Hallo Everyone!
All ready for half-term?
It does vary throughout the
country - however, in this
little corner of our green
and pleasant land the
holiday starts after school
today - Yayyy!!!
Here's an idea from
Jane Castle to enjoy if
the weather causes everyone
to be housebound - or even
if the weather is good .......
"Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by.
Today it's my turn to make a 'gift for the boys'
and I began with an inexpensive
wooden box, available from The Craft Barn,
some paint, Seth Apter stamps
and a few other bits.
The finished box I'm thrilled with but
there were times when I wasn't so sure!
I started by giving the inside a coat of
Fresco Chalk paint in Mushroom,
then when fully dry cut some dark red
felt and lined the base and lid.
Then I painted the outside in Space Cadet
The 4 sides were then painted with a
crackle medium and then once dry
given a coat of the mushroom paint.
The edges of the lid were lightly sanded
in places
I then applied some grunge paste through
a stencil to the top of the lid.
When the paste was dry I made a wash
of 1 part mushroom, 1 part space cadet
and 1 part water to go over the top of the lid.
Whilst this was drying I stamped my image
for the top and the opening part of the lid.
For this I used Archival Watering Can and
one of Seth Apter's new set of stamps ESA05
and stamped onto a sheet of waxed
tissue paper.
Once the ink was dry I brushed some water
around the stamped image and tore the
paper as this helps when appyling the tissue
paper to the box.
I also stamped an edging to go around
the base of the box using 2 of the stamps
from the same set.
(Great set of stamps--- so versatile)
These were then added to the box using
a matt glaze but could also be attached
with a collage medium.
I left these over night to allow them to
fully dry before cutting through
the tissue with a craft knife to
allow the lid to open.
At this point I wasn't completely happy
with the image on the top. I sat gazing at this
for some time thinking of various options,
one being to skim over the top with a thin layer
of Grunge Paste and start again!
I added the border around the bottom of
the box whilst I made my decission.
I knew I still wanted to use the same stamp
for the lid so I thought I'd try stamping
another image but using Potting Soil ink
this time.
When tearing the tissue paper this time
I made sure it was smaller than the
original one on the box.
I made a hole in the side of the lid to
thread my string through and added some
mushroom and space cadet paint to
2 screw head brads.
Treasure Gold wax in Olive Bronze was added
to the edges and now I not only like
the finished pencil box -
I don't want to part with it!
I plan to give it to a chap I work with
who comes from an arty family,
he makes wonderful things from metal
and wood.
He does some sketches of his ideas first
but can never find his drawing pencils
or charcoal.
So thought I would buy him some lead and charcoal
pencils and pop them inside for his birthday.
Might have to make one for myself too!!"
Items Used
PaperArtsy Rubber Stamps
PaperArtsy Stencil
That is a super pencil box
Jane, Thank you. Your
colleague will be a
happy chappie to receive
this - not so sure I would
put charcoal in it though
.....I know you said pencils
but I am lethal with charcoal
in any form..........!
Now a word to the wise Everyone
I know the Design Team all
chose to use this new set:
This new set is also available:
Indeed it might be worth checking
out all the Seth Apter stamp sets
"Till tomorrow
Mickie xx
