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Life in an Altered Tray - Mixed Media altered tray

Life in an Altered Tray - Mixed Media altered tray

Altered Tray
Good morning my little Loopy Loo's.  And how are we this fine Tuesday morning?  I've been up to me old altering tricks again.  My poor long suffering Scrubby cant bring anything into the house now without me trying to knick it and claim it as something I can alter, heehee.  Apparently "Not everything needs altered or distressed"....according to Scrubby!  "Such blasphemy"....I protest!

And I'm not one bit ashamed to say that my cat was put out last night covered in sparkly glitter.  Yep, that's what happens when you rudely interrupt me mid flower glittering! And she......Nimbus our cat that is, was very impatient and was doing the cat equivalent to a funny little gig you do when you're bursting for the loo, that she didn't give me the time to wash the glitter off my hands.....face, arms, hair.....and all over my clothes.  So, she was scooped up into my glittery arms, given a big glittery kiss and chucked out.  I half expect her to come home with a wedgy!  Oh aye......a cat could get the total Mick taken out of her and given a wedgy by the other cats for wearing glitter you know....its a known fact.  And for those of you who aren't clued up on daft Irish slang terms, "Taking the Mick" out of someone is pretty much the more polite term for "taking the piss" out of someone or an even more polite term....poking a bit of fun at someone.

Anywhooooo, I just wanted to show you this wee tray I altered.  Its my first time doing one but I'm rather chuffed with it.  Its sort of a tester for a bigger project that I'll be taking on.  I got myself a printer tray....you know, the big ass drawers that the old printing firms used to keep their metal letters in?  Oh yes my friends.....I'm taking on a mammoth project.  I only got one of the trays though.....I'm not taking on a whole printing cabinet.....yet!  So I thought I would do a tester on this wee 6x6 tray first!  Just to make sure I was up to the task in hand.  I'm so not ever finishing the printer tray, am I??!!  Anyway, here it is.  I kind of made it to be a bit of a life box. "Eh"? I hear you say.  Well, each little box represents something in life, be it a wish, dream or just something we all experience in life.  I hope it doesn't appear too deep or anything.......cause I'm really not that deep.....Im more of a puddle really, lol.  What do you think?

It started off as an innocent 6x6 wooden tray and then........
.......It landed in my possession.....Mwhaaahaaaa!  I painted the whole thing pink.  Let it dry, added on a crackle medium and let it go tacky.  Painted over it then in white....

.....And voila.....crackled distress effect.  "Awesome" (imagine that said in an exaggerated singy voice....that's the mood I'm in today!!)

I got all my wee bits and bobs together and turned the box over.  I placed everything out where I would like it to go in the box.

I then added my papers.  The papers and images are from Crafty Individuals People and Places pad and their Backgrounds Paper Pad 5....I think its 5!

Then I added my little bits and bobs into their designated boxes.

I love all the charms and the Crafty Individual images and papers are just perfect with them.



The first box represents - Life is a Journey.  I just used a Penny Farthing charm.  I love this charm.  In the photo, the gent is actually on a penny farthing as well......a coincidence....me thinks not! lol

Next box I wanted it to have the look of a girls dresser or room to represent our Vanity.  But not represent vanity in a negative way, just in a pretty every day life kind of way. I suppose it represents our routine in a day, with getting ready for the day ahead.  I added a wee mirror and I just love that blingy bling that I used to look like a diamond necklace.

This is the relationship box.  I added some distress reinker to the wee bottle and filled the rest with water. My lovely Youtube friend Tricia sent me the wee bottles. I wrote a wee "Dear John" letter and tore it and used distress ink on the paper.  I used Old Paper distress ink and then Vintage Photo around the edges.  I bought the pen nib from The Fruit Pixie.  I got a mixed bag of 5 nibs for £1!  Bargain!

This is a travel related box.  Just wee charms related to travelling.  Either to represent places we've been or places we want to go.

This is the Social Box.  Anyone for Tea?  I love these wee teapots.

