E-Team assignment - Play with little boxes...

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Daisy has given the E-Team our new assignment and it's "Box-a-licious"!  For this BLOG HOP, we got to play with Tim Holtz Configurations and it was so much fun!  You won't believe the diversity of the gorgeous creations that the E-Team has come up with.  I can't wait for you to see them all!

 eclectic Paperie is going to choose two winners who will each receive a Configurations of his/her choice, plus lots of paper crafting goodies to enjoy with it!  To be eligible, simply visit each blog listed at the end of this post and leave a comment on the blog hop post.  Each blog listed will accept comments for the next 48 hours, starting at 8:00 a.m. (EST) today.  One comment per person, per blog please!  Two winners will be chosen and announced on the eclectic Paperie blog on Friday, Dec. 3.

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Now on to my creation!  I chose to use the largest of the Configurations – 8.75 in. x 10.75 in., but I didn't use all of the small boxes within the larger box.  I also knew as soon as I first saw the Configurations that I would make a beach memories box.  Are you surprised?  Thought not!  

Here's my finished project and my process:

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***You can click on any of the photos to see them full size.

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1) I chose photos that I loved and wanted to use, then resized and cropped them each to fit a certain little box.  I also played around with the box layout and chose not to use all the little ones.  (Yay!  I'll have them to use later on another project!)  Oh, and you may have noticed that I did change the layout a little at the end of the process.

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2) When I had figured out the layout, I removed all of the little boxes and numbered them on the back so I would know where each one should go.  I also had the previous photograph to go by, of course.

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3) Then I did a white wash on all parts of the boxes that would show and started applying some of the backgrounds, like the tissue tape that was to show behind the fragment charm photo.  The white wash was done with Claudine Hellmuth Studio Gesso and water, mixed on my non-stick craft sheet and applied with a paint brush.  You'll see a little more of this farther along.

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4) I wanted to show you a little of how I created some of the backgrounds so that all of the elements in the boxes were at differing depths from the back of the larger box..

Using a Scor-Buddy, I scored each end of the piece of background paper to the height I wanted it to be from the back of the box.  Note: the center part of this background piece should be the width of the inside of the box.

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I applied tape to each side and then creased each end at the scored lines.

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I adhered one end of the background piece to the inside of the box first.

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Then I pushed in the other end.  It pretty much sticks by itself.  Now you're ready to add a drop of glue and your element to be showcased.

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5) To make the sand in one of my mini glass bottles, I used clear glass micro beads and colored them using Copic various ink refills (E31, E33, E37).

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6) Next I white washed  the miniature shutter I picked up in the doll house section of my local Hobby Lobby.  Then I used some Claudine Hellmuth Studio paint in Charcoal Black and mixed it with the gesso to create a light gray.  I used this to age the paint  by dry brushing it onto the white shutter.  When this was dry, I did white wash it again so it wouldn't look just dirty!

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7) The tiny picket fence, also from the doll house section, was white washed too.  In SC, all of our sand dunes and beach grasses are surrounded by small fences to protect them.  But the pickets are held together with wire.  I tried to simulate this by coloring some white twine with my T3 Copic marker and weaving it around the pickets.

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This is how I cleaned up the paint that had dried on my craft sheet.  It's amazing how this little slip of plastic, the Ranger craft scraper, can scrape every bit of paint up!

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8) Putting together some of the other elements:

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9) To create the support for the fence, I had to make a tiny box since it was only going to be attached on the bottom.

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So let me tell you a little about each section of my Beach Memories Configurations:

One of my favorite things to do at the beach is to sit on the beach at sunrise and have a cup of coffee!  HAD to include this photo!  The shells are from Edisto Island Beach, SC.  You can see the twill bow with the Twinery twine and mini pin that hold the fragment charm.

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This is my favorite shot of my two youngest grandchildren standing on the couch looking out the window at the ocean.  The banner is made from Twinery Caribbean twine and Ranger canvas ATC (you could use Claudine Hellmuth sticky-back canvas too).  The canvas was painted with Claudine Hellmuth Studio paint in Classic Teal.  And there are some more shells from Edisto.

