ROMANTIC STATIONERY CADDY - NEW COLLAGE SHEETS & DIGITAL IMAGE SET

Every once in a while, I like to make something that is both lovely and functional.  When I saw this House Shrine with Doors kit, I thought it would make a great stationery caddy that you could keep for yourself or gift to a loved one or a special friend.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I chose to go with a Rococo-period romantic theme.  The images I’ve used are from my NEW Amour Collage Sheets.  There is also a NEW companion Digital Image Set which contains all of the images from the collage sheets and more.  The beautiful papers that so perfectly complement the image's color scheme are from the Amour 6 x 6 Paper Pad and some of the Amour Scrapbook Papers.

 
I’ve filled the cabinet with custom paper, envelopes, handmade cards, gift tags, envelope seals, and faux postage stamps.  You could also add real postage, address labels, and a pretty pen.

I added a bin to the back and pockets inside the doors to expand the storage space.  I used the bin to store the custom stationery and envelopes.  The pockets inside the doors were perfect for storing gift tags.

The seals are made using an image from the Amour #1 Collage Sheet.  After cutting out the image, I ran it through my Xyron machine to turn it into a sticker.  You could also use the hearts on the collage sheet to make additional seals.

The gift tags are a combination of the new images and the Tag collage sheet. You'll find this FREE SHEET at the bottom of this post. 

The custom stationery was made by printing one of the panel images from the new sheets onto paper.  Another option would be to cut the image out and glue it to the paper.

NEW AMOUR #1 COLLAGE SHEET

This sheet is packed with romantic Rococo period images.  Couples, women, men, cupids, and other complementary embellishments are included.

NEW AMOUR #2 COLLAGE SHEET

Just as with the Amour #1 collage sheet, this sheet is packed with more romantic Rococo period images.  Included are couples, women, men, cupids
 and other complementary embellishments.

NEW AMOUR DIGITAL IMAGE SET

This romantic Rococo period set includes all of the images from the Amour #1 and the Amour #2 collage sheet, plus a few extra images.  Included are: 2 Cameos, 5 Couples, 4 Women, 3 Men, 6 Cupids, 5 Panels, 4 Hearts, a Party Scene, and an envelope for a total of 31 images. 

All of the images in the set can be re-sized for your project as they are high-resolution (300dpi) PNG formatted images.

NEW ROMANTIC FAUX POSTAGE COLLAGE SHEET

This sheet has 23 faux stamps.

THE DETAILS

THE CABINET

I started by assembling the main cabinet, pediment, and drawer.  I painted all of the edges inside and out white.  I then covered all of the surfaces with the Amour papers, with the exception of the inside of the doors and the inside side panels.  I left these areas uncovered until after I added the hinges and handles so that I could hide the prongs on the brads, which are used to attach the hardware.

THE BIN

To make the bin that is attached to the back of the cabinet, I cut 4 pieces of heavy chipboard and glued them together.  You can see the measurements of each piece in the picture below.  The bottom piece is slightly longer as the total width is longer when you attach the side pieces to the back.

I then covered the bin with paper and attached embossed metal box corners for decoration and support.

The bin is then glued to the back of the cabinet using E6000 glue.

You could add bins to the sides if you need more storage space.

CARD STORAGE

The handmade cards are stored in the main area of the cabinet.  I added two metal drawer pulls to keep the cards from falling out.

THE PEDIMENT

To dress up the pediment, I added a filigree crest and filigree squares which I bent and attached to the corners.  I trimmed the edges of the pediment with tiny gold line stripped tape.  So that all of the hardware I used in the project would match, I painted it with Metal Patina Paint.

DOORS

The frames around the doors are from my Vintage Frames digital set.  I attached the doors using brads which fit through the holes on the hinges.  The handles are from the set pictured below.

THE POCKETS

I used some of the Amour paper to create pockets to store the tags.  In the picture below, you can see how I cut the paper for the pockets.

THE DRAWER & FEET

TIP: I rubbed Anne Sloan Soft Furniture Wax on the sides and bottom of the drawer to protect the paint when sliding the drawer in and out. I used a piece of chipboard to divide the drawer into sections for the envelope seals and the faux postage.  I did not paper the drawer's sides, back, and bottom (I used paint for these areas).

