Sunday, November 17, 2013

Elementary

I love a good mystery!  This week at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge the challenge is Mystery.  We provided little snapshot of our projects to queue up our mystery.

Here is my sneak peek:


When I started thinking about mysteries I thought of all my favorite authors, books, television and movies. I think the reason I enjoy them is the puzzles to be found.  I started thinking about logic and equations which lead me to Elementary and what better way to show elementary than rulers!

I started with a stack of rulers purchased on clearance and an old cigar box. 
 The rulers:


 The cigar box was a little shorter than twelve inches.  I started with cutting my first ruler to fit the width of the box.  I then took the remainder of the ruler as the next row.  I cut of the excess again to finish the second row.  I continued my pattern until I had enough pieces to cover the top of the box. The next step was to take the distress stains and stain the different pieces of the rulers in a variety of colors. 

I used the rotary cutter to cut my wooden rulers. I love the rotary cutter for unusual surfaces. 

I painted and stained the surface of the cigar box with white acrylic paint and vintage photo stain.

I then cut rulers for around the edges.  I also sponged the edges of the rulers with brown dye ink. I then used a glue gun to glue all the pieces to the box.
The box has little wooden spool legs stained to coordinate.

The finished top looked like this:

I loved how the box looked like.  I painted the inside with chalkboard paint.  I tried a variety of layouts for my cover:

 The girls liked the black chalkboard in the center with the fun letters:

The second layout: 

Products: Ranger Distress Stains - Barn DoorBroken China, Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint, Ripe PersimmonWalnut Stain,  Ranger Distress Ink - Walnut StainWood Letters,
Buttons, Maya Road Wood Spool, Chalkboard Paint, Artistic Outpost - Kudzu Kafe, Rotary Trimmer

Come join in the fun for a chance to win a $50 Gift voucher from  Simon Says Stamp.

Have a wonderful Monday! 

Suzz

21 comments:

  1. this is just amazing!! The cutter can cut rulers?! WHO KNEW? I am glad I learned that today - love this project.

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  2. What a fun and bright looking project! It often is not easier to get feedback, cause everybody likes it a little different... I love the idea of the rulers! Inky greetings, Gerrina

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  3. Suzz...your project is super cool! I totally love the rulers and how you've used them to cover your cigar box! That looks so fabulous. Love the stained colors of the rulers. And then to see your possible finished pieces...with the added buttons, chalkboard and those darling little children. TOO CUTE! It's amazing how those buttons just popped everything and brought everything together in such a perfect way! I LOVE it! You are so creative! <3 Candy

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  4. This is totally awesome! Suzz. I love the beautiful colors on each ruler and how you attached those buttons. So creative and fun! :)

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  5. WOW! This is really cool! I just love how your mind works :)

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  6. I love love this cigar case and the alteration is absolutely fantastic. The coloured rulers are just wonderful covering the box and I love the pop of colours. Love how you used the AO images too. The chalkboard is also a wonderful creative element. This is delightful Suzz. Tracy x x

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  7. Wow Sue, this is so fabulous. What a transformation. LOVE all those colourful rulers. What a great idea!!

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  8. That is such a cool idea Suzanne, wish I had enough rulers to create one. Very creative!!!!
    Hugs Lynn

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  9. This is so cool! Love the colored rulers! Really pretty! Didn't know a cutter could cut rulers! Hugs, Sandra

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  10. This is so cool! I had no idea that that thing could cut wood. Seriously...cut wood? That's amazing!

    This project is one of my all-time favorites. The bright colors are fabulous! And yet it still has that fun, vintage look. I love this. It's pretty amazing.

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  11. This is wonderful! I love the colors . . . oh heck, I love everything about it!!!
    You are so creative :)

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  12. A stunning project, love how you have upcycled the rulers - I can't remember the last time I saw a wooden ruler and I love your storage box, popped over from Simon Says Monday to check out your project, TFS xx

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  13. A colorful masterpiece to be sure, Suzz!! I love the way you used the old rulers to decorate a box so creatively :)

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  14. What a fun and colorful project Suzanne! All those rulers and buttons look amazing!

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  15. SPECTACULAR! Love everything about this project, especially the colors. Hmmm I KNOW I have one more cigar box in the basement! lol Thanks for the inspiration!

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  16. What a great transformation - love the idea of staining the rulers, and they sure came out beautifully.

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  17. Great idea ! FAntastic colors and works totally amazing! THanks for sharing this! BArbarayaya

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  18. Oh, I absolutely love it!! Fabulous transformation, and the stained rulers look so cool. Love all those buttons and the chalkboard - simply inspired, and so inspiring too, thank you!
    Alison xx

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  19. Holy cow! This turned out so cool! I am a former teacher and this piece brought back so many memories--most pleasant, some terror-inducing (ha, ha). But in all seriousness, I love the creativity beyond this piece. You always take ordinary materials to such extraordinary levels. Kudos once again on a really unique and stunning piece!

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