Tuesday Taggers - leftovers!

This weeks topic was set by the fabulous Blackdragon and she has challenged us to use up Christmas leftovers in a non Christmassy way. I have used a box left over from a pressie my OH got of port and chocs.

A good sturdy box! So I decided to make another gift for my brother of a 3d picture box.

This was inspired by a class I did at Art From the Heart last May - I ran with the idea changing bits slightly to suit what I was doing. In the class we used a wooden box frame whereas this is all cardboard. Firstly I cut a piece of card to fit inside the box - laid the photo at an angle then added small squares of 7 gypsies papers (1 1/2 inch square) around the photo. Once I had decided I was happy with them I inked the edges with adirondack watermelon and put faux stitches around them. I then stuck them all together. I then used a Lil Davies stitching template to prick holes for the stitching around the photo then stitched them by hand with black DMC thread. I have then stuck this into the box.

I used my ticket stamps again on inked card - again the watermelon ink - and added them to the left corner with some black buttons.

I made the flowers following a tutorial my pal midnight-crafter had given at a past workshop and also some gorgeous rose leaves she has cut out on the Craft Robo. Again they have been coloured with adirondack inks salmon and watermelon. I have added some clear stickles to some of the petals. I lined the inside "walls" with black card then used silicone glue to adhere the roses along the bottom.

The front of the box has been created using a piece of mountboard which I cut an aperture from then covered in co-ordinated seven gypsies paper. To fasten this to the box i made 8 little mountboard hinges hence the lovely flocked brads on the front of the frame - brads and alphabet from Doodlebug. The words in the corners were part of a prize from Tag you're it! from last year.

When I took these pics the back of the project was pretty awful but I have managed to pretty it up by adding some card and ribbon - although of course the back wont be looked at.

Im hoping he likes it - the photo is one of his favourites - I chose the colour sceme from his wife and daughters dresses. Scrapbooking was always my first love in papercrafting so its been great to do this project if somewhat challenging!

You can buy 7 Gypsies products at Art from the Heart - which the lovely Emmi lovingly wraps for internet orders - you honestly forget you have paid for them it looks so like a gift! That is also where I got my lil Davies stitching template which i love- Not sure if they have any of those left you may have to ring them! If you live close enough to Harrogate to travel to a class then it is well worth the visit - as you can see you learn many transferrable skills in every workshop and Dys teaching style is unique! Check out the workshops if you visit the shop you wont be disappointed!

So what will you do this week? Are you up for a real challenge? Hop on over to Tuesday Taggers
and see what my fellow teamies have done. Remember to use up leftovers - which can include your Christmas crafting/ cards/ papers/crackers/gifts. I am really looking forward to visiting blogs for this challenge!

Have a great day x Janet