Ketchup

Before we return to our regularly scheduled DisneyWorld recap I need to catch you up on a few things from before the trip.

Remember the Coraline Box Swap?  Well I actually got my box finished and shipped off.  I was pretty proud of myself because it was a BUSY week.

My box was number 32 of 44.  I used a paper suitcase that I bought from Paper Source, I love that store.  I lined the lower portion of the suitcase with red velvet using my cordless hot glue gun.  I love that thing too.




Under the velvet I put a piece of packing foam so that I would be able to pin my tiny little handknit sweater and other things into the box.  I would have liked taking more time with the way I attached but I just didn't get it done in time.  The lovely woman I sent my package to didn't say anything about my things being destroyed by UPS so I think it must have worked well enough.



The sweater was knit from a lovely wool sock yarn that I don't seem to have the label for anymore.  After I was done knitting it I sprayed it with a spray on fabric glitter designed for decorating your own t-shirts.  It added a nice sparkle that was a part of the actual movie sweater spun into the yarn.  Then I added hand cut stars from a lightly sparkly craft felt.  Along with the little sweater I included a glass bead I lampworked myself.  It's Lauscha clear rolled in a deep transparent purple frit.  The bead is my representation of the looking stone from the book and movie Coraline.  In the movie the looking stone is made from candy and I thought my bead looked a bit like hard candy as well.



I also drew my own concept of Coraline to attach to the inside top of the box next to my letter to the recipient.  I had fun drawing Coraline because she is so sassy and expressive.  It was also fun because I got to use my new Derwent Inktense Pencils.  I've used Derwent watercolor pencils as well as watercolor pencils from several other companies and enjoyed them.  These inktense pencils work in a similar way.  You sketch with them and fill in just like any other medium hard colored pencil (harder than a really top notch colored pencil, softer than a student version) and then wash over them with a watercolor brush and water.  What makes these pencils different is the intensity of the image after the water is applied.  Instead of the very soft light color of water colors it looks more like ink, hence the name.  I'm looking forward to playing with these pencils some more.


The letter I wrote was sealed with sealing wax and a black button just like the original Coraline boxes.  This was my first time using sealing wax, it was fun.  As you can see, it dripped a little.  I actually really like the sinister little drip of black wax, don't you?



Here is my completed box.  As soon as there is enough sun out to take pictures I will show off the lovely box I received when I got home from Disney.

Comments

[Michael]

That is really just too cool for words! It is VERY well done!

[Nanc]

That's really clever and kewl. I'm loving the though and details you put into this.

[francie]

what a coincidence that i was reading your blog this morning and about your girls' dance adventures (found you thru the coraline swap we are both in) and now i find out we are both new craft critique reporters. :) congrats to us both. and can i just say *wow* on that sweater?! i can knit a straight scarf in a couple different stitches (BIG stitches!). but that's it. that sweater is amazing.