Make your own Photo Box Purse!

I love taking photos and I love making crafts, so why not combine the two, I say! Here's a project that is a lot of fun to make and garners me compliments everytime I show it to people. And it's fairly easy to make! Here's how...

Photo Box Purse

Supplies
– Cigar box purse (mine was about 6.5" side x 6.5" wide and purchased at Michaels)
– Computer with Adobe Photoshop or other Photo Processing Software
– Laserjet printer
– High res image of your choice
– red and black paint
– Staining/Antiquing Medium by DecoArt
– 1" and 2" foam brushes
– Paper towels or soft cloth
– White card stock
– Spray Adhesive like Aleene's Tacky Spray
– Black Ink Pad
– Scissors/Exacto Knife with Cutting Blade/Ruler/Mat
– Envirotex Resin kit
– mask for ventilation
– wax paper
– masking tape
– chopsticks


Instructions
1. Open your image in Adobe Photoshop or other image editing software. Crop your image to be 6.25" x 6.25" and print your image onto cardstock according to printer specifications.

2. Using scissors or paper cutter, cut out image and set aside.

3. Mix one part red acrylic paint with one part Staining/Antiquing medium. Using paint mixture, paint entire box with foam brush, being careful not to get paint on handle (only unless you want you handle painted the same color too). Paint the handle black and let dry. Paint inside of purse if desired and also let dry.

4. Spray back of photo lightly according to directions with Tacky Spray (in a well-ventilated area). Adhere image to front of purse, pressing firmly to release any air bubbles. Use stamp pad to go around adhered image to get ride of white edge. Let dry.

5. Use fine-grit sandpaper to sand the wooden purse (except for the lid) and handle in the direction of the grain to create a distressed appearance. Wipe with a damp paper towel to remove dust.

6. Ink all edges of the purse (including the lid) with the black ink pad to age. You can even distress areas of the photo with the ink pad if you are brave. Let dry thoroughly.

7. Seal off all sides around photo edge with masking tape. This will help prevent resin runoff on the sides of your purse.

8. Now here comes the fun resin part! Go outdoors or in a well ventilated area and Mix up the two part Envirotex resin. Place the box flat with the photo side up on a piece of wax paper. Pour in small amounts a little at a time and use a chopstick to spread out to the edges to get even coverage. Believe me, a little resin goes a long way. It flattens out and can run down the edges if you use too much, so use sparingly! Blow out any air bubbles with a straw (Thanks Crafty Chica for the straw and chopstick tip!). Let cure over night. It will take a couple days to fully dry, so let it cure and dry in an area free from dust and debris.

9. Once resin is dry, remove masking tape from around box and touch up any needed areas.

Here's another one of these purses I made for my friend using Photoshopped images of her cats on each side. I also made her a custom beaded handle. She loved it!





Enjoy and show off your new purse!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

I think it is time for some new glasses

I've been wanting some new glasses for awhile and Pattiewack keeps asking me when I'm going to get them. I guess I've just been lazy, but I think today might just have to be the day.

This photo might help you understand why.


I accidentally sat on them while getting ready for work this morning. I put them on the corner of my bed and plopped right down on them. And, oh geez, this photo is terrible. So not flattering at all!


I tried the nerd herd/4 eyes look, but it wouldn't hold. I guess it wasn't meant to be.


I then enlisted my friend Allee for some help. She broke out the Aleene's® Jewelry and Metal Glue™.


Not quite as good as new, but a quick fix so I can atleast wear them until I get some new.

I can't wait to get a new style (or two) and even some new contacts to wear!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

I HEART my man crafter!

William is a go-getter. This weekend, he decided he wanted to take on the task of fixing up an old bike in the back yard. Part of the process involved having to sew the seat and another piece out of vinyl (a little chair for a child on back).

Anyway, William doesn't know how to sew, but he wasn't going to let that stop him. He sat down at the machine for a while until he figured it out and in no time he was sewing a straight stitch. I'm super proud of him! He's the best!

In addition to his newfound sewing skills, he also composts, grows pomegranates (he's pretty hardcore at this), screenprints, and makes his own biodiesel. I kinda think he's the guy version of me!

