Sticky Note Holder, Leaf Window + Twine, Thanks

I haven't specifically made something to play along with a challenge since October of last year...  and for those of you that know my 'story' you can probably guess why.  But I just couldn't help but be inspired when I saw the latest Poppystamps Challenge.

I've taken the inspiration quite literally and made a gift...
It's much simpler than it looks and I've included steps that can be missed out for an even easier version.

 Believe it or not, this project started off as the cardboard backing from one of those A5 brown envelopes.  You know the kind I mean, don't you?  They have a reinforced back panel and the words PLEASE DO NOT BEND printed in red on the front.  Well, that's what they look like in the UK anyway...

I hadn't initially planned on repurposing this cardboard back panel but as it was the perfect length it seemed ludicrous not to.  Just one chop off the end to adjust the width (using a guillotine) and two score lines later and my job was already a third of the way to completion as now I only had to decorate it, increase the depth of the panels a little and think about a fastener of some kind.

Decorating was easy.  

A good coat of white Acrylic Paint all over and then (once dry) simply tear up some thin Mulberry Paper and paste it on using a mix of PVA and water.  

(I started by covering the edges and the cracks I made when I made the score lines first.  This took two coats of paper - as did most of it).

My front decorative panel has also been made from repurposed materials.  

You may not see it in the photo's, but this Leaf Window panel has a sheen to it that comes courtesy of some MFT packaging.  I simply used my Die-Namics Stitched Square STAX to cut out the largest square, then centred the Leaf Window die and cut again.

After weaving in the green Hemp Twine (a gorgeous colour but too thick, so I had to untwist a length and then carefully thread it through) I mounted this front panel onto the largest of the three 

Die-namics Stitched Square Frames.  

Then I added on the stamped and heat embossed acetate layer, followed by another Die-namics Stitched Square Frame  - effectively creating an acetate 'sandwich' that then had an inked up piece of card (one of the squares left over from cutting out the frame) added as its back layer.

Why so many frames and layers?

Just to give the illusion of more depth, but you can easily miss that part out if you want a simpler version.

As for the flowers?

They were added right at the end of this project so I'll give details about those later...

You'll see from the photo's that the inside of this project carries on with me using the 

Die-namics Stitched Square STAX.

Layering up three of these top and bottom created the perfect depth that I needed, 

but before I glued these squares into place I added two thin lengths of black ribbon, both of which were wrapped around a 1cm thick length of scrap card.

These small card 'tabs' were then glued into place...  and while they were drying I used the time to add two holes (I used a pokey tool) to one of my layered up Stitched Squares.  

I didn't have any black elasticated cord that was thick enough so I braided three strands together (as you do).  Then I threaded it through the holes and put the small pencil into place before tying off at the back.  This way the elastic loop that's been created will be the perfect size.

(You can also skip this step if you like by using 100mm Sticky Notes instead.  I used 75mm Sticky Notes for this project).

Once the inner Stitched Squares were glued to the inside I simply had to add the Sticky Notes and then finish off my 'fastener' by adding a wooden bead and tying/gluing a double knot into place.

(Again, this is another step that can easily be omitted.  I just wanted to try out a 'fastener' idea that I had in mind, but this design works just fine without).

Then I added the flowers, using a small amount of Crackle Accents at the centre of each to mirror the shine of the acetate.

I have to say that I love this Hemp Twine weaved Leaf Window so much that I'm going to be using it again...  and maybe again...  and then again, too!

CAS with added dimension and/or texture is where my heart lies if I'm doing CAS work of any kind.

I'll never be a CAS purist, but that's ok with me.

We are all uniquely different, after all...

Supplies Used:

Dies:
Poppystamps 'Leaf Window'
Poppystamps 'Dogwood Blossoms'
Die-namics 'Stitched Square STAX'
Die-namics 'Stitched Square Frames'

 Ink:

Holtz/Distress Antique Linen

Holtz/Distress Walnut Stain
Ranger 'Perfect Medium'

Embossing Powder:
Stampendous - Black/Fine Detail

Stamp:
PSX 'Thanks - Bold Writing Script'

Other:
Sturdy Cardboard - cut to size
Mulberry Paper
Heat Resistant Acetate
Thin Ribbon
Wooden Bead
PVA Glue
Elastic Cord - Black
Ranger 'Crackle Accents'
Sticky Notes
Small Pencil or Pen






Challenges I'm Entering...

Poppystamps
Challenge #31    'Gift It'

Pixies Crafty Snippets Challenge
(Some snippets used - acetate, flowers and some of the squares)

Simon Says/Wednesday Challenge

As You Like It
(Favourite Colour and Why - Green.  It can be vibrant or soothing, and I love it because it reminds me of nature).

Allsorts Challenge
Week #142    'I Spy...  B'
(B is for brown, B is for blossoms, B is for bead)

Mix It Up 

(Just for Fun).

Make My Monday

(Challenge #44     'Embossing - Heat or Dry)

The Sisterhood of Crafters

(The Letter 'B')

B is for brown, B is for blossoms, B is for bead...

Enjoy your day...

Donna. x