Thursday, June 05, 2008

Altered Boxes

I just added this card which is made with the saran-wrap or plastic wrap method. Cut a piece of fabric from your fabric scraps and layer a piece of saran wrap beneath it and iron it on the same size card. I use a press cloth to keep the iron from getting sticky. Then, trim excess plastic wrap, and add glitter or glitter glue. This one, I sent to a friend. For a tutorial on how to make these, go to Kelli's House





These are altered round boxes that were formerly cans of almonds. Using scrap papers and paper doilies, and a few pieces of sparkly cord, this is what can be done with them. The finished pieces are then slathered with a layer of clear glaze that has glitter in it, a product from Folkart paints. The rose embellishments are stickers, outlined in a glitter glue called Dimensions. Click on for a larger view. These two boxes, one of them an empty tea box, are covered in Carol Wilson art papers. Each has holes punched in the sides and a rope strung through, and each is glazed with the glitter paint from Folkart.







This is the ice cream container. It had to be washed out with cold water and not soaked, so that it would keep its shape. Then after it was thoroughly dry, it was lined with art paper and covered on the outside as well. It is a good craft for children, using things you already have. If you have no scrap paper collection, you can use calendar pictures or magazine clippings, like we used to do before all these papers were available.




Check out this interesting piece about a descendent of Laura Ingalls Wilder, from
"Little House on the Prairee" fame. http://quillcottage.blogspot.com/




The Pleasant Times is updated, and today there is an article about how the Shermans are not welcome in the south. I must protest and say that my husband's name was not always Sherman, but originally "Shereman", related to the "Clothier" family, associated with sheep-shearing and clothing. We are not really related to other Shermans, and not General Sherman, who burned Atlanta, Georgia, during the Civil War. I've a mind to change it back to the original spelling, which was altered by Great-great-great Grandfather, who admired General Sherman. I have historical proof that my husband's family was Shereman and not Sherman!


24 comments:

candy said...

Those altered boxes are lovely!

Anonymous said...

That is really cute. I am going to have to try that. It might make a great Christmas gift this yr. We are having a homemade Christmas & on my hubbies side.

Anonymous said...

You know, there is a way to decorate and spruce things up in a feminine and welcoming way without it looking like the handiwork of an eight year old girl.

Lydia said...

Well yes I do know that. I'm not trying to be perfect, just offer some ideas. Hopefully there are people out there with a lot more imagination and resources and money than I have, who can do a better job. Why don't you do one of these boxes and post it on your blog, to show my how to do something "that doesn't look like it was done by an 8 year old girl." I'm not sure what was meant by that, since my daughter, at age 8 was quite brilliant with her art work and could pass as a 20 year old in her efforts. Come on, let me see if you can do this and do it with more bling.

Alexandra said...

Those are pretty shabby chic boxes. I used to alter boxes too, and as soon as I have time, I'll do it again.

My mommy brain can't remember what it is called right now, but I used to decorate them with collages using modge podge.

Anonymous said...

I fail to understand why people like "anonymous" visit a lovely and uplifting blog like this and post unpleasant and mean comments. Aren't there enough blogs to go around that we can all find one we enjoy without sniping at those we don't like?
I remain a devoted reader, Peggy in Virginia

Lydia said...

i think they were called decoupage boxes

Lydia said...

i admit these are primitive but while some people relax with entertainment in the evenings, I relax with glue and paper ;-)

Kelli said...

Lady Lydia,
Thank you so much for linking to my tutorial! The cards you made are beautiful...I love the roses! You did a wonderful on all of your projects. It sounds like you and I are a fan of the paper crafts. :0)
~Kelli

Anonymous said...

I, for one, think these are beautiful and quite creative. I'd love to do something like this someday.

Anonymous said...

Your boxes are lovely! And having been a talented-at-handwork eight year old once myself, I'd take that for a compliment from the above ill-tempered poster. I'd far rather have something handmade with love than pasted together in a Chinese factory, and I imagine most Home Living readers would agree.

Lydia said...

