Altered Card (photo) Box

Another family member kicked offa the blog! I'm just starting now to get the full rush of the excitement of Christmas. Well, I start late, don't I? Well, I needed some vacation time to start on my projects and with C and I being students money is so tight that I worry...blah, blah...(I'm blessed with a family who is not materialistic and is sweetly appreciative.) Like the person this is for: Marvellllous Margie!


This project has been particularly fun and I thought it might be a good one for all you cardmakers. These photo boxes are the perfect size for standard cards (4 and 2/8s inches x 5 1/2inches.) My aunt Margie loves to travel (and takes gorgeous pictures) so I thought once she uses these cards, she could still have the box for pictures.


I used Petals Plus to stamp the blooms and French Script for the details. The white strip in the box cover (with the blanket stitch of black embroidery thread down the side) and the pieces for the leaves was the most serendipitous find. I took apart a book that was falling apart to make this sketch book sandwich, and it was handwriting on the inside of the spine. (Practically killed me to glue it to the sketch book, but I photocopied it several times to use it in other projects.) It's sepia but I copied it in black & white for this.


The flowers on the cards are painted with black craft ink. I forgot how luxurious it is to paint with a high quality brush. (I'm ashamed to say that I have a deluxe easel & many brushes sitting neglected in my "studio.") However, not anymore...I'm using the brushes because they're tools not jewels. My very favourite brush is something you may want to put on your wish list: it's a number 4 round by Windsor and Newton. They go on sale quite often.


Funnily enough, this little detail (above) is my favourite part of the project. The bottom of the box said made in China. I sanded it off when I was distressing the finish (wrecked my metal nail file, 'cause I couldn't find my sandpaper. Yes, I am a freak.) I like the palimpsest quality...how it still shows the made in China, but overwrites that. Nothing wrong with China per se of course...I just wish I had the means to buy local artist's work all the time. One day... :0)

Thanks so much for reading; hope you have a great day,
Mel

P.S. Sorry for the crummy pix. I'm planning out a lighting agenda for picture taking after the holidays--All my lamps keep fitzing out on me (Don't buy Ikea lamps; trust me!)
P.P.S. For more on the ingredients please see this scs post.