Wednesday 10 August 2016

Shaker Box, Caterpillar on Branch, Wood Effect

 I've been on a bit of a recycling/upcycling mission this past few weeks - reusing acetate and cardboard packaging on my last tag AND on today's craft project.

You see, crafting costs a small fortune.  We all know it does.  But then many hobbies do.
So if I can cut costs AND do something that's good for the environment, well then...  I'm just going to go ahead and do it.
I encourage you to do the same.  You've not got much to lose if it was heading for the recycling bin anyways!
(I'm just going to pretend you all recycle.  It's none of my business whether you actually do or not). 


Anyhow...


This month's Poppystamps challenge has been delightfully called 'Shake It Up'.
I wanted to play along, so I got out my Poppystamps dies, (well actually, I got out the 'cut outs' of my Poppystamps dies) and played around with a few ideas before settling on one design.
One design that morphed into something else en route!  Heck, it morphed so much it's not even a card anymore!
You're no longer surprised by that, are you?



Let me show you what I've ended up with...







...  and one close up shot...





I've taken a few photo's as it's really the only way to give you any idea of what it looks like underneath the Nail Glitter/Flower Soft 'snow'.
Have you noticed that those three pink Flower Gems don't seem to have moved at all?  You would be spot on if you had.  I glued them into place on the Brusho background as they were far too integral to the design to shake around wherever they please!

This is a very 'girly' design, isn't it?   Would you give it to an adult, or only a child? 

I have to be honest and say I've never spot coloured with Glossy Accents before.  
I'll leave it to you to tell me whether this was inspired or insane.  (My husband certainly doesn't like it one little bit.  He likened it to something I shan't mention in case you are eating right now.  Let's just say I have similar thoughts every time I look at my bottle of Stickles 'Sprinkled Sugar')!

Did any of you noticed that my branch isn't embossed and want to know how I managed that?

Sizzix have a range of Embossing Diffuser sets that have aperture's set into them.  I used the Circle from Set #1 to effectively 'mask off' the branch from being embossed along with the rest of the card.  Just something else to add to that busy/plain balance I was striving for.

I guess I should tell you which part of this box lid uses recycled cardboard as the acetate's pretty obvious, isn't it?!
See that spotty/snowy base that everything else is glued on to?  It's been recycled from that super shiny cardboard you so often get with Embossing Folders.  
After using Spray Mount to attach some White Card to the back of this pretty piece of shiny card, I cut it into shape (Tattered Lace Box Die) and then ran it through the machine with my 'Snow' Embossing Folder.  And then I gently sanded it!
I just love this technique.  It's super easy and very effective...  and I'll be using it again closer to Christmas as I still have a little of this repurposed card left.  Yay!

A tiny touch of Stickles underneath the two Silver Gems, Flowers, Leaves, Blue Gems and a touch of Distressing and Black Ink around the edges...  and this was finished.
Except that I now had to make the box base!




Supplies Used:

Dies:
Poppystamps 'Cute Caterpillar'
Poppystamps 'Quiet Bird Sash'
Poppystamps 'Dogwood Blossoms'
Poppystamps 'Meadow Leaf'

Embossing Folders:
Sizzix/Texture Fades 'Woodgrain'
 Crafter's Companion 'Snow'

Ink:
Holtz/Distress 'Black Soot'

Other:
Brusho  'Grey'
FlowerSoft  'Polar White'
Ranger/Stickles  'Sprinkled Sugar'
Ranger 'Glossy Accents'
Flower Gems
Gems
Nail Glitter 




Challenges I'm Entering...

(Apart from the Recycled Card and the White Card needed to make the box base, it's all snippets)


(Try To Contain Yourself)



Thank you so much for stopping by today...

Donna. x

30 comments:

  1. Love it, Donna! Fantastic gift box idea!

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    1. Thank you, Olga. This was fun to make :)

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  2. This is fantastic Donna! love your shaker box idea, that caterpillar is so cute crawling across the branch..
    Pam x

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    1. Thank you, Pam.
      This was an absolute nightmare to photograph, but I really enjoyed making it.
      Husband was out for the day so I spent the entire time (except for stopping for lunch) crafting. He left very early, came home close to midnight... and the following morning I asked him when he was going out again!!!

