Just wanted to say ... thanks for taking the time to stop by, hope you enjoyed your visit.x

Wednesday 30 January 2013

spruce it up..for Frilly and Funkie DT

Well here I am with my make for the current challenge over at Frilly and Funkie and the theme this time is spruce it up! Think about those items on your desk, or in your crafty space that could be spruced up.There are some wonderful spruced up creations on the blog here, so why not getting sprucing up and join in the fun! So here is my make a spruced up pencil box with a twist:


and the inside..
 
 
Instead of using this spruced up plain pencil case for pencils I decided to make some inspiration stick for those moments when my mojo is missing, to give me a kick start. ( more about those later!)
 
 I started by painting the plain paper substrate box, with a brown paint, layering with crackle medium and then when dry painting in paperartsy nougat colour. Then let the sprucing up fun begin.
I inked the box with my much loved, vintage photo distress ink and when dry added a second layer to the edges, I also lightly inked inside the box.
 
The lettering for the top and inside of the box was cut from grungepaper using Tim Holtz word play die..( fast becoming a firm favourite!).I coloured the letters up using snowcap paint dabber and then when dry stamped the music script from Artistic Outposts ephemera backgrounds..I love the look that this stamp gives...When the ink had dried I edged the letters with vintage photo DI.
 
 
To complete the front of the box I die cut a heart using movers and shapers die from grungeboard and again applied snowcap paint dabber to it. when dry I applied a good coat of another favourite of mine, distress rock candy and left to dry. When dry i added vintage photo and pushed this into the cracks ( shattered stains technique from Tim Holtz ). I also added wings ( no surprise there then!) which had been stamped and inked in same way as letters.

 
The inside of the box had lettering and wings,


a small heart and also a little bottle filled with another favourite loose distress rock candy glitter, a pen nib and also a chit chat sticker as a label.

 
Now , if you are still awake the inspiration sticks:

 
I started with some blank wooden lolly sticks, painted with snow cap paint dabber, and when dry stamped with music stamp ( Artistic outpost ephemera backgrounds) and edged with distress ink.
Then I set too typing out some of my favourite elements and supplies into a vintage style typewriter script, then tore out and inked the edges.
I then glued these to the sticks.

 
So now when my mojo is missing, I will be able to challenge myself to create art and  use a stick and combine all elements, two from a few sticks..well the possibilities are endless!
 
So I hope you will join in the fun here and hope that you like my make. I have loved making this!
 
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to follow my journey and leave such lovely and treasured comments!
 
have a fun and inky one!





25 comments :

  1. On the pic it looks like you can feel the cracks in the wood by going over it with your finger! That looks great! Love the idea with the sticks! I just go cleaning up my stash and then always come across a few items that i wanna use... Hugs, Gerrina

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  2. Terrific change of the pencil case Trace but the inside is even better with the idea sticks--bet everyone will want some of those.

    Love Chrissie xx

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  3. Now that's a clever idea!! I adore the box and was desparate to know more about the sticks, and I wasn't disappointed. What a fabulous project Trace. Hugs, Jenny x

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  4. Now that's a clever idea!! I adore the box and was desparate to know more about the sticks, and I wasn't disappointed. What a fabulous project Trace. Hugs, Jenny x

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  5. Hi Trace, your sticks are such a clever idea for when the mojo disappears, love it. Great altered box, love the crackle and your heart is stunning. Wonderful texture and dimension on this piece and I love the subtle colour palette. Tracy x x

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  6. Hi Trace, this is a gorgeous make! It is not what I expected at all (it's not a tag!) and I just love it to bits. Love the soft colours, the impact the heart makes and the lettering is perfect (must use my die more). But most of all I love the sticks, great idea for inspiration - although the rock candy glitter did make me smile.... I am sure you only need to look at the jar for inspiration! Hugs, Anne x

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  7. I just love this Trace, what a fabulous idea. You've decorated the box beautifully, the colours are stunning and I love the hearts and wings.
    I think the inspiration sticks are genius! What a great little tool to have on hand when Mr Mojo decides to have an away day. Thanks for all the fab ideas.xx

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  8. brilliant sprucing Trace - really fabulous - love all the crackle and the neutral tones - beautiful xx

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  9. Your pencil box is really a masterpice, unique and incredible beautiful.

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  10. How fabulous, Trace! I keep meaning to make an idea jar but now I may need to a box... love this, inside and out!

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  11. What a fabulous spruced up box! Love all the crackle and the heart and wings! Enjoy the day!

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  12. Wow, what a stunning project!!! Fantastic idea, love your inspiration sticks and the box is just stunning! Adore the crackle and all the embellishment, - great inspiration yet again!

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  13. this is lovely, i really like the distressed paint.

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  14. How cool, that's a great idea and a wonderful project.

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  15. Fabulous project Trace ! Love the crackle paint and the inspiration sticks are great idea ! Sue C x

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  16. Gorgeous project Trace... Love the design & the crackle effect.. Gorgeous inside & out.... Hugs May x x x

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  17. Fantastic alteration, love the crackles and the inspiration sticks are a super idea.
    Yvonne x

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  18. Yum, yum, yum... Gorgeous crackle on the box (isn't the PA crackle the best with paints?!), and I love your musical lettering. A beautiful, beautiful box, and what a genius idea the inspiration sticks are! Fantastic make, Trace...
    Alison xx

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  19. I have sticks like these from long ago with techniques and products on them from the dinosaur days!!! LOL! I love the updated ones...this rocks! Your box is amazing! Totally AMAZING!!

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  20. A fabulous renovation and beautifully spruced up. Love your inspiration sticks, but I don't think you will really need them, you always have great ideas.
    Hugs Brenda xox

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  21. Hey Trace - what a wonderful project and I loved the idea about your inspiration sticks. How clever you are!
    Sandy

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  22. What a brilliant idea for inspiration, love what you have created and I hope it works in the future.

    Eliza

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  23. Brilliant make Trace, and what a fab idea with the inspiration sticks xx

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  24. Wonderful make Trace! I love how you've used the crackle but kept to your signature monochrome palette - it works beautifully. These mojo sticks are such a good idea. Having been out of the crafting habit just lately, it might be a good idea to make some of these for myself! I'm in love with the letter die too - it's so versatile.
    Hugs again, Juliaxx

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Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and leave me a comment..it means a lot..hope you like what you see. Trace x