Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Boxing Up a Blue Christmas


Hey People!!  It is another exciting ride with the E-Team today!!  The Team was challenged to alter one of T!m Holtz's configuration boxes.  OH MY!  These are like a never ending puzzle!!  So many different possibilities!!  Of course, all these different possibilities mean that you will not want to miss what the other
E-Team members came up with!!  AND to add to the 'liciousness (that is a word, I'm sure!) of this hop,  you will want to leave ONE comment on each blog within the NEXT 48 HOURS (starting at 8am EST today) as Daisy will choose 2 winners from all blog comments by random draw for a Configuration box of your choice, plus lots of paper crafting goodies to enjoy with it.   The winners will be posted on the eclecticPaperie blog on Dec. 3!



I absolutely love Christmas!! Even with all the added stress I put myself under, it is about the only holiday I go all out for as far as decorating.  I have different themes for each room.  The TV/family room is done in primary colors with Nutcrackers being the focal point.  My formal room is done in cobalt blue and white with my small collection of white/Silver (or cobalt blue) Santas as  the focal point.  My project today was inspired by a white and silver Nutcracker I found and the "Winter Wonderland" I try to create with my formal decorations of white/silver and bright blue. 



Now of course, this looks NOTHING like the idea I had in my head!!  But as I started creating, things just kept taking a different turn than I had planned.  I started by painting the 6.75 x 8.75" configuration box and the largest cube the brilliant blue.  I then used a crackle medium on the main box.  Once dry, I went over it with some spring white acrylic paint that had been thinned with some glaze. 

While the box and cube were drying, I cut off the top of a Styrofoam cone and wrapped the Lavish Trimmings around it.  A combination of Glossy Accents and straight pins held it in place until it dried. Just a note:  if one was to get involved in another project and walk off and leave the straight pins too long in the Glossy Accents, one just might have to twist and wiggle the straight pins loose from the dried Accents.  Just sayin'.  It would seem that I did not take into consideration any tree topper I might have wished to add to this when I cut the cone.  Soooo.  I  just cut off a couple of the ribbon flowers and glued them on top of each other for my "topper".  The garland was found in the "mini" ornament section of Michael's. 



The large cube was wrapped with the Symphony Tissue tape.  I used Spellbinders Create a Flake One and cut the second largest flake from some Pure Luxury  card stock and from a piece of scrap aluminum metal. I layered the two dies and topped with an Accoutrements Classic Button.  I used some Glossy Accents in the center and sprinkled some ultrafine Canadian Blue Art Glitter over the wet Accents.  I tucked in a French Horn ornament and  some Christmas picks, including a couple of Maya Road crystal trinket stars that were originally suppose to be my tree topper!  The stamped music sheet was a discarded scrap from Darcie's Cardinal Ornament that didn't make the cut on my previous project.  I covered the stamped image with Distress Rock Candy stickles. I used Glossy Accents along the edge and sprinkled with SU's chunky white glitter.  


More Spellbinder snowflakes were cut out of scrap metal.  For the larger die used, one must carefully remove the image from the metal and the "arms" are finely detailed and want to stick!!  While the metal was still in the die, I used a paper stump to emboss the details.  The flakes were adhered to the back of the box with Tombow Metal Liquid Glue.  



 The final touch was to paint another of the cubes the same shade of blue and wrap along the top and sides with the Snowflake Tidings Tissue tape.  I painted Distress Crackle paint over the cube and tissue.  I then used my Cuttlebug "Olivia" alphabet dies to cut out the letters from Claudine Hellmuth's Sticky Back Canvas, with the tape liner being the "front".  I removed the liner, exposing the sticky and covered the letters with SU's fine silver glitter.  I then used the still wet crackle paint as my glue.  I topped off the cube with another snowflake made of Pure Luxury cardstock.  I used my Glue Pad to apply a sticky layer and more SU fine silver glitter to the alternating layers. 

After 10 attempts to get a decent picture of the snowflake on top or a focused picture period, I admit defeat.  This will give you a general idea. 

Supplies:  Tim Holtz configuration box, idea-ology products, Claudine Hellmuth canvas, Ranger signature products all found at ecleticPaperie. 

I think these configuration boxes have soooo many fun possibilities!!  I'm already thinking of some other "themes" that I just might have to explore!!

