Friday, 4 February 2011

Compendium of Curiosities week 30 - Altered metal

Oh I can't believe there are only 5 more CoC challenges left before we have completed all the techniques in the wonderful bible of TH. Linda however hasn't let the full cat out of the bag, but she has said that this won't be the end - so what is she up to? Can't wait to find out.

This week as the title suggests we are altering metal at Studio L3 and I have been itching to get started on my configurations box that DH bought me for Christmas. I knew I had some lovely little metal things I want to use and had to go searching in the shed to find them.


The little boxes are going to reflect across the ages and times of the lives of our close family. So the first box represents our grandparents days when life was much harder with none of the technology we know of today. The mangle symbolizes the way the wife and mother had to work in the home to keep the family washed and clothes and everything clean. Not like today is it? I can remember my Nana doing the washing in the scullery in a huge sink, pulling the sheets out, giving them a wring as best she could by hand and then putting everything through the mangle before hanging it on the line. Even though I had an electric washing machine when I first got married, I still had one with the rollers, (and they were electric too), that you put the washing through to get the water out, spinners were around but I didn't have one for some reason. Oh boy I am showing my age aren't I?

So turn to P.48 in the compendium to find out how to do the technique and I am sure you will be altering all sorts of bits and pieces made of metal. It's so easy and great fun.


I have already altered a few more bits ready to make the next boxes, which I am sure you will see in the weeks to come. I just seem to have so many projects on the go.

Have a lovely crafty weekend and pop back if you have time. I am going to make something with hearts and wings on next to support my friend Zoe's new challenge blog called Just For Fun. Go take a look if you haven't seen it already.

luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

Challenges to have fun with -
Allsorts - Saving Nature -  these little ornaments had once been stood on display in a printers tray, now they find themselves with a new lease of life rather than being thrown away.
Creative Friday - Vintage
Photobucket

25 comments:

Kathyk said...

YET another fab project from the stable of Brenda Brown - and, yes, I remember sheets going through a mangle before being hung out to dry, wouldn't dry today though!!!!!, weather's atrocious here

Kathyk

Junibears said...

I can remember my Nan having a mangle exactly like this with big wooden rollers. Lovely work Brenda.
Hugs xx

Mummylade said...

absolutely stunning! Thank you so much for entering my recycling challenge at Allsorts this week and good luck!

Fliss said...

Totally gorgeous and really unusual Brenda.
I remember my hubby's Gran having a mangle in her kitchen too from many years back which I saw when we first got married. Like my MIL she didn't like throwing stuff out.
Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Fliss xx

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh my gosh, Brenda, purely amazing!!! Your work is always phenomenal!!
XO

Lisa Jane said...

oh this is fantastic.. i love it ! cant wait to see the next lol
I remember helping my gran with the mangle .They didnt need the gym in them days lol
Lisa ;)

Unknown said...

Hi Brenda I have these memories too of my Granny with the mangle, the young ones think they have it hard lol' this is fabulous can hardly wait to see all the rest of this project chum it sound fantastic Hugs
Sarah x

Unknown said...

O wow Brenda this is beautiful.. what memories you are bringing here. I don't remember the washing machine you mentioned, but I remember my mum talking about how they used to wash their clothes before!! Hugs xx

Netty said...

Thats a terrific idea to make memory boxes and its looking fab already, loving all the altered metal. Annette x

Juls said...

OH MY WORD WOW!!!!!!!!! These are AM-A-ZING!!!!!!! Hugs Juls

Angela Weimer said...

Great project so far. Love how you altered the pieces. Love the mini wash machine. Have a great day. Angela

Pam said...

Love these metal pieces! And what a great memory box this will make!
Pam

Anonymous said...

Fabulous project Brenda, can't wait to see the finished product ! Sue C x

Pami said...

Just fabulous Brenda! Hope you have had a nice relaxing day. Pami x

cheryl said...

oh wow hun,you never cease to amaze me with your creativity,this is brill,hugs cheryl xxxxxxx

Zue said...

Brilliant idea; the boxes will become a family heirloomn. Did your grandma have Dolly Blue to whiten the whites, mine did?

A really lovely project, Brenda.
sue xx

Chrissie said...

what an awesome idea. Wherever did you find such a piece?

Chrissie said...

what an awesome idea. Wherever did you find such a piece?

Lori said...

Ooo, this is a fabulous take on altered metal! Love it!

Unknown said...

Oh wow! Love these little bits you have altered! They look fabulous!
Alicia xx

Barbara Mason said...

Wow! I haven't thought about a mangle in years--my G'ma used one when I was a wee one!!! Great idea to alter those pieces.

coldwaters2 said...

I am in awe of your wonderful creativity Brenda, this is absolutely superb, when reading your post it brought back so many wonderful memories of my childhood, I remember we had a mangle out the back and I often helped mum put the washing through, things may have been harder but much more enjoyable.
Hugs
Lorraine x

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

These little metal gems look gorgeous with this altering, can't wait to see the completed project! hugs, Joanna xx

Linda Ledbetter said...

Brenda, WOW! This is amazing! What a great beginning to what I'm sure will be a stunning Configurations piece. That little washing machine is awesome, and you used the technique on it perfectly. You truly created a tiny vintage washroom.

I can't wait to see more of this brilliant project! What a great heirloom you're creating for your family.

jude said...

hiya Brenda ,
Ive just come across your blog and oh what adelight been here ages just musing at all your fab creations.I have some Tim Holtz boxes that i have yet to get creating.What a wonderful idea across the ages.I had a go at the altering charms ect from Tims book they are so efective.I will be popping back regularly to see your creations and how it's getting on.
Pop over this week as i ahve mega Tim Holtz candy on offer ....
hugs judex