Finshed!

Added "Paris" word charm and ribbon to the lid...

Added pearly buttons to the bottom half...

Attached my Eiffel Tower tag with ribbon...

Ta da!!!

Treasure Box Here!!! Wow!!!

Wow, look what the postman bought me! I hadn't seen the message on Advanced Artist Trading Cards posted by my partner saying my swap was on its way, so it was a lovely surprise when it arrived. There were lots of "ooohs"and "aaaahs" as I opened up the tissue paper to reveal a beautifully altered box - what you cannot see from my photograph is that it says "serenity" around the bottom half of the box.

The creator, Heather Fenn-Edwards, told me "I used the word "Serenity" on the box to reflect the qualities of the amethyst stone, which is said to promote well-being, calmness and protection". Well, I could certainly use some of that :) Heather has her own website http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://www.mooncatcherdesigns.co.uk/&usg=AFQjCNHj0xJFsJEObwhm7tStb7_dIAbPfg - check it out :)

There was a pretty tag attached, and Heather had signed the bottom of the box too. So... what was inside..? A stunningly beautiful piece of jewellery, which just blew me away! (It has totally inspired me to try and push myself further wth my own jewellery making). Also inside, some hand-stamped tags, and even the pretty lace in which the contents were wrapped took my breath away! You gotta click on the images and look at a huuuuuuge piccie to really appreciate this awesome piece of art!

I feel a very lucky girly wirly to be part of Advanced Artist Trading Cards and to receive a swap created by such a talented lady, thank you :)

Treasure Box Stage 2 (and My Booky Wook!)

Treasure Box... nearly there!

Feeling a lot better about my box, much better! I added some buttons (attached with wire) to cover up a little blip, and some pearl beaded chain too. The lid pretty well completed, I took a small metal tag and melted a few layers of pearl UTEE on top, and dropped in an Eiffel Tower charm. Not quite sure how this will be attached as yet...

I simple added some lace around the bottom of the box, although I think perhaps it needs something more... that will have to wait until another day because...

... I picked up a copy of My Booky Wook by Russell Brand from the library today - cannot wait to get my nose stuck into it!

Something for the Box!

Backtracking - 3rd July 2008

Felt like a change today, so I made a bracelet to go in the treasure box I am making for a swap on Advanced Artist Trading Cards. I was nice to do something different from ATCs/papercrafting and I really enjoyed quietly beading away in front of the tv tonight!

Treasure Box Commences!

Backtracking - 2nd July 2008

Finally got started on my Treasure Box swap for Advanced Artist Trading Cards. Off to Paris again (can't I think of anything new and innovative?!) but I do love using my Crafty Individuals stamps, and know I have lots of embellishments that tie in with the theme of Paris, so as this was my first swap for Advanced ATCs, I wanted to be in my comfort zone and feel confident (well, as confident as Freaky Deaky Crafty Chick ever can!) in my ability to create something half decent!

After priming with gesso, I used 3 shades of Adirondack paint dabbers to colourise the box all over, in a random fashion, til I had something which I was satisfied with. Then I stamped using Stazon and my favourite Crafty Individuals rubber stamps (text, friends in Paris, Paris postmark) onto tissue paper, and used modge podge to apply them onto the lid of the box, layering and overlapping.

Not actually very happy with the way the word "friends" cannot be seen easily at all. Will figure that out another day, in fact, I will probs end up covering it up with something. But what..?

Swap Time, a Stonking Pin and Vaseline!!!

Backtracking - 28th June 2008

It's that time of the month once again, when swapping commences for ATC Addicts R Us. Each month, I try not to have a nervous breakdown when doing the swaps, but I guess it is an occupational hazard! This time though, I had help from the co-owner aka my Freaky Deaky Friendie, which was muchly appreciated! It was soooooooooo much quicker having someone to help me out! And she gave me an RAK ATC which I love! I have had my eye on that stamp for quite some time and am jealous that she owns it!

A last minute envelope of ATCs arrived from bonnie Scotland, and inside, a most stunning pin she had made for me, as an RAK - check it out! She used polymer clay and perfect pearls...

My Freaky Deaky Friendie stayed the whole day, so we had time for crafting once the swaps were done and dusted! My friendie made a start on creating her treasure box (a swap on Advanced Artist Trading Cards) and what she made was stonking!

It inspired me, and I started playing around with colours and themes... it really helps to have a crafty friend when you need inspiration (and honest, trustworthy critique too!) On making our way to the craft room, we walked past the vaseline I had been putting on my sore nose (see crafting with a cold!) and I thought - aha! Resist!

Splodged and smeared some on a couple of ATC blanks, and waited... it refused to dry... waited some more... got impatient and blasted them with my heat gun - whoo! Dried it! (Was slightly concerned it might just make it all smooshy again) Then I brayered over with a rainbow dye ink pad, and voila:

The jury is out on whether these are much cop, guess it depends what I add to these backgrounds... ooooh... I wonder if I could rubber stamp with vaseline...?! Watch this space...