This is my Mending Box.  It can be interpreted as a mending room for maybe relationships or friendships or something as simple as fixing up your garden or altering a pair of trousers.  Just your every day fixing of things in the daily humdrum of life.  I bought the sewing tape from The Fruit Pixie's site.  Its a brilliant site, check out there £1 Bargains.  The little spool was from a Youtube friend...thanks Trish and the sewing machine and scissors charm I think came from Maddy - thanks Maddy

And here we move on to the Food Box.  Food for the body, soul and mind.  We all need it.  Interpret it as you like.  When I think of food I think of family gatherings, us all sitting around the table having good aul craic over a lovely big meal.  A little corrugated plant pot actually made a lovely vintage looking farmhouse bowl and I used a little mini spoon, whisk and rolling pin.  Everything in this Box was purchased from Mad about Cards.

This wee box I thought was pretty cool.  All the other wee boxes are about the going's on in life, vanity, relationships, travel, food, music etc., but ultimately......the key to life is time.  So this is what this wee box represents.

This wee box is the music box.  I love music.  I come from a very talented singing family and have always had music in my life.  So Im always singing or have music about me, should it be my husband playing his guitar and singing to me or me having music on my laptop or even singing in the shower!  I took a piece of the Crafty Individual Background paper that had music written on it.  I made it into a wee scroll and positioned it as if it was unravelling and the notes were literally flying off the page.

And this is my interpretation of some of life's up and downs, experiences, wishes and dreams.
I hope you've liked this Life in an Altered Tray project.  I really enjoyed making it.  I cant wait to have a go at the bigger one now.  Its going to have things from our honeymoon and maybe some other wee bits and pieces from places we've been to since being married.....I tend to pick up stones and keep tickets and booklets of places I've been too.....I have so many sticks, stones and shells stuck in a box just begging to be put in an altered tray!

Anyway, have a wonderful Tuesday.  Thanks for dropping by.

Toodles Noodles......Lee aka Crafty Loops xx

Would you like to buy me a Coffee?  Here i s the link to my Ko-Fi page.  Thank you so, so much xx



Comments

  1. Wow now this is my kind of project!!!!! Woo Hoo Lee what a stunning piece of work!!!!!Love love this vintage shadow box!!!! Every detail is just smashing!!!!! When you start creating you don't mess around!!!!! Absolutely spectacular my friend!!!!!

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  2. What a fab idea this is Lee such brilliant work I love all the intricate details great job! Hugs Rebekah xx

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  3. Fantastic altered tray, I love how you have done each compartment representing a part of life. The papers and charms you have used are beautiful. I love it.
    Becky x

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  4. I luv these and yours is stunning all the little bits are beautiful, and the penny farthing is my fav, there is so much to see going bac for another look, thats what is great about these everytime u look u see something diff.
    Chris x

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  5. Oh I love this Lee! Really fabulous project with all those little charms and papers, so glad to see you put them to good use. Love all the details, like the "Dear John" letter with the ink bottle (and how cheap were those nibs?? I'm off to see if I can get some :-)). You WILL finish your printer tray, I'll be hassling you now :-)) Maddy x

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  6. This is so beautiful. I can't believe this is your first one. You did an awesome job on it. Love every details of it. Thanks for sharing, Johanne L.

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  7. Fabulous - would love to know where you got the box you've used from? Every little detail is perfect and it's such a gorgeous end product - something for a crafter to keep for themselves instead of giving away. Hugs Karen x

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  8. Ooooh Lee,this is absolutely STUNNING i LOVE all the Gorgeous little charms,adore the sewing machine.I collect minitures,i love them all.A really Beautiful project in every way.xxx

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  9. Absolutely stunning piece of art, so much time and love.. I bow down to your craftiness.lol..
    Hugs
    Tamara

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  10. Oh WOW, this is so stunning!! The detail is amazing, each one so different, just love this, cannot wait for the big one,lol
    ps: love your sense of humor, brilliant, oh yes did the cat have a wedgie or not......hehehehe
    lotsa luv

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  11. its awesomely b'ful Lee! love the way u have arranged the tray... looking forward to your bigger tray project... its all worth the effort!

