Wednesday, February 9, 2011

To Dream The Embossible Dream

Combining this week's Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge with the current Compendium of Curiosities challenge is an embosser's dream for sure.  There's wet embossing, which involves ink, embossing powder and a heat tool, and then there's dry embossing, which generally means a machine and an embossing folder.    So I've done both in my challenge piece.

Linda of Studio L3 (and the mastermind behind CCC) has directed us to use Tim's Rusted Enamel technique, and Simon just says to show some embossing.

I made a special gift for an artsy friend, and a special gift deserves a special gift box.  So I altered a plain old one and used lots of embossing on it.  It's also pretty much equal parts Tim and Wendy, which in my world is an unbeatable combo.  Enough blah blah blah.  Here's my entry:


The Rusted Enamel is on the top of the box.  I used dusty concord and stained walnut distress inks.  All edges of the box, top and bottom were wrapped with tissue tape which was then inked with faded jeans.

Here's a head on look:


The flower was made from both paper and Wendy's Clearly For Art modeling film.  All the layers were cut using Tim's Tattered Florals die.  The bottom (paper) layer was then embossed with the Damask embossing folder (then inked with faded jeans).  All the Clearly For Art layers were embossed with the Dot Matrix folder.  It doesn't show up in the photo, but I colored one side with one archival ink color and the other side (the raised side) with another.  I alternated using olive, mustard, and berry purple.

I made the band on the bottom by attaching tissue tape to a length of cardstock, embossing it (again with the Damask folder), and hitting the raised areas with faded jeans.

Of course, the sentiment is a Wendy stamp, and it's a great wish to have for any artsy friend.



31 comments:

Dorothy said...

Fabulous!!!

Tammy D said...

I love it!

Diann said...

It is just fabulous! Your friend will be so happy and treasure your gift! I'm so glad you shared this with us...Great ART! Diann

Kelly O said...

This is absolution spectacular. This is just awesome. I love the colors. Wow!

SusanK said...

Wow! Who needs the gift? The box IS the gift!

Unknown said...

Beautiful!

Kathy Eddy said...

This is fabulous Eileen! I love the color you chose for the technique.

Helen said...

This is just gorgeous. I love this box, and how you've altered it.

Elaine A said...

Eileen -

This is so beautiful. I can only imagine how wonderful the gift must be. You've done an awesome job on this piece.

Elaine Allen

Lori said...

Fabulous, gf! I love the color combo you used, and that flower is to die for..yeah, I know, that's getting old... lol... Beautiful project, your friend will be THRILLED! Thanks for joining the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge!

Debby said...

That is beautiful! Love the colors you used.

MarleneMAZ said...

Gorgeous box! your friends are all very lucky as you always make incredible arty gifts for them:)

Barbara Mason said...

Lucky friend!!! You did a great job on the Rusted technique & that purple box is too beautiful!!!

Gail Bales said...

Gorgeous Eileen, your friend will absolutely love it!
Gail in Oklahoma

Marjie Kemper said...

Excellent! What a beautiful project... your friend will surely love it even if it arrives empty!

Anonymous said...

Oh how COOL is this!!! LOVE it ma'am!!!

Vic said...

It's fantastic! My favorite color combo, too!

Alexandra said...

What can I say but WOW! it's beautiful.I love the colours too.
Your lucky friend will be thrilled. tfs

Bearcrazyman said...

Love it, Love it, Love it.

Linda Ledbetter said...

Hey, you brilliant art goddess, you! This is another fantastic piece of beauty. What a cool way to design a gift box. The rusted enamel looks fabulous (oh, those colors!) and the tissue tape edging is genius. Loving that flower, too-- the modeling film and paper are gorgeous together.

Your lucky friend is going to be DELIGHTED!

Patzee said...

This box IS the embossible dream! Such attention to detail has created a treasure.

Linda S. said...

Good Heavens, what a beautiful project you have submitted for this weeks challenge. I love the flower, although not familiar with some of those materials. Great work!

Candy C said...

This piece is "Mah-va-lus, darlink!" I love it! Love the colors and the techniques.

Angie Hall Haviland said...

OH MY, EIleen!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!! LOVE IT!

and lol LOVE LOVE LOVE your title...you witty girl you!!

Terry said...

Thank you for sharing your project with the DT from Simon Says Stamp and Show I love it, have a fab weekend. Hugs Terry xxx

Nancy said...

Eileen, this is beautiful! The colors, all of it - absolutely beautiful!!

Kim Costello said...

This is gorgeous Eileen a real work of art!
The Design Team & I are so pleased that you joined us for the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge this week - Thank you
HuGs Kim :)

Judy Wood said...

i love your colors! great job! i design boxes and matching gift bags and sell them at local stores, here's a link, enjoy!

http://creativearts-jwood.blogspot.com/2011/01/boxes-and-bags.html

Candy C said...

Hey girl...congrats on being recognized by Simon Says Stamp for your outstanding project this week! Great job!

2amscrapper said...

Congrats! Well deserved! That blinkie looks great on your sidebar!

Sue Young said...

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!! Congrats too!