I’m not sure about you but I absolutely love Christmas!  One of my daughters, Miss Molly, was born on Christmas Day too, so Christmas is extra special around here!  I decided to make some sweet tags. These are one of my favourite things to create. I always make tags for gifts at Christmas…they can really make a present!  I packaged them all up in a sweet Christmas pocket!  I hope these Christmas tags get you in a festive mood!

Supplies needed:

• Kelleigh Ratzlaff’s Fat Envies Template Set and Cutting Files
• Mari Koegelenberg’s 12 Days the Kit
• White Card & distressing ink (I used Antique Linen by Tim Holtz)
• Twine
• Hole Punch
• Adhesive & foam dimensional pads
• Craft supplies to decorate tag – bells, rhinestones
• Sizzix Framelets and Die-Cutting Machine for shaped tag (Not needed but adds that little something extra) You can just cut out tag with scissors if you don’t have a die-cutting machine.

1. Gather your supplies and print out papers and elements in your software.

2. Cut out your Fat Envie using your cutting machine or you can print out the PDF file and cut by hand. The add tape to two edges to adhere later.

3. Using two different size dies – large die for the cardstock and a smaller die for the patterned papers, cut out using die-cutting machine (I have a cuttlebug).

4. Distress tags and fat envie using distressing ink and sponge applicator.

5. Adhere paper to cardstock.

5. Punch a hole through the top, then string with some twine. Cut out printed elements and adhere to tag with dimensional foam pads then decorate and make pretty!

6. Wrap twine around fat envie and I decorated mine with another tag (I added my own text on the label that I did in my software) 

Have a great day!

Hugs, Bonnie x

This Wallet Mini-album can hold several photos and can be taken with you in a purse or pocket. Then you’ve always got some pictures ready to show off.  Perfect for grandparents!

You can choose to include journaling too. It doesn’t have to be for grandparents, it could be a mini-album about a favorite vacation, special celebration anything that you would like to have portable and handy.

The supplies for this are:

• A Week of Todays digital kit by Dawn by Design
• Printer
• Cardstock
• Trimmer or scissors
• Distress inks (optional)
• adhesive
• Small magnets (optional)
• Flowers (optional)
• Border punch/corner rounder (optional)

I printed out all the pieces that I was going to need and then trimmed them to size. See below for the sizes needed.

The kit is filled with sweet patterned and solid papers which makes it great for this type of project.

Select papers that you want for the outside and inside of the project.  You will need about 4-7 different papers. I used 7 different papers from the kit for my wallet album.  You will need the following sized papers:

• 1 piece cut to 4″ x 11″ printed on both sides (can be different papers on each side)
• 3 pieces cut to 2.75″ x 7.5″ for the inside fold outs
• 1 piece cut to 2.25″ x 3.25″ (will be the decorated portion of the cover)
• 1 piece cut to 2.5″ x 3.5″ (to mat the decorated cover piece to)

With the exception of the cover decorations and mat, I printed the other pieces with different papers on each side.

Laying the  4″ x 11″ paper out in front of you horizontally, score at the 2″, 5″, and 8″ mark from the left side. Gently fold at these points. This will create 3 large sections and a flap.

Fold each of the three 2.75″ x 7.5″ pieces in half to create a 2.75″ x 3.25″ folded rectangle. Round corners and apply distress ink if desired.  Apply adhesive to one side of one of the pieces and adhere to one of the 3 large sections of the wallet. Repeat with the other 2 pieces.

Alternate the way that the folded rectangles open. This will help to keep the wallet from having one bulky side when you are finished.

Insert your photographs.  If you use photo corners or photo turns, you will be able to replace the photos in the album. You can decorate your pages and add journaling. Just remember to keep any elements thin. You want this album to be portable and not too bulky.  If you wanted to include additional photos, you could even place them on the opposing and opening sides of each section.

You can decorate the flap. I added a piece of paper under the edge that I punched with a decorative border punch. I also added a few Prima flowers and some stickles.  Adhere the matted decorative label to the cover that meets the flap. This will be the backside of the middle large section of the wallet.

To help keep the wallet closed, I adhered thin magnets to the underside of the flap and under the decorative label. You could simply tie a ribbon around it which would look super cute.

