This is my desk this morning, looking pretty neat and tidy with a range of garish brooches all laid out ofr inspection to find just the right one for the little box I have made... yes, that one, on the desk! A cup of tea, my ATG and stand, my new glue gun and some paintbrushes I just cleaned. Now, if you had seen the desk yesterday, it was a mess! But, I am one of those folk that has to clean up between projects, especially if they involve paint.
This is the box... it all began with that bit of transparency... I saw a box done by a friend, Carole, and had to figure out how to use that idea because I liked it so much. I ran the tranparency through my bug and embossed it, then added the pearls and backed it with Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante papers.
This is the front of the box, with the folded down transparency piece.
One side, with a pocket watch and Tim Holtz wings.
The opposite side, with chipboard cogs that I have painted to make them appear like brass.
More cogs...
Cogs that I papered with music and printed word.
and with the lid removed... yes, I revisited an old idea... the exploding box. Only the outside walls and lid are chipboard on this version because I wanted it to have some weight and be sturdy. The cardstock exploding boxes I made years ago have not travelled well... LOL
The chipboard outer layer is decorated with cogs and wheels and a brass butterfly.
The inner cardstock layer is decorated with paper images and butterflies.
The outside walls without the lid...
other outside wall
third outside wall
and final outside wall.
The centre of the inside I have decorated with cogs, pearl sticks, flowers, beads, a little light bulb and gems.
some wire springs and a bottle of glitter... think that is enough bling, don't you? LOL
I should mention that this is a birthday gift for my step-daughter-in-law-to-be... and her birthday is day after tomorrow... and she is in the UK.... oops! Guess it will be a bit late? Think she will believe that it is 'in the post'? LOL
This is incredible. As fast as your post travels, it might actually get there in time (grin).
ReplyDeleteSeeing the cup of tea on your desk suggests you will join me next Tuesday. I'm hoping, at least.
One of the images is of a flying man. It looks like an image I cut from a Trader Joe's bag one year when I was in California. Of course, I love it all. After all, you are the Queen of Embellishments.
Happy WOYWW from #2.
I too have tea.....somewhere! Love ll your little charms and bits and pieces and what a fabulous box!! so much detail!I'd never know what to put on or leave off! Have a great crafty week! HaPpY WoYwW
ReplyDelete((Lyn)) #11
I love your exploding box and all those fabulous brooches. Thanks for stopping by. happy crafting #7
ReplyDeleteI am so fascinated with your exploding box!! What a great collection of spraklies on your desk, I did fumble through them a bit.....LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks for the early visit.
Krisha #5
Stunning artwork today - I'm so glad I had a chance to visit!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful WOYWW!
Create With Joy #4
http://create-with-joy.com
wow! Wow! this is amazing. it looks so complicated, and yet so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteshe will love it.
Very cool. You did a fantastic job. I made an exploding box once, it looked like a 5 yr old made it compared to yours. I just LOVE everything about yours. How long did it take you to do this??
ReplyDeleteI see you were on the Zutter DT, I SOOO wish you lived next door, I'm struggling trying to use my ZUTTER. I'm ready to box it back up and sell it. I can not for the life of me get my holes to line up. I've practiced, watched youtube videos, I've chalked up to I'm seriouslly challenged. uuuggghhh…. Anyhoo,most EXCELLENT project. Thanks for sharing it. Have a great weekend. (((HUGS)))
Kim
WOYWW #6
http://www.happyhomeschoolroom.blogspot.com
I love love love the exploding box! And I just love that you have used an old fashioned Ink Nip for the Butterfly, at least that is what I think it is...I love it
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW
Silvia#32
Oh wow this is gorgeous Annette ! I just love everything about it, but the centre of the box is the crowning glory - its divine !
ReplyDeleteYou are sooooo talented ! Love 'n' hugs xxxxxx Cal xxx
wow this is really fab thanks for sharing all the lovely pickies and am sure it will be loved. WOYWW Shaz in Oz.x #35
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, fabulous gift!! I am sure whenever it arrives it will be loved! Have a great day.. Helen 17
ReplyDeleteyour creations are always so magical and amazing, a gift to be treasured, for sure!
ReplyDeletehappy WOYWW and have a fun week :)
no. 31
Yes but it won't matter that it's later because it's utterly utterly gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThat is A.M.AZING! I love all the cogs, transparency etc etc, but the best bit for me is the blue rose...completely gorgeous. Clever you!!
ReplyDeleteHugs, LLJ 45 xx
A serious case of "beam me up Scottie" Love the box and all its bling...is it ever enough? bling that is? #62
ReplyDeleteWhew! I'm just reeling at the beauty of this! VV you are just amazing! I love those steam-punk papers and cogs and the Mona Lisa looks really at home in such a piece of artistry! I am so inspired by this project it's almost literally knocked me out! Thanks for sharing! Julie Ann #55
ReplyDeleteHi there.
ReplyDeleteJust popping my head around the door to say hi as I haven't been around for a while. Love the box!
Hope you have a great week.
Neil #39
What words can I find to tell you how I feel?....
