ALTERED CIGAR BOX - NOTE CARD STORAGE - ColourArte Design Team Audition

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

As some of  you may have noticed, my new passion is Mixed Media.  I have joined a few FB groups, signed up for several classes and purchased a couple of books from Amazon, but, when I saw the DT Call for ColourArte, I thought, what better way to improve my technique and knowledge base than a challenge driven environment.  Add to that, the fact that I am a Silks Acrylic Glaze and Twinkling H2O devotee', there was no way I could NOT apply for this team.

THIS PROJECT IS A RESPONSE TO THE

DESIGN TEAM CALL

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 I am almost ashamed to admit that I am the world's worst when it comes to actually sending notes and greeting cards to family and friends.  I do okay on birthdays and other special occasions, but quick thank you notes and even get well cards are often a big fail for me.   So, I decided I would alter one of my cigar boxes to hold all occasion cards to be kept on the desk in the master bedroom.  If I can see a task, I will normally perform the task! 

THIS IS HOW IT WAS DONE

STEP ONE

THE box was lightly sanded to remove curled paper edges.  If you can, remove as much as possible of the original paper embellishments.  After sanding, the box was wiped down with a soft cloth to remove sanding dust.   My box had an embossed logo on top and I had to sand that down as well.  Ultimately, what you do to your box will depend on your design plans.   

I applied a few coats of Gesso, not really concerned about brush strokes, since I planned to covr most of the surface areas with paper and acrylic paint.  After the Gesso dried, I applied Drywall tape to the tops and sides of the box.  The tape is self adhesive, but I reinforced that with with Mod Podge.  The strips on the top were torn and  applied as design elements.

STEP TWO 

Next, I applied the torn strips of printed paper around the dry wall tape.  This formed the first layer of design elements.  
Once satified with  the composition, I used my finger to apply swipes of Silks Acrylic Glaze and Twinkling H2O to both the papers and the box.  I found through trial and error that I can get the look I want using finger instead of paint brushes, especially with Twinkling H2O's and Primary Elements.  I still find that using a brush gets the best results with the Silks Glazes

Color was also applied to the sides using brushes and finger painting. It is important to note that when using the Silks, it takes 48 hours for the color to cure, however, if you are using it with the TH2O as I was, the Silks dry to the touch very quickly and will not give you that "muddy" look.  I allowed the box to sit for 48 hours after all the sides were done.

STEP THREE

This is always the most difficult part for me to share in a step by step.  I go through multiple scenarios when placing design elements on a projects.  Since this project is about "writing," I wanted to use embellishments that spoke to that.  So lots of script stamps and clocks and gears were used.

Here I used The Crafter's Companion " Art Is" stencil

applied with homemade texture paste.

Before working on the composition, I sprayed the top with homemade glimmer mist made using TH Squeezed Lemon Distress Ink and Perfect Pearls.  I allowed it to dry and then sponged the edges of the torn papers with TH Vintage Photo Distress Ink.   I also used my finger to apply additional Silks and H2O to darken the colors some areas.  Finally, I dry brushed Gesso over the entire top to calm the colors.

I  gathered all the elements I thought I wanted to use on my project and piled them on top. 

I can see what colors and shapes will not work almost immediately 

 Now I can begin to select the ones that best communicate my design point of view.

I began to work on treatment of the individual embellishments.  I do not work from a plan and most of my designs take shape as I work.  I always want the design to remain cohesive, so each treatment and each embellishment must have the same voice.  

The ink well, feather and pen nib, were painted first with Silks which was then overlayed with Viva Inka Gold(Old Gold.)  The edges were swiped with Rub'n Buff Patina

A similiar painting technique was used on the clock.  I realized that I could get the look I wanted if I simply did not "buff" the Rub'n Buff products. 

 Here is the box in its new home sitting on the desk in my bedroom!

With a few cards inside

Whether I make the team or not, I am so pleased with the outcome of my box.  It works well in the bedroom and I already have two thank you cards and one "just touching base" card written, signed and ready for the postman.

Thanks for stopping by!  

If you have not used the Silks Acrylic Glazes or Twinkling H2O you really owe it to yourself to try them. 

Thanks ColourArte for the opportunity to apply!

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Hugz,

Chana 

Challenges Entered:  
Recycle, Re-Purpose 7 Re-Invent
Crafting From The Heart - Always Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes
My Craft Creations - Anythings Goes
Not Just Cards - Anything Goes