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.