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  12. Wow Lee
    This is fantastic and i love the little stories for each space you have used and all the gorgeous items
    Hugs Dianne xx :)

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  13. oh wow Lee! is there no end to your talent?, i love it very clever thinking that hun!.
    It looks stunning!!! good luck with your next project!

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  14. WOW! This is totally amazing! So many beautiful details! Love it x
    Wendy x

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  15. It looks absolutely FAB Lee...... I love it! My youngest daughter used to collect all the tiny things that go into these trays.... she had a few up on her walls in her bedroom! So we used to visit every miniature shop wherever we went!
    Hugs
    Christine x

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  16. Wow wow wow and wow again! I love this Lee, it's fantabulous, love how each box tells a story and all your bits and pieces are amazing!!! Love Jayne. x x

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  17. Oh wow Lee, you did an AWESOME job altering that tray box, it definitely looks exquisite! Love all those tiny elements that you put inside, an absolute marvel!

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  18. oh my goodness Lee this is really lovely ... I am sure you had great fun doing this ... it is so lovely and so individual ... happy crafting and love sandy xx

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  19. Oh My God Lee this is stunning, Love it, Everything is perfect, I brought myself a TH Box last year still haven't got round to altering i will get round to it soon i hope you have given me some inspiration.. Love your box..
    Bernice

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  20. This is amazing lee, LOVE IT! your lil sewing 'room' is so sweet, my fave i think =) xx

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  21. This is gorgeous Lee x Leigh x

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  22. OMG!!!! you've done it again Lee, created a masterpiece. LOVE IT!!!!! so many gorgeous details, can't stop looking at it. :o)

    Donna x

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  23. Stunning as always Lee...what a fantastic creation and so many pretty details and embellishments. Simply gorgeous.
    Hugs Debbie x

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  24. Wow Lee this is stunning, what a beautiful job you have made of it. I love all the papers and the little charms and embellishments. I think the travel compartment is my favourite. Keep up the good work. Debs xx

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  25. wow this is fantastic lee.i feel like a little magpie being drawn to look at all the fab elements.love it :D

    xx coops xx

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  26. This is absolutely stunning, you always make the most amazing things!!! Love it!

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  27. bet your poor scrubby is scared to sit still too long in case you glitter him too lol...fantastic try Lee I love it and every time I look I see something different...wow
    Mina xxx

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  28. Lol hope your cat has recovered from the trauma of being sparkly! Wonder if he was skulking about praying no other cat saw him in the style of me when I pop to the newsagent on a Sunday with hair sticking all over the place and always bp into someone (usually my mother) who makes a smart comment :-).

    Anyway!! Are you sure this is your first box thingy mrs cos it's awesome!! lobe all the the thought you gave put into it great papers and fabby selection of bits and bobs!! Looking forward to seeing the big one all done!!

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  29. This is really lovely - I had to pop by for a better peek!!! I love the way you've put it all together - looks like it was all meant to be IYKWYM. Apologies for not checking out your blog more often - I must try and find the time more often!

    Paula :D x

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  30. What an amazing and beautiful project! Thank you for showing each individual box in your post, I enjoyed everyone of them and in total it's just fantastic! Good luck with your larger drawer, I'm sure it will be fabulous also! Thanks for sharing with us at Frosted Designs!

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  31. Beautiful, detailed and just pretty! I love the layers and variety of paint! I hope you'll join us again for a challenge at Frosted Designs!

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  32. Truly a work of art, Lee! Love how you've gotten your life represented, and so beautifully if I do say so, with the perfect charms and other bits & bobs! (I love the Irish terms and I would love to have a beautiful Irish accent...I would probably never stop talking!) :)

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  33. Wonderful....loved hearing what each 'wee' box represetned. So glad you joined us at Unstampablles.

