Project - Celebrate Fall with a Faux Copper Card Topper

I love the fall. Leaves turning colors. Greens blending into coppers and tans. It's the deep, rich palette of the season that calms me. Thanksgiving in the United States will soon be here and I'm inspired to create a few handmade invitations for a dinner party.

Copper is one of my favorite ways to express autumn, and I love its look as leaves. Unfortunately, when I use real copper -- even a small bit -- for an embellishment, the greeting card often feels heavy, floppy or lopsided. I've decided to fake it by substituting mirrored paper. Here's how I did it.


Fake Copper Leaves Embellish a Fall Card (click to enlarge)

Materials & Tools
· White Ink Jet Textured Note Cards with Envelopes, 4.25 by 5.5-inch, Heavyweight, by Avery
· Copper or burnt orange metallic or mirror-finish paper
· Scrap piece of card stock for mounting the stamped leaves
· Muted green handmade textured paper
· Deep purple or maroon colored card stock
· Woodblock Stripe Decorative Paper - Copper on Sienna, as found at Paper Mojo
· Gray cardstock
· Small leaf skeleton rubber stamp, like 1.5-inch size by Susan's Delusions
· Black solvent inkpad, like Jet Black by StazOn
· Glue stick
· Good pair of comfortable, teflon-like coated scissors, like Velvet Touch Scissors by Armada
· Paper trimmer, like 12" Portable Paper Trimmer by Fiskars
· Craft knife
· Metal ruler or straight edge
· 1/2-inch black foam adhesive squares, Peel and Stick, by Therm O Web

The Steps
(Click to enlarge images. Click back button to return to article.)

1. Using a template program to line up your text and an inkjet printer, add a Thanksgiving or other seasonal greeting to the inside of a note card.
2. Cut a small piece of copper-colored mirror paper, no bigger than 4 by 4 inches. Using permanent black ink, rubber stamp three small skeleton leaves on the paper...yes, you're looking at unmounted stamps. Notice that I stamped a bigger leaf on the paper, too. I wanted to compare the looks to see which leaf size and shape I preferred.


3. Mount the copper paper on card stock for stability then carefully cut out the leaves. There's something about the stark black ink on the coppery paper that fools the eye into seeing real metal.
4. Cut a 5 by 6 inch piece of muted green handmade textured paper. Glue to the front of the note card, using a straight edge and craft knife to trim the excess. For more texture, try decorative paper with bamboo or falling leaves designs.
5. Cut a 3 by 4.5 inch piece of deep purple or maroon colored card stock, depending on your color preference. Glue to the front of the green paper.
6. Cut a piece of 1.75 by 4.5 inch piece of copper striped sienna colored decorative paper. Glue to the front of the purple card stock.
7. Cut a piece of 3 by 3 inch gray cardstock. Glue to the front of the copper striped paper.
8. Gently tear the edges of the layered papers. You can also tear before gluing, but I liked the odd edges that came from peeling and tearing the glued layers.
9. Using foam squares, mount each of the leaves in place on top of the gray cardstock. I positioned the cut-outs in a circle to give the feeling of wind blowing fallen leaves.
10. Now slip your finished card into the envelope and send it on its way.

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Product Resource Guide
· Most project photos taken with a 5.0 MP resolution KODAK EASYSHARE DX4530 Zoom Digital Camera
· Note Cards with Envelopes
· Mirror-finish paper
· Stripe Decorative Paper
· Black solvent inkpad
· Foam adhesive squares
· Bamboo leaf paper
· Falling leaves paper
· Browse for Paper Crafts Books at Amazon.com

Article Description: Like the look of copper but not the weight? Adorn the front of a Thanksgiving card with lightweight leaves made of your favorite metallic paper.

Book Review - Greeting Cards Using Digital Photos by Cheryl Owen

reviewed on papercraftseditor.blogspot.com

Greeting Cards Using Digital Photos: 18 Step-by-Step Projects for Uniquely Personal Greeting Cards

by Cheryl Owen
Publisher: Martingale and Company (August 2006)
ISBN:1564777162; Paperback book: 96 pages
Reviewed By Kim M. Bayne, Paper Crafts Editor for BellaOnline.comproduct
Rating: ★★★★

If you’re into quick and easy cards yet still wondering what to do with the hundreds of digital photos you’ve snapped this year, buy a copy of “Greeting Cards using Digital Photos.” Paper crafter Cheryl Owens outlines eighteen step-by-step projects that take little time but produce pleasing results. Relying on basic card-making techniques throughout (templates and deckling edges, for example), the 95-page paperback is a solid introduction for the beginning digital paper crafter. As a refresher for the experienced card maker, the book includes reminders of how to enlarge shapes using templates, properly use a craft knife, and create a deckle edge.

