Sunday, October 5, 2014

A Happy Birthday Heavy Metal Box for my son.

Today we took my son Josh and his girlfriend, April, out to eat for his 37th birthday (which was actually last weekend).  I always give him money - as that's what he likes most - so he can use it as he wishes - but I always put it in a homemade card.  This year I was inspired by the A Vintage Journey Heavy Metal Challenge for my design of Josh's gift container.  I made a box to hold the monetary gift.  For the challenge you can use any form of metal - paper, paint, Idea-ology  pieces and it has to be in the "Tim Holtz" style.
 Here are some photos of the steps I took to create this box.  Using Little Sizzles Black Mat Board - I die cut two pieces for the box using the Sizzix Block/Cube/Bank 3D die.  Then I masked each piece with Eclipse tape. 
I then stenciled the sides with Tim's Dot Fade, Stripes and Lattice Work Stencils using Brushed Pewter Distress Paint -  the paint, being more liquid than ink, ran a bit behind the stencils but I like the look it gives!
Then I went to work adding stampings and metal to the sides.  Here's how the decorated panels look before putting the two pieces of the box together.
Here is a close up of the top of the box.  My son was in the Army for about 8 years right out of High School.  He had hoped to make the military his career -  but he was shot (by a civilian in a robbery) while he was stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC - and had to be discharged on disability.  He was left blind in one eye, with a bullet lodged in his neck near his spine, suffering from nerve headaches and a good dose of PTS, but otherwise in good pretty good shape considering - and thankful to be alive. This all happened over 14 years ago.  He now works in a motorcycle shop and riding is his passion - so heavy metal is a good theme for him!  I chose the LUCKY Heart Charm for the top of his box -  as he was blessed to have survived when he was shot - he also has a tattoo of the word on his arm and it's his biker name amongst his friends.  I painted the Clock Key and Time Piece with the Brushed Pewter Distress Paint and used a wire pin to attach the Heart Charm.
 On the front panel I adhered  Mirrored Stars along with a sentiment and frame from Saying Stuff from Stampers Anonymous which I Black Sparkle embossed on Brushed Silver card stock.
I painted a Word Band with the same Distress Paint, wove a piece of Tinsel Twine through it and adhered it to the box with Glue N Seal.  I embossed this sentiment (Keep Cool and Bike On) from Jillian Vance Designs on silver, punched it out and adhered it with a foam dot.
More Tinsel Twine knotted through a Philosophy Tag painted with the Distress Pewter.  This sentiment is from Classics #16 Stampers Anonymous.  Again - embossed with Black Sparkle on silver card stock - I hand cut around the sentiment and adhered it with foam dots.
Another sentiment from Live to Ride set by Jillian Vance Designs - and two Sprocket Gears painted with the Distress Paint.
I'm happy to say he liked his Birthday Gift Box (along with a check and 4 Reeses Peanut Butter cups inside)!
I'm also linking this to the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #5 - Ribbon, Twine and Fiber -  I used Fiber!

Stamps:  Live to Ride - ajillianvancedesigns, Saying Stuff and Classics #16 - Stampers Anonymous
Paper:  Little Sizzles Black Mat Board - Sizzix, Brushed Silver - SU
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories:  Black Sparkle Embossing Powder - Ranger, Ranger Distress Paint - Brushed Pewter, foam dots, Glue N Seal - Ranger, ScorTape, Idea-ology Time Pieces, Clock Keys, Word Bands, Tinsel Twine, Sprocket Gears, Philosohy Tags, Wire Pins, Heart Charms, Mirrored Stars, Die - Block/Cube/Bank 3D - Sizzix, Tim Holtz Stencils - Stripes, Latticwork, Dot Fade.


25 comments:

Donna B. said...

What a great box! I know your son will love it. I love how you made the smaller decorative squares on the sides of the box. It so great how you made all the elements look just like metal. Thanks for joining us at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.

Mona Pendleton said...

Wow Julia! What a fantastic project! Your son is going to treasure this keepsake!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful gift/card for your son Julia! I bet he loves it. Karen.x

Dianne said...

Hello Miss Julia,wow, wow, wow, this is absolutely FANTASTIC, I adore how you created each side, and embellished to PERFECTION, your son is just going to love this, what a wonderful keepsake. Am amazing story too what a blessing he was okay, I hope he rides forever, thanks for sharing all, hope you have a wonderful week, ((( BIG HUGS)))..

Lisa Lara said...

This is unbelievably amazing Julia.

~amy~ said...

Amazing Julia, this is over the top wow.

Vicki Dutcher said...

I bet he LOVED it too! Awesome project~

Annette Allen said...

oh my this is so Awesome.. GREAT JOB

Lynn K said...

Love all the details on the altered box you created. All the metal elements are awesome - perfect for a boy!! Thanks for joining us in this month's Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!!

Marybeth said...

What an amazing box,and I am sure your son loved it! Wonder if he knows how much work and love went into it.

I am so sorry and angered about what happened to your son. I am glad he is doing something he enjoys. Please thank him for his 8 years of service.

Deepti said...

What a cool heavy metal look u created :) spot on perfection!!

jdmommy - Anne Harmon said...

What a fabulous metal box, and so perfect for Josh!! Everything you put on it really is him!!! I'm sure he loved the outside as well as the inside (or just about!), and I know it's something he will keep. Glad you had a chance to celebrate with him and April. Hugs!

Sue Lelli said...

You box just choked me up when I read the story behind it! Your son is truly Lucky! LOVE all of the thought and LOVE that went into this! What a FABULOUS project, Julia!

Sharli Schaitberger said...

The box is perfect. It fits his interests and history perfectly and looks absolutely amazing!
I didn't know this story, Julia. What a LUCKY man! Both that he survived, and that he has such a positive attitude and full life. I'm sure having supportive parents helped just a wee bit.
Hugs!!

Redanne said...

Your box is fantastic Julia, made all the more special because of what it stands for. It is a wonderful keepsake for a clearly amazing young man!

Thanks so much for joining in our Heavy Metal Challenge at A Vintage Journey. Anne xx

Unknown said...

This is fabulous Julia! I love it and I know your son will too. :)

crafty creations said...

Wow Julia I bet your son is delighted with this amazing box - the detail is brilliant

Loll said...

A work of art from the heart Julia. Amazing design. Love all the details that make this so special to Josh. Amazing story and continued celebration of survival. Loll xx

*Vicki* said...

Very cool looking metal box!! Such a wonderful gift!!

Tracey McNeely said...

Wow this is awesome Julia! Your son will have this keepsake forever!

Terry said...

Firstly, Happy Birthday to you son! What a wonderful birthday gift box and so perfectly masculine! Love this! Thank you for sharing with us at A Vintage Journey.

Lenet said...

I love it! and happy birthday to your son.

Words and Pictures said...

What a brilliant monochromatic ATB, Julia - it looks amazing! Thanks so much for joining us on A Vintage Journey.
Alison xx

Melanie said...

This is wonderful! Thanks for joining this month's Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!

Rachel said...

this is a very cool box! i especially love the fun charms you added. im sure he loved it! Thank you so much for playing with the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!
-Rachel
rwkrafts.com