Thanks for dropping by again today!!  I hope you ejoyed this ride with the E-Team!! Till next time.....

REMEMBER TO TAKE TIME TO EXPLORE SOME TYPE OF CREATIVITY IN YOUR DAY!

107 comments:

Neil said...

I love the feel you achieved with this, the blues give a lovely christmassy feel.

newfiecrafter(Marilyn) said...

Love the Christmas theme you've created . Thanks for sharing
Marilyn

Primitive Seasons said...

This really has a nice vintage-y christmas feel to it. I love the little box with all it's contents. A really nice job.

Mary
www.primitiveseasons.blogspot.com

Lin said...

I'm a blue girl, so your project really touched me! Love the whole idea of this blog hop and have really enjoyed seeing everyone's take!! Thanks so much for your inspiration!

Linda Ledbetter said...

Starla, this is so beautiful and festive, and the cobalt and silver combo is stunningly gorgeous! I love that you literally thought "outside the box" and placed some elements on top! The entire piece just sings "Joy!"

Anonymous said...

I love blue for Christmas, it's so calming! TFS it's beautiful

MarleneMAZ said...

Love the fact you have done this in blue and silver, it is very christmassy.

slbt17 said...

WOW! So much detail - very pretty.
Sandra

Elaine A said...

Starla -

I love this creation! I collect Nutcrackers of all sizes so this really spoke to me. I love how you created the wonderful Christmas world around him. And I really love how you thought outside the box and different things with the smaller boxes. Way Cool!

Elaine Allen

Scrapthat said...

SO cute! and now you have a holiday keepsake that can be enjoyed for years to come! TFS! Great work!

chaun said...

My SIL collects nutcrackers. She would love this!

Anonymous said...

Love the nutcracker theme. It reminds me of going to the Nutcracker Ballet every Christmas as a child.
Maurene

Stef H said...

o gosh! i KNEW as soon as i saw that box that YOU would do something fantabulous with it! you are truly amazing! it's gorgeous. i love all that sparkle!

hugs :)

Linda R said...

Just love reading the many techniques you used from the paper stump to the straight pins! So many great ideas, thanks for sharing this amazing Christmas magic.

artfuljourneys said...

Love the nutcracker, as I collect them too. Love the blog hop. So much fun!!:)

Tracy said...

Beautiful Christmas box! I love the little nutcracker guy and all that wonderful sparkly blue and silver.

Tracy Evans said...

I love blue for Christmas, I think it works so well and your piece of art is no exception. Love the little soldier he is adorable and works so well with the colour scheme. Great piece. Tracy Evans x x

Lynda said...

Love the shades of blue! What a wintery feel this box evokes!

Mary Arima said...

Starla, this is so FUN!!! I, too, love a blue-and-white theme for Christmas, nutcrackers, sparkles,snowflakes... Some of my favorite things!!! And, setting the one box so it goes "outside the [other] box" was a great touch -- not to mention cutting the snowflakes out of metal... Genius! Thanks for sharing!!!

Janet L. said...

Wow! What a great collection and display of memories! I love it all. You've done a fabulous job with the pretty blue and silver colors and all. Thanks for sharing your talents!

Rachelle said...

Love your Christmas Blues!!!

Mickie said...

Oooooh so blue and cool and pretty.

Cathy Y said...

Well, first off, blue is my favorite color, so that hooked me right away! Your creation is a perfect little mix of Christmas memories!

StampinCathy said...

What a fun Christmas box. I just love all the embellishments and the colors rocks. Thanks for the inspiration.

Gail Dixon said...

Amazing blues in your project! Love it. I also love the sheet of music tucked behind the box with the musical instruments, as well as the strip of music around that box. My Christmas theme is angels and music in golds and reds. But I absolutely love the silver and blue!

Debby said...

Love the colors you used and it looks like a winter wonderland. Nice job and thanks for sharing.

Jen said...

I love this! Thanks for sharing all of your design steps - I love knowing just how people create the beautiful things they create!!

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

This is fabulous, Starla. Of course, the fact that it's cobalt blue may have something to do with that!

LynnW said...

Love your colors - nice job!

Broni said...

GIRL!!! I LOVE this!! I love the cobalt, silver & white theme, and I love the tree of Trimmings. I love the nutcracker, and I love the metal snowflakes. I love the tiny drum and I love the box wrapped with tissue tape and holding the horn! I LOVE the crackle finish on the big box, and I love the tiny present. Dang, I just love everything you did with this!