For the most part, Owen sticks to standard uses for typical embellishments, like using thin wire, instead of thread, for beading on the “Beaded Celebration Card” (pg. 42). On rare occasions, the author uses something new. For example, the Row of Rectangles hole punch, used in the “Filmstrip Bookmark” (pg. 50), isn’t in my collection, but it might be in yours.

“Bookmark,” you say? That’s not a card. Granted, there are few fun deviations from the primary task, and you can always incorporate them into scrapbook pages or mount them on a card. The “3D Specs” (pg. 46) are really cute, so think about transforming them into a beach party invitation.

The author has a sense of humor, too. One of my favorite card creations was the “Bobble-head Pet” (pg.54). Owen used a wound piece of wire to create a spring on which to mount the head of a white dog. Suspended over a checkerboard-like green and yellow background, the pup’s head completes the three-dimension look while wiggling hilariously over a body cut from a duplicate photo.

For a future edition of this paperback, I’d suggest a few enhancements.
1. I’d like to see more card variations pictured at each project end. For example, the “Birthday Truck” (pg. 32), “New Baby” (pg. 66) and “Retirement Landscape” (pg. 78) cards each show one variation on a theme, but I hungered for more.
2. The materials and tools lists are a bit generic, short of most details needed to procure the exact items featured in these projects. Who makes that cute tulip paper punch used in the “Mother’s Day Garden” (pg. 26)? The book doesn’t say. The one-page resource list on page 94 lacks the same attention to detail. Sure, I could probably search for something similar on the Web, but the author could have saved me some time. Owen encourages substitutions, but I can imagine wanting to have some of the real stuff on hand in a few cases in order to reproduce certain treatments, regardless of the card design.

If you’ve done any amount of paper crafting at all, you already own most of the supplies (scissors, rulers, paper and cardstock, adhesives and paint) needed to make more than a few of the cards in Owen's book, so don’t worry – you won’t need to make a major investment in new accessories to get started. Most of the projects can be completed in an hour or less. If you favor a more ornate style, like shabby chic, don’t discount this book. Think of each of the projects as the perfect starting point for something more elaborate, using it to jump-start an enjoyable paper crafting afternoon.

Product Resource Guide
· Buy Greeting Cards Using Digital Photos by Cheryl Owen at Amazon.com
· Browse for more Paper Crafts Books at Amazon.com

Article Description: Try something different with your digital photos. Print them out to use in your next greeting card project.

Book Review - Visual Chronicles by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino

reviewed on papercrafts.bellaonline.com

Visual Chronicles: The No-Fear Guide to Creating Art Journals, Creative Manifestos and Altered Books

by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino
Publisher: North Light Books (an imprint of F+W Publications), 2006
ISBN: 1581807708 ; Paperback book: 128 pages
Reviewed By Kim M. Bayne, Paper Crafts Editor for BellaOnline.comproduct
Rating: ★★★★

If you fear exploring your creativity, but are still drawn to the idea of documenting your personal history through artistic journals or altered books, two sisters – authors of “Visual Chronicles” – will inspire and enlighten you. Sisters Karen Dinino and Linda Woods guide novice book artists through stamping, collage, painting and writing with simple journaling projects designed to open your mind to new possibilities.

Tapping into the full breadth of the typical creative psyche, Karen (the lawyer) and Linda (the artist) combine their innate, individual talents to explore the application of colors and shapes to the scribing of expressive text. From chapter to chapter, the focus of their book is clear – it’s all about “me,” but in a good way. Fear-busting chapter titles include “I Have No Time,” “I’d Have to Do It All Alone,” and “Nothing Happens in My Life.”

“Good grief! They read my mind,” I thought as I glanced through the Table of Contents. In fact, when I spied the “Entry Denied” brick wall made of a line drawing and rubber stamps, I knew immediately we were all on the same page – literally. I had embraced the “brick wall” motif previously by applying dimensional paint to an altered book cover, so right then I knew I’d found kindred spirits in these two authors.

