Wednesday, 18 July 2012

Altered box and more happy mail

Last week I found an old box with magnet closure in the paper recycling bin next to our house. This bin is my main supply of old magazines, boxes, cardboard etc, as the people in our house seem to be good at throwing away.... Somebody had evidently wrapped a lot of brown packing tape round it, which left some nasty marks when removed.

I cleaned it a bit with some spirit based cleaner, and then covered the top, back and front flap with torn paper, using some old book pages and lots of golden gel.


When it was dry, I gave the whole of the outside of the box 2 coats of champagne acrylic paint, which I watered down over the torn paper backing so that the print remained visible. I added some rose transfers, and then some clear aging varnish and distressed some parts with DI in forest moss and Victorian velvet.



I finished it off with some pretty, cream coloured lace, and a hitch fastener on the front flap, which makes it easier to open the magnet flap. And last but not least, I added an old ear-ring with a pretty cameo. The inside of the box has been painted plain white, and I will fill it with some little presents and use it as a gift box.
I am linking to the anything goes challenge at Recycle, re purpose and re-invent challenge blog.


This beautiful postcard dropped into my mailbox yesterday. It has been sent by Linda, a very talented photographer and crafter living in California. Thanks a lot, Linda, it will be treasured!


Have a great day you all, take care, and thanks for dropping in today! 

29 comments:

  1. Well, I LOVE what you have done with the box, it certainly looks gorgeous now! Great idea! Hugs, Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  2. The best of crafting is to find something to recycle and your box looks amazing after the make over

    Love Chrissie xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. A great find, wonder what the person who threw this away would think of it now. Its gorgeous.
    Yvonne x

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a cool find ! a fab transformation :)
    Von ♥

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow Valerie! You've made the box look absolutely gorgeous and love the shabby chic look with the roses.
    Thanks for your kind comments and I'm feeling much better today apart from an annoying cough so now have to try and catch up on everything.
    Hugs, Fliss xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Loving your box makeover - it will be an amazing gift box.
    Ad such lovely mail art too.
    Hugs xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. wow Val, this turned out gorgeous; so fun to recycle ! xoxoox G

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fabulous make over on your little box, Valerie!

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's fantastic how you have transformed that box, just lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  10. That's the best recycled use of an old box I've seen in ages! This is great and you've turned a grungy old thing into a really pretty gift box! The gift will have a hard time living up to the box! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love how you altered the box. :) And a wonderful surprise in the mail again. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a gorgeous transformation! Love the flowers and lace and who would ever know it was a throw away! Love postcard to find in your MB! Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Gorgeous treasure box, love how you recycled it. Pretty transfers and the earring looks perfect! Beautiful post card from your friend.

    ReplyDelete
  14. One (wo)man's trash is another (wo)man's treasure! A beautiful transformation Valerie, enjoy your evening. xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Valerie, you are so dern good at what you do. I really love what you did with the box. Excellent recycling. Beautiful work. I think I'll check out that blog you speak off. Thanks for sharing dear lady and may you have a wonderful rest of the week. See you on Friday.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow ! What a makeover just sensational Valerie , I hop your neighbors don't want it back. You are so good a giving new leases of life to things ! Any chance of a makeover for me I could do with a little of your magic ! All I need are about a ton of gesso and a couple of licks of gel medium !

    Marie

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow Valerie that box is stunning, what a gorgeous creation, love the beautiful believe butterfly too
    hugs June x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wonderful 'happy mail' and I love how your box turned out :)

    Karenx

    ReplyDelete
  19. Fantastic find. I love the way you have decorated your box it looks stunning. Thanks for joining us at Recycle Re-purpose and Recycle
    Paula DT:o)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Such a beautiful box, Valerie! :]
    Lovely talent... you have. ~xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. Such a beautiful transformation, I love it.
    xxx Hazel.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow what a difference you've made. Your box looks lovely. x

    ReplyDelete
  23. Your re-purposed box looks so pretty.

    So glad you liked your postcard. I had fun making it.

    Hugs~

    ReplyDelete
  24. Amazing difference from start to finish - your box is gorgeous! No one would guess you saved it from the trash bin. So glad you linked up at Art With No Boundaries!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great recycling! Your box is lovely and will make a great gift box or a great gift for that matter. Very pretty. Thanks for joining us at Recycle, Re-purpose & Re-Invent.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Fantastic recycling and great to hear how you made it, the cameo was a great touch! =)
    Thanks for joining us at Recycle, Re-Purpose & Re-Invent! =)
    Hugs, Elenor

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a fabulous find and you have turned it into a to a fantastic piece of creativity. Thank you for sharing this on Recycle, Re-Purpose & Re-Invent. I really enjoyed seeing this.
    :) Chris / CS Designs

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. All your comments are much appreciated! Please be aware that by leaving a comment you are voluntarily sharing your name and / or the details of your blog.