Friday 15 February 2013

This is Not a Bread Bin

..this is the story of a Valentines project which started with a packet of biscuits, ended with a bread bin; and doesn't really have anything to do with food.


A couple of weeks ago we went to Ikea (love Ikea) and we bought a grey trolley and a packet of biscuits, The biscuits had little hearts on them and they were too pretty to resist, so we took them home and thought about eating them until someone said Stop! Let's save them for Valentines Day, and put them back in the cupboard. But a plan had started to form in my mind..

I thought a picture of a heart shaped biscuit (or a few) might make a cute photo and that photo could be turned into a page. Or possibly a card? I opened the biscuits. I took my pictures. And then I went out shopping.

I found a bread bin. A cool bread bin: so cool it didn't look like a bread bin at all; but more like a reclaimed, salvaged, upcycled executive desk accessory. ..and that will be why my Valentine got a new file holder to sit on his desk, as a gift, this February 14th.

Ah, but the photos? I have to pull all this together, I know. So..

I decided to make a Valentines card with my biscuit picture

Valentines biscuits by Sian From High in the Sky

I was thinking ahead - maybe a few more general cards or notelets too? So I printed them out four to a 6x4. I could have spent a bit of time editing, but the photo is small, and it hardly seemed worth it, so these are from the camera, through my Selphy printer with its sepia effect and a border.

Lately I've been spending way too much time hunting through drawers looking for the pieces I want to use; so I decided to gather some bits together before I started and work with them until they were used up



And I ended up with this:

paper bag tag by Sian  From High in the Sky

built on a white paper bag, stamped with a 99p stamp set from the Pound Shop and held together with a little clothes peg.

And he got the message! Now to put the rest of the photos to work...



33 comments:

Abi said...

Sian this is so beautiful. I love the photos hanging with the little pegs! So creative to see beyond the bread bin!

Karen said...

Your photography is as creative as the card! Are we going to get to see the bread bin? I'm curious. Or is that it in the first photo?

Lizzie said...

Wow, that is too cool to be a bread bin - you are right. I hope The Valentine was as impressed as I am - what a great present!
I bought my Valentine a large carton of his favourite Lindt chocolates and a nice new leather wallet. He was pleased with it. Of course, I took the price sticker off the wallet's box... only I had bought it in TKMaxx and they put a zillion labels on everything... he teased me by leaving the wallet on the table, with the not-quite-all-removed price label sitting on top... sigh...

That bread bin and accompanying "card" is very nice indeed and I'm sure your Valentine had no need to tease you!
Lovely, Sian.

Lizzie said...

By the way, I like your idea of putting stuff out and working with them until they are used up.
It seems sensible to make batches of cards - and I love the idea of using your photo of the cute biscuits as a focus for your cards. Very lovely - and sweet!

Barbara Eads said...

I'm always so impressed by how the littlest of things inspire you. Somehow you manage to turn them into an interesting story!

Unknown said...

That is simply adorable. That has to be the neatest bread bin ever!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

I love this post, Sian. The pre-planning with your adorable photo, the bread bin story, and that awesome layered card. I am such a huge fan of your art!!! xo

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

That bread bin certainly looks like it would feel more comfortable with stationery in it, rather than Bread!
The little photos of heart biscuits are so cute and I could think of many uses for them.
Fiona x

Cheri said...

quite inspired Sian! I would love to see that new desk accessory in use... just to see what a guy does with an upcycled bread bin...

Kirsty.A said...

Oh great stuff. These would make lovely cards.

Beverly said...

I am very envious of that bread bin! You did a great job pulling everything together :)

Elizabeth said...

I would have bought the bread box and also not used it as a bread box. It's wonderful! Also like the idea gathering stuff into a basket until they are all used, and then add some more. Brilliant!

Jennifer Shaw said...

What a fun post to read! Those cookies look so cute and make such a great photo for your card! Great discipline of your family to save the cookies for Valentine's day too!! They look very yummy to save. ;) Love your bread box. It really does look like it will be great in an office! Did you get the grey trolley for scrapping stuff? Is it like my turquoise one? Love your plan for using up some stuff. I too find that if it is out in front of me, I'll end up using it. Where does a person go to find a bread box these days? I really need one but never see them.

Anonymous said...

Lovely post. Lovely breadbin and love your layered bag x

Sian said...

I'm glad you all like it :) Karen, yes, that's the bread bin in the first photo

Melissa said...

What a fabulously wonderful Valentine gift & your card/bag/photo collage is perfect!

Lou said...

that's the nicest bread bin i've seen in a while. I love how you have put everything together x

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

What a neat looking bread bin! Love the cards!

Unknown said...

That not-bread bin is way cool :)

Beautiful project as well, inspiration from a packet of biscuits, love that.

Amy said...

It's funny how so many little things can tie together so well!

Susanne said...

Oh fun! Cute pics for cards too. Did the opened cookies last until V-day, I'd like to inquire?

Cheryl said...

Love it Sian and what a cute card xx

alexa said...

What a lovely soft caramel-tinted eyeful of goodness! I always enjoy your clever layering, and I really like that not-bread-bin... Hope he did too?

Alison said...

What a cute bread bin!
Alison xx

Missus Wookie said...

As a woman who is redoing her office - I'd like to know where you got the bread bin from....

Cute photos, just had a friend post photos of her own hand made biscuits that look very similar. Both look yummy.

http://wildlifeinthewoods.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/dueling-linzer-hearts-cookies.html

Sandra said...

Your creative mind just blows me away

Maria Ontiveros said...

Your first sentence was such a wonder, and the rest of your post built on it. It was a joy to read from beginning to end!
Rinda

Sue Althouse said...

Love this post. The story is wonderful, and your photography is simply stunning!

Lisa said...

I don't get over here often enough which is a shame as I'm always inspired by your creativity and yes, your photos are fabulous!

Jo said...

So beautiful and such a great idea x

Nathalie said...

I love all those photos as displayed! Crazy good layering on the tag/bag!

Jimjams said...

That is quite a find - lucky Valentine!

Jennifer Grace said...

That bread bin is so awesome! I love the idea of using a photo like this on some cards, and the heart biscuits are perfect for it, so pretty! x

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