Unique Altered Art with Shabby Chic Staples & More
We love when our designers provide unique ideas for papercrafting. They see so much more than the paper, but a world of possibility. Nichola Battilana and Rhea Freitag are masters of thinking outside the box. Today, they will share two amazing ideas and two great tutorials to try yourself. These are great ideas for home decor, for parties coming up, or for fun gift ideas!
Also, we still have this Good ol' Sport $35 prize pack up for grabs until tomorrow! Just comment here on the blog or on our Facebook page to win. We will announce our winner tomorrow, October 3, here on the blog!
First, we have these whimsical and fun frames from Nichola. We love the techniques she used on the frames and the fun way she used our paper as background. It truly sets the scene for these amazingly fun frames. Take a set of frames, get a world of ideas!
"It never fails. As soon as I see a cool altered object project, the object in question becomes impossible to find. While looking for something entirely different the other week, I saw bag of small frames at a very reasonable price. I snagged them and set to work creating a pretty little set of altered art. With a little love, Come Away with Me, and Shabby Chic Staples, you can turn those sad little frames into tiny treasures. How fun would they be as party favours, small thank-you gifts, or abandoned as random acts of kindness for strangers to find?"~Nichola
Nichola's Shabby Chic Frames Snapguide Tutorial
Supply List:
Come Away with Me
Come Away With Me
Wanderlust
Globetrotter
Travel Odyssey
Vintage Voyage
Look Out World
Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Brads
Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Keys
Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Key Holes
Thrift shop frames
3/8 Inch Looped Ivory Lace
7/8 Inch Fancy Fan Ivory Lace
Tintypes Collage Sheet
Wire
Acrylic paints
Adhesives
Next, we have a great party favor idea from Rhea - Botanical Tea fortune cookies! Take it away, Rhea:
"When challenged with the idea to make a wedding favor with Graphic 45 products, the fresh palate of the new Botanical Tea line jumped out to me as an immediate possibility. I wanted to create something that was simple yet sentimental, and I think these Paper Fortune Cookies do the trick. You could adapt this project to create party favors for many different themes. Also, try using different quotes, challenges, fortunes, or fun family sayings on the inside of each treat to make your favors really personal to your event.
It is easy to knock out a large number of these paper treats. My trick is to make an assembly line whenever making a large quantity of items. Complete each step to every element to make quick work of what seems like a daunting task. Even better: invite a crafty comrade over to share the joy of preparing for the big day. The memories made creating together will only enhance your path to celebration. Cheers!
To start I cut up my fortunes. I found the sayings I wanted on the internet, printed them out and cut them out.
Next I cut out each of my circles. I chose to make mine 4 inches in diameter. I used a cutting mat and a circle cutter. This made this task really easy and quickly produced a nice set of evenly cut circles.
In order to add a finished edge, I used Distress Stain in Tea Dye. I would also recommend aging them a bit more by buffing with distress ink if you have the time. This always adds extra depth.
Fold the circle in half and “pinch and inch” in the center of the circle, scoring it only in the middle.
Add a Xyron High Tack glue dot right next to your small crease.
Here you can see where the adhesive is as well.
ROTATE the circle 180 degrees and bring the sides together. Your crease should now be parallel to you!!! This took me a moment to figure out.
The crease is now your score line to create the cookie shape. Squeeze the top and bottom towards each other as pictured. You may have to guide the paper to go where you want it. It is helpful to use your index finger to push in where the fold is as you are squeezing the paper into shape (see arrow).
Here is the finished cookie. On some of them I added a second glue dot if it needed it. I found if the glue was too close to the crease line, I needed a second application.
Try to make a few of these before adding in the fortune at the same time. The motion needed to fold the paper properly will take a few practice tries, so make a few extra. Once I had it down I was able to fold them up in no time.
There are tons of other cute ways to display these fun favors: think apothecary jars, baskets, bowls, Chinese take-out boxes, the possibilities are endless. For my display I used a mirrored dressing table tray that had an unfortunate accident. Since the mirror broke, I simply matted it with coordinating Graphic 45 paper and added a few buffs of gilders paste to add age and character.
I hope you were inspired by my little paper Fortune Cookies and I would love to see how you interpret this idea!" ~Rhea
Supply List
Botanical Tea 12x12 paper
Xryon® 3/8” High Tack Adhesive Dots
Distress Stain, Tea Dye
Circle Cutter and Cutting Mat
Printed Fortunes
We love these awesome ideas from Nichola and Rhea. Did you get inspired to try one of these tutorials? Make sure to share on our Facebook page! Have a great Thursday, G45ers.
Your Pals in Paper,
Graphic 45
Want to try these projects out? Visit your LSS or order online today! Graphic 45 Store Locator Link Here
Fantastic ideas. Thank you so much
Posted by: Mary | October 02, 2014 at 05:06 AM
So clever!!
Posted by: Jean Marmo | October 02, 2014 at 05:22 AM
Wonderful projects. Love the fortune cookies!!!
