altered bank swap with my CFFs

Recently I had a swap with two very good crafty friends. There were very little criterion for the swap. Only real set in stone idea was that it had to be altered. Not decorated or embellished. You had to use an item that was not intended to be a bank. What item was up to the artist as was the style and theme. Only requirement was it had to be a bank in the end.

I decided to alter a paper mache house that I found at hobby lobby for 3.99.  It's the middle sized one on the right its about 6" or so tall. Maybe 5" wide.

My 1st Bank I decided to alter in a very girlish elegance. The inspiration all started with a napkin that had greens and pinks in it, I mod podged that on to the painted house which made it feel a bit flat and I wanted it to have a chunky vibe. So I started looking for something that would dry quick (don't tell anyone but I'm a pro-craft-tinator)..  Instantly I thought of crayola model magic. It dries fast and you can paint it. I made a bunch of embellishments using a variety of different molds some polymer clay, some martha stewart. Added a few prima branches that I added more model magic pieces to. and before you know it I had to pack it up or I wasn't going to be able to stop myself. Here are a few photos:

 

For bank #2, I decided to go with a more girlish grunge. I started by painting it magenta and navy then realized I didn't have a single thing that matched it, left me totally uninspired. So to fix it I dry brushed it with a light blue and then found a 6x6 prima paper pad and I was off and running.I upcycled some cardboard on the roof. I primed with gesso and colored with gelatos. I added some glass bead gel medium that I stenciled hearts with. Just for added pizzazz. Added flowers and butterflies just because. Each size I treated a little different, one I blinged out with flowers and the other I used Cricut Serenade cart to cut the bird cage.

 Here are some photos of it:

 

 

I really enjoyed using what I had on hand to create something that I hoped they would get some use out of for years to come. Oh and so that don't have to destroy it, The roof is completely removable to empty out their loot. I used duralar (similiar to acetate just thicker) to line the 3 sides with openings to keep their cash inside. I had to pack this one away too,  I felt a craft-nado coming on and once that happens I can't stop myself. I have to keep layering.

Well that's what I've been up to lately.. Hopefully it won't be so long between crafty nuggets.

The precinct : smooth talker Jan 30th

Worked on lips this prompt. I followed a pin from dragon art and sketched a few new ones. Limited to crayola and derwent wash pencils. Fun times

The precinct: facial composite kit Jan 15th

Sorry I'm all out of order but trying to get caught up sharing

The Precinct: Feb 15: Eye Witness

Better late than never this year. Here is my attempt at just playing with different eyes. I have a long way to go.  Sorry my little artist erased his eyes before i got a picture.. 

The Precinct: Feb 28th Prompt: Child Witness

hello friends.

This is my attempt at keeping up this year. I have done most of the prompts but I'm currently convalescing  so I can't actually do much. So my little Artist has been sharing his supplies with me and doing the prompts. Now, I don't usually share my journal pages but I'm stepping out in 2014 and being brave.

Here are our takes on the Child Witness self portraits.. He gave me "stinky crayons" aka crayola oil pastels and he decided to use chalk for his. He's 6 and yes he believes he is spiderman..

Come on over and get in on the fun this year The Precinct

29 Faces Challenge Feb 2014: Are you In?

I'm a bit late posting this but That's OKAY! Join in all the fun at http://29faces.blogspot.com/  If your are not familliar with the 29 faces and would like to learn more about drawing and painting faces visit our hostess' blog Ayala Art

Pinterest Project #1: DIY Lego Table

One of my kids is obsessed with Lego. So this Christmas we set out to find him the perfect building station. It had to be

1. Portable: to keep floor space open
2. Inexpensive: Who knows if they will outgrow it in a the next year.
3. Large Enough to fit multiple kids building but not take up the entire room.
4. Easy to DIY: time is a luxury in this busy family.

There were tons of inspiration on Pinterest

Source: Our Wee Family

Source: Eric Cramer (Hubpages)

Source: Holly & Rachel

Any of those would have been perfect options, they would all be easy to recreate. But... 

Ultimately we decided to go with this one: 

Source: egress123 via PapayaPc

It screamed PERFECTION! the moment I laid eyes on it via Pinterest. I followed the link and landed on a pictorial of exactly how to recreate this masterpiece. Only 1 thing was missing, the details on how to create the road lines with such exactness. I took a chance and left a message on this year old post. What do you know the original poster responded with such kindness and actually shared the printable templates. It took some trial and error on my part (no reflection on the project) I couldn't get the stencil cut out properly. 

I learned a few things while doing this table project.

 #1 use a thicker material to make the stencil, posterboard was too flimsy the paint bled

#2 On table 2 I tried temporary spray adhesive to take it in place, it left a messy residue

#3 Odorless Mineral Spirits is a must for cleaning up mistakes with spray paint

It turned out okay for working on it Christmas Eve while the kids were sleeping. A few touch ups with a oil-paint sharpie and all will be fine. Still 2 tables to be done and I will take my time so they come out sharp. 

Here is my little Lego Fan and his new DIY building table:

Oh, I forgot to mention that we left the legs off until we move to our new place. Not sure if we will have a playroom where he can spread out. So for now he is playing with them on the floor and we can pack them up for storage. He has played with them for hours and has filled up this part of the lego town.

Thanks, EGress123 for so graciously sharing your idea with me.