Happy 2016 !!!

Hi everyone... can't believe it's already a new year... a new beginning... new journeys... new lessons. It's an exciting time ! So let's start it off with a new project for Rhedds Creative Spirit, which as always is altered art or mixed media project. My design team project was Christmas gift giving in these inexpensive jars I purchased at Hobby Lobby. I believe they were $4.29 with 40 % coupon, the price is just right because I needed to make several for my neighbors.

It started like this... 

I simply added some burlap around the jar and used my glue gun to adhere, then added assorted Christmas florals, which I added SnowTex to the branches and while still wet sprinkled Diamond Dust glitter. The fruit was layered with silver glitter and bells and cranberries were attached. 

I usually make my tags but couldnt resist these tags I saw at Michaels Craft Store. Regular price is $1.50 but 75% off... hey can't pass up a deal. I just added some SnowTex and Diamond Dust to the tag and attached with jute around the jar. 

It's so much fun to take something and put your own spin on it, makes it just that more personal. The jars were then filled with my homemade white chocolate popcorn. Recipe below. 

One large pot of popped corn placed in large bowl.

One 12 oz bag of white chocolate chips melted 

Add your white chocolate to the popcorn and mix well. 

Spoon mixture on wax paper and allow to set up. This only takes a few minutes. 

Once the mixture has set, breakup into pieces and ready to eat. YUMMMMM

I hope you enjoyed this easy tutorial, wishing you blessings for a New Year and be sure to create and link up with us at Rhedds Creative Spirit. 

The Book of Love .. for Rhedds Creative Spirit

Hi everyone... it's my turn to inspire you with a tutorial for this months Mid-Month @ Rhedds Creative Spirit. I have chosen to create an altered book frame which is a Christmas present for my mother. The photos are of her beautiful grandparents.

This process is very easy but a bit long, so for your pleasure I have made a SNAPGUIDE tutorial below for a step x step process of the project. 

I purchased the book at a thrift store for $1.00. Here is what the book looked like at the beginning. 

And the supplies that I recommend are ...

X-acto Knife

Mod Podge ... I used handmade... 1/2 water + 1/2 regular white glue mixed well

Adhesive

Distressed Inks

Embellishments

Flowers

Inka Gold

Black gesso

Lindys Sprays... but not necessary

The photo is actually black and white but I distressed over it with Vintage Photo DI to compliment the book frame. 

Here is a closeup of the top of the book... nice and vintage. The glue mixture allowed me to mold and wrinkle the pages to achieve the look I was going for. 

Flowers were added for that bit of whimsy and give it a more delicate look. 

Since this is "The Book of Love" I thought it only fitting that I cut a little niche and place my Prima Heart all crackled and distressed in that area. Added more flowers for interest. The bookmark is velvet ribbon with charm attached. 

And there you go... easy peasy, but messy... my kind of project. I hope I have inspired you to go and re-purpose an old book. So many things you can add and change around. My next project is for a friend of mine that is a new grandma... I'm using an old children's storybook for the foundation to place her beautiful grandbaby's photo...

And now sit back and enjoy the Snapguide tutorial... for more tutorials visit my Snapguide webpage HERE. 

Check out How to Create Altered Book Frame by Toni Burks-Grijalva on Snapguide.