A box full of Mermaids

Do you love  Lisa as much as I do? I'm kicking myself for not going to Paper Cowgirls. It would have been great to have a chance to hang out with her in person. If she is half as much fun as she is on her blog, she'd be a blast.

So, of course, I was happy to participate in her soap box challenge.  The box is kind of like egg carton texture, and to me looked like a perfect little shadow box frame.

 

Since I'll soon be heading out to Kim's event in California, I thought I'd get myself into a mermaid mood and turn my mini shadow box into an under sea treasure chest.

I've heard wonderful things about Kim and her art affairs. I'm so glad to finally be going to one.  My husband will be flying out with me and going on a brothers golfing trip for the weekend while I am with the arty crowd. Then, he and I are meeting up for a spa get away.  The company he works for owns some  luxury resorts, and we were able to score some rooms for fantastic employee rates.   

I'm going to feel like a princess.  Or at my age I should say Dowager Queen?  And an itchy, poison ivy crusted one at that. If I don't get this crud cured, I won't be doing much spa time.

  Since I am soon to be treated like royalty at  a couple top of the line resorts in California and spend an entire weekend filled with creative fun with friends, I'm already feeling a bit royal with the anticipation of it all.  That influenced me to add a "crown" to my shadow box.

The sparkly topper is made of a corner bracket from an old photo album with a rhinestone necklace glued over it, and a rhinestone clasp underneath.

 

My sea creatures are made with two sizes of frozen Charlottes, with the smaller one in back and glued directly to background, and a larger one in front, raised up by gluing her to a button and shell.  I thought this might give it some depth.

The Charlottes have mermaid tails made up of paper clay, that has been painted and glittered. I added crowns of German foil and crystals to their heads. 

Each is glued down pretty solid, but their sea horse friend is suspended from a wire, so that she sways a  bit.  The seahorse charm was gold toned, and I drew on it with a black sharpie, and wiped that off a little, then wiped some white paint over that. I also swiped a swatch of white paint over her wire so it didn't stand out so much. If I were to do this over again, I'd use fishing line instead of wire, because the wire is still prominent even with the paint.

 

The box sits in a plate stand that I wrapped in vintage ribbon. For a touch of extra gaudiness, I tied an aqua ribbon to the front of the stand and dangled a star fish charm from it. Because by the time I'd got to that stage of creation, the gaudiness was already pretty thick and I thought I should just go for it and gaudy it up even more.  Once you've crossed the line of over doing something, there's no turning back and you might as well just revel in it.

See what I mean? There is a LOT of foof happening here. The inside of the box perfectly fit an old button card with the words "Mermaid Pearls" on it, along with two buttons.

Along the inside walls, I glued ruffles sewn from pattern paper, then I edged it with a strand of pearls.

Then, the cut out on the lid  was lined ink, glitter and a lace ruffle.

  

The large parts of the box were covered in aqua wallpaper that has a nice sheen to it. The sides of the box have a raised edge where the lid meets the bottom, and it looked just too hard to cover in paper. So, I ran a bead of glue around it, and wrapped a ribbon around it, gathering as I stuck it into the glue.

Yep, this project was just what I needed to start feeling like a Mermaid Princess and get me in the mood for my trip. Its been a rough week, and I look forward to a get away.

Thank you to everyone who shared scary pregnancy stories with happy outcomes, that encouragement helped. And thanks for all of your well wishes and prayers.  I'm doing my best to stay distracted until we get news from the Dr. about the newest member of our family.

And a big thanks to Lisa for hosting this party! It was a fun challenge and a well needed distraction for me.

I'm sending Lisa a had that I thought was suitable for her palette of colors.  She always seems to appreciate my hat whispering skills, so I thought I'd share.

Puppy Not Included

Today I was also able to finish up my articles for Somerset Life. One is about this altered book.

The other was about my Peat Pot Pretties with frozen Charlotte fairies.  And remember, that this one is the giveaway for June. All comments all month are entered. 

I'm also giving away another present from my followers.   So, please join in on my list if you'd like to be in the running for that gift, a pair of vintage rhinestone earrings.

