Sunday 13 December 2015

Secret Santa fun with AVJ

Hello everyone and welcome to another busy posting day here....
Today the team over at A Vintage Journey are showing the gifts they made for a team mate in a fun Secret Santa adventure we embarked on. My gift went to the lovely Tracy and this is what I made:
It's a book box, in vintage style. The outside was decorated by first covering it with strips of tissue paper. I then decoupaged parts of a paper serviette, both to the front and the back and then I painted around it with a variety of blue and white acrylic paints in various blue and white tones.
Here is the back:
And here the side:
The raised bits, achieved by wrinkling the tissue paper strips, were highlighted with Decoart Metallic Lustre in Champagne, I also used some Treasure Gold in Renaissance Gold and some Decoart Antiquing Cream in Burnt Umber to achieve an aged look.


I left the inside quite plain, I thought that perhaps Tracy could use it to store her Christmas Cards in.

I also made a kind of tag holder, out of two envelopes that I slid into each other. I decorated them with my own design papers from my Victorian Christmas Collection by C'est Magnifique.
I added some texture to the front cover with the help of a stencil and some crackle paste, - the sentiment is cut from one of the papers.
Here is the inside:
Each side was enhanced with the help of some die cuts and elements cut from the paper collection:
This is the left side, I used one of the Tim Holtz layered snowflakes to embellish it, I also stamped some snowflakes in Picket Fence Distress Paint, using one of the stamps from Tim's Grunge Flakes stamp set.
On the other side I used the Layered Leaf die, painted to match the elements of the papers, a doily cut from old book paper and some elements fussy cut from the paper collection.
Here finally you can see the tag that fits inside the pocket of this little folder.

Now I was lucky enough to receive a gift from the wonderful Nikki. She made me the most adorable little book.
Inside she had decorated the pages with images taken from my own projects on the AVJ blog. Such a sweet and fun idea. For me it was like a real trip down memory lane, as quite honestly, I had quite forgotten about some of them
Here is just one of the double pages, I just love how she has integrated everything together, so very clever! To see more details of her project for me, please visit her blog!!

Nikki, I absolutely adore the book you made me and I will treasure it , thank you so very much!!!

I also would like to thank Brenda for organising all of this. It was so much fun! Please make sure to check out the AVJ blog and visit all my team mates who took part, I can't wait to see all their projects in detail.
Thank you for visiting here today and have a fantastic week!!

29 comments:

Patty O'Malley said...

Your projects are so beautiful, Astrid. I love the papers you designed. Awesome gift you received as well.

Patty O'Malley said...

Your projects are so beautiful, Astrid. I love the papers you designed. Awesome gift you received as well.

Valerie-Jael said...

Both projects are wonderful, I am sure Tracy will be delighted with her marvelous gifts, hugs, Valerie

Maryann Laursen said...

Your project arte soooo beautiful Astrid, and I absolutely love, what you made here, such an amazing idea, that would work soo great for a fgift to some of those, you just never know, what to give. So thanks a lot for this amazing inspiration here, it is already saved in my head for later use, so just hope, I can remember it then ha ha ha.
I also loved the fun little book, you got here from Nikki, it´s really cool and beautiful too, so I can sure see why it´ll be treasured, I would too, it´s fabulous work as well.
Hope you´ll have a wonderful and fun sunday hee now.

Redanne said...

Astrid, your book box for Tracy is divine! You have a brilliant knack for making modern items look truly vintage, I am so in awe of your ability. The pictures on the box are gorgeous and so perfect for the Christmas season. Tracy must be over the moon happy with this and the fantastic envelope tag showcasing your fabulous paper range. Wonderful creations.

Nikki's book is such a thoughtful and beautiful gift, celebrating a wonderful year at AVJ, I just love how she decorated the pages to reflect your style - it is simply beautiful. Hugs, Anne xx

Heather McMahon said...

Oh wow - this is truly stunning!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Hi Astrid, I adore my handmade gift and to have an Astrid original is fantastic. I adore the imagery and your own papers make it even more special. I love the whole vintage feel to this piece and your finish is gorgeous. Thank you so much.

Nikk's book is also gorgeous, such a well thought out gift, beautifully executed. I love how she decorated each page, truly gorgeous. Tracy x

Pamellia said...

