Christmas Layout

Joy Overload Layout 

By Sue Smyth 

With Christmas on the way, we will all have lots of photos to scrapbook , I also like to make layouts to give as gifts, I have given my nieces an album each and every year I add to it in the form of new layouts. I am sure this will be one that I will send their way too.

I love to start a layout with white cardstock and make my own mixed media background. Here I have used shimmer dusts to make a water colour style background. Then I have used Deck the Halls paper pack to embellish, from Bee Arty.

Here are a few close ups, the frame is a die cut piece that I have used cotton to sew on, you could actually to this to a chipboard frame too with a bit of patience and a hole punch. 

Here is a quick how to to make the Pine trees look so snowy 

To alter the chipboard fir trees, I have used a mix I like to use often, Faux snow, which is 1 part white gesso and 1 part white glitter with a few drops of dimensional magic too.

But this time I have painted over the top in sections to resemble a gree tree with snowy branches. I have used Fern shimmer dust from Colour Blast. While wet I have sprinkled with lots of fine white glitter. You can also use the faux snow mix to paint the chipboard snowflakes too and then sprinkle with more glitter.

Happy Crafting 

The Chipbord I used 

Mechanical Seahorse Box - Sue Smyth 

Hello Crafters 

I am so delighted to join the awesome Dusty Attic team, as a long time fan of  Dusty Attic and of chipboard I cannot wait to create some loveliness for you all. My first project is an altered box, one of those sturdy ones that come with your Ipad. I love to alter and repurpose, so of course chipboard is great for that, as it does not add too much weight or height to a project, therefore it is still very useful and not heavy.

The first thing I did with this box is cover it in scrunched up tissue paper, one of my favourite things to use, a simple way of adding texture and it allows the paint to grab and stay put. Of course I adhere the tissue with gel medium, as this allows a certain flexibilty when dry and is great for items that will be used a lot.

I love layers as you might tell, so I've painted the Seahorse and added lots of layers, I have started with black gesso, then some brown paint, then I have rubbed in patches of copper metallic paint (inka gold if you have it) then to add contrast,. Each time I allow a little of the previous layer to show through, a dry brush or rubbing with your fingertip is best for this. Mix up a batch of watery turquoise metallic paint, then flick over the entire seahorse. To finish, I have applied a little orange/rust paint, which I have mixed with a little baking soda (or baby powder) for texture. this resembles rust and corrosion, which is great in this project. I like to mix up enough and store in a jar for use in the future.

Here are a few neat close ups of the seahorse head. I have placed him on a panel to give some definition, and raise him up. The panel has texture paste applied with our cog stencil. When dry, I have painted it with black gesso, then the turquoise metallic paint and then rubbed over with Prima Vintage gold wax (love this stuff ) it turns any chipboard into a neat metal finished piece. 

On the edges a nifty Dusty corner set fits nicely and I have used some of our cog sets around the Seahorse. All of these have layers of first black gesso and then metallic paints of your choosing. I also love a bit of bling and detail, so around the seahorse I have clustered some shiny beads and seed beads, the best way to adhere these is with a type of dimensional magic, as it drys crystal clear it will not mark the beads, also as it is self leveling the excess glue will puddle under them and dissappear. 

Now I can use a box that was destined for the bin to store things in like remotes, treasures, photos or letters 

Here are some of the Chipboard pieces I have used 

Thanks for visiting the blog today 

Happy Crafting 

Sue Smyth 

Victorian Easel Card

Victorian Easel Card 

By Sue Smyth 

Hi Crafters 

Today I am sharing a card with you, it is an Easel card and has 

a Victorian theme. I have used a chipboard frame and altered it,

along with Toile Paradise paper and a paper doily.

This time I have fussy cut flowers from left over papers.

I have raised them up with 3 D foam tape.

Add some punched leaves to soften and you have yourself a

Victorian style Easel card

How To

To alter the chip frame, apply swirls and flourishes with 

liquid pearls and allow to dry.

Then paint with gold paint and dry with heat gun to 

blister and bubble the paint.

Rub over with a little gesso to age the frame and 

use as desired.

Materials 

Small rectangular Parisian Frame

Toile Paradise Paper

Square paper doiley

Correspondence_Collection.html

Happy Crafting 

Love your face layout and altered clock

Love your Face Layout and

Altered Clock

by Sue Smyth 

Hi everybody, today I have a layout and altered clock for you and a mini 

tutorial on how I made the aged gold frame.

Step 1

Paint the frame with black spray paint of ink and

cover with Dimensional Magic 

Step 2

Sprinkle micro beads, any colour over the surface.

Step 3

When the beads are dry, brush over with gesso

Step 4

Dry off and roughly brush over a thick gold paint.

Step 5

Spray with a brown glimmer mist, such as Walnut gold or Coffee shop.

Step 6

Dry with heat gun, as paint blisters and bubbles, add more

glimmer mist until you have the look you want.

Butterfly is coated in Dimensional magic and black glitter

Do the same thing with triangular flags chip and adhere two together to 

form a diamond.

I have sprayed the title with matt black spray paint 

I have sprayed the feather too and used a white paint pen

to add splots and detail, to make a neat black and white feather.

Altered Clock 

A Moment in Time 

I wanted to alter a Tim Holtz clock, but could not find one,

so I just went to a chain store and purchased a cheap one.

 I have removed the glass and altered the rest. I also 

really wanted to add a photo, which I have cut to fit the face.

The back of the clock mechanism I have broken up

sprayed the bits black and used on the front. .

I have sanded the clock, roughly painted with gesso and sprayed 

with Dylusions and glimmer mists.

To alter the dragon fly, I have blended Lumieres over the wings

and added stripes with a Smooch.

Cover with Dimensional magic, sprinkle with 

a small amount of white glitter.

Add two small beads for eyes

I have also added a purchased bird that has been painted

with gesso and sprayed too. Add some small edges

and of course a chipboard feather.

Chipboard for Layout 

Happy Crafting