"The Mad Hatter's Secrets" Hidden Drawer Book Box with Tutorial

This is one of those projects that just kind of sprouted. All the supplies just kind of jumped up and shouted "ME! ME!". I'm glad they did because I'm smitten with this project.

I've used the 6" Hidden Drawer Book Box as my base and then ran with the Mad Hatter theme from the Hallowe'en in Wonderland Deluxe Collectors Edition from Graphic 45.

I've repeated the cobweb theme of the scrapbook paper with a wed stamp and gold embossing powder.

I used that same stamp, repeatedly, on a Layered Frame Aria then added a spade charm to the tippy top for some added interest.

I used the same stamping and embossing technique for the top and bottom elements on the spine. I used a Deco Frame, then trimmed the elements I wanted to use.

Also on the spine and cover, I've used more elements from Hallowe'en in Wonderland Deluxe Collectors Edition and added a Metal Door Plate and Knob.

Inside, the Hatter's Tea Party! I really just sort went to town and filled the interior with suitable miniatures already in my stash including: a pocketwatch pendant, miniature wine bottle, a dormouse, playing cards, cakes and cookies and more. 

If you'd like to see the process of making this piece, take a gander over HERE for the video walkthrough.

And here is the list of supplies I used:

6" Hidden Drawer Book Box
Layered Frame Aria
Deco Frame

Web Stamp (available soon!)

Hallowe'en in Wonderland Deluxe Collectors EditionMetal Door Plate and Knob

Embossing powder

Acrylic paint

Hot glue and white glue

Foam squares

Bits and pieces for the interior

Altoid Tin Altars #G45DarkSide

I was so excited to see this months Graphic 45 challenge: #G45DarkSide. This was just the prompt I needed to get to business on a project I’ve been thinking about for a long while.

I’m a big fan of altering altoid tins. You can create these tins to hold just about anything. Create a fancy little sewing kit. Keep one in your car filled with emergency bits and bobs. You can fit a surprising amount in those little tins.



I’ve created two #G45DarkSide tins here. One tin pairs papers from Communique—Deluxe Collector's Edition with brass Staples Decorative Hardware.





The other uses Floral Shoppe with shabby chic Staples Decorative Hardware

The tins contain a sort of storage space which, if careful, can fit a surprising amount of goodies!


All of the items above fit comfortably in that trap-door space.

My tins will be used as tiny portable travel altars. Each contains matches, a vile of herbs, incense, candles, gemstones, a tiny crystal ball, vessels for libations and offerings, magnetic images and more!



But if altars aren’t your thing… no worries! The video tutorial I’ve created demonstrates how to cover an altoid style tin and create the trapdoor element inside. So take those instructions to create something that suits YOU.



I'm smitten with my little altars but I totally encourage you to take this idea and run with it, making something filled with little things useful or treasured by you.

Supply List:

Antique Brass Metal Clock Keys
Antique Brass Ornate Metal Keys
Antique Brass Ornate Metal Key Holes
Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Key Holes
Antique Brass Stamped Metal Brads
Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Brads
Floral Shoppe
Communique—Deluxe Collector's Edition
Couture - Fabulous

Cardboard
Charms
Small wooden blocks
Glue
Black ink pad
Altoid style tin

Bits and bobs to fill your tin

Hallowe'en in Wonderland Nonsense Clock #G45DarkSide

The challenge this month over at Graphic 45 is to create a project using a dark colour pallet. I did create another project, which I can't show off just yet, but I couldn't help but make another with the #G45DarkSide theme when Hallowe'en in Wonderland arrived in the mail.

I've used a chipboard Grandfather Clock 1:12 from gslcuts.com as the base. It measures just 7.5" tall but if you're not comfortable with that tiny scale, there is a larger 11" version available too.

I toyed with the idea of putting a working watch face in the top of the clock, but opted for an antique metal clock key with the stem chopped off, and an ornate metal key hole with the top and bottom loops snipped off to fit. There are some brass stamped metal brads there too. I've snuck a Tim Holtz clock key from my stash on the top.

The bottom area, where there would normally be the clockwork pendulum, all of the characters have jumped in and are doing their thing. The Queen is shouting, the Hatter is spouting nonsense, Rabbit is checking the time, and the Cheshire cat is smiling.

The bottom The little drawer at the bottom (which I have thoughtfully accidentally glued shut) has a brass pull and a little chippy accent from Hallowe'en in Wonderland.

A bit of glitter, fussy cutting and curls and my clock is done! And because Alice is all about nonsense, and what could make more sense than a clock that doesn't actually tell time and with a drawer that doesn't open?!