The crystal knob is from a set of antique knobs pictured below.  I also used knobs from this set as feet for the cabinet.

DETAIL SUPPLY LIST
COLLAGE SHEETS / DIGI SETS

Amore #1 Collage Sheet

Amore #2 Collage Sheet

Amour Digital Image Set

Romantic Faux Postage Collage Sheet

Large Vintage and Elegant Frames Digital Image Set

PAPER & CHIPBOARD

Amour 6x6 Paper Pad

Amour Border Strips Scrapbook Paper

Amour Tender Hearted Scrapbook Paper

House Shrine with Doors - Medium

HARDWARE

Orleans Antique Knobs Set

Chambery Antique Drawers Pulls Set

Hinges with Brads

Crowned Crest Filigree - Gold

Embossed Metal Box Corners

19mm Fancy Metal Drawer Pull or Box Feet

Antique Square Open Fleur Filigree

MISCELLANEOUS

Tiny Gold Line Stripe Tape

Metal Patinas – Treasured Heirloom

FREE GIFT TAGS COLLAGE SHEET - FEEL FREE TO DOWNLOAD

Two Romantic Collages; Star Crossed Lovers & Queen of Hearts

As part of the countdown to Valentine's Day, I have two more romantic-themed pieces to share.  These pieces were started last year when the Alpha Stamps Star Crossed Lovers Kit came out in January 2015.  Usually, when I work on a kit, I make more than one piece, sometimes even three or four.  This was one of the additional pieces that didn’t get finished, as I was not happy with my direction.  

I had originally hinged the two pieces together, but after laying out different designs, I just wasn’t happy.  In a last-ditch effort to save them from the trash can (which is where pieces I hate go), I took them apart and focused on them separately (which finally took me to my happy place!).

PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER

For both of the pieces, I started by covering a piece of chipboard with decorative paper. Next, I added images from the Alpha Stamps Juliet Collage Sheet.

I also used one of the frames from my Large Vintage and Elegant Frames Digital Image Set.  I printed the frame twice and cut away part of the bottom of each frame (the back of the frame is covered with coordinating cardstock).  The frame I used is the last one (far right) on the second row in the picture below.  I love using large frame images to give a piece structure.

LARGE VINTAGE AND ELEGANT FRAMES DIGITAL IMAGE SET
To purchase this digital image set, click on the image below.

STAR CROSSED LOVERS

In the picture below, you can see the holes going down the right side of the piece, but no worries, as the cascading flowers will hide my misstep.

I started building the flower cascade by attaching leaves from my stash.  I think these leaves had a flower that I used on another project.

Next, I added the larger burgundy, white and yellow flowers.  

The brown beaded flowers are from my stash.  Next, I added the smaller burgundy and white roses and rose buds.  The ones on the right hide the holes.  As a final touch to the flower cascade, I added paper butterflies. 

On the left side of the piece, I added a green vine using a rub-on from my stash.  Red beads add a sense of red buds to the vine.  

In addition to the vine, I used a clock from my Tick Tock collage sheet.  I added Glossy Accents to the center to give it a domed and shiny appearance.

At the bottom, I added a chipboard flourish painted gold, two Dresden white swans rubbed with Inca Gold Gilders Paste, and black Swarovski crystals for eyes.  The final touch is the red and gold glass bead.

MY COLLAGE SHEETS AND DIGITAL IMAGE SETS USED FOR "STAR-CROSSED LOVERS"

ElegantFrames Digital Image Set

TickTock Collage Sheet

QUEEN OF HEARTS

The approach for this piece was the same as the one above.  I used the same chipboard, paper frame, decorative paper (opposite side), and the image from the Juliet Collage Sheet.

Next, I added half of a chipboard gate (painted gold) to give the piece an architectural feel and cover the holes on the left side.  I also added lace (from my stash) to the top right side of the piece.

Next, I glued the image in place and started building her heart crown.  I used one of the crowns from the Natures Crowns collage sheet as the base.  Click on the image below to purchase this collage sheet.

Using heart stick pins, I added small heart beads and glued the stickpins behind the crown.  In the center, I also added a glass heart bead to the stickpin in addition to the small heart bead.  To the front, I added a gold heart, rhinestones, and a piece of trim to the crown.  The final touch was to add some leaves behind the crown.