Artistic inspiration and projects aside, this book is simply entertaining reading. You could curl up and read it with nary an embellishment or glue stick in sight. You’d still come away satisfied that you’d shattered a few mental myths in the process. For example, Fear Buster No. 5 – titled "I Don’t Have Any Ephemera" – simply says "Ladies, look in your purse." For those of us reliant on fanny packs and multi-pocketed vests, we still get the picture. Ephemera can be merely the stuff that documents your lives – ticket stubs, receipts and wrappers are evidence that we have experienced life. In other words, “Every day is an artful journal,” write the authors.

So stop lamenting that you are not an artist and can’t draw a straight line. Pick up a copy of “Visual Chronicles” and start exploring your life today.

Product Resource Guide
· Buy Visual Chronicles at Amazon.com
· Browse for more Paper Crafts Books at Amazon.com

Article Description: Can't draw a straight line but want to document your life? Here's some help...with lots of flair.

Project - Hide a Sweet Surprise in a Box Tag

I couldn't decide what to do -- make a gift tag or make a box. So I made two-in-one. Now I can decorate a tag to my heart's desire while still having a place to stash some goodies.


Miniature Box Tag for Valentine's Day

Materials & Tools

Template for miniature box tag

Brown craft paper, card stock or other heavy weight paper

Inkjet printer

Good pair of comfortable, teflon-like coated scissors, like Velvet Touch Scissors by Armada, or a craft knife and a straight edge

Paper trimmer, like 12" Portable Paper Trimmer Item #95987097 by Fiskars

Double-stick tape

Pigment inkpad, in Red

Cosmetic wedges or sponges for applying ink

Small piece of a brown corrugated paper

Handheld paper punch, like 1/8-inch Round Punchline Punch Item #52400 by McGill

Gold twist ties, from a bag of bread

Red buttons

Small brass heart

Red glitter glue

Small cheap paint brush for applying glitter glue

Small red feather

Adhesive dots

Small red miniature rose embellishments

Red and gold fibers for the tag hole

The Steps
Click to enlarge images. Click the back button to return to this article.)

1. Download the miniature box tag template from here.

2. Cut an 8.5 by 11 inch piece of brown kraft paper. Print the template on to the paper with your inkjet printer. You can run the paper through the inkjet printer again, upside down, if you would like to make two box tags -- one on each end of the paper.


3. Using scissors (or a craft knife and straight edge), cut out the template.

4. Using the Fiskars paper cutter (with the folding blade inserted), crease the template on all the dotted lines to make folding easier.


5. Lay the template flat so you can decorate it. Using a cosmetic wedge or sponge, apply red pigment ink onto the back of the template -- that is, the side to face out after you have folded the box.

6. Cut a small piece of corrugated brown cardboard to fit the width of the folded box tag's front.

7. Line the red buttons up on the corrugated paper and mark through the holes so you know where to punch. Punch small holes in the paper, then thread the gold twist ties through the holes and tie on the two red buttons. While you're at it, punch the hold in the end of the box tag. Now trim the ties close to the button so only about a half inch remains on each end.

8. Apply the small brass heart to the corrugated piece using adhesive dots.

9. Use double stick tape to attach the corrugated piece to the upper front of the box tag.

10. Apply red glitter glue to the lower half of the box. While the glue is drying, add pieces of the red feather. Allow the box to dry completely.

11. After the box is dry, fold the box into shape. Fold and hide the extra tab using double stick tape.

12. Using adhesive dots, add the miniature roses to the tab stub.

13. Add the fibers to the tag hole using a Lark's Head knot.

14. Fill the box with M&Ms, miniature kisses or other small candies. Give the tag to your swwetheart on Valentine's Day

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Product Resource Guide
· Most project photos on this page were taken with a 5.0 MP resolution KODAK EASYSHARE DX4530 Zoom Digital Camera
· Browse for Paper Crafts Books at Amazon.com

Article Description: Create a miniature tag with a secret -- sweet treats for your Valentine.

Project - Make a Mini Book From Found Materials

At the coffee shop the other day, I found myself eyeing yet another paper coffee sleeve. You know the ones. They're brown cardboard, to protect your hands from the heat, and imprinted, to advertise the business. Most coffee sleeves are either corrugated or embossed with a design, making them perfect for paper crafts. The next time you finish a latte at Starbucks, remove the sleeve from your coffee cup to take home for this project.