There you have it – a super quick, simple wallet mini-album ready for the giving!

Happy crafting,

Cathy

Would you like to add one to the decor in your craft room or perhaps a special spot in your home? Let me show you how I created an altered 3D dress form using some digi goodies and some finds from my local craft store.

For this project you will need:

• dress form and base (if desired)
• digital papers
• adhesive
• ink
• paint
• glue gun, scissors
• ribbons, flowers, lace and other embellishments as desired

To make this project, I used a paper mache dress form that I found in the clearance aisle of the craft store.  I knew that I wanted it to be on a stand, so I searched the store to find something I could use. I found an unfinished wooden candlestick ready for painting! Sorry I forgot the take a photo of it before I painted it!  I think this will make a great base for the dress form.

I picked up a few other items at the craft store to use on this project. I found some really cute miniature wooden spools in the dollhouse aisle. I’m making this dress form for a swap that I am in. The recipient is a seamstress, so I’m giving it a sewing theme.

I also used papers from the Golden Harvest kit by Mari Koegelenberg and Danielle Engebretson. I love the rich colors and tones as well as the textures to the papers in this kit.

Using some inks, I added some color to the raw dress form base. The tissue from an old sewing pattern made a perfect covering for the dress form base. I used Mod Podge Hard Coat to adhere it.  The inks showed through beautifully!

I created a double-sided print using two of the papers from the kit.  I printed one on each side of some Epson Premium Presentation Matte paper.

After cutting the paper into strips. I laid them out along side each other, slightly overlapping the edges. I then stitched part way down those edges using my sewing machine.  This created the material that I used as the skirt.

Using some strong adhesive like Glue Dots Continuous Line, wrap the skirt around the waist of the form.  I curled the front edges of the skirt back to give it a bit of flair.

Measuring tape ribbon seemed just the right touch to use to wrap around the waist and as an additional accent to the top of the dress form.

To dress up the candlestick base, I painted it, spritzed it with some Glimmer Mist Bronze  and attached lace.  The cup of the candlestick was filled with Styrofoam that I glued in place using my glue gun. I used the glue gun to attach the dress form to the candlestick base as well.  I finished off the bottom edge of the dress form with layers of lace and some roses made from satin ribbon.

This image gives you a better look at the subtle bling that the Glimmer Mist spray gives to the base. I also created little charms to hang from the lace. I beaded some crystals and pearls and hung them with a thimble and pair of scissors.

At the top of the dress form, I attached a yo-yo that I made from some fabric scraps to the one shoulder. I created jeweled pins using some crystals and pearls and secured them to the yo-yo. I topped it off with a coordinating button. I made a necklace for the dress form using a heart shaped yo-yo made from other fabric scraps with pearls that I stitched to the center. I pierced the yo-yo in the upper corners and secured jump rings. I ran a length of chain between them to drape the necklace around the neck. Some paper flowers and lace complete the top.

On the side of the dress form, I hung some thread spools. These are those miniature wooden ones that I found in the doll house section of the craft store. I wrapped some DMC embroidery floss around the spools, attached mini safety pins by Tim Holtz and hung them from the measuring tape ribbon using jute twine.

It’s really getting a seamstress feel to it, isn’t it? On the opposite side, I placed another decorated pin in the skirt as well.

A touch of lace at the shoulders seemed to give a nice finishing touch. This view of the back of the dress form really shows the way the strips of paper lay together for the skirt. It still allows the pattern of the paper to show yet provides so much flexibility and dimension.

This dress form is on it’s way to it’s new owner. But, I fell in love with it while it was with me.  I think I’m going to have to make one for myself!

Happy crafting!

Cathy

I have come up with some topics that we’ll be looking into and I gathered some books, atlases, map puzzles and other learning toys/tools, as well as planning some day trips, to keep the learning fun. We’ll be traveling, literally and figuratively, to learn about Mount Vernon in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington DC. Each time we learn about and visit one of these places, we’ll jot them into their passports and then my kids will write up a postcard, drawing a picture about what they learned on the front, and then writing about it on the back. I will be helping my almost-four year old write.

