Monday, October 31, 2011

A Stroll Down Configuration Lane...

Farewell Weekend and Greetings Monday...
Welcome to my blog and a new theme at Simon Says Stamp & Show where houses are in the house! A house can be many things but I felt drawn to the idea of a home, a dwelling place for many memories. You know what they say, "If walls had ears..." I have never played with a Configuration Box and must admit I do like to bide my time when a new trend hits town. I like to wait until an idea that's 'me' begins to whisper. See, voices in your head can be a good thing!
Let's take a stroll down Configuration Lane...
I started by ageing my twelve Configuration boxes with a thick coat of Gesso, Mushroom paint and Distress Ink. I didn't go for Tissue Tape as I wanted to see the individual 'rooms'! Then I set about filling them with an array of findings and memories, each one with her own story. If you fancy a tour, then jump on board...
Wendy words stapled onto vintage lace and fabric. The box is lined with cotton tape with an old button to finish.
 A little design paper, a piece of vintage tape measure and an old lace bobbin.
A Grungepaper rose made with Tattered Florals. First I inked up the Grungepaper with Frayed Burlap, then painted it with PaperArtsy Crackle followed by Blank Canvas. Behind, a scrap of paper, a stamped word and two rusty nails... In some of the boxes I placed a layer or two of mountboard to reduce some of the depth so as not to lose the contents into the shadows and darkness!
I had an old, small fob-watch lurking in my drawer so I pulled it apart to create a keepsake locket. I used Alcohol inks to change the silver colour and then I filled it with a book page scrap, vintage lace, a tape measure scrap and a rose bud. The two tiny words are taken from Stuff to Say and the background is a piece of embossed and inked Sticky Canvas. I added a chain scrap and sat it on more vintage lace, adding a button to the corner. Onto quite a deep layered one lined with lace and a book page...
A crochet scrap, button and Glassine Paper. I cut wire supports for my butterfly adding a little typed FLY.

This one merits a larger photo, because it's my dear mum. I absolutely adore this image of her... look at those ringlets! I love it.
 I scanned the original photo and cut a Mica front so it would fit inside the Ornate Plate which I have distressed with Distress Powder and Alcohol inks. I glued cut-off brads in the holes and then taped the plate to the wire which supports itself due to the tension. The background is stitched, distressed paper and I lined the bottom with lace and press-studs. Goes without saying, my favourite box...

Five rosebuds, muslin and an old pen nib. I cut two of the second smallest Tattered Florals, laid them on top of each other, then folded them in half. Then I rolled them into a cone and glued them! Added some highlights with Viva Gold.
A shallow one this time.Three vintage buttons sewn onto design paper and a Tissue Tape lining!
This one was fiddily but so worth it. Glassine Paper lines the back and a hidden column supports painted chicken wire and a thickly gessoed heart. Love the texture. I added some scrap chain and ran some Copper tape through my Dynamo for the Beloved word. I emphasised the letters with Alcohol ink and sanding, adding two old bolts to continue the metal feel. I ended up using super-glue to fix the heart (Can you do that in real life too?)
This box was great because the old clock key fitted perfectly! The background is resist stamped using White Stazon and Rusty Hinge and I layered up two punched lace strips. 'Become' was taken from here. I like taking just one word from a whole stamp - the possibilities are endless.
I love words and my vintage typewriter gives me the chance to add whatever I want. The little fern flower is Wendy's...
And finally...You just can beat the beauty of rusty, distressed metal. I stuck metal tape to card, then used the Textile folder, lots of inks and a sanding block. I aged the tag by really overheating Distress powder and adding more ink (watch out for the fizz!) Added a vintage trim and lined the box with a Bible page. The roofs are corner bracket thingys from the hardware store, again aged as before. What an amazing fit! I was very chuffed...and think they are the perfect finishing touch.
I gave my Lego away years ago so I figured I would make my own arty version! The houses are not glued together so you can play around and create your very own street! So there you go, my houses. It was a big task but one that brought a lot of joy and satisfaction. I hope you feel inspired to play with your Configgy boxes too. I was literally thinking outside the box.
Even my hubby joined in...this is his take on Venice! How fab is that? I might let him make next weeks piece! That's enough boxes for a while for me, I'm only into ones full of chocolate for the rest of this week...
So now it's time for you to get your thinking cap on. Remember we like seeing ALL kinds of projects, big or small, from ATCs to Skyscrapers! Beginners or seasoned fellows. Just be yourself and have fun creating! Hop over to the Design Team blog and enjoy some fabulous takes on this theme - they are all so different! You'll love them...
Phew indeed! This was a mammoth blog post... so huge thanks for taking some time out to be here. I love creating and hopefully inspiring...do feel free to ask any questions. I'm away...be seeing you soon, Sarah.

