Thursday, April 26, 2012

Mousetrap Message Clip


I know there is a lot of hand wringing and fretting about Pinterest these days, but I love it! Last week, I came across something a friend had pinned and was blown away. A very brilliant crafter - Suzy -  had taken mousetraps and altered them, transforming them from little killing machines into handy message clips. I loved this idea and decided to put my own twist on it.

I found a pack of four mousetraps for $1.50 at Dollar General. These are much cheaper quality than the name brand, which makes them better for this project - there's just a little sticker to remove, a little metal tab and wire to clip off, and you're ready to rock!


This is the first mousetrap I altered. It's a perfect example of why the Distress Stains are so awesome. After removing the stickers and the metal pieces I didn't want, I use Brushed Corduroy stain to cover the whole piece. I added a little stamping, some die cuts, and a whole lot of Idea-ology.


Seriously, how cool is this letter?? At CHA, Tim Holtz was demoing the Sizzix Word Play die (best die ever!). He showed us how he covered Grungeboard with Ranger's Foil Tape, embossed it using the Riveted Metal Texture Fade, and then cut the embossed piece using the die. Let me tell you, it is the most awesome technique - you have to try it!! I decided to use the foil-covered letters and numbers as the base for my Faux Patina technique - this week's technique over at the Compedium of Curiosities 2 challenge. I would love to tell you the colors I used, but I was in a bit of an alcohol ink daze. I was using any color I could lay my hands on! On top of the verdigris, I added a sprinkle of Antiquities rust embossing powder.  I wish the rust didn't show up so pink - it's not like that at all IRL. It's just this perfect, rusty texture and color.


This one was stained with Forest Moss stain. I mounted my number (I think it's actually a 9 that I turned upside down!) on a wood piece that was stamped with one of the spool stamps from Tim's Haberdashery set. I added a little Idea-ology Gem Clip that's attached to the wood using the Tiny Attacher.


The last time I was at my local stamp store, my friends and I were looking at some beautiful metal flowers. The problem was, they were SO expensive! I knew that my new Sizzix Tattered Flower Garland die would make me some very cool flowers that looked the same and cost me nothing! This was cut from chipboard, painted with a gold Dabber, and then given the Faux Verdigris treatment. I love how it came out! On top I added one of the new Idea-ology Mini Gears.


How gorgeous is that red? This one was colored with Barn Door stain. I added an Idea-ology Alpha Card, some stamping, and more die cuts. The metal pieces on all the traps were colored using alcohol inks - I think it gives them a nice, vintage-y look.

Yeah, I went just a little crazy with the rust on this one! Doesn't it look like an old, crusty lock? I used the same foil embossed grungeboard for the base. The word in the keyhole is from Tim's Stuff to Say stamp sheet. What's even better is the Washer trim behind it. I think I discovered a new rust technique, but I'm not sure I remember what I did, lol! I do know that Caramel Adirondack alcohol ink is involved, somehow....

These were such a blast to make! Many thanks to Suzy, without whom I'd never have had this idea.

All of the supplies I used to make these can be found at Inspiration Emporium via the links below. Oh, and they have the new Spring Distress Inks available - love them!! If you decide to shop, don't forget to use my coupon code - stamptramp - to save 10% off your order. :)


InLinkz.com
Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great weekend - get inky!!

91 comments:

  1. Shelly,
    You are DA BOMB!!! These ROCK!

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  2. THESE ARE THE COOLEST THINGS EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    (do you think I liked them just a little?????)

    Jaw-droppingly awesome. You amaze me, girl!

    ~Linda

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  3. I was thinking no way when I saw your blog header... Then I saw how fantastic these turned out! brilliant!

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  4. absolutely fantastic!!!! love everything you did...love, love, love!!!!

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  5. These are over-the-moon phenomenal!!!

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  6. These are amazing, LOVE LOVE LOVE them!

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  7. Fantastic! I might have to give them a try - always hated mouse traps before now! LOL

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  8. Unbelievably cool, Shelly! The wood soaked up that stain so beautifully, and your embellishments are killer. LOVE these!

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  9. These are just FABULOUS!!! I'm going to give it a try!

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  10. I hate mice! But I'm LOVING this trap!

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  11. Those traps are HOT! Nice job Shelly!

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  12. Fab-u-lous!!! I need to look for mousetraps. So Cool!!!

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    Replies
    1. Now I have seen every thing!! I will have to buy traps..

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  13. These are really cool Shelly! haven't seen an altered mousetrap in years and yours are fab!

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  14. OMG, fabulous! What a great idea ... must try this! TFS!!

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  15. These are fabulous!!! Love the details, the textures, the colours well actually I love everything about them!!!! Wowo wow. Hugs trace x

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  16. When I saw the picture you tweeted I was blown away, but seeing them in detail up close and personal like this - WOW. what a great idea you found and ran with - love them!!

