Sunday, October 9, 2011

THINGS WITH WINGS

Simon Says .... "Show Some Things With Wings."  I love butterflies and they definitely have wings.  So, my challenge piece this week is all about butterflies.

You need to check out the amazing designs my Design Teammates have made for you at Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge.  Every week...they rock!!  Then, after you get your inspiration, create your "Things With Wings" piece and enter it in our challenge.  You could be the lucky winner of our generous sponsor's

  
WooHoo!!  And ... you could be recognized as one of our TOP THREE artists for the week!  We have some amazing entries every week ... so this is quite an honor to receive our Top Three Blinkie for your blog!

Now ... on to my Butterfly Suitcase ...

Before I go any further...I believe in giving credit where credit is due.  The basic idea for this suitcase came from Kathy Orta of The Paper Phenomenon.  She actually did an entire suitcase made out of paper.  While I didn't want to make an entire suitcase out of paper, I did love the idea of a suitcase interior that was interactive.  So, I modified some of her ideas from her paper suitcase, added her basic paper wallet (with my own design), did my own dimensions and construction and came up with ....


this shabby chic style butterfly suitcase using the beautiful Gabrielle papers from Bo Bunny.  Unlike Kathy's suitcase that is all paper, this is a very sturdy wooden suitcase that I bought at Hobby Lobby on sale for $5.  It measures 12" wide, 8 3/4" tall and 4" deep.  It's a perfect size and weight!  All of the gluing was either done with Ranger's Glue 'N Seal or Wonder Double Sided Tape.  After I applied the papers, every edge was sanded and inked to really give it that shabby chic look.

As I said, I used Bo Bunny's Gabrielle papers entirely on my suitcase.  I love the rich, wonderful warm colors of these papers...the teals, the creams, the browns.  Pure shabby chic elegance!  


The front of the suitcase features a pocket.  I made accordion sides on the pocket so that it can expand.  It is held shut by two velcro tabs on either side and straps made out of kraft paper that really work.  I bought the antique gold buckles and little keyhole brads on the tabs at JoAnns Fabrics.  

 
Here is the back of the suitcase.  The kraft paper straps go all the way around. All of the kraft paper accents are distressed using Vintage Photo Distress Ink and edged in Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  Then I lightly dusted over all of the kraft paper accents with Sunflower Sparkle Perfect Pearls.  All of the papers are distressed with Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain as well.


All of the hardware on the suitcase was originally a shiny silver.  I removed all of it with a little screwdriver and pounced Metallic Gold and then Ginger Alcohol Inks all over the handle, hinges, latch and even the screw heads.  This transformed the shiny silver into shabby chic hardware that blends perfectly with the rich gold and brown hues of the papers.


Hanging from the newly colored hardware are some charms I created.  The patina dragon fly charm was added to some color coordinated beads I strung and wired to the handle base.  The little butterfly girl collage was something I put together and added inside a metal Industrial Chic piece I bought at Michaels.  Originally, it was an antique silver color so I altered it with Gold Alcohol Inks to better match my suitcase.  Then I added just a touch of Juniper Paint Dabber by brushing it on with my finger to give my charm a more patina look.  I love the charms dangling from the handle! 


Here is a picture of the interior of the suitcase without anything in it.  The straps were part of Kathy Orta's paper suitcase.  I thought they were so cute, I made them for my wooden suitcase as well.  The antique gold swivel hooks were also purchased at JoAnns and really do latch and unlatch...just like an old suitcase!  The ribbon is dark brown twill.  The top compartment folds down ... much like a regular suitcase; to reveal yet another pocket behind it.  It is held in place with a kraft paper strap and hidden velcro closures.


Here is the suitcase with all sorts of "treasures" inside that I made using various materials.  More about those in a minute.


And here is the upper portion of the suitcase when it is flipped down to reveal the hidden pocket in the interior of the lid.  The partition is made from chipboard, covered in the Gabrielle papers and distressed on all edges with the Distress Inks.  I also added a butterfly twill ribbon at the base of the interior pocket for decoration.


The bottom of my suitcase is home to my butterfly collection board.  This board was made using a piece of chipboard covered in more of the Gabrielle papers.  The chipboard butterflies are also from Bo Bunny and coordinate with the Gabrielle papers.  I used various Stickles including Platinum, Fruit Punch, Aqua, Waterfall and Patina to accentuate the detail on the chipboard butterflies.  I stamped the butterfly sentiment on a blank chipboard frame and I pop dotted all of the butterflies in place on the board.  The cover on the board is simply some plain plastic packaging from Tim Holtz' Grungeboard.  He says to NEVER THROW AWAY THE PACKAGING!!  He made a believer out of me!!!  I covered the edges with more of the twill butterfly ribbon and made a pull out of the brown twill ribbon that I used on the straps of the suitcase interior.  I added a few "vintage" metal buttons on the corners and the butterfly board was complete.


