Bee Crazy, thanks to Eclectic Paperie


Inspiration comes from all around us. For my project today, it was bees. Anyone who knows me knows that I have this odd obsession with bees. There's just something about them that makes me happy. See this older post too.

So when I received some bee goodies from Eclectic Paperie I couldn't wait to get started on something fun with a bee theme. Out to the garage I went to my stash of alterable items to see what I could dig up and make into something pretty. I tend to collect just about anything that I can alter in some way, either at the store, garage sales, thrift shops, you name it. 


I decided on this cigar box.



And turned it into this. 



I started with a coat of Gesso just to prep the surface. (You can see how excited I was to get started. I didn't even take the time to pull off the hardware closure on the front of the box.)



Then a coat of creamy, off-white acrylic paint. (Still haven't bothered to pull that hardware off yet.)



Then I started adhering hexagons cut from My Mind's Eye "Honey" paper. I used Glue and Seal matte finish. After it dried, I flipped the box over and with a VERY sharp blade in my Xacto knife, I trimmed away the excess. Incidentally, each hexagon was ink-distressed with Frayed Burlap Distress ink.



Also in my stash were these small frames that were $1 at Michael's a few months back. I thought this might be nice added to the top of the box somehow.




I thought it needed some color so I embossed it with Antique Linen Distress Embossing Powder. It looks a bit more yellow here than in person, so I was pleased with the outcome so far.



I thought it needed a little variegation though, so I tried out some Latte Alcohol Ink here and there was that seemed to do the trick.



I added a snippet of one of the papers in the same collection inside the frame, then adhered a Art Parts bee which I painted and then stamped with the bee image from the Art for You stamp set by Wendy Vecchi.



For some corner adornment, I painted these guys with Salmon paint, then buffed away some paint to allow the metal to show through.



I did the same to the box feet too.



Then I started adorning the top of the box with buttons. I love to layer smaller buttons on larger ones. These are all from Tim Holtz's Idea-ology.



After adhering the frame unit, I added some small flowers and leaves in clusters.



Here's a look at the top of the box. As for the inside, I'll eventually get to that. I plan to give this to my mother for Christmas (although I secretly want to keep it). Thank goodness she doesn't (know how to) follow my blog, otherwise it's not going to be a surprise.


Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you have a fantastic day. Bee happy!

Comments

  1. Fabulous project! Love the hexies and how you used the frame on top... it's terrific!

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  2. Wow-this is so beautiful! Your Mom is going to love it for sure!!

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  3. Gorgeous, I love the paper, and BIG congrats for your Tim Holtz shout out today!

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  4. Oh my goodness Annette...this is amazing! So beautiful! Now I need to make my own!! Love, love, love it!

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  5. It "Bee" real cute ( I could not resist ) !

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  6. My Goodness!! You know I'm a huge fan - I have your beautiful art hanging in my studio! This box is awesome - I just LOVE it! Excellent work, very inspiring!
    Hugs!!

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  7. this is simply stunning - thanks for sharing your ideas with us.

    happy holidays
    tina
    one crafty mess

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  8. Looks awesome! Love the papers, the colors... the frame looks fabulous. I think I have something like that.

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  9. It's bee-utiful :) Just love that hexagon paper for the background and all of the fantastic embellishments.

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