Thursday 30 May 2013

This Ol' Chicken came into the Wood

Hello everyone, nice to have you visiting here today.
Ok, so what is with this weird title? Well, I did not know what to call this post and just wanted to do something slightly different.
The whole inspiration for both this post and the project came from the current challenge theme over at Simon Says Stamp and Show which is "into the wood."
At first this theme had me totally stumped, but then I came upon this old wooden container and I decided to alter it. For once I remembered to take a "before" picture, - so this is how it started out:
Once upon a time it was a nice weathered wood plant container, but it had become quite grotty as you can see.

I started by sanding it down, then I gave it a coat of Gesso and when that was dry I coloured it with dark brown acrylic paint. When that had dried I added a thin layer of crackle glaze, let that dry to the touch and then put a final coat of straw coloured acrylic paint on top with cut and dry foam because I wanted the crackle to become quite random, and if you use a brush the crackles tends to follow the direction of the brush strokes. The inside was painted with a glaze of Titan Buff paint. Next I added the chickens and roosters, carefully torn from the top layer of a paper serviette. I glued them on with Modge Podge, added some background stamping and coloured the edges with  various brown inks.
Here you can see one of the sides. I also added some charcoal pencil around one side of the roosters and chickens, to bring them out a bit more and add some depth.
The front and back were further decorated with some fussy cut bits of Graphics 45 French Country papers.

Finally I rubbed some Treasure Gold around all of the edges and covered the whole thing inside and out with two coats of Modge Podge.

Well, I hope you think it's an improvement.

I am adding this to this week's SSSS challenge


Thank you for visiting, much appreciated!

38 comments:

Brenda Brown said...

An improvement? It's a fabulous alteration. Love the colours you have used, so rustic, and then there's the chicken, he's gorgeous and complemented by the stamping and wonderful G45 papers that all fit together so well. Where do you find all your wonderful napkins? Is Mr Chicken easily sourced? I have some napkins tucked away somewhere you have inspired me to go take a look at what I've got.
Have a great day.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Inkypinkycraft said...

A really stunning make ...what a fab and clever and beautifully executed make! x

chrissie said...

Fantastic upgrade of the old wooden box. So many things you have done to make it special.

It would look lovely as a plant holder.

Have a wonderful day

Love Chrissie xx

Paula Whittaker said...

wow how gorgeous is that.....you've certainly given that plain container a new lease of life!

Maryann Laursen said...

It is absolut amazing Astrid, and it can definitely be used for anything now. It is so gorgeous and looks sooo great, that I even wouldn´t mind to use it on the table with a small cloth in and filled with bread or something like that, or it would be an awesome giftbasket, if you would have to pack a basket for someone.

Marianne said...

An approvement??? I think it's great what you did. This has become a piece of art. I totally LOVE this.
xxx Marianne

maria's knutselplezier said...

Really gorgeous project, I really love it, thanks for telling us how you did it you gave some inspiration to make something too!!

Greetings
Maria

Redanne said...

Hi Astrid, I think the improvement is monumental!! It is totally gorgeous, what a transformation.....the base colours are so beautiful and I love the tip about the crackling. You are such an inspiration..... Hugs, Anne x

Zuzu's Blog said...

what an absolute treasure. its got a fantastic french country kitchen to it. very Provincial. i adore this.... i have an urge to go gather fresh eggs in it.

Words and Pictures said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Would look so fabulous in a farmhouse kitchen - glowing with golden colour, and those roosters are wonderful. I love this so much, Astrid!
Alison x

Jenny Marples said...

Now that's what I call a transformation Astrid! Love the seamless blend between the fussy cut elements and the tissue parts. I take it this will now be pressed into service again. Hugs, Jenny x

Lorraine said...

It's beautiful Astrid. The colours are stunning.

Dena said...

OMG! Darling! I love how it turned out!!!
Hugs, Dena

Margaret Mifsud said...

