Christmas Kitties House Shadowbox by Nancy & Let It Snow Layout by Melissa

Happy Thursday everyone! Today we have two designers up with some Christmas themed projects. First up is Nancy with her Kitty Cat Shadowbox.

Hi Everyone, Nancy here!  Today I'm sharing another of my favorite pieces, our house shadow box.  I've decorated this one especially for one of my kitty loving friends as a Christmas gift.

 After assembling the shadowbox, I painted it with gesso and applied Tim Holtz tissue tape in music note pattern to the edges.  The inside of the niches, and the outside of the shadow box were papered with a printable digital paper in a vintage Christmas pattern.

 I filled the box mainly with fussy cut digital images that I found on Pinterest, or purchased on Etsy, and handmade little books which I created from free digital files.  The smaller of our layered chipboard fireplaces fits perfectly in the larger square of the box, and I thought it added a cozy feel.

The lamppost at the upper right is also by Gina's Designs, and is available in the store as a larger piece than shown here.  I had requested that this smaller version be custom cut for me.  The shadow box was cut at a depth of 1 1/2 inches by request.  The standard depth is 2 inches, but you can request it be cut to fit your needs as I did.

Gina's Designs Products Used:

House Shadow Box

Fireplace (coming to the store soon)

Lamppost 2

Other:

Vintage Christmas digital paper kit by Crafty Secrets

Wooden vintage cat icons by Pork Chop Show on Etsy

Next we have Melissa with her snowy layout!

Hi everyone! Melissa here with a 12 x 12 mixed media layout for Gina's Chipboard Laser Designs.

The snowman, title, and tree go with the photo pretty well, don't you think? I especially love the intricate detail on the tree.

To decorate the chipboard I first prepped them with gesso. I experimented with the snowman, trying to get a lot of texture. I put on:

1. Texture paste , make some swirls in it with a small paint brush. Let dry.

2. pale blue watercolor paint,let dry

3. viva decor metallic paint in pearl,let dry

4. It wasn't white enough so I applied white puffy paint

5. utee while the puffy paint was wet

6. heat till puffed up

7. sprinkle on some clear glass glitter

The scarf is blue watercolor over swirled texture paste, then viva modeling cream, and silver pearlex powder.

For the hat, I pressed it on a black ink pad. I put on glossy accents, followed by white pearlex .

For the title, I used pale blue watercolor, then a thick layer of Viva white metallic paint. I topped it off with a thick layer of Distress Crackle Paint. I put some silver stickles around the edges.

For the tree, I put on texture paste in a small blobs. I pulled and twisted them lengthwise with a straight pin, to make it look like tree bark. I painted on a coat of pale brown watercolor, followed by a coat of silver ink on the raised areas. I rubbed some blue-purple pearlex powder on the "ridges", then another layer of silver ink.

Thanks for looking!

Chipboard used:

Winter Shape Set

Other:

Paper from Pink Paislee and UHK Gallery

Gesso

Viva Modeling Cream, in pearl

Lindy's Spray

Viva Color Precious Metal Effect Paint,in white

Foam core board

Utee(ultra thick embossing powder)

Clear glass glitter

Plaid Liquid Leaf Silver Paint

Jaquard Pearlex Powder

Distress Crackle Paint - Clear Rock Candy

Windsor and Newton Watercolors

Swarovski pointed back crystals

Pearl swirl by Prima

Diorama in a Winter Theme by Nancy and Lavender Layout by Melissa

Today we have two beautiful projects to share with you. First up is Nancy with our new diorama!

This Diorama is one of the newer selections in our store, and it's my new favorite piece to work with.  The possibilities are endless for decorating in any theme you like.  This is a large piece at 5" wide, 5"deep and around 7" tall.  When assembled, the Diorama provides a spacious  triangular shaped niche on each of the four sides for you to decorate.  The top of the piece also provides a really large space.   This piece also comes with a lazy susan pedestal to attach to the bottom so it will turn.  I chose not to use the rotating base and opted to add some Tim Holtz feet instead.  I wanted my creation to have a wintery vintage Victorian feel, and I thought that the ornate feet best reflected the look I was after.  

