Little Black Box

For today's project I chose a French typography label from the Graphics Fairy.  I found this box at the flea market a while back.  It was painted orange inside and out.  You can still see a tiny bit of chipping on the front of the box exposing a little bit of the original color.  Since I wanted the box to have an aged appearance, that doesn't bother me at all.

First I printed the label in an 8x10 size.  I took my barbecue lighter and singed the edges to make it look torn.  Next step is to spray it with 3M Super 77 spray adhesive.  Then I took the instant coffee crystals and just sprinkled them in a controlled manner where I wanted staining.  I even got a drip mark and I left it alone.  When I started blotting up the coffee (gently blot and do not wipe away harshly) some of the coffee stained the label in a nice random manner and made it look like it's really an old label.  I happen to use an ink jet printer so just to be sure the dye in the label was set, I sprayed the whole label with Krylon Crystal Clear to set the dye.  It also sets the coffee stain in permanently as well.

I was pleased with the label making process thus far, but I thought the box needed a little more detail.  I reinstalled the hardware I had removed for painting and then pulled out a few of my basic stencils.  I didn't have as much room on the box lid as the label had, but I gave the lettering a similar pattern as the label I was trying to imitate.  When the lettering was complete, I went in with some stain and tried to copy the coffee stain pattern.  When complete, the box received a spray of clear sealer spray to seal everything.  Now I have a great box that has a wonderful new personality.

I'm partying at...


Mondays          The House in the Roses       Le Chateau des Fleurs        The Graphics Fairy
                                      Metamorphosis Monday
Tuesdays          Knick of Time       Tutus and Tea Parties       Coastal Charm  
                                      Boogie Board Cottage   
Wednesdays     Savvy Southern Style           Primp         Faded Charm Cottage            
                                     Fine Craft Guild      Ivy and Elephants
Thursdays        Embracing Change     The Shabby Creek Cottage    No Minimalist Here 
                                     Tablescape Thursday   Delightfully Inspiring Thursdays
Fridays            French Country Cottage       My Romantic Home        Miss Mustard Seed
                                    At the Picket Fence     Potpourri Friday     Common Ground
                                    The Charm of Home    Decorating Insanity
Saturdays        Funky Junk Interiors

Sundays           It's Overflowing