Here are the other items I made to put on the interior of my suitcase....all about butterflies! 


I found the magnifying glass at Hobby Lobby.  It was black plastic.  I used some Metallic Gold Acrylic paint and swiped it all over the magnifying glass with my finger to give it a shabby chic finish.  Now, I have an antique gold magnifying glass!  I added a butterfly charm and some pretty brown ribbon complete with black butterflies already on the ribbon.  Behind the magnifying glass are some vintage butterflies images that I had on my computer.  I sized them to fit in the pocket, printed them out on newsprint paper and then distressed them with Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress Inks.  They really do look and feel really old! 

On top of the butterfly papers is a little blank journal that I made using plain newsprint paper, chipboard for the covers and then some black masking tape as the spine.  I also had an old vintage book cover titled "The Butterfly Chase" that I had in a file on my computer. Perfect!!! I sized it to fit the cover of my little journal and printed it out.  Then I distressed the edges with the distress inks.  Next, I colorized the cover; especially the little boy and girl and butterflies using Perfect Pearls powders and a small Sakura Water Brush.  You simply dip your water brush into the powders, mix the water and Perfect Pearls into a "paint" on your craft mat and then paint your image.  It's that simple!   

 
 
Next to the little journal is a butterfly net.  I made this using a 4" wooden embroidery hoop, painted with dark brown paint and some loose netting that I made into a small net.  


Here is my bug jar with a butterfly captured in it.  It really does have holes poked in the top of the metal lid...just like we did when we were kids!  The pretty teal lace trim is from Bo Bunny's Gabrielle coordinates called Gabrielle Ribbon Wraps.  The butterfly was cream colored but I sprayed him with various color mists I concocted to match the beautiful salmon color in the papers.

Finally, I made a paper wallet to slip in the interior pocket; using kraft paper and covering it with more of the Gabrielle papers.  This is the exterior of the wallet.  "How To Know The Butterflies".  What a perfect vintage book cover to add to my cover.  I found this modified version of an original cover on Vintage Catnip.  It was all done it browns and creams.  So, I added some Tumbled Glass and Vintage Photo Distress Ink to give it just a hint of color.  Then for texture and also a little "bling", I added some Patina, Platinum and Picket Fence Stickles.  It really is a beautiful accent to the cover papers I chose to use on the paper wallet.


Here is the interior of the paper wallet.  As you can see, it has lots of pockets.  In here, I used the 6x6 Gabrielle Paper Pad on the pockets because the images were smaller than on the 12x12 papers.  I also added some embellishments from Bo Bunny's Gabrielle Trinkets.


Here is the paper wallet with some little ATC cards I made stuck inside.  We did an ATC card challenge a couple of weeks ago and I said that I would be showing you some more ATC cards that I was working on for a future piece.

Here are three little vintage ATC cards I made especially for the suitcase.  I loved the little vintage children and I made the backgrounds from scraps of the Gabrielle papers that I layered, spritzed and altered.  I added the sentiments and butterfly wings behind those vintage babies.  So sweet, so delicate ... just like butterflies!!

I love my new suitcase and it fits perfectly in a guest room that I am continually redecorating into a shabby chic room.  I'm working on another suitcase now using Graphic 45's Wizard of Oz papers. When it's finished, I'll share it with you!



Have a wonderfully creative week and remember to take time to PLAY!!  It's SOUL FOOD!

26 comments:

  1. OMG this is so over-the-top wonderful! I have to do one of these. Love all the extras you add to each of your projects . . . and that little booklet - WOW!

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  2. Love Love Love this, it is amazing!!!

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  3. Wow yet again, what a fabulously detailed piece, I still can't believe you made this, its wonderful. I love all the added bits and pieces in the inside, the handmade net, just perfect, the magnifying glass a perfect find, the jar with the butterfly captured in it. Love your hardware charm too Candy, perfect touch to the case. I love how you put so much thought into your pieces. Yet another wonderful creative piece. Oh and I notice you have a huge garden too LOL, I love gardening, in fact it's my first passion that's why I noticed oh plus I am nosey LOL. Enjoy your week Candy. Tracy x x

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  4. Wow Candy! I had to physically close my gaping jaw after seeing this Gorgeous piece. Every detail is awe inspiring so beautiful!!