 

After I assembled the piece, I gave it a light coat of gesso.  I papered the inside of the niches with canvas resist by Prima Finnabair Elementals in a music note pattern.  I needed two sheets and had scraps left over.  I stenciled over the canvas using a snowflake stencil,  first with Prima Chalk Ink in Old Rose, and then I used the same snowflake stencil with sparkle texture paste.  I added some gesso with a dry fan shaped brush here and there to distress. 

I covered the vertical framework of the piece with crackle texture paste, and distressed it with some gesso and a little light pink acrylic paint, and a little buttermilk acrylic paint.  The horizontal framework was covered with a sequined eyelash trim I got on ebay and had been hoarding.

The chipboard shapes were embossed with Stampendous shabby embossing powders in cream and in white.

The Victorian winter images were mostly freebies I found on Pinterest, along with a collage sheet from Gecko Galz called Christmas Icons.

Thanks for looking!

Gina's Designs Products Used:

Dimensional Diorama

Winter Shape Set

Christmas Shape Set

Snowflake Shape Set 

Cottage Windows Small

Next up, we have Melissa with a gorgeous layout.

Hi everyone! Melissa here with a 12 x 12 mixed media layout for Gina's Chipboard Laser Designs.

I found the flourishes, leaves, and butterflies both beautiful, and a pleasure to work with. With their delicate shapes, I think they complement the vintage photo perfectly.

To decorate the chipboard, I first prepped them with gesso. The purple flourishes and butterfly were painted with Twinkling H20's . After they dried I quickly smeared on diamond stickles with my finger.  While it was wet, I dabbed on Pearlex Powder. I added silver stickles and bling on the butterfly.  The gold flourishes are gold ink brushed on. The green leaves are chalk ink with "veins" scratched on with a straight pin. The little flower by the lower right of photo is greenish blue pigment paint, Lindy's spray, then purple chalk ink dabbed on with a small piece of cosmetic sponge.

Thanks for looking!

                                                                              

Gina's Chipboard used:
Mini Flourishes Bella
Flourished Frame Bella
Scribble Frames Butterfly
Scribble Frames Hearts & Flowers


Other:
Watercolor Paper
Prima and Petaloo flowers
Jaquard Pearlex Powder in pearl
Jolees bling, and a few Swarovski crystals on the butterfly
Twinkling H20 Watercolors
Winton and Lewis Watercolors
Vintaj bead cap
Tresors De Luxe lace
Plaid Liquid Leaf Gold Paint
Tim Holtz Rub Ons
Distress Crackle Paint - Clear Rock Candy

Lindy's Spray
Versacolor Ultimate Pigment Ink
VersaMagic Chalk Ink Pad
Tsuineko Chalk Ink
Lindy's Stamp Gang
Viva Modeling Cream

Magical Fairy Layout

Hello Friends!  Today I am sharing a 12 x 12 layout that I adhered to a flat unfinished particle board frame from Michael's.  The Paisley Frame from Gina's Designs surrounds the 5 x 7 opening in the frame and adds dimension.  I decoupaged the design papers directly onto the wood, some of which I tore and layered.  The paper is applied to the wood with matte Mod Podge, and I have tucked some of our intricate doilies in between the layers for added texture and interest.  One of our Garden Fairies watches over the scene in the upper left corner.  I painted the chipboard frame that surrounds the opening with a light coat of gesso followed by Lumiere paints in gold and lavender shades.  The fairy is embossed with shabby beige embossing powder over some glass beads in the wings area.  I also rubbed on some Inka Gold.  Thanks for looking!

