emboss two layers of Vintage Beeswax over image. I prefer to do this technique on plain copy paper because of the unique transparent effect it achieves. 

Apply Distress Grit Paste randomly on the 1 1/2 inch Pocket Watch. Allow to air dry. 

Once the Grit Paste has air dried apply a faux rust treatment. 

Stitch photo to pocket watch. Wrap wire around the top of pocket watch. 

Heat emboss the 2-inch clock from the Pocket Watch Assorted Size Set with Burnt Copper Leaves and a sprinkle of Patina Oxide.  

Adhere clock to inside of shadowbox. Add a small screw in hook to top inside of box. 

Add a Gadget Gear to the inside of the clock. In bottom left corner add altered Numeral. I wanted a nod to 2019 so I cut the word nineteen out of the dictionary and adhered it to the metal number. 

Finish off two opposite corners with a corner sticker from Industrious Sticker Gallery. 

Apply Handle with Care ephemera piece to top of shadowbox. 

To finish off the pocket watch add 'wonder' sentiment from Clippings Stickers. Adhere key to bottom of shadowbox. Add a vintage metal film canister lid to bottom of box for a stand. 

I really enjoyed creating this project and love the way it turned out. It was a great way to kick off 2019. I wish you all a very happy year full of renewed creativity!! 

Thanks for stopping by and happy creating my friends ~ Jennalee

Hearts Have All Things

Hello and Happy Friday!! I'm here today with a collaged assemblage featuring the Doodled Cage with Solid Back. This cage was the perfect jumping point for the whole piece.

Start by prepping the cage. Emboss the front of the cage using Ancient Amber Baked Texture powder. Heat random spots a second time and sprinkle on Patina Oxide Baked Texture powder and heat set. 

Paint the back of the cage and add random bits of Patina Oxide Baked Texture. 

Make a copy of a vintage photo booth photo and add a layer of Vintage Beeswax Baked Texture powder for the perfect vintage touch. 

Adhere photo to back of cage. With sewing machine stitch down the top of the cage. 

The bottom of the cage ripped a bit when I was stitching it down. I love the added texture and detail. 

Begin building layers for the collage under the cage. As I was looking for the perfect pieces I stumbled across this bit from a vintage cabinet card folder. I added a bit of lace with my machine and some hand stitching with a needle and Tim Holtz's Craft Thread. 

Heat emboss a key and key plate from the Keys and Plates Shape Set with Burnt Copper Leaves powder. Punch holes in the key, the key plate already has holes and attach to top of collage with mini brads. Attach chain piece from Tim Holtz's Assemblage line to other side of key and key plate with mini brads. 

Add sentiment sticker to bottom of birdcage. I used a sentiment from Tim Holtz's Clippings Stickers. 

I really enjoyed this project. It was one of those pieces that I didn't think and just followed where it took me. I hope you enjoyed this quick tutorial. Thanks for stopping by!! 

~ Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

Open a New Page

Hello!! I'm here with my first post of 2018. I am sure like many of you the New Year is a new slate and offers a blank page for new dreams. And who doesn't love a nice notebook to jot down notes? As you may know, I love using houses in my art and thought of these simple but amazing Simple House Ornaments in my stash and got to thinking about how they would make the perfect covers for a book. This an easy project that is taken up a level with a simple Coptic stitch which was one of my goals to learn and practice in 2018, and believe me I definitely need more practice.

I started by painting both front and back of the Simple House Ornaments pieces with Raw Umber. I did one light coat and it offered a wood-like look to the chipboard pieces. 

On the front of one ornament, I did a simple collage with various pieces of vintage text and sheet music. I applied the collage with Distress Medium. Once dry I used a palette knife to add a few random swipes of Gesso to the collage. To add some interest I stamped this image of a postmark and French postage stamp and then layered a vintage French stamp on top. 

