Friday 28 November 2014

One for the Birds

Hello lovely visitors and welcome!
It's Friday and every second Friday we have a new challenge over at A Vintage Journey, as most of you will know. Can you believe we are onto challenge 20 already! Wow, how time flies! But this week it's not just time that's flying, because the lovely Chris who is hosting this challenge has chosen "Birds of a Feather" as her theme, and this is what she had to say about the challenge:
Get out your inks, paints, chalks, Gelatos etc and grab your bird dies, stencils, masks, stamps, whatever avian stash you have and conjure up something that sings of our feathered friends. Whatever you create, we want to see Tim's influence clearly identified. Let's see your magic!

So onto my project:
With it being the end of November and the dreaded C word (really I LOVE Christmas), coming ever closer, my project turned into a Christmas gift for one of my crafty friends. It's big enough to hold a size 8 tag inside and there is also a place for a special Christmas message.

Below is a quick step by step with a lot of photos.

1.You need to start with a piece of A3 card, I am lucky enough to have Kraft card in that size, so used that as my substrate as it is so strong. But any card would do. Cut it to 7" (18cm) by 16.5" (41.5 cm).
Fold it in half length wise and then fold each side to close to the middle, gatefold style.





2. Open it out again and then fold the corner of each side down, like you can see in the photo below.


This is the inside view and as you can see, you have created two pockets once you glue the sides, the bottom and corners down, but don't do this yet!

3. For the outside, glue on a ribbon, this will make it possible to close your booklet/folder later.
Time to cover your base card
I chose two different kinds of paper, cut to about a quarter inch smaller than your out and insides.
Here are my approx. sizes:
Outside: 2 times 4 by 6 7/8" (10.3 by 17.5 cm)
Inside: 2 times 4 by 6 7/8" (10.3 by 17.5 cm) in contrasting paper
Inside flaps: 2 x 4 by 3.25" (10 by 8.2 cm)
Corner flaps: 1 time 3.5 by 3.5" (9 by 9 cm) cut diagonally and then trimmed to fit properly.
4. Now the fun begins, altering the papers with inks, stencils, texture paste, sprays, whatever your heart desires:
Below are some photos of how I altered mine:
Wendy Vecchie Crackle Paste through Tim's Latticework stencil
Adding some watered down gesso

Two colours of Distress Sprays: Brushed Pewter and Walnut Stain.

Embossing around the edges of the paper for a special finish. I used Stampendous Aged Silver.
The back cover was done in a similar way, but instead of using a stencil, I just scraped on the crackle paste randomly with a palette knife.
To alter the insides I just used inks as most of them would be covered by the flaps anyway. The flaps themselves were done in the same way as the outsides. Now it is time to adhere your altered papers to your base card and to glue the flaps down to create the pockets.

I chose to embellish with different die cuts and of course a bird!! Below is a selection of what I used:
The 25 was given a metal look with the help of the same embossing powder. The bird is an Artistic Outpost stamp coloured with Distress Inks.

Finally some close ups of the finished project:
The inside, after I glued down the sides. The embellishment on the left, was bright silver to start with. A quick spray with Walnut Spray ink turned it all aged looking.


Another little bird, one of Tim's ideaology pieces.
Finally I chose one of the tags made for a previous project to fit inside as it fitted perfectly.

Well, that's pretty much it. Make sure to check out the challenge over on A Vintage Journey, where you can see all the amazing projects from my teamies and of course we hope you will play along, for your own creative enjoyment, but also to be in with a chance to win a fab voucher from our sponsor Country View Crafts

Thank you for visiting like always and have a great weekend!


54 comments:

Nicole Wright Designs said...

Astrid, your style is simply magical. I love your folds and how you layered all the paper you textured. Stunning project. I LOVE seeing all the AVJ projects!!!

Anonymous said...

OMG SPEEEEEEEEEEEEECHLESS! One lucky crafty friend. This is GORGEOUS LOVE IT! Karen.x

massofhair said...