Ladies, these crafts are not home decor, as the anonymous poster assumes. The labels are frugal crafts and altered boxes. They will be used as storage boxes for letters or art supplies, and some will be gift boxes, holding towels, soaps, candles, and I don't know what all else. They were made of something that would have been thrown out, and altered with left over scraps, and I care not if the recipient throws them out. At least they were used once more before they landed in the landfill. Our grade of cardboard and paper bags is still very high, and the containers are still quite sturdy, so I want to use them before we end up with no packaging at all, which may be what eventually happens.

Lydia said...

Amy G. My eight year old had an eye for beauty and could have made something much more spectacular than these boxes, so yes, it is a compliment to accuse of being an 8 year old child's level. The one who gave the ill-fitting comment seems a little mental, and orderhaverhedred, and expression we use sometimes when someone is clueless.

Alexandra, your comment about the mommy mind reminded me of an article my daughter wrote for the Guard the Home Blog (From a Daughter to Daughters) in which she, a young mother, chastises rebellious teens for think their mothers are a little daft and forgetful. She reminds them that they suffer many sleepless nights and extraordinary busy days, and change diapers and teach the language at the same time--quite a skill. When your children are little, you do what you must do to keep them safe and teach them right from wrong, which is the most urgent task. The crafts and sewing sometimes take a back seat.

Lydia said...

Amy G.: My compliments to the South.

Lynn said...

Lady Lydia - forgive my ignorance but what is saran wrap? I tried the project today with food wrap/cling film but it didn't work - so I then ironed the fabric over double sided tappe & that worked but I am intrigued to know about the saran wrap.
I made a lovely card from recycled products - thank you!
I'm off to try an altered box now - please keep the ideas coming - you save me a fortune!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love the boxes and ideas.I think they would look so pretty sitting on a desk holding paper,pens,etc.There is no way they would land in a landfill in my home,they are just too pretty.:)
Your tutorials are just the thing I need in a busy day to add something of beauty to my life in a small way,and I appreciate very much the big heart that takes time out of her busy life to post them and share them with us.Your page is someplace I go to be lifted up and cheered up,and you always have managed to do just that.I leave your site blessed more than when I came.Have a beautiful day,and keep posting your crafts and table settings,etc.You bless us far more than you can realize. Love,Gayle

Anonymous said...

I think your altered boxes are lovely. A while back I emptied a Red Rose Tea box and just could not bear to toss it out. I covered it with some herbal-themed Contact Paper and am still using it to store some small sewing items in. Covering it with the Contact Paper made it substantially more durable. By the way, how do you pronounce "orderhaverhedred"? Judy

Lydia said...

All Things Bright and Beautiful...your name sounds like you must be in England...you have different labels for products than we do...yes, it is plastic wrap. It should work but you have to get the iron hot enough, use steam, and a press cloth. I'm not familiar with the product you mentioned, but I am glad it worked! Could it have been waxed paper? That might work, also, but I haven't tried it.

Lydia said...

Judy, we have a peculiar dry humor in our family. We take several words and string them together to make a new word. This one means "ought to have her head read."

Lydia said...

Yes, this is a Red Rose tea box. I like it because it is square, which most of our tea boxes in US are not. I enjoy making them look like little suitcases. I will probably make stationery or cards and envelopes and put them inside, as a gift for someone.

~~Deby said...

oh these are just so sweet and girlie looking. I find anoymous to be acting rather childish and not very kind here in blogland. Such a shame to be so mean spirited.
I would love to come over and craft with you, I would treasure the projects and time of fellowship.
Since I can't I read your blog and I am blessed.
Press on we need people like you in blogland.
Deby

Diane said...

I LIVE in South Carolina (though thankfully not FROM here), and what an embarrassment that article is for this state. You would be welcome here at my home, and in this state at any time.

Lynn said...

Thank you Lady Lydia - yes I am in England!
I love your posts - please do not be discouraged.
Best wishes,
Lynn

Lisa said...

I wanted to add my admiration of the boxes you've created. Your example has encouraged me to think differently about all the boxes we go through buying things from the grocery store and how we can make them into something lovely and still useful! Thank you for encouraging all of us to use our talents to make the world and our homes more beautiful and loving.