Gina's Designs Products Used:

Paisley Frame

Cardstock Doily Set - Intricates

Garden Fairies Large

Other:

Design paper by BoBunny - C'est La Vie Collection

Lumiere paints by Jacquard

Flowers by Recollections and Petaloo

Bird Nest, Resin Topiary and Deer by Prima

Butterflies and Dragonfly by Renea Bouquets

Mixed Media Steampunk Canvas by Nancy

Hello Friends, it's Nancy here, and today I'm sharing an altered inverted 8 x 10 canvas that I created in a fun Steampunk style.  The adorable image and the papers behind it were digital freebies that I had printed  previously but hadn't decided on a project yet.  I thought that the Steampunk chipboard shapes from Gina's Designs really complimented this image.  I used the techniques described below on the chipboard shapes.

The butterfly, the hot air balloon, and the gears corner at bottom right were first given a light coat of gesso.  I always use a light touch with the gesso, usually just a dry brushing with a fan brush,  because I like the natural shading it provides when some of the natural chip color is coming through.  I then used a variety of different colored gelatos on the butterfly.  I blended the colors with a touch of water then let it dry.  To get the distressed and grungy look I was after, I sanded it back so some gesso showed through.  I followed that with a touch of Prima chalk ink in a burnt orange color.  By that point you couldn't even tell that I'd ever used the gelatos, but with each layer of color you add, you'll get more depth and dimension as an end result.  I added a bit of stickles here and there, some bead connectors and I coiled some copper wire for antennae.  

On the balloon, I stamped a script stamp with perfect medium, then added shades of perfect pearls.  It has a beautiful sheen to it that doesn't show in the photos.  For the balloon overlay I embossed with copper embossing powder, sanded some of it off, then touched it up with Prima Chalk Ink in burnt orange.  

For the gears, I simply ran it through my Big Shot in a dry embossing folder, then rubbed it with different shades of Gilder's Paste.

For the chipboard Word Ribbon Title of "Explore", I rubbed the raw chipboard with Prima Chalk Ink in the burnt orange shade, added a touch of Tim Holtz tarnished brass Distress Paint then rubbed gesso over the letters.

There's more info on how I created the texture on the canvas and the grungy flowers on my blog HERE.

Gina's Designs Products Used:

Butterfly of Gears

Hot Air Balloon Stack Up

Word Ribbons 3

Gears Borders and Corners Shape Set

Other:
Digital paper "freebies" from Ephemera's Vintage Garden

Lila's Wish - Layout featuring Craftsupplies1

Hello Friends!  It's Nancy here to share a 12 x 12 layout.  I've featured my cat Delilah for my October cross promotional project.  The beautiful parchment flower and leaf clusters from Craftsupplies1, combined perfectly with the chipboard bird cages and flourishes from Gina's Designs.  I painted my chipboard with a light coat of gesso, then colored the pieces with gelatos and a touch of Prima chalk inks.  The crocheted doily underneath the flower cluster at the bottom left is also from craftsupplies1 and came in a package of assorted doilies in different sizes.

Gina's Designs Products Used:

Scribbled Frames and Lines

Hanging Cages

Feathery Flourishes Set

Fern Fronds

Craftsupplies1

Zibbet

Etsy

Other:

Butterflies by Renea Bouquets

Wooden bird by Pork Shop Show

Paper by Fabscraps - Paint Chic Collection

Sizzix Die (Wish)

Hanging Charm by Prima Vintage Trinkets

Nature Inspired Memo Board by Nancy

Hi Everyone, Nancy here!  Today I am sharing a nature inspired Memo Board, one of my favorite pieces from the Home Decor section of our store.   I wanted my memo board to be both beautiful and functional.  I have left the center of the piece free of any dimensional embellishments, and a lined notepad from the dollar section of Michaels fits perfectly in the space and would be held in place by the addition of a metal clip as shown in the close up below.

With the simple addition of the Tim Holtz Clipboard Clip I was able to achieve a fully functional memo board to hold interchangeable and inexpensive basic memo pads.  I painted the clip to blend in with the rest of the design as shown in the closeup below.  I attached the clip with E6000 and also with brads in the holes.  I simply punched holes with my cropodile, added the glue to the back of the clip, then secured the clip with the brads.

