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Sugar Lump Studios

Art by Nancy Maxwell James

{Sonnets Altered Mailbox} 14 heARTS Day #10

February 10, 2013

alteredmailbox

This little mailbox is sure to be part of your Valentine decor for years to come. Add little trinkets and tuck inside to warm any heart.

Supplies:

Medium Paper Mache Mailbox (Hobby Lobby)
Matte Gel Medium
Gesso
Cream Craft Paint
Lace Trim
Clear German Glass or Mica Chips
Pattern Paper
Ephemera (old sheet music or book text)
Buttons
Butterflies
Paper Whimsy Image 170

Technique:

(1) Paint paper mache mailbox with a coat of gesso inside and outside. Once dry add two coats of craft paint in your color.

(2) Remove mailbox flag and paint separately. Once dry, coat with matte gel medium and roll into German glass. Tap off access and allow time to dry.

(3) Measure areas that you will be applying the pattern paper to and cut out accordingly. Do a dry fit with the paper to make sure it will fit.

(4) Apply matte gel medium to inside of box and add pattern paper, book text or ephemera working out air bubbles to get a nice smooth finish. Set aside to dry.

(5) Apply matte gel to outside of box and apply pattern paper being sure to smooth and work out air bubbles. Allow drying time before adding remaining layers.

(6) Add ephemera, image and butterfly to box. Allow time to dry between layers.

(7) Glue lace trim along edges of box. Once this has dried, glue buttons on.

(8) Re-attach mail flag on side of box.

(9) Tuck little treasures inside.



DAILY GIVEAWAY

Each day 3 lucky winners could receive a free download image sheet from the lovely Gale Blair, owner of www.paperwhimsy.com

TODAY’S GIVEAWAY IMAGE IS:
Paper Whimsy Sheet 170

Please leave a comment with your name and email address to be eligible for this prize. Giveaway winners will be contacted by email to claim their prize!

Our giveaways winners for Day #8 are:
Marie S.
Petra B.
Marilyn R.

Congratulations! Gale will contact you by email with your prize!

Filed in: 14 heARTS, tutorials • by Sugar Lump Studios • 34 Comments

About Sugar Lump Studios

I am a dabbler. I love to create using all sorts of mediums...pattern papers, stamping, fabric, assemblage, collage, altered art, a never ending smattering of whatever strikes my fancy in whimsical moments. I find creating allows my soul to be fulfilled and love to spend hours in the studio.

Comments

  1. Marjorie

    February 10, 2013 at 1:03 am

    This is so cute. I’ve not seen paper mache’ where I live, just metal mailboxes. But I’m sure I could use the same technique. Thanks again Nacny.

    Reply
  2. Sandi McLean

    February 10, 2013 at 1:49 am

    Oh yes this is a treasure!!

    Reply
  3. Terri

    February 10, 2013 at 2:01 am

    This is darling! I’ll have to look for the mailbox – happy to say it’s the first thing you’ve used in this series that I didn’t already have. That will be remedied on Monday!

    Reply
  4. Hermine

    February 10, 2013 at 2:57 am

    Absolutely gorgoeus, love that shape.

    Reply
  5. Dorthe

    February 10, 2013 at 5:43 am

    This is out of my possibilities to make, no such funny paper mache things here in DK- but Nancy, it is a most darling and gorgeous art piece. I love the elements you have used ,the image, and beautiful flowered paper,the lovely lace-and everything done so acurate and beautiful.
    Happy sunday dear friend, with hugs and xx,
    Dorthe

    Reply
  6. Kat

    February 10, 2013 at 5:53 am

    This is perfection, from the images you used to the execution. How adorable it would be filled with vintage valentines and a ribbon-tied packet of love letters.

    Reply
  7. Jacky S

    February 10, 2013 at 6:31 am

    Another gorgeous project.

    Reply
  8. Martina

    February 10, 2013 at 7:02 am

    Again a very extraordinary and wonderful creation, dear Nancy! Super idea and beautifully designed.

    Reply
  9. Di@Cottage-wishes

    February 10, 2013 at 7:20 am

    Sweet, it reminds me of school days when we put our valentines cards in the little mailboxes (paper bag)! Di @ Cottage Wishes

    Reply
  10. Sue

    February 10, 2013 at 7:26 am

    What a beautiful work of art. What a pleasure it is waking up each morning to find a new tutorial. Christmas in February! Thanks again Nancy.

