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Thursday 31 January 2013

Recycled and Retro






The theme of the current Stampsmith Challenge is 'Re cycle Re use' and I have just managed to sneak in my entry before the end of the challenge. I up cycled a plastic glasses case from a well known optician. I got this idea from Zoe who beautifully altered one on her blog last year. I painted it first with gesso then glued on some Tim tissue paper, then a little fresco finish paint. Then I stamped a selection of stamps onto PaperArtsy crackly tissue paper and glued to the case using matt medium. I buffed on a little distress inks, salty ocean and victorian velvet. I used my gold krylon pen around the edges. The reverse is slightly different but uses the same combination of stamps. Finally sealing with spray varnish.

My crafting area is what I would call 'bijoux' It is in the corner of our kitchen and it is now overflowing with all my crafting bits and bobs, as well as one of my sewing machines. I am a seriously messy crafter, and can never find anything on my desk, especially my glasses (looks like a bin has been emptied on it most of the time, yes seriously!) so my ever patient Hubby, who is the complete opposite of me and very organised has decided to do a spot of DIY SOS and build an internal wall so I can have some more storage space. So in the mean time I may not be able to do as much crafting as I'd like, but I can still sneak upstairs and do a spot of sewing. A day is not complete without a spot of crafting is it?

Thank you for all my lovely comments & Happy Crafting


I would like to enter this for the following challenges


27 comments:

Yvonne Garner said...

Hi Paula! Your project is perfect for the challenge. Very clever, too. So nice of your hubby to build a wall to give you more space! Hurry back with more beautiful projects. Best, Yvonne

Jenny Marples said...

Absolutely delicious Paula. What a stunning transformation! Have you considered entering this into the current Frilly and Funkie challenge? Hugs, Jenny x

Elaine said...

Fantastic project Paula, I feel like rushing to find all my old specs cases! Good luck with your new improved craft area, you wont know yourself! Elaine x

Ink Art Designs said...

Oh this is sooo gorgeous Paula! I love what you have done here. The stamps fit beautifully.
Dot x

Shirl said...

Paula absolutely gorgeous. I am sure those of us who wear glasses have a few cases lying around and I know what we are going to do with them lol.

Hugs Shirley x x

Brenda Brown said...

Fabulous renovation Paula, just love the stamps you have used. Good luck with the reorganisation of the craft space, I am still trying to get everything back in my room and can't find a thing I want lol.
Hugs Brenda xox

Deborah said...

Stunning! Makes me wish I wore glasses :-)

It's amazing how many of us have to craft in less than perfect spaces. But it doesn't stop us.

Astrid Maclean said...

Brilliant like always, perfect for the theme too!

Sam & Poppy said...

Wow, that's such a cool idea and executed perfectly. Love it!
big hugs, Sam and Poppy xx

Meggymay said...

Fabulous alteration, great selection of stamping.
Yvonne

Words and Pictures said...

Absolutely enchanting, Paula - the stamping is gorgeous, and the colours so beautifully vintage. Love that gold edging too!
Alison x

Canonbury creations said...

Stunning altered case Paula, who wouldn't want such a beautiful and original glasses case:)
Val x

Anonymous said...

Hi Paula
You always create so beautifully with The Stampsmith stamps and this piece of up-cycling is no exception. Love this idea (might need to search for an old case as the one I have at the moment wouldn't be suitable). A brilliant idea and she looks so perfect set amongst the Parisian style stamps.
Thank you for joining us at TSC and Good Luck with the Prize Draw.
Wishes
Lynne
P.S. Could you tell me the name of the soft pink colour (paint?). So many pinks are on the harsh side for my liking but this is very delicate as is the blue.
What a wonderful DH you have to create the internal wall for you.

Dorthe said...

It is beautiful, Paula,-love your re-use -love your choices of papers,and colours.
A wonderful new case. LOVELY!
xo,Dorthe

Paper Profusion said...

Hi Paula - gorgeous gorgeous transformation. I love all elements. I too have a bijou crafting space - I know all about searching for things - no hubby to build a wall though! Nicola x

Netty said...

Please send me your address Paula so I can send you one my spec cases, it so needs to look like your gorgeous one. Hugs Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Yes, may I have your address as well please? I have 4 glass cases and would love them to look this gorgeous! Fantastic work Paula, this is totally wow! xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

How cool is this ?! I must put this on my to-do-list - a gorgeous idea.

Annie said...

Hi Paula love your altered glass case....absolutely stunning. Good luck

Annie x

Jenny Marples said...

Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie with this Paula. You know I think it is superb. Have a great weekend, hugs Jenny x

craft-roomjulia said...

Hi Paula, another beautiful vintage creation, such soft delicate colours, seriously dreamy. Zoe did a fabulous job with her case, Maria was the very lucky person to receive that!! I am very lucky to have my own craft room, but no matter how much space I have it ends up just as you describe, and I end up crafting in about a 2 inch square space lol. Julia x X X

Sophie said...

Eine unglaublich wunderschöne Arbeit.
Und die Idee ist fantastisch.
Mir gefällt die Zusammenstellung der verschiedenen Stempel.
Klasse!

Terry said...

Oh, Oh, Oh!!! I have many of those cases and have thought about doing something for ages! Thanks for the push!!! Paula, how wonderful this is! Gorgeous way to house glasses and for those of us who have like "5" pairs, we can do a theme for each case! Love this!!!

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Oh my, this is completely GORGEOUS. I love the wonderful collage of vintage stamps you have put together here. Your blending of colors is delightful too. We should all have our glasses cases this beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Frilly and Funkie.

Hugs,
Linda

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Oh my, this is completely GORGEOUS. I love the wonderful collage of vintage stamps you have put together here. Your blending of colors is delightful too. We should all have our glasses cases this beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Frilly and Funkie.

Hugs,
Linda

Donna Gibson said...

What a beautiful job you did on this glasses case! I'm totally smitten with it and want to find one of my own to alter now! But if mine turned out like anything remotely close to what you did then I wouldn't want to use it!! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Frilly and Funkie!

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Wow this is gorgeous and sooooooo creative!

greetings, Alie :-)