Cassie_lu said...

what a pretty holiday decor project. love how you turned some of the inside boxes into presents.

shirley said...

Very cool! Thanks for sharing.

Toni K said...

This is awesome! Love the colors and the crackle paint, and everything!

Kathy Eddy said...

Wonderful job! I love this vintagey blue Christmas scene you have created.

wwilloww said...

I love how you chose to configure your configurations!!! Great job and I love your blue and white color theme!!!

DWD said...

I would have never thought to not use all the sections. This gives a different light on things.

Karen said...

Pretty Christmas box. Love the blues and silver together.

Anonymous said...

This is really a great Christmas box. Love the blue colors. Reminds me of Elvis' Blue Christmas song. Ain't Christmas unless I listen to that album.
carrie.poindexter@insightbb.com

karen said...

I like the blue and silver you used. The snowflakes are so nice too. Nice job.

D said...

I LOVE this idea for the box!!!! It's so gorgeous!!! Love the colors too :)))

Lee Ann said...

Very pretty, Starla! Love using Blue for Christmas!

Noreen said...

I like the nice wintery feel you've given your box. And the glitter adds a nice sparkle.

Elena C said...

Hi Starla....I love the blue, especially with the silver. Wonderful box.

Thanks,
e

Anonymous said...

Such a fun and creative blog hop, loving it

Electra said...

This is so pretty-I LOVE the cobalt blue you've used!

Vic said...

What a great project! I love the color combo.

iamvictorias at gmail dot com

Iris said...

What a beautiful project - love all the sparkle. The Nutcracker theme brings back special Christmas memories for me as my youngest daughter danced in the Nutcracker ballet for several years. Iris Soscia

Robin said...

Love your Blue Christmas - what wonderful winter colors - beautiful
configuration delight.

Carol H. said...

Very nice and I love the theme! I like how you created the white Christmas tree...lovely.

Lana said...

Great project !!!So very Christmassy!!! Love the tones of blue!!

Helen said...

I love the blue colour theme and your treasures are perfect!!

Renee said...

I love the Nutcracker so I love your project. Really lovely!

Playing with Paper said...

I just love the colors!! The nutcracker is a wonderful idea. Not to mention all the other details you added. Nice job!! :) This blog has been a lot of fun. So many wonderful ideas. Thank you.

Chrissie said...

so very festive. Can't wait to give one of these a try.

Barbara Mason said...

Great color blue-that cobalt makes me want to sing!!! Love the boxes wrapped with the tissue tape-good idea.

Carole Gatza said...

Your project so is so pretty and sparkly! It is such a wonderful Christmas keepsake! Love it!

Larissa Heskett said...

LOVE THE SCENE!! I like the beautiful color you acheived too, so fun!! Thanks so much for sharing all of the great techniques!! Have a GREAT DAY!! =)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful Christmas box done in the blues, one of my faves for the holidays. Love the metal snowflake, the nutcracker and all the sparkle. Thanks for sharing :)

Liz said...

Blue is my fav color and Christmas my fav holiday so naturally I love this. Thanks for sharing.

Yelowflower said...

the colors are awesome and I like the way you didn't try to crowd everything into it. looks lovely

Basement Stamper said...

very pretty, love the tree and the nutcracker is very cool.

Bevie Pearl said...

Your blues and silvers and whites are so very pretty. And the nutcracker is my favorite!!

Stefanie Staniak said...

So adorable and the colors are perfect! A perfect Christmas decoration - Enjoy !

Kay G. said...

I love this. You did a great job and I love the blue. Thanks for sharing.

BARB T said...

This is so very original and beautifully done. Love it!

Sandy said...

Starla - what a beautiful box you created. The blue is a fantastic color and I adore the decorated tree and the nutcracker. Thanks so much.

Micki said...

Wow, I love love love that tree. I'm soo going to replicate it. It's so elegant and I love the detail!!!! I think I'm going to have to create something similar. The ideas you gave me..... ugh wish I had the time.... :-)

hugs

Glenda said...

Well my friend, looks like you nailed this! Loving all the different shades of blue you involved! Such a pretty piece to display during the Holiday Season!

Lori said...

