Thursday, April 11, 2013

Pansy Centerpiece

Are the pansies popping up in your town?
(Click on any photo to enlarge)

Do the bright blooms catch your eye?

Every time I see a pansy I think about bringing them inside. A centerpiece is an easy way to change up your decor and bring some blooms in the house.

When we were at Costco last week I saw a stack of these boxes (in the picture below). I was drawn to the cutout top edge of the box. What a great pattern I thought. I knew I could create something with that box! Oh joy my husband thought!
So I got some paint out and went to work. First I did a layer of brown paint and then two layers of cream. For the final coat I dry brushed some black paint lightly over the whole thing.
I was aiming for a weathered wood look. I am pretty happy with the way it turned out.
I cut some hinges out with the Silhouette die cut machine. I painted the hinges with  Tim Holtz brushed pewter crackle paint.
I attached some brads to the hinges. I have had these brads with the heads that look like a Philips screw forever. They were perfect for this project.
I love the way the hinges turned out! I think they really finish the edges of the box.
Next I wanted a phrase on the side of the box. I decided to go with something French, mostly because it looked so pretty! I used one of my favorite techniques to do this. I set my printer on mirror image before I printed the phrase. I then printed the phrase onto the smooth side of a transparency sheet. I printed the phrase (one word at a time) and laid the transparency onto the side of the box and and rubbed it on, presto I made my own rub-on!! I love the weathered look of the words!
Do you like the font? I think it finishes the box perfectly.
I set my two tall pillars on either side of the box to finish off the centerpiece.

Eventually the pansies will go out in the front yard around the tree. They should bloom all summer, I just need to keep them trimmed up. Though they are welcome to stay inside as long as they like!
I am so happy with how my free recycled Costco box turned out!! I have a few other ideas for it. Check back to see how I can get some more decorative mileage out of a cardboard box! 
Thank you for stopping by. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of my project. Do you up-cycle? I would love to hear about your ideas!
Have a great day, Lori

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14 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! Love the box; the hinges finish it off just perfect!

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  2. Very cute! I never would have guessed you started with cardboard!

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  3. This is beautiful!! I am following you right back!! I think I could learn a lot from your blog! Thank you so much - I am so glad you stopped by. I am so enjoying reading many of your posts!!

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  4. Well, missy... are you too clever or what??!! Who knew that a cardboard box could be transformed into something so beautiful. I would never have guessed it was a box if I hadn't kept reading. I love all the touches you put into it to make it just sparkle. And pansies? My mother's favorite! Every time I see them I think of her and always will! Thanks for sharing! And if you get a chance I would love to have you drop on by my blog as I always love having people over!! No cute center piece on my table but after your inspiration..... :-)

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  5. Thank you Julie!! Thanks for stopping by!!

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  6. Thank you Ellen!! I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Thank you for stopping by, Lori

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  7. Thank you for stopping by Ann!! I appreciate it!! Your blog is one of my absolute favorites! Thank you again for stopping by! Lori

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  8. Kadee, thank you so much for stopping by and your kind comment!! I am following you thru email, I LOVE your happy blog!! Happy Spring, Lori

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  9. Wow this is beautiful! Stopping by and following back from the social mix blog hop.

    lifeinhigheels.blogspot.com

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  10. I love pansies! Your centerpiece looks beautiful! Life to the full! Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

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  11. Absolutely beautiful!

    I nominated you for the Liebster Award. :)

    http://delusionsofingenuity.blogspot.com/2013/04/liebster-alert.html

    -andi

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  12. OMGosh! What a great job you did on the boxes. Who would ever know the "before"! Love them.

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  13. I thought this was real wood! Cool reuse of the container. Thank you for sharing it at to What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a lovely week!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

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  14. Wow - that is amazing!!! And those hinges look so realistic - great job!
    Kelly

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