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Thursday 20 February 2014

Craft Caddy - Thursday 20th February 2014

Good Morning Friends,

Since going to Stitches with Amy on Monday, I've had some holiday from work and I have no idea where the time has gone! But with Tom at work, being home alone (except for the hens), I did manage quite a bit of crafting time...

Tuesday (and about an hour on Wednesday), was spent making this craft caddy box and then decorating it. The box kit comes in pieces to be put together and I bought it as one of Christine Emberson's Charity kits, being sold in aid of Ronald MacDonald House and The Royal Marsden and is available from Christine's site  here.

Before putting it together I decided to give all the pieces a base layer of matt paint; there were a lot of pieces, so I mixed some ivory paint from a tester pot with a little Paper Artsy 'Mermaid' Fresco Finish paint. Although the paint dried quickly, it took a while to paint all the pieces. Once it was all dry (I left it all day to be sure), I started to glue it together. I used Cosmic Shimmer, but it was important to let each piece thoroughly dry so that the box was strong enough when put together - I am now really wishing I had taken photos along the way!

Once the box, which comprises a top opening box tray and two drawers, was put together and the glue had completely dried, I gave it a top coat of colour, this time using Fresco Finish: Blue Pacific. I chose these colours, because the papers I was using (by Teresa Collins and included in the kit) were a red/torquoise pattern.

I had measured and cut the paper sizes before putting the box together and had also inked the edges with Aged Mahogany distress ink. When the paint was dry, I stuck the papers to the caddy. 

Once all the papers had been glued on and left to dry, I gave it a coat of Mod Podge matt to finish and seal. I have been using this product for years and love it.

There were some paper pieces left over, so I decided to decorate the top of the box with die cut flowers, which I made using Spellbinders dies: Spiral Blososm One,Blooms Four, Bitty Blossoms, and Carnation Creations. I inked the edges of all the petals with Aged Mahogany.

The flowers were arranged on the lid of the box and I also added turquoise lace and pale pink beads to the edge of the lid in front of the flowers.

I didn't want to over do the decoration, after all this is to be a 'working' box, but I did decide to add some further decoration to the front. The gorgeous handles/knobs come with the kit, I love them!

Box from the side
I used a die,  Spellbinders Ironworks Accents (one of the first dies I bought and haven't used in ages!) and cut 6 corner shapes using craft metal. I then dipped them individually into embossing ink and dusted with some coarse embossing powder. It's a pot that has been in my drawer for years and is a bit like distress embossing powder, but a little finer. I chose it more for the colour than anything. I was really pleased with the die cuts once heat embossed: they look and feel like coloured metal.

with lid open





The lid opens at the top to reveal a storage tray; I added some floral paper from stash to the base of this and all the drawers. I am still trying to decide on the inside of the lid, a little bit late but I had thought of stamping a flower or sentiment on it..guess I still could!

So there it is! A new caddy for my craft room...but what to keep in it? I think it might be placed in the sewing part of the room for cotton reels etc, rather than for paper craft.

That's all for today, thank you so much for stopping by!

Love and Hugs,
Carole X



18 comments:

  1. This looks fabulous Carole. I love what you did with those corner dies. A lovely addition to your craft room, whatever you decide to use it for. Hugs Christine xx

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  2. Wow, this is such a gorgeous creation. The colour and pattern are beautiful, and the decorative elements on the front are fabulous. I love those handles too!
    Rebecca.

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  3. Carole, you have done a beautiful job of creating the kit, I love all the extras - it has made it such a personalised item xx

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  4. What a fabulous job you have done with your craft caddy, I just love how you have personalised it. Hazel xx

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  5. How lovely to have such a beautiful storage box in your craft room! I had a look at Christine's blog but cannot work out the side (I don't understand centimetres - only inches!). Is it large enough to put A4 papers in? Sorry to put you to any inconvenience but I really love it! Hugs, Anne x

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  6. WOW! Your craft caddy looks amazing Carole, ~ I've still got to find the time to make mine up!!
    Maggie x

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  7. Hi Carole,
    You have done a wonderful job with your craft caddy.
    Lydia
    X

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  8. Oh my word Carole, your storage box is brilliant! I love how you've decorated it and made it your own. I can't wait to collect mine from Christine next week, although I somehow think it will take me a while to put it together and decorate! Well done you.
    Janice x

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  9. I love the project! What a great job of decorating it with Spellbinders dies!!
    Hugs!
    Kim Hupke (from Spellbinders)

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  10. What a lovely job Carole - I can't wait for mine to arrive! Love the colour of that paper.

    Hugs to you Sue Pxxx

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  11. Carole! this is a work of art! I simply LOVE the color combo and the antique look. I am applauding you over here! : )

    Patti

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  12. Absolutely gorgeous! I've not started making mine yet

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  13. Hi Carole. Love how you have decorated your craft caddy, simply beautiful Take care.

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  14. Hi Carole, great caddy in gorgeous colours. Love those added flowers too.
    Amy x

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  15. Hi Carole,
    well isn't this superb. I love all the fab things you have used to make this your box your very own piece. Your die cuts do look like metal too.
    I really love that fa paper.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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    1. Carole, I have just popped over to your blog from Christine's - just wanted to say what a lovely caddy you have made. Love everything about, it esp. the flower dec on the top. Lovely friendly Blog too. Best wishes, Carolyn x

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  16. This is beautiful Carole. Done in lovely colours and embellished perfectly.x

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  17. Beautiful caddy Carole. Lovely vibrant colours. Well done, time well spent.

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