Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Be Still - Beeswax Artist Trading Block

 Working with beeswax on an ATB has been on my list of things to do for a long time. I love the soft, vintage look it gives to collaged pieces and knew it would be amazing on a block. This week, I wanted to make a special gift for one of my best friends and thought it was the perfect time to experiment! I pulled out my 3D Block die from Eileen Hull, some of my favorite papers and embellishments from Tim Holtz, heated up my craft iron, and started playing. Here's how it all came together:

I cut my box pieces from medium weight chipboard using Eileen Hull's 3D Block die. I assembled the block, using Beacon 3-in-1 glue on all the tabs. I wanted this to be very durable and wet glue tends to be better than tape for a long-lasting hold.

Next, I covered the box with various papers from Tim Holtz's Menagerie collection, as well as Remnant Rubs, Tissue Tape, and Chit Chat stickers. After I was happy with the look, I sanded and inked all the edges.

Now for the fun part! There are lots of ways to apply the beeswax, but this way is the easiest and most simple for me. First, I sprinkled a few beeswax pellets over the surface. Next, I used a hot craft iron to melt them and spread them over the block. I worked my way around the block adding more beeswax when needed. Make sure you're careful around the rub-ons; if you overheat them, they can break apart.

To adhere metal elements, allow beeswax to puddle in the area you'd like to apply your embellishment and push it into the puddle. Let cool.

For this side, I covered the block with paper, then fussy cut the bird and adhered it on top. I added a bit of lace and some Chit Chat stickers.

This side might just be my favorite! After covering it with paper, I cut out the eggs and adhered them, smudging around the edges with a black Distress marker and a blending pen. I added the Remnant Rubs and then covered the panel with beeswax. The Adornments piece was adhered with wax.

On this panel I added Remnant Rubs and Chit Chat stickers. I love the way the beeswax changes the color of the stickers. I also used a little strip of Tissue Tape, which looks very cool after it's been covered with wax.

For the last side, I added lots of different papers - both fussy cut from the pad and also from the Thrift Shop Ephemera collection. The Philosophy Tag is held in place by wax - I'd already glued the box shut so I couldn't get the brad through (oops!).

To finish my block I added little feet made from mini spools that were inked with Gathered Twigs Distress ink.

I love how this turned out - I think I might just need to make one to keep! :) All the supplies (other than the chipboard & iron) I used can be found at Inspiration Emporium via the links below. Remember to  use my coupon code - stamptramp - to save 10% on your order!


Thanks for much for stopping by - have a great week!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Red, White & Beautiful Garden Tote

Before I became obsessed with stamping and paper crafting, my biggest passion was gardening. I've always loved old wooden garden trugs or caddies and decided I needed to make one of my own. Except, of course, I would be using paper and dies!

As you've seen from some of my past projects, I love building things with Eileen Hull's ScoreBoards dies. This is a project I've been thinking about for a long time and decided that this month's Red, White, and Beautiful theme for Eileen's Art With Heart Challenge was the perfect excuse to play around with the caddy idea. Read on to see how you can make one of your own.

Begin by cutting the box pieces from medium weight chipboard using Eileen's 3D Block die - you'll need two panels per box. Cut off one section from half of the die cut panels (that's the lid and we won't need it). Apply ScorTape to the tabs.

Assemble all the boxes as shown.

Glue the boxes together in sets of three. I like to make sure all the tabs are facing the same direction. Don't glue the sets together yet - we still need to make the handle!

To create the handle, first cut a 9 1/2" x 6" piece of chipboard.

Measure up from the bottom and make a mark at 3 1/8" on either side of the chipboard. Measure in from the left side and make a mark at 3 1/4" and at 6 1/4". Draw a line connecting the dots and cut along the line, removing the corners.

To create a handle opening, find the center of the upper portion of the handle. With the Sizzix Base Tray under the chipboard, line up Tim Holtz's Mini Label Movers and Shapers die in the desired location and tape down. This is the opposite way you normally use the M & S dies, but you need to be able to see where you're cutting. Cut the handle opening with your die cutting machine.

NOTE: I've had a few comments saying that I must have a bigger die cutting machine or wondering how this fit through my Vagabond. It looks really wide in this photo, but if you cut the piece as I have - 6" high, and align the die at the top of the base tray as shown - it will fit fine! No special machine is needed. Your Vagabond or Big Shot will both work!

Now that the handle is finished, you can adhere the box sets to either side of it.

To hide the seams, cut two chipboard panels at 6 1/4" x 3 1/8". These will be the end pieces.

Cut two more pieces, this time measuring 9 5/8" x 3 1/8". These will be the front and back pieces.

Adhere the chipboard panels. It's starting to look pretty cool - right?!

Next, paint the entire caddy with red craft paint. Let dry completely.

I wanted to have a vintage looking label painted on my caddy, but I was scared that I'd mess it up by trying to stamp with paint. A good compromise is embossing! Stamp your image (this is from Oxford Impressions' French Script collection) onto the caddy using clear embossing ink and cover with Seafoam White embossing powder. Heat to melt. Note: if I'd been thinking ahead, I would have done this step before gluing the panel down!

To give the caddy a realistic wood look, sand all the edges and sponge with brown ink.

I had some little square peat pots that fit perfectly into the openings. Small canning jars also fit well. Since this is paper, it shouldn't be in contact with any moisture, but you could certainly have plants in a jar that you remove to water.

And think of all the other uses for this cool little caddy. It would be great in your craft room holding supplies, or in the bathroom keeping your makeup organized. I think it would look adorable in the kitchen holding tea or spices too. I hope you decide to make one!

The supplies I used can be found at Sizzix, Simon Says Stamp, and Amazon via the links below.




Thanks so much for stopping by today!