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This is a photo of one of my beautiful daughters and her two sons on the beach, attached to a fragment charm.  I used Tim Holtz metal numerals and Maya Road chipboard alphas to create the year.  I also added a brad head to the window shutter.  More Edisto shells, too!

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I love this picture of my feet and my grandson's in the water.  It was taken at dawn on the beach in April.  The mini glass bottles hold the sand made earlier and some water mixed with Ranger Distress tumbled glass reinker.  The sand in the bottom of the box is a mix called Mudd Puddles – Malibu Beach that I picked up at a stamping convention.  It goes on wet and then dries and cures in 24 hours.  The stamped shell is a Unity image, water colored with Ranger Distress inks.  Look at those beautiful metal Foundations (box feet)!  And guess what...more Edisto shells!

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And finally the completed project again:

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Now it's time for you to visit all the other blogs.  You'll be thrilled and amazed, I'm sure!!  Don't forget to leave me a comment for a chance to win a Configurations of your very own!

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THE E-TEAM

Broni Holcombe (You are here!)

Linda Duke

Linda Ledbetter

Micki Harper

Sherry Cheever

Starla Nelson

Daisy Sparks (eP blog)

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Thank you so much for stopping by and for making it through this extra long post.  I hope you enjoyed seeing how my thought process and execution came together.

• Stamps: Beach Days, Sun Rays (Unity)
• Paper: watercolor paper, Seaside (October Afternoon), On the Boardwalk (Graphic 45)
• Ink: Archival jet black, Ranger Distress tumbled glass, scattered straw, wild honey, aged mahoghany, Copic various ink refills: E31, E33, E37, Copic marker T3
• Other: Tim Holtz: Configurations (8.75 x 10.75), Foundations 4 box feet, metal numerals, fragment charms, tissue tape, mini pin; Ranger: non-stick craft sheet, mini-mister, craft scraper, glossy accents; Claudine Hellmuth: Studio Gesso, paint brush, Studio paint – charcoal black, classic teal; Maya Road chipboard alpha; miniature wooden window shutter, miniature wooden picket fence, white twine, twill, hole punch, mini glass bottles, the Twinery Caribbean twine, ATC natural sticky-back canvas (Inkssentials), clear micro beads (Martha Stewart), Scor-Buddy, Fiskars 9" paper trimmer, foam tape, water brush, hot glue gun, Edisto Island Beach seashells

Comments

[bevie pearl]

What a fantastic creative experience to view your box. Thanks for all the details about how you made some of your boxes. I am sure it will be a treasure for your family for many years to come.

[Neil Walker]

This is a lovely cheerful display. I love the colours, so clear and fresh. Thanks for giving us a chance to get one to play with too.

[Marilyn]

Lovely display of memories . Thanks for all the detail on how you created your boxes
Marilyn

[Lin]

WONDERFUL!! I love how this turned out, especially your idea to use the shutters and the fence - it really brings the beach to life! Thanks so much for your detailed how-tos. This is a lovely momento, sure to be treasured for many years!

[mary puskar]

I think I can hear waves crashing in the background. What a lovely memory of the beach. You did a great job!

Mary
www.primitiveseasons.blogspot.com

[scrapthat/dolly]

Love all your little touches like the bottles, and shutters and fence! LOVE the fragment charm addition, but I really love how you added the 2010...looks like a house number. VERY cute! TFS!

[Lugene]

That is so pretty! Makes me want to leave right now for the beach! TFS

[Linda R.]

WOW, this got me to looking around my studio at all the paper scraps, tiny embellishments, medicine bottles, fragments, ideaology, jewelry. The idea of customizing it for the person is so exciting as well. Great ideas and lots of detail here in your example, thank you for sharing - this was great fun!

[Elaine Allen]

Broni -

This is spectacular! I love that you showed how we don't have to use each box. I love your different levels within the display. And what a beautiful, beachy atmosphere you've captured! I love all the wonderful memories you've placed in the box, something to treasure for always.

