Blogs, Backgrounds and Boxes - Oh My!

Lately, I've been experimenting with my art and my boxes -- they have been consistent sellers in my etsy shop and at shows. I seem to have found my "canvas!" This past weekend, I took my collage art to a new level by experimenting with a technique I learned in Somerset Studios magazine, and let me just say it was a messy (literally) process. I was covered in paper, paint and Mod Podge, but I was having fun!  I'm actually finished except for the insides, which need to be either decoupaged or lined with velvet paper.

This is really one of those go-with-the-flow projects, however, I can give you some initial steps.

Materials needed:

• Wood boxes
• White gesso or a primer of your choice
• Mod Podge
• Paint colors of your choice (I used Deco Arts Americana Winter Blue and Snow White).
• Paint brushes
• Rag or paper towels
• Marker
• Scraps of paper to match the shades of paint (or not - really whatever you want). I used some scrapbook paper, vintage sheet music, wrapping paper.
• Stamps
• Ink
• Vintage jewelry piece for knob (if you want a knob)

1. Clean and gesso your "canvas" -- whether it be a real canvas or a wood box. I used little unfinished wood boxes.

2.  Paint your boxes a base color. I used Deco Arts Americana Winter Blue ( I love this color!!!). Let it dry.

3.  Using Mod Podge, randomly glue strips of ripped paper all over the box -- except the bottom. Let the box dry.

4. "Paint" over everything with a mixture of watered down white paint. I used Deco Arts Americana Snow (Titanium) White. Tip: you can also add a touch of brown paint to antique it if you want.

5. Rub off the paint in areas. This will provide you with a background for the rest of your collage.

6. Go wild with stamps, ink, more paint, and markers. Again, I left the bottom a calm winter blue and  stamped it with a message of "Peace."

7. Last, I used a piece of vintage jewelry for a knob and to add interest. I have a huge stash of broken vintage earrings, but you don't have to use vintage. Make sure the back of the piece is semi flat so it can be easily attached to the box lid. To attach, dab a dot of Gorilla Super Glue to the piece and press it against the box lid. Hold for about a minute. I like using the Gorilla brand because it dries quickly, clear and it really, really holds!

I can't wait to do more!! But, must. Control. Self.

I am linking to my first DIY Club party:

And, by the way, the little star box made the front page of etsy -woo hoo!

In the Process

Bear with me guys...I'm in the process of changing my blog look. I've been sitting here all morning just playing and it's not quite complete yet. I'm learning a lot by trial and error. The new header is a photograph my son took and I think it's perfect for me since I love vintage, I am a writer and hey, my son took this photo -- need I say more? Oh, and I finally have a button (to the right after my etsy shops). Speaking of which,  I also changed the banner for my etsy shop Country Tag Sale. Go take a look.

tell me what you think ...   Tomorrow you may see something different.

Little Boxes of Joy

I've been having fun creating little trinket boxes for sale in my shop and for the upcoming craft fair. I've also had a few custom requests. And, I love custom requests! When I create something as a gift for someone, I really get to pour my heart and soul into the project. For example, I recently had a request from a mom in Texas to create a jewelry box for her daughter. I made one for the other daughter earlier this summer, and I can't wait to personalize this next one for the older daughter (I'll show you a before and after in a future post).

I also hand painted and embellished a 16th birthday present for my friend's daughter -- makes it really special when you actually know the person!

Here are the two I made for her (below). I let her mom select her favorite. As you can see, they are completely different styles. Since she's a dancer, her mom opted for the larger, more dance-oriented box. This one was painted a pale pink and distressed by rubbing a black glaze medium along the sides. I then used rubber stamps to create the top designs and highlighted them with this cool opalescent water color ink that I bought at a garage sale. I added Swarovski crystals to the ballet shoes to match the vintage jewelry piece I used for the knob. So much fun!

The other design is a little less dance-oriented (except for the quote). On this one I tried some different materials to create basically the same distressed look. I used white gesso to paint it and then rubbed "Shabby Shutters" distressed ink from Tim Holtz along the sides ... I liked the effect! Then I added some Prima flowers, vintage pearls and this little pearl thingie I found in my stash.

