A Challenge with a Twist

Hello everyone,

Well - I took up another challenge. This particular challenge was first meant to be for Fawnda and Jeannine over at Fireflies and Jellybeans who offer the Iron Crafter challenge monthly - secret ingredient for this last month was - paint chip cards. But while I had the design all figured out and had even started it - I was unable to finish it by their deadline. Dang and hooey!

Then low and behold the girls over at Blissful ATC Swap, Wendy and Debbie came up with the challenge to make holders for the ATC cards we are exchanging. Since that was what I was making any way - I felt blessed to be able to enter my creation some where.


I picked up a rather large cigar box at an auction. It was the perfect size to make four divided areas for the standard small ATC - and still allow me an area big enough to accommodate the lovely postcard size cards my friend Dana and I had exchanged .



So the very first thing to be done was Sir Knight had to be commandeered into making the dividers. The box was then sanded a bit and spray painted white.


The tedious work of cutting up paint chip cards started as I worked to create the main character on my box - I fancy her as a bit art deco - but I promise I won't hold it against you, if you don't see her that way. Shading on her hair was all done with different paint sample colors - as is the large flower on her head. Most pieces were hand cut - but as you move down to the flowers some were punched out .

Then since I missed the first deadline - I felt no real compunction to complete the entire top in only paint chips. So I cut an easel and the heart shaped palette from a picture and used precut scrapbook letters to spell out my thoughts.

I used ric - rac around the side to cover the ridge on the box where all the wood burnt cigar advertisement did not all sand out.

The inside cover is a mini gallery of these first ATC's, I've made.

The storage area is lined with burgundy wool felt - which has ribbons sewn on to help lift the card since we designed the divided area to be nice and snug, to finish it off in style I sewed a charm at the end of each ribbon.

I think it turned out pretty good. What do you think?

Voting on these pieces over at Blissful ATC Swap - is done by sending the girls an e-mail and telling them your favorite ( Blissfullatcswap@gmail.com ) . So if you think mine is kind of retro - cool and pretty - please feel free to cast a vote in my favor. If you find you like someone else’s better - I’m cool with that - vote for that one. But as I’ve said before - us artist and would be artist - love showing off our work and getting votes - so vote for someone, anyone, who‘s work tickles your muse.


Hugs,
Penny