Mini Book From Found Materials

Materials & Tools
A. Basic book construction

Brown paper grocery bag, from your favorite supermarket

Paper trimmer, like 12" Portable Paper Trimmer Item #95987097 by Fiskars

Brown cardboard coffee sleeve, like one purchased with a drink at Starbucks

Good pair of comfortable, teflon-like coated scissors, like Velvet Touch Scissors by Armada, or a craft knife

Bone folder, for creasing folds in the mini-book's pages

Handheld paper punch, like 1/8-inch Round Punchline Punch Item #52400 by McGill

Black twist tie, from a bag of bread

1/4-inch hole punch

Pencil

Metal ruler or straight edge

B. Outside Collage (Front Cover)

Torn paper scraps

White glue or acrylic adhesive, like Perfect Paper Adhesive in Matte by US ArtQuest

Small cheap paint brush for gluing

Small feather

Copper or burnt orange colored glitter, like Ultra Fine Pumpkin #56 by Art Institute Glitter

Embossed copper tag, cut from copper sheet or scrap

Glue dots, like Craft glue dots by Glue Dots International

Earth-toned fibers

Faux tooth-shaped beads

C. Inside Collage (Pages, Center Spread)

Torn paper scraps, again!

White glue, once more

Cancelled foreign postage stamps

Pigment inkpad, like Really Rust Classic Stampin' Pad by Stampin' Up!

Brown and gold pigment inkpad combo, like Ultimate Inkpad Paintbox², in Precious Metals #13010 by ColorBox/Clearsnap

Small artistic rubber stamps, like Dawn Houser's Faux Foreign Post Cancellation Marks, by Inkadinkado

Black solvent inkpad, like Jet Black by StazOn

The Steps
Click to enlarge images. Click the back button to return to this article.)

A. Basic book construction

1. The main items you'll need to make one mini-book project are one cardboard coffee sleeve and (pieces of) a brown paper grocery bag.


2. Cut pieces of the grocery bag into 2-inch by 4-inch pieces. Make 4 pieces per book.


3. Use one of the page spreads as a template. Using a pencil, lightly trace the page spread on the smooth side of the coffee sleeve.


4. Using a ruler and the pencil, draw a border around the page shape just slightly beyond the page tracing. About a 1/4-inch distance should do it, if you have the room. Now trim your book cover. You can see in the photo that I used a pair of scissors. You would get a straighter line with a metal straight edge (ruler) and a craft knife.


5. Using a bone folder for precise creasing, fold the cover and each of the grocery bag pages in half.


6. Nestle the pages together. Hold everything steady and punch four holes in the folds. Hint: Punch the pages as a group separately, then use the pages as a guide to punch the cover. You can always try the "grit-your-teeth and punch it all together" technique, but I attempted it and failed, so you've been warned. (smiles)


7. Cut a black twist tie in half then fold each piece.


8. Push one tie half into a set of adjoining holes, then twist the ends together on the back of the book spine. Repeat for the second set of holes.


Your mini-book is now assembled. Now it's time to collage on your "found art" creation.

B. Outside Collage (Front Cover)
9. Refer to the finished project pictures (top of page) for layout suggestions. Now select and tear your choice of paper scraps for collage. I chose a palette of earth tones, with beige and brown mostly.


10. Using a paint brush, apply white glue liberally to the backs of your paper scraps , then apply these scraps to the book cover randomly.

11. You can use any embellishments you like to collage on top of the paper scraps. I added a small feather, some glue and copper colored glitter.

12. I embossed a tag, cut from a piece of copper, by burnishing the design with a bone folder and a real penny. I added earth-toned fibers to the tag then tied faux tooth beads to the yarn ends. I adhered the tag to the cover with glue dots.

C. Inside Collage (Pages, Center Spread)
13. Refer to the finished project pictures (top of page) for layout suggestions. Tear some paper scraps, again! Open the book to the center page spread then collage these scraps with White glue and a paintbrush.

14. Select a few cancelled foreign postage stamps and add these to the pages with white glue. I used three stamps, each from a different country. If you can't find foreign postage stamps, you can buy them on eBay.


15. Rub the rust, brown and gold inkpads onto the pages and postage stamps, until you achieve the desired shading.

16. Using the black inkpads and rubber stamps, stamp faux cancellation marks on top of the postage.

Check back often for other versions of this project, or better yet, sign up for our newsletter and I'll include a note when I've updated this page.

Project Tips

Choose pieces of the grocery bag with printing on them, to add some personality to the pages of your book.

When tracing your cover , try to align the middle of the book pages with natural folds in the coffee sleeve. This will save you time and frustration when folding the cover in half.

