Hop To It...

Hello friends and welcome to the brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! This week our theme is all about HIP HOP and whether you choose to include things that 'hop' such as rabbits or frogs, or you choose to go with some funky hip hop music, the choice is up to you but we can't wait to see what you create!

This week, for my project I chose to create a home decor piece for Easter and went with a traditional Easter Bunny as my interpretation of the theme. I decided to go with a vintage theme, which compliments my decorations and made a little chocolate caddy using one of Tim's Vignette Boxes and decorated it with a furry rabbit, an Easter tree and his little hutch....

 

...it's time for a new challenge!

To begin with I started by covering my vignette box and the vignette panel. I used the second largest size from each of the packs. I applied a light layer of gesso over the entire box and panel and then once that was dry, I added a layer of Weathered Wood Distress Paint. I dried the paint thoroughly with a blast of heat and then added a layer of gesso, which I dry brushed over the surface.  I then sanded back some of the edges and all the surfaces to reveal some of the wood and added just a touch of wax to accentuate the edges.

Now that I have my paintwork prepped, I can add some decorative elements and for this, I used my favourite paper, (I just LOVE this design, it's stunning) from the Memoranda Paper Stash. I covered each side of the box by applying Collage Medium to the papers which I had cut to size to allow a border to show around the outside of the paper panel. 

I also covered the top of the vignette panel with the same design of paper. I also lined the sides on the inside of the box with the same papers and added a layer of linen from the Textile Surfaces pack along the bottom.

To complete the box, I added some Foundations Feet and a handle from the Mini Hardware Findings set, both of which I coloured with Gold Mixative Alcohol Ink.

It's now time to move onto the next stage ~ decorating the box!! To begin, I made up one of the small Tiny Houses, die cutting the structure from Sizzles Mountboard. Once the house was put together I covered it with some more gorgeous papers from the Memoranda Stash. For the roof, I used the Latticework Texture Fade to emboss a piece of Classic Kraft Stock Paper Stash and then attached it to my roof.

I added Designer Tape around each of the edges of the house and then used one of the Clippings Stickers and a Mini Plaquette to decorate the front. 

To complete the house, I stamped one of the butterflies from the Flutter stamp set, coloured it with Distress Marker Pens and then attached it to a Memo Pin and added it to the top of the roof.

For the little Easter tree, I used one of the Woodland trees which I coloured with Bundled Sage Distress Spray Stain. I then stuck spring coloured pearls to the tree using a hot glue gun to secure them into place.

For the final embellishment of the bunny, I used the Easter Elements die to die cut 3 pieces of chipboard. I then layered the chipboard over the top of one another, sticking each section with collage medium and then painting it with Ground Espresso Distress Paint. I then wanted to add some texture to my bunny and for this, I wanted to use felt but when it came to it, the one colour I didn't have was brown!!! So, I used a piece of white felt to die cut my bunny shape. I then took the Gathered Twigs Distress Spray Stain and spritzed over the top of the felt die cut!! TOP TIP: For the stain to take on the material, the felt needs to be made from a natural fibre such as cotton, wool or viscose NOT nylon or polyester!

Now at this stage, I'll admit it looked a mess and I thought it was all going horribly wrong but I laid a piece of kitchen towel over the top to absorb some of the excess stain, heat dried the material and then added another spritzing of stain and lo and behold...it was working!!! I then heat dried this layer before adding a final layer of stain to achieve the rich, dark chocolate colour I wanted!!!

I attached my felt bunny to the layered chipboard using collage medium and then wrapped a crinkle ribbon bow around his neck which I coloured with Shaded Lilac Distress Stain. Finally, I added a little pom pom tail.

I arranged all my 3D elements onto the top of the Vignette Box, attaching them over a bed of sisal fibres and twigs from my garden. I then added a Quote Chip, which I thought worked really well as you really will find something special when you lift the lid of the box!

To complete my box, I added a little vase of flowers created from a crackled Tiny Vial and some Bouquet Findings, coloured with Distress Spray Stains.

So, all that's left is to fill the box with mini chocolate Easter Eggs, replace the lid and wait for someone to find them...

As always, if you do need any further inspiration, then you need look no further than our blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for stopping by today and see you again very soon!

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz Sizzix Dies: Easter Elements, Tiny Houses
Tim Holtz Sizzix Texture Fade: Latticework
Tim Holtz Stamps: Flutter

Distress Spray Stain: Shaded Lilac, Squeezed Lemonade, Gathered Twigs, Bundled Sage
Distress Paints: Ground Espresso, Weathered Wood
Idea-ology: Clippings Stickers, Quote Chips, Bouquet Findings, Vignette Box, Vignette Panel, Tiny Vials, Woodland Trees, Mini Foundations, Mini Hardware Findings, Memo Pins, Mini Plaquette, French Designer Tape
Surfaces: Classic Kraft Stock Paper Stash, Memoranda Paper Stash, Textile Surfaces, Sizzles Mat Board, Felt
Mediums: Gesso, Collage Medium, Gold Mixative Alcohol Ink

Distress Marker Pens

Ranger Craft Sheet

Heat Gun
Palette Knife
Sisal fibres, chipboard and twigs from my own stash