Thursday 30 May 2013

When A Box Isn't A Box...

...don't worry, I haven't gone stark staring tonto... well, not quite.  No, I thought very carefully for about 30 seconds about todays post title... believe me, that is a long time (I usually just type whatever comes into my head!)  Anyways, the box isn't a box anymore because I have been doing a smidge of up-cycling.  I seem to get a lot of cardboard boxes passing through the Room of Stash (all for work, obvs... ahem) and I am forever flattening them and bunging them into the green bin... so I decided to utilise all this free cardboard and use it for a wall hanging piece.  I saw Leandra from Paper Artsy demo-ing using cardboard as a base and thought "what a brill idea" so thanks for the inspirations to Leandra.



I used a Stanley knife (yep, I am very careful with that baby, it is sharp!) and a metal rule and cut a piece of cardboard to measure about 4" by 8" and then peeled away some of the top layer of paper from the cardboard, revealing the corrugations.   Next up, adding some texture... so I used a Crafter's Workshop stencil and Grunge Paste, I spread on a layer with a palette knife, dried it off and then popped the stencil back into place and spread another layer on as I wanted quite a deep stencilled effect.



Next up was a good paint application.  I used Fresco Paints... starting with mixing Snowflake and Mermaid together... pouncing this all over the piece with Cut & Dry foam... and then adding in Mermaid around the edges... a smidge of South Pacific blended lightly over the raised bits and then a smudge of Mocha Mousse around the very edges.  Once dried, I popped a little bit of Little Black Dress around the edges to make a frame for the design.  I loves my Treasure Gold and used Pewter and White Fire, applying it very lightly over the raised bit and around the edges of the base.  My floral embellishment is just a bunch of paper flowers, some have had smidges of Treasure Gold applied and some left plain.  The sprigs are Prima (had these years and never dared to use them before... duh? Use them!!!Alpha Parts for my word of the year... and a clear butterfly to finish.    I am entering this piece into the Simon Says Stamp & Show challenge this week which is "Into the Woods"  *a musical I LOVE... I was introduced to this fabulousity by my friend Dan... if you haven't seen it... you needs to!*  Anyways... HERE is the link to the deets on the challenge... and my "into the woods" bits are the woody sprigs and the cardboard, which, after all, comes from wood originally!



Anyways... I have news of my little predator.  Oh yesh, he has been up to his tricks again.  And, it is all our fault, we laughed at him the other day when he was trying to stalk a pigeon that was having a little rest on our lawn.  Alf hasn't really "got it" when it comes to the stalking of birds... he wags his tail, chatters his chops and wiggles his bum too much, they see him coming, laugh at him and then fly off.  That is until he decided to change tactic... and went for a baby Collared Dove!  And... to make things worse, he brought it home for Mummy.  Why he does this while Grim is at work is beyond me.  I was actually having a chat with Grim on the phone when Alf arrived, baby dove in chops and proceeded to run into the living room and dumped said dove on the rug... which I have to admit is where all his toys are, you know, like catnip mice... and sticks with feathers on (I know, it is my fault... I have taught him how to catch a bird!)   Anyways, Baby Dove was still alive... so I went to grab Alf, who promptly dropped the dove, which then flew into the hall.  In the meantime, I am trying to talk to Grim, slipping along the carpet on my knees with a rather cheesed off cat in one hand and trying to talk to Grim with the phone in the other... well, it was going to end up messy so I and ended up dropping the phone, letting go of Alfonse and rushing off after the him as he was in hot pursuit of the poor birdy.   I managed to grab Alf again, and, to his disgust, shut him in the hall.  I figured the poor dove would be dead... but no, it was still alive... so I held it for a few minutes (ok, more like half an hour) while it (and I) calmed down... and then released it back into the Spinney and Alf was then on lock down. For a day!  I have since seen said baby bird sitting in a tree so I am rather chuffed that I managed to rescue it.  And Alf?  He decided to adopt his full name for the next day... Lord Alfonse of Sheridan - oh he ignored me, huffed at me and even took a gnash at my passing ankles!  He has forgiven me since.. he knows which side his bread is buttered... not to mention who gives him food and snuggles!    Right, I shall away... thanks for looking!  TTFN

Hels x

34 comments:

betjunroe said...

