Tuesday 18 May 2010

A Birthday Gift and my 1st Challenge Entry.

Hello Everyone,

First of all can I just say a thankyou to those who left lovely messages on my last post written when I had a nasty cold virus. Although it knocked me for six last week, I was much improved by the weekend and just have a bit of a lingering cough now. Oh yes, and all the jobs to catch up on that didn't get done while I was feeling yucky.


My project today is one of those jobs but I have to say, the pleasantest one, unlike the stack of ironing, Lol! My lovely DIL asked me to decorate a box for her to fill memories for her mum's 50th birthday so this is what I came up with.


I was going to give you a blow by blow of how I've done it but decided I really didn't want to bore you all to tears so instead, I'm just going to give you the photos and if there is anything you would like to ask about what I've used or how I've done something, please just leave me a comment and I'll answer if I can. I'd just like to mention that the bird and cage was kindly sent to me by a lovely American blogging friend, Suzz, and you really should give her wonderful inspiration filled blog a visit, or three!


The roses I made from metal and the blue butterflies are punched from black card with a Martha Stewart punch and then embossed with Moonglow Peacock EP.

I distressed the edges of the side panels before touching them with gold Pentouch.


All the tiny butterflies from the Marth Stewart pop up border I dabbed with Versamark and a little embossing powder and used them to decorate here and there.

I'm taking the box to my DIL later this afternoon so I do hope she and her mum are going to like it.

AND, I've decided to enter this project as my very first challenge entry. I don't normally get time for them but I think this one fits the requirements of The Sir Stampalot Challenge for May which is Butterflies and Blooms and I certainly have plenty of those in here, Lol. The prize they are offering this month is absolutely awesome so I thought I'd have a go. Mind you that's if I can get the linking back to me bit right, Errrr!

Well, I'm off to take the dog for a walk before I pick my little granddaughter up at 4.30. Oooh, it is nice to see a bit of sunshine again and without it being freezing too. I hope you're all having a good day (even if it involves work).

Hugs
Lesley Xx

46 comments:

brenda said...

Good Afternoon Lesley

I have to confess that I am somewhat at a loss for words......probably a first for me, because you box is absolutely stunning.

There are so many beautiful elements and such a lot of work that I don't want to spoil a thing as I can't pick out just one or two, so I will say now more.

I am pleased you are feeling better this week, it's such a crazy time of year for colds and the like, but so many of us seem to have them.

I am so pleased that you chose Stampalot Challenge for your very first challenge entry, thank you for joining us.

B x

Val said...

Hi Lesley

Firstly - thank you for your lovely comments. I'll always remember it was your encouragement that got me into this blogging world!

This is the most beautiful thing I have seen in a long time. Absolutely breathtaking, and I love the slight oriental feel of it with the black, gold and peacock colours. The combination is so rich looking.

I defintely need some lessons in how to do those roses - they really add something diffent, instead of the papery type most of us use.

What are the bird stamps you used?

Have a lovely day.
Hugs
Valxx

PinksyDoodles said...

Hi Lesley,
Firstly, I am glad you are feeling better.
Secondly, your box. Wow, it's stunning! It is truly worthy of it's very special purpose.
If I had made it (which I am just not talented enough to have done) I wouldn't want to give it away!
Thank you so much for entering it into this month's challenge at Sir Stampalot.
Clare x

veronica said...

Gosh Lesley, that is a really out-of-this-world box - just stunning! Love the bird and cage on top,just right for this -Sir Tim?- and the colours are lovely too.
Glad you're feeling better, colds do seem to take forever to go this time of the year
hugs
xxx

Lynne K said...

Wow! What an entry for your first challenge! It's quite simply stunning! Your DIL & her mother can't fail to love it. Absolutely beautiful. x

Suzi B said...

WOW! lesley this box is stunningly beautiful. the lady who is to recieve it will be enthralled!
Sue B xx

Aquarius said...

This is beautiful and I'm sure it will be treasured. Pleased to hear you are feeling better and the worst of the jobs will wait - they always do!!

Elaine said...

Beautiful work Lesley. The turquoise roses are luscious and the gold embossing perfectly done. I am sure this will be treasured. Glad you felt well enough to get stuck into this project eventually!!

Elaine xx

Sally H said...

Oh wow! Totally totally stunning! Wow! So beautiful... do you get the impression I love it? Thanks so much for choosing Sir stampalot as your first challenge - may you join in many more! Good luck!

craftimamma said...

Hi all you lovely, lovely commentors. Answers to a couple of questions here. First of all Val, the bird stamps are from an Inkadinkado clear set called Birds Galore and Veronica, yes, it is Sir Tim's very own bird and cage. I didn't think I needed this one ...........until I my lovely blog friend kindly cut me a few,Lol!

Hugs
Lesley Xx

themessycraftroom said...

Glad your feeling better Lesley. This box is stunning and the colours are to die for. I bet they will be over the moon with it. Its simply gorgeous. Hugs x ChrisB

pinky said...