Well, gotta get back to work!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Projects by my favorite crafty girl!

I know I've been M.I.A. this passed week, but part of the reason why is cause my niece Taylor and my Dad have been visiting! Here's a few cute Tulip® Fabric Spray Paint projects that Tay made. She's my fave crafty gal, as you might already know





I also did a mini photo shoot with her on Saturday night. She's growing up so fast before my lens!









Well, gotta get ready for bed and to see them off in the morn.

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Cleanliness is next to impossible

Photo by Kaiton, via Flickr Creative Commons.

It's that time again...relatives (my dad and niece) will be visiting my place in a few days and I'm feverishly getting my place in order. Seriously, the only time I clean is when I have guests, so my place is a general mess most days. I blame it on my creative mind.

Patty gave me the sweetest card today and it totally summed up my messiness, it read:

Who cares if you never get
the junk drawer cleaned,
or the closets organized,
or the sticky stuff
off the seat of your car?

Who cares if you're always running
just a few minutes behind,
or if it's been six months since
you actually balanced
your checkbook?

Who cares
about any of that
when you're so good
at the the things
that really matter –
like being a wonderful friend.

I'm actually going first to Hollywood with my dad and niece starting Wednesday to see the sites and live it up, then we will head back to Fresno on Friday evening and visit both Sequoia and Yosemite on Saturday and Sunday. So it will be a crazy week and weekend. I'm ready for a nice break though.

So, as you will guess, I don't anticipate blogging, but I'll be twittering my trip so check my twitter account and I'll keep you up to date with all the celebs I'll be rubbing elbows with. Haha. No, we will go to the Walk of Fame (all the downtown Hollywood stuff) as well as go to Paramount Studios, I believe, and a tour of homes. It will be fun. I'm so happy, I get to spend time with my dad and my little TayTay (she's not so little anymore...she's 9).

Anyway, I'll be back when I'm back. NOt sure if I will post tomorrow or not...depends on how much cleaning I have to do or get accomplished. Ugh, why don't I just hire a maid??

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

This looks really good - The Social Network

A new movie is on its way to theatres in the next few months (actually, October 1st, my b-day) and it is all about the start of Facebook! I find social media, the way it has changed our lives and impacted our society to be quite fascinating. This looks like a dark take on how Facebook was started, but it will bring a lot of insight into the story and impact it has in our lives.

The opening sequence of this trailer is pretty fascinating. Breaking down all the requests/likes/comments we make and taking a closer look. It's funny how the trailer makes it so much more haunting than we ever think about (it prob. helps that the music that narrates it is the Radiohead song "Creep"). The poster also is really cool and in the vain of the Facebook platform. I dig.



After I watched it I had to Wikipedia it to read more about Mark Zuckerburg.

And the most shocking thing about this trailer? The little brother of the cute little Pepsi girl would turn out to have a bigger career than her? I guess this is the way things work.

Oh and if you like my take on this trailer, please share it on Facebook, you can find the button below to do that :)

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Today I literally write my blog!

Know what I miss? Good snail mail days

Snail Mail by stacymbass, via Flickr Creative Commons

I love the internet. I love social media. I love creative and fun links. I love being able to find information in 30 seconds of googling it. I really do love all these things. But the thing I don't love about it all? This crazy techy/internet/amazing information at our fingertips has really made us disconnected from the process of real connection. It's not to say real connection can't happen over the internet, it can. But the connection that I feel sad about that I know I personally miss is the good old fashioned kind: a single heartfelt letter.

It's not to say that I don't get mail from people, I do from time to time, but it is usually in the form of a card with a simple message, a package being sent to me, or an invitation to an event or party. With the exception of an ATC I received a few weeks back in the mail, I can't remember the last time I actually got a hand written letter from someone. And part of the fault is my own.

I have tons of cool stationary...heck, I could whip something up in a design program if I wanted to as well. I just haven't made the effort to actually mail a letter to someone else in years. Every now and then I think about it and it saddens me. I have a friend from back in college that isn't all that keen on social media. We keep in touch over e-mail every now and then, but what I truly miss are the letters that we sent back and forth to each other during our summers home. It was just so much more intimate and caring and just the act of pen to paper let me know she really cared about me and wanted to tell me a story. It just felt good.

