Friday, September 28, 2007

Altered Boxes

It seems that "altered" is all the rage, and has been for several years. I've altered things before it was an artform. If I wanted to keep a magazine or a book but disliked a picture or a some kind of word, I would glue something over it, like a sticker. If I liked a card, but it had the wrong message on it, I would alter it by putting a picture on it and changing the word "aunt" to "grandmother," or something like that.







For years, I have thought there was a camera in my house, and that someone was stealing my ideas and putting them on the web. Just about the time I do something creative, I discover it being sold in a store.



I thought about what I would like to alter, that has not been done before. I know there are collage cards, altered cards, altered books, and altered just about everything.

I looked around to see what needed to be altered in my house and found my crayon box. For my birthday, my daughter bought me the biggest most deluxe box of crayons she could find. I always liked crayons, especially the kind where the colors were arranged in order and gradually faded into the next color. Now they are mixing up all the crayons, so I had my little helper put them all in order. I also loved the smell of new crayons.

I think that adults should use crayons. Little children don't appreciate them as much. I've always wanted a nice container for the crayons that would look nice in my house also, and not commercial. Here are the before and after pictures of the altered crayon box.

The materials were: scrapbook paper, scribbles paint in silver glitter, (could use glitter glue also), stickers, and a stretchy ribbon from another box.















Now, if someone else comes up with this idea, I'll know for sure there is a camera hidden in my house. See also http://homeliving.blogspot.com/2008/02/another-altered-gift-bag.html and

http://homeliving.blogspot.com/2008/02/another-altered-gift-bag.html

18 comments:

Kathleen said...

Or else great minds just think alike :).

blessyourheart said...

Such a little treasure box you have made. I feel tempted to buy some crayons for myself.

Mrs. Anna T said...

This is a very cute idea - thanks for sharing! :)

Anonymous said...

That is so pretty - Hmmm - I might have to make a trip to the store just to have my own pretty box of crayons (the children keep taking mine, LOL!).

Anonymous said...

Why have something ordinary when you can have a thing of beauty that makes you smile when you use it! :-) Your writings have made me do so many little changes in my all to modern home to make it more homey and beautiful. On another blog I saw where the lady put a pretty ribbon bow on the knob of her cake dome for color. I tucked a tiny silk flower to the corner of my floral pictures, put wreaths on my hall doors. Change the pillow covers on my chairs outside by the season. I buy the pillows for next to nothing used and just cover them with pillowcases or shams I also get used. Same for my couch. Many things here and there. I think now on how I can just go one step further to add to an arangement etc. There is usually only a tiny or no cost as most are just reusing what I have or nature provides. You are a constant inspiration to me. I know you have heard it before but if you ever write a book like this blog I will buy it and give copies to everyone I know!! You and Mrs Alexandra are a breath of fresh air to us.

Amy said...

This box is very pretty! Isn't it just amazing to see what beauty can come from such small things?

candy said...

Very creative idea! I just love it. You have reminded me to look around my home and see what I might not exactly like that I can recover and make "pretty".
Thank you.

Candy

Anonymous said...

How absolutely cute!

I love altered books. I started to alter one (into a clock for a libraian friend), but have not finished. It really is cute, but I can't quite get over the feeling that I'm "defacing" the book (I guess that is the public school training in me).

I am starting on two wooden, four-pane widows my husband salvaged last year for me. These I can do and am so excited to get started.

Thanks so much for sharing how even something as simple as a crayon box can be made lovely and pleasing to the eye!

Lydia said...

I would be very interested in showing some altered houses, as well,if I can get anyone to agree to posting their altered house on a blog. These are the shoebox houses that were given porches and windows and interesting architecture to improve them.

Brambleberry said...

What a clever idea! I feel the need to alter something myself. Thanks for sharing!!

Cherish the Home said...

Oh I *love* it!

I have always loved to color--I find it relaxing. I haven't purchased any crayons for quite some time.....maybe I need to change that! (o;

Blessings,
~Mrs.B

Becky K. said...

I am glad that I am not the only grown woman who loves crayons!
I just could not resist when I saw large boxes of Crayolas the other day, you know the ones with the sharpener built into the box, and bought a box for each of my children (16,15 and 12). They have not had huge boxes of crayons in ever so long since the discovery of colored pencils, etc.
But they were excited to get to use sharp, fresh smelling crayons!
I think I'll go get me a box too! :-)
Blessings on your day!
Becky K.

Lydia said...

I don't think the Crayons smell as nice as they used to. Maybe they are using a different kind of wax, or soy or something. Or, it could be my age! Also they don't put them in rows of colors like they used to. I had to have someone do it for me because I like it better. And, I think you used to be able to purchase much larger boxes than this size.

Lydia said...

I forgot to say that you can now get adult coloring books. These are more serious type coloring books, some of them historical. I found some in Dover catologs and also there is a homeschool catolog that sells wonderful coloring books that are like paint by number.

Anonymous said...

That is gorgeous! I think I'll do this as a Christmas gift for my daughter!

Lynda said...

This is such a good idea! What little girl wouldn't love to color from a box like this. Just another way to add beauty to our everyday lives! Thanks

Lynda said...

I would love to see a link for those adult coloring books! Especially the historical ones. OOOhh.. I wonder if they have some cottage ones?

Sarah said...

What a cute idea!