Collage isn't meant to be exact, so go with your gut when applying paper scraps and embellishments. Position embellishments at contrasting angles for a less "studied" look.

When selecting a black inkpad, choose wisely. For black, I prefer pigment or solvent inkpads, rather than dye inkpads. Hint: Look at the package! I like StazOn Jet Black, even when I don't need a solvent ink for paper, because it's vivid and tolerates lot of ink layering.

---

Additional Reading

Making Mini Books, by Sherri Haab

The Bookmaking Kit, by Ann Morris, Peter Linenthal

More Making Books by Hand, by Peter Thomas, Donna Thomas

The Essential Guide to Making Handmade Books, by Gabrielle Fox

Product Resource Guide

Buy your craft supplies at MisterArt.com

Wholesale Arts & Crafts Supplies

Most project photos on this page were taken with a 5.0 MP resolution KODAK EASYSHARE DX4530 Zoom Digital Camera

Article Description: Millions of paper coffee sleeves are thrown away every day in local coffee shops. Save one to create a collaged handmade book.

Project - Chocolate Rosebuds for Your Son's Prom Date

The school year is nearing an end. High school students are attending proms, performing in music concerts, and so on. Kaity – my high school freshman – has a choir solo this Tuesday night. I want to give her something special at the end of the performance, so how about a dozen roses? But for my Kaity, traditional roses just won't do. I need a better idea.

By coincidence, my hair stylist gave me a hand-made chocolate rose this Saturday. I've seen similar roses in hotel gift shops but I never paid close attention until now. I asked Drea how she made hers and she invited me to "reverse-engineer" it so I could spread the word. Now, in my own words, I can show you how to craft rosebuds from one of my daughter's favorite snacks -- Hershey’s Kisses.

By the way, these inexpensive rosebuds make a cute bouquet for your son's prom date. What a fun and inexpensive way to combine chocolate with flowers!



Chocolate Rosebuds for Your Son's Prom Date

Materials & Tools

Floral Stem Wire, 12 pieces, 18 inches long, like 16 or 18 Gauge Green, White Or Silver, Item #561618 by Panacea Products Corp

Pair of Comfortable Jewelry Pliers with Cutter, like Round Nose Pliers by Artistic Wire

Foil-Wrapped Milk Chocolate Drops, like Hershey’s Kisses, Silver Wrap, 1 Bag, Net Wt. 16 oz. (1 lb.), for plenty to snack on while working

Double-Stick Tape, like Permanent 2-Sided Tape by LePage’s, Inc.

Clear Red Cellophane, like Clearphane Film by Highlander Supply Corp, 30 inches by 25 feet

Good Pair Of Comfortable, Teflon-like Coated Scissors, like Velvet Touch Scissors by Armada

Floral Tape, like Self-sealing Floral Tape in Green by Fibre Craft, ½-inch by 60 feet

The Steps
(Click to enlarge each image. Click the back button to return to this article.)

1. Cut each 18-inch floral stem in half, to make 9-inch stems. I used a silver stem in the photo, but I prefer green stems because I work fast and don’t always wrap the floral tape exactly.


2. Use jewelry pliers to create a bended loop -- about 1-inch in diameter -- in one end of each piece of floral wire.


3. Count out 24 chocolate drops. You’ll use two for each finished rose bud. Keep the bag nearby for munching. It’ll keep you motivated. (smiles) Bruce -- my hubby -- made a dozen rosebuds for his mother this Sunday. Between the two of us, we only made two dozen. There were about 99 drops in the bag, so you do the math. (sheepish grin)


4. Use a half-inch piece of double-stick tape to attach the bottoms of two kisses to each other.


5. Cut red cellophane into 4 by 6-inch pieces. Cut 12 pieces for a dozen roses. If you’re having trouble cutting straight, try folding the cellophane back against its tube and, using a sharp razor-blade letter opener, slice the cellophane in one pass.


6. Put a doubled kiss in the middle of a piece of cellophane. Slip the wire stem in place over the point of the bottom kiss. Fold the wide side of the cellophane in half, down over the kisses.


7. Carefully fold the top left corner of the cellophane down to the right, crossing the chocolate drops. Fold the top right corner of the cellophane down to the left in a similar manner. See how the cellophane looks like the petals of a rosebud? Twist the bottom of the cellophane around the stem in the direction of the last fold.