    Reply
  11. joy

    February 10, 2013 at 7:42 am

    LOVE this! I have saved valentines that I received over the years – this would be a perfect place to keep them!

    Reply
  12. margie

    February 10, 2013 at 8:04 am

    lovely!

    Reply
  13. Laura-bella

    February 10, 2013 at 9:02 am

    I love the mailbox!!! It reminds me of when I was a little girl and got Valentine’s from classmates. So much fun!!

    Reply
  14. PetraB

    February 10, 2013 at 9:18 am

    So gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply
  15. Sarah

    February 10, 2013 at 9:55 am

    Such a sweet little creation. You always pick the perfect image to enhance your work.

    Reply
  16. MarieS.

    February 10, 2013 at 9:56 am

    Soo beautiful,Nancy.TFS.
    Hugs,
    Marie

    Reply
  17. teri f

    February 10, 2013 at 10:03 am

    This reminds me of third grade Valentines — which I loved!! Looking forward to trying it.

    Reply
  18. Linda K

    February 10, 2013 at 10:52 am

    Love this cute mailbox!!! I don’t recall seeing these at Hobby Lobby-but I’m REALLY going to look next time i get there :)

    Reply
  19. Sylvia/LittleTreasures

    February 10, 2013 at 12:03 pm

    How precious. Hobby Lobby is far from this country girl, but someplace I think I have a template of a mailbox..now that will be an all day search. Your 14 Hearts has been so fun, inspirational and motivational….thanks for doing it. Hope your weather is good, good day to stay in here, ice overnight, electricity is now back, rain, and now some snow!!But with no sun it is to reach 40!!!

    Reply
  20. Deb (DeeJae)

    February 10, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    So lovely and this could be used for many things/occasions!

    Reply
  21. Debbie Kaste

    February 10, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    Oh Nancy, this mailbox is soooo sweet! Love the adorable images and the colors are lovely…

    Reply
  22. Barb

    February 10, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    Happy Sunday Nancy,
    Luv your Valentine mailbox creation, it would look wonderful sitting on a desk!
    Again, thanks for sharing your ideas.
    Barb

    Reply
  23. Deb ~ Paxton Valley Folk Art

    February 10, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    So sweet, I can’t see I’ve ever seen a paper mache mailbox before! Very inventive and lovely, thanks Nancy!

    Reply
  24. Barbara Such

    February 10, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    What a cute idea! I love the mailbox for Valentines Day.
    Barbara S.

    Reply
  25. Jackie Mohring

    February 10, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    This is my favorite so far. Maybe that’s because my Dad was a mail carrier. Love it!

    Reply
  26. ann divelbiss

    February 10, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    this is just tooooooooooooo sweet!!
    we don’t have a Hobby Lobby..but I’m going to check around..maybe Micheals or JoAnns..
    thanks for sharing this !
    have a lovely day!

    Reply
  27. Linda

    February 10, 2013 at 5:51 pm

    Hi Nancy,

    Love the mail box!! Hope you are having a wonderful day!
    Linda

    Reply
  28. Kate

    February 10, 2013 at 6:24 pm

    love this romantic letter box. I really think that image makes it! Lovely!

    Reply
  29. Kathy Bumb

    February 10, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    Love this idea and your simple tutorial – beautiful creation as usual!

    Reply
  30. Marilyn J. Rock

    February 10, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    Your touches and style all make this mailbox so very elegant and beautiful! xxoo

    Reply
  31. Erica H

    February 10, 2013 at 7:02 pm

    This is soooo adorable!! Perfect for the season of sending love letters.

    Reply
  32. Annette Reed

    February 10, 2013 at 10:25 pm

    Your work is so wonderful. Another great project.

    Reply
  33. 2amscrapper

    February 10, 2013 at 10:49 pm

    love your project as well as today’s give-away!

    Reply
  34. Betty Helms

    February 11, 2013 at 9:48 pm

    What a wonderful idea. It would be so special on a teachers desk, to hold all those sweet Valentines.

    Reply

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