And Now for Something Completely Different

Regular readers will know that my passion is making cards, but here is my latest project to be finished and not an easel or stepper fold in sight.

I recently treated myself to the new Spectrum Noir pens colouring system including the tutorial DVD from Crafter's Companion. I needed somewhere to store my pens that was reasonably portable around the house - as I don't always craft in the same room depending on the light. Whilst on a recent shopping spree my husband spotted a drawer unit made from recycled card which fitted the bill perfectly. the only problem being it was terribly dull. Well not any more 5 days and a few coats of paint, and some decoupage later here it is.

This is the front view I painted the front of each drawer with cream acrylic paint giving it 2 coats. Once this was dry I sanded all the edges and applied Tim Holtz distress ink in Victorian Velvet I then stamped the image of the flowers across the front of each drawer before adding the stamped butterflies these were stamped using a stamp from the Papermania Book Print range and cut out and applied using a coat of PVA glue. Once the glue was dry I rubbed a gold ink pad along all the edges to give a faded gold effect.

The sides of the unit are a bit more elaborate. I again gave two coats of cream acrylic and sanded and distressed the edges using the Victorian Velvet, more stamped butterflies were added with the addition of a stamped bird.

The roses I cut from some free Country Diary papers I had in my stash, again the decoupage was coated in PVA and once this was dry more PVA was applied to the edges and gold leaf foil was added. When the glue had dried under the gold leaf I brushed the excess off using a stiff brush all the bits have been captured in a container and I will use these as gilding flakes on another project. I wanted a shabby chic look to the box and therefore was too precise with the gilding, well that's my excuse it was also the first time I had attempted gilding and I am fairly pleased with the results although I know where the imperfections are.

Finally the top of the box was treated to more of the same but using a lovely image of a fan from one of my Oh La La creations CDs.

The drawers now contain my new pens and I am just waiting for hubby to finish building the pine storage unit for my stash so the drawers can stand on top.

I am entering this project in the following challenges
http://paperplaychallenges.blogspot.com - something Old (the papers) something new (the gilding technique)
http://crazychallenge.blogspot.com - anything goes