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  5. This is totally awesome! I love all your paper and additional pieces...so pretty! TFS!

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  6. Oh. My. God. Candy. I am absolutely speechless. Honestly, this is THE MOST AMAZING project you have made for this team. Every week you outdo yourself (cause nobody else can). The level of detail you go to is almost shocking (in a good way of course :) I was almost in tears of delight as I read each and every minute detail you thought of. I can't tell you what part I like best because everything is so stellar. I don't know what to say - speecheless, remember? Except when are you getting a TV show, Martha?

    Hope you have a great week!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  7. OMG!! Such a perfect piece you've done. It's elegant, vintage, chic at the same moment!

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  8. If you ever find this missing it just might be at my house! lol Oh my goodness, this is just so amazing in every way!

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  9. Thud. The sound of my chin hitting my desk. Dear God, woman, this is outstanding. I was loving all the exterior goodness, ogling the flap and metal and then I saw the interior is done, too. Amazing! So many killer projects inside... Candy this is spectacular!

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  10. O..M..G.. GIRL! I literally had to catch my breath after seeing this.. you are absolutely blowing me away! I'm with Linda.. I'm speechless.. there are no words... it is just simply... STUNNING! And that doesn't even cover it! SO much detail... this is like a master class! It must have taken you AGES! I feel like an amateur!!! Really... I don't know how to convey my AWE. Gorgeous!

    Big Hugs! Ellen xxx

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  11. HOLY MOLY CANDY .... I don't know where to start. You seriously ROCK theme after theme after theme, your creativity knows no bounds. I simply love everything about this vintage candy, your attention to detail is just gorgeous. It will take more than one visit to take in all the detail, I will be back:) xx

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  12. Gorgeous suitcase, Candy! I really love the colors and the butterflies are so beautiful...great detailing!

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  13. YOU. ARE. A. GENIOUS!!!I mean it!! Your creation is soooo unbelievably amazing. I'm just in awe. I'm not kidding, Candy. I wish you would move here! :) I would be over the moon!
    You know, you could sell this stuff!? I would be broke! lol! ;)
    Thanks so much for sharing with us. I can't wait to see your next one.
    <3 Sonya

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  14. Wow, this is such a wonderfull creation! I love the colors you used and the butterflies theme. And the amount of detail that went into this creation is amazing. Great job!

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  15. Candy, this is so stunning,every little detail more beautiful than the last.Truly inspiring art.x

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  16. Ok Im not multi taskin, you have my full attention, I am so gonna try to post this comment with getting the wrong comment to the wrong person!! LOL Im so dizzy....but u already know that lol xx

    Candy this totally blew me away....you are just so talented,adore this .....love it in fact!!

    Spk soon

    kazxx

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  17. What a beautiful creation, Candy. I love that paper collection. I thought of Tammy when you said you found it at Hobby Lobby for $5. She is the queen of good deals at Hobby Lobby! :)

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  18. Dear Candy, Your suitcase is a sumptuous homage to all things vintage and beautiful. It's a wonderful masterpiece and truly stunning down to the last corner of your ATCs...amazing in every way. So glad you picked up a real case, we don't have to make it all ourselves and it gave you the time to create all this wonderful work... and it will last a lifetime! Hope you can cherish it and feel waves of pride and joy every time you look at it.

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  19. Utterly AMAZING! I LOVE everything about it!

    WOW!

    Linda

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  20. This is so incredible...I am honestly at a loss for words. While reading and scrolling down, I couldn't believe the creativity and detail that I was seeing. I am just...wow. You are AMAZING!

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  21. All of this is INCREDIBLE Candy! The details are just stunning! You are AMAZING!!!!

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  22. I'm glad I got new eyeglasses wouldn't have wanted to miss any gorgeous details.
    xo

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  23. Wowza, Wowza, Wowza...this is amazing Candy!! All the details you put into it are outstanding!! Fabulous piece, love it!!

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  24. Wow! this is just unbelievably gorgeous! The case on it's own is stunning, but all the other little bits to go with it too... I'm speechless in awe.
    xx

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  25. WOW talk about a work of art! It is just stunning. Kim

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  26. OMG!!!!!!! I love love love this!!! YAya

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I am so happy that you stopped by my blog! I truly appreciate your time and thank you for leaving a comment! Have a wonderfully blessed day!