Rosie Book Drawer Tutorial

The theme today at As You Like It Challenge is to showcase your favourite digi stamp.  I do love my digi images; they're so simple to print (with no risk of inky fingers!).  I also love that I can flip and resize them to fit my project.  However, I have so many that my favourites change all the time.

Bears are definitely always in my top picks, but at the moment I'm really loving the girlie Sugar Nellie cuties. The one I've used today, called Rosie, is one I have favoured a couple of times recently because she's so pretty.  I've also used my favourite digi paper brand, Nitwits on this project.

I refer to it as a 'project', because instead of making a card (why oh why didn't I just make a card!!!) I saw this book drawer over on Dian's amazing blog while I was 'Pinterest hopping' a couple of weeks ago, and I decided to have a go with some photo mount-board that I purchased for my recent clocks.

I seriously underestimated how long this project would take me to make, although to be fair, I did faff around a bit working out how to make it.

I made the outer part quite quickly by cutting a rectangle and scoring the spine, but the board was quite thick, so I had to peg it in place against the inside drawer frame overnight to ensure it was holding tightly.

Then the next day I made the drawer.

And the next day I inked it all up, and decorated it.

3 days!!!

Here's how I did it:

Outer Cover:

1. Cut a rectangle in thick card 23cm x 13cm.
2. Score it at 9.5cm and 4cm measured in from one of the short edges.
3. Score a series of lines between the two existing score lines at tight intervals to create the spine.
4. Bend the cover into shape.

Drawer Encasement:

1. Cut a rectangle 12cm x 23cm.
2. Score it at 4cm, 7cm, 15.5cm and 18.5cm from one of the short edges.
3. Shape it into a box open at both ends.
4. Stick it inside the book cover sticking to both the front and back "covers".

Drawer:

1. Cut a rectangle 17.5cm x 13.75cm.
2. Score a line 2.75cm in from each of the 4 edges.
3. Cut 2.75cm slits along the scoreline you've created on both sides of each short edge.
4. Fold the box up and stick the tabs on the insides to hold the sides up.
5. Insert the drawer into the encasement. Because the encasement is open at both ends, the drawer can be opened by pushing it through from either end. If it's a tight fit (as mine is) it won't open without being pushed quite hard.

Decorating:

1. Using a rough brush, dab it in brown ink (I used Walnut Stain DI reinker)
2. Streak it in straight lines along the edges of the insert and the drawer to resemble 'pages'.
3. Ink around the top of the drawer and the edges of the cover to match.
4. Decorate the rest of your book as you wish.

.... and relax!

Because it took me sooooo long to make, I'm going to bore you all with some more pics!   

Brace yourself ...

And before I disappear, (if you're still with me), I have some news ...

Yup, I'm back with my old (and some new) teamies at Crafty Little Fairies.  The adorable Squirrel asked me last week and I couldn't possibly refuse her, so woohoo, I'm back!!
Thanks hun.  Love ya loads.  :0)

I think my first outing will be next week (if I get my arse in gear and get creating), but in the meantime this week's theme is Red & Green Christmas, so pop over to see what the fairies have created and join in the Fairy Fun.


See my cards available to buy on eBay



Card Recipe:

• Image - Rosie from Sugar Nellie at Funky Kits
• Sentiment Pretty Grunge Good Times from LOTV
• Sentiment stamped with Rich Cocoa Momento Ink
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Distress Ink Walnut Stain for creating the 'pages'
• Nitwits Digi Papers
• Wild Orchid Craft Flowers
• Crystal Glamour Dust
• Glossy Accents
• Burlap Natural Twine
• Chocolate Brown Hemp Twine
• The Hobby House chocolate brown pearls
• La La Lands Heart Fence Die

I've been inspired by:

• Totally Papercrafts - Bow
• Bunny Zoe - Vintage / Shabby Chic
• The Sugar Bowl - Sparkle and Shine (sparkly wings)

Happy crafting.
Annette
xx