Inspire

For the past couple of years my parents have bought us a box of really tummy chocolates for the family and it comes in this wonderful hinged box.  I have kept the boxes with the hopes of doing something with it for the past two years, and finally the inspiration hit - mixed media box!!  I really just let my imagination fly on this one

For step on how I made this wonderful mixed media box please see my guide below using the wonderful Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists, Glimmer Glam, and High Impact Paints, Unique Laser Deigns wood, and Imagination Crafts Stencils, Sparkle Medium, and Mica Powder.
   

Check out How to Make a Mixed Media Box by Erin Reed on Snapguide.

I just love the wood items from Unique Laser Designs and how they just make the box pop and add wonderful dimension to everything.  Here are the pieces I used for this project.

Deco Frame - Katie

Deco Frame - Daisy

Bird on Branch

I just love how this box turned out, full of wonderful little gems and keep you eye coming back for more.  I can't wait to put my crafty goodies in it!!

It is projects like this where I get all messy and hand full of paint that make me love crafting so much.  Seeing something coming from a simple little box to this wonderful mixed media piece make me smile!  I hope this box has inspired you to make something pretty.

Supplies Used
Wood - Unique Laser Designs
Stencils - Imagination Crafts
Glitter and Mica - Imagination Crafts
Mists/Paints/Glaze - Tattered Angels
Gems/Swirls - Prima
Flowers - Prima
Metals - Prima
Lace - Prima
Found Items
Box
Mesh
Mediums - Prima & Liquitex & ProArt
Adhesive - Beacon & Martha Stewart

Enjoy!!

Joyful Holiday Bird

Christmastime is here!
Bringing lots of cheer!

What's more cheerful than this joyful holiday bird card made with bright paper and Unique Laser Designs? This Christmas card is a fun and easy way to send greetings to friends and family near and far!

 I love the natural look and feel of the unpainted wood. It lets the recipient of your card know that you've chosen a very special embellishment just for them. I used the natural Bird on Branch (small) from Unique Laser Designs, and really popped him off the page by choosing bright, vivid papers for the card itself.

To create a holiday bird of your own, begin with a white card stock base 4.75 inches wide by 5.75 inches tall. Then choose your favorite Christmas die cut. I used the Merry Christmas Background die cut from Poppystamps, cut in bright blue card stock. To create a smooth background effect, cut one piece in blue, and then a second piece in white. Punch out all the letters from the blue piece, round all the corners, and adhere it onto your white card stock base.

Once your blue piece is in place, carefully poke out all your white letters and glue them in place with a drop or two of adhesive. You may use any color combination you choose, but I love the soft blue and white effect. Once all your letters have been glued into place, you will have a smooth background with a unique texture, like a jigsaw puzzle, ready for the rest of your cuts and embellishments.

I used some of my favorite dies to create a bright holiday scene: Elegant Scrollwork from Memory Box, and Pine Sprigs from Poppystamps, cut in two shades of bright green. I then cut the Carousel Bird Cage from Poppystamps in snowy white glitter paper, and used small bits of foam pop dots to make the cage pop off the page.

To create the holly sprig on the bottom, select the Glowing Candles from Memory Box and carefully trim off the candles and just use the holly sprigs. Cut pretty pink berries with a small hand held hole punch and glue them onto the holly springs. Add the holly to your card.

Now for the star of the show, this adorable little Bird on Branch! I used him right out of the package, and just adhered him with craft glue. That's how smooth and easy it is to include a Unique Laser Design wood cut in all your card projects!

It turned out so colorful and festive, and I love the way both the wood cut bird and the cage seem to come alive right of the page.

Have a very Merry Christmas, and live your life in color!

Supplies List:
Unique Laser Designs: Bird on Branch (small)
White card stock
Bright blue card stock
Two shades of green card stock
Pink card stock
White glitter paper
Memory Box dies: Glowing Candles and Elegant Scrollwork
Poppystamps dies: Carousel Bird Cage, Pine Sprigs, and Merry Christmas Background