Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box

Hello, Friends!  Today marks the beginning of a new challenge over on the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog. I’ve created this Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box to go along with the  Christmas Gifts theme that our hostess, Maggi, has chosen for the challenge.  We’ll take a look at it in a minute, but first let’s see what she has to say about the challenge guidelines.

Challenge Theme: Tis the Season for Gift Giving!
It’s that time of the year where we’re all thinking about the perfect gift for our friends and families!  For this challenge, create a vintage or shabby chic gift for a special someone in your life.  Your gift could be a simple as a handmade card or tag, or an elaborate piece of home decor.  Maybe you like to place your gifts in handmade boxes?  Your imagination is the only limit on this challenge!

Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: The Inspiration

Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: The Box

I happen to have a love for pretty boxes.  So much so that my family saves interesting boxes for me to alter.  I have a box full of them in the Closet of Shame.  Since so many of us give gift cards for Christmas, I thought it would be fun to create a really beautiful box that could house a gift card.  That was my original intent.  But when I began digging through the COS, I found a Tim Holtz 6″ x 9″ x 1″ Configurations Box that I’d forgotten all about.  All the little boxes inside were missing (what on earth did I do with those???)  but the box itself was perfect for my new and improved plan.

Paint the box with Candied Apple Distress Paint.  Then add a layer of Distress Crazing Medium.  When that has dried, rub on some Black Soot Distress Stain, wiping off with a paper towel after about 10 seconds.  Then tap/brush an Embossing Dabber along the edges and sides of the box.  Sprinkle on Seth Apter Ancient Amber Baked Texture to add that holiday touch of gold.

I adhered a vintage silver plate spoon to the side of the box in lieu of a handle.

And I added more stenciling/inking to the spine.

Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: The Paper

Stamperia Winter Botanic is the most gorgeous paper!  After distressing/inking the edges, I matted it on some kraft cardstock which I also distressed and inked.  Then I stitched around the edges of the paper on my machine.  To add some texture and layering to the paper, I added some Opaque Crackle Texture Paste through a Stamperia Stencil.  When the paste was dry, I lightly sponged on some Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink, spritzed lightly with water and heat dried.

Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: Framed

Can you spot something you rarely see in one of my projects?  The answer is that I used just ONE layer of designer paper.  To draw the eye to the image of that beautiful winter bird, I decided to top it with a Tim Holtz Vignette Topper Frame.  Here’s how I altered it:

• First, place the frame in a shallow box.  I like to use the 12″ x 12″ shipping boxes that paper gets shipped in.  Placing the frame in a box is not a requirement, but it sure does make cleanup easy!
• Next, spray the frame thoroughly with Ground Espresso Distress Stain Spray.
• Then, while the stain is still wet, spray randomly with Tim Holtz Tarnished Brass Mica Spray.
• After the frame is dry (I used my heat gun) scrape some Opaque Crackle Texture Paste randomly around the frame.
• Then apply Art Institute Dries Clear Adhesive on a piece of sponge.  Squeeze the sponge gently to evenly distribute the adhesive.  Then tap the sponge randomly all over the surface of the frame.
• Next, place the frame over a funnel tray or a large piece of paper and sprinkle liberally with Clear Rock Candy Distress Glitter.  This gives the frame a frosty appearance and adds subtle sparkle to the “snow”.

Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: The Finishing Touches

Wrap the left hand side of the paper panel with burlap string.  Tie a knot and add some rusty jingle bells in the upper left corner.  Arrange Little Birdie Flowers (Buttermilk Rosalind Roses and Danica Cherry) along the left hand side of the box.  Tear out the “Happy Holidays” sentiment from the paper collection, distress, back with dimensionals and add above the frame.

• Alter a Graphic 45 Ornate Door Plate and Knob by painting with black gesso.  While the paint is damp, spritz it liberally with the Tim Holtz Mica Spray again.  Then heat dry.
• Add mustard seeds and green peppercorns in the corners of the frame.

Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: A Peek Inside

The interior of the box holds a little Christmas card and photo folio.

 

This 5″ x 7″ card has a base layer of Stamperia Rice Paper.  Apply this with Distress Vintage Collage Medium for a beautiful vintage finish.   Stitch on some scraps of designer paper and the beautiful deer image. Then add more stenciling and inking for texture.

Dry brush Picket Fence Distress Paint on a wood slice (my son cut these for me in his shop but you can use the Tim Holtz brand). Add some Opaque Crackle Texture Paste randomly around the edges, sprinkle with Clear Rock Candy Distress Glitter and set aside to dry.  Color a Tim Holtz Deer with Alcohol Inks.  I wanted to add a white bottle brush tree to the wood slice, but it prevented the box from closing.  So I colored this pretty silvertone Christmas tree charm with Pesto Alcohol Ink instead.  All these elements were joined by some Spanish Moss and some rusty jingle bells.

Here’s a peek at the inside.  That’s a handmade crocheted/starched snowflake ornament in the pocket.

Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: The Folio

I added more rice paper images to the cover of this 4 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ magnetic folio.

There are 6 panels in all, each decorated with papers from the Winter Botanic and Alchemy Collections.  I even managed to fit in another pocket.

And here’s a look at the box with all the goodies removed.  This paper is drool worthy!  As always, this Stamperia Winter Botanic Box Set is available for purchase in my ETSY shop.

Now It’s YOUR Turn!

You are cordially invited to join this festive challenge.  To do so, simply link up your vintage or shabby chic Christmas Gift themed project on the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog before 11:55PM EST on Tuesday, December 4th.

The Frilly and Funkie Design team will invite the creator of our favorite project to a special Guest Designer spot on the blog.  We will also give Top 3 Badges to 3 additional favorite projects.  And everyone who enters and follows the challenge rules will be entered into a drawing for a $25 shopping spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

You can find all the challenge guidelines HERE.

I hope I’ve shared some tips, techniques and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures! If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Product Links to The Funkie Junkie Boutique