Saturday, July 02, 2011

Box to Handbag in Next to No Time.

Remember the empty tea bag box that PG monkey got so upset about being on his desk the other day ? Well I decided to take it out into the garden to photograph and Wimpy just had come out from behind the washing machine and get into the act. I needed to change this box from being just a box into a bag for the Artful June Bag challenge. Now the result is totally, totally not what I started out to make but it sort of evolved along the way and anyway it follows my Japanese theme (thats my story and I'm sticking to it).



So here it is. I had picked out the red cord for the handle and decided to paint the box red to match so out came some old poster paints and I painted the town red so to speak. Several coats later and a delve into my material box came up with this japanese cotton fabric qtr that I had purchased from ebay and an idea began to form. I punched holes in the sides for the cord handle and covered the front, back and top in the material and the humming bird is an Embossing stencil called 'Summer Bloom' by Papermania stenciled onto white card. The flowers are a Hero Arts stamp set called '3 Dotted Flowers' which I stamped out onto white paper and coloured using water colour pencils and then layered the different sizes up to make blooms using brads for the centres. Liberally spritzed with water and scrunched up and then unfolded and left to dry. My thanks to Neil for the tutorial on his blog.



Close up of the back showing the print. I have no idea what it says or it it is glued the right way up!



Close up showing the humming bird (done in black water colour pencil) and the flowers. I'm really please how they have turned out.



I'm going to enter this into the following challenges.

Tuly Scrumptious: Things with Wings.

Ruby's Rainbow: Flowers.

Craft Your Passion: Seeing Red. (use red on your project).

Paper Play Challenges: Anything but a card.

Hooked on Craft: Show us your Flowers.

Tuesday Taggers: alter it week. All boxed up.

and last but not least

Frosted Petunias: Artful Bag challenge.

21 comments:

Sherry said...

Fabulous transformation Mrs A - those little flowers are beautiful - but the question is - does Monkey approve and is he Turning Japanese (I really think so!)

Sandra H said...

Well, l was thinking that too!...lol the hummingbird is adorable and l like the flowers they have turned out really well, this truely is lovely:) Sandra H

CuddlyBunny said...

It's a good thing you took that 'before' photo ... otherwise we wouldn't believe it started life as anything other than a GORGEOUS handmade bag!

Always with a Sentiment said...

WOW, Mrs. A. You really are one amazing crafter. Who would have know this bag started life as a box. Absolutely stunning. You are so very creative, and make the most beautiful projects. Love it. Your flowers to are just fantastic. Happy crafting.
With love, Sandra xxx

Debbie said...

What a great transformation Mrs A. I love doing this, don' get chance to do it as much a s i would like. It is fantastic to see the before and after. Brilliant. Debbiexx

Catherine said...

This is absolutely gorgeous ! OMG it's amazing what you have created with an empty box of tea... You are such a talented Lady ! I know I keep repeat it but it is sooooo true ! Hugs x

PatR said...

Fantastic!! This is just perfect for our challenge over at TioT, thanks for joining us. xx

Zue said...

Just brilliant! You are still making things for your blog...wow!!
The dye you enquired about is just the food colouring we have used from the start. Just as it comes out of the bottles but it does get mixed!
Sue xx

Sally Morgan said...

Really beautiful, stunning transformation!
Thanks for joining us at Hooked on Craft Challenges.
*hugs* Sal x

Angela Weimer said...

A great box to purse. Love the design and colour. Thanks for joining in at Try it on Tuesday and have a great day. Angela

Ali said...

WOW!!! That is lovely sooo pretty xx

Faye said...

Well even though you described it to me, this is not what I was expecting. This is better. It's a realy striking colour combo and the flowers look FANTASTIC. xxx

Elly said...

A stunning, recycled bag! The fabrics looks glued right for me (:o))The bird stencil is awesome and the flowers..omg...All the colours fit perfect.Hugs Elly

Neil said...

Beautiful box, Thank you for joining us at Try it on Tuesday

Anja´s kortkreasjoner said...

such a fab box. Thank you for joining our 'Things with Wings' challenge over at Truly Scrumptious.

Hugs, Anja

Wendy said...

Great project and so love the flowers and image thank you for joining us at truly scrumptious this week for our things with wings challenge

Wendy DT TS

Liz's creative corner said...

Wow stunning creation, love the image and your fabulous flowers, thanks for joining us at paper play, hugs Liz xx

Leanne said...

What a change from the original! Beautifully done!

Jo said...

This is beautiful, you're so clever and talented, and your flowers are superb :)

Whilst rummaging through my craft trolley the other day, I happened to find some fimo, and thought you might like a RAK, as it's a shame that it's sitting there not being put to good use.
If you would like it, could you email me your address please so I can send it on to you.

Jo xx

Do What You Love said...

Absolutely stunning, Mrs. A. I love how you turned an ordinary tea box into a beautiful hand bag - absolutely gorgeous. I love the red color - so bright and vivid and the Asian characters on the back really bring out the uniqueness of it. Love the hummingbird. Did you draw that yourself? You're so fabulous! Have a groovy weekend! :-)

Dr Sonia S V said...

I am so glad you dropped by my blog. You are amazing with so many varieties of crafts. I have been browsing your blog for ages and dont feel like leaving !
Cheers from Bangalore ,India
Dr Sonia S V
http://cardsandschoolprojects.blogspot.com