My Favourite Thing...

I don't normally revisit my posts, but those nice people at Anything But a Card have set an "Anything Goes/Favourite of 2012" challenge to finish up the year.  So what was my favourite project of 2012?  It has to be my final assemblage for the Timeworn Techniques course - Davy Jones's Locker (or, The Dead Man's Chest).  I'm really glad to have the opportunity to show it again, because I am particularly proud of it!

I learned such a lot from Andy Skinner's course and for the final assemblage I wanted to showcase as many of the techniques as possible.  The effects are mostly achieved with paint plus a few other items and were such fun to do.  (If you want to know how and want to know more then have a peep over at Andy Skinner for his excellent online workshops, http://www.andyskinnercrafts.com/online-workshops.html.  Sorry, but I can't reveal techniques gained from the class, it wouldn't be right or fair on Andy and I would be in breach of copyright.)

The chest is constructed from chipboard which came in boxes of envelopes and is based on a paatern from Laura Denison (I altered the proportions a bit) and the whole thing took me nearly two weeks (on and off) to complete (mainly because I kept thinking of other things to add to it!)  If you want to see more views then the original post is here.

Before I go, I just want to thank you for visiting my blog in 2012 - it's the first year I've really taken the time to share my creations and I appreciate all the lovely comments you've taken the trouble to leave.  Being a bit of a Blog Lurker myself I am always inordinately pleased when someone comments - thank you all.  Especial thanks to those of you who have chosen to follow me.

Anyway, hope you have a happy new year and I'll see you in 2013!

Lady Ermintrude's Hatbox

I believe I've spoken of Lady Ermintrude before, a plucky gel who goes adventuring with her consort, Major Thomas Felix, in a steampunk sort of way.  Lady E wouldn't dream of being seen without a  hat - a lady just doesn't go about bareheaded - so naturally, she needs to ensure her hats are stored properly when not in use.

I took my inspiration for the hatbox from Laura Denison, who used a Graphic 45 film canister as the basis for a hatbox.  I didn't have a canister, so I had to make mine from scratch.    I used some cardboard packaging to make the box(the stuff that cereal boxes is made from would be great for this) and raided my stash for the paper and the German Scrap borders, which just finished off the rough edges.   This is Version 2 (after Lessons Were Learned from v1) and V3 is planned - I need a slightly bigger box to fit a mini hat I have!  I was limited in size to the biggest circle die my Vagabond would take (it's a XL Go Kreate circle). I am probably going to use my Cameo for the next version, though - or I could draw round a plate, but I'm not a brilliant cutter-outer!