Monday, December 12, 2011

Through the Looking Glass - Projects With Depth

Hello and happy Monday!  Thanks so much for stopping back by today.  I know everyone is rushing around at this time of year so I am really thrilled that you took the time to stop by to see what I have to share for our Monday Simon Says Stamp and Show project.  This week our theme is Through the Looking Glass and we want to see your projects with depth and dimension. 

I was probably one of the few crafters left on the planet who hadn't yet done a Tim Holtz configuration box so I thought it was time to get with the program.  With a bit of trepidation, I selected the smallest set of configuration boxes and didn't have a clue how I was going to decorate and embellish it.  And I've been watching and drooling this past week as the rest of the design team turned in photos of their projects.  But I still didn't have a concrete idea of what to do with mine.  I searched my closets, shopped at the craft stores, even hit Walgreens and Big Lots looking for tiny figurines.  I actually did find quite a few, but nothing that excited me.  So I came home and started making my own.  


I found a wonderful video tutorial on the web to make a Christmas tree with a flower punch, taking inspiration from Tracy MacDonald, a recent winner over at Our Creative Corner.  I used the holly leaves from the new Tim Holtz Festive Greenery die to cut the tree branches and covered tiny wooden blocks with vintage style paper to create the gifts under the tree and used a small spool as a tree stand.  
I had some tiny toy blocks that were primary colors.  I painted them with white gesso and when dry, inked the edges with Vintage Photo ID.  The flower was cut with the Tattered Florals die and run through the Textile Cuttlebug embossing folder, then coated with UTEE.  I rolled up a paper cone and added a few tiny Prima paper roses and a bit of eyelash yarn.  
I made a little picture frame with Spellbinders dies and added a charming image of a little girl.  I wanted it to look like enamel so I ran it through a Cuttlebug embossing folder and double heat embossed it with UTEE. I coated the bronze key with white embossing powder and heated it, then rubbed it off on the wear areas.   The bottom compartment has a white pinecone made with the Tattered Pinecone die and I added a bit of sparkly gold embossing.  

Each cube was lined inside with vintage style paper gold embossed with different Christmas icons.  The outside of each cube was lined with paper stamped with a Tim Holtz music sheet stamp.  All that "paperwork" took forever!  The main back panel is vanilla cardstock embossed with the Tim Holtz Snow Flurries embossing folder and gold embossed with a sparkly gold EP.  

This was a fun project, although a bit labor intensive.  And I learned that you don't have to buy a lot of stuff.  Just make a little collection of bits and pieces from around your home.  I hope you will join in this week with some sort of dimensional project.  It's a perfect time to create a little home decoration for the holidays.  And of course, there is always that $50 shopping spree in the offing.  If you play, you might just be the lucky winner of the random drawing!
Be sure to stop by the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge blog to see what my amazingly talented design team members have to share.  

Links/pics of the products used are shown below.  The sweet little wooden angel was a RAK from my friend Crafty Chris who sent me a lovely package of crafty goodies for no reason at all except that she is a sweetie!  Thanks Chris - the angel worked PERFECTLY here!





23 comments:

Judy said...

Linda this is beautiful! I just love all the little goodies you made to go inside the boxes. I've been wanting to try my hand at a project like this. Your project has definitely renewed my interest.

Scrumplescrunch said...

OMG Linda, for once I am speechless, this is just stunning.
Smiles:)

Nancy Wethington said...

This is beyond gorgeous. So much detail and beautifully designed.

Grethe said...

This is so beautiful!! Wounderful christmas project!!

Candy C said...

Linda...your wintery configuration box is absolutely breathtaking! I mean...it is phenomenal! I love EVERYTHING about it. Every compartment is filled with absolutely cream and gold vintage beauty! I love the tattered flower covered in UTEE. I love the little vintage cone. I love the little frame. I love it all!! You worked hours on this and it shows...it's just perfection!! <3 Candy

jude said...

Linda this is absolutely stunningly Beautiful.Love everything about it!Your not alone i have had configuration box sat here for months not used .Im hoping after all the festivities die down ,i get chance to use it.
Absolutely love the creative flare of this one just Stunning hun as always
hugs judex

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous Linda, I love love the cream and gold colour palette and your flower and cone are wonderful touches. Love the background paper embossed with the snowflakes and gold embossing powder added. All the effort was so worthwhile, stunning piece. Tracy x

The Sparkly Fairy said...

What an amazing piece. I love the colour scheme you have used.

Susan said...

I am speechless. This is the most beautiful piece of art ever. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Ellie Knol said...

Beautiful!!!
All of the details, I LOVE it...

Anonymous said...

This took my breath away! Lovely colors, exciting images inside each box. How gorgeous!

Lisa Minckler said...

OMG...Sue's speechless!!! LOL...
What I really stopped in to say was...WOWZERS Linda...this is GLAM GORGEOUS. Truly a vintage wonderland of goodness.
Wonderful project and beyond inspiring. :)

DeeDee Catron said...

Oh Linda!! What a wonderful wonderful piece!! I love seeing your take on a configuration box.. it's so.. LINDA-esque. the subtle tea-dye color and vintage whites.. your glitter usage and iconic shapes and pieces.. and the handmade tree!!! GORGEOUS!

Darlene G said...

This is absolutely stunning, Linda. Each piece was done so beautifully. I just love it.

ednamburgess said...

Very beautiful, but looks like a lot of work. I don't even have my Christmas cards done yet. Ugh. Edna

Conniecrafter said...

Fabulous, like the fact that you made your own embellishments to go inside!!

Unknown said...

Very creative Linda and a beautiful work of art.
Chris x

Crafty Loops said...

Oh my giddy aunt!! How incredibly beautiful. You are incredibly talented, this is just stunning. I love these boxes. Lee x

Tracy said...

Hi Linda! I always enjoy seeing your projects. Your style is unique and fresh. Thanks for YOUR inspiration and thanks for the shout out. :-) Hugs!

Anne Marie Hile said...

As i am sitting here with my mouth hanging open...ummm, WOW!! I love every, single, stunning detail on this one, Linda. I don't even have words for how beautiful this is. Hugs! :)

Marjie Kemper said...

Linda, your box is breathtaking! Holy Mackerel, I can't believe how you made that stunning white tree. You have so many gorgeous details, down to the embossed wall papers.... it's stunning!

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Wow, what a beautiful Configurations piece, Linda! It's perfectly festive, soft, and elegant! I love the gold and ivory color combination for Christmas :)

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

Jen said...

This is amazing! Such fabulous details!! Thanks for the inspiration!
hugs,
Jen

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