An Exploding Explore Box and a Goofy Surprise

A little something something for AlphaStamps today. 

(Note: AlphaStamps has been updated and you'll need to hop over to alphastamps.NET for the shop.)

Using the Double Explosion Box from the July Kit I've created a little surprise for a sea side adventurer.

I've used a bunch of pieces from the Wanderlust Printed Chipboard which I kinda love.

Quick tip: cut your paper just slightly smaller than the sides and you wont have to worry about bends and folds at the corners. I painted my box first, then applied squares of Wanderlust Souvenir Scrapbook Paper. It made things soooo much easier.

Open the box and inside there's another, tied with twine and embellished with snips from the 

Vintage Travel Tags & Hardware Collage Sheet.

More chipboard pieces and some shell charms. I've applied stamped metal letters that have been hiding my stash for eons.

Remove that wee box and inside a compass so that you'll never be lost on your wandering adventures.

Pretty cute, no?

And, Leslie from AlphaStamps will kill me for this but I made a second goofy exploding box. 

It's all sparkles and glittery stars and unicorn stickers.

Coloured with smooshes of paint and decorated with cheap bits from the $store like fluff and plastic unicorns!

There's an important message too! Less to-dos and more ta-das!

I really do need more ta-das!We ALL need more ta-das! Anyone who says they don't has pants on fire.

ANYWAY... if you want to make an exploding explore box (or a goofy surprise) HERE are all the bits available from AlphaStamps.net. And here they are listed individually:

8mm Gold Flat-Back Glass Shell Cabochon
Wanderlust Printed Chipboard
20mm Resin Starfish Cabs
13x17mm Patina Starfish Charms
Patina Scallop Shell Charms
Wanderlust Souvenir Scrapbook Paper
Brass Patina Conch Shell Charms
Double Explosion Box

Vintage Travel Tags & Hardware Collage Sheet
*Vacation Memories Kit - July 2018

As for the rest... RAID YOUR STASH!!!!

A Petite Pink Villa for Alpha Stamps

This month's Alpha Stamps kit theme is Amour (Valentine Paper Theatres). I got totally sidetracked with their new itty bitty furniture and instead of a theatre created a petite pink villa, a sort of miniature romantic getaway.

A Frame Front Room Box is used as the base of this piece. Holes have been cut into the sides and back and laser cut window frames added. The addition of a Shadowbox Facade to the top of the box adds some nice visual interest.

For the exterior I first covered the piece in paper, then, using the Stone Wall Chipboard Texture Sheet I applied random patches of acrylic gel medium. I painted the entire piece, then added wash of darker paint allowed to pool in the crevices giving a good impression stonework without covering the entire piece.

Inside, a sweet little scenario of shared tea, crumbs and honey.

The table and chairs, and china cabinet are made of chipboard, 1:24 scale, and assemble quite easily. I've kept them simple with a coat of paint and a snip of paper, but I'm certain with a bit of ingenuity they would provide a solid base if you wanted to be a bit more elaborate. Tiny cushions on those seats would be absolutely darling. 

You'll find a long list of all the bits included in this piece below... but can we talk about that Green Pumpkin Teapot for a second?! There are a number of those little veggie/fruit teapots at Alpha Stamps and I think they are freaking adorable.

Grab a tiny book from the bookcase and let's head up the wee ladder.

This little loft is cute as buttons. It's so cute my camera is jealous and refusing to show just how sweet it is. (What a jerk.) ANYWAY... there's a little bed for getting cosy, maybe reading a book, maybe do a bit of romantical snuggling *wink wink*, or just for having sweet dreams. And let's not forget that Gold Candleholder to read by (which is really, really nice quality btw).

The pink bunting, flowers, curtains and ribbons may be a bit dramatic... but if you're going on a romantic getaway isn't that exactly what you want? What I wouldn't give for a weekend in a private pink villa, sipping tea, eating sweets, reading, and snuggling by candlelight. *dreamy sigh*

See something you like? Here's a link to all of the goodies I've used.

Alternatively, here is a big fat list of the individual supplies used:

Amour (Valentine Paper Theatres)
Frame Front Room Box 

Theatre Francais Shadowbox Facade
Acorn Caps*
Mini Silicone Bread Mold Set - Smaller Loaves
Mini Silicone Bread Mold Set - Larger Loaves
Mini Silicone Cake Mold Set
Creative Paperclay*
Silicone Mold - Architectural Flourishes*
Thin Looped Dresden Borders - Black
Mini Floral Dresden Borders - Antique Gold
1/2 Inch Bright Pink Paper Roses*
Sheet Moss*
Set of Unlabelled Jars, Bottles & Tins
Gold Candleholders
Old Fashioned Grocery Cans
Mini Red Shadowbox
Miniature Potted Plant in Basket
Small Wooden Spools
Wood Mini Spools
Green Pumpkin Teapot
Miniature Silverware - Set of 20
White Plastic Salad Plates
Little Household Goods Collage Sheet
Old Fashioned Grocery Rectangular Tins
Plastic white teacups
Round Table & 2 Chairs
1:24 Cupboard Hutch/China Cabinet
1:24 Chipboard Bed
1:24 Book Case
Chipboard Windows