Elaine Allen

[Sandra ltb]

Broni - this is wonderful! Looks like lots of fond memories captured here.
Sandra

[Linda Ledbetter]

Broni, it's sensational! What a fantastic collection of wonderful elements, all so perfectly chosen and arranged! The little shutters and fence are absolute genius-- it's like looking at a perfect little beach bungalow!

[Marlene Moore]

Wow! fabulous! love the beach theme and the shutter and little fence are just so cute in there.

[Kittie]

Broni, How wonderfully creative. I just love this.

[chaun]

Wow! That was a lot of work!

[Carol E]

What a great memory keeper! The configurations could become more fun than scrapbooking!!!

[Carol Miller]

Brondi; i think this is my favorite!! :) i love the beach. I love the way would changed the depth of each box. Great instructions, thanks for sharing.

[Tracy]

So many great elements and techniques! This turned out fantastic!

[Lynda]

Wonderful project, Broni. As the winter sets in here in the Midwest, I so appreciate the warmth of this beach setting!

[Maurene]

Amazing creativity and everyone's configuration is so different. I like the way you started with favourite photographs. The picket fence and beach theme is so calming.

[Tracy Evans]

What a fabulous theme, I love the washed out colours just like you would get on a beach, and the shutters are such a unique idea too. Really like the addition of the sand in one of the small bottles too. Beautiful creation and would look great in a bathroom on the wall or on a cupboard. Have a lovely week. Tracy Evans x x

[Mary Arima]

Broni, what a beautiful, refreshing visual treat!!! I bet you had as much fun reliving your memories as you had making this lovely thing!!! it was so fun to read all about the items you included and how they relate to the whole scheme of things! Thanks for sharing! Love it!!!

[Starla]

What a lovely memory box of family time!! I love how you explained your creativity!

[Catherine]

Broni! This is so cute! I love the seaside theme! Thank you for showing us how to cover the boxes too. Very helpful!

[Conniecrafter]

Very cool, love the little shutter and fence, and your sand, neat touches, great themed box!

[Janet L.]

Wow! What a great collection and display of memories! I love it all. Thanks for sharing your talents!

[Cathy Yamashita]

Wow, you have some fantastic ideas in there. I love the door and wall with the year, and the "sand" trick. Great job!

[Mickie]

What a fantastic display but of course your work always is! I am so in love with these box-a-licious configurations!

[Jen Clark]

WoW!!!! Just WOW! This is simply magnificent!!!!! I love how you changed the depth of some of the boxes, and I love the whitewash, the shutter, and the fence - just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing - and thanks for taking us through your process, step by step!

[Rachelle]

Gorgeous box and I love the theme you chose.

[Chrissie R]

Wowza. Every detail is amazing. I can smell the salt air and feel the gentle breeze on my face. This is an amazing piece. I want to re-create it and I don't even have beach pictures!!!

[Karen M]

Love your box. I feel like I just visited the beach - one of my favorite vacations! Great details!

[Debby]

Amazing job. All of the shells and little details are so cool. I like how you used pictures in some of the boxes.

[StampinCathy]

This is just one amazing memory box. I just love all the fun goodies and details. Great colors and love the relaxing feeling of the box. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Helen]

Looks like you have had a great year, what a beautiful memory box.

[Gladys R.]

Beautiful arrangement of memories. Thanks
for showing how you created each compartment.

[ChristineCreations]

Oh Broni....what a treasure! This is really cool. Beautiful craftsmanship....full of wonderful memories!

[Cassie K]

just a stunning piece of memory. love all the details you used and the explainations.

[Toni K]

This is beautiful! I have thought of getting one of these, and now I think I have to! You did an amazing job!

[Shirley]

This is so cool! I have been collecting treasures for a beach box as well. I love how you incorporated the photos, the beach treasures, and the "feel" of the area with the picket fence, peeled paint, shuttered door, etc. Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

[Kathy Eddy]

This is just a fabulous piece. I love your shutters and picket fence and that banner is too cute.

[Noreen]

A nice idea for a memory box, and I really like the shutter and the fence.

[willow]

Thanks for sharing your configurations and your process!!! It is just beautiful!