Oh this is so pretty Hels! I have never tried the Fresco paints--really like the colors though. How do they compare to distress paints? Love hearing about Alfie cat's adventures! Bette

Helen said...

Very nice up-cycled creation with all those layers. Glad you were able to rescue birdy - poor Alf probably thought he was so clever!

Inkypinkycraft said...

Another gorgeous make Hels , I love corrugated card and your creation is yummy as ever x

Ink Art Designs said...

Hi Hels...these colours are sooo beautiful! I love the corragated cardboard look, and love how you have added the extra depth...very clever thinking!
Dot x

Nan G said...

Oh Hels, your Alfonse is a treasure. My girls startled themselves by catching a gecko on the lanai the other day. What a hoot! p.s. love the non-box box! :) hugs

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

WOW WOW WOW!!! Most excellent! I love the corrugated base...it's been one of my favorite things to do lately! The Grunge Paste is excellent...most get some! I love the color on it and the stenciling. The flowers and nature feel here are just wonderful Hels! Gorgeous hanging! Thank you so much for taking a walk with us through the woods this week here at Simon Says Stamp & Show!

Carole Z said...

Well first of all this make is fab - really fab and thanks for the deets on how you made it, will be giving a go! Your post and the image it conjured made me laugh..but I am so pleased baby dove is all well! Believe it or not, I had a similar thing a few years ago, rescuing a baby wood-pigeon from the beak of one of our hens..we both ended up in our little pond! Pigeon was ok though! Carole Z X

Joanne K said...

Morning Hels, pretty tag. It looks like it was lots of fun to make. Love the story about Alf, did make me laugh at all the antics. Have a good day. Kind regards Joanne K x

Marleine said...


Hi Hels,

Am liking your project very much.

Was reading the Alfie story with bated breathe. Glad all was well in the end. You can do without those kind of 'pressies'. X

Unknown said...

I was "tidying" yesterday, and I think I have a problem... Cardboard boxes! I save them, they WILL come in for something useful, and up pops Hels today with a use for them!! Fab! Love it. Alfie is a big brave hunter, was too wet for our cat to go out, except in emergencies!! and then only as far as a newly planted pot!

annemarks said...

Lovely piece and i too love fresco finish paints with their gorgeous chalky effect. Corrugated cardboard gives a great effect here and i will def hang on to some and give it a go. So glad you rescued the poor baby bird :)

nancyd said...

Morning Hels, a great box thats not a box
I keep all my cardboard but never
know what to do with them have used
a few but this idea is great will def. be
trying this. Loved your story about
Alfie cat glad birdie was alright you done well girl.
Nancyd xx

EmmaT said...

Morning Hels, gorgeous upcycled box, love the colours and texture. Glad you rescued the dove and that he survived the shock. Emma

rachel said...

awwww you clever lady - I never manage to rescue anything my mischief brings in! And your wall hanging is amazing - I've seen quite a few people using cardboard - works well! Hugs Rachel xx

Redanne said...

Oh wow Hels, your hanging is gorgeous (I love cardboard too and it's always available!), love the grunge paste and the colours and flowers are stunning. So glad you save the dove! Hugs, Anne x

Joanne said...

I just love to start the day with you. What could be better than to see and admire gorgeous art then sit back and have a good laugh at the Sheridan antics. Can we put this lady up for an OBE??????
xx

Caroline said...

Why when I try to paste through masks onto corrugated card it just falls into the crevices in a lump?? Yours is amazing & addition on my paint obsession at mo (mermaid most favouriteist, not a word), stunning! I'm all out of crafty juice as dt stuff left by courier yesterday! Phew! Having day off...
Why do our cats bring such delicate (scared out of their wits) presents?? I have had a rabbit & a frog amongst mine... And they are SO good at sulking aren't they? Bleeessss 'm!! Take care..:))

Angela Drummond said...