Want to make your own? Here's the bits and pieces list:

Hallowe'en in Wonderland Deluxe Collectors Edition
Grandfather Clock 1:12
Antique Metal Clock Keys

Ornate Metal Key Holes
Brass Stamped Metal Brads

Tim Holtz Clock Key
Brass Drawer Pull
Glue
Acrylic Paint
Glitter

Butterflies, Specimens and Inspiration

There was a butterfly exhibit at the Natural History Museum wrapping a few days after I landed in the UK. So, I jumped on a train and travelled across the country to the big city. I literally made it just a few hours before the exhibit closed.

The exhibit was in an exterior tent and it was all sorts of magic walking through the fluttering winged things.

Inside the museum there were loads of old school specimens.

Did you know that there are no real Dodo specimens? None! Not a single one! Every Dodo bird specimen found in museums is a reproduction.

But, what I really want to show you is this...

This Victorian display stands over 6ft tall and contains over 100 hummingbird specimens. It looks like chaos in photos, but in person it is absolutely amazing. I was trying to find additional information on this piece and it seems it's history is a bit of mystery. I think that adds to it's appeal.

Inspired by my visit to the Natural History Museum I've made a little butterfly "specimen" display.

I've used an inexpensive cubby box as a base and covered it with papers from Steampunk Debutante.

The butterflies are fussy cut from Butterfly Specifics from Olde Curiosity Shoppe.

I've added some small metal feet, Antique Brass Stamped Metal Brads, and an Antique Metal Door Pull to finish it off.

I have so many other interesting and inspiring things to share with you that you're going to be sick to death of me! But first I've got to get back to gluing stuff to other stuff and splashing paint on things.

Waiting for the train to London. Fun fact: you cannot get cream for your coffee in England! You can have your fill of milk, but delicious thick cream for your black gold is a rare treasure. I was gasping for a creamy cup of joe when I returned.

Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins'

I am in love with Graphic 45's Floral Shoppe. It's just so.... lush, gorgeous, beautiful, pretty. I can't say enough good things about it. Every sheet is a dream. Today I'm showing off some wearable art I created using this collection and the House Jewelry Pieces from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts.

I've used various Floral Shoppe papers for the backgound keeping some pretty elements (like those pretty birds) nicely framed as a focal point on some of the pieces.

I randomly stamped the base corners and frames with a floral design from Gilded Lily and applied gold embossing powder before gluing the frame and base together.

A few sweet words snipped from vintage books. 

Paper butterflies are added too.

Tiny eyehole screw is added to the bottom edge.

Pretty charms and beads are added.

What is it about those Antique Brass Ornate Metal Keys that is oh so appealing? Must have something to do with the possibility of opening new doors, or hidden treasure boxes.

I really like the range in size. From statement piece, to delightfully wee!

I was in a bit of a pickle when it came to finding pin backs for these pieces. The small house shapes are quite tiny so I wanted to use butterfly clutches rather than long pin backs but I couldn't find them anywhere! But I did find magnetic 'buttons'.

These won't hold in place on a thick sweater or coat, but these little magnets are quite strong (they were trying to stick together when I was shooting the group photos for this post!) and will absolutely pull together through thinner materials. Not exactly what I was looking for, but hey, now they can be used as magnets by those who don't wear pretty pins, buttons or brooches.

Want to make your own? Here are the supplies you'll need

Graphic 45's Floral Shoppe

Gilded Lily Stamp Set 1

Antique Brass Ornate Metal Keys

House Jewelry Pieces

Gold embossing powder

Acrylic paint

Beads, charms and jumprings

Small eyehole screws

Discarded books

Magnetic buttons

Pretty Bird Matchboxes

Little boxes, fussy cutting, and pretty papers... swoon!

You can absolutely make your own matchboxes, but I totally cheated and bought a bunch from the dollar store. I covered them in papers from the glorousiously gorgeous Graphic 45's Floral Shoppe (seriously, I cannot get enough of those papers).

Inside are fussy cut flowers, birds and butterflies from Floral Shoppe and Seasons. 

(Disclaimer: a butterfly or flower might have snuck in from another collection. I was a flurry of paper and scissors and my memory is a total blur.)

I lined the inside of the boxes with vintage dictionary pages that have been given a wash of white acrylic paint.

Depth is created by using layers foam squares.

What is it about small things that make them precious? Holding these in your hand is like a little bit of magic.

Here's an even better look at these pretties.

Want to make your own? Here's what I used:

• matchboxes

• Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe

• Graphic 45 8" Seasons

• old papers (dictionary pages)

• acrylic wash

• glue

• foam squares

• self adhesive nail heads