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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Faux Butterfly Specimen Box

Butterfly Specimen Box







I got this at Restore.  I like my Restore.  They're cheap ( this shadow box was only $1 -- marked down from $2 cuz that
was just way too much) and they have good junk. 
AND, they are always so stinkin' nice.  Really.



First, I needed to "undo" what was done here.  That's sand mixed with something way stronger than me. Tools needed? 
Two butter knives, an exacto knife, a hammer and sandpaper.  Then there's the other list of things I used that didn't work...




Once I had this all cleaned out it was pretty simple:
  1. Paint the inside walls with antique gold spray paint.  I thought this might help reflect light into the box.
  2. Line the back with scrapbooking paper.  Mine was leftover from a dining room project.
  3. Print vintage butterflies from The Graphics Fairy on card stock and cut out carefully.  I had to play around with the sizing a little bit.
  4. Fold butterfly wings up.
  5. Position butterflies in shadow box and glue in place.
  6. Replace glass front.











I'm on the lookout, now, for all the shadow boxes I can find. 
Get back, girls....





Oh, did I forget to say how much I love my 


Give Karen a visit -- She's pretty stinkin' nice, too!
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

 


If you enjoyed this post (and, gosh, I hope you did) please BECOME A FOLLOWER!

68 comments:

  1. Lindy: You are just so darn creative! Your shadow box is beautiful and I love that you chose to use butterflies as your theme. Very 'victorian'. Thank you for offering some 'Blogger' assistance in my last post. I'm still trying to figure it all out. I'll be watching your Etsy store to see if you offer something for sale that will go with my interior. I love your art!
    Lisa@SuburbanRetreat

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  2. OMG! Love this! I need to come up with more adjectives, I do know this, but this is just so awesome! Looks great!!

    Lou Cinda ;)

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  3. Have you seen the butterfly boxes in the latest Ballard's catalog? When I saw these I knew you'd been to TGFairy! And they're free! So stinkin' nice and cute :) Love what you did with them!

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  4. I follow a lot of decorating DIY decorating blogs, but yours has quickly become my all-time favorite - without a doubt. My new favorite thing of yours if the scrapbooking paper-backed hutch. I plan to do something like that for a hutch that I have. I'm thinking I might use paintable textured wallpaper which I'll paint then use a glaze to highlight the design.

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  5. I really like the paper you used for the back of your shadow box.

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  6. Oh gosh, I really like this! I love the paper you used. The butterflies are so pretty. Love the Graphics Fairy!

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  7. What a great idea. I just discovered the Graphics Fairy a couple of weeks ago. Wow! What a place to find!!! You did a wonderful job on the shadow box....what's the matter you didn't like the little underwater scene from before? lol Hugs- Diana

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  8. Ooohhhh -- This is one of the cutest projects I've seen in a long time. Wonderfully put together!

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  9. Very Pretty - you did good. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. That's so adorable! I may have to try this soon!

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  11. You brought me back to my childhood. Made me remember these coasters that were in our living room with butterflies under glass. Very nice!

    I have given you the Versatile Blogger Award and would love for you to come by and pick it up when you have time.
    Here is the direct link:
    http://cozyhomescenes.blogspot.com/2010/09/blog-award.html

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  12. What a great idea!! and all done up so sweet.

    Thanks for the how to's

    blessings

    barbara jean

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  13. Oh my gosh, I love this. What a wonderful idea. I saw art from real butterflies and it made me sad. This is perfect. I will definitely be doing this project. I am a new follower from Tuesday's blog hops. I am looking forward to reading more of your blog. Blessings...
    Saved By Love Creations

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  14. Because of you, I've been following Graphics Fairy--just love all of the wonderful prints.

    I like your idea of making a shadowbox. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  15. I love the look of this. It reminds me of the butterfly prints in the Ballard Catalog that I always drool over!

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  16. I love it! Need something like this on my evergrowing picture and stuff wall! (and I also love Karen from graphics fairy! I think most of my things doing lately are related to her pictures ^^)

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  17. Karen the Graphics Fairy is amazing! I love her images. This butterfly shadowbox is wonderful -- I love the look of old butterflies but am kind of creeped out by the real deal; insects and I are not chummy.

    This is a GREAT solution!
    Cass

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  18. This is wonderful! I love it!! I saw this on Between U & Me!! :)

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  19. I love ReStore too!!! It is the BEST for finding great treasures! Thanks for sharing your “creative mojo” with me on Thrilling Thursday. I hope you will be back again soon :)
    ~Lori S.
    Thrilling Thursdays @Paisley Passions

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  20. What a beautiful use of those graphics, plus it looks perfect next to your lamp. So nice.

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  21. this is wonderful! i'd love for you to link up to A Crafty Soiree, every Thursday at www.yesterdayontuesday.com
    congrats on your shop-- you are so talented!

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  22. ps already happily following you (-:

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  23. What a pretty project! I love it! Visiting from EBTKS! Angie xo

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  24. Wow, I bet you could sale these for a good bit of change...it is so clever...did you think of it all on your own or did you see a tutorial someplace...Mama Bear

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  25. This is so pretty! I love how you have it hanging lower down on the wall too!

