16 September 2012

Butterflies


Hi everyone, hope you're having a lovely weekend. I have a project to share today which was a gift for a friend and was the perfect size to contain a little bracelet. I took some photo's as I was going along with it and they're below with some text on how it was done.


Take a small unfinished wooden trinket box.



 Sand the all the surfaces of the box for a nice smooth finish.



Give the box a couple of coats of paint or one coat of gesso and one of paint.



Take a polka dot stamp, coat with a thin layer of white paint and stamp over the entire box. Allow to touch in some places more than others for a more random finish.



A print out of a butterfly was cut out and glued to the top of the box with matte medium, under the butterfly and over the top.


Take some white rub ‘n’ buff and lightly with a finger add it all around the edges of the box.


Using a black permanent ink pen outline the butterfly and smudge out with a finger whilst still wet. The slick surface of the matte medium allows the ink to move around a little while it’s still wet and this will be permanent when dry.


Here the effect of the black ink can be seen after completing the outlining. The butterfly has definition and is much more part of the box. Some glossy accents has been added over the top of the butterfly only.


I added a second printed and cut out butterfly on top of the first and this one was sprayed lightly with matte sealer which gives it a pretty and slightly translucent look.


A self adhesive pearl was adhered to the front of the box to finish.

 I made a gift bag to put everything in simply a tag attached to the front of a gift bag. I tried to make a Monet style garden scene for the background and was pleased with how it came out....wish I'd left more of it showing! The chipboard branch by Artimeo has had the rust paint effect and I've added flowers, faux stitching and tulle to finish off. I also made a card but where that photo has disappeared to I don't know but it was made very similar to the theme of the box, same colours and stamp.



Thanks as always for your lovely comments which are appreciated and enjoy your evening!

22 comments:

Fiona said...

Just gorgeous Chris.
x

Sasha said...

What a lucky friend to be the recipient of a bracelet inside such beautifully created box, Chris. Thanks for showing us how you achieved the end result...gorgeous tag, too!x

Redanne said...

Hi Chris, the bos is fabulous, I adore butterflies and the way you have transferred that one is wonderful, it really does look like part of the box with your marker treatment. The tag is beautiful, love how you created that Monet type scene. I bet your friend was well pleased. Crafty hugs, Anne x

Fleur said...

Oh WOW, Chris this is so very beautiful, what an absolutely gorgeous give. Hope you are keeping well
BIG HUGZ Fleur xXx

Riet said...

What a beautiful card and bag Chris.

Hugs Riet.xx

Julie said...

Wow, Chris - fabulous gift box and the tag is a stunner too!! Hugs, Juliexx

Netty said...

Beautiful alteration and loving the fab tag, Annette x

Merry said...

What an amazing gift to receive. Love your work. Thanks for sharing the different stages of your box coming together. That is a great idea with the black around the butterfly.

ria gall said...

Hi Chris
This is really pretty and a wonderful gift idea. I think handcrafted gifts are always the best type of gift.
Ria

Sue said...

WOW! your box is wonderful. I love the design and gorgeous butterfly.
Your tag is beautiful too, the background you have created is stunning.

Sue

Julie said...

This is beautiful Chris. I just stocked up on cigar boxes. I know what I will be making for Christmas gifts.

Hugs,
Julie

June Nelson said...

Fantastic Chris, your freind is very lucky and im sure whe will treasure this, love what you did with the box, never heard of rub and buff,must look it up as I have some drawers I want shabby chic, it may work for them, thanks hunnie hope your keepoing ok big huggies June xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Claudia Rosa ~ Pretty Pressings said...

HI Chris, what a very pretty gift!
I love the shabby chic look - its something you can have for years to come on your nightstand.

hugs

Helena (Gvendalen) said...

fabulous gift box and the tag. thank you for tutorial. hugs, Helena

Denise said...

Such a gorgeous gift Chris - love the butterfly image and the way you have smudged the black outline is so effective.
Hugs
Denise xx

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

WOW amagnificent box. Love the design and gorgeous butterfly very much.
That tag is beautiful too with a fabulous background.
Hugs Anja

whyducks said...

Oh how lovely!

Kjersti said...

Wow! You really did a great job on this one - it's gorgeous!
Have a nice week!
Hugs Kjersti:)

Inger Harding said...

Thanks for joining my blog Giveaway :)
GOOD LUCK!
♥ Hugs, Inger

G Peplow said...

Yes! Gorgeous, I love the depth of colour surrounding your butterfly, thank you so much for sharing Chris :0) Gay x

Elly said...

You know i love your paintings and sketches. The box is oh..so beautiful and the tag is just stunning. What a cool combination: Chris - Monet Style (:o)

Sandy said...

Well you are home from holiday with a big band. Your box is beautiful and I really think you captured the essence of Monet. Looks like I might have missed some of your postings - oh woe is me.
Sandy