Cat Tunnel

The January/February 2013 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors had an interesting article about creating a tunnel book. I have never made any sort of book before, although I have to admit that I have been tempted to try it in the past. 

I was in the middle of making some ATC's for a trade when this particular article caught my attention. I  wasn't very happy with the design of my ATC's, so my attention was easily distracted.  I took five pieces of Bristol paper and happily cut away parts of them, leaving the back a solid color for a backdrop. I knew that I wanted a stone like look to the backgrounds, so I lightly painted the papers in varying colors and then, after they had dried, I painted over them with the same color - using a thicker amount of paint and an Artist Cellar stencil to give paint some dimension.

top vie of the 5 pieces of bristol paper

The most difficult thing, due to the relatively small size that I was working in, was making the accordion side pieces. Getting the artist paper that I was using to fold evenly and straightly in quarter inch folds was a challenge. I'll look for something thinner to use in the future. I used Memory Box (they are some of my favorites) dies cuts for the cats and the fence.

This first attempt obviously needs some refinement, but I had a great time playing. My ATC's are still not done and I plan to go back to the proverbial drawing board, but at least I was distracted in a good way and I will definitely make some more tunnel books!

side view of the accordion pleated artist paper - it's too thick to get really straight quarter inch folds!