Shopping Our Stash Weekly Challenge: Upcycle - My Little Inks In Use Box

Hello, Crafty Makers!

The current challenge at Shopping Our Stash is "Upcycle!"

Donna is this week's host and she is challenging us to:

  Use a non-crafty thing somewhere on your project( i.e., shiny washers you picked up off the ground, or a paperclip...or whatever).

For my make, I decided to take the "whatever" route.  The truth is that my old "In Use Box"  had become really grungy!  I use these little boxes to hold inks, water brushes, markers, that I am using a project in progress.  The content is driven by the design.  The top three drawers of my work table hold things that I need at hand for all projects (adhesives, baby wipes, rulers, etc.).  

Humble Beginnings

Empty readers.com box

How This Was Done:
I painted the corners of the box with black chalk ink.  I only needed to paint in 1/2".  I did the same on the flaps and inside of the box.  I also applied black ink on the interior corners.

Measured and cut yellow cardstock for the interior lining.  I adhered the cardstock using both Scor-tape and Glitter Glue (placing a wet glue on top of the Scor-tape allows me to move thing around a little).

Measured and cut printed scrapbook papers for the flaps and exterior of the box.  Because I wanted a cuff on the box, I cut the paper for the flaps to the size of the flap but adhered it 1/" below the flap top.

Added metal handles and black elastic cord.

                                                       Help Save The Environment

Once a month, I receive my infusion meds and my injectable meds.  These shipments come from two different pharmacies but usually arrive within a couple of days of each other and each is packed in frozen gel packs and wrapped with bubble wrap or silver thermal paper.  Hubster and I spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to recycle all that stuff.  We finally found a place that would accept the gel packs and the bubble wrap.  

Recently, one pharmacy switched packaging that allows them to use fewer frozen gel packs.  It is soft, firm fibrous material and I have found all kinds of uses for it. On this project,  rather than glue a sheet of printed paper to the bottom of my box, I used this material and just placed the paper on top.  The material is about 3/4" thick and quite absorbent.  Now, when my paper gets grungy, I can easily replace it.

Another great advantage to the removable bottom is that it allowed me to cover the interior (yellow) cardstock or to paint over it.  This will help keep the box looking pristine a long time.

Stash Items: Scrapbook Paper, Yellow Cardstock, Metal Handles.

Materials:
Small Cardboard Box
Recollections Printed Scrapbook Paper
Elastic Cord
Metal Drawer Handles

Supplies:
Scor-Tape
Glitter Glue


HUGZ!
CHANA MALKAH

Paper Crafting...A Cut Above

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

It has been a minute since I posted anything on my blog.   my husband and I volunteered to teach a few classes and do some study halls for our grandson who is being homeschooled, so,
there has been very little time for crafting.  However,  I became so inspired by self-directed learning that I decided to take a MOCC Graphic Design Course and learn a bit more about elements of design that would help me with future projects.

Our first assignment was to pick a common household item and create 10 representations of that item using different techniques and approaches to design.  Of course, the "real" graphic design students were churning out Illustrator and PS images.  Some twisted and morphed into alluring and captivating shapes.  The problem was, this was a denotative exercise and the key point was to make sure that the object was still recognizable as itself.   I chose the lowly knife and decided to stay true to my paper crafter roots and use the techniques I've learned making cards and other projects.   Well, ladies, just know, I crushed it!

Click Image for larger view.

This is my "Game of Thrones" Knife.  I cut the knife from a piece of chipboard which I then embossed and covered with Aleene's Tacky Glue.   I used the "Burned Glue" method to create a faux metal look.  The blade is accented with Inka-Gold Old Silver and the handle with Rub'n Buff Ruby Rubi metallic finish.  Three flat back crystals on the handle and I was good to go.

Here are some of my other creations.  One of the designs had to be a "blind drawing."  I will spare you that one.

This is my "Roman" Dagger.  I used lots of acrylic paint and crackle to develop the texture and then used Rub'n Buff to convey age and exposure to the elements.   This one received very positive feedback.

This was very simple...just a lot of flat back pearls and crystals in the shape of a knife.

For this design, I used chipboard, glycerine water, and Tim Holtz distress ink to create a faux leather knife.  I embossed the surface and sealed it with Glossy Accents.  This is my favorite...so cool!

The other designs are mostly conceptual and not very interesting for a paper crafting blog.  It was interesting to see how different my submission was from most others.   One thing I know for sure, I need to feel paper in my hands and get ink on my fingers.  Wish me luck!   I will continue to share any of OUR techniques I use in my submissions.  Now, I have to come up with three new images using different techniques.  They are to be connotative and deliver a message.  "We shall see," said the blind man.

Hugz,
Chana Malkah