Part of me wants to rally others to "Take letter writing back" and start sending snail mail again, but every time I think about it, my mind becomes consumed with something else and I don't make the effort. I think at this point, a major lifestyle change (forcing myself to stay off the internet/limiting my usage), for me to do this. In this information overload day and age, I can see where this could happen for me down the road.

I actually just read a great article on Craftypod that had been posted on the now defunct Make and Meaning Blog. It talks about what we are reading, the quality of the content, and how the overwhelming content can lead to major distraction and less quality of life. It's insightful and thought provoking. Something to atleast think about. Maybe if I weren't so caught up in aimless facebook photos or searches, I could find time to make stronger human connections.

What are your thoughts? Do you miss letters as much as I do? And should we bring the pen pal back in a way? Maybe this is why people love swaps so much!

Anywho, hope you have a great Wednesday!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Quick and Easy Double Rainbow Shirt

I did a video yesterday with William, Pattie, and Scott based on the Double Rainbow video that's been all over the net. Anyway, I wanted to share the magic of creation with you guys on a tutorial here on the blog as well. Haha. Here's the video for you to view in all its glory...



Admittedly, the shirt in the video didn't turn out the way I had wanted (I had to nail it on one shirt in one take, Wah Wahhhhhhh). I like the top rainbow, but the bottom rainbow got a little too squished. Below, I redid the shirt on a slightly smaller shirt (a cute baby t-shirt I will prob. give William's niece Sophie), but the technique remains the same. So many of my DIY projects are trial and error. It's a fun project even if it is a little messy and outside the lines a little...the fun is really in the experience and the creativity! It doesn't get more creative than Double Rainbows!!!

And now onto the step by step photo tutorial...



1. Insert a sheet of wax or freezer paper inside the shirt. For the freezer paper, you may want to iron it into place so it doesn't shift around during your project.



2. Fold shirt in half to make a crease and mark. Press firmly to make the crease. This crease will come in handy in a bit.



3. Line up your colors of fabric paint in ROYGBIV order. I used Scribbles 3D Paint for this project and tapped them a few times on the table to remove any air bubbles. I've always loved Scribbles since I was a kid!



4. Now start painting your rainbows. I created half rainbow arches until they met the crease and I painted clouds on the side in black. For best results, make sure you don't leave a big bead of paint at the center point. Try to keep your hand steady with an even flow of paint for the entire painting process as you use the different the paints.



5. Now fold your shirt in half at the crease. Very lightly press in place. Don't press on top of crease too much (this is what happened to my shirt in the video, it splooged in the center rainbow in the video). Pat gently all areas.



6. Now here comes the fun/scary part...open up your design to reveal your pressed rainbow.



7. Do any necessary touch ups or corrections you want to do. Now wear and rock those rainbows out!

And because I just can't resist, the Double Rainbow Song that has been stuck in my head for days!



Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Rich and Famous and Not So Famous

This weekend I met a celebrity. Yes, I really did. A famed figure since childhood. The Hamburglar. Robble Robble. This was one of the not so glamorous moments for the Hamburglar as it was a 105 degrees out and I can only imagine what it was actually like to be in that costume. I kinda felt bad for him, until I was reminded of the fact that he liked to steal burgers and I don't want him to steal mine in the near future!

This got me to thinking...hmm, there have been a few other celebrities that I've met that would be fun to show you...and I might add some of these are celebrity impersonators, some are not. I just thought it would be fun to show both.


Here I am with a Colonel Sanders look-a-like in downtown Louisville. He actually charges for pictures so we had to pay him a buck.


I swear, I don't wear this shirt all the time! Anyway, here I am in Nashville with Honest Abe. I remember yelling, "Hey Abe, can I take your picture?" I think it embarrassed my sister. Heehee.


Last year I met a TV icon...Candace Cameron. I was so nervous having to ask for a pic, but I totally idolized her as DJ Tanner on Full House. How could I not?


This past year at CHA, I got to meet Candy Spelling. She made sure I covered up my name tag with her book.