I love the blue colors on this! It's awesomely cute! Love it!

Unknown said...

the vibrant blues are fabulous...i love you take on the boxes

elderberry said...

How creative to break out of the traditional green and red tradition, kudos! Thanks for the embossing tip on the snowflakes. Very attractive.

Debbi said...

Very pretty! I love the nutcracker!!!

Anonymous said...

Blue and silver is a great combo; I love every inch of this! Can we ever have too many sparklies?! I think not! Great job!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful use of the blue themed Xmas!

Kim C. said...

Very festive and thanks for the inspiration.

dawnmercedes said...

oh man. now I want these....hmmm....maybe I'll have to get my ticket punched in hopes of being a winneR!

creativearts said...

Lovely box! One of my favortie colors for Christmas is blue!

Katie Kleber said...

nice job. i love the blue and silver combo. sweet!

Anonymous said...

Very festive. Love the nutcracker. All the projects were a great inspiration.

Dorothy C.

Carol (HB) said...

Oh, I love the blue! So pretty!

Gerrie Johnnic said...

How sweet, luv what you have done, totally awesome in blue with the holiday theme.

Robb_eeie said...

FAN-T-astic colour choice for your DELISH box....just shouts Christmas spirit and celebration. The entire DP team did a lovely job on all their creations--<3Congrats!!

AJ said...

very festive! love the boxes!!

Shannon Sawyer said...

Each one of you has done such a wonderful job of "thinking outside the box". One of you didn't use but one or two of the compartments, and now you chose to use them on the outside of the main piece. What a great idea!! I think most people would just go ahead and decorate each little compartment and put them back inside the main box. Boy you guys sure know what you're doing. I love, love, love the brilliant blue colors you used. It jumps out at you and screams "It's Christmas Time." It's stunning, thank you for sharing your art with us.

CuddlyBunny said...

Your hues of winter box is excellent!

You created a fun scene where I expect any moment to see Jack Frost!

Vicki Romaine said...

I have really enjoy seeing all these boxes.

Lynne Phelps said...

I love the way you treated it as more of a vignette than a shadowbox! Lovely, especially with the bright blue color scheme!

Maggie said...

Very Wintery Very Christmasy Very Festive and Very Gorgeous!

Deepa M. said...

Gorgeous - so many fun details that draw you in for a closer look. Sure to be an amazing addition to your holiday decor this year!!

Sylvia said...

Beautiful box, Starla. I have always wanted to do one of these!

DebbieD said...

Love the Christmas feel of this project. Fantastic colors and elements. Thanks.

Shelann said...

Love your boxes, I would like to do one for each holiday.

SusanK said...

Love this blue Christmas theme! Maybe a tiny pic of Elvis could be stuck in the corner???

laurensmom22 said...

Beautiful, beautiful configuration. Love that you used this for Christmas, especially since it's in my favorite colors.

I'd like to see the rest of your decorations.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Unknown said...

This is gorgeous. I also love blue and collect nutcrackers. I think I will try to make one with many small nutcrackers!

Shirley said...

Love your blue Christmasy theme and taking the boxes out of the major box. Lots of creativity here today. Happy December 1!
Shirley L.

lesleyworth said...

Gorgeous! I love that little nutcracker...and the blue is fabulous!

Marissa said...

I love the idea of using the boxes as little presents. Way to Think Outside the Box! Ha!

Anonymous said...

this is great! it's almost like a little store window! I love the white/blue theme!

Kris Turner said...

Love this - so great for a Christmas decoration to pass down!
TFS! Kris, Wadsworth, OH

BethW said...

You guys are so good I was running out of words but when I saw your creation,exquisite immediately came to be. this is truly outstanding.

Linda said...

Fabulous colors! Love the whole box!

JMK said...

So many good ideas to use both with these boxes and on cards or scrapbook pages. Thanks.

Pat said...

Love the idea of a holiday theme for the box. Blue is one of my favorite Christmas colors.

Lynda said...

Starla, love this Christmas box. The colors are gorgeous, and I love the images that you used for the holiday. Very stunning. Thanks!!

Lynn Stevens said...

A beautiful Christmas keepsake!

Anonymous said...

Love the nutcracker and the blue is a wonderful Christmas color! You give me all kinds of ideas on how to make my own!
Karen S. Ohio