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  34. WOW - what a lovely project - you have put a lot of thought into it ;-)
    thank you for joining in UnstampaBelles Challenge this month.

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  35. This is so unusual and I loved reading your interpretation even though you thought that you were a puddle and not deep. Lol. All those tiny trinkets looks so cute.
    Thanks for joining us at UnstampaBelles this month,

    Monica

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  36. WOW - this is absolutely amazing! This is just a fabulous project - I absolutely LOVE it! Thanks for joining us at Do You Stack Up.

    -Wenche

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  37. Wow! Totally gorgeous work! So pretty, all the fabulous little bits and pieces, love it, so much to look at.
    Hope your glittery kitty is less glittery today LOL! Kimx

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  38. Breath takingly beautiful, this is just soooo gorgeous love everything about it, I think my favorite piece has got to be the bicycle though
    Lindsay xx

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  39. WOW!! Great project. Thanks for joining us at DYSU. Hugs, Joan

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  40. Did you just say the FIRST???
    No way!
    Looks like you have been making them for ages (and were hiding tour stunning trays from us)
    Hugs, kissinia

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  41. absolutely stunning Lee. I love it!!
    Anne x

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  42. You did it again Lee, another fabby piece of work. Don't know where you get the patience to do all this, it's gorgeous.

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  43. Hi Lee - this is just FABULOUS!!! Love it! Love the PINK! I love anything altered and this is just wonderful! I love all of the delightful details you added! xo

    -pamela :)

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  44. WOW Lee this is fabulous, i absolutely love it,
    Lorna xx

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  45. OMG!!! spent ages looking at this, such detail and so many gorgeous embellies, you spend so much time, making such awesome pieces that when you do post them I just have to take up residence to make the most of it, so worth waiting for your fantastic posts
    Hugs Kate xx

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  46. WOW! How fabulous is this!!! I LOVE that you painted it pink and gave the Tim Holtz "grunge" concept a flirty, feminine spin ;D Each little cubby is a masterpiece in miniature! Very inspiring! Hugz, Cheryl

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  47. I think this is just sooo fabulous Lee and it's pink too so ticks all my boxes! Well done I love it :O) Viv xx

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  48. Wow this is fabbydoozie wouls love to see it on my wall :O)... Chris xx

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  49. This is just so pretty love how vintatage it is :)

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  50. hello loops me ole buddles... where'va been?? have missed you !!

    love the shelves youve done!! your blog is certainly amazing now xxxxxx

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  51. Love your altered tray Lee! I can't wait to see your printer tray - I am a little envious that you have one though I am not much of an alterer (is that a word?) I do, however, have a little 6 x 6 box like this one so maybe I will start with that. I really want to do these, I just don't seem to know where to start so I love that you explained the whole process! Laying everything out that way is brilliant - never would have thought of that - it probably seems obvious to you :) Thanks for sharing this fun project!

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  52. OMGoodness!!!!! This is the most beautiful box i ever see. All that cute little pieces, looks just amazing all together. Oh, i love it!!!!!
    Hugs Nataliya

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  53. Hi Lee, Wowee, how gorgeous is this? I loved reading about each element anf the thoughts behind it - you have such a special talent and an eye for layout and detail, I love it :) I did LOL about your glittery cat! Big Hugs, Teresa xx

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  54. oh my goodness Lee! how blooming beautiful I am totally impressed! Thank you for your support and kind comments you always make! Love and Hugs Sandi xx

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  55. This is fabulous! I love all those tiny treasures especially the tea ones.

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  56. What a fabulous piece of work with a super vintage feel

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  57. This is gorgeous Lee,what a great idea and I love all the detail..
    Mandy x

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  58. I love all the tiny details! That must have been mighty time consuming!

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  59. WOW Lee!! This is gorgeous!! What a beautiful project! xxx Sarah

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  60. Wow Lee this is totally divine. Loving it. hugs to you . lisa x

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Helloooooo! Anybody out there??!! Hey....there you are! Thanks for leaving a comment and stopping by my Blog. Lee x