To make the pages I made signatures of 3 pages each folded in half. I then traced around one of the house shapes and cut out. I used 6 signatures in my book. I just searched YouTube for a tutorial on how to do the Coptic stitch. This was my first time trying it. It is a simple technique but one that I need to fine tune just a little more. 

To finish off my cover I heat embossed a key from the Keys and Plates Shape Set with Burnt Copper Leaves and adhered using Distress Collage Medium. 

I will probably use my little book to write quotes in. I can see many more of these in my future though!! I hope I have inspired you to try this simple bookbinding technique. If you do give it a try I would love for you to share. Wishing you a creative and happy new year!! ~Jennalee 

Rusty Wings

Hello!! I have been seeing faux rust projects everywhere. The wheels started turning and inspiration struck. This set of Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts wings were the perfect piece to "rust" up. If you haven't figured it out yet I love keys and locks. The engraved keys (coming soon) are full of detail and so beautiful. 

Begin by painting wings both front and back with Raw Umber. Allow the first layer to dry. Once dry apply a second layer of Raw Umber. While paint is still wet apply ground cinnamon to wing. Once the second layer was dry I sprayed my wings with hairspray to hold on the cinnamon layer. 

Once the wings are dry add some touches of gold Metallique wax. Emboss lock and key with Burnt Copper Leaves and highlight with gold Metallique wax. The details on the lock and key really pop once embossed. 

Cut out a primitive dress shape and stamp with Distress Oxide in Vintage Photo. I sprayed the dress with a mix of instant coffee. The combination of coffee and Distress Oxides provides the perfect mixture for a vintage look. Messy stitch around dress. 

Layer the engraved lock on top of a coffee stained crocheted medallion. Apply the layered piece to dress. 

Apply wings to back of dress using strong hold double sided tape or hot glue. 

Attach engraved key with a couple stitches using thick floss and needle. 

Thank you for stopping by!! I hope you enjoyed this rusty project. I forgot to mention it smells heavenly. The cinnamon on the wings and the coffee stained dress create such a pleasing scent. Happy Creating ~ Jennalee 

The Watchmaker's Clock

Hello!! I'm here today with a Steampunk inspired clock. When I saw the Desk Clock Kit from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts I knew I wanted to make a clock for my hubby. He loves vintage and steampunk so the gears were an easy choice to go with.

Start by applying two layers of Black gesso or acrylic paint to the fronts and backs of all the chip board pieces.

Cover the Clock Face and Base with scrapbook paper. Adhere paper using Distress Collage Medium or matte medium. I used a piece of paper from Tim Holtz's Dapper paper stash paper pad. The wording was perfect and set the tone for the whole piece. 

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 Once Collage Medium is dry apply a generous layer of Distress Crazing Medium. Allow to air dry. Once dry apply accents to the crazing with Distress Ink in Vintage Photo. 

Emboss the numbers using Burnt Copper Leaves. 

Using a strong hold adhesive attach clock support to base and numbers to front of clock. Assemble clock workings. The inner workings of the clock fit perfectly on the support piece. 

Once I had my clock assembled I decided I wanted it to have a larger base. I took a small wooden cradle board I had in my stash and spray painted using a dark brown with light hints of bronze. 

Then came the fun of adding gears and other small steampunk inspired bits. The gears I used are from Tim Holtz's Idea-ology line.The light bulb and other random "thing" are from junking excursions. I attached the gears and bits and bobs with hot glue. 

I don't make masculine projects often, but I really enjoyed this one. And my hubby was thrilled that I made a project for him, for once!! Thanks for spending a few minutes with me today. Happy Creating ~ Jennalee

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts used:

Desk Clock Standard 

Other Supplies:

Black Gesso or Acrylic Paint

Scrapbook Paper- Tim Holtz's Idea-ology Dapper paper stash paper pad

Distress Collage Medium

Distress Collage Medium Crazing 

Distress Ink - Vintage Photo

Burnt Copper Leaves embossing powder - Emerald Creek 

Beacon 3 in 1