Anna Marie Designs does an amazing A3 kraft card, i have a couple of packs to use in my electronic die cutting machine or for projects like this!

I am in love with your colours of Pewter and Walnut Stain Astrid must try this combination very soon, it makes your Tag and folder really magical.

Thanks for the step by step! :-) xxx

Julia Aston said...

what a gorgeous look you achieved with all the inks/pastes and techniques on your covers Astrid - this is a lovely little gift card folder that will certainly be cherished by the receiver!

Rose in Chester said...

That is ONE STUNNER OF A CARD. One of these days, when I have the time to branch out into your world, I shall do so.........
Such useful instructions, too.
Rose

Suzanne C said...

Stunning! It kept getting better and better! Love all the gorgeous details!

barbarayaya62 said...

I'm in love with your work! I love every little detail! Wonderful as always! barbarayaya

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful project, love all the details! Valerie

Annie said...

What a beauty this is Astrid x wonderful colours, details and textures. TFS

Have a great weekend
Annie x

Maryann Laursen said...

Your card is absolutely stunning Astrid, and I just love it. Soooooooo gorgeous work here and thanks sooo much for the awesome tut for how you made it too, that is sooo awesome too.

chrissie said...

What a wonderful gift for a friend Astrid. Beautiful colours and wonderful textures.

Love Chrissie x

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Que precioso trabajo!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hello Astrid !
Really love all you do. Fantastic work and design...
I tried to write to you and FB but don't know if you have got the message.
I'm a little designer : https://www.myscrapartdigital.com/shop/pats-scrap-m-54.html
and want to know if I can use your freebies to put in my kits or not.

Have a nice WE. Hugs from France.
Love Edinburgh ! Went there three times (my daughter was student at the University). Fantastic town !
I let you my adress : patriciaj73@live.fr

froebelsternchen said...

This is such a beautiful gift made with so much love and knowledge... amazing Astrid!
Happy Friday to you!

bockel24 said...

how wonderful! one of my all time favourites of yours!

Brenda Brown said...

So many adjectives come to mind Astrid, but this is one wonderful and exquisite work of art. I just adore the finished look and thanks for sharing your process steps.
Have a great weekend.
hugs Brenda xxx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

How inventive, with a stunning result Astrid...chapeau!
Greetings, Alie :-)

Words and Pictures said...

Stunningly lovely, Astrid... the colours are right up my street, and look amazing against the kraft framing created by the layering of the papers. Delicious textures and embellishing, and certainly the perfect home for that lovely tag. A new favourite...
Alison xx

Joanna Wiśniewska said...

Great texture and details. Beautiful gift Astrid.
Joanna

Margaret Mifsud said...

Oh my gosh ... this is glorious!!!! I have been away on holidays and only returned back home a couple of days ago. Now I am doing a bit of catch up on my blog visits and, now that I'm here, I don't want to leave!!! I love this design Astrid (I'm pretty sure I'm going to pinch it to make my own Christmas cards) it is so unique and just exquisite. Love the colour and the textures and the step by step is fantastic!!! I just love everything you do. ox

Stamps and Paper said...

WOw Astrid what an amazing gift for your friend....made with love....your friend with love it...


Anne

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

A work of wonder Astrid,gorgeous textures and colours,beautifully created

Have a great weekend

Big hugs
Donna xxx

Nikki Acton said...

Wonderful creation Astrid - your altering of the papers is wonderful, giving that stunning vintage feel throughout the project. Nikki x

Jackie PN said...

Astrid,
This is just breathtakingly stunningly beautiful!!!
I am so in awe of your wonderful art!! xo thanks so much for sharing this step by step!!

Netty said...

wow, wonderful project Astrid, its great to be back visiting you again.

Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

Ros Crawford said...

Your friend is going to be thrilled with this beautifully detailed gift ... Fabulous!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous project again, as always I love your textures and embellishments. I would so love to take a workshop with you :) Thanks for all your time taking photos of the steps. Have a wonderful weekend, Shirleyx

Dorthe said...

