Friday 15 April 2016

Carte Blanche in a Box!

Evening!  Tis that time of the month again when it is my turn to share on the Creative Carte Blanche blog.  This month the theme is "Alter a Cigar Box".  Ooh, did someone say alter?  Whooothooot!  I loves altering stuff!  To see more details on the challenge and where to upload, CLICK HERE and you will be transported on the back of a giant umbrella to the Carte Blanche blog.


So when I heard the theme was going to be altering a cigar box, I got very excited indeedily and headed off to the Bay of E (other auction sites are available!) and started a bidding war on this ratty old box.  I spent hours, poised, ready for the auction to end and, waiting there, finger hovering over the "place bid" button, coiled like a spring knowing that at any second I could lose out and be outbidded....  Ok, ok, I went on eBay, put Cigar Box into the search engine, placed a bid on the cheapest I could find and won it... but it did sound exciting didn't it? 



Once I got my new purchase (which, btw, stinks like a poke of devils and is rather mildewy) I decided that I was going to pretty it up using the gorgeous Birds of Paradise paper collection from ScrapBerry's.  I love the designs and colours of these papers, just perfect to brighten up my shabby old cigar box.
 

 I made some roses using the papers and Tattered Florals die.  Next I layered the papers onto the box lid and sides, shabbying them up a bit with an edge distresser and some Vintage Photo Distress Ink and ensuring I didn't cover right to the edges as I wanted the original edges of the box still showing - to me it just reminds me what the base is and how old it is too!



In the paper collection is a sheet of birds ready to cut out and a sheet of sentiments... so I picked the ones I wanted, cut the birdy out, edged with Vintage Photo and then curled him with my fingers to get some shape into him, the sentiment had the same treatment as the papers so it matches in nicely.  Once I had the bits and bobs all done, I glued them to the box and added a few ScrapBerry's embellies to finish and made some ickle footsies for the box by gluing bingo counters together and colouring with ink and Treasure Gold.



Apologies for not blogging for the last four weeks.  Things have been, well, how can I say this, pretty chuffing awful here at home since I last blogged...  Grim's life has, yet again, sadly been turned upside down in the course of his duties at work...  so real life has taken priority. However, thanks for all your lovely comments and messages and apologies for being absent... normal service will resume sometime soon hopefully but in the meantime, both of us do really appreciate all your kind thoughts that you have sent our way.  Thanks for looking and have a grand weekend.

TTFN

Hels x

19 comments:

CastleKelly Crafts said...

Beautiful Hels, has an almost tropical feel with all those gorgeous warm colours and the birds. My box is sitting on the work bench patiently waiting ----- just need a few more hours in each day! Fingers crossed for the pair of you that things improve soon, hugs x

Joanne said...

Just look at those fab colours and I adore the torn bits on the sides. Dare I say, I actually have a cigar box that I bought some time ago in Chester for £5! May just have a go at doing something with it after your fab inspiration - ooh! Inspiration(s) xxx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh Hels! It's so long since I visited! Glad I came over today to see this gorgeous creation! Hope things get better for you both! Chrisx

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh my goodness is this ever beautiful! What fabulous detail and color. <3

Jackie T said...

Oh wow this is amazing it is just so beautiful. Take care. Hugs Jackie

Susan said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Hels! I look your trademark roses and the beautiful colors! So glad you "won" the cigar box! lol. Love that story.

rachel said...

stunning work Hels - so pretty - I have missed your posts herein blogland but totally understand why you haven't been around - take care of you and yours Hels - big hugs lovely lady xx

Craftychris said...

Absolutely beautiful box! Love the gorgeous bird papers and your fab roses. Such glorious colours too! I hope things get better soon. Take care! xxx

Lisapmac said...

Absolutely stunning x

Candy C said...

Oh Hels. Your altered cigar box is gorgeous. This definitely has your touch. I love the color palette and your papers. The birds and images are just lovely. And of course, your signature roses are to die for. As always, I love seeing your art! You rock, girl.

carol edwards said...

Love what you've done to this poor old box and it now looks beautiful. Sorry about trouble at home and hope it soon sorts itself out for you and Grim x

Astrid Maclean said...

Stunning!! Loving your roses like always and such gorgeous papers!! Great ebay story too :o)

Tracy Welham said...

This is gorgeous! The flowers look amazing! Creative Blessings, Tracy x

Redanne said...

Ha, ha, I love your eBay story and almost believed you! What a fabulous transformation - those papers are gorgeous and as always, your flowers are beautiful. The finished box has a wonderful vintage feel to it.

I searched eBay too, got a box (pot luck), it doesn't look anything like a cigar box... sigh. So I went to a tobacconist shop and they gave me a beauty for free! Yes, I was pretty amazed too. Now I need to get my finger out and decorate it!

Very best wishes to you and your lovely Grim, I hope things improve soon, thinking of you... Hugs, Anne xx

Helen said...

What a gorgeous transformation. It is so pretty with all the details and I love that you left just the edges of the old box. I'll have to have a search for a cigar box so I can join in the fun!

Annette Green said...

I love the intro to this post, Hels. Such drama!! LOL! Your ratty stinky box has made the most beautiful transformation thanks to your gorgeous papers and trademark tattered flowers. It has Hels written all over it.

You know my heart goes out to you and your dear hubby. One day at a time. I'm hoping the healing process comes quickly. Hugs!

Cheryl Grigsby said...

Just gorgeous, of course, what we always get from you!! Your post was such fun to ready and the cigar box was altered beautifully. LOVE LOVE those birds!! <3 <3 <3

Jackie PN said...

Stunning box!
love those roses Hels, just exquisite!!
Jackie ")

Unknown said...

This box is adorable!!

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