What a fabulous transformation, it's gorgeous!! Love the rooster and the chickens and love the colours. Could you possibly do a tutorial on how you glue the serviettes down? It looks amazing. ox Marg

Netty said...

Loving the alterations you've made, am sure it will take pride of place in your garden. Hugs Annette x

roc said...

it's beautiful astrid! love it.

Unknown said...

Lol, I love the title and I love your project!

Sarah said...

What an amazing transformation!

Marisa Job said...

Wow! Another wonderful project! Just beautiful!!

Rosie said...

Wowowowow, this is absolutely gorgeous, love that piece

Baroque duJour said...

Fantastic, and utterly gorgeous, that is quite a makeover. I am loving the French Country look at the mo. Warm and summery, ah Provence.

Jennie Atkinson said...

Stunning makeover!!!!!! It looks absolutely fabulous. I will be raking thru the cupboards now looking for a box!! Thanks yet again for such wonderful inspiration x

Candy C said...

Astrid...your transformation of your wooden planter is awesome! I really love the base color you've used and the random crackle effect. The roosters from the napkin is a great idea and they look fantastic on the wooden base...especially with that color! :) Using the G45 French Market papers on the ends makes perfect sense and really coordinates with the roosters you've used on the sides. Love it! Thanks for sharing your art with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

Unknown said...

Really nice Astrid you have made a lovely job of it. I am thinking smaller box for eggs? Mmm! You have got me thinking! :)

Crafty Hugs
Heather xx

Dorthe said...

It truly have gotten a totally new and much more beautiful "life " dear Astrid- Thankyou for explayning the crackle way, I have difficulties with crackling! and yours is alwayes fantastic-I can see the difference from your other pieces, here! I love the golden colours and sweet French farm images from G 45- and the treasure gold, alwayes looks stunning! A wonderful piece!!!
Hugs and x- Dorthe

Un rincón en mi buhardilla said...

You become beautiful!! :)

May said...

WOW, I want it!!! I love it!!! Brilliant work Artrid... Love the colours, roosters, stamping & crackle effect... You are so talented...Love your work... Hugs May x x x

Elly said...

Love it, love it, love it!! The painting/ crackle treatment looks awesome as well, as your rooster (:o)

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Astrid your transformation is amazing. The colours are so,rich and warm and the image is fantastic. Love the fussy cut pieces you added from the Graphic 45 papers. Love the crackle and the touch of Treasure Gold too and the charcoal around the image is a lovely touch . Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x

Almo said...

Hi Astrid, this is not just an alteration, this is a beautiful transformation a real wow! factor. Thank you so much for your kind comments on my tag and desk, Hugs Mo x

marda said...

Wow!!!! Love it. This was an amazing transformation. I adore chickens on anything, and the colors you've used are perfect.
Again.. wow.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work!!! Thanks so much for sharing your project with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show this week! - Ashli :)

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Another fantastic alteration Astrid! I love this wooden basket, but the paper you added and the aged look, including patina, is just fantastic!!!! Thank you so much for taking a walk in the woods with us this week here at Simon Says Stamp & Show!

Dianne said...

Just a brilliant creation, you have not only improved it but made it a winner, Love the colors, using the tissue looks fab,good to know about the glazing,(I'm always learning things when I visit).All the stamping, perfect. your work it top notch my dear and thanks for sharing it with us. Have a wonderful day..

Ros Crawford said...

Almost missed this! It's fabulous!! Beautifully done!

Kelly said...

Gorgeous, I love roosters and boxes like this, you did a fabulous job making this box so lovely!!
Hugs Kelly

www.las manualidadesdepato.blogspot.com said...

Realmente me fascina tu trabajo...¡¡¡¡¡Felicitaciones!!!!!

Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie said...

Wow, wow, wow! What an amazing transformation. I totally love this (and your post title too). Fabulous blend of vintage colors and elements. Would really love to see it IRL! And what a cool home decor piece to fill with dried flowers.

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