Let’s see how I made the passports and postcards using these supplies…

• Around the World Collab kit – available at The Daily Digi on June 23rd before coming home to The Digichick in July
• Photoshop Elements
• Printer
• Cardstock and paper
• Zip Dry paper glue
• Stapler
• Score tool
• Clear Stamps and ink (Postmarks and Road Trip from Papertrey Ink)
• Zing! Embossing powder, Versamark and heat tool
• Distress ink and sponge
• Postage die to cut out stamps and die cutting machine

I first designed my passport cover and back cover using digital papers and images from the Around the World Collab kit in Photoshop Elements. I used a fun label as the place to type my title “passport” on the cover.

On the second page, I added the boarding pass image as a place to later write in, or have my son write in, their names and other info. The interior pages were designed using a ledger-style paper included in the kit.

At this same time, I created the postcards using a polka dot digital paper and two brushes included, one of which allowed for a space to write a several lines and the other as a perfect place to put an address. I love the vintage look of these brushes! The postcards measured about 5 x 7 inches, to give plenty of room for beginning writers to have space to write and draw.

After printing out all the pages, I started to put the passport together. The cover was cut to size and I inked the edges using a Distress ink and a sponge. At this point, I also scored that piece down the middle to create the cover and back cover. I also cut out the page 2 with the boarding pass tag, inked that as well, scored down the middle and adhered it to the cover using Zip Dry paper glue.

I then decided to add another decorative element to the cover so I heat embossed the wing image using gold Zing! embossing powder. I also stamped the compass image to the second page as well as Bon Voyage. Once I finished that, I cut down the remaining interior pages to size, scored them, and stapled them into the passport.

The third page contains the map image which was stamped onto Kraft cardstock, cut out and adhered. I was able to stamp the small star image to pinpoint a location on the map as well as stamping “I was here”. I’m sure my kids will enjoy finding all the place we will visit this summer on the map and stamping their mark as well!

For the postcards, I simply cut them out from the printed page, inked the edges and began to decorate with my stamps. I added the Post Card line with a dark brown ink. The little postage stamps were created using a die. I cut out several from cream and white cardstock, and stamped with the various images. I thought it would be fun to let my kids choose which stamps they want to add to their postcards.

And that’s how I created my summer passport! Thanks for taking a look at my passport and postcard project!

If I’ve inspired you to create your own passport, I’d love to see it so make sure you come back and link me to yours!

I use the inked edge technique in many of my hybrid creations and I think it may be one of my favorite techniques. It is a quick and easy way to add interest to an element on a project, and I am going to show you just how simple it is to ink the edges using a piece of sponge and an ink pad.

I love creating these altered 4″ bar coasters. They are great to showcase a quote or Bible verse and make a nice little accent decoration for a bookshelf or corner of a desk. They’re also wonderful for quick, easy, and inexpensive gifts.

To create the coaster I made today, I used the Around The World collab that will be available starting June 23 at The Daily Digi and then at The Digichick in July. This kit is absolutely packed with some of the most beautiful papers and detailed elements I’ve ever seen! I had a hard time deciding which pieces of the kit to use and ended up creating two coasters. In addition to papers and elements, I also used some of the cutting files from the kit with my Silhouette.

Supplies:

• Digital scrapbook kit
• Photo editing program (I use Photoshop CS5)
• Epson Premium Matte Photo Paper
• Matte Mod Podge
• sponge brush
• inexpensive synthetic sponge (I get mine from Dollar Tree, there are 8 in a package for $1.00)
• brown ink (I used Close to My Heart Desert Sand)
• coarse sandpaper
• straight pin
• Tim Holtz Regal Flourishes embossing folder by Sizzix
• Sizzix Big Shot
• embroidery floss in white
• Clear Zap Dots by Helmar

I bought my bar coasters in packages of six for about a quarter on clearance at Michaels. They always have new designs in the dollar bin, or you can ask your server next time you go to a casual dining restaurant if they would please give you a few to take home with you. These particular ones were pretty glossy, so I sanded the front to help the Mod Podge adhere the paper better.

After sanding the coaster, I used the sponge brush to apply a fairly thick coat of Mod Podge. I recommend using a piece of wax paper to protect your work surface (Notice what is not present in the photo below!).

Next, I placed the coaster onto the back of the background paper. I turned the whole thing over and applied firm, even pressure to the front, paying special attention to the edges and corners.

