The Stamp Man - Birds, Bees and Butterflies

 

Jill at The Stamp Man has changed the format for the challenge blog. We have switched to a monthly challenge to give us the DT and you more time to design a project. As I love Birds, Bees and Butterflies I wanted to include all of them in my project. 
When I was down in Yorkshire last month for a craft retreat we were shown how to make a box frame by the lovely Liz (some of you may know her as Lizzie Bobs). This is the one she made for me, which I have already posted , but it is so lovely I want to show it off again.
So I have used this as inspiration to make a larger version for the Stamp Man Challenge.

The original template uses a piece of card 8x8 inches:

 Score all the solid lines, cut the centre cross and cut out the 4 solid corner boxes. 

Here I have scored and cut out from a 12x12 sheet of white card stock. Instead of cm I have scored at 0.5 and 1 inch increments to make the frame element slightly bigger than the 8x8 version. Fold all the score lines and use a bone folder to give them sharp creases.

 

 Now just trim off those extra triangles and you are ready to decorate. Don't stick anything together until you have finished inking and stamping. I used Distress inks to colour the whole frame then masked of sections to stamp on the front of the frame and the edges.

For the base just measure the frame and cut a square just slightly smaller so there are no bits overlapping. I just coloured this piece about 2 inches in from the edge all round as I new I was making a separate centre panel.

The centre panel was a 16cm square of white card covered with text paper from my Oxfam bargain French dictionary. I added some antique linen Distress ink to age it then added layers of stamping. The gorgeous bird cage is a recent Stampendous stamp called "Bird Manor". I am sure you recognise the Tim Holtz stamps. The Papillon set is one of my favourites and perfect for this project as I wanted a Victorian nature journal feel to my piece. 

I also added some gold embossed stamping around the edges and some Stampendous Frantage powders. If you haven't already tried these then I urge you to have a go. They are just gorgeous. I am gradually building up my collection, but my favourites are the shabby and aged ones. 
So Liz, thanks for sharing this idea with us, and inspiring me to have a go. I was really pleased at how it turned out. I am going to have a go at a Christmas version.
Stampendous have just had a new release of stamps and I can't wait to get my hands on a few of them!! Luckily I have a birthday coming up and will be leaving my wish list lying around along with The Stamp Man's web address!!
There is still time to enter the challenge and as always there is a gift voucher up for grabs for the winner.
Hope you have a good weekend.
Siobhan