Crafts-Too Challenge You - Texture with Something Shiny or Glittery

Hi everyone and welcome. I was thrilled to learn from Chris at Crafts-Too Challenge You that I had been picked as a Top 3 Winner for the July challenge. What's more she asked me to create a little something for the challenge this month which is 'Texture'. The twist from 20th September to 3rd October is to add something shiny or glittery to your project.

Before I share with you the project I made I must hang my head and show you the box in which many of my stamp sets are stored. Well at least they aren't all over the floor I suppose, but something had to be done. So for my birthday I got ...

Actually I got two of them! and turned the first into this...

Actually this was rather therapeutic. I've had this rather lovely card stack (DCWV - The Timeless Type Stack) that has occasionally been taken out and stroked but not used.

If I put it on a card it would disappear from my life forever! And it was way to gorgeous to let it go. Oh, get a grip woman!

So the logical solution was to use it on something that would have a practical use and (more importantly) stay at home - happy days.

The MDF box edges were painted black before the card was lovingly applied.

I chose a different sheet for each side to get the maximum enjoyment when viewing.

The card on the front had to be inked/stained to match the colour of the one on the back (ok, who out there said I'm rather OCD?!)

And then the box was put together (with a little help from my OH).

Now the fun could begin - the decorating on the front, using offcuts from the same sheets used on the sides, each treated in different ways. Roughened edge strips of card were layered with (shiny metallic) lace, vintage lace, and inked seam binding to provide a base for the other embellishments. 

I also got to use a Crafts-Too script washi masking tape which matched perfectly. Then black texture paste was stencilled through a chequerboard mask over the top.

The flowers were scrunched to give a vintage feel and each had a different button used in the centre - and I was even able to use some of my favourites (more therapy).

Some die cut branches and two types of leaves were added, with the larger leaves being embossed and stained with a metallic stain for extra shine.

And finally I added more shine with the addition of a key, lock and buckle courtesy of the Crafts-Too vintage range again (highly recommended). 

So there you have it - or rather I do (she says, grinning from ear to ear) and some of my stamps now have a new and more glamorous home. Now I just need to get the other one done. While I plough on with that why not take a look at the wonderful projects created by the Design Team HERE for more inspiration and make something for the challenge yourselves.

Unruly Paper Arts have a '3D wooden project challenge' running to September 25th (with voting from September 26th to 30th) so I will be entering, and would be thrilled if you would vote for me.

See you back here soon with a more autumnal theme.

In the meantime take care of yourselves. Hugs, Jenny xxx

P.S. Karen is quite right - I really should have included a link to the crate blanks so you too can have stunning storage solutions. You'll find it (and many more fab blanks) at; http://www.clevercut.co.uk/ECatalogue.asp?Parent=&Show=WOODELEM&ShowDesc=Wooden%20Elements&Page=1