ReplyDeleteWow, amazing, stunning.......
I love it Annette. What talent.
Hugs,
A x #61
Lovely box, a great gift to receive (well worth the wait:))
ReplyDeleteLynda #82
I am in awe of your creations. I have been very lucky to get such great crafty creations from yourself and Mary.
ReplyDeleteBridget #1
Oh ... Your exploding box is simply stunning!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't made one in a very long time, I had been thinking about doing some again for christmas, but your project has given me other ideas. Thank you for the inspiration and spurring me on!
Take care
Jackie #78
Totally gorgeous -you clever thing! Hope it travels well - what a little treasure box it is. x Jo
ReplyDeleteThis is stupendous (pondered over a word to describe awesome work). Oh Annette, love each and every side of the box but then it opened and it was a breathtaking moment. That is something else!
ReplyDeleteI have never ever made one of these, on my to do list but never done - must remedy that.
This is breathtaking!
Hugs, Neet (going back to look again) xx 9 (thanks for visiting me earlier) x
Good Lord, I'm a card maker and usually don't manage that on time, so this sort of project would be months overdue! How lovely it is, surely hard to part with? Loving your treatment of the cogs, so hard to believe they're just chipboard.
ReplyDeleteStunning, gorgeous, divine and absolutely amazing. Yes, I am impressed and now will have to do a search for exploding box. Hope I don't land up at some fanatics website but a kind crafter who will steer me in right direction. I have to say it again your box is stunning.
ReplyDeleteSandra de @84
That lovely box is a beautiful present all by itself without anything inside. It holds so much love and care inside it, much more than money could ever buy. Thank you for your visit today and your kind comments. The reason that Geoff always did the drain clearing was that everything always ended up in our drain and driveway. However, now, I have had it confirmed that the water board are legally responsible for clearing it. Result! Have a lovely week, and I am sure your daughter in law will forgive the "late post". xx Maggie #10
ReplyDeleteA beautiful gift for for DIL to be, and yes, blame the post, cause you're only just moved there and you don't know how long it will take, etc, etc! Let's hope she doesn't read the blog! We had normal targets to aim at too, we rotated around a bit each turn to make it more challenging, and then we moved back about 10 paces to shoot from further away too. Loadsa fun!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Brenda 3
FABuuuuuulusssss :-D That is one cozmic creation.
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW
IKE x #94
How gorgeous is all those brooches and your heavenly box - cup of tea? Don't mind if I do - knew I was missing something hunched over the laptop here LOL - Have a great week - Happy WOYWW - Mxx #89
ReplyDeleteJust the loveliest project. I always know I am in for a treat when I stop by yours! Crazy day but I will be back for a longer and closer look later.
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW!
Mary Anne (56)
it's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous little box and yes I do try to clean up between projects, but sometimes, my projects intermingle and I don't know what to clean up any more....
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW and I wish you a wonderful week.
xx Monique #106
As always, your work has me drooling! You are so creative, I turn green every time I see what you come up with.
ReplyDeleteThe post over here is actually bordering on the ridiculous lately, a friend got a letter today that was posted on the 17th of November last year!!!! Sometimes things arrive within the week from the UK and other times 8 months?!! Fun living in Africa.
Happy WOYWW!
Tertia #33
Oh that box is amazing! Just beautiful. That is one lucky girl to get this box and have such a talented mom-in-law!!! Rasz #111
ReplyDeleteThe boxes are really gorgeous. Exploding boxes are so exciting and yours are far better than finding then filled with sewing stuff.
ReplyDeletemonica 28
OMG what an awesome present!! I don´t know where to look first!
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW
Gabriele 58
What a beautiful explosion box love all those little details you've added into it hugs Nikki #16
ReplyDeleteOh my! This is just stunning Annette - I'm sure you will be forgiven for the late arrival as it is the most fabulous gift possible.
ReplyDeleteToni xx
Totally awesome box!! I love steampunk and you did it fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gift!!
and so you know, the boxes are in the room next to my studio so at least I know where they are and it is killing me not to know what is in them!! LOL!!
xxDaniella#14
Wow, Annette! Your steampunk explosion box is just amazing... I love it love it love it!!! I love what you did with the transparency and the pearls - I've got that embossing folder and must try this!! I gasped out loud when I saw it open and realised what was inside... Explosion boxes are a great favourite of mine. What an awesome piece of work!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good use of brooches that you will never wear! I love to rummage through the cheap jewellery at the village fete and usually come back with loads of stuff to use but never thought of that.
I love your ATG stand, which presumably you made? Do you find the gun stands upright OK and doesn't fall over? I'd love some more details of that.
Thanks so much for your nice comment on my blog. A great relief to be told it's not cancer, and even though ulcerative colitis isn't a diagnosis one would choose, at least it's treatable. As for my new ARTHaven, well, I knew I'd spark a bit of the green-eyed monster on here once I started sharing pics!! Keep your eye on my blog because they will be coming frequently now as rapid progress is being made.
Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #92
Thanks for the addie for a cherryontop. Great tutorial and only papercrafting fanatics.
ReplyDeleteSandra de