27 comments:

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

One word WOW, what a fantastic inspirational use of the configuration boxes. Love love your configuration lane. Its all about the details, the picture of your mum, the watch fob, the flowers, rusty nails, the corners for the roof on each box, the text/words. I love every inch of it and definitely feel inspired. Great piece Sarah. I also love your husbands configuration too, love his display, very arty. Tracy x x

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Sarah
What a wonderful wonderful tour I have just had, every little box is beautiful in it's own way and I can see how you enjoyed creating each one, all your wonderful embellishments right down to the rusty nails, who would have thought of using those,it is a conversation piece plus a memory keeper, it is truly amazing.
Smiles:)

Ann B said...

I really like that you have not glued the boxes, gives much more scope. Love the whole thing

Franka Benjaminsen said...

Hi Sarah, I want to say this is fabulous!!!!
And the best thing is you've used these boxes not in a square (as usual). Love all the details ...the watch with the rose most. Well done.
xFranka

Nancy Wethington said...

OMG you are blowing me away with this piece. How does your mind work? In a million years I wouldn't have come up with something so brilliantly clever. This is so good. You should enter this in a magazine.

Lesley Edmonds said...

Great tour of this amazing project. Love all the little details. It's gorgeous.

Suze Bain said...

Absolutely stunning. Each box holds a treasure. I love them. xx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

How gorgeous this is! Each box is so special!
Awsome!

greetings, Alie :-)

Heavens2Betsy said...

These are totally beautiful and awe inspiring! Love them. penny

Unknown said...

What beautiful details this must have taken ages! there is so much to see but I really like the heat and chicken wire and hubbys idea of Venice is so cool well done both of you ;0)

Sherry said...

Absolutely stunning - and totally inspirational. Thanks for sharing.

The Sparkly Fairy said...

This is fantastic. What a clever idea. I've added it to my Pinterest, I hope you don't mind but it is so inspirational.
Emma - The Sparkly Fairy

Gillian .... said...

Hi Sarah, WOW O WOW ... I'm totally and utterly in love with this take on "Houses" ... you have certainly rocked this, love all the individual compartments, the rustic look ... just so much to take in ... Brilliant! x

Anonymous said...

WOW IS UNDERSTATED - SUPER AMAZING WHAT LOVE AND FOR THOUGHT

Hettie said...

This is stunning Sarah! Well Done! Absolutely love it!!

paddy said...

what you have created is totally fantastic! I have a couple of those boxes...and I think my mom would just love if I made she something more like yours rather then the tradition box. Thank you for sharing this great idea

Peggy Parker said...

Oh, I do love this!

Olga said...

I'm totally in love with your houses! So great idea and so lovely details! Thank you for the inspiration!

Marjie Kemper said...

These are amazing houses, Sarah! The chicken wire + heart is my fave one but I also love what you've done with your Mom's pic and the mica as well as all the bits of metal and text.... this is really a spectacular project!

fairyrocks said...

Wonderful works of intricate thoughtful art. Love that your DH gets involved too.
Keep smiling andcreating

Art By Wanda said...

Sarah, this is outstanding!!! Wow!!! Totally love your houses and, yes, the brackets are totally perfect to finish them off!!! Wow!!!!

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Wow! What a gorgeous way to use your configurations boxes!! I really love the personalized touches, and that essentially every window was a different memory.. :)

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

:)) ...Вика said...

Восхитительный блог и работы!

Debbie Rock said...

Oh I LoVe this work ... quite, quite stunning! WOYWW Debbie #77

Unknown said...

What an incredible work of art! Needless to say, your work has hit a button with my muse - now to play with my configuration box...

Neet said...

Another wonderful piece of art from you - there really is no end to your talent.

Eileen said...

Hi Sarah - Just found your site and reading older posts -You might want to delete above comment - Dec. 8 2012 from anonymous - their site may not be something you want to be linking to. But loved the houses and rest of your work.