Today, I am sharing a “first” with you…. I was invited to be a guest designer for this month’s challenge at a blog new to me called “It’s All About the Vintage and Beauty”. The blog features projects that are vintage, retro, old fashioned or antique!
A day after I accepted the invite, the challenge theme was revealed, and yes, it was to “Pimp a Box.” Now I am sure that since the blog is written in another language, that something might have been lost in the translation to English, so after I had a laugh, I went into an immediate panic as I did not know where to begin. Of all the challenge themes I might have anticipated, this was NOT among them!
Thank goodness for Pinterest, as there were so many gorgeous altered boxes and books from which I could draw inspiration. I even created two new boards on my Pinterest page featuring all the wonderful altered books and altered box creations of some talented artists! You can check them out HERE or click on the Pinterest link on my sidebar!
For my project, I purchased a 5 inch unfinished wood box from Joanns. I knew a square would be the best shape to begin with and the size was perfect for a beginner! Working with a soft shade of blue, I painted the entire box, inside and out with a beautiful soft blue Martha Stewart satin acrylic paint – “Cloud”.
Next, I pulled out an old K&Company 12×12 paper pad called “Bailey”. All the papers are so lovely and vintage- they look like canvas and many are already distressed on the edges. I fussy cut two five inch squares, one for the top of the box that featured two lovely flourishes, and a square for inside. I glued them down with Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive. This glue is perfect for attaching paper- no bubbles, no wrinkles! Once attached, I sanded the edges for a more distressed look and then inked the edges with Brushed Corduroy ink.
Then, the “fun” began.. I painted a silver WOC metal corner with White Pearl (Ranger) paint dabber and sprinkled it with Deco Art Glamour Dust before attaching to box. Next, I added the pearl/bling flourishes over the white flourishes in the design paper. I added WOC and Prima roses, but the white/blue combination did not pop until I added the deep red roses to the mix. Then, I stamped “DREAM” with an Inkadinkadoo wood stamp on a piece of manila tag and cut the letters apart, again distressing the edges with Brushed Corduroy ink. I added blue swarovski crystals to each letter.
I hope you like my project… while I stressed out initially, I knew the challenge would leave me feeling good about trying something outside my comfort zone!
Now, it is your turn to join the “Pimp a Box” challenge at It’s All About the Vintage and Beauty challenge blog… For the month of February, you can enter to win some candy, too…the winner will receive Goddess Girls -a set of 25 beautiful digital stamps from The Gecko Galz- you must check them out HERE… gorgeous!
Thank you for your patience in reading this long post, and as always, for your kind comments! I will be entering this creation in the following challenges:
Challenges:
Bunny Zoe’s Crafts- Flowers and Pearls
Eureka Stamps- Swirls and Pearls
My All Crafts Challenge- Show us what you create
Pretty Little Ribbon- Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp-Something Messy
Stamps With Fun- Vintage
Through the Craftroom Door-Anything Goes
Deep Ocean Challenges- The Letter B (box)
Sarah Hurley Challenges- Anything But a Card
Southern Girls- Bling it On
Wow, this is stunning. I've never altered anything but you've inspired me to have a go.
Hugs Helen xx
This is amazing Ann Marie love the colours and the detail of this box
jacqui x
Hi Ann Marie! So nice to see you as our guest designer at our challenge blog! Your altered box looks so beautiful, great color combo and details. I love that shabby chick style :o)
Your blog is full of wonderful creations, I really like your coloring with copics!
Hope to see you again soon…
Your box is gorgeous Ann Marie! Beautiful roses and pearls – very vintage!
What a beautiful box, love all the very pretty details!! the pearls look wonderful, thanks so much for joining us @ Deep Ocean,love,melly. xxx
Just beautiful.
Thanks for joining us at Eureka Stamps this week.
WOW Ann Marie, what a gorgeous box, Love the colour and the flowers are gorgeous to. Thank you for joining Eureka Stamp Challenge, hope to see you again.
DT Memeber x
This is absolutely gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing with us at SGC!!
An absolutely stunning Victorian box Ann Marie.
Thanks so much for sharing with us Pretty Little Ribbons challenge.
B x
Really stunning! Love the frilly look! All the beautiful roses, lace and pearls. The foundation feet will look great underneath it! Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. Hugs, Sandra
Your box is breathtaking! Very beautiful creation.
Happy Valentine´s weekend to you.
Susan
Your box is breathtaking! Very beautiful creation.
Happy Valentine´s weekend to you.
Susan
Hi Anne Marie, this is just fabulous…I love the vintage look and you created a wonderful box. Your showcasing is awesome. joann sassy raggedy
A gorgeous box! So very romantic with all the lace and pearls! I love this! Thanks for joining us at The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop. Marlies
Love this beautiful box, Ann Marie! The colors are gorgeous, love the distressing, love all the pretty laces and flowers you used, and love the embellies, too! :^)
Hugs, Penny
So very girly. Lovely project Anne-Marie, thanks for joining our Bling it On challenge.
Cheers,
Kasey ~ in Oz
Southern Girls DT
Just gorgeous, I love the pretty lace and pearls beautifully done
hugs julie P
Your box is just gorgeous Ann-Marie.
Lovely colours and details.
Thanks for joining us at Anything Goes.
Hugs, Janine xx
Ann Marie
Absolutely stunning, beautiful and a treasure box to show off! You did an amazing job. I went to the Gecko Galz and ordered both their sets of stamps – they are beautiful and I am excited about working with them. Thanks for sharing your talents with us. Big Hugs
I'm SO blessed to have found your sweet blog today, Ann-Marie. You are so talented, and I love this gorgeous treasure box. Thanks for sharing this in our Pearls and Swirls Challenge this week.
Come back soon!
Blessings,
karen
P.S. I have another challenge blog where we'd just LOVE to have you share your beautiful art and talents with us. We are Word Art Wednesday – always Anything Goes. Please come play along with us!
http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
PS..just had another look around your blog …I am your newest follower! Suzanne x
Hello, your box is a dream and such wonderful photographs of it too. Thank you for being such a fabulous GDT with us at It's all about the Vintage for this challenge. Wishes, Suzanne x
Gorgeous, I love boxes. Beautiful piece. Thanks for joining the challenge with Sarah Hurley this time.
This is so lovely Ann Marie and a perfect box for a special treasure! You picked wonderful embellies to give it just the right flair. Great job on pimping your box. LOL Hugs!
Wow! This is stunning Ann Marie! A gorgeous box, beatifully decorated!
Have a nice week!
Hugs Kjersti:)
I had to read this twice – at first I thought it said Pimp's Box – and I thought well this is interesting. Well I must say your box is divine – wonderful and beautiful – who ever thought that pimping a box would be so grand!
Sandy
Wow wow amazing creation I love it. Thank you for joining us at Anything Goes Challenge Blog 🙂 Kezzy xx
Ann Marie this is stunning, just wonderful 🙂 I have featured your wonderful creation 🙂 http://sparklingblackrose-craftmylife.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/featured-crafters-from-my-all-craft.html
Thank you for entering my All Crafts Challenge-hope to see you enter again soon 🙂 Elaine-xxx-