17 April 2015

All Mopped Up...

Hi everyone and welcome! Today we're talking storage. Having purchased this basic set of drawers over a year ago with the intention of getting a little more organised and filling it with all my embellishments, I finally got around to altering it to 'look the part'. It went from this...


To this... (better, right?)


Having received my new Tim Holtz paper pad I did the usual thing of stroking it, then thinking of all the cards/projects I can make with it, then prematurely grieving the loss of these glorious sheets (once used) to friends, family, etc. So it occurred to me that I could retain a little portion of the pad by using some of the 3" square sections on one of the pages on the front of this box.



Ageing the whole thing took several layers of paint and a huge bundle of inspiration from the master of up-cycled furniture, Mark Gould; I started with a coat of 'Relic' Decoart Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint, giving it a light sanding when dry (no need for primer either!); next a good rub over with a plain wax candle; then a coat of thoroughly watered down 'Postbox Red' IndigoBlu English Cottage Artist's Acrylic paint; another good rub over with plain wax candle; and then a final coat of 'Vintage' Decoart Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint covered the outsides of the box and drawers. By now it looked great but not aged enough, so I mixed some of the 'Clear' DecoArt Americana Decor Creme Wax with a small dab of 'Hot Cocoa' IndigoBlu English Cottage Artist's Acrylic paint (you can get a brown version of the creme wax but I improvised!) and brushed a light coat over every surface, rubbing off any excess as I went. It gave the whole box a beautiful smooth finish and dried completely in minutes.



With the wood completely altered I turned my attention to the drawer fronts. As mentioned above, this involved using some of the smaller 3" square replications of the larger sheets, cut to fit the openings, Distress Ink blended around the edges, stencilled with the Tim Holtz Bubble Stencil and Wendy Vecchi's Translucent Embossing Paste, and given a thin coat of the 'Clear' Creme Wax. I think you can just pick up the stencil detail in a few of the photos as the idea was to add texture without overly obscuring the beautiful paper designs.



And now it's full with all those bits and bobs that we all use on our projects (and boy, does it weigh a bit as a result!) The rest of the room really needs tackling to house the ever expanding collection of 'stuff' but it could be a while and require a fair wind before I attempt that!

That's it from me today. I'll be back tomorrow with my regular IndigoBlu slot so I hope you can join me for that. It's a full weekend ahead of training classes that now awaits me, so I'm off to finish the prep! Whatever you're up to take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

42 comments:

  1. I love this Jenny, I've been meaning to update my little wooden drawers too... Must get myself some chalk paint to mix in with my IB paints! LOVE! You're an inspiration! Thank you! Maxine xxx

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  2. gorgeous set of drawers Jenny and so beautifully decorated - the papers always seem just too beautiful to use don't they but this is a sure way of keeping them and enjoying them! Enjoy your weekend. Hugs rachel x

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  3. Jenny! It's a masterpiece makeover!! You've done a gorgeous job transforming this organization box into a piece of art that works for you and makes you happy. I love the papers and the fact that you cuddle and pet your paper too!! LOL
    Nicely done :)
    Have a great weekend!
    Lisa x

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  4. Ohhh this is absolutely georgous hun, I have the same drawers and you gave such a fab Idea, I did not even think of it lol....thanks hun for showing your fabulously looking altered drawers wowo. I love it Hugs Terry xxxx

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  5. Good morning Jenny,
    What a super, brilliant, fantastic job you have made of those drawers.
    You have endless patience doing all that work transforming it into something so wonderful.
    Have a wonderful weekend
    Hugs
    Patricia xxx

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  6. Awesome!! it beats hoarding them and yet you get to see them ALL the time! Win, Win!! :D TFS looks great!

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  7. Beautifully shabby and much better to keep those papers than give them away on cards ;-) X. I liveth end result and thanks for the shout out xx

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  8. A brilliant make over, Jenny!

    Organization has never looked better! Wow!

    Claudia xx

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  9. Love this storage box and you gave it a wonderful transformation! hugs :)

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  10. Jenny, I love the transformation! The storage box is just what I need and it looks awesome! Happy Friday! Hugs!

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  11. Love it, might have to copy!
    Suzi B xx

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  12. Looks amazing Jenny. I like how restrained it is, letting the papers shine.

