Saturday, September 01, 2012

an altered, sewing-themed box, perfect for gifting!

I was so pleased with how the pencil box turned out, I decided that for my next
Altered Arts Magazine design team project I'd try a sewing themed box.  My
mom is an avid quilter, and gets together with a group to sew.  This box would
be perfect for her scissors and such that she needs to take along with her.


The hinged box measures almost 10 by almost 4 1/2 inches, and started life
holding a pack of sports cards--it used to look like this:
but now it looks like this:
sewing box front
For this one, I used my Gelli Plate to print some background papers, and then
cut panels from the monotypes to fit the sides of the box.

sewing box top
Stamped the images, and THEN adhered the panels to the box (learned that
lesson the hard way!), and (this is the tricky part) used a razor blade to make
slits around the three sides of the opening, so the lid can, in fact, open.

box back--no slit here, the box is hinged

Added a little paint, the trim, and some crayon to finish it off.  Had to show the
back here, too--I really like that measuring tape stamp!

I'm thinking this would be a great gifty box for holding a simple sewing set for
someone going off to college, or moving out for the first time--you know, some
threads, scissors, a few buttons, maybe a  thimble?

Used stamps from all of these yummy Blockheads sets:

Notions --measuring tape, lace, collage-y sewing elements, hooks and eyes
Year Ago --dreamy face
Grunge Collages --mother and child, moths, butterfly
Sewing --thimble, spool of thread, scissors
Weaving --spinning wheel and loom

Thank you for stopping by--leave me a comment, and I'll be by to see what
you're working on, too.  Have a wonderful weekend!

22 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful box! Valerie

Brenda Brown said...

Mmmm my favourite sewing theme and this is scrummy Trisha. It's incredible how you have made that ordinary packaging into such a useful box and so beautifully coloured and stamped. A real work of art.
Have a great weekend.
hugs {brenda} xox

Unknown said...

Adore it hun. lovely colours and work those stamps girl they are really yummy Love all the sewing theme stuff xx

Marjie Kemper said...

What a transformation... love this beautiful box and all your fab stamping!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous altered box and not only beautiful but practical. Beautiful stamps and colours.
Wishes
Lynne

Lynn Stevens said...

Awesome way to repurpose a box. Such a wonderful gift.
Hugs Lynn

Unknown said...

Great what you've made out off it! And thanks for your nice comment on my blog.
Barbara

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous altered box trisha, loving the stamped images and the gorgeous colours
beautiful work my friend
hugs June x

2amscrapper said...

great project and I agree it would be wonderful to fill for a college student.

Alexa said...

Thnk it may be worth taking up quilting just to justify making such a lovely box!!

PetraB said...

you can never start early enough, a beautiful box

Sharon said...

Wow this is a fantastic altered box & the sewing images and the colours are great!

Michele said...

it is perfect! so beautiful! xo

Krisha said...

What a great gift and a beautiful piece of art

Sandi McLean said...

Great project! And this one could be made to suit....

Lucy Edmondson said...

this is absolutely gorgeous, Trisha! Love the colours and choice of images and so beautifully done,

Lucy x

1CardCreator said...

This is gorgeous!

Ibarra Creations 4U said...

Trisha, this is soooo beautiful!!! I'm sure your mom is going to love it!!! :)

trisha too said...

Petra, you are so right---I CAN'T start early enough, it always seems like there's something last minute, no matter how early I begin!!

:)

trisha too said...

That's kind of what I was thinking, too, Sandi, as I was looking at my pile of boxes . . . could make them for my stamping friends, knitting friend--you get the idea!

:)

Leslie said...

Wow, this is gorgeous, Trisha! I just love the colors and images!
Big hugs,
Leslie

trisha too said...

Thank you, everyone, for your kind comments!
:)