Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Christmas Emporium from Graphic 45




 Those of you who follow me may remember I started this Graphic 45 Altered Art Box/with Album in Sept. up at the cabin in Minnesota.

Having said that, it's not unusual for me to work on something for months. Look at it, play around, add this, think of that at midnight, forget what I thought about the next morning....etc, etc, etc.




But, I did paint the box and glue the 2 layers around the base that you see here with the GORGEOUS Merry and Bright paper.

I LOVE the papers with the most black in them for some reason, and this one is fabulous!

These are mostly from the 8x8 paper pad Christmas Emporium, but I did use a few 12x12 sheets and some lighter backgrounds Let It Snow from Christmas Past.

I started by painting the box with Black Acrylic Paint.

Then I cut the papers apart...



Literally....all of the pieces...only using one of the 2 sheets in the pack.

Then I trace and cut the opening for the front section, stamp, distress ink, spray, and glue.



Time for a night photo.....this really shows the gorgeous spray of Sunflower Sparkle Perfect Pearls Mist on the blue paper for the cover front.




Next I start layering.

The hardest part for me is deciding it's time to glue.

So I punched out all the Christmas Emporium Tags 1 and started to add paper and stamped images to the backs.



This is a look inside the box standing up after I've tied the tags to a Tim Holtz Curio Knob.



A closer detail look at the inside spine. Be careful not to layer anything too thick as the box will not close properly. 





The chipboard frame is from Red Lead, and I've added many different layers of Distress Ink and Stamps.

The cutout frame with Glossy Accents is layered on top.

The Gold beaded trim is tree trim from Hobby Lobby.

The Wooden Stars and Gold Rick-Rack are from JoAnn's.


Although the papers from Graphic 45 are perfectly vintage the way they are, I tend to add Tea Dye Distress Ink. It seems to make them just a bit richer and deeper in color.



I've stamped the edge here and added some extra dots as fill in.

The green chipboard piece has permanent marker along the edges.





After painting a couple of layers of acrylic paint on the wooden feet, I added Platinum Pearls-Liquid Pearls in little dots. 

Then some black Gel Glaze Pen dots to the bottom of the feet.


This is the bottom of the box.
I stamped the rejoicing family onto Let It Snow paper and added different Distress Inks to the edges.

The Green is Evergreen Bough from the Limited Edition Winter 2011 Distress Ink from Tim Holtz, and an Artistic Outpost stamp from the Sleigh Ride set.

The stamped piece was layered onto Transatlantique-Globe Trotter paper for drama!




Here's a detail shot of the Stamped images with Jet Black Archival Ink, and dots that I can't live without.

  


This is a dark picture of the inside of the box.




This is what is on my desk....Emma told me it was "kinda a mess" yesterday. JUST KINDA??????

I think I've worked harder than that to make it a REAL, BIG MESS...but that's just my opinion.

Now to decorate the INSIDE PAGES...I WILL POST THEM STARTING DEC. 1ST.

Come Back AGAIN!

Linda

29 comments:

Nancy said...

OMG, Linda!!!! This is AWESOME!!!! Please tell me you're sending it to me??? LOL
Seriously, this is stunning, beautiful, wonderful!!
Have a glorious Thanksgiving!

Charlene E. said...

As usual you ROCKED this! If you don't send it to Nancy will you send it to me?
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Jan Hennings said...

Great project and love this G45 line :)

Electra said...

BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL!!

SusanK said...

I don't care how long it took you to make, it was worth it! WOW!

ann said...

OHhhhhh amazing I soooooo love this.xx

Unknown said...

Just the perfect piece of inspiration for a project I've started. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU LInda!!!!

cheryl said...

OM Gosh hun this is just fantastic gosh you are one super talented lady hun this really is a work of art oh how I would love too see this in the flesh,stunning hun hugs cherylxxxxxx
happy thanksgiving too,

Helen said...

FAB box - even the bottom looks amazing... What a stunnng work of art. Have a great trip for Thanksgiving.

Candy C said...

Linda, this is absolutely FABULOUS! Oh my gosh...all of the THOUGHT that went into creating such a keepsake! I love every little intricate detail! This truly is a work of art that you have poured yourself into. It screams "LINDA CAIN MADE ME!" This beautiful box really does show off G45's Christmas paper to it's full potential! <3 Candy

Marijane said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh Linda, this Christmas box is positively GORGEOUS!!! I was so excited to see what you would come up with, and I was NOT disappointed. Your layering and attention to detail is flawless and the Graphic 45 paper is my favorite of their collections thus far (and that makes it really amazing). Now I have more to look forward to, waiting to see what you do with the inside! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Today I am thankful for artists like you who are willing to share their ideas with us!

linda said...

Linda, your box is just beautiful. I love all the details and thanks for all the info with the pull-outs - lots of technique in there.

Shelly Hickox said...

This is beyond amazing, Linda! The detail is incredible - you are a master. Seriously!! I'm speechless!

Debby said...

Wow what a beautiful project. Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful trip!

Lynne Forsythe said...

OH MY STINKIN' WORD Linda.....hold on had to wipe the DROOOOOL off my face!! WOWZEROOOOONIE!!! pure GORGEOUSNESS!!

HAVE A VERY HAPPPPPPY THANKSGIVING my friend!!!

Lynn Stevens said...

What a Fabulous box Linda!!! and enjoyed seeing the process!
I do the same thing, come up with an idea but don't write it down..then its gone in the A.M. LOL

Is this going under the Christmas tree for someone special this year? If so someone will be very pleased!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving away.
hugs Lynn

Martina said...

What a great project! So beautifully created!

Elaine A said...

Linda -

This is such a beautiful treasure! I can't believe all the detail and work you put into it, gorgeous. An amazing piece of art!

Have a grand time in the Smokies Linda. Wishing you and your family a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Elaine Allen

Shelly said...

Linda-this turned out great! You are an inspiration to me :) Thanks for sharing it.

Linda said...

Goodness! This is stunning. I just finished this box with the same papers, and now want to redo the entire thing. Beautiful work. I especially like all of the little details. Thanks for sharing it with us. Happy Thanksgiving.

Art By Wanda said...

Fabulous, Linda!!!! You are sooooooooo good at putting the different papers together and it's like they were made to be together!! You are amazing!!!

Sarah said...

Truly magnificent in every way and clearly an utter joy to create - love every single corner and detail and laughed at the 'when to stick' line... when, indeed.

Mary Luxa said...

Linda, this is truly a work of art. Can't wait to see what you put on the inside!!! Once my son graduates in May, watch out crafters, I'm comin'!!!

2amscrapper said...

This is such a fantastic piece! I've been admiring it here and on FB. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Lisa Davis said...

This is gorgeous...So inspiring...Makes me want to go to my craft room and create.... however not enough time.. maybe something like this can be my January project to document Christmas 2011.. Unless of course this will be a class next year(hint hint)..

misteejay said...

Wowzer, what a stunning piece of work - love everything about it.

Toni xx

Maria said...

This is stinking gorgeous!!! I love everything you do!!

Anonymous said...

holy cow, Linda, this is gorgeous! Are you coming to CHA Winter? Cause I'd love to see and touch this in person!

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

holy cow, Linda, this is gorgeous! Are you coming to CHA Winter? Cause I'd love to see and touch this in person!

Merry Christmas to you and your family.