Making a Vignette!

What the Heck is a Vignette?

Vignette (vin-yet)

~noun

1. a decorative design/illustration used on the title page of  a book/chapter

2. engraving, drawing, photograph shaded off at edges to leave no border 

3. small pleasing picture

4. small literary sketch

5. a form of diorama

The word vignette originated in 1751 and at that time meant tendrils around the borders of a book page, from the French word Vigne "vineyard". It became very popular in the mid-19c. It became known as a decorated small photographic picture first recorded in the 1880s!

Being asked what a vignette was and then given 'homework' to find out, I found the experience rather challenging and exciting! We should all stretch our horizons once in a while and reach out of our comfort zones! Joining in on some of the card swaps in Koala T Crafts Facebook Group is a good way to start!

Koala T Crafts Facebook Page

Dusting off the memories that go back to my mixed media and minialbum days, I set out to create a new item, a vignette. After doing some research, I decided on a theme, butterflies. I really wanted to use Susan Winget's Cardstock and Acetate Die Cuts. I knew I wanted it to look vintage as if it was from the late 1800's but I wanted it to stay pastel and feminine.

The selection I made for my first vignette!

Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Wooden Vignette Boxes

K&Company Susan Winget Die-Cut Cardstock and Acetate, Botanical

First Things First

To do the embossing technique I wanted on the inside, I knew it would have to sit a while to dry. Wanting to have some of the natural stain and wood grain come through, vellum was chosen to line the inside of the vignette box. 

Tim Holtz Wallflower Paper Stash-Vellum 12x12

Using Tim Holtz Design Ruler to measure
inside and outside of the box.

I decided to put vellum on the back of the box also.

Design Ruler by Tim Holtz Idea-ology, 12 Inch, Plastic and Metal, Clear

Worn Wallpaper by Tim Holtz was going to be placed on the sides and front of the largest box. 

I found some teal paper that matched the Worn Wallpaper in my stash.  This paper I die cut twice with a decorative corner from the mixed media thinlet die set.

This paper I used to die cut a decorative
 corner with a mixed media thinlet twice.

One of the die cuts was to be used as a stencil.

Sizzix Mixed Media #2 Thinlits Die Set by Tim Holtz 

WOW! embossing powder in platinum was chosen as the color to compliment the vellum which would be placed in the back of the vignette. It was mixed with Ranger's Embossing Paste. The paste was spread over the stencil. The stencil was lifted and a beautiful dimensional effect was left to dry!

One of the cuts was used as a stencil for the
vellum that went on the inside back of the box.

Wow! Embossing Powder Super Fine 

Metallic Bundle: Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Copper

Ranger Texture Paste Transparent Matte

Using the stencil, the paste was spread across the vellum.

When it dried overnight,
it had a velvet-like look to the raised florals! 

The next day...

All the paper pieces were distressed with the edge of a Cutter B Scissors and Momento Espresso Dye Ink.

Worn Wallpaper was used on the rest of the box.

EK Success Cutter Bee Precision Scissors

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Worn Wallpaper

  

Distressed edges of the paper and die cuts

The die cuts were then added to the vignette box. The edges of the box were distressed with the Espresso dye ink and a foam blender. 

Platinum flower by Spare Parts Paper Studio 
and Susan Winget's Die Cuts were added

Distressed Die cut added to inside of the box

Prima Marketing Sunrise Sunset Mechanicals Metal Vintage Trinkets-Flowers Small

After carefully deciding, E6000 was used to attach the metal embellishments to the vignette. (ATTENTION: The fumes from this glue are harmful! It should be used in a well-ventilated area!)

Adding metal embellishments

Brand New Idea-Ology Curio Knobs

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Hinges 

Nature Adornments by Tim Holtz Idea-ology, 6 Charms per Pack, Various Sizes, Antique Nickel Finish

E6000 Adhesive with Precision Tips

Finishing Touches

With the back and sides satisfactory, I moved on to finish the inside. Wanting the vignette to be a card, of sorts, I wanted a sentiment and a space to write a note if one wished. 

I found the letters F, L, and Y in my stash distressed them and added them to the inside back bottom. I created a journaling spot by layering papers, rounding corners, adding die cut butterflies. A sweet sentiment in the upper right-hand corner read, "the world is a little happier with you in it"!

Just one little thing was needed to the inside bottom. I wanted it to have some dimension but also fit with the theme of the vignette. I found a word band in my stash that had the perfect words "possibility begins with imagination"!

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Metal Word Bands

The Reveal

Here are the pictures of the sides and back of my first vignette!

The right side with metal rose and butterfly

The left side with hollyhocks and hinges

The back with floral vellum, distressed die cut corner, distressed Susan Winget die cut and metal flower adornment

Front with hinges, curio knob, and raised die cut

As you can see in the pictures, one more item was added to my mini masterpiece! It was the vignette bottom that was given to me. I was to find out what it was and use it! 

The finished project!

Mission accomplished!! What a fun and challenging three days or more, making decisions and feeling so much gratitude for having the items available to me. 

A great many of the items I have used came from Koala T Craft's Garage Sales. They have been on occasional Saturdays and are LIVE on Jen Evers' YouTube Channel.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZLdiw6pGler8PxW-ZWGcqg

Watch for ads and posts for dates and times on the Facebook community page and the Patron group! 

Also watch Jen LIVE on Wednesdays at 5:00PM CST for One in Ten by Jen: Card InJENuity from mailbox to masterpiece! where the viewers send in their scraps and challenge Jen to create a card in less than 10 minutes, timed! 

On Fridays, watch Friday Free Play LIVE on Jen's YouTube Channel. Tutorials, techniques, and tips are shared in this hour-long video. Share the fun with your friends!

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Remember, great things happen to those that create!
Artistically Yours,

Koala T Crafts Original Store

Thank you so very much for the support of the Koala T Crafts Youtube Channel, Facebook Group, Patreon Group, and the Blog! Please remember that you can always ask questions;

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