Thursday 1 October 2015

Whatever It Is - Make It 3D. . . . . For Stamps & Stencils And A Blog Hop Too!

Good morning everyone, I'm back with a second post and there will be one further post later to watch out for! Today sees the start of a new challenge at Stamps & Stencils which is hosted by the hugely talented Sue. We have been up and running for six months now so we thought it would be fun to add in a blog hop this month too!

The theme for this month is to make anything you like BUT it must be 3D and you need to add in some stamping and/or stencilling.

Here's the piece I designed and if you scroll down further in the post, you will find all the details about the hop:

I decided to alter a box in a gentle steampunk style. 
The box in the original condition - thanks to my lovely niece Louise!

First coat of gesso - a very stubborn print to cover! I watered down the gesso and that was my mistake!

After covering the box with some Tinting Base and a little colour, I added some Crackle Paste through a stencil.

Media Fluid Acrylic from DecoArt in gold was used all over the top of the box. When dry, a good coat of Carbon Black Antiquing Cream was added. Once dry, this was swiped away with a baby wipe and left in areas around the stencilling to give an aged effect.

A large TH tattered bloom was die cut in two layers. One layer is folder embossed and dry brushed on the raised areas with the gold fluid acrylic. This layer is then antiqued with crackle glaze and antiquing cream. The second layer is painted with black gesso and antiqued as before.

The flower centre is created from an old metal embellishment and some die cut cogs. The cogs have been layered together then finished with the same fluid acrylic, crackle glaze and antiquing cream as before.

The base of the box has been left black (with gesso) to give a backdrop for the embellished top and sides.





The sides have been embellished with die cut cogs, punched circles of card and some metal embellishments. All of this is then finished with the same paint and mediums as described previously.

Rusty wire curls finish the look.

Die cut flower detail shot.


Detail shot to show crackle paste stencilled cog. The centre of the cog is the waste material after die cutting the cog. I always keep these little pieces because they make very useful rivets and with a little carving, nail heads too!

Now for the blog hop details:


  • You need to visit each blog on the following list. 
  • Below is the prize which can be won by collecting a secret letter from each post. 
  • Read through the post and leave a comment.  
  • Collect the secret letter from each post and rearrange to make a word.
  • Leave the word in a comment on the challenge blog. Nobody else will see your comment as we have set it to comment verification so only we can see your words!!
Below is the prize which is a few goodies from the fabulous PaperArtsy. There will also be the usual DT chosen winner who will be invited to join us as Guest Designer. We will also feature our usual Top 3 too.



Blog hop order:
If you've got this far, you only need to do two more things: collect my secret letter which is K and hop to Sharon's blog for your next letter! Thanks so much for your visit and comment!

I would like to join in with a challenge this time too. I never seem to get time to do this so I'd like to enter this piece in the following challenges:

That Craft Place - Anything Goes Mixed Media - I've used paint, crackle glaze, crackle paste, embossing folder, antiquing cream, metal embellishments and a stencil.

Country View Crafts - Add Some Texture - I've used folder embossing, layers, 3d flower, embellishments and crackle paste to add texture.


36 comments:

  1. Terrific idea to redesign a box! Thanks for sharing how you did it. It looks great!

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  2. The first picture only blew me off, Julia. What a great alteration! Yummy crackle texture and the old gold look is just fab and the grungy flower is the prefect finishing touch. LOVE it.

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  3. This is such a stunner Julia !! love the texture and the flower looks perfectly grungy !!

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  4. Absolutely awe struck Julia. Seriously INCREDIBLE. This project has it all. You went over and beyond with the textures and the color is just perfect. WOW. GREAT artwork. j.

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  6. Your altered box is absolutely amazing . You are one very talented lady x

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  7. Fab box, loving your crackle, very delicate xx

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  8. Simply wonderful weathering effects - the whole piece looks amazing.
    Alison xx

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  9. Oops - and thank you for playing along at Country View Challenges of course xx

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  10. Love your gentle steampunk! Brilliant texture and crackle! Chrisx

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  11. Stunning crackle effect, great depth to the crackle and it works so perfectly with the Steampunk theme.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  12. Best hat box alteration ever! LOVE the metallic tone, and love the creepy embellies! Beyond fabulous!!!

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  13. Wonderful mix of textures and shapes, Terrific 3D flower.

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  14. When I first saw this pop up on the blog I thought it was a metal elaborate dish or shield of some kind and it blew me away....that it's just made of a cardboard box and your fabulous use of paints and expert crackling is something else. Love the colours, love the texture...LOVE IT!!! Ruth xx

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  15. When I first saw this pop up on the blog I thought it was a metal elaborate dish or shield of some kind and it blew me away....that it's just made of a cardboard box and your fabulous use of paints and expert crackling is something else. Love the colours, love the texture...LOVE IT!!! Ruth xx

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  16. Gorgeous box Julia, lovely details and texture. Happy crafting, Angela x

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  17. Love your project and even had to forward it to my steam punk loving friend. Cool blog hop so Michael fun to hunt the treasure of letters

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  18. JULIA!!! This box is outstanding!! Wow what a new treasure you have turned this into!! Simply Fabulous! I really love that you also save scrap to use- heehee how did you make those skeletal pieces on the sides? They are my favorites!! Wonderful!! I have bookmarked this for inspiration!
    hugs, Jackie xo

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    1. Hi Jackie. They are just ordinary metal charms given much the same treatment as the box! I like them so much more when they are grunged up and not shiny bright! xx

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  19. Fabulous aged look to your altered box..love it...Esther x

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  20. Lovely 'softened' steampunk makeover to your box! The finished piece is gorgeous and just love all the texture on the beautiful flower.

    Hugs
    Lesley Xx

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  21. Oh, Julia, I love your altered box! The colors and the crackle are delicious, and I just love the steampunk look! Well Done!

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  22. I love those scarey gothic skulls! A fabulous box

    Lin

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  23. Fabulous project with amazing metal textures

    Love Chrissie xxx

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  24. Wow! So much detail Julia love it!
    MaggieH

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  25. Stunning piece, love every bit of it!!

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  26. Gorgeous textures and an amazing colour palette, steam punk loveliness Julia! Deb xo

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  27. I cannot believe how you've transformed this box! Amazing design!

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  28. Beautiful transformation, Valerie

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  29. Beautiful transformation, Valerie

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  30. Wow, that is super incredible. The colours are so regal, the crackling is phenomnal and the whole piece is something I would pay to have that box lid hang on my wall! Awesome stuff. - Candice -

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  31. Wow, that is super incredible. The colours are so regal, the crackling is phenomnal and the whole piece is something I would pay to have that box lid hang on my wall! Awesome stuff. - Candice -

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  32. A super transformation on your box, and great technique explanations, love the crackle effect. Kathy xx

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  33. How creative to alter the box in such a dramatic and fantastic way. Love all the tips, instructions and helpful advice on how you did this. Love the colours, the theme and crackle effect on this project. Love it x

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax