Monday 4 March 2013

For A Lady

Greetings from Dublin. Firstly, heartfelt thanks to everyone who left such lovely comments on my last post - you ladies are warm rays of sunshine and your kindness means a great deal to me. Secondly, I've missed my magical mystery tours around your blogs and I'm hoping to venture back as much as possible.

Last Sunday I was lucky enough to attend a class hosted by the lovely Eve who taught us to alter a Tim Holtz configurations box using the delectable Graphic 45 'A Ladies' Diary' papers, together with a matching mini album. Thank-you Eve for hosting such a friendly, fun filled day - looking forward to more. It was great to finally meet the wonderful Shirley and other crafty ladies too.

Eve's box had a clear top lid so that the lovely lined drawers could be seen below with the album hidden beneath them. She showed us how to 'hinge' the top and bottom parts in order to double the box height. I've arranged my box a little differently though and made it with a paper covered lid. Here is my version;



Back at home I covered all sides of box and drawers (inner and outer) with the beautiful A Ladies' Diary papers. Also painted the drawers with Paper Artsy's fresco finish in Nougat. The lid is simply made from a square of Ladies' Diary paper on top of a square of cardstock. I sealed the papers with Claudine Hellmuth multi medium matte and found this product super as it forms an invisible seal with no visible brushstrokes. I then edged the lid with lace and decorated with lots of Ladies' Diary images, roses by Prima and Jeans (available here), silk ribbon (tied using Boweasy), pearls and charms. (A little inking is also in the mixture using Distress Inks). Also added Tim Holtz game spinners to clocks on two sides.



For the inside of the box I've used the space in the top lid to create a little stamped scene showing a seamstress busy creating all those fashions modelled on the outside. The stamped square is backed by a square of cardstock for reinforcement. I've used stamps from the gorgeous set 'Sew Much To Do' by Chapel Road Artstamps. You can see I've also used some 'A Ladies' Diary' cutouts to form the scene as well as lace, stitched buttons, sewn ribbon, wound spools, pearl string, roses, seam binding, ribbon measuring tape and I stamped the Magnolia die cut tag for the shop sign.



I recently bought the Tim Holtz dressform die and cut some spools from chipboard and used one as the box 'closure'. I decorated it with seam binding and a really fabulous scissors charm that I bought from The Funkie Junkie Boutique. Eve's kit also included the Tim Holtz Foundations 'feet' that really finish off the box wonderfully.



I'll be giving this box to my Darling Mum next Sunday for Mother's Day.

I wish you all a lovely week and thank everyone most sincerely for visiting. It's great to have you along!

Nicola x


I wish to enter box to the following challenges;
Sugar Creek Hollow - #51 Lovely Lace
Simon Says Stamp and Show - By The Numbers (clocks, dates,tape)
Country View Crafts - Pick and Mix
Stampin For The Weekend - Lace
Vintage Udfordring - #55 Decorate with Flowers
Joanna Sheen - Layer It Up
Moving Along With The Times - Lovely Ladies
Glitter n Sparkle Challenge Blog - Mother's Day
Sunday Stamper - Oh You Pretty Things
Allsorts Challenge - For A Lady
Inspiration Emporium - Add A Little P.O.P.

80 comments:

  1. This is gorgeous! Great combination of the Ladies Diary (love that line), and the configurations box. What a treasure you have created!

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  2. Wow Nicola, this is totally amazing and a really wonderful piece of artwork. I've no idea how long it must taken you but worth every minute of it.

    Thanks so much for sharing your lovely work with us at Allsorts this week.

    B x

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  3. Nicola, this is absolutely beautiful! You have combined these lovely papers with fabulous stamping and very cool embellies to create such a unique piece. I really like the story that this piece tells with the seamstress and all her tools working so hard in the background (inside) to make these fabulous fashions. The scissors on the handle and the details like the lady's lace bustle are inspired ideas. Lucky Mom! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  4. This box is AMAZING!!! Wow, love the paper you used. The pearls and lace added the perfect touch. Wow!

