Tuesday 2 April 2013

Michelle Webb #2 .... Sew A Little Seed Box

"At this time of year I start to buy some veg seeds to sow in the garden. I just so happened to put some packets of seeds from the bottom of a shopping bag into my blank little wooden box and hey presto an idea emerged! This little box was quickly given its identity as my new seed box. I think this has been one of my favourite projects of all, because the purpose is real and it will be used a lot"!





This little wooden box was perfect all bare and waiting for its purpose in life.



I started off painting the box white using Snowflake Fresco Finish Acrylic Paint.




Then I had a double up on two garden books, so rather than giving it away I decided to tear it up and use it for a bit of collage.




I painted the box with Hey Pesto, Toad Hall, Guacamole, Zesty Zing, Ice Blue and Sky. I love that beautiful gradient from dark green, to light green, into blue sky.
I stamped around the base with the grass stamp from HP1005 with black Archival Ink, I really love this stamp!

HP1005 



I used Tim Holtz's letters stamps to stamp out the word ‘Seeds’.
I also stamped the "bird stamp" with a mix of green, blue and dark blue Archival Ink onto Crackly Tissue Paper and tore him out. (Tearing the image out is much better than cutting with scissors, because when you stick the tissue down the torn edges disappear and won’t be seen, but they wouldn’t if they were cut.) I stuck the bird image onto the box and stamped the grass stamp over the top so it looked like it belonged there.




I stamped the top half of the box with the flourish stamp from the same stamp set with a darker blue Archival Ink, the swirls look like vines and leaves.  I also stamped the "Secret Garden" stamp in the centre.



I used a text stamp (MINI 62) with Green Archival Ink in random places to add another layer of interest. And as you know, I love layers!

MINI 62 



I will cherish this little seed box, and it will be well used too this year. 



I hope you find the time to alter something that you’ll make more use out of this year. It’s going to be a lovely colourful reminder of my time as a guest designer with PaperArtsy but also have a very practical use. 

Leandra Says: One of our most popular stamps sets that one, and what a genius idea to use it onto that cute little pencil box! Thank you for the inspiration!

Gillian Says: Stunningly perfect in every sense, love the two tone depth to the bird image and the gradient of colour hues ... just perfect Michelle.

Share your own creativity inspired by Michelle's projects so far, simply click HERE to upload your work to be in with a chance of winning 3 Fresco Paints.

15 comments:

Sue Lelli said...

Michelle has been a FABULOUS guest designer! I just LOVE this seed box ~ WOW ~ and loved all of the layers she used!

Words and Pictures said...

Totally gorgeous, Michelle - I think it might be my favourite of your pieces too!
Alison x

TAM said...

Simply stunning and here's hoping the weather starts to improve soon to allow your seeds to be planted and cultivated.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous seed box Michelle ! I love the colours and how you've moved through them from bottom to top. Sue C x

Unknown said...

Another stamp set I own, and the seed/pencil box is a fab idea. Hope I have time to play

Sandy said...

Hey Michelle - What a clever idea and so well done. I love this box and it would make a good treat box as well!!!!! I really do like the stamped grass around the bottom!
Sandy

sam21ski said...

Fab little box, loving your colour wave

Sam xxx

Helen said...

What a pretty box, and it will obviously be so useful for you too! Can't wait to find a box to have a go at this challenge, too!!

Lin said...

wow Michelle this is lovely..my fav colours!! gonna have to dig out a box for this one!!!

Gillian .... said...

J'adore this "sew" much. Thank you for sharing all your amazing creativity/artwork with us. See you soon:) xx

Julie S said...

This is so pretty! I love all the blues and greens, too. I need to get my hands on some Fresco paints.

Anonymous said...

What a sweet box for seeds. Love the colours you used. And of course that stamp. I also use the grass stamp a lot.
Margriet

Linda M. Cain said...

Terrific project.I'm so ready to get into the garden!

~Linda

Anonymous said...

Love this little box, it's so gorgeous & the little bird looks so cute.

Alison said...

It's beautiful Michelle! I love art I can use! xx