Part of my inheritance from my mother was a Dremel. It is a multi purpose tool often used by model makers. It has many different bits and spins at very high speeds. (It sounds a bit like a dentist's drill).
So, I thought, let's give it a go on greyboard ...
A short video of the finished box is available at : instagram.com/the_scratchypen/
I put the box together as in previous episodes of '24 Boxes of Advent' then, once dry, got to work with the Dremel. I chose a very small ball shaped bit, and after sketching out the rough stone wall, carved gently into the greyboard to produce the recessed joints between the stones. I was careful not to go too deep. This produced a lovely rustic looking surface.
My original plan was to have just three stones missing from the wall so the viewer could get a glimpse of what was inside, but, I changed my mind and opened up a big window. I sanded the surface lightly to tidy up the edges of the carving.
Next, a base coat of DecoArt Zinc, followed by random dry brushed patches of Burnt Umber, Burnt Orange, True Ochre. For the mossy edges, and the outside of the box I used Forest Green and Wasabi Green. I added snow to the edges (well it is supposed to be Christmas!) with a texture paste. I used a little black under each stone as shadow.
Next, the interior - a diorama. I measured the inside of the drawer section. Across the back is 76mm, from front to back (interior measurement) is 69mm. It is 75mm tall. From a cereal box I cut a piece 185mm wide and 75mm high. Measureed 60mm in from both ends for the folds. This meant there was a backdrop of 65mm wide. By making the walls a bit smaller it increases the 3D effect especially in the fireplace. I used a sharp craft knife to cut out my sketched fireplace.
Now the scene. Choose your wallpaper. Pink and green stripes seemed nice (Really?). And a white skirting board (mouse hole is optional).
On the left we have two pictures, a portrait of Auntie Mable, and a scene of rolling hills and sheep on a sunny, summers day. These were painted on small greyboard scraps of 10mm x 15mm.
On the right a Christmas tree. The tall side are 55mm and the bottom of the triangle is 50mm folded in the centre. Decorate your tree with your favourite baubles. The star is in Venetian Gold paint. Other baubles are painted around the room as you see fit.
The end wall. The fire grate is painted with Zinc then the ironwork in Lamp Black. The flames are painted with red, orange and yellow flame-shaped dabs using a small detail brush. The mantle piece is cut from a small piece of balsa wood, and the surround, either side is wooden coffee stirrers. These are painted with a wash of Burnt Umber for a nicer colour. Two small pieces of waste greyboard are painted gold for the wall lights, and a piece of greyboard offcut has cooking foil glued on the surface, and a frame of Lamp Black, for the mirror. Christmas stockings are cut from cereal box and painted. A spot of glue sticks them to the mantle.
The wooden floor is a wash of Burnt Umber painted in stripes, and the fireside rug is more cereal box painted to fit with the rest of the decor.
Once your scene is dry tidy up the creases and slot it in.
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Mother's Dremel
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The wooden shutter is built from coffee stirrers and stained with a wash of Burnt Umber. I left the support rails long so that I could add the house name board and use it as a handle to slide open the shutter. I had to make a pair of small cutouts in the box to accommodate the rails.
Products:
Tando Creative Box Storage
Scraps and greyboard offcuts
DecoArt Americana colours
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