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  5. Hi Nicola, it is so nice to see you again and what a piece you have created! It is stunning. Those papers are beautiful, as is your stamping and embellishing. An inspired and inspiring piece of art. What a lovely gift form your Mum too. Hugs, Anne x

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  6. Your box is breathtaking !! I do believe I could just sit and look at it all day and still find something new to notice the next day. I love it !!!
    Thanks so much for for a visual that just raised my spirit so much.
    Mary

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  7. Wow - this box is STUNNING!! There is so much to say about it, all the delicious details, but suffice it to say you deserve to win every single challenge you enter with this one - and MORE. WOW!! I'm going to put this in my faves folder for altered art ideas right now - I'm in total awe. Wow!

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  8. I think I just broke my jaw when it fell to my desk. Nicola, this is so, so, SO amazing. Where to even begin telling you everything I love about it? It's ALL so perfect. Your Mom will be beyond amazed, thrilled, happy, and proud...it's gorgeous. Kudos to you!
    hugs,
    Lisa x

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  9. Oh my stars this fabulous! Wieners! A lot of patience!!! Well worth it! So much beauty!

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  10. Nicola
    I am lucky that through this wonderful place we call Blogland, every time I venture here my eyes and mind are opened to amazing creations that bring beauty to my day, this is such a creation. I know that there will be many times today and no doubt tomorrow and beyond that this beautiful creation will pop into my head.
    Your dear Mum will not only be thrilled to be receiving such a treasure but I would say she will have tears in her eyes that her wonderful daughter has created a gift especially for her.
    Wishes
    Lynne
    P.S. Is it my lovely Shirl that you met up with? I need to see if it is Shirl from FSC.

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    1. Thank-you so much Lynne - you are a sweetheart! Yes! It was indeed your one and only Shirley that I finally had the pleasure of meeting. She is lots of fun and has great tips - thankfully she made sure that I had that hinge on securely! Looking forward to seeing her at future classes. Nx

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  11. Nicola this is just gorgeous, I love those papers you have one lucky Mum! Elizabeth xxx

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  12. This thisis absolutely gorgeous ! Stunning in fact and I am sure it will be treasured and much admired! Really gorgeous trace x

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  13. Wow,It`s just stunning...

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  14. This is one of the most impressive boxes I've ever seen. I've been looking at all the details on this one for quite some time. I love how all elements blend together so perfectly, but I'll mention a couple of my favorites:
    - the lace used as apron is absolutely my favorite detail! What a difference a tiny little piece of lace can do!
    - The necklace of pearls
    - the paper you've used to make the wall paper for the lid

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  15. Oh wow, this is just stunning! Thank you for joining us at Allsorts for our For a Lady challenge this week x

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  16. OMG this is amazing, so much time and detail, gorgeous papers, love the story and though behind it. Totally stunning, your Mm is one lucky lady :) x.

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  17. O my goodness.. Just let me pick my jaw up from the floor.... Stunning work... I love every Wonderful detail... Your mum is going to be thrilled... WOW!!! What a keepsake... AmAzing, Fabulous, Fantastic, Gorgeous...Can you guess I love it!!! Hugs May x x x

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  18. oh my word, swwwwoooooonnnnnnn.this is fabulous nicola.check out all those beautiful pretty details and colours.your mum is one very lucky lady :S

    xx coops xx

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  19. oops mistype, that should of being a smiley face like this :D

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  20. Absolutely perfect, Nicola! I love every single square millimetre! A perfect showcase for these glorious papers, and your lucky mother is going to love it...
    Alison x

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  21. Amazing! You've done an outstanding job, the box is just gorgeous!

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  22. Oh Nicola...glad to see you, and what a beautiful way to see you back! Wow!!! A plethora of beautiful views from every side and inside! Gorgeous images, embellies, and love the clocks! The lid is so darn clever!!! Fabulous fabulous make! We've got your number this week! Thanks for playing along at Simon Says Stamp & Show!

