2018 #8 Boxes Photo Storage with ESA {by Jennie Atkinson}

2018 Topic 8: Boxes

Every now and then you need a really big stamp, and for the front cover of this gorgeous box, Jennie selected Seth's fabulously detailed stamps. She's stepped off the cliff into the dark unknown word of masculine stamping. Read on to see how Jennie created such a treasure of a memory box! ~Leandra

Hi everyone, it's Jennie (Live the Dream) with you today sharing a small photo storage box which was just perfect for these wonderful Seth Apter stamps. 

I have to admit to being very excited BUT somewhat panicky when I saw the Seth Apter stamps - they are fabulous but sooooo out of my usual flowery vintage shabby chic genre! I just love it when Leandra pushes us to try different things and I have to say that once I started on my box I was very happy!

I decided to pair the stamps with some of Seth's recent paint releases to create a focal point for the rather handsome gent but more of that later.

The box die I have used enables storage of 6" x 4" photographs and I have been making these for various members of the family, but so far had not made one for my father. They are really lovely to have stacked on the shelf in the study and when I find a photograph I can just pop it in the relevant box rather than having loads of envelops here there and everywhere!

I chose to use Seth Apter's stamps ESA05 as the various additional elements just really jump out and I thought there was huge scope for layering them.

I made the box out of heavy greyboard and coated it first with Fresco Chalk Acrylic Chalk before adding some texture with Grungepaste using Scrapcosy stencils PS049 and PA065 The box was then inked with Vintage Photo Distress Oxides.

I wanted to create a rusty focus for the main image and was inspired by Nikki Acton's wonderful video using Seth Apter paints to create rusty textured surfaces. Here's the video below.

As Nikki shows, I painted my cardstock with Black Gesso using a thick brush and trying to get as much texture as possible. Next came some dry brushing with Fresco Finish Chalk Paint before I added a watery puddles of Seth's new Fresco Finish Chalk Paint in Jade, and Green Patina, with a little bit of Brown Shed added in as well. This took a couple of coats but the effect is really amazing! Thank you Nikki!

I wanted to highlight the texture so blended Jet Black Archival Ink over the whole piece with a soft cloth - I love how the texture picks up the ink.

Finally I added some gold wax gently over the top with my finger to really bring out the texture.

Close up you can see how the Black Ink has knocked back the colours to create the patina effect. 

I couldn't not use this little piece left over after die cutting the middle of the frame! 

This is a great stamp set for layering .... I have used the stamps on coffee stained paper to create a vintage look. (The smell is lovely .... !) I could have done more layering but this box needs to sit on a shelf with others so I was trying to keep it reasonably flat!

I cut another frame for the back of the box ....

.... which I layered with more of Seth's stamps. I love being able to isolate small words for layering and the large stamp is just great for that.

So from my usual shabby chic to masculine rust - my initial panic for this project was totally wiped away once I started using these fabulous stamps and with the wonderful inspiration from Nikki for creating a rusty background I really did enjoy putting this together. I can't wait to experiment with the rusty technique - perhaps using softer pastel colours as well .... I am sure it will work a treat. Thank you Leandra for once again pushing me out of my comfort zone!

As always thank you for joining me.

Jennie x

Blog: Live The Dream

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The current topic link Topic 8: Boxes will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, May 13th 2018, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.