To the bottom of the piece, I added first lace, a large beaded trim, and a small beaded trim.  Next, I added resin swirls and beaded flowers.  The final touch is the sugared bloom with acrylic leaves.

MY COLLAGE SHEETS AND DIGITAL IMAGE SETS USED FOR "QUEEN OF HEARTS"

Large Vintage and Elegant Frames Digital Image Set

Natures Crowns Collage Sheet

ROMANTIC VICTORIAN ART TAGS & VALENTINES CUTIES GIFT TAGS PLUS NEW COLLAGE SHEET

To kick off the New Year, I have Valentine-themed tags to share with you. I've been doing so many miniatures. Lately, I thought it would be a fun change to create some collaged pieces.  First up are romantic art tags featuring Victorian women.

  

You’ll notice that I’ve incorporated one or more hearts on each tag and other elements.

The Amour 6x6 paper pad I used for the tags is loaded with beautiful papers.

Next up are fun vintage Valentine tags that can be used as gift tags or on Valentine's cards and are super quick to make.  The images are from my new Valentine Cutiescollage sheet.  The base of the tags is a new gift tag sheet I’ve created that is free with purchase at Alpha Stamps (more details below).  

NEW COLLAGE SHEET – VALENTINE CUTIES

This new sheet includes 7 cuties in two sizes, three Valentine banners, and two different styles of hearts in various sizes.  Click on the image below to purchase this collage sheet.

FREE GIFT TAG COLLAGE SHEET

Feel free to download this collage sheet (by clicking on it).

In addition to the images from the free Gift Tag and the Valentine Cuties collage sheets, I also used ribbon to jazz up the tags.

ROMANTIC VICTORIAN ART TAGS

For each of the tags, I used my VictorianLadies Collage Sheet, Manila Tags (2-5/8"x 5-1/4"), and paper from the Amour 6x6 Paper Pad.  Click on the image below to purchase this collage sheet.

RED TAG

For the red tag, I started by covering the tag with red and white striped paper from the paper pad.  Next, I stamped the paper.

I continued building the background by using an image from the Parfumerie Edwardian Gents & Ladies 2 Collage Sheet Set and an image from the French Floral Overlays collage sheet (printed on vellum).  At the bottom, I added red and gold lace, and to the side, I added a chipboard scroll painted gold.

Next, I added the woman (focal point), Dresden myrtle leaves, and a chipboard hot air balloon.  The balloon is painted red and backed with paper from the paper pad.  The basket is painted gold, and a black ribbon is tied around the middle of the balloon.

At this point, I decided the bottom needed more ribbon, so I added black lace to the back and a black, white, and gold braid to the front.  Adding these touches of black to the bottom balances out the black ribbon tied around the balloon. 

The final touches are the red bird, white swan (painted black and rubbed with Inca Gold Gilders Paste), and a heart stick pin threaded through a red glass heart bead.

TEAL TAG

Just as with the red tag, I started by covering the manila tag with papers from the paper pad.

I added a faux postage stamp from my Birds & Bees Collage Sheet to build up the background.  To the bottom, I added white and gold lace.  On the left side, I added chipboard flourish painted gold.  The flourish is accented with a piece of bronze filigree and a clock from the Tick Tock Collage Sheet.  I added Glossy Accents to the clock face to give it a glass-like domed appearance.

Next, I added chipboard peacock feathers painted with Liquid Pearl paints.

I continued by adding the woman to the center, flowers at the bottom, a heart stick pin glued behind a heart button (with the shank removed), and three butterflies from the Butterflies and Moths Collage Sheet.

PINK TAG

Again I started by adding papers from the paper pad to a manila tag.  

Next, to the top of the tag, I added three leaves, a ribbon, and a piece of filigree.  I added gold lace, cream lace, and pink sweeper fringe to the bottom.

I then added the image of the woman (both behind the frame at the bottom and on top of the frame at the top) and then attached the frame to the tag.  The frame is from the Large Vintage and Elegant Frames Digital Image Set and is popped up from the background. 

 

To the sides of the frame, I added berries (these come in the set with the leaves), a heart stick pin threaded through a puffy bead heart, and a cherub button glued between (shank removed).  On top of the puffy bead heart, I glued a piece of filigree.