I’ve found the easiest way to remove the excess paper is to run a straight pin around the edge against the edge of the coaster.

After making a rough cut in this manner, I took my sandpaper and brushed it against the edge of the coaster at about a 45° angle in one direction only, from the top of the paper toward the floor. If you go the other direction, you run the risk of separating your paper from the coaster.

You’ll end up with a nicely distressed edge once you’re finished.

Now it’s time for my favorite part! I cut off a new piece of sponge and dabbed it onto my ink pad. I brushed the sponge along the edges and corners of the coaster using the same motion as I used for sanding the edges – at approximately a 45° angle and from the top of the paper toward the floor. I reapplied ink as needed (every 3-4 brush strokes).

I just love the extra touch the ink adds!

After placing my clouds on the background paper, I could see they needed some additional definition. I added ink to the edges in the exact same manner as I did with the coaster. You can see here what a difference just a little ink makes in the definition of the edges! The top cloud is inked, the bottom one is not yet.

I wanted my large cloud to have some additional pizzaz, so I used one of my embossing folders to add a swirl texture to the cloud. I placed the cloud into the embossing folder and ran it through my Big Kick die cut machine.

With just a few turns of the crank…

I’ve added an awesome texture to my cloud. How cool is that?!

Of course I couldn’t leave this cloud with bare edges, so I broke out the ink pad and sponge again. After that, I adhered the clouds to the coaster using a dry line adhesive.

I took one of my clear Zap Dots adhesive squares and cut it down to fit on the back of the airplane. I took one strand from my DMC embroidery floss and placed the center onto the adhesive. Then I put the plane onto the coaster on top of the largest cloud.

Next, I put adhesive onto the Adventure banner and attached the tails of the floss, trimming the ends.

I placed the banner onto the coaster and called the project complete!

I mentioned earlier that there were so many fabulous things in the kit that I couldn’t stop at one coaster. Here’s the other one I made. I simply added some of the word art to one of the journaling elements, cut out three of the flowers and layered them using a brad in the center and cut out three butterflies for the top right-hand corner. It went together very quickly and I love how these turned out!

I also inked the edges of this coaster and probably could have even inked the journaling oval and the butterflies, as well!

I hope you’re inspired to try this quick and easy technique to add dimension to your next project!

So let’s see how I put this beautiful little hybrid gift altogether!

Supplies:
* TINY PRINCESS digital kit from Sugarplum Paperie, available at The Digi Chick
* Crystal Effects from Stampin’ Up
* Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Tattered Rose
* Sponge to apply ink
* 3D foam tape
* Pritt Gluestick
* Crop A Dile from We R Memory Keepers
* Jump rings
* Making Memories Jigsaw Chipboard Alphas
* Cream cardstock
* Kaisercraft DUSTY PINK acrylic paint
* Making Memories MANILA acrylic paint
* Sandpaper
* Craft knife
* Cutting mat
* Jump rings

First off, I grabbed out the letters that spelled ISABELLA from my Making Memories chipboard alphas. I love the Jigsaw font as it’s nice and fat, easy to cut out and you can easily embellish them too.

I grabbed my paints out and very roughly painted over them leaving lots of raw chipboard showing through. On some areas, I painted the two colours over each other as I wanted to get a nice shabby and worn effect.

Next up, I worked out the size of my digital elements from the beautiful TINY PRINCESS kit from Sugarplum Paperie, and printed them off. I decided to use three different papers to cover my alphabets with and I cut each piece to 3×2.5 inches to fit each one.

To add to the distressed and shabby look, I used sandpaper to wear down the edges.

I then used my glue stick to adhere them to the front of each alphabet.

I then flipped the alphabet over and used my craft knife to cut out the negative part where the alphabet would go.

To give the alphabets more stability, I decided to adhere a piece of cream coloured cardstock to the back of the alphabets and I also inked up the edges of the area where my alphabet would be placed back into.

I took the alphabet piece and gave it a rough sand around the edges and glued it into my embellished background piece, allowing the cream cardstock to show through the areas in the middle of my alphabets.

And to add some more pizazz to each alphabet, I cut out, inked and adhered my embellishments randomly. I used Stampin’ Up’s Crystal Effects in the centre of my flowers and on the buttons to give a nice and glossy shine – it might be a little hard to see the shine from the photos.

