Monday 14 October 2013

Urgent! by france papillon

Hi all!
I thought i wouldn't be much of a guest, if i didn't play along with the current challenge, 
which is to alter something.

This little bag contained my hubby's latest Christmas gift 
(yep, that's how long i've had it around to do something with it).
And this is what i turned it into:


First i applied a layer of gesso over it and cut out fitting pieces of cardboard out of an empty packaging. These pieces of cardboard were used to reinforce the little bag so that it would keep a nice shape once glued inside. To make them look less 'packaging like', i applied Vintage Photo Distress Ink on the edges.
I made a drawer to put inside the bag: i cut the pieces out of the backcover of a watercolor paper block (which is 2mm cardboard).
I simply glued them together...
...and reinforced the structure with gommed kraft. I dressed up the inside with kraft cardstock.
I added some stamping using the Ephemera stamp set using Vintage Photo Distress Ink and Black Jet Archival Ink.
When i came back to my studio the next morning, i had a bit of a surprise: the gesso and the layer of paint i applied on the bag didn't adhere to it. Only thing left to do was to peel it off... and search for a solution: i needed color that would stick to this non poreous paper bag...
 Adirondack Alcohol ink!!! That did the trick!
I blended Cloudy Blue, Sailboat Blue, Eggplant, Ginger, Latte and Caramel.
I stamped some of the Ephemera and the Air Mail stamp set onto a BoBunny paper scrap (12"Midnight Frost Crystals) and on a strip of kraft cardstock with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and Black Jet Archival Ink. 
 And guess what: it's the perfect fit for atc's! 

Your turn now, go! Go alter something! 

xx
france

17 comments:

Artyjen said...

Wow! that is fab....you managed to rescue it beautifully ;)
xoxo Sioux

craftytrog said...

Fantastic transformation France!
Alison x

Kyla said...

Oh my, that is something I would have never considered to do with a bag. Guess I am gonna have to start keeping gift bags too now! Lol!
Kyla

Kay Wallace said...

France, the is truly a work of art! And, by "work," I mean WORK! But, in the end, you have a small treasure, a very beautiful treasure. Surprise about that gesso, huh? Love the tip about alcohol inks!

Marianne said...

What a beatifu little box!! Thanks for sharing. xxx Marianne

Claudine said...

Wow! Amazing! I love it and the fact that it's the perfect size for ATCs, even better!!

Corrie Herriman said...

Wonderful piece of art, France. I love it and I will certainly try to alter something too !
Corrie x

Sid said...

Great arty conversion

Anonymous said...

So clever & it looks gorgeous.

massofhair said...

Your brilliant bag conversion is genius, would never have thought of doing this France! Thank you for the inspiration and the stunning colour combinations :-)

Unknown said...

une idée geniale, felicitations!!!

Astrid Maclean said...

Wow, amazing transformation, LOVE it!!

Janny Jager said...

Very very beautiful.
Greetings Janny

AngelicaS said...

Great idea!! And a very beautiful result!!!

Titbelsoeur, mixed-media addict said...

love the idea !

Words and Pictures said...

Fabulous altered art, France - I love the alcohol inks on the bag - what glorious colours, and a wonderful distressed look. Brilliant little box too - great make!
Alison xx

Unknown said...

Ooooh I just found this. I need to find storage for my ATC's. I have a bag in mind. Thank you. Beautiful work. X