Imaginarium post by Sue Smyth

Golden Galleon Box 

and Fairy notes book

by Sue Smyth 

Hi bloggers

this month I have been inspired by my recent cruise 

with  Needlework tours 

Jane Tregenza and  I and lots of other super talented tutors, 

taught on the high seas.

So I created a Golden Galleon box,

When I am out shopping in cheap shops or second hand

stores, if I see something interesting I buy it, sometimes I 

have an idea what I will use it for, other times not.

This time I knew exactly what I would do with a cute

plastic ship.

This project started with a small plastic ship, that I instantly

thought.,, that would look great gilded.

A friend gave me a Graphic 45 black album box and 

the project took shape.

The next component was from me, my Magnolia Lane Typography 

embossing folder. I knew it would look fabulous in black and 

rubbed over with metallic paints. 

So then I added lots of Imaginarium chipboard, embossed with

Stampendous Aged gold embossing powder, twice.

I now emboss everything twice as it gives a larger

than life lustrous look.

The ship is sprayed with matt black spray paint.

Then dry brush with gold paint to enhance the details.

I have added Mega Flakes to the hull of the ship for added

detail and gold sheen.

For the spine I have cut up a border and double embossed.

Trim the ends so that they fit snugly and form a 

rectangular panel on the spine.

The compass is sprayed with matt black too, and then

covered with Mega flakes and finally a coat

of dimensional magic. See below for a step by step.

I have added gold micro beads to the edges of both

compasses for added texture.

Step 1

The base of the box is simply, black cardstock embossed 

with Magnolia Lane typography embossing folder,

Trim to fit the sides of the box and adhere

in place with gel medium.

Cover all sides,

Step 2

Then rub over with inka gold paints, purple, blue, graphite and lastly

gold paint. Have fun with this, keep adding colour until you

are happy with the look.

.

Step 3

Double emboss all of the corners and chipboard.

You will notice I  had to snip a little of these corners

to make them fit. Always look for ways

you can modify something to fit in with your

end plan.

Step 4

Now the compass, spray with matt black paint and 

dry.

Add flitter glue and dry, then the mega flakes.

Use a scourer to remove and distribute the 

flakes for an out of this world aged gold look,

The large compass, spray with matt black too, but this 

time just rub over with gold paint for a simpler

look.

Assemble all of the pieces on top of your box to finish.

Chipboard used 

Fairy Notes 

My next project was a great find in a second hand store,

You will see below how hideous this was before I attacked it,

It is a super useful note book, complete with pen and 

tear off papers. I love that the edges of the paper are 

metallic silver already. 

I have used chipboard to form the corners and snipped 

up trinkets to surround a wreath of flowers and berries.

In the middle is a gilded toy doll, converted into a fairy with 

double wings.

Tucked into the wreath are flowers, berries bunnies, and butterflies

just like a woodland scene.

I have decorated the spine with chipboard too and 

lots of large bling and pearls. 

To colour the metal butterfly, just rub over

with turquoise and purple inka gold.

Add dimensional magic and iridescent beads to the 

center of the butterfly

The addition of metallic paint to the chipboard makes it seem

like metal,

Of course the book opens too to reveal a generous 

paper pad to take lots of fairy notes on.

Ok here is the original! I love cats as much

as anybody, in fact I have 3 ,,,but this 

is not the type of note book I would 

rush to buy, except when it costs 

just $2.00 and it can be altered,

To start my project, I have roughly

mapped out what I want to do and

checked each piece will fit.

Then I have wrapped the inside in glad wrap to 

protect it from paints and sprays

Add the chipboard elements by using 

gel medium as a glue,

Gel medium has much more 

flex than regular glues and

allows bending and flexing in books and boxes.

Then paint with black gesso, and dry.

Layer over a coat of Dylusions purple paint, using a

dry brush for a random look.

Paint over Matisse Iridescent medium, to give a layer 

of metallic and shine.

Then add inka gold metallic paints.

 I have used green, purple, turquoise and of course gold paint.

Add trimmed trinkets and a small line of 

glue, sprinkle over green flaky glitter. shards

Double emboss frame and adhere to the centre of 

the top of box.

Spray, matt black spray paint over plastic doll

and dry, then  rub over with the same 

metallic paints

Emboss large monarch butterfly, after you 

have sprayed it with matt spray paint;

Rub over with metallic paints too, add to the centre.

Twist branches and dodo vine to form a wreath

 and adhere around the fairy,

tuck in flowers and berries, bunny brads

butterflies and anything woodsy. 

Chipboard Used 

I just thought I would share what my table ( my freezer top)

looks like when I am working, a mess right,

But that is the creative process, and when 

I am finished the job of tidying up lol