Comments

[Dawn @ The Feathered Nest]

Oh Karla...your box is gorgeous!!! I love all of the foof girl ~ and what a wonderful idea to turn the frozen Charlottes into mermaids with paper clay. Lisa is going to LOVE anything from the hat whisperer!!! Have a great week sweetie ~ hugs and love, Dawn

[deedee]

Karla...you really went all out for this one...it is beautiful for real....I love it

DeeDee
http://deedeescraftspot.blogspot.com/2010/06/soap-box-challenge.html

[Cheryl~Zanymayd]

Karla, You are So Creative with such an Elegant Touch.... Love the Jeweled Crown Bling..... Very Sweet Mermaids

[Julia - Vintage with Laces]

Hi Karla, Your box looks like an under the sea wonderland. It's very charming!
Hugs,
Julia

[Paula Clare]

Oh Karla! What a gorgeous exercise in overdoing it! I LOVE IT! I am beyond jealous of your beautiful junk jewels and tiny frozen friends! This is the "look" I love...totally over embellished, over glittered, over the top! If you make any more or have any thought of putting it in your boutique, DO let me know! Oh! And enter me for one of your amazing peat pots too!

[Jodie (everything vintage)]

FOOFY FABULOUS as usual!!!!
Love it girl :)

[Shane]

BEAUTIFUL shadow box Karla.

I also love your journal for Somerset and will be eagerly waiting for it to come out.

Karla, out of interest when do you start making your Christmas stuff eg. cards and decorations. I suppose it's because it's freezing cold here now that I suddenly have the urge to do some of that stuff!!!

[Madison Mitchell]

Karla, I love, love, love your very fru fru mermaid shadow box.

[lisa]

Karla dear Sister Ho,
Your box is too COOL! I have to go take me sad little box off now that I've seen everyone elses! I love the detail & the great tutorial that you included with the pics! It means lot to me that you played along with my game, now where's that friend of yours? Out taking advantage of an old lady huh? Hoarding again.
So Twinkle is bringing me a hat?! Send Sugarwings too, the kids can play with them but you might not get them back on second thought. As for my addy, you don't have it from my mountains of orders from your shoppe? LOL, I'll email it. Lisa

[Connie]

You create such unique items with beautiful old pieces. I envy your talent. Have fun with your DH in California. Love the picture of Rosebud - she such a cutie. She is going to be a "natural" whenever a camera is pointed in her direction. LOL

I hope you are feeling better. I know about chiggers - when I was little, I use to paint them with clear fingernail polish to try and stop the itching/kill the chigger.

Hugs,
Connie

[Lori]

Wowwzaaa girl, your box is amazing !! I love the topper and a shadowbox is a great idea !
xoxo
Lori

[Karin]

Karla- That is absolutely gorgeous! It's total mermaid-y eye candy. :)

[Charlene]

LUCKY LISA!!!! She will LOVE her new hat! Wish you could have been at Paper Cowgirls! I took lots of photos of Lisa's class(I was her assistant for the class) & the class kits she made were OVER THE TOP WONDERFUL!

I Love your little soap box. And can't wait to see you in just 2 weeks!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK are you ready? I'm not! Haven't done my mermaid jeans, or my bottle for the bottle swap or my teacher gifts... Yikes I better get busy. HUGS!
Charlene

[Jane]

Hi Karla,
Your soap box project was simply beautiful. I examined every photo making out all of the wonderful details.
Jane

[Di]

Karla,
This is my first time to your blog! Your work is beautiful!
diana

[Barbara]

Love your wonderful projects!! (and the adorable puppy too)

[Cheryl Stoneham]

Karla,
I can only hope and dream that you have MY NAME for the treasures of the sea box swap! Your creation is absolutely gorgeous! Looking forward to playing in about 3 more weeks. Continued healing thoughts and prayers for your family!
Xo
Cheryl

[connie]

Love your soap box and all the little details.. thank you for sharing all of your ideas..fabulous!

[Sue@MyArtsDesire]

Karla,
In true Karla-style, your piece is tremendously creative and decked out to the nines! Absolutely TOO FUN how you gave the Charlotte's a mermaid tail. No such thing as too much glitz...! I checked out your link to those resorts and if you're going to Hotel Del I'm sneaking in your suitcase. Actually, if you're going to any of those destinations I'll hide in your suitcase! My hubs used to have an annual conference at Hotel Del and I always tagged along using frequent flyer miles. Have a wonderful time on your trip! Xo, Sue

[Danielle]

Karla,
Your soap box with the glittered charlotte mermaids is so beautiful! You have inspired me to make one of my baby charlottes into a mermaid. Thanks for sharing.

[karen]

Your soapbox is beautiful!!! That was a brilliant idea to make the charlottes into mermaids! You are going to have so much fun at Kims event, It is right down the road from me but too much $$$ right now. Everyone says she puts on wonderful workshops! hugs! karen....