Now for the final touch to hold this altogether, I have used the smaller hole on my Crop A Dile – I punched two in each side of the alphabets – and joined them together with some gold jump rings, and voila! The finished project

At the time I made the tin, I did not know the sex of my friends baby so I stuck with some soft green and neutral shades. She ended up having a little girl and named her Isabella, so I decided to make the index cards in some pretty girlie colours but I might just go and add a touch of pink to the ribbons on the handle of my tin to tie in the baby girl theme. Here’s a picture of the tin I made on that baby shower post:

I measured the width and height of my tin to determine the size for my index cards – they’re approximately 6.5 x 4 inches. I then made a template to clip each of my papers to. I’ve made a few general cards that any memory or story can be recorded on then I’ve done a card for each of the months of baby’s first year. Here they can record feelings, events and special memories that they have experienced with their new little baby.


Here are my index cards bundled up with some pretty satin ribbon and ric rac, ready to pop into my keepsake tin.

You may notice that there isn’t quite 12+ cards in this bundle. I’ve still got to make months 7-12 but it’s getting too late where I am and I wanted to get this posted! But you get the gist of what my little hybrid goodie is for!

And here’s a closeup of a few of the cards so you can see all the details.

Supply list:
Digital kits from Sugarplum Paperie, available at The Digi Chick
** TINY PRINCESS kit
** FIRST KISS OF SPRING kit, a collab with Flergs
** LOVEY DOVEY SENTIMENTS
** LEMON TWIST kit
** MEADOWLARK kit
** PROJECT 365 EMBELLISHMENTS
** PLUMBERRY TEACAKES kit
** Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Tattered Rose (my new-fave colour)!
** sponge for distressing
** corner rounder punch
** Making Memories coloured staples
** satin ribbon
** ric rac
** scraps of cream lace and ribbon

For this project I didn’t stop to plan everything out and just grabbed things as I went along (I even cleaned up my work space a bit first so I could find everything!) so even though only the box itself is pictured, I ended up using the following supplies:

What I Used:

• Photo storage box (from Michael’s)
• Little Sugar Mini Kit by Elise’s Pieces at  The DigiChick
• 65 lb. white paper
• Making Memories acrylic paint
• Paper Mod Podge
• Colorbox Chalk ink
• Offray white ribbons
• Prima flowers (green)
• Making Memories flower (white)
• Clear button
• Glue Dots
• Memory Stor tape runner

The first thing I did was measure out the dimensions of the box so that I would know how big to create my Photoshop documents. The lid was 11.25 inches long so even if I did have a borderless printer, I knew that I would be able to print a document big enough to cover the whole thing. Instead of piecing something together out of multiple print-outs, I decided that I would simply leave a white border around the edge of the box.

So I pulled out some of the acrylic paint and got to work painting around the edges.  The box soaked up the paint a bit, and it took about three coats to completely cover the bright pink of the lid. I think next time I’d give the lid a quick once-over with ModPodge to seal if first.

In between coats, I began creating my Photoshop documents and deciding which papers and elements I wanted to use. After getting it all set, I began to print. Apparently I didn’t measure quite as accurately as I thought that I had however, and some of the sizes had to be adjusted and reprinted. Whenever that happens though, I just set aside those first pages so that I can go back later and cut out the printed pieces to make cards or other projects out of. Since measuring is not really my strong point, I have quite the stack of rejects waiting to be recycled!

After I printed the papers for the lid, I discovered that the green in them was a perfect match for the bottom of the box. I was originally planning to cover the whole thing, but this happy accident saved me quite a bit of work. I started by covering the sides in the strips that I had printed, matching up the pattern as I went along.

I started at a short end and wrapped the paper the whole length and then folded onto each of the long sides. I figured that the edges would stay neater if the ends didn’t meet there. I used Mod Podge for my adhesive and just smoothed it onto the box as I went. After I got all the sides covered I let it dry for a few minutes, then turned it upside down, cut the corners and started folding it over, again using Mod Podge to glue it. My reverse tweezers came in handy here to help hold the paper down while it was drying. As you can see, even after I remeasured, I still didn’t print off big enough strips of paper to cover all of the pink that was originally there.

