I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Saturday 27 July 2013

A place for keepsakes...

It's catch-up time here again at Words and Pictures, with an altered box originally shared over at The Artistic Stamper.  So, as always, don't feel you have to comment all over again - though, of course, it's always lovely to hear from you!

I had a lovely time with this one, then hit a complete stall and then, with one risky piece of bold stamping, leapt over the block to end up with something which I really love...





It certainly started out somewhere completely different... as a cheapy gift box from Kik (sort of the Czech equivalent of Woolworths crossed with a pound store).  They were less than 50p each, and in a number of shapes and sizes, so I picked up quite a few.








I started with layers of paint, using a Claudine Hellmuth acrylic (Blank Canvas, so basically white!) for the first time - what great coverage!  

I stuck ripped up pieces of Tim Holtz tissue wrap quite randomly onto the still wet paint and left the whole thing to dry.










Out with the Grunge Paste next... another first time for me, and I LOVE it!  

I smeared on lots of lovely Harlequin diamonds - very happy with the ease of application (and the smell!).







Then some inking to start adding colour to the piece... layering up Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire, Frayed Burlap and Walnut Stain.












I used Cobalt Archival to stamp the delicious tiny polka dots as well as the butterfly from Katy Fox's Encyclopaedia Botanica set.













The little beetle is from the same set, and he's stamped in Coffee Archival, as is the tiny handwritten script from Katy's Carte Postale plate.












I used Distress Paints to alter some metal Idea-ology embellishments: one of the Bookplates, and some Foliage flowers and leaves.















The Chipped Sapphire paint has a slightly more purple-y hue than the ink, so I added some paint to the box edges too, so that the embellishments would tone in better with the whole piece.









The lovely Idea-ology word band added a much-needed horizontal element to the arrangement, but somehow I still wasn't happy with the whole thing.

















It was all very pretty, but it was missing something.  I wish I had a photo of that stage to show you - as I think one could easily have stopped there... but I just couldn't quite leave it.  I tried adding some ribbon (various ribbons in fact)... no good.

And then, finally, taking a deep breath, I took the large, beautiful flower stamp from the Encyclopedia Botanica plate and stamped it right on the very top of the box.

















Thankfully, it works beautifully (I think!)... a really bold statement against the delicate layers of the background.













Some old, discoloured tracing paper was the perfect colour to sit within the bookplate, and I used my Hero Arts letters to stamp the word k-e-e-p-s-a-k-e-s on it - making my altered box into somewhere precious to keep precious things.







Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I wish you all a wonderful weekend, whatever it is that you're up to!

Freedom lies in being bold.
Robert Frost

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Goethe (or maybe not!)

Ingredients used, available at The Artistic Stamper:
Stamps: Artistic Stamper - Encyclopaedia Botanica, Carte Postale, Dots
Distress Inks - Chipped Sapphire, Faded Jeans, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
Distress Paints - Picket Fence, Chipped Sapphire
Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paints - Blank Canvas
PaperArtsy Grunge Paste
Crafter's Workshop stencil - Harlequin 6x6
Idea-ology Findings - Ornate Plates, Foliage, Word Bands
Idea-ology Fastenings - Long Fasteners
Ranger Archival Ink - Coffee, Cobalt
Idea-ology Tissue Wrap - Terminology

54 comments:

Annie said...

Hi Alison....this is so gorgeous and I understand how you felt taking that leap........but it is fantastic and realy does finish this keepsake box so beautifully. Love all the techniques and wonderful layers. Dont know how I missed this one but so glad you shared it once again.

Have a lovely weekend

Annie xx

Getting really excited.......what about you ?

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous altered box and fabulous transformation. Love the blues and browns, one of my favourite colour palettes. Wonderful,texture and stamping. Enjoynyour weekend. Tracy x

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Altering boxes, possibly more than anything else, always makes me sit up in wonder that something so ordinary (and at times, what may have started out quite poor in appearance) can be transformed into something we would wish to display.
Gorgeous!!!!
Wishes
Lynne

Clare Lloyd said...

a really beautiful project. I love the soft blue tones. x

craftimamma said...

Gorgeous altered box Alison. Love the colours and all the texture from the various elements. I agree you were so right to stamp that beautiful flower on the top, although not having seen it without how would I know, lol!

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Krisha said...

I'm glad you took that leap, the large flower is perfect, balances the statement and the frame. Just Stunning!!

Redanne said...

Hi Alison, I remember this creation and it is all the better for seeing it again! It is gorgeous, love how you used the grunge paste, the delicate colours and the bold stamping on the top - wonderful. Hugs, Anne x

Netty said...

Your alterations to the box are just beautiful Alison and certainly worthy of precious keepsakes, Annette x

Olivia said...

What a beautiful box. All the wonderful details and the colors is just a nice typical Alison creation. Just great!

Olivia <3

My name is Cindy said...

It's lovely!! Even more products for my wish list LOL.

barbarayaya62 said...

Beautiful projects Alison! Colors are soft and stamps really gorgeous!!! LOve diamond stencil and blue that you used! BArbarayaya

Dianne said...

I LOVE catch up time :O).
Outstanding make, I have decorated a few shoe boxes in my day LOL, they never look like this, thanks for sharing again, it gorgeous...

Daniele said...

wow what a transformation, lots of yummy details, love all the shades of blue
hugs

House of Bears said...

Now we'd look at a box like that and not see the potential, that's what we love about your work, you turn something ordinary into something beautiful and you can see the end result will be worth the transformation,

Julie Lee said...

