Anzac Day and painting

Today is Anzac day: a time to reflect on war and its those who serve.

Lest We Forget 

 I haven't had time for crafting for a few days but today my hubby and I painted our front door and put on a new handle.  

The lock is yet to be attached but it will look fantastic I am sure.



We continue to discuss the red steps although I have to admit I love them.

I think a splash of colour is just the thing when the rest of the colour scheme is very neat and clean.  





Isn't it wonderful to be able to alter the appearance of a house by changing the colours.    

 Autumn has put in an appearance: just beginning.

 These trees are in our village shopping centre.

The leaves are a lovely shade of pink,

 and orange.

I have started on a new box.  This is a craftwood box that I picked up from the opportunity shop a while ago.

Yellow paint has been used for the first layer; stamping and glitter are randomly added.

This box is quite a lot bigger than others I have decorated and I am finding that a bit of a challenge.

I am looking forward to more of the trees changing and the crunch of the drying leaves on the ground.

It seem odd that others are looking forward to spring flowers at this time of year.

Butterfly box completed

Well I have finished this little box.  The interior took longer than the top.  I have added some heat set crystals and glued the felt into the base.  The interior of the lid is painted a lovely buttery yellow.

Now what shall I do next?

Butterflies and Bling

 I have added some lace butterflies to the corners of the box lid and then painted them with yellow glitter paint so that they blend with the other elements.





The wings of the butterfulies are turned up a bit so you can see what is underneath.

 The base of the box needed some attention so I have painted it with crackle paint.

This is a new product to me and I am quite happy with the results.

 Next I need to decide how to treat the inside of the box.  Fabric, or paint, or paper? 

I like the inside of a box to reflect the outside somehow so I think some butterflies and flowers will be in there.











 

encrusting a box top

 At last I have found time to do something crafty.

 I have several little boxes just waiting for some attention.

Two coats of cream acrylic paint gives the cardboard box a bit more strength and a neutral base.

The stash has revealed lots of options and the colour scheme is decided by an old doiley that was  dyed a couple of years ago. 

It is the colour of smoked salmon and there are lots of other embellishments to choose from.

The doiley is glued to the top of the box and over the sides.

On top is I have added some lace and bling - a little at a time.

A search through the button and bead boxes has revealed some great options. 

I do love embellishing box tops.  There will be more pics tomorrow.

A stranger in blogger land

 I feel like I have been away from blogging for months: not that I haven't wanted to blog.  I often think about what I will write and then the days fly by and no writing is done.

 

Up until a few weeks ago I was spending three days a week minding the twin girls from next door.  It was a real labour of love and I was terribly disappointed when their mummy gave up her job to stay home and look after the little ones.

I decided I would make the most of the time and renovate the room downstairs where I do my craft work, keep up with the office work and where the twins had their toys and cots etc.
It is a big room (imagine double garage) with a kitchen in one corner and a bathroom attached.





 Not to be content with plain walls I have decided to paint the bricks in a soft chalky grey (vanilla quake) which is lovely, and then to add some yellow (pale daffodil) in a diamond pattern.



The brick walls and wood panelling made it look very dark and gloomy.



I will paint the wood panelling last as I think it will be the easiest.

So you see I have been busy but I am really missing having time for sewing or other craft projects but it will be worth it. 

By the way isn't the clock gorgeous.