Gina's Designs Products Used:

Memo Board

Feathery Flourishes Set

Pine Tree Shapes Set

Other:

Tim Holtz Ideology Clipboard Clip
Tim Holtz rub-ons
Sizzix Botanical Leaves (Die with Embossing Folder Set)
BoBunny Enchanted Garden Paper
Prima Nest and Flowers
Dragonflies by Renea Bouquets
Gesso
Prima Chalk Inks
Tim Holtz Distress Paint in Tarnished Brass

Haunted Mansion Shadowbox Frame - Enter If You Dare

Hi Everyone, it's Nancy here, and today I am sharing another Halloween project.  This time I have created a peek at the inside of a haunted mansion.  I didn't want to use the standard Gothic and Halloween colors, and I was inspired by collage sheets of colorful furniture from Alpha Stamps.  I had been wanting to use the chipboard spiral staircase, one of the newer shapes from Gina's Designs, so I thought it would be fun to create an upstairs loft inside the mansion that is separated from the downstairs by a 5 inch length of 1 x 1 wood that I found in my garage.

This piece was created inside of a 12 x 12 wooden shadowbox I purchased at Michaels.  The shadowbox is about 2 inches deep and the images inside are raised on pop dots at different levels to create lots of dimension.  I painted the frame with gesso then applied texture paste and used various inks paints and sprays to color it.  The red streaks of "blood" were created with distress re-inker.  I had a lot of fun creating my Gothic world.  I hope you like it, thanks for looking!

Gina's Designs Products Used:
Spiral Staircase
Grape Vines
Spiderweb Shapes Set
Chandeliers
Hanging Clock

Digital Design Paper (background) by Kitty's Scrap Post - Nevermore Kit

Collage Sheet Images by:
Alpha Stamps
The Sum of All Crafts
Moonlight Journey

Layout by Melissa and Halloween Home Decor by Nancy

First up is Melissa, with a bright and beautiful layout, that is reminiscent of The Roaring Twenties.

Hi Melissa here for Gina's Chipboard Laser Designs

I thought this beautiful chipboard frame was just right for this photo of Louise Brooks, a famous film star of the 1920's.  

 I painted the frame with the following:

1. Gesso

2.  A mix of green and brown watercolor on the whole frame.

3.  A mix of red and green watercolors on the circle part of the frame. 

4.  A coat of Glossy Accents

5. Twinkling H20s in green on the leaves and vines.

Thanks for looking!

Chipboard used:

Page Frame Flourished

Other:

Pink Paislee Paper

Petaloo flowers

Glossy Accents

Winton and Lewis Watercolors

Watercolor paper

Sizzix with Tattered Florals

Red Swarovski crytals

Twinkling H20s

Prima Bling

Next up is Nancy to share some spooky Halloween Home Decor.

This Standing Dome from the Home Decor section of our store, comes in two styles.  This one has a solid back and the other style has a framed opening at the back.  I love both of them, but this one in particular, because it does remind me of a tombstone.  The piece wasn't designed for Halloween necessarily, but I couldn't help myself.  The 4-inch depth seemed like such a likely spot for these skeletons to hang out.  

I painted the assembled piece black, then dry brushed some orange in places.  I also adhered some packaged spider webbing from the Halloween section of the dollar store with gel medium for extra texture, and melted it into the paints with my heat gun.  I also spread on a bit of glass bead gel and brass colored distress paint.  For the mossy look I added green acrylic paint with a dry brush.   I don't usually start with a plan, I just keep adding color and texture until I achieve the look I want.

Gina's Designs Products Used:

Standing Dome

Tree 3

Spider Web Shape Set

Chain Borders

Collage Sheet Images by:

Seneca Pond Crafts

Alpha Stamps

Fall Banner by Melissa and Halloween Stage by Nancy

Hello Crafty Friends!  Today we two designers on the blog, both celebrating the upcoming Fall season.  First up is Melissa with our Fall Banner kit.  Several of our Team Members have been creating with this kit, and I'm amazed at how each one has been so different and unique.

Hi Melissa here for Gina's Chipboard Laser Designs.

