Thursday, March 21, 2013

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

92 comments:

  1. love it, Gloria! ♥

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  2. This little box is so adorable! I love the color combination and the textures of the ivory flowers are wonderful. The little stamps on the inside are such a nice touch!

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  3. wonderful box love it :)

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  4. This is gorgeous!!! Wow. Just love it!!!

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  5. Wow! Gorgeous! I love how the flowers and metal pieces look with that paper!

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  6. beautiful job! i love this!

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  7. Gorgeous pencil block!!!

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  8. GORGEOUS box, Gloria! Love all the pretty embellishments! Have a wonderful weekend!...Nancy :o)

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  9. Gorgeous Pencil Box, for me, I have pencils...I will send you my address!!! Love all the detail and I am with you love the French,Country Collection. Thank you for always being a part of the All Things Altered Blog Hops, now off to find me some small light bulbs.

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  10. OH MY!!! Graphic 45 rocks your box!!! You did a fantastic project!!! I absolutely adore it!!!
    Thank you for sharing you talent with me.
    Hopping along,
    Karen

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  11. Oh this is totally AWESOME!! Love the papers and that little light bulb is great on there..
    ronnieandcorinne@sbcglobal.net
    hugs

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  12. That is absolutely gorgeous. Everything is so smooth, you'd never know it started as a plain box. Inspirational, thanks.

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  13. Enjoying jumping on this BLOG HOP.

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  14. I think I need a new pencil box :)

    Gorgeous project Gloria!

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  15. Stunning! It's a shame to use it for pencils.

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  16. Your box is so beautiful and amazing. Thanks for some inspiration!

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  17. Just bought more French Country... And added another project to my list. Thanks, Gloria!

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  18. Beautiful box! I love the flower and embellie cluster on the top! Thanks for sharing! =)

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  19. As always, your creation is gorgeous! Love the idea of tucking tiny lights in with the flowers for added texture and shine!

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  20. very neat altered box. new follower. come visit me :).
    Robin
    http://cutonedesignsbyrobin.blogspot.com/

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  21. very beautiful, love it!

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  22. Beautiful project! Of course, I love every one of your projects. Great papers, great embellies. I love your idea about the old Christmas lights... never would have thought of that. Great project, Gloria!

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  23. Love this! Your daughter is so lucky to get this pencil box. I love your touch of light bulbs in a cluster of flowers, I have been doing that lately. Your creations never cease to amaze ~ thank you for all your inspiration!

    P.S. love the gel medium tip

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  24. Beautiful! I love the papers and embellishments that you chose! It turned out fabulous!

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  25. Her pencilbox is absolutely gorgeous!!! Love the bits tucked among the flowers:)

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  26. gorgeous Gloria!!

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  27. Your ideas are always fresh & exciting! I love being a follower. This box is no exception. Love the way you've "steam punked" it out!

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  28. forgot my email- sorry


    Tons of inspiration on this hop!
    kconner1961@yahoo.com

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  29. AWESOME!!!Love your box,scrappinggg.blogspot.com/

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  30. Ooh Gloria this is amazing! I love the papers and the flowers & metal elements on the top are just stunning! Blessings, Cheryl

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  31. perfectr altered item, the floral goes so well with the pp
    perfecto
    cottagerca@yahoo.ca

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  32. Love your blog and love Graphic 45, I just got a cigar box to alter and Graphic 45 paper would be perfect, Sarah

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  33. love graphic 45, love the project and thankyou for sharing

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  34. Beautiful, just like all your projects!

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  35. What a beautiful pencil box. Love your paper combo and, yes, I too love the new French Country line. Your work is amazing, and TFS. Love the tiny light bulbs, too.

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  36. OMG this is STUNNING! Love the Parisian theme and all the embellies you used. Just an amazing piece of art. I'm jealous of your daughter LOL
    ~Deb~
    CDAC DT Member
    A Look Through My Eyes

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  37. Beautiful box. I subscribe to
    your blog and check it out
    all the time. Thank you for
    all the inspiration.