While there I also met famed crafter Carol Duvall. I grew up watching her on the Home show!


And the always fabulous Brini Maxwell.


The Weinermobile made a stop in Lexington a couple of summers go. It doesn't get more celebrity than this! I was in dog heaven!

I guess I've met some other famous people, but eh, I don't get all built up into a tizzy over it. They're people too! I get more excited over the kitschy character ones like the Hamburglar anyway. Heehee.

Hope you have a great Monday!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Rainbow Spring Bracelet

I was having fun with beads tonight. I haven't beaded very much as of late, and I just wanted to play with color, shape, and textures. Of course, since it is me, it is bright and colorful and rainbow-like. I couldn't resist!

It was super easy to make. Just 3 easy steps...

1. Pick out your beads in various large and small sizes. My beads I've gathered over the years are arranged in individual baggies in hues of reds, greens, blues, etc. It helps me easily find the coloration I am looking for rather than having to dig through several mini bags of beads.

2. Take a coiled spring wire bracelet and curl the end with pliers. Bead your wire in desired colors, graduating the colors as you go. I clustered a lot of the big beads together and the small beads together. I wanted it to be more random, funky, and fun.

3. Bead spring coil until you reach the end, then curl the end to finish. Wear and rock it out!

It's fun photographing it, cause it is so colorful. Here's some more images...

I think it's a fun and easy bracelet for summer. I'm all about the easy 1 hour project!







And while I'm on the "rainbow" topic, if you haven't seen this, you must watch. It will make you laugh.



Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

5 projects I love

I don't really have a set style for what I create, but I do love a good project that is easy, stylish, and something that is timeless. Here's a few projects I compiled tonight that I think you might enjoy too!


This jewelry stand is so pretty. Painted twigs like this remind me of my biological mom. She painted a twig white and hung it above the bed as well art. She was so crafty and ahead of her time. (via Centsational Girl)



I so need to write more letters and send cool evelopes like these!!! (via Jes Sprkles on Flickr)


These letter crafts from Country Living add emotion to a room. Sweet.
(found via Poppy Talk's blog)


I love this tissue paper canvas project so much! The colors speak to me (via Prudent Baby)


And I adore these Amy Butler gum drop pillows. They are such a feel good! (Found via Jupiter Button's blog).

Well, off to bed!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

Light Table Discoveries

Tonight Silvia and I got to hang out. It's always nice hanging out with her cause we are both on the same page creatively. While we both do very different kinds of art (her specialty is zines), I find that we can help push our ideas ahead and inspire each other.

She was pulling out some ephemera from boxes (she's so organized!) and I spotted some transparencies. On her light table, I decided to position them in fun ways and take a few photos. The table reacted funny to my iphone and immediately inserted lines into my finished photo, but I'm totally diggin' it! I love how bold, black and white and graphic the images and text look. It was an interesting and fun discovery and freeform way to be creative. I need more of that. How about you?







Turning in for the night!

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa

4th of July Fun

I had a great Fourth. I honestly haven't done something fun on the fourth in years. This was a nice and low key one, but a lot of fun!! I was invited to Modesto to spend the 4th with William and his family. Then we went to a block party in front of their house. It was really nice. Everyone came out, shared food (I helped make the pie crust with his mom), swam in each others backyard pools, set off group fireworks. The street was blocked off, so everyone could roam freely. William's niece, Sophie, esp. had a good time roaming and walking the street (she's not yet 2). Anyway, I took a lot of pics and wanted to share some fun ones.


Here's the street. It looked so cute and multiple grills were fired up!


I had several glasses of this homeade lemonade. YUM!


Of course I had to have one of these! In addition to other sweets. It's a holiday!


Sophie had fun splashing her feet in the pool.


And sitting on the curb meeting new people.


And of course there were fireworks!


I liked this moody photo of a boy in the firework smoke!


William's sis Heather did her fire poi! I got to take a lot of cool pics of her with the fire!!


Here's another one I really liked.

Oh, and here's a cute photo of me and William that his sis took. I think it's pretty cute. He's wearing the shirt I made him!!!

What did you do for the fourth?

Until next time Swellions!

Alexa