Last, is another jewel box that a friend of mine bought from me (the very top photo). It features a gorgeous and colorful vintage jewelry piece. She wanted some velvet paper added to the inside so I finished it up and added a pretty stamped flower with a Swarovski crystal inside to surprise her (I'm not showing it just in case she reads this before tonight).

I always like to add a surprise element to the bottom of the boxes that I create and I don't photograph it for my etsy shop because I want it to be a surprise for the buyer. Just a little extra!

Inspirations: My All-Time Favorite Room Makeover

I've always loved the ice palace scene in Dr. Zhivago and always thought it be so cool to re-create those rooms ... all white and ice covered. However, having three boys (four, if you count my husband) and dogs really threw a wrench into that dream. But, I had the opportunity, not too long ago, to actually follow that dream. After visiting a local decorator show house, I thought it would be exciting to design a room myself. I shared this idea with my friend Kristin, another home décor enthusiast, and together we embarked on this challenging, yet exhilarating journey.

After we approached the Springhill Center for Family Development with our ideas, we began planning to transform an ordinary conference room (shown on right) into a white winter wonderland. On a limited budget (very limited) and only two weeks to transform the room, we went to work. We painted the ceiling a soft cream and then Jessica, a local designer and friend, applied a Venetian plaster wall technique and cream paint to cover the existing wallpaper. A metallic antique bronze was mixed with a glaze and applied in select spots to highlight the texture.

We developed the basic layout and began the hunt for unique and white or off-white furniture. The first thing we needed was a white chaise lounge – a real budget challenge until Ethan Allen loaned us a beautiful, soft cream-colored chaise and pillows to match. After that, we pieced together the rest, discovering and purchasing delicate side chairs, a gorgeous crystal chandelier, a huge mirror to extend the look of the tiny room, and a soft white shag rug. Remnants of luxurious fabric were layered and sewn together to create majestic window treatments -- a total of only $90!!! To add interest to the ceiling, we purchased, cut and tacked up antique ceiling tins in strategic locations. Continuing the mirrored theme we added Kristin’s glamorous mirrored chest, and then purchased two mirrored wall sconces and a small mirrored table at a local consignment shop.

The Before pics: A meeting room at the Springhill Center for Family Development had sky blue ceilings, wallpaper made to resemble stone blocks, and a brightly-painted blue closet (sans doors). 

The shallow closet without doors gave us the biggest challenge. After measuring, purchasing and cutting wood shelves to fit in the shallow space, we discovered that like most old houses, the walls were uneven and the plaster was almost impossible to work with. Plan B: create an outdoor window scene complete with tree branches, snow and lighting. After scavenging through my neighborhood for the perfect trees (these were all laying by the roadside, so we didn't actually cut them down), we  painted them and dusted them with glitter, and then used Christmas tree stands to support them. We added back spotlights, “snow” and icicles to create a majestic winter scene.

The resplendent result: A luxurious sitting room, decorated with shades of winter whites, icy silvers and crystals. 

What a dream come true! By the way, the window treatments now are at home in my dining room ... a sweet reminder of what could be ...

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade my cluttered, country distressed home full of boys for anything, but it was nice for two weeks.

I'm linking to:

Photo credits: Dr. Zhivago by Ken Danvers, still photographer for David Lean's Dr. Zhivago. via BFI.uk.org and last picture by Vince Lupo Photography.  

Boxing Day!

Boxing Day began in England, in the nineteenth century, under Queen Victoria. Boxing Day was a way for the upper class to give gifts of cash, or other goods, to those of the lower classes.

This Boxing Day is different ... it’s mine! For some reason, every tag, estate and yard sale I went to had cool boxes! So…I loaded up on them…as you can see.  And, here’s what I’ve been doing with them. These are going to be marketed as jewelry or keepsake boxes.

The new bigger ones (picture on very top and to the left) are much longer, deeper and roomier and I’m not exactly sure what I’ll do with them after painting and embellishing them. Any ideas?

The Truth

My sister's jewelry show was very successful and I sold four jewelry boxes, too!
Very happy!
On Tuesday, as part of winning the Creative Writer Blogger award, I shared 6 things about myself and only one was true. So, which one was true, you ask?
1. After graduating from college, I worked as a fashion intern and then assistant fashion writer at Seventeen Magazine. It was very low paying and I eventually had to leave New York, so I could actually eat.

