An Asian Garden in Full Bloom! Mixed Media Book Box tutorial by Tracy Alden

Hello! Tracy here with a project showcasing wonderful supplies from Amazing Crafting Products and our  "Partners in Crafting,"  FrogDogStudio.com. When I received my Frog Dog Studio kit in the mail I was so excited, the kit had some many wonderful goodies and it had a East Asian flair to it! It got me thinking about my trip through Asia and I was inspired to create a hidden story book.

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The Frog Dog Studio April Mixed Media Kit includes:

(1) **Alumidust Powder - Red Plum; (1) StazOn Midi Ink pad - Claret; (1) StazOn Midi Ink pad - Blue Hawaii; (1) iZink Pigment Ink bottle - Gold; (1) Stampendous Mica Fragments Jar, Pearlized; (1) Dusty Attic Chipboard set - Birds; (1) Stampendous Mini Clipboard Canvas pack; (1) Set Canvas Mini's - Canvas Corp; (3) Sheets of Decopatch Tissue Paper; and (16) Tim Holtz Clear Fragments (random sizes/shapes). ** Alumidust is one of the many additives from the Alumilite Corporation. Valued at over $45.

The Frog Dog Studio  April Add-On Kit includes:

(1) Amazing Clear Cast Resin – 16 Fluid Oz Box; (1) Amazing Mold Putty – 2/3 lb Box; (25) 1 oz Measuring Cups; and (50) Wooden Stir Sticks. Valued at over $47.

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Additional Supplies:

• Alumilite Metallic Powder
• Soft bristle brush 
• Glu6 - Adhesive for Non-Porous surfaces
• White Craft Glue
• Liquitex Gloss Varnish
• Printed image
• Sharp Craft Scissors
• Embossing powder
• Embossing adhesive
• Heat Gun
• Hot Glue gun and glue sticks
• Cream colored acrylic paint
• StazOn Ink Pads Black and Brown
• Mulberry Paper
• Dried Moss
• Silk Flowers
• Cosmetic sponge
• Paper Maché Book shaped box
• 1 - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" blank card
• Adhesive Foam Squares
• Cotton Swabs

I started by brushing on a coat of Cream colored acrylic paint on the inside and outside of the paper mache box. This acts as a primer and helps any papers placed on it visually "pop" more. 

To cover the outside of the box I used the classic decoupage technique of tearing up the mulberry paper and applying piece after piece with the white craft glue. I had wadded up and then flattened the mulberry paper ahead of time to create more texture. I was careful to overlap edges and go under the sides of the box to make sure no Cream paint was visible. I let the glue completely dry before going onto the next step. 

Taking the StazOn Brown, Black and Claret ink pads I rubbed them on the surface of the front and back cover of the book box. The textured decoupage edges and corners picked up the color wonderfully.

Next I put drops of the Gold iZink Pigment ink on the front and back of the book box using a cosmetic sponge to move and distribute the ink. I painted a thin coat of Liquitex Gloss Varnish as a sealer to the front and back of the now inked surface.

I carefully cut to size one sheet of the Decopatch Tissue Paper to fit the inside of the box. Using the white glue and a paint brush I carefully applied the tissue paper to the inside of the box.

Using a soft bristle brush I applied Liquitex Gloss Varnish

to the inside of the box to seal and protect the paper.

I applied embossing powder adhesive to the chipboard birds,

applied two coats of golden colored embossing powder and heat to set.

Next I covered the 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card with Gold iZink Pigment ink 

by blotting it on with a cosmetic sponge in layers.

I rubbed the black StazOn ink on the edges of the card stock to give it an aged look and glued it to the front cover of the book box. I then stamped a frame image on the upper portion of the card.

Using the techniques I discuss in my Button Molding post I created decorative elements by molding buttons and a snake pendant. Before pouring any Amazing Casting Resin into the molds, I used a soft bristle brush to dust the inside of a molds with Alumilite Metallic Powder. 

Once all of the pieces were demolded, I painted on some Liquitex Gloss Varnish and reapplied the metallic powders. I sealed them with more Liquitex Gloss Varnish to give it a nice shine.

I attached one of the chipboard birds and the resin pieces to the front of the card using the Glu6 Adhesive. I applied the flower embellishments with hot glue, careful to overlap the flowers and leaves to cover any visible glue.

I applied some Gold iZink Pigment ink to the embellishments

with a cotton swab to add highlights and a slight shimmer.

I printed out a image of a Buddhist statue I had taken and attached it to golden card stock. I placed foam squares on the back and put it inside the book box.

Once again I applied the flower embellishments with hot glue, careful to overlap the flowers and leaves to cover any visible glue to the inside of the box. I applied the chipboard bird with Glu6 Adhesive and covered the bottom portion of the box with dried moss, using hot glue to set in place. I applied some Gold iZink Pigment ink to the embellishments with a cotton swab to add more highlights.

While the flowers glued inside the box stick out a little,

the box can easily be placed closed on a mantel or table.

Once the box is open it acts an easel, displaying the peaceful scene. :)

What wonderful Mixed Media project

would you create with these supplies?

Visit my blog Art Resurrected for more craft tutorials!

Until next time, safe travels! ~ Tracy

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