Wow Lesley are you going to be the number one mother in law or what! This is so gorgeous. Thanks for sharing at Sir Stampalot this month.
Pinky

Beryl said...

Lesley - this box is fantastic. You must have so much patience to make a project like this - pity patience and talent like this don't come bottled and for sale.
Fabulous.
Beryl xx

Anonymous said...

How beautiful is this!
Not good today, hopefully see you in june at Graphicus.

Kate x

Maya said...

Ohhh my!!
This is awesome!!
So many gorgeous details, lovely colors and such an artwork!!
Hugs from Maya :)

Janet said...

Simply just beautiful.

Glad you are feeling better.

Janet xx

Debbie said...

Wow Lesley...just picking my Jaw up off the floor...this is a really stunning piece of work!...It as a lovely oriental look about it with the black & gold. The detailing and sentiment are beautiful...I just love your gorgeous flowers...you will have to pop round to give me a lesson!
Hugs
Debbie x
PS: So sorry to hear you have not been feeling well...I hope you are on the mend now Hun.

Jules said...

Hi Lesley

Sorry it has taken me so long to get here!

I am so pleased that you decided to enter this awesome project into the Stampalot Challenge. I can't believe it is the first challenge you have entered - let's hope it is the first of many.

Your memory box is the most beautiful project I have ever seen in blogland - it is absolutely fantastic.

Such gorgeous colours and those roses are delicious.

I have expanded into two memory boxes now for my keepsakes .. .. but they look nothing like this. They are large shoe boxes not even covered in wallpape!! LOL!!!

Love Jules xx

Heavens2Betsy said...

So pleased to hear you are feeling better Lesley. I say s*d the ironing! Crumpled is the new smooth in my house. I say you're lucky if you can find it, whatever it may be, in my household tho' strangely I always know where my craft knife can be found! I love your Memory Box, what a lovely gift idea and how beautifully you've made it. Be well, Penny x

Debbie Dolphin said...

oh wow lesley what a stunner!!!absolutely beautiful
hope you are feeling better
love debbie xxx

Francesca said...

Such a wonderful creation, thanks for joining us at sir stampalot challenge this month and good luck!
Hugs
Francesca

Helen said...

Hi Lesley
That box is very lovely that must have taken you a long time to make but it was worth it. My favourite part of your box is the flowers on the side.
From Helen

Tracy said...

Totally stunning and inspiring, I adore it and if it was a gift to me, it would be treasured forever. Fab Entry, thanks for joining Sir Stampalot’s challenge, Good luck.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Suzanne C said...

GORGEOUS!!!!! LOVE how you used the birdcage!! Beautiful project! Glad you entered it into the challenge! (Good luck!)

Anonymous said...

oh my thats just breath takingly beautiful!

Christina Lytle said...

Oh my! I can't stop looking at your gorgeous box. The colors, flowers, absolutely amazing.
~Hugs~

Lynne K said...

Just seen that your box has been chosen for the top 3!! Big congratulations, Lesley! I'm not at all surprised. If I'd been choosing, it would have been the winner. x

Kayla said...

I love your work! Amazing!

Val said...

Congratulations in coming in the top 3! Mind you - I think it should have been first.
Hope you are having a wonderful break.
Love
Valxx

Annie said...

What a lovely box. Thanks for showing us.
A x

Julia Dunnit said...

Hey Lesley - your DiL liked it huh? Knew she would, how could she not - absolutely gorgeous. Great WOYWW!

Tracy Evans said...

What an absolutely stunning box, so much detail. What measurements did you use to give you such great box, ideal for any memories and such a wonderful keepsake. I would cherish it. Gorgeous. Tracy Evans x

Helen said...

That is one fantastic box. can I have one please, lol!!

Sid said...

What a simply stunning box ! Noth9ng more to say !!

Paper and Ribbons said...

Gosh that is truly stunning!

Sew This N That said...

What a stunning box!
*hugs* Heather x

Linby said...

what an absolutely stunning box and piece of art work - fab.
Linbyx

Tracy Evans said...

Have commented on this box before but just had to come back and say anyone would be more than pleased to receive something so diving, just gorgeous detail I love it and would love to receive one. Have a lovely day, Tracy Evans x x

Jan Hennings said...

love this memory box...just beautiful!

Mummylade said...

wow, such a lovely project

Unknown said...

gorjuss box hun, so glad to hear your feeling better xx

hugs
judie xx

yoursartfully said...

Wow Lesley, this is absolutely gorgeous, what an amazing gift. I'm sure it will be treasured for a very long time.

Lin

Kaz said...

That's a beautiful box x

Sue said...

Hi Lesley
wow your box is stunning, luv all the detail on it, beautiful gift, sue,x

Merry said...

This is so stunning. REally love those butterflies around edge of the lid.

Spyder said...

This is stunning, love it!
(lyn)