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  17. Shelly!! These are sooo freakin cool!! I'm totally heading to the dollar store in the morning to pick up some mouse traps!!! I'm going to make them for everyone I know!! Love it!

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  18. Wow, Wow, Wow, these are just amazing! I have that wordplay die but have only used it once, thank you for this inspiration, it has made me want to go out and buy some mouse traps and get busy........Regards, Anne x

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  19. Absolutely brilliant - can't wait to give them a go

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  20. Fabulous!! I'll never look at a mouse trap the same way again!!

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  21. OMG Shelly, these are the bomb!! Adding these to my to make list! So cool!! Love them!!

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  22. Absolutely fantastic, love love love them and the letters are fabulous, must try that technique, need to buy the texture fade first lol. Love your embellishments and backgrounds. Inspired! Tracy x x

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  23. wow they look brilliant and such a fab idea.............thank you so much for the inspiration. Enjoy the weekend Shelly. x

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  24. Oh, these are fabulous! I must try this! I love all your inky, metal and rusty goodness. Just fabulous.
    Kate

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  25. Shelly these are BRILLIANT!! Unfortunately we have lots of mousetraps in our house including in my Craft Room so I guess I will have to buy some new ones!!
    FAB
    xx

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  26. I commented on the ATT group as well, but these are beyond awesome, clever, creative and many other words to describe them and the idea itself. Great job! Love how your mind works!

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  27. SHUT UP!!!!!! Awesome and Brilliant, great way to do vintage and recycle at the same time. You are a genius.

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  28. What a GREAT post, Shelly! Love your little mouse note holders. How clever and cute they are. You NeVEr cease to amaze me with what you come up with. That brain of yours must never sleep...lol! Have a great weekend:)
    - DebbieK

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  29. I love, love, love, love these altered mouse traps. What a cool "thinking of you" gift they would be. Is there anywhere I can find the techniques. I'd love to try some of them.

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  30. OMG...these are WAY cool. What a great idea, but your execution is divine (giggle, there's a word I haven't used in a while). But it's true. All the details, and colors, and since I just got my little grubby hands on the floral die, I can't wait to have a go at this. Some how I think it may take me a couple (ahem) tries to get close to your results. Great pieces Shelly. What a fun brain you must have!

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  31. Blown away! What a really cool idea. I can't believe you got those colors just from the stains! Thanks for sharing :)

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  32. I am absolutely amazed at your creativity. This is the coolest art I have seen in a long time. Guess what I'm buying this weekend? THank you for sharing.

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  33. These are the coolest thngs ever. Great job. I will be hitting up my local hardware store to get a few mouse traps. My husband will just shake his head, I know, but I am going to do it. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  34. Oh my! These are just the most wonderful things! Thanks for including info about the techniques and products you used. I will definitely try out the foil tape technique, and the rust embossing powder is on my wish list! Thanks for sharing!!

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  35. This is ART...GREAT ARTWORK...what a details, everything fits together...wow, stunning work.

    Greetings and a nice weekend, Alie :-)

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  36. Totally amazing. I'm so very inspired by mousetraps. Who woulda guessed?

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  37. I have to say, this is the weirdest, yet coolest, thing I have ever seen altered! LOL! Way, way, coolio! Amazing! Brilliant!

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  38. Well I am completely inspired!! I am going to try those foil covered letters too - awesome!

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  39. What a clever idea, you amaze me with your creativity !

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  40. Wow, now I have seen it all, mouse traps.... so beautiful done! How great is that.

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  41. Shelly,
    I love Pinterest too, and I just adore those traps! And your designs and techniques used are "idea-logical". My head is twirling with ideas; do you think if the clip on the traps were turned "clip up" and a clothes pin attached to the back it would stand up on its own?
    Thank you so much for sharing! Something refreshingly different! Let's all alter some garden tools and flower pots!!

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  42. This is awesome Shelly! I love your patinas and all that crunchy looking faux rust! Your are the Queen of the metal treatments!

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  43. This is stunning ART work you made Shelly.
    Love the details and looking at them.
    Great idea to use mouse traps
    Thanks for the inspiration.

    Greetings Janny

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  44. I am so inspired, I need to go buy some mousetraps STAT! Thanks for sharing your talents. I love Pinterest and believe I will be pinning this right now! :-)

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  45. Oh my word, these are amazing! I have to try them - do you realise that there may now be a shortage of them? It's wonderful to see something so unique.

    Maria x

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  46. Wow, Shelly! These are so catching!!!

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  47. YOWZA!! The mousetraps are simply astounding!!! I'm bad and don't usually comment on your blog...after all how many times to you have to read how wonderful your projects are?!?!

    Well, today I just HAD to say...YOWZA!!! This is over the top!! I'm for sure going to copy/paste/save this one...it's actually do-able for me...I think...LOL!!!

