Altered Art with Design Team Expert Lowri McNabb

Please welcome Design Team Expert Lowri McNabb to the blog today as she shares her insight and tips into creating altered book ends and fun chipboard shapes. Read through her tips and tricks for completing this project!

Hi, Everyone! Lowri here to share an altered project today. These bookend drawers using the fabulously colorful Paradise Beach Collection are sure to brighten up any child’s bedroom (or your own desk if you can’t bear to part with them.)

I painted and assembled the drawers, but then decided the plain blue color was too bold. So I took a paint dauber and some white paint and just softened the stark color a little. It actually looks like surf too, which was an added bonus! Each drawer is decorated with a few handmade embellishments, and you can read below to learn just how I made these.  

For more information on Lowri's amazing project, keep reading!

Many of the Echo Park Paper's Collections consist of papers and stickers, which leaves plenty of room for incorporating other tools you might have in your scrap stash. I bet many of you own Cuttlebug or other manual dies lying around and might not use them much now, especially if you have a digital die-cut machine. But I love them as they can cut quite thick material such as cardboard or thin chipboard. Here is how to make your own glossy chipboard embellishments:

Instructions:

 

1. Cut two layers of cardboard and one of paper with your chosen die.
2. Glue the 2 layers of cardboard together and then glue the paper on top.
3. Using a Versamark ink pad, cover the paper side of your chipboard piece with the clear ink. (With larger pieces I find it easy to push the piece onto the pad carefully and move it around to get a good coverage.)
4. Sprinkle clear embossing powder over the image, shake off the excess powder into the container BEFORE proceeding to the next step.
5. Using a heat gun, melt the embossing power until it is evenly glossy all over. Use a pair of tweezers to keep from burning your fingers. Set aside until cool.

These little embellishments are great for cards and a good way to use up cereal boxes! I usually cut and glue three layers for those to ensure a sturdy piece.

Check out these other examples:

I hope you have enjoyed these! If you have any questions, please post them below in the comments section.

Echo Park Supplies:
Paradise Beach Collection Kit

Other:
Blue and white paint, Cuttlebug machine and dies, Versamark Ink , clear embossing powder, heat gun, Kaisercraft Bookend Drawers

Is your mind just full of new ideas for how to use your favorite Echo Park Paper with die cut machines? I know that I have several neglected shapes that will perfectly with Lowri's fun technique. If you try this, we'd love to see the results! Simply post your project on our Facebook page HERE!