Love the wall hanging Hels, I must have a go at this. I just love your stories of Alfie too, they make me chuckle, thanks for sharing

whyducks said...

Oh how beautiful your work is and such a lovely colour too!
Naughty Alfiecat, he is a right naughty boy sometimes!

Gail said...

Luv the project and what a fab idea of using cardboard, I have used it on cards for the sitting sentiments on but never thought about using it in this way - hmmmm!! got me thinking now xx GailT xx

Aquarius said...

Brilliant piece of recycling - that sort of cardboard is so handy for altering with the peely off layer.(technical term). Had to smile at your rescue operation with the bird and well done for the life saving bit.

Patricia Howarth said...

Hi Hels, WOW, loving your hanging, the colours are so beautiful together and the flowers are fantastic. I am always in awe at your stunning pieces.
So glad Alfie-Cat's experience ended happily, just what you need eh !! ha ha !!
lots of love from Patricia xx

Words and Pictures said...

Gorgeous... who needs canvas when there's corrugated card?! My favourite playground!!
Alison x

Candy C said...

Hels, your "into the woods" tag is gorgeous, I so love the corrugated background. Perfect for this challenge as it almost takes on a bark appearance. Your little twigs are so sweet and I love how you've intermixed them with the sweet flowers. Love the background color, too. And your rendition of Sir Alphonse Sheridan and his misadventures with the poor half scared to death baby dove are hysterical. I can just see you crawling on the floor on your hands and knees trying to keep Alf under control, talk on the phone and locate that poor little baby bird. So funny...what a mental picture. haha Thanks for sharing your beautiful art and your stories with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy <3 Candy

Linda Simpson said...

Love this very much Hels! The colour is wonderful and love the background. A great idea of using the cardboard.

Hugs
Linda xxx

Sue said...

Stunning Hels

carol edwards said...

Hi Hels lovely use of cardboard, and the colours are so pretty. Glad you rescued the little bird and Alfie will soon forgive you at meal times

Kezzy said...

Wow gorgeous stunning hanging, I should try and recycle more lol. Leandras videos are fab aren't they, when will you start doing videos? I would definitely love to do an online class with you :-). I have to admit I'm a great lover of fresco paints they have such a gorgeous finish. Eeek I know that cats show their love for you by bringing gifts but I'm having a right laugh imagining a live bird in your house, you were really a hero for coping the way you did lol. Hugs Kezzy :-) xxx

Unknown said...

Hels this is a great recycling project, it's brilliant. The corrugated bit looks fab. I love the colours you have used. Alfie cat, what can I say! I would have had kittens if a cat had brought me a pigeon and plonked it on the rug! Perish the thought. I did have a chuckle at the thought of you juggling the phone and Alfie whilst rescuing the said bird! I am pleased the birdie is OK though. Have a great day hugs Debbie R xx

Barb Cady said...

Love This piece Hels, I love the distressed look of the cardboard, I get that when a crafty item comes through the post and I rip into it to get at it quick! Naughty Alfie, glad you rescued the birdie, you tell such a good tale! Xx

Kirsten said...

Cats & birds, such a bad combination. I get hardly any birds in my garden now, due to five - FIVE!! - rampaging neighbourhood cats.
Love this project, it's completely gorgeous.

Unknown said...

Fab project, congrats on the SSS&S top three spot! Our little killer loves the birds too, but he knows better than to bring them home to me - he eats them!! Maddy x

Candy C said...

Yay Hels!! This is my first chance to be online all day! SO glad that you were chosen as one of the TOP THREE for Simon Says Stamp and Show. Your project is gorgeous and you so deserve this honor. Love you! <3 Candy

Maura said...

Congratulations!! Beautiful little hanging.

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