Christmas in July: Polly’s Papers Retro Christmas Altered Art Box
Hello, Friends!
It’s time for another Christmas in July project! Ho! Ho! Ho! Today I have a totally adorable retro Christmas altered art box made with Polly’s Papers Retro Christmas Creativity Kit. This kit is loaded with cutie pie retro images, fabulous holiday papers, and pre-tied bows. It’s perfect for making cards, of course, but you can also use it to make wonderful holiday decor items like this super fun altered box.
The box is one of Graphic 45’s 5.25″ altered boxes. I added some flowers, buttons, tinsel and goodies from my stash to the amazing images, titles, banners, ephemera and bows that come with the creativity kit.
I love the bright retro colors and nostalgic images found in the kit.
Since the papers in the kit measure 4″ x 6″ I had to do some extra layering to cover the surface of my 5.25″ box. But I love the fun patterns and how easy it was to combine them. I used many of the trimmed edges to create pockets for the fun tags and labels that come in the kit.
Inside the box, there is a 5″ accordion album that is a perfect spot for storing your family Christmas memories. You can tuck photos in the pockets on either end flap, too. Or, use this as a holiday recipe album that is pretty enough to keep out on display!
Just look at all the room that’s inside…and how jolly the papers and images in this kit are!
I used the trimmings from lining my pages to create little banners. This first page has a tag pocket on the right…a great spot for secret journaling! These cutie pie tags are part of the kit. Just add a sparkly brad to the top and you’re good to go.
I fussy cut a lot of the card focal images and used them to decorate the pages. Everything is glued down in such a way that photos (or recipes) can be tucked in behind the images, so there’s room for good sized photos. Here’s another fun pocket/tag page. The air mail banners come in the kit, too.
I cut some of the 4″ x 6″ pages to make these tags, then tucked them into a pocket behind this sweet fussy cut image. Working with a kit like this is easy because everything is color coordinated.
This is the back side of the accordion album. I added the “merry” sticker, but everything else comes in the kit.
The sentiment banners are one of my favorite elements!
Here’s a closer look at the inside flap of the album. Takes me right back to 1960!
I lined the sides of the box with the faux wood papers from the kit and then added a gree faux wood paper from my stash to finish off the back. You could put a large photo here!
I have one more project made with this amazing kit…and I’ll be back on Friday to share it with you. This was the kit that kept on giving….I could not believe all the goodies I was able to make with it.
That’s all for me today, folks! Thanks for stopping by!
Cheerio,
kathy
This Retro Christmas Altered Art Box is available for purchase in my ETSY shop.
Retro coolness!!! Glad I wasn’t coo coo and that I was able to visit your Etsy shop! Your work still blows me away!
Stunningly beautiful, and so friendly, festive and lots of fun. I haven’t seen those Graphic 45 boxes, here in the UK, so hope they’re going to be here soon.
I love your choice of papers and ‘adornments’ Kathy. You’ve hit the spot perfectly. Everything ‘talks’ to each other. It’s a real work of heart.
Love you loads ~ Cobs. x
This is absolutely beautiful!! Love everything about it!!
Ok — just Wow!! Love all the layers you achieved with the different elements of this kit. And to use them on one of Graphic 45’s altered boxes was simply inspired. Wonderful gift for a special Christmas! Hugs to you — Mary Elizabeth
Hi Kathy well this is a fabulous kit and the images are wonderful. The box looks fantastic and someone is going to a happy bunny receiving it .x
Definitely takes me back to my childhood (born 1952..gulp!) and waiting for Santa! I’m always very attracted to vintage images and you’ve done a beautiful, fun piece with this kit. What a special treat for the purchaser! Thanks for adding Christmas kitsch to my morning, Kathy! Love it!!!
Hi Kathy, this gorgeous. I love these images.I agree with soozy, what was 50cents is now 5.00. I remember making valentines for school, and you get a whole package to less than what we pay for 6×6 tablet. Ah! we thought things were expensive, wish we had some of the prices then with some of our goodies now. …. such is life I guess.
I was born in 59′ so I really didn’t appreciate the vintage stuff till I was a young girl. I have always been interested in old furniture, vintage fabrics, vintage trailers, old drawings like the ones in the box, and more, why is that? Why is it, that everything old is new again? I LOVE that it is, but now you pay a fortune for what was once 50¢ at the store. I remember some of these pictures, or ones that are almost the same. You have really brought back some good memories with this one.
Good job my friend, as usual.
How fun and so pretty!
Great design.
Carla from Utah
Kathy- All your work is gorgeous, but when you work with Polly’s Papers, oh, my goodness! Love the darling Santa box! Clever the way you layered papers for coverage and created pockets at the same time. I’m in love with the images, especially the Santa in front of the fabulous 60’s style ornaments! Your project put me in a jolly, good mood!
fun little project Kathy. I can’t get enough of these cute little retro images. Thanks for sharing.
That’s a fantastic Christmas mini.
The inside of this box is a prize waiting to be opened!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Love the retro images too! Just super gorgeous!!!
Kathy…i’m in love! I’m in love! I’m in love! I think you made this book just for me! I absolutely adore it. I think this is my favorite thing that you’ve ever made… And there have been many! I am such a huge fan of retro and vintage Christmas and that Santa on the front of your card is simply fabulous. Now I NEED those Polly’s papers!! I truly LOVE this! Your design is flawless and so smart! Truly Christmas magic!
This is amazing.xxx