Decorate a book box using Posca Pens and create the perfect little place to keep a few items from that summer outing

What you need...

• uni Posca pens: PC-8K, white, light blue, light green; PC-1MR & PC-3M, light blue; PC-1MR & PC-3M pink; PC-1MR & PC-3M, yellow; PC-1MR, white; PC-1MR silver/gold
  Paintbrushes: wide, detail
  Box book
  Cardstock, white, blue
  Stickle outliners: diamond, cotton candy, turquoise
  Beads, seeds; sequins

instructions

1. Book Box - 1 Use Uni Posca 8k white to prime the inside and outside of the box. Daub the thick light blue pen nib onto a plate to release a little colour. With a wide brush dipped in water, apply a wash of the colour over the white sides of the book.
   
   2 Daub light green onto the lid and do the same over the blue, but add just a little here, so it is not entirely covering the first colour.
   
   3 Both colours are now used together: pick up with a dry brush and scrub paint over the book working at all angles, not just one way.
   
   4 Release a little gold or silver onto the plate, add water, then with the wide brush, sweep this wash around the white edge.
   
   5 Leave to dry. The pap art surface will take decoration much better if left to dry thoroughly as the paper base soaks up any moisture, but will dry flat and colours will look better.
   

2. Decoupage - 1 Use 3M and 1-MR pens in light blue, pink, yellow also 1MR white, plus small scissors, PVA glue and a brush.
   
   2 Either trace onto white card to colour up or print out the templates. Make shells different sizes and use blue, yellow, or pink to print out. Creates washes of each colour using small amounts as you work and apply to shells.
   
   3 Add key lines over the washed areas using the 1MR pen to co-ordinate the colours. White can be applied over the colours to obtain a line or a highlight.
   
   4 Cut out all shells and lettering, then position and secure on box using a 50/50 mix of PVA glue and water. Apply the adhesive paste to the back of each image, then position and brush a layer over the top of the images.
   
   5 Use the 1MR white pen to add circles or dots of white, here and there. Decrease the size of the circle as you draw the line.
   
   6 Other items can be added to the box if you want to vary the images. Use sequins with seed beads and outliners dotted on the shells to give the iridescent quality, pearlised mediums can also be added. Once dry, seal with a coat of varnish. CB
   

3. STOPANDSHOP - uni Posca pens are available from branches of Hobbycraft and all good art and craft stores, or visit the on-line shop at http://www.uniball.co.uk
   
   Book boxes, http://www.dcccrafts.com

4. Design Detail - If adequate drying time is allowed colours can be applied over one another without them merging