    Corinna

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  26. So pretty. My post today also features butterflies.

    Stop by and collect your clues. The largest giveaway in Decor To Adore history will be revealed next Friday.

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  27. Very pretty!! :)

    I have that paper too! I'm inspired to actually use it now.

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  28. Very cool idea, I would have never thought to do that. Can you see the smoking coming out of my ears as my mind is racing now?

    Great job!

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  29. Wow, super cute and I love that they are "faux" butterflies! Thanks for linky to Beyond the Picket Fence's Under $100 Party.

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  30. Very pretty! Thanks for the Graphic Fairy link~

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  31. My daughter LOVES butterflies. I'm going to have to get busy and get something like this done for her! Thanks for sharing.

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  32. that is so pretty, much improved too! lol

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  33. That's lovely! And so much better than real ones. Thanks for sharing ... I've posted a link.

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  34. Wow, this is gorgeous! And I said that out loud too. :) Love the 3d aspect.

    Donna

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  35. love this!!! definitely adding it to the "to do" list!!!

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  36. This turned out great, I love the color scheme!

    Thanks for linking up to Sister Sister Sunday!

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  37. Hi Lindy...

    Girl, your butterfly shadow box turned out awesome! What a great idea...and it sounds like an easy enough project...that is if we can find a shadow box that doesn't require all the tools that yours did...hehe! It looks fabulous next to your gorgeous lamp...they really compliment one another! Thanks so much for sharing this great craft project/idea with us today for Sunday Favorites!

    Lindy, I hope you don't mind but I needed to change your name on Mr.Linky. You used your url in the name part...and it messes with the columns. I took the liberty and changed it...I put your name and blog name in place of your post url. Well my friend, have a wonderful Sunday!

    Warmest autumn wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  38. Great idea! And I love the word stinkin' too! We should have a stinkin' users anonymous!

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  39. I love the vintage look of this! Very, very pretty. I'm a new follower. :)

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  40. The folded wings really give it dimension - very, very nice!

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  41. What a terrific idea! We have a Restore here and I have been meaning to go but still haven't made it there yet!

    Debbie

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  42. So great! Love the dimension you achieved too!

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  43. I LOVE this! I'm a huge bird, egg, nest girl, but now that I see this, I just have to add some butterflies!

    Wren

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  44. Oooooooh! This is really, really pretty!! Thanks for linking this up today, and thanks for the compliment!

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  45. Popping in from Brag Monday at the Graphics Fairy. Great post! I love the 3d effect of the butterflies!

    http://mommyonthebus.blogspot.com/2010/09/spooky-photos.html

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  46. Great idea I would love if you linked it to my linky party!
    http://memakingdo.blogspot.com/2010/09/your-so-very-creative-linky-party.html

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  47. Very creative idea. Now I am on the hunt for a inexpensive shadow box. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  48. hi lindy:)
    I come form Europe, and i realy like the idea of you having a link party...... I hope I'll meet a lot of new blogers........
    I realy like your blog.......
    You can check out my blog at
    http://argopirgasto.blogspot.com/
    http://mare-ri.blogspot.com/

    greeting from Croatia:))....
    Mare....

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  49. Thats a wow transformation ~ will be following hope u will come take a look at me :)

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  50. You're a genius! I love this idea and I have a couple of shadow boxes that will be transformed soon.

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  51. That is such an awesome idea! From a distance, I bet they look real.

    Yep. I love The Graphics Fairy's graphic images, too.

    Thanks for linking to my party. I would love to have you join me each week.

    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  52. Oh this turned out great! Thanks for joining us for Anything Related!
    {Rebekah}

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  53. This is so cool, I think I was the only person who didn't realize that when the real specimen shadow boxes are made you have to kill a live butterfly. Oh ick and terrible, right? This is a much kinder gentler method and the results are still stunning. Thank you for joining us at A Crafty Soiree! I hope you'll come back next week and link up again!

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  54. Love your site and gave you a shout-out! Happy Fall :)
    http://johnhoodfamily.blogspot.com/2010/09/butterflies-ballards.html

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  55. Wonderful job! My friend found one recently and it had nasty worms inside when she finally got it opened! ICK! But I think she saved the wood and I'll have to share your link with her. This is really great for you home. Well done!

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  56. That is absolutely STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for linking it up at gettin' crafty on hump day! :)

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  57. very very pretty! my daughter love butterflies, and would just adore this! Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesday's.

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  58. Very nice! A less morbid take on the original :-)

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  59. Great transformation from trash to treasure, I love the 3-d aspect of it as well!

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  60. Holy cow! I just picked up one of these at the thrift store - it's smaller, but you just gave me the perfect kick in the butt to do something with it! Thanks.

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  61. I found your blog today and read it for the first time. You have wonderful ideas. I love your bird box that you made. I have a feeling you are going to be a great inspiration to me!

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I'm excited you're leaving a comment. I can't wait to read it...L.