For the Boys

For the Boys

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

Wooden Pencil Box

PaperArtsy Rubber Stamps

PaperArtsy Stencil

Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paints

Americana Weathered Wood Crackle Medium

PaperArtsy Grunge Paste

Waxed Tissue Paper

Archival Ink

PaperArtsy Matt glaze

Treasure Gold Wax

Brads

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