Swirlydoos "Bonjour Mon Doux" Second Reveal

So, here are the last coupl eof projects I made using the February kit:

Free? Layout
So, last week my husband bought a new book, and was reading a quote in the introduction to me, and it really got me thinking about the way I see things. Here is part the quote:

Weak things have power.

...only the truly weak are free of

the temptation to dominate, harm.

Even though the quote is about politics, it made me think about my Autistic son, who is "weak", and I thought about how I feel like he is a prisoner in his mind, locked inside himself. I don't find an upside to his disabilities, and this quote got me thinking about how he is free from some of the hardships of the world. It inspired this layout:

I cut the background cardstock using wavy motions while cutting, then distress the edges, then used twine to "sew" the border. I took apart the small Petaloo vines, then rearranged them, adding some Prima twigs. I used the green trim that came in the kit for the edges on the patterned paper by cutting it into strips. I ripped the papers under the photo, then inked and distressed them.

Technique Kit: Chest of Drawers

 I just adore all Kaisercraft "Beyond the Page" projects! I decided to make this one to store my mini flowers, sorted by color! The wooded pad locks came in a kit from a few months back, but they went so well with what I was doing, I just had to add them. These drawers actually have openings to pull them out with ease, but I decided to use Tim Holtz Hinge Fasteners for little knobs for something different, and it allowed me to have more space for designing each box.
I used Weathered Wood Distress Stain (several coats) on the wooden keys that are on the left side, and also added some TH baubles.

Top View:

 I used the die cut paper that came in the main kit for a border around edges of the top of the chest.

Back and side View:

I cut up more of that die cut paper for the side, putting two strips together to make circles, then used the pearl strips that came int he "Bling" kit in the middle.

I continued that look on the back for the top border, then added a Dusty Attic gate. I treated the gate with the Weathered Wood Distress Stain, then outlined the gate using Platinum Liquid Pearls to give it the metal look, then shaped and  placed the Petaloo vine over it. The butterflies are from a piece of patterned paper from the kit that I cut out.

Thanks for looking!!