Crafts Galore Encore March Challenge

This year is racing along like crazy. I don't really know what I'm waiting for, maybe it's summer. But while we are racing towards summer, we will soon be there, and then it will be gone again. I don't understand how time can just speed up for every year that goes by. 

So today we have rolled over to March, and that means there is a new challenge over at Crafts Galore Encore. This time we have a very easy challenge for you: Anything Goes. That means we would love to see any any crafts you create. I can be papercrafts, but it can be anything else also! And you will have a chance to win a prize from our sponsor Di's Digis. If you need some inspiration to get going, have a look at the gorgeous projects the DT are displaying on the blog. There are cards, but this time there is plenty of other stuff as well. 

I chose to make a 3D object, which I usually don't get around to doing very often. It's very glamourously made out of TP rolls. I also ordered a pack of Tim Holtz paper especially for this project. I don't buy very much crafting paper, but this time I thought I would treat myself. And it's gorgeous. You really get what you pay for, it feels luxuriously heavy and the patterns are gorgeous. And I only used a few sheets for my desk organiser so there is plenty left over for cards or other crafting. And you can of course use any paper you have in your stash as well, I just wanted to get something with delicate colours and patterns and a vintage feel. I was inspired by this wonderful video by Einat Kessler and her gorgeous Steampunk desk organiser. 

To start, I covered the TP rolls with gesso to give an extra layer to make them more heavy and durable. Then I cut then down to size and used Mod Podge to attach the paper. When the Mod Podge dries it also becomes hard to make the rolls more stable. I only used Mod Podge to adhere the paper, not on the outside as I love the feel of the paper, I didn't want to destroy that, but if you want to make it more durable you can add a layer of Mod Podge on the paper as well and let dry.

I used Antique Linen and Vintage Photo distress ink around the edges of the rolls. I painted the inside of the rolls with Antique Bronze Distress paint, and added a few layers of washi tape where the paper met the bronze paint to cover the seams. Then I custom made the box from cardstock as I couldn't find a box which was the right size to hold my rolls. I covered the cardstock box both inside and out with the paper. 

I glued the rolls onto the box, and attached some lace washi tape arund the edges of the box and one of the rolls. Last, I added some embellishments. I attached them with glue dots, so if at some point I get bored of my organiser, I can re-use the embellishments. You can go as crazy as you like, this is a great way to use up leftover random embellishments, but I didn't go too wild as I don't have that much embellishments as I don't use them on my cards and I don't do scrapbooking. I also covered my eraser with a scrap of leftover paper to match the organiser as a finishing touch. 

This was a really fun project to make, and perfect for my desk as I used to keep all my pens, scissors and other crafting stuff in a drawer and could never find what I needed. Now I have my most important stuff always out and within reach. Just make sure you reserve a few days time for making it as the various layers (gesso, Mod Podge etc.) take a while to dry, and you want to make sure it's completely dry before moving on to the next phase.

I would like to participate in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Calendar - Anything Goes
My Sheri Crafts Challenge - Welcome Spring
Brown Sugar Crafts - Anything Goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything Goes
As You Like It - Your favourite anything but a card (favourite - it's something that's made out of TP rolls! How much better does it get :) Can you see I'm a bit proud of my TP rolls...)
Southern Girls Challenge - Get Your Girly On 
The Three Muses - Vintage 

Card: 300 gsm white card for the base, 6 TP rolls
Paper: Tim Holtz idea-ology Wallflower
Inks: Tim Holtz distress ink Antique Linen and Vintage Photo
Other: Gesso, Matte Mod Podge, Tim Holtz Idea-ology adornments nature, some random embellishments from my stash, lace washi tape form my stash