False. I wish it were true. I actually was a fashion copywriter in Philadelphia right after I graduated. Got offered the same job and New York, but turned it down. They offered me $15,000 - I think that might of covered five months rent.

2. My grandparents had a farm in Vermont. Me and my sister would spend the entire summer there and every time we came home, our house was changed. For example, one August we came back to find a new sunporch off of our kitchen. Other summers, we would find our bedrooms completely changed -- new bedspreads, freshly painted walls, etc. It was fun trying to guess what would change while we were away.

Totally false; I don't even know anyone who lives in Vermont. 3. I learned to ski when I was only four years old. I skied throughout high school (but we didn't have a team, just a club) and finally realized my dream when I joined my college ski team as a freshman. I quit my sophomore year after I ran into a snow making machine in front of my teammates.

False. I learned to ski in high school and didn't actually get good at it until my early 20s. I did run into a snow making machine and actually got stuck there until some kind soul pulled me up (that was in high school).4. When I was working as the senior editor of FTD's Florist Magazine, famous rock musician Bob Seger's wife (Annette Sinclair) wore my wedding dress on the cover of our bridal issue. It was a size two and it was still too big on her so we had to pin it up in the back.

Truth. That girl was so tiny that we had to pin the back of the dress and photograph her in a certain way so you couldn't tell (way before Photoshop).5. When I brought home a "grab bag box" from a local flea market, I found a beautiful, but dirt-covered, precious stone brooch. After researching online, I found similar brooches valued at $300. I paid a total of $5 for the entire box of items! I still have it and should probably sell it because I've never worn it.

False. A dream.6. I went to college to study journalism, but switched my major halfway through my junior year to fine arts. My parents weren't happy. I ended up graduating with two BA degrees, but was much poorer as a result. I did finally manage to pay off my student loans after I was married.

False. I majored in art and fashion for a year and ended up with a degree in journalism.

Now, I have to pass on the award. Hmm, who shall I pass this on to? Let's see, how about Gina at 
The Shabby Chic Cottage
and Mandi at
Vintage Revivals
Ladies: Just grab the Creative Writer Blogger graphic from this page and let your creative mind go wild! Write six things about yourself long or short and make ONLY ONE the truth. I know you can do it.

The Truth and The Jewelry Show

Thanks to my pal Cassie at Primitive and Proper, I was recently awarded the Creative Writer Blogger Award. So, I have to write 6 things about myself and you have to guess which one of the 6 is true. Then I get to pass on the award ... watch out, it could be you!

Followers not allowed to guess include my family members! Speaking of which, my sister, Stacie, is coming to my house this Thursday to hold her annual handcrafted jewelry show (see example above). If you live in the area, be sure to contact me for directions to my home. If you don't live in Maryland, check out her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/staciejewelry.


Anyway, a couple days from now, you will find out the real truth and nothing but the truth. Here are my six "truths." 
1. After graduating from college, I worked as a fashion intern and then assistant fashion writer at Seventeen Magazine. It was very low paying and I eventually had to leave New York, so I could actually eat.
2. My grandparents had a farm in Vermont. Me and my sister would spend the entire summer there and every time we came home, our house was changed. For example, one August we came back to find a new sunporch off of our kitchen. Other summers, we would find our bedrooms completely changed -- new bedspreads, freshly painted walls, etc. It was fun trying to guess what would change while we were away.
3. I learned to ski when I was only four years old. I skied throughout high school (but we didn't have a team, just a club) and finally realized my dream when I joined my college ski team as a freshman. I quit my sophomore year after I ran into a snow making machine in front of my teammates.
4. When I was working as the senior editor of FTD's Florist Magazine, famous rock musician Bob Seger's wife (Annette Sinclair) wore my wedding dress on the cover of our bridal issue. It was a size two and it was still too big on her so we had to pin it up in the back.
5. When I brought home a "grab bag box" from a local flea market, I found a beautiful, but dirt-covered, precious stone brooch. After researching online, I found similar brooches valued at $300. I paid a total of $5 for the entire box of items! I still have it and should probably sell it because I've never worn it.
6. I went to college to study journalism, but switched my major halfway through my junior year to fine arts. My parents weren't happy. I ended up graduating with two BA degrees, but was much poorer as a result. I did finally manage to pay off my student loans after I was married.


So, which one of these is really the truth? Oh, and winner(s) get a prize!