Friday, February 7, 2014

Altered Sewing Box


I had been given a large Altoids box (about 6" x 4") and I decided to alter it into a sewing kit.  I started off by painting gesso all over it and letting that dry.  As I knew I was going to add a crackle finish to it, I didn't worry about making it perfectly smooth.


Once the gesso was dry, I painted it with Distress Paints (weathered wood, stormy sky, vintage photo), again not worrying about streaks.  After going over different areas a few times, I stamped some of the images from the Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz Haberdashery set.  I wasn't worried about the entire image being stamped onto the lid either - it made it look more worn out to me.

The final step for the lid itself was to add Ranger's Crackle Paint and let it dry overnight.  I did add some Distress Inks after it was dry to enhance some of the cracks and a bit of Tim Holtz Ruler Ribbon was adhered along the edge of the entire box.


Next came out some dies and grungeboard hinges.  I used the rusted enamel technique for the hinges.  Although I learned it from Tim's Creative Chemistry 101 online class (highly recommend), it can also be seen in several You-Tube videos.  The sewing machine is a die from Die-Versions and I applied the tarnished silver technique to it (from Tim's Creative Chemistry 102 class).  Love how pitted it looks.  The spools and needle and thread are Memory Box dies.  I wrapped embroidery floss around the spools of thread and also threaded each of the vintage buttons with embroidery floss.

For the inside, I adhered a magnetic strip to the inside top of the lid to hold loose items and then added your basic sewing kit supplies into the inside.


Now all the basics for sewing on a button (about the extent of my sewing ability) is all in one place.

16 comments:

Shona Erlenborn said...

What an awesome little box. So many wonderful embellishments - it really did come out well. Love the distressed look you achieved. The ruler ribbon is the perfect finishing touch!

rachel said...

love this Anne - looks brilliant - I made one of these a long time ago and its so useful - hope yours is too xx

April said...

Great sewing tin! I know it will be useful for a long time. You did a wonderful job on it!

Mayras Designs said...

This is so pretty !!! What a great idea !!!

hugs,
mayra
Mayrasdesigns.blogspot.com

jimlynn said...

Fabulous little box and thanks so much for saying how you did this! Great idea for a tiny gift too. VERY nice!
Lynn

Lisa said...

Wow, this is so fabulous, Anne!! I love, love the look!! You decorated it beautifully!! Love all of the techniques you used!! Have a great weekend :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Linda Simpson said...

This is fabulous Anne, I love the gorgeous design of your sewing box and the embellishments.

Hugs
Linda xxx

Tammy said...

Wonderful transformation! Love the elements you used inside and out!

Donna Ellis said...

I like your new blog look, Anne! Really great - I probably need to clean up mine, too! Your sewing kit is fabulous - so many tiny details. I really like all the little goodies in this tin, and you've given me the idea to do the same thing! Remember back in high school when we all kept needle and threads in our purses. I can't remember when I stopped carrying that in my purse. Maybe when I stopped working. Mine won't be as cute as yours because of all the sweet things on your tin! hugs, de

Lena said...

It seems that our sewing abilities are about the same :-) except that you have a gorgeous little box for yours and I don't! I feel a scraplift coming on ... this little box is totally adorable and I can't wait to make one for myself. They would make cute gifts for kids going off to college! TFS
Lena
xxx

Lori Kobular said...

Love this sewing box! Love all the little details!! Great job!

Gerlinde said...

Such a great idea! Love all the embellishments! So clever!

Sandy said...

What a wonderful idea bravo!
Sandy xx

nwilliams6 said...

Anne, this is WONDERFUL! I love this. So many cool techniques (I need to learn some of these) and elements. Not only is it beautiful, it is very functional. You are a genius! Hugz!!!

Ellen Taylor said...

Fantastic project Anne! Beautifully designed!

Joan Ervin said...

This is absolutely spectacular, Anne...what a darling sewing box!!! You have added so many pretty details to the front and what a great idea to add the magnetic strips to the inside!!!