We are thrilled to share 6 Tips on how to add dimension and interest to your projects. Glenys Vidal explains the fabulous techniques she has used to create this stunning DIY Box and Album. Be sure to take some notes and try a few of these tricks on your next paper project. Before we dive in we wanted to remind you that today is the Last Day To Save 50% Off Crafty Bundles.

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Botanical Tea Album and Altered Box

{Fussy Cut and Layering Techniques}

“Hello G45ers, today I am sharing with you a new project and a few techniques to teach you how to create your own stunning albums using Graphic 45 paper collections. First, I wanted to share a few pictures of the completed album and the matching altered box to show you the finished product, and then delve into the techniques I used to make it (like fussy cutting, adding natural textural elements, and adding 3-dimensionality to albums).

This album was so heavily inspired by the seasonal change around me. To me, March signals the beginning of a new season, of the start of spring. The flowers start blooming in my garden, the color of trees and grass seem greener, and the birds are chirping. It all gets me so inspired to replicate the beauty of nature into my album.

With all this great inspiration around me and such great ideas for a spring album, I thought, what other collection could be more perfect than Graphic 45’s Botanical Tea collection? It has the perfect soft colors and the most amazing botanical images to match what I wanted to create.

Let’s start with the cover. For my cover I used fussy cut images from the papers arranged in different layers of chipboard, mesh, sisal and actual nature elements.

When creating covers for my albums I like to transform the papers into a totally different look, by using different elements and making them look like they belonged together from the beginning, like the butterfly and teapot mixed in with yarn and flowers.

To create the box and album I used Black Chipboard Sheets as a base. The size of the completed album is (9 ½” x 7 ½”) and the box is (10”x 8”).

Here are some of the inside pages:

To create these projects I only used the beauty of the paper collection, and simple techniques to elevate them. Here are some of the techniques.

6 Craft Tips:

Use your favorite paper combination for the cover. That will give you the perfect base to start adding elements in layers.
Fussy cut different images, the more the merrier, as they add interest to your cover.
Use chipboard frames covered with papers under your images to add another source of interest and added depth and height.
Arrange images in different layers and heights, using chipboard, paper, foam or anything available to you for a more 3-dimensional look.
Use different elements like mesh, sisal in between layers to add extra textural dimension.
Use unexpected things like branches from your garden to add surprise!