[Sea Witch]

You had me at boxful of mermaids. How lovely is this project. When I stop doing the 8-5 gig, I will go back to creating 3 dimensional art again. Right now, all I can give time to is my beadwork, my spinning and knitting and then my antiquing. HAHAHA...there truly is never enough time in the day. Sea witch

[Thespoena McLaughlin]

So wonderful! I love what you did with the soap box challenge. What a lovely mermaid. So happy to have visited you today. Hugs.

[marie]

Your mermaid box is amazing! The colors are so perfectly the sea ~ it makes me think of the foaming blue green water and sunlight reflecting off of mermaid fins.

I love your altered book and the peat pot is adorable.

I'm so glad to have "met" you and your lovely blog! I'll be back to visit again.

[Jeanie]

Wish I'd had time to join this challenge -- never got my soap in time! But lovely! And what a great trip you have to look forward to!

[lululiz]

The mermaid box is such a beautiful, totally magical piece, I wish I could see it in person, up real close, and run my fingers lightly over the different textures. Utterly fabulous.

[Ruth Graham]

Thanks for sharing Karla. So very pretty, as always!

Gorgeous colors and jewels!

[Laraine Atherton]

So glad you are feeling better. I am going to buy some frontline for my babies the first week of next month. I love your mermaids. I have a small collection of fish tank mermaids and will post some pictures on my blog. I don't know, but when you glitter and foof it looks great...when I do it....not so much.

[Dorthe]

Karla, you did the most amazing creation,
love all the bling and glitter, the mermaid is a fantastic idea, and all is so overwhelming and magical, you are a master.
Hugs, Dorthe

[Kari]

ACK!! Love the crown!!! Everything is so feminine and just beautiful!! AND Frozen Charlotte as a mermaid, just to cool!

[Lori]

your box full of mermaids is gorgeous Karla...i really love how you made their tails, SO cute!!!

[Suz Reaney]

You are one talented and lucky woman, Karla. Luxury resort, Kim's art weekend, articles in Somerset and making an adorable mermaid scene out of a soapbox. I do love Lisa, too, and I will get to one of Kim's weekends some day. I just LOVE the frozen charlotte with the mermaid tail...and I would give my very eyeteeth for the charlotte in the peat pot!!!
Suz

[Kris Pare]

Karla, your box is stunning! I love the theme. But I have to admit the pup caught my attention so sweet-I just want to mush. Oh, and the peat pot is so beautiful too! Thank you for stopping by, I appreciate it!

[Donna Liljegren]

Hi Karla:
I love how you completely transformed our little soap boxes. I especially like the ocean theme. It's beautiful. Good luck with your next doctor visit. (Sweet puppy, too!)
xoxo
Donna

[Sandy]

I am mad in love that mermaid box!!! I love how you got creative with those little frozen dolls, adorable. Have fun at your art/spa weekend!

[ann]

How gorgeous is this??? I love the mermaid theme... just beautiful~

[janet bernasconi]

Love all your mermaid pretties and your doggy is so adorable! ;)

xo
Janet
Janet's Creative Pillows

[Debby Harreittha]

Hi Karla, wow your mermaid box is gorgeous. I love it, so creative. Thanks for sharing. Love your sweet puppy!!!!
Debby

[Rebecca Ersfeld]

Hi Karla
I love the thought of the shadow box, you were so clever! It is amazing and so creative! Beautiful.
Many Blessings
Rebecca

[Cindy]

Karla,
Your work is beautiful!! Love your little soap box and love the altered book too!! That sweet puppy is adorable!! Have a fun time on your trip.
~Cindy~

[Freda Butler]

How perfect to use the Charlotte dolls for the mermaids. Ilike her crown also. This is just perfect and will probably win if there is a prize attached. How could it not

Will be hoping all goes well with the new baby. A nice getaway for you and hubby will be good and will take your mind off problems and worries at least for awhile. Hve a great time.

Hugs

FredaB

[Sandy]

WOW I love anything with frozen Charlottes, so this really caught my eye. Your box is stunning and your little Mermaid is just amazing!

Thanks for a chance at the fabulous give-away too.

Have a great time away!

Hugs!
Sandy

[Patty in Kansas]

Karla, Your Frozen Charlottes are adorable. Only you would think to turn one into a Mermaid! Sending a little prayer for your newest member of your family...hope all is well for Mother and Baby. Patty in Kansas

[Tania]

Oh MY! That is spectacular, I absolutely am IN LOVE with your box! It's so beautiful and unique!

