Thursday, April 5, 2018

Saving another cracker box from the recycle bin


Some may remember  

how I saved a cracker box from 

the trash/recycle bin in 2013.

I attempted to do this again, only this time I didn't attempt to use the joint compound.   Looking back, I wish I had, though.

This time everything is completely recycled or repurposed, except the glue and scissors. With that in mind, and even though this isn't my finest hour, I am once again joining Try it on Tuesday where their theme this fortnight is Recycle Something.

From left, a painting I created for Inspiration Avenue years and years ago.  On top of the painting is a box that once held bran flakes.  More on the glue later.  Next is some craft paper that something was apparently wrapped in.  My friend Sally gave it to me because she knew I couldn't/wouldn't throw it out.  Finally the map is one from a trip I made to Florida back in the late 1990s.  I suspect it is ridiculously out of date by now.

Like last time, I closed the box using masking tape.  However, Deb of Learning to Just Breathe shared a link to a box both she and someone made on YouTube.  I failed to get the artist's name or video reference, but I only watched the first four minutes and learned what I was possibly doing wrong.  I removed the masking tape and, after scrunching up the craft paper, placed it inside the box.  I tried to glue the top together like in the video, but got really frustrated when it didn't close properly, so drug out more masking tape and taped it shut again.

Next, I glued the map to the box, similar to how one would when wrapping a gift.  However, when I tried to glue the bottom, I made such a mess, I was ready to throw the entire project in the trash.

After allowing it to sit for a few hours, I grabbed my bottle of Ultimate glue, some glue dots and some wimpy double sided tape.

This is what I ended up with.  I have to admit, this was NOT my finest hour, but I had spent all that time working on it and simply HAD to finish it in time to post my completed project for the day.

The painting was on heavy, heavy 12" X 12" card stock and the map was far more flimsy.


You can see where the glue dots held and why the wimpy double sided tape didn't.   Like I said, not my finest hour.

I still like this painting I created of Frida Kahlo, but it had set in a very damp (and flooded) basement.  It was obvious, the focal image, which was computer generated, was coming loose from the background.

I had originally planned to add painted thread spool "feet" to it, but decided I didn't want to waste any more recycled pieces or glue on it.

This is Day 5 of 22 and I recycled a cereal box, some craft paper, and an old map, along with a re-purposed Frida Kahlo art piece I created years ago.  Today, you will find me at Try it on Tuesday, although I'm a bit ashamed of the outcome.

Thanks for sticking with me, even though this was not a project I would want to write home about.

21 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Thanks so much for joining us at TIOT with your recycled piece, the picture of Frida Kahlo is lovely. Have a fun day, Valerie

Romance Reader said...

Awesome work!

chrissie said...

Such a great idea Elizabeth. You have inspired me take a big box apart and use it for a background

Love Chrissie xx

froebelsternchen said...

Even though you say it wasn't your best hour the finished project looks just fabulous! I love the map paper on the back as well! Cool! I am a big Frida Fan and I am sure Frida would have liked your project as well!
I made many paintings out of cereal boxes or shoebox lids or old packagings as you know and one thing I have learnt- the best boxes come from PC-soft- and hardware my hubby gives me from time to time. That is such strong and thick cardboard and has a smooth finish to it that I need no first step of collaging bookpage pieces to stiffen the boxes as I otherwise have to do or to put styrofoam in as I often did to fill.Just two layers of white gesso over the cardboard to cover the original box layout and ready to go !Ask Scott - he will for sure have such packaging material as he does obiously at least as much PC hardware work as my hubby, or even more?!

I am happy to say thank you for linking to our Try It On Tuesday "Recycle Something" challenge! Much appreciated as you know!
Happy Thursday my dear Elizabeth!
♥♥♥
Susi

My name is Erika. said...

I actually really like this piece Elizabeth. I has the feel of the southwest as though you painted on adobe. I like how you added the Freida photo and the 2 crosses as they look like thy belong with her. And the big red areas do look like abstract roses, which of course are very Mexican too. This piece reminds me of Taos when I've been there.:) Hope you are having good week. Hugs-Erika

CJ Kennedy said...

The project might not have turned out the way you wanted, but you did recycle materials. And you found out what techniques work and what materials did and did not work. That's a win in my book

Sandra Cox said...

I love this piece! I would never have thought about using cereal or cracker boxes to create on. Though, the baby girl used to paint on cardboard.
So sorry to hear about your keyboard.

Let's Art Journal said...

What a lovely transformation! The bold brush strokes and colours you chose remind me of Frida too, you chose such a wonderful photo to use and I love the side of the box with the pretty rose and postage stamp paper - beautiful 😁. Thanks so much for joining us again at Try it on Tuesday! J 😊 x

da tabbies o trout towne said...

you don't give yourself enough credit Elizabeth; even on a "bad day" your art is amazing.....I think it's really neat ☺☺♥♥♥

Nancy said...

One cracker box at a time!

Meggymay said...

Wow, its an awesome piece of recycling Elizabeth. I think we are all over critical of our own work, but this looks good to me. I love how you included a photo of Frida, she would have loved the colours.
Thank you for linking this great with us at TioT's
Yvonne xx

Divers and Sundry said...

I like the idea of using the box and combing the map with your art. How can you not like this? I'd never have thought of using a box this way.

RO said...

I never would have imagined how a box could be transformed, and you really did it justice. Hugs...RO

pearshapedcrafting said...

I am failing to see what you don't like about this box! The bits that you say haven't stuck well give a lovely additional texture, the colours are fabulous and there is a fabulous pic of Frida! One fabulous recycled creation I say!! Hugs,Chrisx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Sorry about the overuse of fabulous - its too early but we are off to a funeral later before heading North for the weekend!xx

Marjut said...

What a wonderful recycled project. Thank you for joining us at TioT.

Jeanie said...

You may not think its your finest hour and I know that as an artist you see things that we don't. But I'm impressed. I think it looks terrific.

Marfi-topia said...

not time wasted at all..I enjoyed the step by step and you have taught me a few things! it turned out beautifully and I thank you for your post:X

Cindy McMath said...

I think it turned out to be gorgeous! I think once everything is dry you can go back and touch up where the glue / tape didn’t hold as well as you wanted. I swear by Scotch brand double stick tape. I have had the wimpy kind from the dollar store or whatever and in the end you don’t end up saving any money really and it gives me a lot of frustration when things to stick together!

Little Artbee said...

OMG this artwork is breathtaking good. I like it so much. A wonderful hommage to Frida.
A great inspiration and wonderful kind of recycling Art.
Dear Greetings
Sabine

Joan said...

You achieved a great result after all your trials and tribulations

Thanks for joining us at Try It On Tuesday challenge

Joan