[DWD]

Nice ideas to use with some of the boxes. You made me see that not only old things can be used for this.

[Karen]

I love what you did with these. The beachy things are so pretty.

[Carrie]

Broni, this is really awesome. You must have spent hours on this project. Really cool.

[Jami]

Your finished box is BEAUTIFUL and I love all the creaative deatils you shared here!

[aggiesgirl]

I enjoyed seeing the process, the box turned out amazing

[Denise Coulter]

What a gorgeous, gorgeous 2010 memories box!!! I love how you used both pictures and seashells. I also love your fence and the cute metal stand pieces.

[Elena Chamberlain]

Broni, I agree with everyone else, your box is AMAZING!!! I love the beach too. Also, thank you so much for showing how you put it together.
I am adding your blog to my list of "must-see".

e

[Electra]

What a treasure this is. It's a refreshing change from all the Christmas creations lately, and I love your tutorial I got a bunch of new ideas, thank you!

[Iris Soscia]

What an amazing project - such attention to detail and so beautifully executed. I especially liked the way you used the twine to simulate the wire on the picket fence. I'm a beach lover myself so all the "beachy" elements really speak to me and the family photos are great. Iris Soscia

[Lee Ann]

Broni, thanks for showing the steps for creating your box/boxes. I love the architectural elements you added!

[Pat Dorset]

Wow! I never thought about using a scene with the boxes. Clever!

[Carol Hager]

How very beachy this theme is! You provided elements that call us to remember the times at the beach. Also reminds me of Hilton Head! Thank you for sharing the details about the boxes too!

[Victoria Sturdevant]

Fantastic! I have some great beach pictures ans shells from a beach trip, I may have to make one of these.

iamvictorias at gmail dot com

[Lana Edwards]

WOW love your project. I love the beach and this would be a great idea to make using all my "Finds" from our trips to the beach.

[Annette J.]

First, I love your display, with its seaside theme and
Second, thank you for the photo tutorial, it gives us less experiences crafters more confidence to try something like this.

[vicki dutcher]

Way to much work for me - but what an EXCELLENT project!!

[Mary Harris]

Wow........such detail you really did a beautiful job. I love it the fence the shutter everything and thanks for taking the time to show us how you did it all. This is just awesome.

[Renee]

WOW!!!! Just wow! It is gorgeous!

[Barbara M]

What a great beach scene...full of your fam & memories...love how you used the scorer * the way you colored the sand.

[Carole Gatza]

Love your project. I am a Pisces so the beach is a fav of mine. The colors are prefect--so restful and serene. This would take me back to my vacation every time I looked at it! Thanks for sharing!

[Sandy F.]

WOw, that is truly an awesome project, thanks for much for sharing it with us. I loved every box!!

[LyndA]

Wow! fantastic! Gives a whole new meaning to little boxes!

[Larissa Heskett]

AWESOME!! Thanks so much for sharing!! What a fun idea and I LOVE the colors you chose!! Have a GREAT DAY!! =)

[Lynn Greenberg]

I'm a beach girl like you, except in Florida. Can't wait to make one of my own. Maybe one for Hawaii and California also. Other beaches I've lived on.
Beautiful job. Thanks for sharing.
Lynn

[Michelle Guest]

....oh, this makes me miss the beach- it's been so long since I've seen the ocean! I like how you've used your photos along with the store bought & collected goodies. Love the mini shutter (need to go buy some of those to use on a project), especally like the use of a brad for a handle! Ink use to dye stuff very cool!!

[Lista Shattuck]

Love the details of your box. Thanks for sharing.

[Linda Gimbrone]

How light and airy your project is..I just love a beach theme. You certainly put a lot of thought into this and it shows in your attention to detail.
Just delightful !!

Thank you for sharing.

[Yelowflower Mo]

This is Awesome. Great job!

[Linda H]

So beachy! I can feel the ocean breeze, smell the salt in the air and hear the sound of the surf on the sand! Fabuolous creation!

[Kay G.]

I love this. It makes me want to be at the beach. Thank you for sharing. Great job!

[Stefanie]

Gorgeous Job! I love how you changed the depth of the pictures and items - very clever. I hope you have a prominent place to display it.