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  38. Just beautiful Gloria x C

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  39. Lovely project! Reminds me I haven't gotten anything done with my own gel medium lately! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  40. Beautiful! What could be better? G45 French Country paper and a box...LOVE it! Great job!!

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  41. Your box is AWESOME... then anything Graphic 45 made by you is!!!!! Love how you create with their products. Thanks for sharing!

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  42. Holy smokes this is AWESOME!!!! I LOVE it!! ♥

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  43. Absolutely stunning! Love it!

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  44. Your box is gorgeous and I love all of your tips!

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  45. Love your pencil box! Beautiful!!

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  46. Your box is absolutely stunning! I want to make one too! So inspired!! Thank you for your tutorial and descriptions... it really helps me get a head start on my project so I don't have to learn the hard way! lol Thanks for a chance to win a prize too! b_whatever60@hotmail.com

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  47. Simply beautiful Gloria...useful and pretty!

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  48. What a super project, love the colors & the details. I wouldn't have thought to add the lightbulbs to the floral embelishnent. Thank you so much for creating and sharing it.
    ~C8> Ratty Hugs
    Tuckerderatt@yahoo.com

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  49. Beautiful! I love it!

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  50. Beautiful Pencil Box...love your creativity! bdlam@shaw.ca

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  51. Gorgeous! I love the French Country papers.

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  52. So creative. On the top of list of items to make.

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  53. Anonymous5:26 PM

    I love G45 papers. They make anything look so regal and pretty. Love the pencil box. It's so much more elegant that it was when it was at Michael's.

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  54. I wish i could be this creative! Thank you for sharing and giving me inspiration!!! This is so beautiful! wow

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  55. Great job with G45 paper. Simple enough; like the lightbulb tip!:)

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  56. Very nice! My grand daughter saw this and said "you could make me a jewelry box like that !" . Also love G45 paper !!

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  57. Gloria...you are just amazing!

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  58. I have just one word for this beautiful projetc it's FABULOUS!

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  59. Lovely altered box.

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  60. Super Cute! I LOVE Paris themed artwork!

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  61. Gorgeous! Lots of pretty details!

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  62. OMG, this came out so cool. Love how you glammed it up and I'm sure your daughter will treasure it!

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  63. Your altered pencil box is gorgeous! I bet your daughter had a big smile on her face and a happy heart when you gave it to her! She is a lucky girl! Thanks for sharing!

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  64. Elegantly beautiful!

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  65. Really, really beautiful. Lots of nice details. Gotta love G45 papers -- they make everything looks to gorgeous.

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  66. WOW! Really beautiful!! I love decorating boxes.I have a friend who smokes cigars and I get all the boxes.This gives me some new inspiration!! Thanks ,and "Happy Spring" :)

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  67. Ms Gloria this is beautiful .. love it!

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  68. This is gorgeous! Your daughter is very lucky to have it!

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  69. What beautiful, is gorgeous

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  71. I want to do this to some recipe boxes. Great idea
    Tina K

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  72. This altered box is absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to try it. Thanks for posting.

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  73. Hi Gloria.... I adore your beautiful box.

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  74. Beautiful work as usual, Gloria! thanks for sharing with

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  75. I love how elegantly this turned out. I also love the lightbulb in the floral spray. It's unexpected and so much fun. A beautiful project, Gloria!

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  76. This is totally gorgeous! I love those Graphic 45 papers! TFS

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  77. Gloria, this is amazing!!!

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  78. Great looking box, I too love the french country dp just ordered it and look forward to using it. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  79. Love the box, it's beautiful.Working with Graphic 45 papers is like working with treasure.

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  80. wow, WoW, WOW! What a gorgeous box. Both inside and out look great!

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  81. Gorgeous cigar box Gloria!!! Well done and I also have that paper and just cant decide what I want to do with it!!

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  82. So pretty! I have a stash of wooden cigar boxes begging for a Makeover.

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  83. oh my goodness! love your box! tjigo at apex.net

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  84. Nice box Great vintage look and the steampunky touch, lovely

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  85. This is so pretty!

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  86. This is just beautiful......

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  87. Beautiful!! Love the paper!!

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