<3 J
jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com
Posted by: Janis in ID | October 02, 2014 at 05:23 AM
Love these outside the box ideas
Posted by: Mary Reppe | October 02, 2014 at 05:43 AM
What fun ideas...thanks for your creativity :)
Posted by: Linda Mayer | October 02, 2014 at 06:42 AM
Clever ideas for frames! Making fortune cookies will help use up all your hoarded scraps of beautiful paper!
Posted by: Noreen | October 02, 2014 at 06:42 AM
Love the frames and the fortune cookies!
Posted by: Sharon P. | October 02, 2014 at 07:16 AM
Nichola's frames are awesome and I love Rhea's fortune cookies!!! TFS!
Posted by: barbara macaskill | October 02, 2014 at 08:47 AM
Love both tutorials, especially with the holiday season approaching; gifts of family photos captured in little frames and fortune cookie treats for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Michelle B | October 02, 2014 at 08:57 AM
Great projects, as always! The fortune cookies are such a cute idea. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Vanessa L | October 02, 2014 at 09:09 AM
Love the frames Nichola. They would look great with the family black & white pictures. Thanks for sharing!
The Fortune Cookies are a great idea Rhea. So cute. Thanks for the share.
Most of all thank you Graphic 45 for producing the great papers for these great projects to get made.
Posted by: Linda Storey | October 02, 2014 at 09:19 AM
Ohhhhhhh, the frames are gorgeous!! Didn't know G45 did lace? Really cool wire work & wish I could afford the metal staples you do. Shall b on look out for frames this size, definitely.
The little paper parcels are just cute, aren't they?
Really different ideas today... Tfs
Posted by: Caroline | October 02, 2014 at 09:43 AM
Those fortune cookies are too fun. thanks for the tutorials.
Posted by: Tona | October 02, 2014 at 10:37 AM
I just love the altered frames. And I think the little fortune cookies are darling!
Posted by: Katherine Buchanan | October 02, 2014 at 10:53 AM
Those frames are just fantastic.
Posted by: Mary Mac | October 02, 2014 at 11:16 AM
Fortune cookies - how cute!!!!
Posted by: Nancy | October 02, 2014 at 11:40 AM
wonderful projects
Posted by: {vicki} | October 02, 2014 at 11:53 AM
Love these projects! What great ideas for party favors.
Posted by: Danielle C | October 02, 2014 at 12:08 PM
These look so cute
and would be fun to
make!
Carla from Utah
Posted by: Carla Hundley | October 02, 2014 at 12:16 PM
I'm definitely going to use this fortune cookie idea...so clever!
Posted by: Martie Rollin | October 02, 2014 at 12:46 PM
love the frame ideas thankyou
Posted by: Ina Good | October 02, 2014 at 12:56 PM
I love the frames, and the cookies are too cute! Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Sue Kendrick | October 02, 2014 at 01:50 PM
The little framed art was terrific. I really loved the tutorial on the home made fortune cookies because they can be themed to the occasion or to match the other G45 inspired decorations, plus they can have amusing or meaningful fortunes.
Posted by: Elizabeth Etheridge | October 02, 2014 at 02:34 PM
I can't wait to search for the little frames in our local antique shops. This project is so cute.
Posted by: Ann | October 02, 2014 at 04:15 PM
Love these ideas!
Posted by: Anne Schilling | October 02, 2014 at 05:09 PM
Both the projects are so cute!
Posted by: Pat Ford | October 02, 2014 at 05:46 PM
What great ideas.
Would love to try out the Good Ole Sports papers.
Posted by: Linda | October 02, 2014 at 06:55 PM
Wow I love those fortune cookies ❤ Nichola your work is truly admirable love it all...hugs from your TDL teamy Amy xxx
Posted by: Amy Voorthuis | October 02, 2014 at 09:29 PM
Both projects are BEAUTIFUL!
Posted by: Erin Glee | October 02, 2014 at 09:45 PM
Super cute project ideas! Looking forward to many hours of creative fun with G45 products.
Posted by: Karen Itzenhuiser | October 02, 2014 at 09:48 PM
Those little frames are so cute and creative!! Love the fortune cookies, too...so pretty!!
Posted by: Diane H | October 03, 2014 at 03:17 AM
Great ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: KarenA | October 03, 2014 at 03:21 AM
Such amazing inspirational project ideas! Would love to use Good Ol' Sport to document my son''s 'all sport" childhood pics
Posted by: Dot Griffin | October 03, 2014 at 03:29 AM
Beautiful altered frames :) the cookies are cute! tfs
Posted by: Michelle Mota | October 03, 2014 at 09:55 AM
very cute. such a fun idea
Posted by: KathySue Craft | October 03, 2014 at 12:02 PM
Two fabulous ideas!! I have quite a few mis-matched picture frames, so Nicola's project really hit home with me. I love the fortune cookie idea as well. G45 has the BEST designers!
Posted by: MaggieM | October 04, 2014 at 02:39 PM
Love this collection. We have a new cat in our family! thanks G45!
Posted by: Ann | October 07, 2014 at 05:42 AM