To make it look neater inside, after my fold had dried, I grabbed the original printout that I had set aside and used those strips to finish the covering job. Then I added a spot on the inside of the lid for jotting down important phone numbers, like the pediatrician, as well as a spot for a baby photo and a little embellishment from the kit. I used my tape runner to glue down the journaling spot so that a photo could be slipped underneath the top of it, like a photo pocket.

After the sides had dried, I inked the edges with a creamy brown color, and set to work on the top. I inked around the edges of the cover and then, using the Mod Podge again, glued it down. I didn’t think that the polka dot letters stood out enough against the polka dot background paper, so I added a second piece of solid, neutral paper to the top with the title on that instead.

Then I started digging around for some matching embellishments and found some flowers, a bit of white ribbon, and a clear button. I stacked up my flowers, threaded my button and stuck them all together with glue dots. Then I slipped a piece of paper behind the label and added some folded ribbons to the front. Voila! All finished…

But wait… I’m giving this project away! Plus, I’ll even throw in a couple of diapers and two coordinated onesies, so all you’ll have to do for the perfect baby gift is add your own creative items to the box! Just leave a comment to this post for your chance to win it. If you want to double your chances of winning then make your own blog, Twitter or Facebook post telling everyone about the Baby Shower we’re having here at The Hybrid Chick and post a link!

I am by no means a Donna Downey or an Emily Falconbridge, so this was just a run-by-the-seat-of-my-pants project where I just did a bit of this and a bit of that. I still don’t know if I like the finished project, but I’m like that with all my scrapbooking projects and eventually it will grow on me!

So let’s see how I created this masterpiece (LOL)!

I have a large stash of cheap paint canvases that are about half an inch deep – the canvas is stretched around a wooden frame and this one is roughly letter sized. I primed it roughly with Gesso first.

I recently bought myself some Tattered Angels Glimmermist and Glimmer Screens so have been itching to try them out. So I used one of my ‘Blossom’ screens and ‘Garden Fairy’ Glimmermist to come up with this on the base of my canvas. I love the subtle mask it gives you and I love how it all bled slightly into the canvas. It’s oh-so shimmery too.

You might also notice that there are some brown images on my canvas. I ‘attempted’ to stamp a couple of images onto the canvas and the ink ran when I used the Glimmermist but that’s just added to the effect for me! Note to self – stamps do not really work on a soft canvas, thus the whole image does not appear and need to use waterproof ink (not water-based ink) if spraying any liquid onto them! But there are no mistakes in scrapbooking, just creating art, and I continued on!

(By the way, you can click on any of these images if you want to see them in more detail.)

Next, I started to gather up and lay out some of the bits and pieces that I pulled together for this project. I printed off a paper from Gypsy Couture’s ENCHANTED AFTERNOON kit which is due for release on Thursday.

I scrunched it up a little, scratched it, distressed the edges and cut it to size. I then tore out my photo to fit – and yep, I’m only a spring chicken in this photo – maybe 16 or 17!

I adhered some white tulle to the left of the paper and some pink fibre across the bottom of the paper. I also had a go at making some embellishments out of tulle.

I cut out a number of rough circles with green and white tulle, layered them, stitched on a button with some fibre underneath and stuck a couple of digi leaves in behind the button.

I also ruffled up some ribbon and hand-sewed it to the canvas with some clear beads scattered along it.

Next, I stamped a couple of butterfly images with black Stazon ink, which is waterproof, then used some H20 Twinklings luminescent paints to colour the images. After I cut out the images, I stacked the butterflies with 3D foam tape to give it a more realistic look.

You’ll notice that I have added some pink glitter around the bottom of my tulle flower and onto the green paper – I added some drops of Crystal Effects and tipped the glitter onto them. On the paper, I also tipped some heart confetti onto the Crystal Effects. There is also some hand stitching around the paper to hold it to the canvas.

Using some metallic rubons, I worked some colour into the corners of my canvas with my fingers and you’ll see that it highlights the texture of the canvas too.

I have added the word ‘beautiful’ to the bottom left hand corner of my canvas with a Basic Grey rubon. I just adore how versatile rubons are and they adhere to just about any surface. There’s a couple more flourishes rubbed onto the bottom left corner of my photo which you may see in the images below.