[BARB]

I love what you have done with configurations. You opened up a whole world of possibilities for me since I was stuck on vintage.

[Lana]

Your box is awesome! I adore the weathered shutters and the fence. What a great memory to put to art! Thank you for sharing!

[Susan Schultheis]

What a unique idea. It's amazing how each one of you used your own creativity to decorate Tim's box and they all are fantastic. Cant wait to deck one out on my own! Thanks for sharing.

[Karen S. Ohio]

Configurations are the BEST!!!!!! I really love the ocean theme!!!! I thought WOW!!!! and my mind went straight to the ocean we go to every year. You did an awesome job!!! Neat idea to tint the water blue in the little bottle~~

[Jean B.]

Thank you for this fabulous instructional and inspirational peek into these precious boxes. A beautiful display!

[Micki]

oh Broni, this is soooo awesome. I'm so getting me some more of these Configurations because I love how you incorporated photos. And how you created different depth (duh moment for me :-) LOVE how you created the sand!!!! That really blew me away, especially since I was at a loss at what to put in my little bottle. And then the picket fence..... wowsers. Gorgeous!

hugs

[Lori]

This is really spectacular! Love how you made it a great tribute to the beach, all the elements are perfect!

[Robin (Tqmnurse)]

I am amazed at all of the awe inspiring projects that have been created with these boxes...thanks for sharing

[Glenda]

You have definitely showed us just how much you love the beach! I know you always said it, but now you really, really do! Just a beautiful piece of art. You should be very proud of yourself on this one! Well done!

[Dee in N.H.]

What a wonderful gorgeous piece. Thanks for showing the steps. This will be a family treasure for sure!

[Debbi]

I love your theme!! It makes me think of the years I lived in Virginia Beach.

[Lisa M]

This is great; I love the color scheme, absolutely perfect. Thanks for sharing the process!

[Michele Boyer]

This is fabulous, Broni! Every detail is wonderful! I absolutely love the little fence and door! So fun!

[Kim C.]

Very nice. I like your choice of calming seaside beach colors. Can't wait to make one.

[Aldean]

Wow, so cute. I love it

[Susan McMenamin]

Thank you for breaking down the process and taking pictures at each step. Awesome work!

[Aldean]

Wow, so cute. I love it

[Dorothy C.]

How pretty! I love how you used the shutter and fence.

[f lynn rush]

i love boxes! and these are great. i NEEEED some. what a wonderful memento for you. i am astonished at how beautiful this is. thank you for sharing.

[Karen Pounds]

I LOVE THIS! It's beautiful! Feels like we're there already!

[Carol]

Oh Broni, I read every word you wrote! (I usually only read the pictures. lol) I was just mesmerized by the process of how you put this all together, all the little touches that made such a huge impact. OMGOSH this is just fabulous!

[Eleanor]

Loved reading how you decorated your boxes. Great way to keep your memories!

[katie the kid]

what a great way to remember the beach! i love all the seashells and stuff, what fun!

[Gillette Henry]

Love the backgrounds and the picket fence. It reminds me of Nantucket. Nice job!

[Gerrie]

Beautiful, luv the beach theme, you did such a fantastic box and thanks for all the tips!

[Robb_eeie]

I could sit for hours, searching each DT`s projects and discover something different. Brilliant how you created matching faux sand with the clear beads & Copics.
Beautiful creation for generations to come <3

[Shannon Sawyer]

Wow, it's simply stunning. I love that background paper used, completely perfect for this awesome project of yours. I was amazed at all the different ways you used your Copic markers &/or refills for the markers. Very innovative! I wish I could afford those markers but they are pretty pricey. Tim's metal numerals went perfect with your whole project look. I forget about those and how many different ways you can use them, thanks for reminding me. Of course the pictures and the seas shells topped it off perfectly. Really Beautiful piece, thanks for sharing. This is my first "Blog Hop" with Eclectic Paperie and I'm excited about that, so far the DT rocks. After placing an order with them and finding out what type of customer service there is & what customer appreciation they have, I now a client forever.