Scrapbook Garden- J is for Jaqi

This is my 1st project for this months Design Kit

for the Scrapbook Garden

I really thought I had died and gone to heaven when I opened the pack this time.

truly beautiful papers from Authentique.

This month Ann asked if I could make something other than

scrapbook pages , a great idea as it goes to show that these fabulous papers can be used for lots of other projects and not just for the scrapbooker out there.

I must admit though........the ideas started flowing for layouts instantly

but i quickly started to be inspired to make other things too once I had a word with myself hehehe

I decided for my first project I would work with a lovely chunky wooden

letter 'J' that my friend Pauline bought for me for my birthday last year, and I have

been waiting for the right papers to come along to do it justice.

Ive seen these letters around in a few places and they look great altered in many ways.

I started by cutting the strip for the depth of the letter

out of this gorgeous paper called 'Curiosity'

a lovely rich cream and green checked paper.

The quality of these papers is brilliant and they were a joy to work with.

I next added glue to the front of the letter and laid it onto the paper.

For the front I used 'Expectation' which matches beautifully.

I trimmed around the edge with my craft knife.

I didnt cover the back of the letter as its designed to be hung

on the wall although its chunky enough to stand on its own if need be.

Next i glued the inside and fitted the curiosity strip.

Did the same around the outside and across the base .

Next I sanded the edges to give a worn look which i then inked with distress ink

to give it a finishing touch.

Lastly I added some Prima Flower Market  North Country Flowers

on the bottom corner.

Im really pleased with my letter and I am so glad I waited for these papers

as now I cant imagine it decorated in any other way.

My Christmas theme is red, green and gold, as Ive always

loved the traditional colours at christmas, so this is going to fit right in.

I cant wait to get my tree up now since ive been working with these papers ....

But I need to hang on a couple of weeks yet I think.

Thanks for stopping by my blog as always its much appriciated.

Pop over to the Scrapbook Garden blog and get yourself in with a chance

to win that fab blog candy its easy to enter.

And why not pop over to their online shop and check out all the goodies and bargains that they have there too.

Have a great week and more projects will follow soon with this months kit.