Saturday, October 10, 2015

Saturday Step by Step - Old Ledger Box

Hi everyone and welcome to the latest edition of our Saturday Step by Step tutorial posts here at Frilly and Funkie. I'll be honest, with so many projects on the go recently I was completely at a loss with what to do for this, but then I read Paula Cheney's recent posts on Facebook about her 'hauls' from trips to antique yards, including some fabulous old, worn boxes. And then there's an image I saved some time ago (I'm pretty sure it came from Savvy City Farmer)...


The cogs started to whir, I reached for some Distress Paints and Tim Holtz' Ledger Script stamp set, and came up with this...


So how did I do it? Start with a cheap box (I got a papier-mâché one from a craft shop). Cover it in an initial layer of Ground Espresso Distress Paint.


Add Industrious Frames strips to the edge of the lid and cover with more of the paint allowing it to dry.


Rub a wax candle over every surface, working in one direction (apply plenty of wax).


Paint a light coat of white gesso over every surface and allow to dry naturally - don't use a heat tool as you will disturb the wax.


Rub over the dry gesso with a paper towel to remove some of the white layer, paying particular attention to the edges. You can use a sanding block to remove more if you want to.


Add more wax before dry brushing a little Walnut Stain Distress Paint over random parts and allow it to dry naturally again.


Once again rub over the surface to remove some of the fresh paint.


Use the Ledger Script stamps with black archival ink to apply some random stamping to the surfaces of the box.


Apply Ground Espresso Distress Paint to the brass clasp and allow it to dry.


Rub over the clasp with the wax candle again before applying a coat of Weathered Wood Distress Paint.


When dry, rub over the clasp with a paper towel to remove some of the paint layers, then stamp with the Ledger Script stamp as before.


Finally splash some Picket Fence Distress Paint over the sides of the box and the clasp. When dry attach the clasp to the side of the box and lid with Long Fasteners.


And it's done!!! Here's a couple of close ups so you can see more of the finished look...




Now you've got something special to give a gift in (or to keep for yourself!) Hope you'll give it a try.

That's it for this weekend. We'll be back on Monday with our latest challenge winners and on Wednesday you'll get to see more projects from the Funkie side of the team for our current challenge 'Autumn Splendor!' Hope you can join us for those and in the meantime have a great weekend.

Jenny x

52 comments:

  1. OMG, Jenny, this is crazy amazing! I absolutely LOVE the outcome. You are a genius. Thank you so much for this outstanding tutorial. Wish I had time to run into my craft room to make about a dozen of these to store craft supplies in. How cool would that be?

    Hugs,
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, is this ever fantastic. Love the wax technique and can't wait to try it.
    Hugs!
    Cec

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love this Jenny! I am so using that wax idea on the metal! Brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Nicole! Can't wait to see what you create x

      Delete
  4. Gorgeous little box Jenny, I love using wax to get a distressed look and it looks fabulous here. Love how you used the industrial stickers . Tracy x

    ReplyDelete
  5. amazing jenny - just with paint and a little know how - wonderful xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Inspiring! Great old look without the expensive price. Turned out fantastic. Makes me want to make one of these. Thank you for the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Awesome! Love all the layers Jennie! the text is what takes it over the top for me...(it's always the text). What a great piece!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a wonderful little box! I've got to try this wax technique. TFS Jenny!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh wow Jenny, it is hard to believe that this was a paper mache box! A fabulous transformation. Love the candle technique and the way you did the clasp - love, love this!! Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. A wonderful project! Thanks for the step by step, I always keep boxes to transfom them one day... Great inspiration, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jenny - you are so creative and you know so many techniques. Paper mache - well you sure could have fooled me. You had to be mighty patient while making this box. It truly looks like it came out of my grandmother's trunk! Wonderful!!!!
    Sandy xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Fabulous result with the wax distress! I love your little box and it really looks like a vintage treasure! Thank you for sharing your wonderful idea with us and for all your hard work preparing this post. But, I do note you have SUNSHINE pouring over your craft table--lucky lady! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sara! And yes, you're right, it appeared in fits and starts throughout the morning x

      Delete
  13. Fantabulous, Jenny!! Love, love, love the clasp finish..... your talent is amazing and so inspiring! xxx Lynn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lynn! Linda has the most gorgeous clasps and box corners in stock and I've been saving this one x

      Delete
  14. Stunning Jenny! Looks like something you picked up from an flee market. Love Love Love it! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Zoe! That was exactly the look I was going for so I'm glad it worked x

      Delete
  15. Fabulous idea and tutorial! What a great idea to use a candle to act as a resist!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Susan! The idea isn't original but using that new Ground Espresso works a treat for a look of aged wood x

      Delete
  16. Gorgeous Jenny, looks like you found it at a fabulous antique shop! Thanks for sharing your techniques, Deb xo

    ReplyDelete
  17. Fabulous distressing. Great tutorial Jenny. Am definitely trying this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rupa! Would love to see what you create too x

      Delete
  18. Very cool little distressed box, Jenny. Love the wax resist look you'r achieved on it. So random and fun! Your use of the industrial stickers is wonderful and the finished box is amazing...especially considering it was just a plain paper mâché box to begin with.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Gosh, Jenny!! This is INCREDIBLE! I'm feeling so inspired right now, you have done an amazing job with the transformation. It looks like it has always been a wooden vintage box xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Georgie! I was pleased with the end result. Just got to work out what to put in it!!! x

      Delete
  20. Oh wow, Jenny this is incredible!! That wax candle resist just looks fantastic! Stunning effect on both the box and the metal closure thingy!! Adore the colours you chose too! Utterly brilliant! Off to pin to remember!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jenny your altered box looks amazing !!! It looks genuine vintage. You made a fantastic job with this project. And your tutorial is so fantastic. Easy understandable and with the most amazing result.
    Thank you so much for sharing how you achieved this fabulous result. LOVE your work.
    Hugs from Monica...... Spain

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Monica! So glad you found the tutorial easy to follow x

      Delete
  22. An amazing box and a brilliant technique! I would be keeping this for myself! !Chrisx

    ReplyDelete
  23. what a great look you achieved on your little box! Really simple steps to get this wonderful aged look - SO creative Jenny!

    ReplyDelete