Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Dioramas & Pomegranates (Caardvarks CCM Holiday Hop--day 3)

Alas, Dear Readers, it is day three, the final day of Caardvarks' Creative Cuts & More hop. But while it's lasted, I've been insanely inspired by all the posts & the projects--hope you have been too! :o)

Today is the "Home Decor" day of the hop.
&
my first project is a CCM cupcake box...turned into a little diorama:

Caardvarks CCM Cupcake box turned diorama melstampz

The cupcake box is turned on its side. The back of the box (the sky) is pierced with little holes, so it catches the light & the hanging clouds are double sided (they swing around.)






The coolest thing about this box die-cut is that the cupcake holder insert is already made to fit perfectly inside the box, so it makes a super easy layer for a diorama and the lid makes a speedy no-fuss front for one.

The ease of use (with the great box design) could make this a fun & simple craft for kids. (They don't have to go bonkers with glitter on ya) ;o)

Sizing: The box is a perfect size--4x4 inches and 3 2/8 inches deep from front to back--(when turned on its side like this.) It's just enough room to work with the layers of a diorama, but small enough to hold in your hand (and to look miniature.)

The box lid already has that curvy label window shape & it also comes with a perfectly-fitted acetate piece that you could add in the front, if you wanted to keep little fingers out of the scene.

Other CCM dies used: Antique Label -in acetate & Antique label -in chip board (medium weight) (both cut in half to make the "let it snow" topper.)

Caardvarks CCM Cupcake box turned diorama DETAIL melstampz

Details: The wee trees are cut from My Mind's Eye "Trim the Tree" paper; Teeny houses & "let it snow" label are cut from the Cosmo Cricket catalogue (July 2009.) Clouds are book paper with white paint, silver thread, & Swarovski crystals. Glitter is Martha Stewart.

I almost made some itsy bitsy people to live in there, but was worried they might look like ants. Somehow, mutant ant-people don't seem all that festive! ;o)

My second project is a tabbed recipe book:

Caardvarks CCM Recipe Book melstampz

It's made with the CCM
New die cut: 4" x 4" Mini Album Set (in coconut swirl/white)

I just left the white cover plain (it's such a pure nice white) but I added some dots of Sakura gel pen to it & just bound it together by tying the holes with taffeta ribbon.

The pomegranate label uses CCMs Antique label -in chip board (medium weight). The pomegranate itself is a drawing I made and scanned to turn into a digital image. It's embossed out of the printer on vellum, coloured with Copic markers, & stitched with beads and embroidery thread:

Caardvarks CCM Recipe Book DETAIL melstampz

I cut it out & adhered it to the antique label (which was painted white, covered with white cardstock, heat'n'stick powder & white Martha Stewart glitter.) I love love love that chipboard antique label shape.

...and that's all folks! Thank you SO very much for stopping in!

The Blog Hop Order:

You can read all about the blog hop,
here at Caardvarks
:

(There's a special CCM discount for Caardvarks readers
& fantastic prizes too.)

*If you're not already hopping, please
start the hop here:
Tanis: http://papercanvas.wordpress.com/
&
The next hop stop is the talented
Lucy: http://hedgehogsandladybirds.blogspot.com/


If you get lost on the hop, please just go back to Caardvarks. :o)

Happy Hopping!



P.S. I'm working on a pictorial for the diorama (that will be ready for the weekend) if you want to pop in again sometime & see how many pounds of glitter it uses. ;o)

63 comments:

Lucy Abrams said...

oh my GOODNESS Mel... that is INCREDIBLE. Both projects are stunning, but that box is simply jaw dropping. You are amazing.

Linda Brun said...

WOW.I'm speechless. This is stunning.

Andrea Amu said...

Just amazing!! Ohhh my, you made me drop my jaw and I can't pick it up! So darn creative to use the box for a diorama... and that pomegranate is fabulous too!

liannallama said...

I am stunned by that beautiful pomegranate! It looks like real fruit! Thanks for the tip on the vellum--it gives such a nice look for the project over the glitter!

silvia said...

FABULOUS diorama!! What a clever idea. LOVE the recipe book!

Kim said...

Flippin incredible!!!

Dawn Edwards said...

Wow that is incredible! The card is stunning as well.

Dawn said...

NO STINKIN WAY!!! You are just too CLEVER for your own good!!! Genius turning the cupcake box on its side and making the diorama!! Genius I tell you!!!
And the pomegranates..oh my, beautiful...

you my dear are AWESOME!!!

Dawn said...

Bwahahahahah...just read your mutant ant people part.... Bwahahahaha

Dawn said...

oh..yeah.....did I mention GENIUS?!!

theneon said...

You are truly my hero (heroine)! I cannot conjure an amazing enough word for all you do. The diorama is treeeemendous! and, the pomegrante is more than amazing. Thanks so much for sharing!

Amy's Stocking Stuffers said...

Oh my, that cupcake box is AMAZING!!!!

kksb said...

Both of your projects are stunning!
The Christmas village diorama is incredible!Into my favorite file, all three of your blog hop creations go. Thanks.

mustangkayla said...

This is incredible! Its just beautiful!

Jeri said...

OMGoodness. That diorama is to die for. What an incredible amount of detail in that project. I can't believe after that you had time to make a cute little recipe book too. NICE JOB!!!

Dulce said...

Mel, this is absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations!

Cheryl said...

Mel, you are simply amazing. I don't know how you can think up such beautiful projects much less execute them. I love following your blog. You have such great ideas. (I love the pommegranite)

Завитушка said...

От Ваших работ, я испытываю культурный шок, очень красиво!!!

Jane Wetzel said...

