Altered Projects

Subway Art, by Jennifer Edwardson.

I've always been drawn to the look of subway art but haven't jumped into creating my own until now. We recently moved to a new town and my son just started attending a private school. Yes, uniforms and the whole bit – he LOVES it. His teacher is fantastic and we've spent time at all the 'start of school' assembly's. What I've observed in these first days is just how much the students, staff and families come together to create a community that loves this school. I wanted to give Alex's teacher a gift and after seeing how she interacts with the children, I thought this would be a great addition to her classroom.

I started with a simple white frame and used the larger white background that came with it as my base. I cut a piece of the Freestyle Sophisticates to 8 1/2 x 11", sanded the edges and adhered it centered on my base.

I began with chip alphas in the center using the school's abbreviated name, QMS. I wanted to show that it starts with the school and then all the other words and sentiments are built from there. I used words that they teach every day such as inspire, educate, learn, service, support, participate and community. I especially love that there was a tab to add to the top that says 'Dream Big' ….. every child needs to hear this over and over!

The new Bella collections had perfect pieces to mix in with the High Five alphas as stickers that say things such as 'good friends always know what to say' and 'this day is totally awesome' were a wonderful addition to this project. I hope that she loves it and that the kids enjoy reading the words that they get to hear each day at school.

Supplies: 
Daily Chevies: Everyday Bookplates, Arrows Gulf, Arrows Black & White; Snapshots: Alpha+Bits, Bookplates, Captions, Paper Pieces; Play Date: Alpha+Bits, Captions, Tabs; Freestyle Sophisticates: Pickle Juice; High Five Alphabets: Black & White, Blue, Yellow, Pink-Red, Gulf, Green; Quattrofina Alpha Stickers: Mustard & Apricot, Peep & Saffron

Altered Mini Easels, by Jennifer Edwardson.

I was poking around the local dollar store recently and came across these adorable little mini easels in the kids craft aisle. I thought the size was so sweet and would be so fun to alter into a little changeable photo spot.

When I say mini I mean mini. The canvas is only 2 3/4 x 3 1/4". I wrapped each one in patterned paper before starting to embellish them.

I wanted to create a fun little spot to change up all the Insta-Pics that I take either using Instagram or my mini polaroid instant camera. I added a small clothes pin to each so that I can easily remove the photo to add a new one. A couple of stickers and a die cut too and these are ready for my desk – love them.

Supplies:
Trick or Treat: Leaf Storm; Snapshots: My Point of View, Borders, Alpha+Bits, Tabs, Captions, Paper Pieces; Daily Chevies: Arrows Gulf, Arrows Black & White, Arrows Pickle Juice

Altered Girl Clock, by Wendy Antenucci.

My first clock started with a cheap clock from Target which I had my husband remove the plastic covering and the hands. From there I traced the cover for my paper and began to decorate my circle. I knew that I wanted this clock to hold this special picture of my daughter and her friend that just moved away so that she could always remember their time together.

Since I chose to highly decorate my clock face I needed to think out of the box with the numbers which I put on the outside of the clock. A few things to remember when making clocks is they can't be too bulky or the hands won't go around correctly.

Secondly, test your clock out before putting the covering back on the clock! I sadly did not heed my own advice and had to cut my numbers to remove the covering and make some adjustments. The clock does work now, but I could have spared a few extra steps!

Supplies:
Snapshots: Alph+Bits, Family Chaos, Borders, Paper Pieces; Daily Chevies: Chevy Peep, Everyday Bookplates

Altered Penguin Clock, by Wendy Antenucci.

My next clock was made because one of my boys saw my daughter's clock and wanted to know where his was? I didn't know they all needed clocks for their rooms (6 clocks, 3 down and 3 to go obviously)! But, how could I resist especially when I was told he needed penguins on his clock and I had the perfect paper sitting right there. 

This clock started with a circle piece of wood that can be purchased at any craft store or made from if one has a handy hubby. I also was able to pick up the clock fixtures at the craft store in the same aisle that I found my wood piece. I use the wooden pieces to decorate when I want to add bulky items (I hope to find a penguin to add to the clock as Christmas draws near). HERE is an example of another wooden clock I made.

As before, I traced my wooden circle and began to decorate my piece. You do need to consider clearance room with these hands too, but there is much more room to work with then the premade clocks.

Supplies:
Christmas Countdown: City Sidewalks, Paper Pieces, Christmas Cuties; Snapshots: Captions, Bookplates; Daily Chevies: Chevy Carrot; Simply Simona Chipboard Numbers: White

Comments

[Julie Tucker-Wolek]

These are just amazing!! I loveeeeeeeee those altered clocks from Wendy!!! Pinning those!!!

[jackie c.]

Wow - really cute projects!! I love the subway art!

[Andrea Green]

WOW!!! LOVE Jennifer's subway art gift, what a great idea!!

[Victoria in OHio]

I am in LOVE!!!!!! with the subway art. wow! what a great, & thoughtful gift! and it is a piece of art! I'm so jealous! i would NEVER have thought of all of that. you rock!!!!

[Jamie Harder]

Oh MY ... you are all so stinkin' creative!!! I love them all!!!

[Tarrah McLean]

These altered projects are amazing!! I especially love Jennifer's subway art, such a fabulous idea and it looks beautiful, I am sure the teacher loved it!!!!

[Vicki Harper]

These are awesome! What a great idea....inspiring!