Wednesday 13 August 2014

Autumnal ATB by Astrid

Hi everyone and thanks for dropping in here. After a little break in July, I am back with my first project for August.
Somehow, this being the middle of August already with the summer definitely slowly coming to an end, I was drawn towards Autumnal colours. Always being short of storage boxes for those little bits and pieces, I decided to make an ATB using the large Eileen Hull die. This Artist Trading Block, measure 3 x 3 x 3", so is a perfect size for little embellishments etc.
I started by cutting the die for my cube twice as per instructions, out of 480 grammes black card stock. Next I made a kind of master board to cut my panels from.

I took a piece of 12 x 12 plain card and splattered it with Dylusions Inks in Melted Chocolate and Fresh Lime, spritz with water and let it drip a bit. I then over stamped with the Marbelled Background stamp in Orange Blossom Archival ink. At this point I was just playing to see what would happen. Here is a close up:
I cut my background into five 2.75 by 2.75" (7 x 7 cm) squares, to cover the sides and top of my box.
I really did make 5 lol, even though there are only 4 in the photo, but they all pretty much look the same anyway. Next I went and darkened and blended each one with Distress Inks in Scattered Straw, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain. This was starting to look a lot more like what I was after...
At last the fun of decorating each panel could begin:
For this one I used the Calligraphic Mat 12 , stamped in Antique Linen Distress Paint, a honey comb stencil from my stash and a stamp from the Katie Leitch "Hand Stamped" set. The diecut was a gift from a friend.
This one was just stenciled with  the Tim Holtz  Eye Chart stencil, it's my least favourite so I decided to use it for the top as I knew it would be covered over.
The next two panels use stamps from the Katie Leitch  Leaves set.

The final panel uses a stamp from the Hand Stamped set again. I also used the Chicken Wire background stamp


Time to put it all together. I decided to add a little figure to the top of my box to add as a vocal point:
This is from the Tim Holtz found relative cards, the smallest of the 3 cowboys. The rest of the lid was decorated with some bits and pieces from my stash:
For the closure of my box I used one of the little metal fasteners, altered with some Espresso Alcohol Ink.
Well, hope you like my little box, these ATBs are so much fun and make great decorative pieces as well as being useful storage boxes.

Thank you for visiting and enjoy the rest of the week!

36 comments:

Anneke said...

Absolutly gorgeous. My favorite Colors. You can be very proud Astrid because this box is so pretty. Thanks for your inspiration Anneke.

massofhair said...

Welcome back Astrid, hope you enjoyed your Family time!

Autumn is my favourite season, am loving your ATB very much it is sensational. Loving these a lot they are so much fun to create.

Great inspiration as always, TY:-) xxx

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Awesome!!!! Love this darling box - the colors are sensational and the tiny cowboy is inspired. Check out our Frilly and Funkie challenge today - your a perfect fit :)

Hugs,
Linda

www.deeadamsart.blogspot.co.uk said...

What a fantastic ATB! the vintage colours are some of my favourites, love the top detail. good to have you back. Dee x

Dagmar said...

Das ist fantastisch - es sieht aus als würde deine Box von innen heraus leuchten!!!! Traumhafte Farben und Gestaltung! Liebe Grüße, Dagmar

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Astrid,
This ATB certainly appeals to the eye with it's warm rich colours. I love the master board you made for your substrate, it is always interesting to me to see how others start the process of creating a masterpiece.
Smiles:)
Sue

froebelsternchen said...

Absolut gorgeous this project Astrid!

Dorthe said...

What a fantastic effect you got with the inking up, wonderfully rusty and beautiful old to see- and I love the add of green leafe and the way it kind os shines !! ,stunning colours combination, Astrid. A gorgeous box,dear. xo, Dorthe

Redanne said...

Oh Wow Astrid, your ATB is gorgeous, I love the warm colours which show up even more with the black stamping. The little lad on the top is so sweet. These ATBs are so perfect for storage too. Love this! Hugs, Anne xx

rachel said...

gorgeous ATB Astrid - brilliant make - lovely colours xx

Caroline said...

Amazing!! The colours are LUSH & yr backgrounds are gorgeous! Adore the cowboy on top & all yr embellies. The leaf on one of the sides is just beautiful too! No idea how these boxes are put together but they look wonderful & so versatile? Hope you had a good break & looking forward to seeing more gushable creating from you! :))

Anonymous said...

Beautifully done Astrid! As always I love those vintage browns. This really is a wonderful piece. Love it! Karen.x

Dena said...

What a beautiful project, such gorgeous colors!!!
Hugs, Dena

Titbelsoeur, mixed-media addict said...

you are definitely good at that style !! another awesome piece !

Terry said...

Such a talent you are, Astrid! I am always so thrilled to see your artwork and the details. Absolutely gorgeous ATB and the colors are so rich and classy! Love this!

Ruth said...

Wonderful! Such rich autumnal colours, gorgeous Astrid, love the found relatives boy, great idea and thanks for the step by step. Ruth x

Juliz Design Post said...

Loving the rich warm colours and great to see a step by step on your backgrounds. Must get some ATB dies at some point.
Julie x

Ros Crawford said...

Another lovely project!

Anonymous said...

Wow! So gorgeous!! I love the autumn colours.

Lisa H said...

I love the warm colors and vintage feel of your ATB. Wonderful!

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Stunning details Astrid, gorgeous box!
greetings Alie

Corrie Herriman said...

Gorgeous box, lovely warm colours but I am not quite ready for autumn !
Corrie x

Unknown said...

Love it ASTRID!!!!! GREAT ART... Beautifully created... Love, Light and Peace....Bonnie

Anonymous said...

This is a triumph!
It looks as though the colours are glowing, you achieved such richness and I adore that little chappie perched on top.
Wishes
Lynne

Linda M. Cain said...

LOVE it!

~Linda

peggy gatto said...

I love this piece, lovely

Helen said...

what a great ATB, fab colours!

Unknown said...

This is gorgeous Astrid and you have demonstrated how the darker, earthier colours can be used to full effect. Fab!! >:o) Chris xxx

May said...

Gorgeous creation Astrid...I adore the colours & the fabulous stamping...the little chap is perfect...Love it all... Hugs May x x

Pamellia said...

Just amazing! I really love the colour palette and the backgrounds are stunning! Thanks for the tutorial on that, I am all over it!! Beautiful project :)

Jenny Marples said...

An autumnal joy Astrid! LOVE the mottled look with the leaves and that little boy sat atop his cube. Thank you so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Jenny x

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Amazing background colors and layers here, Astrid, you have created a magic. Love it!!

Words and Pictures said...

Gorgeous, rich, autumnal colours, and I love how each panel retained that glow at the heart. Fabulous stamping, and I love the little figure on top - wonderful ATB!
Alison xx

Nancy Dynes said...

Total vintage eye candy, Astrid! The colors are so rich and and warm. Each side of your cube draws the eye to a lovely new element. The vintage boy on top is the perfect touch! Gorgeous!! Thank you so much
for sharing your ATB with us at the Frilly and Funkie!!
Hugs,
Nancy

Unknown said...

This is gorgeous Astrid. absolutely adore the colours, they are so rich and deep :)

Donna Gibson said...

Hi Astrid, I love the deep, rich colors that you achieved on your ATB! It's beautiful!