May upcycle challenge, feels like cheating

Lynne at The Altered Element sent a huge and heavy parcel full of DT goodies for May, and here's the reason why....


The upcycle challenge item was this wooden jewellery box, and she also sent all these other goodies.
It is worth ordering from The Altered Element for the added delight of opening the beautifully wrapped parcels. Items are usually in individual brown paper bags taped down so you have to peel them open carefully, like at Christmas, to save the nice paper for later. There is lilac tissue in the box too to pad out any space. I'd put this on the side thinking I'd save it for a project but before inspiration struck the hamster beat me to it. He now has a pretty, cosy lilac nest.

After the fun of unwrapping and time spent stroking the goodies I started my upcycle project. I always find it a little difficult to get going when I have something that is in good condition to start with. It goes against some in-built instinct to make the first move and spoil the exisiting article. I have the same trouble with altering books and try to find tatty ones to make starting easier.

Once I'd taken it apart, removed the lid, legs and handles and sanded the external surfaces it became much easier. All scruffied up there was no going back. I used the Eco Green acrylic paint (over two textured coats of gesso) to start with. Lynne had sent me Green Patina which was very pearlised and pretty but wasn't quite what I had in mind. I was aiming for a distressed, worn finish that looked completely different from the polished box I started with, so I wiped over it with some Adirondak paint dabber which has a matte finish and took some of the shine away.

As well as changing the look of the box I decided it needed a new use - as a mini sewing box to hold enough things for an individual project at a time. I made a pin cushion top for the lid using printed canvas and layers of wadding. See my blog from last month for details of the Golden Mix More Media products for printing on canvas.



I took out the insides of the box to leave plain compartments and added a canvas and elastic holder inside the lid to cover the space where a mirror had been.

I used some Adirondak Metallic Mixative in pearl colour with a drop of lettuce alcohol ink to colour the handles before putting the box pack together without feet. I'm sure they'll be really useful for something else later.

Still feels like cheating to get a box and upcycle it into another box but it looks and feels quite different.

This must be a record

This must be a record for the least late I have so far been posting my 365 challenge page.

Going back to work after my convalescence was a bit of a shock to the system and I have been too tired to do much in the evenings for the past few weeks so I have to confess that there has been a degree of catch up required over the bank holiday weekend to get back on track.


The colour scheme for June reminds me of the sea side - a bit too early for summer holidays though.

Birthday Madness

This weekend Dyan at Art from the Heart has thrown a 2 day Mad Hatter's Tea Party to celebrate both the relocation of her business and its 9th birthday.

I made a Mad Hatter style hat (mainly from mulberry paper, pelmet vilene and a lot of Duck carpet tape to hold it together) for the occasion which incorporated Alice in Wonderland and tea party items and a sleeping dormouse nesting in the top. Go to her blog for pictures of the amazing costumes and inventive hats created by others.

Whilst there we had tea and mega buns and played in mini workshops all in aid of charity. I also made a few (only a few honest) purchases in the shop.

Here's the tag and envelope pocket I made.

Also, having done some e-housekeeping and made room on the memory chip in my camera here at last is my April 365 journal page - all bright and spring like with tulips and daffodils in mind....

and May all ready to start - with a cherry blossom colour scheme.

Happy 10th Birthday to Craft Stamper Magazine

The June 2010 issue of Craft Stamper will hit the shops next Friday, the 7th May.

It is the 10th anniversary issue and includes lots of bonus features as well as the usual excellent range of projects. There are eight more pages than normal, a fantastic competition with £1,200 worth of prizes and a nostalgic feature looking at some favourite articles from the past 10 years, so do get a copy and take a look.

In addition the Trade It monthly swap and the web site are having a makeover with new opportunities to have your own art work featured.

Here's a sneak peek at my project for customising a clock which features in the issue.