Mission Organization..............

Why is it as Crafter's / Artists we are always such a mess?

For several months now I have been trying to re-organize my studio. I have been seriously addicted to painting for many years but with work requirements I have found it increasingly more difficult to paint. Enter more mixed media and paper crafting. However this has required many of my hoarded supplies be re-located to the basement (no you do not want to go down there!). Now to find homes for all the bits and pieces for my new obsession.....

I purchased these tins of cookies on clearance after Christmas for $0.50 each! Cookies were ok and got eaten but I loved the tins, They are about 5" across, stack nicely and the lids are easily lifted off.

The only problem for re purposing was the embossed image on the top, so out came the large putty knife (it was handy because I am still working on a major renovation, kitchen, main floor flooring, fireplace, etc., etc.). A couple layers of modeling paste, a bit of sanding and they were ready to go (they have been ready for about 2 months now! I think the paste is dry!) Having just recieved some of the new Tim Holtz Distress Paints, I thought I would try them on the tin surface. I must say they are pretty good and probably on tin/metal the best I have seen short of spray paint!

Time to make them pretty with paper, distress ink and a few embellishments.

 

I wanted them to stack so the tops just have some alpha's to tell me what is in them. These and the tags were cut from a failed folding of an manila file folder, for a swap I participated in at AFTCM. You can see that post here.

 

My family seems to think I have become a bit of a junk  treasure collector, the tins have been labeld on the sides accordingly!

I am happy with how they turned out!

I am entering this project in Playing in Paradise "Use Something Recycled"

And

Frilly & Funky Challenge Blog "Upcycle for Earth Day"

Now do I spend my free day on my renovation need to do's? Or shall I play..............

Altered Book Swap

Here are some pictures of the Altered Book I created for a swap on AFTCM

I used G45 paper from "Ladies Diary" collection

 

Real feathers inserted for her hat!

 

 

I made the flowers with TH Tattered Floral Die from the paper I cut out of the book for the drawers, distress inked, sprayed with water, glimmer misted then painted with a bit of gesso to tone down the color!

 

 

2 drawers, with beads for handles.

 

 

2 Altoid tin drawers

 

 

This picture will not come up the right way!

 

 

This little drawer is a pocket/mini mint tin, mints included!

 



 

The 2 drawers

 

Inside the tins





 

The theme for the swap was "Romantic Era", and it had to include a drawer. I used altoids tins for the drawers and included a tealight candle and matchbox, with matches. After all what is more romantic than candlelight!

I hope my swap partner likes it, it is the first altered book I have made. I see more in my future!

 

 

AFTCM Swaps

 

Altered Clothes Pin Memo Holder

AFTCM Anything But Lottery Entry

 

 

Shabby Chic/Fabric/Tie Dye/Image Transfer

AFTCM 4x4 Swap

 

 

She Wore Pearls

AFTCM ATC Swap