A 100% non-profit Art Publication                                                Click on any of the Menu Buttons
located on Route 66                                                                                            on the left and cruise
in the Galaxies of Cyberspace!                                                                   to your favorite hot spots.

Rubber Road
Scenic Byway:

Altered Cigar Box~Inner Muse Memo Box

Altered Inspirational Delights - Series II

Amy McIntire, Angel #1571
Trailblazers
Paper Arts & Multi Media Designer

Altered cigar boxes are a fun and creative canvases for creating a work of art.
However, in this project, the altered
cigar box takes a unique twist and serves two functions. First, it is a memo
center that is complete with a mini corkboard and pockets for office
supply storage.  Second, with its inspiring words adorning the box,
it serves as an inspirational muse. 

This inspirational office on the go is great for the busy creative 
consultant on the road. There is plenty of room for needed supplies 
and can be used to pin project ideas, sketches, and even daily reminders.

Supply List:

·        Postage (TAC)

·        Heart Twinz (TAC)

·        Angel Alphabet (Retired – TAC)

·        Twilight Inspirational Words (La Pluma) 

·        Twilight Girlfriend Phrases (La Pluma)

·        Magnetic Stamp Handle Set (Making Memories)

·        Sepia Archival Ink (Ranger Industries)

·        Cigar Box

·        2 pieces of cork sheets; cut to size: 7” x 4 ½” (TAC)

·        Emma Blocks paper (K & Company)

·        Oatmeal cardstock (Staples)

·        Piece of foam board; cut to size:  7” x 4 ½” (Larson)

·        Natural canvas and sage green fabric remnants

·        Small Linen Library Pocket (Li’l Davis Designs)

·        Adhesive Dots  (Zots)

·        Warm White Acrylic Paint (Plaid)

·        Crackle Medium (Plaid)

·        Copper Kettle Spray Paint (Krylon)

·        Foam Brushes (Making Memories)

·        Water receptacle

·        Small binder clip

·        Bulletin Board Tacks 

·        Pinking shears (Gingher, Inc)

·        Hot glue 

·        Clear diskette box

·        Little embellishments (Yard sale finds)

Instructions:

1.    Paint cigar box with 2 coats of Krylon spray paint and let 

box dry between coats (do this in a well ventilated area).

2.    When copper color is dry, paint on crackle medium on the box sides 

(not the top).  Dry completely before moving to next step. 

3.    Paint on white color (paint will begin to crackle due to the paint 

medium application from the last step).

4.    Attach cork paper to foam board with hot glue - Attach this to the 

inside lid of the box with adhesive dots. Place four bulletin board tacks on the corners.

5.    Create the “no sew” pockets: 

A). Pocket 1(inside) – Sage green fabric; cut to size: 4” x 3”. Fold top, sides 

and bottom ¼”, fold the top over again and adhere the pocket with glue dots 

onto the cork. 

B). Pocket 2 (outside) – Natural canvas; cut to size: 3” x 3 ½”. Fold sides and 

bottom at ¼” and pink the top with pinking shears, adhere to the front lid with 

adhesive dots. 

C). Pocket 3 (outside) – Sage green fabric; cut to size: 3” x 3 ½”. Prepare this 

pocket like the natural canvas one and attach it to the outer lid of the box with 

adhesive dots. Adhere the small library linen pocket on the lower left corner with 

adhesive dots.

6.    Cut 2 pieces of Emma Blocks paper – cut to size: 3” x ½” and 7” x 4 ½”.  Adhere larger paper piece onto front box lid and the smaller strip on the outer canvas pocket. 

7.    Stamp inspirational words onto canvas and cut out with pinking shears.  Adhere each word onto the pockets as shown in photo. Add on a small embellishment and binder clip to the box. Stamp on oatmeal paper, a postage stamp, and stamp dotted heart (Heart Twinz –TAC) and the word “love” (La Pluma) on the inside. Tack onto the memo board. 

8.    For the clear diskette box, cut a piece of the natural canvas; cut to size: 3” x 3”. Tear a piece of the Emma Blocks paper (approximately 2 ½” x 1 ½”). Attach pieces with adhesive dots. Stamp “Clips & Such” onto the paper and add on a small embellishment.

If you would like to print this technique, click here.  Once you've saved or printed the technique sheet, use your browser's back button to return.

Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to obtain this file.  If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, click here to download and install.