but first...
thanks so much for the sweet comments & emails...
I'm THRILLED that you're having fun with these projects...
I am too!
and I KNOW...
DUH...I'm old...forgive me...
I promised an update on the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert...
we were both totally blown away...
it was spectacular...
it was probably better than that,
but I can't think of a better word...
we will go again next year for sure...
I had several questions about which of tim's new Adirondack color washes to start with...
for a basics set...
OK...this is just my opinion...
they are ALL AWESOME...
I would say a blue...either denim or sailboat blue...I love both...
so you can make leaves for flowers...imagine that!
red pepper is awesome & I LOVE butterscotch...
and stream is cool too...
and for sure espresso...it's wonderful when combined with the Perfect Pearls mists...
I used them today on this little box...
let's get going...
time to make art!
grab a generic gift box...
this is approximately 3 3/4 inches square...
and we'll change it into this...
ink the lid top & sides & also the bottom sides with vintage photo distress ink...
use coffee archival to stamp the script over the lid...
a tip...
set the inked stamp rubber side up on your worktable & lay the lid on the stamp...
that way you have a more solid stamping surface...
I just press from the inside...
to transfer the image...
or...
lay a wood stamp or acrylic block under the box lid for a better stamping surface...
use the gold paint dabber to lightly edge the lid...
the lid looks better already!
using jet black archival, stamp the lid edges with the index stamp...
again, lay the inked stamp on your table & if you set the lid on it with the opening toward you, you can easily press the lid onto the stamp with your finger...
use jet black archival & the polka dot to stamp the sides of the box bottom...
don't worry...
I covered up the oops with a piece of patterned paper...
stamp the poinsettia once on grungeboard & 2 times on grungepaper...
I like to use both for layering...
cut out the full grungeboard image...
that will be the bottom GREEN layer of the flower...
cut off few petals from the second image...
as shown below & cut out just the poinsettia center from the 3rd image...
using jet black archival...
stamp the grungeboard flower & the little center with the Christmas background...
stamp the other flower with polka dots using jet black...
mist the grungeboard flower with meadow color wash on the front & back & dry with the heat it tool...
mist the other 2 flowers, front & back with red pepper color wash & dry...
poke 3 holes in the flower center & add 3 long fasteners...
form & shape the flower petals, then assemble the flower with grungeboard scraps between the layer to create dimension...
stamp the tree on grungeboard with jet black archival...
cut out & mist with meadow color wash on both sides...
ink the tree trunk with black soot...
emboss the tree with tim's dot matrix texture fade...
sand the raised dots with the sanding grip & add peeled paint over the sanded areas with the blending tool...
add some rock candy distress stickles to the tree...
set aside to dry...
did you know?
that distress stickles can be heat set?
Yes..they can!
now to create some idea-ology fragment ornaments...
these are simple & FUN!
choose 2 fragment charms that fit over your
chosen images..
these are from tim's new salvage stickers...
the seasonal ones...
apply Glossy Accents to the fragment & place over the image & press in place...
allow a few seconds to dry...
trim off the excess paper & sand edges with the sanding grip...
now this is cool...
use a piece of Ranger's Inkssentials Memory Tape to cover the top of the fragment charm...
poke a hole & add a string to hang...
and a fancy photo...
cut the fence from grungeboard...
& trim to fit the box...
tap the snow cap white pigment pad over the fence to cover it...
dry, then ink with vintage photo, walnut & black soot...
use coffee archival to stamp the spatter stamp over the fence...
HAHA...IF YOU'VE TAKEN A CLASS FROM ME...
I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT THAT STAMP!!!
I hear you laughing...
bend a few pickets to create dimension...
use walnut distress ink to stamp tim's mini snowflakes around the top of the lid...
take a look...that mini set is on SALE!
apply rock candy distress stickles to the top of the lid, in random areas...
to assemble...
add a grungeboard scrap under the fence before gluing to the lid...
die cut a portion of tim's alterations flourish from grungeboard & ink with vintage photo...
add the poinsettia on the left...
with the flourish partially under it...
add the tree on the right & hang the fragment ornaments...
add a Maya Road trinket star pin under the poinsettia...
cut off the pin from the Maya Road mini heart pin & glue just the heart to the tree trunk...
and the result...
TADA!!!
it doesn't even look like the same generic box we started with does it?
this will be perfect for a gift card...
or a piece of jewelry...
or some folded up $$$...
if you don't need a gift box...