Stunning, and so beautiful, -I love the texture made with the stencil and crackle medium, wow- and the colours are fantastic. An amazing gift for your friend, Astrid.
Dorthe, xo

Jennie Atkinson said...

Astrid this is just stunning! What a fabulous little book and tag inside. The texture and colours are just amazing and just so you! Thanks for sharing the how to - I might well have a go at this one! Jennie x

Redanne said...

A beautiful work of art Astrid! I cannot say much more than has been said already - just stunning! Anne xx

Julia S-W said...

Astrid, this is absolutely stunning! I just love how you've built up those gorgeous grungy layers and the colours are perfection. I can't find enough superlatives to describe this most beautiful piece of art. I don't usually gush but you've stunned me. LOOOOOOVE this so much.
Have a lovely weekend,
Julia xx

Julia S-W said...

Forgot to wax lyrically about the tag too - sorry! It's equally as stunning.
Julia xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

GORGEOUS card! Stunning texture and colors Astrid! LOVE the design too!

Corrie Herriman said...

Absolutely beautiful and you've explained everything so well ! Thanks for sharing..
Corrie x

Juliz Design Post said...

Beautiful project Astrid, love your inking, embossing and crackles. Vintage perfection.
Have a nice weekend,
Julie x

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous project Astrid, loved all the stages shown in the photos.
Yvonne

Deborah Wainwright said...

Wow! stunning. I really like the colours and love the idea of having a tag inside. Xx

Barbara Rankin said...

Amazing, awesome, fabulous, well, I just love love love it!!!!!!

Terry said...

I do believe I could just live on your blog! Astrid, I am always in such awe of your talents. Love the detailed and beautiful vintage feel of your tag holder and tag! What a lovely gift!

Unknown said...

What a Gorgeous Christmas folder, Astrid :) So pretty and functional :) You're so good at that :) This is a beautiful creation for AVJ! Such a wonderful theme--I'll try to come up with something for Christmas for this challenge, too :) Thank you for your inspiration, Astrid! XOXO-Shari

Klaudia/Kszp said...

Your folder looks fantastic! :)

Marisa Job said...

Another amazing project!! Love the fancy fold!! Hugs!

Evelyn Walter said...

Wonderful as usual, Astrid!
Have a nice weekend
xxx Evelyn

Heather Jacob said...

perfection plus, love it all xoxo

Unknown said...

Your personality and the inner you, really is reflected in your work... both are ELEGANT and beautiful... Love, Light and Peace...Bonnie

maria's knutselplezier said...

Woooooooow, Astrid what a grogious Christmas gift, so beautiful , I love the colours and the structure a lot, you really are a great arties , I love this very much, thanks for showing us!!

Greetings
Maria

artwolf2009 said...

thanks for the instruction. I have tried to follow them but after being finished and looking at your artwork - I decided to stop because I always liked yours so much more

Pamellia said...

Wow Astrid! Every time I visit you, I walk away with a million new ideas! You are so inspiring! This is outstanding! The textures, the stencilling, the colours, the embellishments, it's all just so gorgeous and amazing! Thank you for sharing another stunning project with us! big hugs :)

Jools Robertson said...

This is amazing your friend will treasure it
The distress stains on the crackle are just wow as are the embossing powders on your die cuts
Thank you for such a great tutorial on this beautiful tag wallet

Jools x

S@ndy Diller said...

What a lucky crafty friend - anyone would love to receive this as a gift. The textures are so beautiful and the colors just feel right.

Rosie said...

A gorgeous projekt, Astrid

crafty creations said...

An amazing piece of art Astrid - all that gorgeous texture - brilliant

Jenny Marples said...

What a stunningly beautiful card/tag holder Astrid!!! Full of your trademark texture and tons of beautifully blended colour which always takes plain papers to a completely new level. LOVE this. Jenny x

Marjie Kemper said...

This is so lovely, Astrid. I was admiring the front on its own without realizing there was even more beauty inside with your pockets/flaps. What a great gift!

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