Graphic 45 Altered Trinket Box for LESSology

I came across this new challenge site; LESSology; a challenge blog dedicated to altered things. This is so perfect for me as I'm in this phase where I'm just itching to craft but I don't feel like scrapping layouts.

Their second challenge is for "Trinket Box" so I rummaged through my hoard of stuff (and I have alot of rubbish!) and guess what I found... my old sunglasses box. It's a lovely box; sturdy built, good quality, perfectly pristine inside and outside but sitting there untouched for almost two years. Time for some 'upcycling' :)

So here's what I made of it ..... sorry Gucci!!! :P

View from the top. As you might recognize, the images are Graphic45 Steampunk Debutante.

This is the front view. Bible verse stamp; Technique Tuesday. It's an apt verse; any day I can craft is indeed a day to rejoice and be glad :)

This is the back view. Sentiment came from the same stamp set as above. Flourish stamps; Inkadinkado Chandelier stamps.

Here are some close-ups:

Image is distressed and matted on black paper which is also distressed and painted with Jo Sonja's gold paint around the edges. I highlighted the top of the image with some glitter Stickles.

The other end of the box; French script stamp; TH Stampers Anonymous, small paper rose; Prima's Botanical Sugar Bloom.I decorated the image with some glitter stickles and liquid pearls.

Close-up of the image on one of the sides. The brass clock charm is from Yew Buttons (local haberdashery) tied with jute twine.

Huge fabric flower from Prima Tuscany Collection. Pearls & crystal flourish also Prima. Netting and tulle local supply. Small circle of pearls; Etsy. Skeleton leaf; Crafio.

Another side view, same French script stamp as above, the the pearl cluster is actually a Prima flower-centre.

The inside of the box is lined with a soft logo monogram of Gucci's logo pattern and I decided to keep that as is since it's got a really nice feel to it. I'm using this box to store my "craft trinkets"... particularly my precious handmade blooms.

 

Next up I'll share a little on the process of altering this box... note that I'm only altering the box COVER and not the BASE as the base is a nice shiny laminated black so that's perfect.

First up; I placed my box on the paper (Basic Grey Hello Luscious / Dazzling) and traced around it (all the sides, just rotate the box). Then cut it up to look like this, remember to leave some flaps on the sides for a more 'seamless' coverage. Then I prepared all the cut-outs and embellishments and placed in around the this paper. From there I will know how I want to decorate the paper's base. Next I stamped around it in black. French script stamp from TH Stampers Anonymous. Flourish stamps; Inkadinkado Chandelier stamps.

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 After that I added some colors and shading using Ranger's TH Distress Ink Pad, as you can see in the picture above. I also created some designs using a flourish mask. Then I added this 'dotty' netting effect using a piece of netting as a mask. You can see the piece of netting under the Inksentials foam applicator. The shades I used here are: Stormy Sky, Tea Dye and Peeled Paint.

Then, I added on the cut-outs of the G45 patterned papers. After that I wrapped and adhered this on top of the box cover. The last and final step (the fun part!) is to add the blooms, glitters, pearls, charms etc, I also trimmed the bottom edge of the cover with a thin strip of black velvet ribbon for that luxe feel ... and we're done!!!

I'm so glad I found this challenge which inspired me to do this. I got to upcycle a redundant designer box into something really personal and precious and USEFUL :) And I got to use those G45 papers I bought ages ago and haven't found a way to use them till now! Thanks LESSology!!!

Thanks for visiting :) Hope this inspires you to dig up some old stuff to alter :)

Now, do hop on to LESSology and check out the other gorgeous altered items by the DT, there are inspirations galore ... I promise! :)