Mixed Media Collage Recipe Box Tutorial: Part 1

Here it is.

My beloved recipe box.

I love this thing. 

In Part 1 I'll show you how to make the recipe box,

In part 2 (tomorrow) I'll explain my whole 

planning/shopping/prepping/cooking 

without-losing-your-mind system.

Which has saved my life since going back to work.  

Materials:

1. Wooden index card box.

I found this one at a garage sale and I saved it for something special. Mine is big (5x7) because I like to go big. It also allows me to print out recipe's on a half sheet of card stock + file them easily.

2.Gel medium

(Mod podge will do.)

3. Great paper.

I used old dictionary pages and patterned paper but when I was done I thought it would be cool to use pages from an old recipe book. I have a ton of them. Maybe next time...

4. Acrylic paint.

Use what you love. I used white, brown, Naples yellow (myfavorite color right now), turquisoe,  red 

5. A Sharpie 

6. A white gel pen

7. Acrylic spray fixative

Let's get started.
Step 1: Paint
Paint your whole box one color, as a base.

Step 2: Glue
Use gel medium to cover your box in paper.
I started with big dictionary pages and added patterned paper overit.

*Note: See the wrinkly bumps on mine? I like the texture. the more the better for me, but if you don't like the wrinkles start gluing your paper from the center and work out to avoid air bubbles.

Step 3: Paint with your fingers.
 Paint a glaze over your paper to dull the colors.
Glaze is just a fancy way to say lots of water with a little bit of paint.
Dip your fingers in a little bit of white, a little bit of brown, and a lot of water.
Cover  the box with a thin layer of paint, then use a wet paper towel to wipe off more paint.

Step 4: Paint with a paper towel.
Dip a squished up paper towel in brown, then in water, and rub it around the edges and corners of your box to make it look aged.

Step 5: Paint with a brush.
Use the colors in your palette to paint shapes, patterns, and designs on your box

Step 6: It's doodle time.
Get out your Sharpie and add doodles to the painted designs on your box.
Add contrast with your white gel pen, and any other ephemera you'd like...
ribbon, buttons, etc.

Step 7: Spray

Spray your box with an acrylic fixative so that it will be able to hold up to the wear and tear.

Finished!

Enjoy 

Tomorrow I will add Part 2:

I'll explain my whole...

How to plan/shop/prep/cook for your family

without-losing-your-ever-lovin'-mind

system.