PLAN B would be to glue the box shut & use it for an ornament for the tree!
NOW...
I have some AWESOME GOODIES to give away...
Well it's a lucky day for...
Larajc said...love the tag! I just NEED that tree embossing folder now...
jill j said...WENDY, I LOVE THE TAG......IT MAY BE QUICK, BUT IT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL. SOMETIMES, EASY IS BEST, ESPECIALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR. I THINK THE RESULT IS JUST STUNNING! YOU ROCK!!!!
just send your shipping info please...
(wbv1213@me.com)
but wait...
there's one more winner...
congrats to...
funkycrafter has left a new comment on your post "every gift needs a tag...":
the houndstooth deer is so cool. i must get that trees folder. didn't think i needed it until all the fantastic tags started appearing this week. your blog is one of my favorites but it sure costs me a lot of stash money.
Posted by funkycrafter to Studio 490 at December 2, 2010 10:31 PM
the houndstooth deer is so cool. i must get that trees folder. didn't think i needed it until all the fantastic tags started appearing this week. your blog is one of my favorites but it sure costs me a lot of stash money.
Posted by funkycrafter to Studio 490 at December 2, 2010 10:31 PM
Have a wonderful weekend...
I hope you can shop & take time to ...
make art!
wendy
ps...I'll be back next week...
more ideas...more prizes!!!
(Sizzix, Ranger, Maya Road & RUBBER! oh my!)
stay tuned...
Beautiful (as always)!!! Love the idea of a decorative box for giving a gift card or cash...it really adds that special touch to a holiday gift!
ReplyDeletethis is beautiful! wowie! i just love seeing all these fabulous projects...so much inspiration! those fragments have been transformed into beautiful ornaments...wonder if i have anymore of those laying around....
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous gift box! so many different ideas here, you are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI plan on hibernating this weekend in my craftroom to make art! Gotta try some of your ideas!! LOVE THEM!
ReplyDeleteOMG what a light bulb moment! I have a bunch of little generic boxes laying around...gluing the lids on and creating ornaments - duh!!!! This is so cool, love it!
ReplyDeletelove, love, love!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think that spatter stamp (although I never call it that) is my favorite!
I just love this gift box. I have order Tim's new stickers but haven't received them yet!
ReplyDeleteThanks for another holiday gift today! Clicking on your blog is like opening a present. Anticipation, opening, surprise, viewing and savoring the contents. Ohhhhhhhhh, the holidays are so much fun!!! Your gift box is just darling and has given me so many ideas for really cool gift boxes this year. We love ya, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteBetween Tim's tags and your projects, I am having more fun than should be legally possible! What a great gift this would make for so many things. Thanks Wendy girl.
ReplyDeleteMary
www.primitiveseasons.blogspot.com
Amazing . . . I love this and who would not be blessed twice to receive a cool present and a cool box!
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning Wendy, I love the transformation, a beautiful project it will make a gorgeous gift!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the inspiration!
HuGs Kim :)
gorgeous altered box, wendy! love all the stamping and layering. love your pretty flower and the fab tree (i love that heart). love how you used the fragments as ornaments. cute star trinket pin. thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend! your tag is on the way. *hugs* steph :)
ReplyDeleteWendy -
ReplyDeleteThis is just so freakin' sweet! I love it! It really would be a nice container for a small gift or money. But I love your idea of turning them into ornaments. I think they would look beautiful in a tree. Thank you so much for sharing this project with us. Just awesome! Have a great weekend.
Elaine Allen
What an excellent idea for a gift box!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it!!
Beautiful gift box Wendy - I especially love Tim's fence alongside your tree.
ReplyDeleteI love this box...what a fantastic idea for a gift or a decoration and your design of it is astounding! I love the tree and the fragments!!! Sooo cool!!!
ReplyDeleteI also love how you narrowed down the list of color washes to start with...lol...you named about half of them!! I only have two so far...but I can't wait to get more!
Next week what r u doing to us! I can wait week for more beautiful art like that!! I feel myself becoming compulsive with these blogs!!! What an awesome box I love it!!! I have so may ideas now on how to spin it! Thanks again for sharing-- and getting us out of the box no pun intended.
ReplyDeleteNice way to decorate one of those boxes! I like how you used stamped ink images on the box instead of covering it with some sort of paper. Another great idea!!
