Gift Box with Panache!

Stylish Gift Box!

The past few days have been absolutely crazy in the Staples household between arriving home Sunday from a weekend scrapbook retreat at the beach, then my husband rushing off to work the moment I walked into the door, Kindermusik classes and Physical Therapy for the little one.  This week has just been flying by and I feel like I haven't accomplished nearly what I was hoping to accomplish which results in some "late" nights for me after everyone else has gone to bed.

This is a project I made this past weekend while scrapbooking at the beach!  I absolutely love these beach retreats.  A friend organizes the scrapbook & crafting beach retreats by renting a beach home.  There are usually 10 to 12 friends that go.  These retreats are turning into a twice a year tradition - next retreat we may even find a massage therapist to come in and provide some massages!

As for this stylish box, I made the box using two 12x12 pieces of cardstock.  I need to add that I was making this for my Secret Pal.  Of course, she happened to be sitting across from me asking all sorts of questions about the box and what I was planning to put in the box.  Admittedly, I was avoiding most of the questions by pretending I didn't know what she was "asking" or by looking dazedly confused as a result of my drug induced haze caused by the sinus infection I was getting over.

Isn't this box beautiful with a classic style?  The background paper isn't a Christmas themed paper but I love how using a Christmas stamp set makes the box into a great gift box.  The "Top Note" design is raised using dimensionals so the Basic Black Satin Ribbon slips underneath.  As mentioned previously, I used 12x12 Cardstock with the cover being Very Vanilla and the base of the box (not shown) being Basic Black.  The depth of the sides is 3 inches.

To make the base of the box, I scored the base at THREE inches on each edge then cutting in 3 inches along ONE of the intersecting corners doing this 4 times.  Using Sticky Strip, I folded along the score line to create the box shape and used the sticky strip on the flap edges to assemble the box. 

The top of the box was made using the same directions as the base of the box except I scored at 2 15/16th to make the cover easier to remove otherwise I find the cover sticks and is difficult to remove which can damage the base of the box.  With a box this beautiful, I would want to try to preserve the integrity of the box so it can be reused.

Finally, I decorated the box using the Love Letter Designer Series Paper and Riding Hood Red Cardstock on the top and each side of the cover of the box.  Adding extra decoration also creates a stronger box.  Using the Big Shot and Top Note die, I cut out the top design element using Basic Black and Very Vanilla Cardstock then I used the new Stampin' Up! Distressing kit with the charcoal dye ink and "blank" rubber stamp to add a distressed appearance to the Very Vanilla Cardstock.  I am in LOVE with the look that this distressing ink creates when used with the "blank" rubber stamp.  With some trial and error I was able to figure out what works best for me when trying to apply the distressing ink.  I also used the French Script Background Stamp to add to the "distressed look" making certain the image wasn't clear.  The last step was to stamp the tree, apply the ribbon and one button to the back of the Top Note which was then attached to the box.

SunnyGirl Tips:

• Find time to enjoy the things that you love!
• When using the distressing kit, lightly brush the "blank stamp" in and onto your cardstock while not worrying about the final outcome because you WANT a distressed look - not a perfect, uniform look!
• Boxes can be a lot of fun to make.  Find a basic pattern such as a square box design and get creative with the size - Square is an easy box style to work with!

Like this project?  Please share your thoughts or questions by leaving me a comment below.

To purchase supplies for this project, click HERE or email me at sunnygirlscraps@gmail.com!  

Do you enjoy making similar handcrafted items?  Not a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator?  Now is a great time to think about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.  Starting on November 15th until November 30th, purchase the Starter Kit OR Digital+ Starter Kit for 50% off during the Simply Amazing Stampin' Up! Starter Kit Promotion which includes FREE SHIPPING.  To sign up as a demonstrator and join my team, click HERE! My recruit password is:  SUNNYGIRL

Sunny Stampin' & Scrappin'!

Pam Staples
SunnyGirlScraps
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

 

Project Recipe:

Cardstock:  Basic Black 12x12 (119922), Very Vanilla 12x12 (119951), Riding Hood Red (111348)

Designer Series Paper:  Love Letter (117162)

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Top Note Die (113463), Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon (117285), Basic Black 1 1/4 Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (115615), Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119960), Designer Buttons - Brights Old Olive (119747), Distressing Essentials Kit (118762)

Ink:  Basic Black (101179), Old Olive (102277)

Stamp Sets:  Snow Swirled (111690), En Francais (109521)

Snow Swirled

En Francais