And here’s some pics of the final canvas which I could have kept adding to. It’s fun to just get your goodies out and have a play around and see what you can create!

Supply List:

• Paper from ENCHANTED AFTERNOON by Gypsy Couture
• Gingham leaves from COTTAGE GARDEN MINI by Kaye Winiecki
• Letter-sized paint canvas (from a Dollar Store)
• Gesso
• Glimmer Mist – Garden Fairy
• Glimmer Screens – Blossom
• Tulle
• Basic Grey button and rubons
• Thread
• Fibre
• Ribbon
• Beads
• Butterfly stamp from Lucy’s Stamps
• Crystal Effects from Stampin’ Up (a/k/a Diamond Glaze)
• H20 Twinklings by Luminarte
• Glitter
• Heart confetti
• Assorted stamps used on canvas
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink – Vintage Photo

I love making these Keyholder Frames. They are so easy to make and they are beautiful gifts and keepsakes.This whole project evolved from my trying to do an altered canvas which quickly morphed into a Keyholder. Remember that you can really do anything with this project…customize it for Baby’s Room to hang momentoes on or as an Organization Board in your office.

Let us gather our supplies…

• 1 Photo Frame ( It can be an unvarnished one as I have here or even scour your local garage sales for a suitable frame)
• Packet of Cup Hooks
• Acrylic Paint in your desired color.
• Modge Podge
• Foam Brush
• Photo Insert for your Frame and Tags (optional)…I used Kelley Mickus’s Whisper for this project; it is such a gorgeous kit! (Measure your frame insert and define a shape size as explained in detail in this project: Recycling Fun; I also added some Circles for my tags and decorated them with elements from Kelley’s Kit and Michelle Coleman’s Handstamped Alpha, Font used is AL Uncle Charles)
• Distress Ink (Optional) and sponge
• Cropodile/Eyelet Setter (Optional)
• Eyelets
• Circle Punch (Optional)
• Trimmer/ Scissors
• Pencil and Ruler
• Star Sequins (optional)
• Glue Dots

Step 1:

Prepare your Frame. I lightly sanded mine. If you have a varnished frame I suggest you sand off all the excess varnish with some sand paper.

I wanted a light white tint on the frame, more of a washed look. I diluted my paint with one part paint and one part water (about a teaspoonful of each…you are not going to use much depending on the amount of coverage you want!).

Paint the Frame and let it dry. Remember to make sure you get all the little nooks and crannies so you have an even and covered look. The grain of the wood will still be visible and this is just the effect I want to have!

I used Acrylic Paint because it is water based but if you choose to use an oil based paint this effect will not work. So keep that in mind when you decide on the paint you wish to use.

Step 2:

When your Frame is dry we can start distressing it to give it an aged look. I love using Tim Holtz’s distress ink’s for these kind of projects.

Using a Cosmetic Make-Up Sponge dabb it on the inkpad and very lightly smudge it onto your frame. You can do just the edges if you wish or do the inside of the frame with very light strokes. I used two different colors, the darker Walnut Stain for the edges and the Old Paper for the inside.

Remember that if you make a mistake you have 2 options…re-sand re-paint and re-do or embrace it and try either to make a feature of it or hide it!

Seal your work with a light layer of Modge Podge. Let it dry.

Step 3:

Measure and mark out where you want the Cup Hooks to go, with a pencil.

Start screwing in the Cup hook. Make sure it is nice and tight and facing forward. Because the wood is soft you dont really need any special tools…but you can always ask your Hubby to give a helping hand!

Repeat this with the remaining cup hooks until all of them are screwed in and aligned.

Step 4:

I wanted to add some additional tags to the hooks to easily identify our keys.

I punched them out with my Marvy Uchida 2 inch Circle Punch Using my make-up sponges.

I inked the edges with Tim Hotz’s Distress Ink – Old Paper.

Next I make holes with my Cropodile and set Eyelets to complete the tags.

Now they are ready to add to the cup hooks.

Also trim your Frame Insert and add to your Frame. I added star sequins to for dimension uisng my Mini Glue Dots.

Here is my completed project proudly hanging in my family room…

I hope you have enjoyed this project and would love to see your own creations! Dont forget to add a picture of your project to our Hybrid Gallery HERE or even just browse it for more inspiration!