I prepped all the chipboard with gesso.  On the banner I applied texture paste with a stencil. I put on mica powder over black acrylic paint, followed by a layer of Mod Podge Dimensional Glaze.  I painted on Twinkling H2Os in the blue purple color you see here.  To define the edges more I brushed on small amounts of liquid pearls in orange and green.

The spider webs are glossy accents over black acrylic paint.  I put on a little Twinkle H20 paint to hightlight the webs.  The ghost on the far right is glossy accents over the gesso.

Chipboard used:

Fall Banner Kit

Spooky Shape Set

Spiderweb Shape Set

Other Products Used:

Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

Twinkling H20s

Tim Holtz plastic tags

Jolee's stickers

Liquid Pearls

Ranger Alcohol Inks in purple

Swarovski flatback crystal in clear

Vintaj metal

Small pieces of Graphic 45 paper

Next up is Nancy with our Altered Art Stage decorated in a Halloween theme.

Hello Everyone, it's Nancy here sharing one of my favorite pieces from the Altered Art section of our store.  This is my second time working with the Stage.  This time around  I chose to create a Halloween project since it's my favorite theme to scrap this time of year.  

I began by painting my assembled stage in black, then I papered it with The Enchanted Collection by Authentique.  To decorate my stage I used various collage sheet images, and Gina's Designs chipboard shapes. 

Thanks for looking!

Gina's Designs Products Used:

Stage

Tree 3

Chandeliers

Spider Web Shape Set

Beach Shape Set (I used a portion of the fence)

Collage Sheet images from:

Retro Cafe Art

Seneca Pond Crafts

Alpha Stamps

Paris Themed Mini Album by Nancy and a Fall Themed Banner by Donna

Hi Crafty Friends!  Today we have two projects to share.  First up is Nancy with another August cross-promotional project featuring Gina's Designs with printable paper kits by Kitty's Scrap Post.

Hello Everyone!  Nancy here with another cross promotional project pairing Gina's Design's chipboard with digital papers from Kitty's Scrap Post.  This is my third project this month using the awesome papers in the Heartbreak kit.  Today I'm sharing a Paris themed mini album.  There are several more photos of this mini posted on my blog, and the link will be provided at the end of the post.

Above:  The cover was created using fussy cut images from the Heart Break digital paper kit and a Gina's Designs Texture Sheet in Diamond Pattern, deco corners, and the word "Love" from the 10 words set.

Above:  Background papers and images are from the digital paper kit.  Photo book tucked inside pocket featuring a chipboard cameo by Gina's Designs embossed in shabby aged silver.  The page on the right is a split page, with the top half featuring a flip up.

Above:  A flip-up page featuring sentiment,  corset and mirror by Gina's Designs.  Perfume bottle is fussy cut from the digital papers, and also background paper is from the collection.  All design elements are unattached in the photo mat area, so a photo can be slipped onto the mat.

Above:  Gina's Designs chair and dressform, the perfume bottle, image of lady and background paper are from the digital paper collection.   All design elements are unattached in the photo mat area, so a photo can be slipped onto the mat.

Above:  Another cameo from Gina's Designs placed on an image fussy cut from the collection

  Feathery Flourishes surround the fabric flower.

Above:  The image opens up to display more gorgeous images from the collection.

Above:  More images from the collection and a chipboard Fleur de lis and Paris elements from Gina's Designs.

Above:  A flip page featuring papers from the collection (you can see the inside of this page and more on my blog) and Eiffel Tower by Gina's Designs.  On the adjoining page I have a side pocket featuring doilies from Gina's Designs in black, and also a silhouette lady has been script stamped. 

More gorgeous images from the collection on this flip out page, and below is the final page, with tag removed to reveal a transparency with an image from the collection slipped inside which could be replaced with a photo.

This mini album was so much fun to create.  Lots more photos on my blog HERE.