ReplyDeleteWho knew fly poop could look so good and you'd actually put it on a gift box?!?!? LOL Super cool box...I gotta make one NOW!
ReplyDeleteI do believe I have a few boxes I could do this with! Great job!
ReplyDeleteLove the gift box...from plain to perfect! As always, great ideas!
ReplyDeleteEtta
Great idea! Love it!
ReplyDeleteAll of the holiday projects have been amazing! Thank you for sharing them all...i can't choose any favorites...although this box as an ornament is too fun!
ReplyDeleteWendy's goodies, Tim's Tags...just having a blast this year. Thank you as always for sharing!
Love all the extra little details like stamping the sides of the lid. Super duper. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteWOW ! That box is beautiful .. I will forsure make a couple of those for my mom's giftcards. I even have some small kraft pocket thingys that I could make pretty with some flowers .. awesome idea. Thanks Wendy .. have a great weekend ! I for one will be SHOPPING :)
ReplyDeleteWhat great inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI laughed about the "spatter" stamp when Tim used today and again when you used it :) lol very cool gift box and I love the idea with the tape!!!
ReplyDeleteYou amaze me. Just a little of this and that, and look what comes out. Congrats to the winners.
ReplyDeleteLove this box. Put a gift in it and then you give two gifts, the gift itself plus the box as a Christmas decoration for the following year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for making ART.
You are rocking the Christmas tags and gifties. Of course I always have a hard time gifting these beauties. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Kate
That's a very nice box! Such a good idea for Christmas gift, much easier/customize to decorate than wrapping paper (my opinion).
ReplyDeleteI love TSO - they give an absolutely AWESOME performance!
ReplyDeletethis is a wonderful tutorial Wendy - I want to leave work and go home and play!
Thank you!
Sandra
It makes a cool gift all by itself--add a little candy or a cookie and Santa will put you on the "nice" list.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME! I have some of those blank boxes..total inspiration! It's like 2 gifts in one...the gift inside AND the box!
ReplyDeleteI adore what you did to that box! I also love the little hints and tips along the way! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHi, I just happen to have some of these boxes too!!! Have to go make a few! Thanks for the great ideas!
ReplyDeleteWow. To just receive the empty box would be a great gift. Thanks for some more inspiration!
ReplyDeleteAnother absolutely beautiful piece of art! Hope to find some time this weekend between Xmas shopping and decorating to "Make Art!" I took some friends to see TSO for the first time on Nov 24 at their performance in Anaheim, CA. They were blown away! It was our second time to see them live. Such an outstanding performance! I plan on going again next year! Keep the wonderful projects coming and thanks for the detailed instuctions!
ReplyDeleteAnother great project. I've got a bunch of these boxes. I think they need to be decorated like yours and then put Xmas gifties inside. Wouldn't this make a great gift Box!!
ReplyDeleteNow I know why I have been saving those jewelry & watch boxes…hmmm:) Luv how that poinsettia really “pops” off the box!
ReplyDeleteThe box is a gift all by it self. Wouldn't mind getting one, full or empty. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGloria
OH MY WENDY!! I'm so glad you LOVED the concert I would love to go sometime??!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for yet another AWESOME gift giving idea!! You know you are starting something by doing this right?? Now we will have to have the annual "WENDY VECCHI 12 Days of Gift GIVING!!"
Iam just LOVING all of the ideas and inspiration you are sharing!! Can't wait for more and hope your weekend is filled with FABULOUS ART!! Have a WONDERFUL DAY!! =)
I sucked in my breath as I seen todays project absolutely my favorite project you have created so thank you for inspiring me to be more creative with the things I make!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! A gift for a gift!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful idea!
ReplyDeleteEverybody likes it when they receive hand made crafts.
Thanks for sharing!
This is very clever for a gift, a very special gift at that! I feel like I have taken a class from you today!! Thak you!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial - I understood it all ! :) This box is to die for. If I was the receiver, I wouldn't care if it was empty ! Again, I'm in awe and just love it when you make art.
ReplyDeletewell this is sweet and DOABLE! my fav kind! have the goods, now to get crackin! TY TY TY xo cher
ReplyDeletethe box is fantastic. it is just so perfect. i must make something that looks a lot like this as soon as i get the tree tag. and that is what i will be doing later this afternoon. we are getting our first big snow so what else is there to do but spend money and make art.
