Many Thanks to Peggy Horan

With many thanks to my "Altered Cigar Box" swap partner, the following is a series of photos of the cigar box. (With, of course, my gushing over it...{grins}.)

Okay, first off, truth be known, red isn't at the top of my list, but WOW. I do see it in a different light now. I am simply amazed at how striking it made the sea horse. When I sent it, it was gold and black. Great job, Peggy. I simply love it! Below is the box where the lid is "hinged".

Upon opening the box, this is what I found...my exact words were 'Oh, wow!' in a whispered voice. She did wonderfully well, considering the collection I sent to her to work with was not much more that what I now think would have been sheer hell to receive. Little do I know what I am in for, much more than a treat.

Inspire - dream - create. This is the inside of the lid, and for me, this is just what the box does for me. Inspires me, because you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Dream, because if we didn't have dreams, what would we have. Finally, create, what I love to do most, besides be with my children and husband. It all ties in together. Really, Peggy, I couldn't have wanted or asked for more in this cigar box. Below is a close up of the inside of the box, before discovering all the delights and surprises.

First, the book. As you will see, Peggy did the front and back inside covers, perfectly!!! Not to mention the outside. The golds and greens are so beautiful. I am still sighing in utter delight when I look at it and contemplate what to put inside of it. I hope that you can see the depth of colour and dimention of the front cover.

Above is the inside of the front cover, and below, the back.

And, whats more, see the little white "tab" on the pipe and cigarette paper...viola, you get this...

a little pocket that contains this little piece. Now this is important to me, because lately, I feel that I have been a little too serious, a little too often. Hopefully I can use this as a gentle reminder to lighten up a bit.

Oh, it is not over yet. See the little bead? Pull up on it, and here you go, another piece of art work on the back, AND, a secret compartment to boot!!! How cool is this?

Contained in the secret compartment: an extra bag of goodies!!! Woo hoo! I remember thinking, 'And there's still MORE!?!'

This is the bottom of the secret compartment. I love the circles. The dots are actually a black rhinestone. Below is an altered jar that was in the box. Peggy thought I could use it to hold pencils or something of the sort. I will use it, however, to hold the blossoms of any late flowers that I get. Very cool, I love it.

Nifty, a box within a box. What's in it? An altered bottle cap with a whale and the background is a map. This will definately stay in my treasures to keep forever. (Lord knows that some day my kids will either find my odds and ends that I consider treasure either really cool, or burdensome, and ask each other 'What are we going to do with this crap?' But this will go in the really cool department!!!)

The last few photos are to show the cigar box empty. There are Pez wrappers, and my favorite, dark chocolate wrappers. Mmmm, chocolate, forget the diamonds. Again, many thanks, Peggy, it is so wonderful. I am very proud to have this in my collection of treasures.

P.S. If my children should ever read this: ALL OF MY TREASURES ARE COOL, BECAUSE I'M THE MOM AND I SAID SO!

Home Page Honours

The altered cigar box I had made for a swap with Altered_stArt, an online group I belong to, was chosen to be the home page art for a bit of time. I cannot begin to express my thanks and honour. I tend to have the humble opinion of "It's just me, and my work, I hope someone at least finds it interesting.". Never would I have thought that it would end up on the home page of an Internet group. See my posts through the month of July for the processes of making the box. Again, thank you to Altered_stArt for this honour.