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  23. Absolutely gorgeous! I love this, I'm so pleased I have some of this paper, thanks for the inspiration
    Hugs Julie P

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  24. Oh Nicola this is a gorgeous creation^_^
    Stunning work with many wonderful details^_^
    Have a sweet day,
    Sonia

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  25. WOW!!!! Oh my goodness this is so beautiful and very inspiring! I need to make one! ;o) Much love and hugs Laura xxxxxxxxxx

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  26. Wow! This is stunning! :) Thanks for joining us at Glitter n Sparkle this week xx -Paula DT

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  27. This is beyond gorgeous, Nicola! I am in awe of your talent. Your eye for details...flawless. Glad you see you crafting again...and feeling better, I hope. Thinking of you, my friend.
    xxx Asha
    Sunny Summer Crafts

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  28. Oh my.. WOW.. Gosh, this is simply amazing! I am speechless.. Absolutely stunning!! I wish I was talented enough to even imagation something like this, let alone actually create it!
    My favourite projet I have seen.. (I think EVER!)
    Thanks for sharing with us at Glitter n Sparkle.. Good Luck!
    Toni - DT

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  29. Wow! This is so stunning, your attention to detail is exquisite, absolutely love everything about it. I believe Graphics 45 is holding a dt call at the moment,it might be worth you putting an application as your work is so beautiful
    Lindsay xx

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  30. Oh my crafty goodness! This is mind blowingly gorgeous! It's one of those projects you want to come back to over and over again, and every time you notice something different to drool over. Pure magic my friend. You Mum will love it! Lots of hugs to you xxx

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  31. Big congratulations on your Crafty Individuals win as well, it is a goreous piece. Elizabeth xxxx

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  32. Ooooh, wow, this is gorgeous. A very beautiful artwork, love it

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  33. Lovely to see you back Nicola, the box is gorgeous. Love the scene you created with the seamstress stamp and the scissors on the opening is gorgeous. I'm sorry that I couldn't go to Athlone on Sunday, looks like it was a great day, best wishes.

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  34. COR BLIMEY, that is GORGEOUSNESS... LOVE LOVE LOVE it... very lots!!! Thanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper x

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  35. Gosh Nicola, what an exquisite and stunning little box, love it to bits, a real beautiful treasure. Hope you're feeling a bit better now. xx

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  36. Absolutely stunning, Nicola!

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  37. Wow Nicola this is stunning, love how you have put this together. I see you got to meet Shirley, she's lovely isn't she?
    Take care.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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    1. Yes Brenda - Shirley was a pleasure to meet! Nicola x

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  38. Hi Nicola, oh wow this is stunning!! Such attention to detail and all those perfect little embellishments.

    Thanks for joining in with us at MAWTT this week.

    Sarah

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  39. Thanks for linking your gorgeous project to Country View Challenges Nicola. I left a message earlier but can't see it at the moment, will check again tomorrow.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  40. Wow, that's a breathtaking project.

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  41. Nicola...I am in love with this box! You have done an exquisite job of mixing paper images to create such a lovely lovely and very special box for your Mum. I love every little detail on this...even down to the sweet little sewing scissors that embellish the front. Your attention to detail on this is just amazing. You've done such a perfect job of collaging the top of the box...great balance, great color, great detail and great design! Thanks so much for sharing this lovely gift with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

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  42. OMG!! This is really gorgeous, Nicola!! Both outside and outside, the box, the little details and the papers, truly beautiful!

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  43. Hi Nicola, goodness me I am totally lost for words, your box is simply AMAZING. I just love those papers, in fact I love it all, a real feast for the eyes. I hope you feel better soon, carry on crafting it's the best tonic in the world! xxxxx

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  44. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, love all your detail, that Ladies Journal paper is so awesome, and the lace and pearls added jus make it "POP" !!

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  45. Jest cudowna! Masz ogromny talent!

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  46. What a gorgeous altered box! Love all the compartments and your mom will be so thrilled when she receives this gift! So many lovely details! Thank you for stopping by and joining in my celebration and following! Well, I thought I was following you as well, but am now! Enjoy the day!

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  47. Hi Nicola, Omg what a stunning creation! I LOVE IT! There are so many gorgeous details in this, and put together so very beautifully, it really is a work of art - your mum will treasure this so much, it's perfect for those very special little things.

    Hannah and Ethan are much better now, thank you for asking. I hope you are keeping well and looking after yourself! Thank you for your lovely comments on my card and ring, they are so much appreciated Nicola.