Mel..I look at your blog everyday..dont comment..but I gotta tell u that u r INSANELY TALENTED...wow..keep up the inspiration! :) jane w.

Nancy at EmbroideryIt.com said...

This is stunning!
Nancy

Anonymous said...

WOW, Love that Box. It's awesome.

Debbie
mama1duk@aol.com

Sue-ann said...

Wow Mel.... these are stunning! Absolutely stunning creations!!

Khunter47 said...

Your projects are beautiful.

Margie said...

My gosh! I thought the diorama was gorgeous, then I scrolled down and saw the recipe book cover, and my jaw hit the floor! Absolutely beautiful!

A Little Licht on the Subject... said...

I'm awestruck and inspired! Thank you for all your hard work!

dstandard said...

Oh wow wow wow wow !!!! Amazing - such awesome details!

Laurie Marmon said...

wow! what detail! the little scene is so stunning!

and not to forget your little recipe book, I like the whiteness of it. very pretty. :)

Kathlene said...

Okay, time to come clean. Confess, because it's obvious to any 8 year old that you must have a team of creative genius's in your scrapbook room, ready at your beck and call, to create not one, but TWO masterpieces in one day. Love the sweet diorama and the pomegranite label is gor-gee-ous! TFS (to you and your entire team). LOL

Marla said...

WOW - I agree with being speechless. I cant believe the talent you have with paper!!!

Sue McRae said...

Amazing projects! Wow!

Rosanne said...

Wow! All your blog hop creations are gorgeous! And your diorama is adorable!

Beth Norman said...

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh. Your diorama totally rocks the papercraft world--no universe! You are totally the best!

Anonymous said...

hi mel, i was just catching up on a few blog posts,nice work as usual,love lady

Helen F. said...

WOWSA! Mel these two projects are amaZING yes, with a capital ZING!!

Colleen said...

Oh my heavens is that ever stunning. I just love it. What a great and creative mind you have.

@JoyceCasaldi said...

Very pretty projects!

Divya Rao said...

Beautiful projects. I love the pomegranate!

mulberry station said...

The diorama is stunning. What an amazing project!

Whimcees said...

Oh! The cupcake box diorama is to die for! I LOVE it! I want to make one right now! The card is also lovely. Great projects!

Barbara Diane

lisa808 said...

Oh my, I think your diorama is your most awesome project ever!!!

Merry said...

OMG!!! these are both brilliant projects. Love all the little trees in the diorama and the pomegrante is stunning.

Gina said...

Wow! That box is amazing. Truly amazing. Now if I had the time and patience to do something so gorgeous I totally would. Those trees!!! Those clouds. Truly gorgeous. If you gave anyone this as a gift they would treasure it forever. I don't normally gush, but I had to over this. Great job!

Anonymous said...

oh my gosh... you are simply amazing. I love that little diorama. Reminds me of school, but yours is oh so much better.

GORGEOUS!

lisa a.

Tiffany Heilman said...

I love the pomegranate with the beads. And now I just have to say I love that diorama, I just cannot believe that you did all that. Amazing, but you are crazy!

Andi (RrlScrapGal) said...

Another stunner!

I love this cute scene... so gorgeous.. and another project as well???? OH my!

Shauna K said...

what a gorgeous intricate diorama!! and love the beading on the recipe book :D

Candy said...

Hi Mel,
Gosh I am soooo impressed with your diorama. It is really breath taking.
And I LOVE LOVE LOVE your recipe book too!
Your work always is awesome - it is such FUN to come to your blog.
Hugs, Candy

Sandy said...

Beautiful! Terrific and I love it!

Sandy said...

Love the diorama and the tabbed book is cute!

Unknown said...

Where to begin??? OMG that is gorgeous. I'm looking forward to your pictorial:). Could you possibly do one for how you made the pomegranate???

Nicky Hsu said...

Wow. Amazing~ The details are just stunning.

Elena said...

Wow! Your diorama box is stunning! Love all your beading work and dimension! Pomegranate is so neat!
Thank you very much for visiting me yesterday! :)

Peet said...

oh my, these are amazing, Mel.just love all the projects you've made for these three days...wow

Diane said...

Wow! What a very creative idea and just stunnning! I just love it...I bet it took awhile, but so worth it! Love the recipe folder, too!

Teri C said...

BLOWN AWAY!!!! GORGEOUS!

SueStampin Daly said...

You are amazing!!

Steph Zerbe said...

No way! Stellar work. I love your vision and your execution leaves me speechless. Can I come over, can I bring my crafty friends so we can just soak up your creatively for a minute. I love this super fun idea. I have to get more cupcake boxes. They were fun to decorate before this, now this is brilliant! I need to get these papers now too. I could stay here all day!

Catherine said...

Breathtakingly beautiful, Mel, as always! But that diorama is extra amazing! I love it! The glitter on the trees, the hanging clouds, everything is lovely and wonderful! And I love the beading on the card. So elegant!
Uber fabulous, Mel! TFS!

arielle said...

OMG! That diorama is A-mazing!! I got distracted on your page by all the awesome digi stuff and templates, I may not make it thru the hop today!lol

Emily said...

Too freakin' cute!!!!

Gabriele said...

so many comments already, but I wanted to add mine also...
Here it comes:
OH MY GOODNESS! I cannot believe it and think, I´ll be sitting here watching this GREAT project for the next 2 days... (if not more)... woooooow!

Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor said...

I was scrolling along and thought that diorama was probably the coolest thing I had ever seen on your blog. Then I can to the pomegranates and couldn't decide which I liked better! Awesome stuff! Thanks for sharing your cool ideas!

Whimsical Wendy said...

The cupcake box is very "Little Big Planet" style - I love it! hehe ;0)

And the pomegranate looks good enough to eat. Yum Yum!