Gina's Designs Products used:

Fashion Cameos

Vintage Ladies Silhouette Set

Art Deco Corner Set

10 Words

Parisian Shape Set

Words and Phrases 1

Feathery Flourishes Set

Digital Design Papers by Kitty's Scrap Post

Heart Break Full Kit

Other:

Dark Red Latex Roses and White Pearl Trim by Craftsupplies1

White Feather Flower on cover by Tresors deLuxe

Next up is Donna with one of our new products for Fall.  This banner looks amazing paired with Graphic 45 papers!

Hi, it's Donna here today to share a Fall Banner I made with Gina's Designs Fall Banner Kit!

The chipboard kit comes with two types of leaves, and two cute rakes! 

I have to confess...I am addicted to making the cute 1 inch chipboard charms (punch elements)! I was so excited to see the 1 inch round designs in the paper collection! 

Gina's Designs

Fall Banner kit

Punch elements 1 inch scalloped

Other Products

Graphic 45 An Eerie Tale Collection papers and embellishments

Shabby lace and butterfly - Little Scrap Shop/Etsy

1 inch punch

Embossing powder

Thank you for stopping by Gina's today! 

Composition Boxes by Nancy and by Veronica

Hello Everyone!  Today we have two designers on the blog, both creating their versions of our Composition Box.  You've been seeing versions of this box all month, and as always, it's so amazing to see each designers version.  This heavy chipboard kit comes with 3 smaller boxes to assemble and place within (or on top of) the large box, a wooden key, and a number of your choice.  Create your own project in any theme you'd like, or choose a number to correlate with a special year or a special day.  Anything goes!

Hello Crafty Friends!  Nancy here to share my version of our composition box.  Halloween is my favorite time of the year to scrap.  There are so many fun Halloween themes, and it's so hard to chose between witches, vamps, zombies, and other ghoulish themes,  that I usually end up making many projects during the Autumn months.  I knew as soon as Gina designed this awesome piece, exactly which numbers I'd choose.

Gina's Designs Products used:

Composition Box

Spiderweb Shape Set

Other:

Tim Holtz Halloween-themed stamps, rub-ons, and die

Collage sheets from Alpha Stamps

Collage sheet from Raiders of the Lost Art


Next up is Veronica with her version of our Composition Box featuring the number "13".

Hello again! Veronica here, and today I wanted to share a Composition Box that I Altered from 

Gina's Designs for this month's Team Challenge!

We each were to select a number, and I choose the number 13.

I love cats, and I have always had a heart for Black Cats. 

The number 13 just seemed fitting for me.

 One may be superstitious in thinking that the number 13, and Black Cats are anything but Lucky....

I truly dare to differ!

This is my first Composition Box that I have ever worked on.

I love going through the Gina's Designs store, and finding just what I need to complete a project.

Like the Stackable Labels Shape Set. It gave me the effect I wanted to tell my story....

that Black Cats, and the number 13 is Lucky!

 Black Jack was the name of my cat as a teenager. He was the Best!

I love that the Composition Box comes with 3 smaller boxes to place all your memorabilia. 

I just simply painted the entire box black, then added Viva Crackle Paint to give it a bit of an weathered and worn look. Then I decorated to my heart's content using paper from Carta Bella and embellishments from my ever growing stash of craft supplies.

It also includes a key and of course the number of your choice!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Have a Blessed Day!

Gina's Designs 

Composition Box 

Stackable Labels Shape Set

Other items used:

Black Spray Paint

Viva Crackle Paint

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Carta Bella Moments & Memories

August Sketch Challenge and Sample layout by Nancy

Welcome to the August Sketch Challenge!

Each month, on the first Monday, a new sketch will be provided.  Use the sketch to create a layout, card or other craft project.  Winner will be drawn from all eligible entries and will receive a $10 gift certificate to Gina's Designs online store.  We encourage you to use Gina's Designs products in your project but it is not required to be eligible to win.  You have until the first Monday of the Following month to enter and the winner will be announced on the blog on the second Monday of the following month.  Use the Link Up tool below to enter.

Here is the sketch for August.

