Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Shabby but Chic.

I made this stand up letter for my Swap Partner Bee and was determined to make it from what I had available in my stash. The only compromise I made was buying a match pot paint in vinyl matt.  I first made a B shape up in paper and then used this as my template to cut two further shapes from thick card. I also cut long strips out for the edging which I taped into place on one side.

Once I had my basic tray completed I stuffed with tissue paper to pack it out and added glass crystals to the bottom for ballast (so that shape would stand alone). Taped the other side on and covered with torn kitchen towel using watered down PVA Glue. Left to dry overnight in the airing cupboard.
As you can see the kitchen towel gives a nice textured finish which I then gave a couple of coats of 'White Cotton' emulsion to. The little Match pot paint samples are idea for using on small surfaces and are a lot cheaper than using up my more expensive Jo Sonja paints.


 
Once dry I was  ready to start playing. I had made up a selection of  paper roses previously whilst the B was in the airing cupboard. Because of the weighted bottom it stands quite firmly on its own.

 
A lot of lace, ribbon, beads and flowers later this is the finished letter.
 
 
Entering into the folowing:
Lavender Garden Cottage: Cottage style party.
Anything but a card: .Anything goes.
Dream Valley: Ribbon and Bling.
Glitter  n Sparkle: Anything but a card.
Pixie's Crafty workshop: Use up your snippets ( flowers made from  odds of card stash)
Anything Goes: Vintage/ Shabby Chic.
Oldie but a Goodie. Bright colours (lace used over 25 yrs old, rest over 6 mths)
Hotshot Craft: Anything but a card.
Frosted Designs; Be bold. (Bold colours & patterns)
 

 


30 comments:

Grenouille Greetings said...

oh my this is such a treat! Kind of wish my name was Besley!!! Hugs, Lesley

Estelle Grace Tudor said...

I love it, the flowers really finish it off! I like working with tester pots too, so much choice and easy to use!

Hugs, Estelle xx

Debbie said...

Oh how lovely, and what a lot of work. Just a great project. Debbiex

Do What You Love said...

You're such a crafty woman, Mrs. A.; you really work from scratch! I'd have purchased the letter and then decorated it --- but you're awesome and your partner will love having your creative hands on it because it turned out to be quite lovely! Love your work!

Sandra H said...

Oh wow Mrs A what a wonderful project now you have achived this my initial is S any offers ...lol take care xx

Margreet said...

You have magic hands, mrs. A...BEAUTIFUL
XXX Margreet

Jan said...

That's lovely, I love the way you have bunched the flowers up.

I heard that 'Dulux' are doing an offer on their test pots at the moment. They are great for this sort of project. :)
Have a great week

Jan x

Merry said...

Oh wow....so very clever.

Lydia said...

This is great! Love the way you made it and the texture on it. So glad you played along with us at Frosted Designs!

Unknown said...

Very, very pretty and always so innovative with your ideas.

Dr Sonia S V said...

Mrs A how unique your projects are love this one so much.Am pinning it with link back to you so that others can also come and admire
Cheers
Dr Sonia
Cards Crafts School Projects

Dr Sonia S V said...

Here is the link to my
3 D paper craft pin board

JansArtyJunk said...

It's always a treat to visit your blog Mrs A.....your shabby 'b' is soooo pretty x

Jules said...

This is brilliant Mrs A .. .. the kitchen towel is definitely a brilliant touch.

Your flowers and lace are definitely the finishing touch. Gorgeous colours!!

Love Jules xx

Faye said...

So pretty. Love the vibrant colours. xx

Catherine said...

OMG ! You are soooo clever Sweetie ! Can't believe you made the letter yourself, it looks fantastic ! Hugs, blessings and love from Catherine

Di said...

Flippin' eck Mrs - this is just stunning! A gorgeous result - and the tenacity to have made it from scratch too. LOVE it!! Hugs, Di xx

Sarn said...

That B very pretty! I love the CAS-ness of it all and the texture is great!

PS: I hear there's some, er, "fruit" juice and ginger biscuits to be had behind the bike shed . . . see you there later.

Hugs
Sarn xxx

craftygranny said...

Oh wow absolutely stunning. Love it . thanks for sharing at glitternsparkle hugs trisha x

Donna Ellis said...

What a great idea for home decor, Mrs. A. It would work using an embellishments for male or female, but your "B" is delightful - oh! I should have used a B word - or may I just put the word "bonny" in front of the delightful? ? ? Thanks for the great idea AND the tutorial! A labor of love in your gorgeous creation!

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

That is so pretty and so different. Congratulations of being a Guest Designer on Craft A Scene too, your designs are beautiful. Looking back at previous posts, I love those white on white sympathy cards, simple and calming. Thank you for your visit this week. xx Maggie

Unknown said...

what a grate prodject love it, thank you for joining us at Glitter n sparkle challenge blog good luck and hope to see you again soon.
AJ dtm

Createology said...

Your altered B is Blissful!

Juls said...

wow thats so very creative!!! I dont think I could attempt anything like that! amazing Hugs Juls

Zue said...

I say B for brilliant.....it is so pretty too....fab!
Xxx
Sue

Anonymous said...

What a lovely project, so pretty. Thsnk you for joining us at Glitter n Spsrkle this week. Abbie DT xx

Unknown said...

Touch of class here, very beautiful and love the use of kitchen towels/tissues...also serviettes make a great texture too...luv this project..xx

Donna said...

Oh wow Mrs A, this is beautiful and fantastic the way you asemmbled it, I love your ideas and how you bring your creations together....so clever :) Donna ♥ x

Unknown said...

So wonderful this monogram! And pretty tutorial!
Thanks for playing with us at Frosted Designs.
Sandra

DesignerDiva said...

How clever is this! I love things that are different and I've NEVER seen one of these before - fabulous!
Thank you for sharing it with us at Oldie But A Goodie this week and good luck with the challenge
Hugs Laurie xx