Tania

[Linda]

I love the box, Karla~ what a sweet little mermaid...and the altered book is wonderful...

[Rose]

Karla amor, I think your mermaid box came out absolutely gorgeous! I have such a fascination with all things from the sea...I owe it to the love of my dad and all the time we spent there and all the stories he told me about the sea when I was growing up :) Lisa will love the hat, we all love your hat whispering skills...I think you are a legend where that is concerned :) Lovely puppy btw...I hope that you are feeling much better and will be feeling back to yourself long before you come to Cali..right now the weather is gorgeous & HOT :) Besos, Rose

[Lee]

Just gorgeous! I love the Chrlotee mermaids. I sent some press kits to Kim's event- hope they are well received. Have fun!

[Julie Ann]

Such a gorgeous box, Karla!! Those mermaids are so creative! I hope that you are ivy-free soon so that you can enjoy your trip to sunny CA! Prayers are being sent up for you and your family. *Hugs*

[Autumn Clark]

These are all beautiful, Karla, especially the altered book. Can't wait to see more! So glad that the inspiration hit.
xx,
Autumn Clark

[cheryl liberty]

I have never replied to a blog before so here goes-i ruly enjoy yours and find your creativity inspiring. Love the peat pot with the frozen charlotte- i want some :) poison ivy is the scourge of the earth. Get a shot before you go to calif and get rid of that nasty stuff!!! cheryl

[Maria]

Fabulous box! I love mermaids and all the romantic bling and trims, it is a wonderful piece.

[LORRAINE BELL]

morning Karla...sweet sweet...they look like they took forever to make...I love where I like....but I wish it was closer to Kansas...want to do all those classes...Lorraine

[Amy Bauer]

OOOOH... your creation is a sparkling jewel from the sea! It's truly lovely Karla! I'm a So Cal Gal... maybe I'll sign up today for the flea market tour part of Les Sirens. If so, I look forward to meeting you! I'm a big hiker and have been regularly plagued by poison oak, so I can empathize! Hope baby & mommy are doing well! - Amy Bauer

[Janis]

Hi Karla, I love the mermaid box!! It is very, very
pretty and unique. Agnes Rosebud is soooooooo cute
in the vintage hat. What a sweet picture!! I hope
your poison ivy rash is getting better. What do you
use for it??
Your get-away trip sounds wonderful and I'm sure you are
looking forward to it. : )
Love.........that sweet frozen Charlotte peat pot! It's
magical and always makes me smile when I see it. I REALLY
like her fairie dress.
Many Hugs,
Janis

[Cami @ Creating Myself]

Oh Karla...I've been covered up w/ Paper Cowgirl (oh how I wish you had come!) so I'm just now learning of your scary, scary news. I'll keep your family in my prayers!

Your box is beautiful...have fun on your trip! Wish I was going!

[Vicki Chrisman]

Beautiful creations as always from you Karla!

[Anne]

Stunning!
And I wish you'd come, too. Next year, for sure! :-)

Hugs,
Anne

[Karen Valentine]

Karla your box is fabulous!! My goodness there is so much detail! It's really very cool!
xo,
Karen

[Debra Disney-Dior]

Oh Karla, I would LOVE to win ANYTHING you created -- even just a lone flitter of glitter would be most welcomed. I'm ALWAYS in awe of your creations -- always.

[Paula Laurens]

Karla, your imagination is a treasure chest of creativity! I love your teensy mermaid! All of your creations are jewels ... the crown is stunning ... all depict a beautiful, romantic, and fairytale story! You inspire me to get get out my box of treasures and put my own imagination to work!

Wishing you a beautiful and blissful 4th!

[jeanine mayden]

beth named her puppy the same thing i named my yorkie boy- button - he is 20 months old now. and he is cute as a button. we named him that because he has a nose like a button. we have to correct people all the time because they want to call him buttons. no just button.

[Jennifer Hayslip]

Karla, your mermaid shadowbox turned out stunning!!! So pretty!! I cant believe you got the dates mixed up! Please tell me your airline ticket is for the right weekend! LOL!!!
Look forward to seeing you soon! Your pups are sooo sweet! Makes me want one more to add to my girls. ;) XO,Jenn

[rosie]

Mermaid frozen charlottes?? How clever is THAT! You are one talented lady!
rosie