Below is my take on the sketch.  I received this gorgeous paper kit from Kitty's Scrap Post as part of our month-long August promotional.  When I saw all the red, black and white,  I couldn't help but think of how much I missed scrapping Twilight.  The kit contains background papers as well as element sheets that can be cut up and added to your project.  This kit has a lot of vintage Paris elements, and Valentine or love themed elements but with a Gothic flair.  The paper kit goes perfectly with many of the chipboard shapes from Gina's Designs, especially those in a Paris theme, as you will see in upcoming project I'm currently working on for later this month.

Gina's Designs Products Used:

Frame

Peacock Feathers Shape Set

Steampunk Hearts

Digital Paper Kit by Kitty's Scrap Post

Heartbreak Full Kit

An InLinkz Link-up

An InLinkz Link-up

Home Decor - Key and Crest by Nancy

Hi Everyone, Nancy here!  Today I am sharing a vintage heritage project.  I thought these photos of my Dad and my Granddad, would be perfect to display on our new Key and Crest Wall hanging.  This is a good sized piece to work with, about 12 inches across.  I am really happy with how it turned out, and it's a keepsake since my Dad and Granddad are no longer with us.

 I used several products to get the look I wanted for the key and crest, meaning the scrolled areas and the key.   The center area was papered with the DCWV Timeless Type Stack.    I began by using a fan shaped brush to achieve a light dry coat of gesso (at that point some raw chipboard still shows through).  Next I covered the whole piece with a bright turquoise luminescent type paint.  Following that I dry brushed a bit of bright orange here and there.   Next I embossed over everything with Tim Holtz vintage photo distress embossing powder.  Following that step I stamped over the whole piece with a burlap textured stamp,  and embossed those areas with copper colored embossing powder.  I then rubbed Gold colored Gilder's Paste all along the edges.  Thanks for looking!

Gina's Designs Products Used:

Key and Crest Wall Hanging

Pocket Watch Assorted Sizes Set

Tulip Scroll Corners

Chain Borders

Faux Metal Number Plates

Miniatures Shape Set - Guy Thing

Heidi's Stars Shape Set

Artist Trading Blocks by Nancy

Hello Friends!  Nancy here to share my version of our Artist Trading Blocks.   Our team members have been sharing these all this month, and it's been amazing to see all the different versions of these fun and versatile blocks.  I decided on a bird theme for mine.  I used the large block separately and left the top cover open,  and I stacked the smaller ones together.  The blocks are made of chipboard and come ready to assemble using the pre-scored fold lines.  I used red line tape to assemble my blocks.  Once assembled,  I covered the blocks completely with gesso to help build a firmer and sturdier surface.  I also "frosted" over the seams lightly with modeling paste and a painters spatula, then I painted and inked the edges.  I used matte Mod Podge to apply the paper, and I also put a heavy coat of the Mod Podge on top of the paper.   My end result were blocks that are very solid and sturdy like wood!

I chose digital papers in a colorful bird theme from Ephemera's Vintage Garden to cover my blocks.  For the feet, I glued wooden spools to the bottom of the blocks then painted them with gesso followed by Tim Holtz dabber paint in copper.  I toned that color down with Gilder's Paste in Verdigris and in Patina.  I also rubbed on some extra gesso to further distress the feet.

  Following the prep work, I had a lot of fun decorating my blocks with  3-D birds, nests and eggs from the floral dept. at JoAnn's.   I felt that I needed some greenery so I die cut vines and ferns, and then I coiled some green floral wire by wrapping it around the handle of a large artist's brush and poking the straight end of the wire through the birds nest, then bending it and attaching it to the bottom of the nests on both blocks.  To the top of the coils I added eggs on the large block and the letters "FLY" on the smaller set.

Gina's Designs Products Used:

Artist Trading Blocks

Bird Watching Shapes Set

Faux Typewriter Keys - Gold

Other:

Design Paper by Ephemera's Vintage Garden -  Spring Chic Collection

Vine Die by Marianne Creatables

Fern and Leaf Die by Marianne Creatables

Leopard Butterfly by Renea Bouquets