Monday, August 18, 2014

ATB Summer Topiary

Hello!  You've probably seen a lot of projects made with these little boxes, more fondly known as an ATB or artist trading block, since they've been popping up all over social media lately!  They are very versatile and also addictive!  I created my first ATB when I joined Frilly and Funkie as a guest designer back in May when I created this Mermaid ATB for their Vintage Seaside challenge.

The theme for the current challenge at Frilly and Funkie is Hip to be Square and we are tasked with creating a 3D vintage or shabby chic project based on a cube shape.  The challenge is being sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique.  Sizzix designer, Eileen Hull, has a monthly Art From the Heart challenge on her blog and this month it's Anything Goes.  Eileen is offering the winner of her challenge their choice of a die from her new release, Vintage Kitchen, when it comes out in December!

So I'm here to weigh in at both of those challenges with my ATB Summer Topiary!  The graduated sizes of the boxes on Eileen's Sizzix Scoreboards XL die-Blocks/Cubes, 3D just scream topiary to me!  But I added a little twist by turning the boxes corner to corner!  It took me all weekend to put it together but it was so worth it!  I had a blast and really felt my creative mojo creeping back!  As always I have trouble with the picture-taking part!  I tried both inside and outside and these were the best of the bunch.






 
The boxes are covered with Tim's Wallflower paper.  I used three of the sheets that have large floral images on them.  The boxes were inked and I added peeled paint distress embossing powder to give them a mossy look.  They are mounted on a thin wooden dowel that was stained with Walnut distress stain.  After I ran the dowel through the boxes I embossed the exposed sections of the dowel with brushed corduroy distress embossing powder.
 
The topiary is decorated with flowers, butterflies and greenery created with Tim's Sizzix Alterations Tattered Flower Garland, Butterfly Frenzy and Spring Greenery decorative strip dies.  Of course, Tim's new Layered Dragonfly die needed to make an appearance!  I cut one dragonfly from grungeboard and then another from watercolor cardstock.  I painted the bottom side and edges of the grungeboard die cut with distress paint.  I embossed the watercolor cardstock die cut with the accompanying embossing folder and then added color using distress markers and a water brush.  Then I sprayed Sunflower Sparkle perfect pearls onto my craft mat and painted that over the watercolors to add some shimmer!  I glued the cardstock dragonfly onto the grungeboard dragonfly for stability and then mounted it on a floral wire that I shaped by curling it around a pencil.
 
The base started as a 3" terra cotta pot which I painted with various colors distress paint and then embossed with peeled paint distress embossing powder to give it a mossy look.


For this challenge the team at Frilly and Funkie has joined forces with The Artists on the Block who are also showcasing 3D cube projects.  Make sure you check out their projects for more inspiration!  The ATB team comes up with some out-of-this-world art!!

The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog is also running an Anything Goes challenge so I'm entering this piece there.  A randomly chosen winner can receive $50 to spend at Simon Says Stamp!

Over at Inspiration Journal the August Monthly Challenge is Everything Goes so I might as well join in that one, too!  The August Monthly Challenge is sponsored by Inspiration Emporium and they are offering the winner a $50 to spend in the emporium!

I hope you like my project and maybe you'll be inspired to create a 3D cube project of your own and join in the fun!  I've included links below for the many products I used in my project.  These products are available at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.  If you haven't visited Linda's store you're missing out!!

Thanks so much for stopping by my little corner of the world!

21 comments:

  1. What beautiful piece of art Donna. Very creative. Karen.x

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  2. Stunning!! Can't stop looking at your beautiful creation. From the inking and embossing to that gorgeous dragonfly it is absolute perfection! Thanks so much for joining us at the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog.
    Hugs,
    Nancy

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  3. Donna , this is absolutely beautiful! what a gorgeous use of these dies and i just love how you have created this with all those gorgeous details ! truly scrummy! x hugs x

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  4. Umm yes please! How lovely is this art piece! I need this for my front entryway! Awesome job and thanks for sharing. I will be back to this post as you have inspired me to try this.

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  5. Oh WOW!!! Words fail me Donna!!! Of course, a topiary tree! I love the way you've carried those beautiful blooms down to the plant pot greenery and your dragonfly is a joy to see. Thank you so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Jenny x

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  6. Wow, wow, wow Donna, this is an absolutely stunning use of the ATBs and one of the most inventive I have ever seen! This is a wonderfully inspiring piece of art and I absolutely love it. You are so creative!! Anne xx

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  7. PS - the dragonfly and butterfly are gorgeous additions too..... wow!

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  8. Holy crow! This is gorgeous, my friend! I'd say your mojo came back in a major way.

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  9. What a great piece! I love all the creativity you poured into this!

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  10. This is such a beauty. You are so creative!

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  11. Very pretty and unique... Love the whole idea of this ATB... I don't think I would be able to trade it though... LOL.. Love all the creativity going on here... very nice.. Love, Light and Peace...Bonnie

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  12. This is awesome, perfect and so creative! I love every inch of it.

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  13. I love this!! Such a creative idea.

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  14. Spotted your ATB's on a sidebar of the www and had to click on it...WOW, your topiary so pretty! Love the Wallflower Collection and it looks beautiful on your blocks. Love you flowers, moss, dragonfly, everything is just gorgeous!

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  15. Oh Wow - this is just amazing. I love it!

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  16. Well, isn't this totally cool?!? Thanks for sharing it with us at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! - Ashli :)

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  17. Love your topiary, so much to look at, gorgeous!
    Thanks for joining us in the Inspiration Journal challenge!

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  18. Wow this is jaw droppingly wonderful, beautifully constructed xx

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  19. This is so incredibly original and brilliant, Donna! What a fun project. I was grinning as I read through all the details. Not only is the topiary very cool, but I love your use of the layered dragonfly here too. You seriously knocked it out of the park with this one. So delighted to have you joining us again and great to hear your mojo is returning. A special thank you for linking to my shop too - that was so nice of you!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  20. So glad I came for a closer look, this is stunning, what a brilliant creative idea! Wonderful! Ruth x

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  21. Love your topiary. This is jaw dropping. Very impressed! !

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