    Take care

    Maria xxxxx

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  48. Hi Nicola, Oh WOW this is brilliant! So very creative. I am in total awe! Thank you for your kind words on my Bog too. Judy x

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  49. wow what a gorgeous box, your Mum will be so thrilled with it I bet, I know I would, lots of wonderful details
    hugs

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  50. Oh my WOW!!!!!! This project is absolutely GORGEOUS Nicola!! Loved seeing all the beautiful little details! Gosh girl, you are talented! xo

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  51. Hi Nicola! Firstly, thank you so much for visiting my blog and for the kind comment! Your sweet words brightened my day :) And I have to let you know, I am so happy to see that you have a blog!! Moreover, I am STUNNED by your beautiful art! You have a very special talent, and I am so happy that we've "met" and I can follow your gorgeous creations! Big hugs!

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  52. Wonderful box Nicola, that must have been one great class! Love how you have decorated both the outside and the inside of the box! Your mum is one lucky lady receiving it!!

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  53. Oh.My.Word. how fantastic is this box!!!??? I love all the detail...stunning!! Thank you so much for playing along with the Inspiration Emporium challenge this month!

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  54. Oh my gosh, how long is the queue of admirerers... But I found the end eventually :-). I just found you at Simon Says Stamp's and that was it! I am an admirerer myself, now! Congratulations to your beautiful altered box! There is so much detail to look at! Thanks for sharing!
    Greets, Manu

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  55. ooooh absolutely stunning i love it . Thanks for sharing with us at glitternsparkle hugs trisha x

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  56. WOW this is gorgeous!!! lainey x

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  57. This is so stunning! Thanks for joining us this week at Simon Says Stamp and Show! - Ashli :)

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  58. Hello!
    Thank you for your nice comment on my blog! I had to visit yours, and this is fantastic! It is really inspiring and I almost feel that I have found a soulmate when it comes to paper craft. It seems that you like a lot of the same things as I do.

    I will follow your blog too.

    Have a nice weekend!

    Hug from Synnøve

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  59. back to admire your stunning box again this time with my DT hat on thank you for joining us SCH
    hugs

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  60. Oh wow! That is just stunning. Beautiful work. Kim

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  61. Wow! Absolutely amazing project Nicola, so many beautiful details. Ger x

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  62. Oooooh Nicola, this box is really delicate et so gorgeous... What a wonderful gift for your mum !!! I just come back from a trip for my job, so couldn't come and see before.. Wanted to say also how I was happy for you to see your card for Crafty Ind. among the favorites ones ! Well done !! Have a lovely week-end in Dublin, Coco xx

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  63. No doubt your mom will Adore every inch of your beautiful box.
    Love the sewing theme and the inside is as pretty as the outside.
    Hugs Lynn

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  64. Wow, this is absolutely stunning!
    Beautiful details:)
    Thanks for joining us at Vintage utfordring.
    Hugs, Heidi:)

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  65. Stunning box and so much detail. Thanks for joining us at Stampin for the weekend.
    Hugs
    Jayne

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  66. Well that is just wow! what a lovely masterpiece with all the beautiful papers and embellishments. Happy to see you playing along with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show!

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  67. This is beautiful! Thanks for entering the Inspiration Emporium challenge this month!

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  68. wow and wow again and WOWZERS!!!!!!!

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  69. Gorgeous and more Nicola. The inside is amazing and I love the stamps. can't wait for another crafty day with you. Take care of yourself my friend.

    Hugs Shirley's x x

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  70. This is such a gorgeous altered box Nicola sounds like a good workshop!
    Avril xx

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  71. amazing...love every detail...so happy to see you at vintage challenge..

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  72. Sounds like you had a great time at the workshop and you've definitely produced a fantastic piece of art. Must have taken you a long time but your hard work shows and its fantastic! Well done!

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  73. Thanks for joining the Inspiration Emporium March Challenge!

    Your creation is so pretty with so many details I don't know where to look first! Lovely!

    ♥ Sue Kment

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  74. Gorgeous box Nicola, I love what you've done with the configurations box & gorgeous graphic 45 papers, beautiful!!
    Hugs Ann xx

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  75. Simply beautiful Nicola. There are so many gorgeous details and I love them all. I could describe each and every one but we'd be here all day. Stunning.
    Juliaxx

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  76. Very nice creation. Thanks for joining Vintage udfordring.
    Big hug
    Andrea-Emmi41

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Thank-you! Your visit and comment is very much appreciated. Nicola x