Nature Shadow Box - Part 1

We are having a reprieve in the weather.  It was actually under 100 again today and tomorrow is forecast to be even cooler, Yeah!

A few months ago while shopping at Costco I decided to buy a black leather purse.  

When I got home and took the purse out of the box a light went on.  Wouldn't that box make a terrific shadow box.  It was sturdy, so I set it aside until I could come up with a design idea.

 Well,  I finally decided to go with an insect nature theme.

Here is the empty box that I saved.

So I looked through my computer and came up with images of 3 insects, a dragonfly, a butterfly and a  bee.  I sized them to fit the box and glued each on onto a lightweight chipboard.

Next I highlighted the edges and wings with Glossy Accents  I also printed out 3 words I sized to resemble tiles.  Dream, Beauty and Wish.

After the glossy accents was dry I cut each image out.  But first I tested the size to make sure they would all 3 fit in box.  I also altered the box by cutting off the edges at the top and bottom and fitting them in the bottom to support a shelf that I will insert at the bottom of the box.

Here you can see how I used the cut off pieces to support the shelf.  I haven't yet decided if I will leave this as a shelf or make it into a drawer.  Stay tuned to see how this project develops.

I rummaged through my stash and pulled out a few things I thought might work with my theme.

Not quite sure which pieces I will use.  This is really a work in progress.  And this is much more time consuming than I planned for.  Oh well, this will be interesting to see how this turns out, I only have a  loose idea of how I want be complete this box.

I have plans to use this Graphics 45 craft paper sheets to cover the box itself.  That's it until tomorrow.

Happy Crafting!

Garden Butterfly

This poor little butterfly spent the winter in the garden and ended up with quite a coat of rust.  You can barely see it in front of the carpet in my studio.  It used to be so pretty I couldn't bring myself to just throw it away.

Time to repaint and refresh for the summer.

Again I painted the entire piece white to seal it and give me a nice base to add color.

Here is the close up of the butterfly painted shades of blue, green and lavender with a touch of orange.  I used Martha Stewart Metallic Pearl paints.

The feathers I painted green, blue and lavender.  It is all refinished and hanging on the patio.

Happy Crafting!

Altered Coffee Canister

Awhile back while visiting with family I rescued this canister before it landed in the trash. I got some really strange looks for wanting to collect trash.  But I knew right away what I wanted to do with it.

I had a vision of how to alter it for storage. It is one of those red Folger's canisters with the black lid.

For the color palette I decided to go with pink and black.  Before I started painting I made sure it was clean and dry, next I scuffed the entire outside lightly with an Emery board to give the paint something to cling to.   You could also use fine sandpaper.  

Here you can see it getting it's first coat of paint.

While the paint was drying I worked on the lid. I used this pretty black and white floral from Heidi Swapp collection.  I measured the top and cut out a circle.

I distressed the edges with pumice stone and glued the paper to the lid.

Next I cut out a couple of swirls and labels on my Big Shot Machine and glued the swirls to the lid.

Then I added a fluffy white fabric flower, from my stash, that I made. 

I used hot glue to glue the flower to the lid along with a butterfly I punched from black paper, I also added 2 pink rhinestones to the butterfly.

Next I glued the label to the front with another butterfly.

Love my knew storage container.  Now I just need to find some local friends that use this coffee so I can make a whole set of these.  Anyone local use Folger's Coffee?  I would gladly pick them up.

Happy Crafting!