Monday, December 23, 2013

A Last Minute Recycle

My niece Maddie came for a visit on Saturday afternoon.  She loves to spend time in the craft room, mostly making tags using Distress Ink and the Vagabond machine.  But this time she wanted to make something for Christmas for her mom and dad.  She's a good crafter and familiar with most of the tools in my craft room so it was not a stretch to think that we could make something in a few hours.

What to make was the first question?
think.
think.
think some more.
and then then it came to me....
Out to the garage to open a box that has all my class samples.  I made this tray for a class I taught in New Zealand back in the fall of 2011.  It was the only thing I could think of that had a family picture that might be able to be re-used since it was glued to a piece of black foam core and I could pop it out easily.
Follow along to see the transformation.
Here's what we used:
Adirondack Dabber paint in Pool
Distress Paint in Mustard Seed
Claudine Helmuth paint - Dash of Red
Claudine Helmuth - multi-medium
polka dot paper- merriment paper stash
Studio Calico Wood Veneer shape (bicycle)
Studio Calico Weather Mistables (clouds and sun)
mini numeral
SA stamp set - Way with words
chit chat sticker
remnant rubs
word band
compass coin
game spinner
journaling tickets
word keys
label clips
bare mini burlap panels
alpha cards

We set to work dismantling the tray and reusing the items into a Configurations Book I had been using to test paint techniques for the LIVE configurations class.
The inside cover was already done, we just had to find the boxes that went into the inside.  We reused almost the entire tray - even the cover of the mini book in the bottom right corner was cut off and ended up on the new cover. 
I pulled out a bunch of paper for her to choose from for the cover.  She liked this one with all the different writing and the words Forever and Unconditional.
Here is the inside that was done previously using Tissue Wrap and the Honeycomb stencil.  We added the quote from the tray then used Alpha tiles to spell out family.

We only used 6 of the boxes that came with the Configurations book.  The top portion in black is just paint with the family picture on foam core added with foam dots to pop it up even more.  I cut the ends off a word band (please wear safety glasses if you try this) and we added it right on the photo.  A little white paint over the words makes it stand out.
We re-purposed the small picture of the kids running into the house section.  We thought it was funny that the kids look like they are running right out of the book.  The clouds have been painted with Distress Stickles to give them some shine and the sun was colored with Distress Stain.  The tree, the heart and the houses are all from Collections Elements (an Australian Company).
She picked 3 words from the Chitchat sticker book that described her family and we added them to the small box along with some Remnant Rub stars.
She wanted to make a shaker box for the book.  So she painted 4 hearts representing each child in the family.  Then painted each heart their favorite color and stamped each heart with their initial.
We added some Sticky Back Canvas to the spine (we painted it brown and stamped it with Adirondack Pool paint).
Then she inked the cover with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. She knows her Distress Ink.  Favorite color?  Vintage Photo of course!
Well, the few hours we had on Saturday wasn't enough once we had to wait for things to dry, so she ended up spending the night on Sunday and finishing the book today.  Still plenty of time to get it wrapped up for tomorrow.
The best part?  She's proud of her work and wants to do more and try new techniques.  Love that.
Merry Christmas!
Now carry on,
paula


26 comments:

  1. Very cool! Thanks foe sharing!

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  2. What a treasure she made!! It is gorgeous!!!!

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  3. Well done Maddie to have produced a wonderful piece of art that will be a treasure to your family.
    Have a Happy Christmas and thanks for all your inspiration through the year.
    Love from Jo in Liverpool England x

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  4. Maddie and I are kindred spirits in our love of Vintage Photo! Love your box, Miss Maddie and I bet you get a tear or two when you give this to your parents. You've given me a great idea with the heart shaker box too! Merry Christmas to you both. Here's to being even more creative in 2014!

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  5. How sweet and what an awesome holiday memmory! Merry Christmas Paula!

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  6. What a wonderful gift! She's beautiful and she has a talented aunt to help her create. I think your both LUCKY! Merry Christmas!

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  7. A chip off the old block me thinks. Merry Christmas Paula to you and your family. Eloise

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  8. A chip off the old block me thinks. Merry Christmas Paula to you and your family. Eloise

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  9. Great job Maddie! Your parents are going to love it. Merry Christmas.

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  10. WOWEE!! An awesome job!! Such a "from the heart" one of a kind gift! I think I would cry if my DD gave me such a gift! WTG and HOW LUCKY is your niece Maddie that she gets to play in Aunt Paula's studio??!!! SO lucky!!
    TFS ladies....totally fun project!

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  11. Not only has your niece made a very special gift for her family but you got such fabulous quality time with her. Memories are made of this....

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  12. You have another artist in the family, Paula! And isn't this what Christmas is all about, sharing TIME with those we love, teaching them, learning from them, just being together? And to create something so valuable and precious to keep for years is such a bonus, isn't it? HAPPY CHRISTMAS and more crafting with Maddie in 2014!

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  13. You have another artist in the family, Paula! And isn't this what Christmas is all about, sharing TIME with those we love, teaching them, learning from them, just being together? And to create something so valuable and precious to keep for years is such a bonus, isn't it? HAPPY CHRISTMAS and more crafting with Maddie in 2014!

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  14. What an angel! And super talented,too! Merry Christmas to you all!I'm gluing the little boxes into my golden box,Paula.I have really loved this project. Thanks again. Julesxo.

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  15. Special gift, special niece and special Aunt. What more can I say!

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  16. how lucky is she to have YOU for an aunt...
    Great job Maddie! You have just created a wonderful keepsake.

    Merry Christmas Paula!
    See you soon!

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  17. I see a professionally, but personalized,nurtured budding artist! It's a beautiful thing. Lucky you, Maddie and lucky you, Paula! What a team!

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  18. What a great present to give, made from the heart! This is what I love about scrap-booking, it appeals to everyone. Merry Christmas to all!

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  19. WOW Maddie-great makeover! I love the final outcome and sure that your family will as well. Happy Holidays to all!

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  20. Wonderful configuration box/book! Maddie did a great job! Nice details. :) It's officially here ... Merry Christmas! :)

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  21. Maddie, you box is a treasure, well done! I know both of you enjoyed working together to create this gorgeous gift. Isn't it great to have shared interests as well as the love between you? Merry Christmas to all of your family!

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  22. That is wonderful! Well done Maddie, you've created a work of art that will be treasured always. Merry Christmas!

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  23. Her smile always lights up the photo

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  24. Maddy has your craft gene Paula! She's a cutie. I sure do love Maxine's caramels and every time I make them I think of her. And your mother. Sure do love those two women! Hope your Christmas was merry.

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  25. Way to go Maddie, what a great job you did. I just love it. How "lucky" you are to have Aunt Paula.

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