What a miracle you've worked on this box! I love it, every detail! I will return to this again and again, it's so inspirational. The final bold move with the stamping was perfect. I love to think of the treasures stored inside! Julie Ann x

Fliss said...

Just gorgeous Alison and thanks for sharing all the little details. The stamping is fabulous and the altering by paint looks amazing.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment on my vintage photo piece and I took your advice to pop over and add it to OCC just in the nick of time it seems.
Hugs, Fliss xx

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous project Alison, I love your use of the Chipped Sapphire, not a colour I use often. Sue C x

Meggymay said...

Absolutely gorgeous, wonderful stamping, colours and details.
Yvonne

Debi said...

as beautiful a project as ever :-) love it!!! Debi x

Brenda Brown said...

So beautiful Alison and that leap of faith in yourself was the perfect thing to do, that bold contrasting image fits beautifully right where it is.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Kate Yetter said...

A gorgeous box, Alison. Love the flowers and texture on the box.

Sandy said...

A pretty box for special trinkets.
Sandy

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow Alison, what a great box, did you create, I really, really love it, in all his details, great idea!!!and beautiful disign!!!

Greetings
Maria

chrissie said...

Stunning transformation Alison. It is difficult to believe what the box looked like in the beginning

Love Chrissie x

froebelsternchen said...

an amazing alteration... gorgeous Alison.. I also adore your "Golden Memories"

Have a good sunday!

Cardgenie said...

Absolutely wonderful. I love the colours and the final stamp really completes the box with a lovely balance. Thanks for the great inspiration. Jean

Unni A said...

You're an artistic magician! This is really amazing, the beautiful colors, the exciting techniques. I love the result! thank you for sharing!
Have a wonderful and creative sunday :)
Unni

Martina said...

This is a gorgeous box, dear Alison! Enchanting design and I love the color combination of blue and brown!

Cocofolies said...

ooh woow, I love the transformation !!!! Thank you so much for sharing Alison, love this sweet box in these nice colours, and all the stamped images on it ! Happy Sunday, Coco xx

cathylynn said...

This is down right beautiful! What a transformation! You are so talented and I love your style!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

The alteration of your box is absolutely amazing! I looove the colour palette, the grunge textures and the stamping. Beautiful as always! xx

May said...

I saw this before Alison But I must say it is a pleasure to soak up your amazing work again, Beautiful stamping & detail... Love it... I wish you a happy week ahead... Hugs May x x x

Dagmar said...

wow wow wow - it´s so fantastic!!!!!!!!!!

Tincan Crafter said...

So pretty Alison - loving the chipped sapphire tone!

Cathy L. Calamas said...

It was the perfect addition. Sometimes, we artists never know when to stop and I have ruined many a thing but this was perfect. Exquisite box.

Tracy said...

Wowowow Alison...what a beautiful transformation full of textures and yummy colors..you are truly amazing and inspirational!!!
Big hugs
Tracy xxxx

http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/ said...

Gorgeous remake and upstyle that is for sure says she who is leaping from the chair to get back the discarded boxes from a tidy.
The gentle colours and intricate stamping make your treasure beautiful Alison.

Michelle said...

Alison, this is stunning! The colors are rich and beautiful. And I love that texture! I've never used that tissue before. It looks beautiful! Thank you for sharing your creativity.

Inkypinkycraft said...

a great transformation! hugs trace x

hazel said...

What a wonderful altered box, I love everything about it - it's gorgeous.
xxx Hazel.

Kelly said...

Gorgeous box, you are so talented in creating something of glorious beauty out of a loud obnoxious box. Your vision is perfect. I love the layers you put on and the soft blues. Fabulous!
Have a great day.
Kelly

Claudia N. said...

Wow, as always you did a brilliant job with creating textures by the use of stencils and stamped images!!! A wonderful alteration and such a treasure this has become!!!

Hugs,
Claudia x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A breathtaking box, so wonderful.

Meihsia Liu said...

What a fun and brilliant project, Alison. Love the beautiful colors and texture. :)

pearshapedcrafting said...

Bold and beautiful! I wonder what you will keep in it! Such beautiful colours! Chrisx

Cinderella Moments said...

It's worth looking at again. The transformation is just breathtaking. I love that box.
hugs♥,
Caroline

Gio said...

Ah, another masterpiece! From the colours (such elegance) the metallic details and all those layeRs of stamping. Amazing altering!

Margaret said...

Love the new life you gave this box! Quite worthy of holding keepsakes and treasures!

Marjie Kemper said...

What a transformation! Love your gorgeous keepsake box, especially those raised areas with the stencils.

Jenny Marples said...

Love your altered box to bits Alison. Hugs, Jenny x

Bonnie Irvine said...

That was brave! I've been there and know how it feels to stamp something so bold when the piece is nearly finished. It definitely pulls the box into the extraordinary realm...just what was needed. The contrast is fabulous. beautiful texture and layers and the embellies look awesome with the paint blending them together yet highlighting the elements at the same time. This is truly a treasure box and a box to treasure :)

Neet said...

Just love this - the colour you have achieved is beautiful. Such a delicate box - absolutely wonderful.
Hugs, Neet xx

Kezzy said...

Wow I loved this the minute I saw it over at the Artistic Stamper Blog. It was the colour that I really fell in love with, the blues are gorgeous and the brown bold stamping really really looked fabulous and made the piece. Hugs Kezzy :-) xxx

Crafteezee said...

Love, love, love this Alison.
Hugs Tracy x