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  3. Absolutely marvellous. I love your caterpillar. Super idea to fix those flowers in place within the shaker element . I like that a lot. I'm all for recycling as much as I can. Hugs Mrs A.

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    1. I was thinking about you the other day... Wondering if you will be ELF making again this year?
      About the shaker... I'm surprised I haven't seen other people do it. I guess it depends on the kind of Shaker you're making.
      Take care... and thanks for stopping by. X

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  4. This is gorgeous Donna. Love the idea of the shaker lid and fabulous dies xx

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    1. Thanks, Andrea.
      Hope you have a good day. X

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  5. Card or not, this is adorable and fun!

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  6. Donna this is fabulous! So much work and attention to detail. What a clever girl you are for sure! Loads of great hints and tips and as for who I'd give this to. If it was mine - I wouldn't! I'd keep it all for myself as it's just so beautiful! The caterpillar is so, so sweet :)

    Hugs

    Di xx

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    1. Thank you, Di.
      I have to confess I came across this little guy on Pinterest about 18 months ago, only to find that he'd been discontinued! The only place I could find him was one shop in the US.
      Poor little chap - after all of that this is the first time he's come out to play!

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  7. Yay . . . GO YOU for recycling and making something beautiful Donna. xxx

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    1. Thanks, Sarn.
      I'm supposed to be doing some housework today - but crafting's so much more fun!

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  8. Lots of great texture on this box and the caterpillar is a cutie! Thanks for playing along with us at Poppystamps Donna.

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    1. Thank you, Sue.
      Have a good weekend - it's almost here! X

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  9. Great recycling/upcycling Donna . . . I love to do that too! Sweet little caterpillar and I love all the sweet touches and attention to detail! I too, have projects that morph in the making and I like the way yours has morphed! Have a great day my friend! Hazel xx
    My Card Attic

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    1. You are my kindred spirit in far more ways than you know :)
      Hope you had a good time with your friends this week.
      Donna. x

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  10. Fabulous card with so much attention to detail and so much gorgeous texture! Thank you so much for sharing and for playing along with us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog... :)

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  11. Oh my goodness! The caterpillar is simply adorable. Aawww and look at his ittle-wittle face! Too cute. LOVE the shabby look of this project. Great job, Donna!
    x Asha

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    1. Hello Asha :)
      Thank you so much for stopping by.
      Love your designs.
      Donna. x

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  12. Donna this is so adorable and I think I'd have to keep it myself so that I could enjoy it every day. The catterpillar is adorable and sticking in place inside the shaker is a really good idea. I love your attention to detail and using the diffuser in that way is such a clever idea. I Love everything about it. Barbxx

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  13. WOW, Donna. You really made a fabulous card. That little bug is so cute on the branch, and I really love the embossed background you used. It gives the card even more layering and texture. Fabulous job! I also entered this challenge, and really had fun with it. I love the few Poppy Stamps dies I own. My shaker element is very small, and not as detailed and lovely as yours; but I still had fun with the challenge. If you want, you can stop by my blog to take a peek at my card. I'd love to hear your comment on it. I enjoy stopping by the blogs of others who have entered a challenge I'm entering. I see so many AMAZING projects (such as yours) and I get so much inspiration.

    I also run a challenge blog where I'd just LOVE to have you link your beautiful art work. We are always Anything Goes/Family Friendly, and we offer great prizes for every challenge. I'd love to have you play along with us. I actually hope to see you at both my blogs.

    Blessings,
    Karen Letchworth

    www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - Challenge Blog
    www.karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspot.com - Personal Blog

    Have a great day!

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    1. Hello Karen.
      Thank you so much for stopping by. I'm so glad you liked my cute little caterpillar shaker box - it was a lot of fun to make :)
      I will stop by your blogs. Thank you for the invitation and your very kind, supportive and encouraging comments.
      Blessings to you, too.
      Donna. X

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  14. This little guy is amazing - what a fun mix.. the composition is so elegant and sophisticated... and the little guy is adorable! I love that close up with the smiling face!

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