Thursday 9 June 2016

My Love for Mangoes!

Hello crafty friends..
Welcome to my page today. I am still enjoying the lovely weather from my studio and  its been a pleasure working with the sun up during the day and evening showers just cooling it off!
So, I have a very cool altered project for today. If you are a mango lover, you will recognize this little fella that I am going to alter!
 Yes, it’s a mini wooden crate...I got it long, long ago, so long ago, god knows how long ago...BUT even then, I did not throw that crate away, lol! I knew it had a future and so yes...I remember it must be more than 13 yrs back that I received a mango sample in this and I am NOT a mango lover but definitely the packaging caught my eye!
So let’s start....
Step1- It was a very simple crate with some ordinary packaging wood but then it was sturdy; yes...it stayed up my attic for so many years, lol! I don’t remember, but looks like I had I had done some texture work with a ceramic cone on it and left it at that. So to cover up that, I painted the whole crate with gesso but the texture was still seen and I was not happy. I knew another coat was not going to make it any better and I dint have the patience to sand down the whole thing.
So I thought and finally decided to stick strips of paper from a magazine. Just plain white and black print and I decoupaged it all around with modge podge. I then inked the edges with lavender acrylic paint and gave a coat of varnish and let it dry.
Step2- This lovely floral napkin caught my eye and I thought was perfect for this project. I went about cutting 2 ovals from an old wedding invite, a thick one mind you. I then gave a coat of lavender acrylic paint and once that was dry, gave a coat of crackle medium, an Indian brand which was in my stash. Sadly, it is no longer manufactured! I love not so big cracks that I can achieve with this.
I tried applying it in 2 different directions on the base and when it was tacky, gave a top coat of white acrylic paint. Voila...the lovely cracks appear and I get to see the lavender color beneath. This is such a beauty and I managed them in different directions too!
Step3- I tore the napkin to fit the oval panel and stuck them using modge podge. I liked the fact that the cracks can still be seen through the napkin...a crafters delight! You agree??? I then worked on the edges with acrylic paint and then sealed the panel with Deco art Triple glaze. It took time to dry but I liked the final look.
Step4- I then fixed the panel to both the front and back of the crate and embellished them with tiny lavender pearls. 
A small tag with “hello” stamped and tied with the same lavender paper twine gives warm touch to the crate. A bunch of white roses when placed inside, gives life to the entire project!

I JUST LOVE IT! This is probably the simplest project that I have done till date, just 2 tones and nothing too fancy...a CAS altered project, lol and NOT Vintage!
Here is the back view...as good as the front, lol!
Let me know what you think.
 I wish to say “hello” to following challenges with this...
Simon Monday Challenge- Summer garden
Country View Challenges- Crackle (love them)
Alphabet ch- G for girlie
Eclectic Ellapu- mid summer
All sorts Ch- Great outdoors
The Crazy ch- Bingo(twine, pearls, flowers)
More mixed Media- Ag with the optional twist of purple
Until my next Creative journey,
Happy crafting and recycling.

Cheers.















11 comments:

  1. I loved your CAS altered project Rupa,lavender just happens to be my favourite colour, love the magazine decoupage as well !!

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  2. Looks Beautiful ! Simplest for you..cant imagine how much effort n time must have gone in cutting magazine strips n decoupaging it !

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  3. a fabulous and awesome idea!
    Thank you so much for playing along with us at Alphabet Challenges!

    hugs and kisses from germany,
    silvi xoxo

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  4. Gorgeous creation, thanks for joining Allsorts challenge, good luck.
    Happy crafting
    Tracy x

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  5. A stunning make over, it now looks to be useful for many things, CAS with a shabby chic style to it.
    Yvonne

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  6. So beautiful Rupa, i hardly use purple / violet shades so inspired seeing your project. love the delicate shading.

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  7. wow! Thanks for joining us at The Crazy Challenge. Good luck.
    Bye,
    Groetjes van Ine (DT)
    http://creaine-cards.blogspot.nl/

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  8. Gorgeous project.
    Thank you for sharing at Allsorts 'Outdoors' challenge this week and good luck x Susan x

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  9. This is such a fun and fabulous creation! So creative! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. :)

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  10. I just love the effect of the napkins over the crackle, and the whole piece is a lovely bit of upcycling. Sorry to have missed so much, but I'm off to have a wander round and catch up a bit!
    Alison x

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  11. beautiful beautiful work Rupa and I am stunned and very excited that the crackle can be seen through the napkin - you've given me an idea my friend - thankyou! Thanks for joining in with our crackle challenge at CVC and good luck! Hugs rachel x

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