Wow your book is a work of art Astrid! I love the paper napkin transfer idea and your textures are incredible! Beautiful gift from Nikki! hugs :)

Susanna said...

So beautiful again!!! I love the book box ♥

Marisa Job said...

Beautiful book box!! Love all the details and texture!!

Terry said...

Astrid, the Secret Santa book box to Tracy is amazing! As always your choice of colors and texture is unsurpassed. The little faces are just beautiful and your own personal papers make this even more special! Love your altered book! Lovely gift to receive from Nikki! Merry Christmas!

Dorthe said...

Dear Astrid, you book for Tracy, is gorgeous, love your cover and backside, with the texture of napkins and the adorable faces.
The tag holder is beautiful, with your lovely tones, the leaf is so beautiful, and all the adds of cuts and stamps, and so is the tag ,you lovely also created.What a special, and adorable gift, for Tracy.
The one you received looks also wonderful, and I will go have a closer look, Happy Sunday in Advent.
Dorthe. xxoo

Jenny Marples said...

Oh Astrid, that book box is SO special! I love the totally aged look you've given it with the adorable images and gilded highlights. And then to top it all a tag holder with your own papers! How personal and special is that! It's no wonder Tracy is thrilled to have received these gifts. Jenny x

chrissie said...

Both beautiful makes and a great idea to swap gifts this way

Love Chrissie xx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Such a stunning present Astrid. The napkin pictures and the gorgeous paintwork and textures are just wonderful on this gorgeous box book. And then the tag holder !! Fabulous x

Kathy Bradley said...

Your book is so wonderful and gorgeous, Astrid! It is vintage and magical and I love it! I am wondering if, in any of the tutorials you have shared, that you have some instructions on using and applying the wrinkled tissue paper? If you happen to read this and do have something along that line, would you mind dropping me a line. Thank you kindly. email rodeo8@comcast.net

Words and Pictures said...

Such gorgeous gilded texture and wonderful vintage detailing - an Astrid special - it's a thing of beauty and I'm sure Tracy absolutely loves it.
Alison xx

rachel said...

stunning work both given and received Astrid - fabulous xx

Lynne Moncrieff said...

A beautiful idea to hold a Secret Santa.
The book box is divine and certainly a special place to store Christmas cards. The colours and images you worked with are so delicate and the care you took to create an envelope book is so wonderful. Love all the texture you achieved.
What a beautiful gift you received.
Astrid, many thanks for taking the time to visit my mitten blog post.
Hope you are staying cosy, it has been very cold here this weekend.
Wishes
Lynne

Julia Aston said...

Your box is just gorgeous Astrid - love all the texture on it and the wonderful vintage images! A lovely place for Tracy to put just about anything!

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow Astrid what an amazing work again, I really love this book, great images , great colours and structure, pretty details as well!!

Have a nice Christmas time!!
Maria

mamablitger said...

Astrid your work with the book box is the most adorable. You created a fabulous gift. I adore each of the details. It looks so genuine vintage and kind of Shabby Chic....... You are so extremely skilled and very creative. I'm so grateful that you do share so many projects. Thank you..
Hugs to you from Monica.... Spain

Margaret Mifsud said...

Wow!! Your book box and tag holder are stunning Astrid. Fabulous textures and, of course, gorgeous colour. Love your gift from Nikki too. A fabulous idea and so beautifully put together!! All in all, a fantastic post!! xx

Dortesjs said...

So very gorgeous ;O))

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I totally am loving all these swaps you all did! Gorgeous gorgeous make!!! LOVE all the texture and the gorgeous old world images!

Ellie Knol said...

It is so beautiful, I am sure Tracy is going to love it!

Nikki Acton said...

What an amazing box - just love the vintage, gilded effects with the fabulous imagery too. So pleased you like my little book - thank you for your lovely comments. Have a lovely time xxxx

Jackie PN said...

Absolutely stunning Astrid!! I love the Santa and how you melded him into the page! and the gilding...Gorgeousness!!
xoxo

A Pink said...

Astrid your Secret Santa gift to Tracy is Gorgeous . It has it all - colours , texture , vintage , detail and such beautiful imagery AND your pieces made with your own paper collection - such a thoughtful touch !
A gift to treasure !

Your gift from Nikki is fabulous too - so thoughtful . I love how Nikki has combined both your styles of crafting that come together in harmony in one beautiful keepsake. Another treasurable gift I'm sure x

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