What Have I Done This Summer? A Weasley Shadow Box.......

 It has been a very busy Summer in my house what with a new puppy and the return of my two oldest children from their respective universities and trips to Europe. Then we had to wait for the A level results of my youngest son. Made even more nail biting by the strength of his offer and the awful prospect of having to re-apply in the year the fees would treble.

I am pleased to say that all his hard work and complete dedication paid off and he was a real star. On Friday we moved him in to his lovely halls at Manchester University where he will be studying Ancient History. 

Phew! 

 Amongst all the general chaos I spent some lovely craft time with my daughter creating a Ron Weasley shadow box. I was asked to help create something as a present for her friend, who has had a very traumatic few months, for her 21st birthday This friend is very creative and crafty so their while group were all going to make her something individually. 

Of course my daughter thought, I know I'll ask Mum........

 Her friend is a Harry Potter fan and her favourite character is Ron, so we came up with a Ron Weasley study corner somewhere in Gryffindor.

Like all of us I have many bits and pieces that are ideal for a small project tucked away in drawers and boxes so we had a good sort through for Weasley-esque items.

 A broken wand, a naughty rat, a ginger cat, lots of internet browsing and we had the bare bones.

 The roll-top desk is a very cheap bare wood piece that we crackled and then highlighted with my rub 'n' buff favourite gold. I bought the desk from Maple Street Miniatures, who have a nice range of unfinished furniture. The books are mostly made up by me or come from basic little sets you can buy from dolls house shops in packets.

 The scales are from Streets Ahead I think but very brassy, so we have aged and dulled them. Can you see Ron's rat? He is one of Mag's and just perfect for the scene. Now I will have to buy another one of course!

Ron must have a family photograph above his desk in a frame we aged and distressed. 

 A bottle of pumpkin juice which is a first attempt of an item I am planning for my Diagon Alley project. The green bottle is from Ray Storey, the label I found on the internet and the pumpkin topper is one of a number I asked the wonderful Lory to make for me. It was a little rushed but you get the idea.

 Lots of printies plus Ron's broom that we sort of steampunked just to make it a bit funky.

 Another of Ray's beautiful hand blown glass bottles, this time full of Butterbeer from Hogsmeade.

The shadow box is actually two deep picture frames glued together. I saw them in Sainsbury's a while ago at half price and like all good crafters I bought them with this type of project in mind.

Where the two frames joined we placed a strip of parchment with various Gryffindor and Ron quotes and then spray varnished the whole frame.

It was lovely working with my daughter, who followed all instructions and guidance wonderfully. A far cry from when we used to finger paint!!