A quick catch up after a busy weekend spent running around on the beach, and in the park, with one ball crazy lagotto romagnolo, one excitable labradoodle and one precious, almost three, (and one of three) grandson.
So there has not been much time for crafting during the past few days.
However, earlier in the month I received the first of a subscription goodie box from Julie Bell, aka Jules, at Artful Days.
I enjoy these arty subscriptions. Often by the time they arrive in the post I have forgotten all about them. I still receive a documented kit each month from Studio Calico, in the (mainly vain) intention that I will catch up with my Project Life album. Each month I am always excited to receive my Scrawlrbox which has delivered the most unusual, interesting and suprising art supplies I own.
I will try to give some more details and review these subscriptions here at some point in the future, but meanwhile back to the Artful Days Goodie Box. The description on the website reads,
"Create mixed media projects, on canvas, cards and anything else you can imagine, using our fantastic monthly goodie box, filled with yummy craft supplies."
The theme for the January box was "Steamy Heart" and centered around a steampunk brass heart embellishment and a large alterable match box. The box that arrived was close in size to a small shoe box and beautifully packed. But, Oh My! The huge number and range of things, and bits and bobs in the box was amazing and wonderfully inspiring! Even the other half was vaguely impressed and thought I had got great value, for once!
Most of my crafting time that weekend was spent fiddling with all the little pieces and experimenting with some new techniques while I waited for another, larger project to dry.
The drawer pull is also from the kit. I added some paint to age it a little.
I started by covering the matchbox with some printed music sheets, using matt gel, and partially covering with some white gesso which I stamped with a favourite text stamp. Using a length of the spooled fabric that came in the kit, and a piece of the lace, I wound and attached this around the box with a length of the leather cord supplied.
The inside of the matchbox is covered with pieces of one of the printed papers (Yes! There were printed papers too!). I have also added some paint , more of the lace, a paper flower and one of the cabochons from the kit. There is also a photo from my collection with the words, 'Go where your heart takes you.'
inside you will also find a resin heart and wings, again from the kit, painted with some Prima Alchemy colours.
The tiny keys are from a selection in the kit and I included some painted cogs that happened to be on my table.
The box was finished with a couple of the flowers and the addition of some words and Paper Artsy Infusions to add to the grungy, worn look that I was after.
Sorry, I tend to get carried away in the moment and completely forget to photograph the project in stages. I will try to remember next time.
Meanwhile, here is my finished altered matchbox.
I still have masses of leftover heart themed things tucked back in the box, ready for some valentines projects I have planned.
If you haven't already check out the Artful Days website; I think there are still a couple of the January boxes left and February's subscription goes live tomorrow, 25th January. I will be first in the queue for mine!
Best of all, like the Scrawlrbox subscription, Artful Days, The Goodie Box comes from the UK.
In the months to come I suspect craft supplies sourced form the USA will become increasingly expensive due to the unfavourable exchange rates, and the pressure will be on these companies to source interesting supplies closer to home? I would certainly recommend a subscription to anyone looking for both value for money for your craft supplies fix, and interesting and unusual supplies which will prompt your creativity to get moving in 2017.
Until next time dear friend xx