All Things Altered Spring 2013 Blog Hop!

Welcome to the "All Things Altered" Spring 2013 Blog Hop! You should be coming to me from Betty's Blog. If you are lost, see the list of blogs at the end of this post to make sure you visit everyone!

Once again, Pam at Scrapbook Flair organized a group of crafters for an altered art blog hop. I think this is officially our SECOND YEAR! She has put together a line-up of 12 designers, all making some sort altered art for you to use for inspiration!

And there are PRIZES! Pam, our hostess (Scrapbook Flair), is giving away an AMAZING prize - a "Surprise Basket" of Springtime Goodies! Plus, some of the designers are also giving away prizes! 

I am giving away a GRAB BAG of GRAPHIC 45 PAPERS!

To be entered to win the prizes, leave a comment on all the designers' blogs (include your contact information).  I would love for you to Follow me as well, but it is not required.

Here is my altered project. I decided to alter a wooden pencil box (4 x 9 1/4 x 2 inches). I picked it up at Michael's back last fall, for $3.99 and just never got around to doing anything with it. Now, my 17 year old daughter is the happy owner if a new pencil box!


I am in love with the new Graphic 45 French Country papers and knew I was going to use them for this project!

Wooden items need a bit of prep work before you get started decorating.

I lightly sanded the box and wiped it down with a towel. This smooths down any rough spots.

I painted the edges with black acrylic paint. Once the paint was dry, I attached paper to the outside and inside of the box using Liquitex Gel Medium and a foam brush. I prefer the gel medium over a product like Mod-Podge simply because the gel medium only needs to be "painted" onto one surface. I painted it onto the box and then placed my paper on the adhesive layer. It bonds well and does not soak the paper.

Once I had the box covered with paper, I decorated the top with some flowers and other "junk." I love to use flowers and metal items together - sort of edgy-feminine or steampunk-y.

One of my favorite things to tuck into the flowers are tiny light bulbs! I found some online, but I am sure you could use Christmas lights that have burned out!

I lined the inside of the box with contrasting paper and a few postage images. My daughter wants to put pencils in the box, so I did not decorate the inside.

I added a Graphic 45 Antique Metal Door Pull to the lid as a handle.

I hope you had fun looking at my project! Now, hop on over to Jess B's  Blog!

If you get lost during the blog hop (so sad to get lost!), here is the list of participating Designers! Make sure you leave a comment to be entered in the drawing!

Pam
Pinky
Debbie
Betty
Gloria - YOU ARE HERE!
Jess B.
Angela
Christine
Barbara
Irit
Candice
Jennifer
Scrapbook Flair

Box: Michael's Craft Store
Designer paper: Graphic 45 French Country, Curtain Call
Chipboard: Imaginarium Designs
Metal embellishments: Graphic 45; Tim Holtz; The Paper Studio; Sky Blue Pink
Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Paint:Martha Stewart
Adhesive: Liquitex gel medium; Aleene's Tacky Glue