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  48. WOW! LOVE! Who would have thought that those ugly mouse traps would make cute mini clipboards? Love your rust technique. I am definitely getting some mouse traps to alter!

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  49. What a great creativity...luv'it!!
    it's so original!

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  50. Wow, what a brilliant repurposed idea.
    Your work is always so brilliant.
    TFS the details, Lesley♥

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  51. Seriously...freaks me out and fills my heart with joy at the same time!!! Has there ever been anything cooler than this?!? Brilliant design and work!!!

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  52. Shelly...OMG! Girl, you are on a creative roll! These mousetraps are just about the coolest thing I've seen in a long time! Who but YOU would think of this? :) Love the colors and the vintage/grunge look. These are just amazing! <3 Candy

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  53. absolutely gorgeous! Great work.

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  54. What a cool idea! I have never seen anything like it.

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  55. First off, I can't believe I'm number 65 to comment !!:):) Secondly, I can't believe how brilliant of any idea altering a mousetrap is. What I can believe is how you absolutely rocked altering yours -- they're amazing!

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  56. OMG, these are awesome! I just found your blog and I'm a follower now. Your work is stunning. You've truly built a better mouse trap!

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  57. I cannot say anything new that the other people have not said-- but your mousetraps are out of this world. They take my breathe away.

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  58. Goodness gracious Miss Tramp - I am gonna get lost in the crowd here. I don't think I have seen anything that I love as much as this project and I am going to make me some -- like right away. You are so talented and I do love visiting your blog. Your faithful follower yada, yada, yada-
    Sandy

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  59. Oh, Shelly! These are fabulous. :)

    Cheers,
    Susan

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  60. Dear Shelly, I think that you are a very talented artist and I love your style. Each of your unique works are clearly imbued with thought, effort and the passion for what you do. This is what makes your work inspirational for me.
    Your mouse traps are excellent and a great idea. I must remember that absolutely. I am going to sign up to follow your wonderful blog and I will be back for frequent visits for inspiration! WOW! Best to you
    Hugs
    MARTINA

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  61. Oh, HELLO! This is one of the coolest, cleverest projects I've ever seen!!! These little note holders are just freaking brilliant, and SO BEAUTIFUL!!! I can't get over how fabulous your faux patina looks-- seriously, you've taken it to a whole new level.

    I'm inspired and in awe, which seems to happen whenever I see your creations. You are one talented lady!!!

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  62. Oh Shelly - these are soooo stinkin' cute. I already have my mouse traps and am working away. Just taking a break to say thanks for sharing your talents with us.

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  63. LOVE how you altered these!!!! they are truly gorgeous! now I know what my next project will be :) thank you for sharing
    Donna

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  64. Just AMAZING!!! Love these little mouse traps!! {Note to self - get some mouse traps!} So which one are you sending to Tim?

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  65. How did you cut the Ideaology time piece in half on the one mousetrap?
    These are so COOL!!!

    Fran
    franstamper@aol.com

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  66. I am in love with the wordplay letters you did here and have been obsessed with recreating the "look". yesterday was all about foil tape, texture fades, alcohol inks and embossing powder for me :) I'm not "there" yet but I'm getting closer. Thanks for the inspiration!!

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  67. I can't wait to get my hands on that new texture fade - I love how you used it and the rust technique together - SO COOL!!!

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  68. OMG! These are ridiculous! I LOVE THEM!!

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  69. I so somehow missed these before but they're amazing!

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  70. You are pretty freaking creative. Love your work.

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  71. really fabulous - great eye!

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  72. These are so awesome that I rushed right out to buy mouse traps. 4 @1.25 from the dollar store. Cashier looked at me like I had a real problem when I bought a dozen. I did explain. What great little gifts they will make and lucky I have most supplies.
    Thank you for the inspiration !!!!!!!!

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  73. ik ben er gewoon stil van, zo mooi!!!!
    ik ga meteen ook muizenvallen kopen
    gr.agnes

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  74. Hi Shelly, I made some mousetrap note holders thanks to you. Here they are http://myartyattempts.blogspot.ca/2012/06/mouse-trap-inspiration-thankyou-shelly.html

    Chris A

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  75. wow they are great
    mine are not so good but I gave it a try
    http://scrappen-leicht-gemacht.webs.com/apps/blog/

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  76. Okay everyone I know is getting a mousetrap for Christmas.

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  77. I just saw these on Pinterest. At first I laughed ... got quite a chuckle. Then I thought "Dang! I love this idea!"
    OMG! I can't wait to go to the dollar store and get some of these!!! OMG! These are sooooo great!!!!!
    Mousetrap for everyone for Christmas!!! LOL!

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  78. i have some of these kicking around! what a gr8idea! you did a lovely job!
    nice work!

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  79. I love these......HOW CREATIVE.....love the note ORDER NEW DISTRESS.

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  80. Hahaha, what is the perfect idea!!!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!