ReplyDeleteso glad i read all the way to the end. i won. can't believe it.
the gift box is a great idea. I always like to see how you create great ideas for gift giving and the package in which to give them.
ReplyDeleteWendy-Love this box and yesterday's tag. I have everything to do that tag and hope to do so this weekend. thank you so much for the directions and the inspiration. Love it! KSH
ReplyDeleteThe transformation from plain old box to Wendy style box is just amazing, thanks for the instructions, this is frame worthy!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! The wrapping is almost as important as the contents!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winners. What a beautiful idea for a box! I should have one around here. Hope to make art since it is supposed to snow tonight. Might have to shop with fingers on the keyboard only! Thanks for the great ideas.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to recycle all the little boxes we collect from time to time. I love the poinsettia stamp! Love the colors and will absolutely be giving a few of these out at Christmas time.
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS, no need to say more!
ReplyDeleteFrom drab to FAB, beautifully altered gift box! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Another amazing project! I have to find me a box and make one for me! From one Wendy to another - you ROCK! :)
ReplyDeleteThis turned out just fabulous. I love all the wonderful details.
ReplyDeleteGreat things come in small pagchages...but I'm thinking great packages come from Wendy!!! I think you should buy yourself a little treat and wrap it up in your beautiful box!! Thank you for a fabulous week full of art!!
ReplyDeleteThis box is awesome! Who needs wrapping paper?! Ha!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. I know I have some of those little boxes somewhere.....off to look for them now. Beautiful project and love the detailed instructions!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the box!!!!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely am in LOOOVE with that box. Between you and Tim I have no time. You two are such great artist!! Thanks!!
ReplyDeletebeautiful project, thanks for sharing the details...love it
ReplyDeleteava
cottagerca
Absolutely wonderful! You certainly have an eye for putting all the elements together. And thanks for the tip on the colorwash selection...I'd love to have them all, but I think your top choices will do me just fine!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely positively gorgeous! I loved the tag and then you blow me away with this amazing gift box! thank you!
ReplyDeleteThere had better be an awesome gift inside, because the box shouldn't be more fabulous than the gift inside, should it? That will hard to accomplish, because this gift box is GORGEOUS!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration!
Eileen in NYC
What a beautiful box to give someone. Love all the details, thank for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI love the gift box! I saw some of those plain boxes at the dollar store the other day and couldn't think of a reason to buy any. Silly me. Thanks for your constant inspiration.
ReplyDeletegorgeous! wendy - i just love the great stuff you put together - i bought some of your art parts last night and hope to play this weekend. thanks for all your tips and techniques!!
ReplyDeleteLove the box and what a fab idea! I'm going to stea... er, borrow it immediately!
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy, that is a BEAUTIFUL box!! I love how you created the embellishments with the plastic pieces & Glossy Accents. Tim did a similar thing with his Tag #4 today, it's such a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThis box is certainly wonderful - such great detail. Now I want to find some boxes to alter. If you hadn't mentioned the fence I would have missed that altogether - the tree, the flower and Christmas balls - absolutely fabulous! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAnother great idea! Just love those fragment "ornaments", very cool, and a nice reminder!
ReplyDeleteI was looking for a project to do with my grand daughter this afternoon. This is perfect! Thanks Wendy, I'm off the getit organized.
ReplyDeleteOh my Wendy! You have outdone yourself! With all the gift cards we purchase now this is such a lovely way to "present" them! (notice that little play on words?)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your talent!
Wendy, Thanks for the project!! I am in need of a couple of hostess gifts and the box would be perfect!! And I have your poinsettia stamp. woohoo!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW!! That box is fabulous and I can see one or 20 of them hanging in my Christmas tree..now if I could just find some spare time to do them in LOL
ReplyDeleteYour Blog is totaly gorgeous,this creaqtion is stunning!Please pop by my blog as i have something for you
ReplyDeletehugs judex
what a wonderful gift you've given us today--amazing tutorial!
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy. This is a great idea for a gift box! I love the ornaments with the tape..I am definitey going to use this idea! Thanks for sharing your gift for making art with us!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tutorial again! I love the box! I won...I won...I won...how exciting! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWendy...what a beautiful box! It's a gift in and of itself...never mind what's inside!! :) Thanks for the inspiration!! Happy Holidays!!
ReplyDelete