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  13. The papers do look fabulous and I can totally understand the stroking and not wanting to part with them! I really love the finish you achieved with mixing up the Indigo Blu and DecoArt paints absolutely stunning! Anne xx

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  14. Fantastic makeover and great way to use the 3x3 papers.
    Julie x

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  15. gorgeous absolutely gorgeous Jenny. They are wonderful works of at. Lurve 'em! lol xxx

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  16. Looks fab, Jenny! I bought similar ones probably 10? years ago. Still haven't gotten around to making them pretty...

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  17. Wow Jenny looks great.
    Veerle x

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  18. What a fabulous transformation and so very aged and vintage looking. This is a perfect way to hang on to some of the papers.
    Hugs!
    Cec

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  19. I've got half a wall full of these (well the 3-2-1 version) and always meant to decorate mine - good on you for doing it!

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  20. Wow, it looks amazing! I have a few storages like that but never done anything with them, got some good inspiration now. =)
    Hugs, Elenor

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  21. Lovely transformation, Jenny. Putting thing away might almost be fun with those beautiful cubbies.

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  22. you really have made such a fabulous set of drawers 'LOOK THE PART'! Jenny. You must be chuffed to bits with the end result and no doubt the drawers will give you so much pleasure making all the time n effort you have put into altering them worthwhile! Thankyou for sharing your 'masterpiece makeover n enlightening me of Marks ageing techniques !

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  23. Yay you!!! Fabulous transformation! Function meets art...my favorite kind!!!

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  24. Oh wow Jenny this is just to die for!! How fabulous you have these gorgeous set of drawers now for your embellies, I absolutely love what you've done with it xx

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  25. What a stunning transformation Jenny, it looks like it has been in someone's attic for decades waiting for its day to be purposeful again. I would be more than happy to have several of these stacked in my craft room. Great work! Nicola x

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  26. Fabulous customization of a great storage unit! And I love the idea for "keepsaking" favorite papers. Thanks for sharing this - in the midst of a busy production schedule it sounds like!! xxx Lynn

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  27. Now... you know I LOVE THIS!!!! I am having a hard time getting my hands on this paper. You've done an awesome job!

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  28. Um, Jenny, my Mister wants me to tell you that you owe me a new laptop. You see, I'm a paper stroker, too, and even more than I like stroking paper, I love any kind of a container, compartment, or cabinet with itty bitty drawers in it. So. I didn't realize that if I kept running my fingers over the same spot on my monitor, eventually I would damage the screen.

    I don't care. It was worth it. You really rocked altering this sweet set of drawers and even with all you have going on, I'll bet you are still stealing glances at it and maybe even opening and closing drawers just cuz it's so dang cute, you can't believe it yourself!! Hugs, Darnell

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  29. Amazing transformation. I bet you will soon fill them

    Love Chrissie xx

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  30. Fabulous makeover Jenny! I so need to find a home for my embellishments, which currently live in a plastic bag on the floor of my craft room! Sue C x

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  31. Fabulous transformation. Love the details on the papers too. Like you I hate using Tim's papers but what's the point of lying around in a pad. Get them out there!!!!

    TFS and have a lovely weekend
    Hugs Annie x

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  32. Fabulous and a real labour of love! Great treatment of the wood and the papers finish it off to perfection! Great use of those smaller pieces!!

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  33. Oh yes, sooo much better in the 'after' photo! I'm the same with those gorgeous TH papers, I just sit and admire them and can't bear to cut them apart! What a wonderful storage unit for all your lovely bits and bobs.

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  34. Well done for taking the plunge and using your papers rather than just stroking them - lol

    Looks great by the way xx

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  35. You put me to shame Jenny I have a few storage items to alter but they are still just sitting there unloved and forlorn. After seeing your beautiful storage make I might just get them out.

    Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
    ShirlsCards.

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  36. Wow! That's what I call storage! Well done for using your new papers, but of course it means you will see them all the time now!! Chrisx

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  37. A true labour of love with gorgeous results!! Love this Jenny!! You get to keep some of those awesome papers, the perfect storage for your embellies and a gorgeous piece for your craft space!!! Brilliant!! xx

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  38. So scrumptious - I love my Tim Holtz Moppes - love the drawer size on this one, I may have to go shopping again!
    Alison xx

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  39. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who mourns the loss of a newfound friend before I even use it! :) Such a cool project!

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  40. wow love what you have done here..a wonderful project x

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  41. Well, I've caught up now, but just had to leave a comment on this stunning transformation. Just love what you did with this and it's inspired me to transform my 9 drawer box in a similar way now. Fabulous work as always Jenny! Ruth x

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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