8. Starting just beneath the bottom chocolate drop, wrap the floral tape around the base of the rosebud, directly on top of the cellophane. Make at least two tight, closely-wrapped passes with the tape, to hold everything together. Stretch the tape as you work to help it grip. As you wrap, overlap the tape's edges to hide the stem. Slowly rotate the stem away from you while you work down the length of the stem. Continue wrapping until you reach the end of the stem. Cut the floral tape then wrap and pinch the end to seal it. Repeat these steps for each additional rose.


Keep these easy-to-make flowers in mind for that next birthday, anniversary or romantic dinner. One lone rosebud will melt someone's heart away!

Project Tips

You can substitute other types of paper for the red cellophane. Consider using clear cellophane or silver paper foil for wedding day flowers. Try gold origami paper or red tissue, too. Mix and match papers for an eclectic look.

It’s nearly summer and chocolate can melt, Keep the rosebuds refrigerated until it’s time to go out the door. That way, the drops won’t melt on the way to the prom or stage performance.

Using colored or patterned tissue paper, make a cone to hold the bouquet. A pretty ribbon around the tissue should hold it all together.

Some crafters recommend piercing the chocolate with the floral stem to make sure everything holds together. I'm not sure these stems were designed to insert into food, so I created a loop in the wire instead. If you're using colored stems, the paint could come off inside the candy and contaminate the chocolate.

Substitute any flavor of chocolate drops you like -- they don't have to be plain old milk chocolate. Use red foil-covered drops for a deeper red in the rosebuds.

For special flair, add a few artificial leaves to each stem while you wrap.

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Additional Reading

The Usborne Book of Paper Flowers (How to Make Series) by Ray Gibson

Handmade Flowers from Paper and Fabric by Steve Biddle

Origami Flowers: Popular Blossoms and Creative Bouquets by Hiromi Hayashi

Product Resource Guide

Buy your craft supplies at MisterArt.com

Wholesale Arts & Crafts Supplies

Most project photos on this page were taken with a 5.0 MP resolution KODAK EASYSHARE DX4530 Zoom Digital Camera

Alternate Product Recommendations

Hershey's Kisses Milk Chocolate With Almond Candy, 12 oz from Gristedes Supermarkets of New York

FCM Stem Wire Green 18 Gauge from Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts

FCM Floral Stem Tape Green from Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts

Long Nose Pliers 5-inch, Smooth Jaws from Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts

Scotch Double Stick Tape .427 X 450-inch from Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts

White Flower Bouquet Sleeves, 100 ct. from Twinkle Candy

Article Description: Wrap cellophane around chocolate drops for a special treat. Make just one or make a dozen -- they'll melt someone's heart away!

Project - Wedding Party Favors Your Guests Will Adore

Do you have small pieces of paper, snips of trim and other craft scraps left over from another project? You can make personalized wedding party favors your guests will keep forever. Even the tiniest bit of fabric can turn an ordinary item into a darling brooch, pocket treasure chest or homage to something wonderful. Try your hand at altering a matchbox with these step-by-step project instructions. ~ by Kim M. Bayne


Personalized for the Mother of the Bride

Materials & Tools List

Cardboard Matchboxes, like Strike On Box Matches 32 count by Diamond Brands

Paper Trimmer, like Fiskars 12" Portable Paper Trimmer Item #95987097

Good Pair of Comfortable, Teflon-like Coated Scissors for Cutting Tape, like Armada Velvet Touch Scissors

Tacky Double-sided Tape, like Art Accentz Terrifically Tacky Tape Roll in 1 & 1/16 inch and 1/8 inch widths, by Provo Craft

Sticker Paper for Making Glitter Lace Paper

[Related Article]

Purple Fabric Ribbon, like 5mm (3/16 inch) wide 100% Polyester Spool O' Ribbon by Offray

One Bunch of Small Artificial Flowers in Lavender, like Modern Romance Item #MR6975-79 by Hirschberg Schutz & Co.

Wire Wrapping Stick, like a Mandrel from the Wire Worker Set by Artistic Wire

White, Thick and Tacky Paper Crafting Glue, like Aleene's Tacky Glue

Metallic Acrylic Paint, like Dazzling Metallics in Purple Pearl by DecoArt

1/2-inch Wide Foam Brush for Applying Acrylic Paint

Hand Held Paper Punch, like 1/8-inch Round Punchline Punch Item #52400 by McGill

Strands of Tiny White Faux Pearls (Plastic), like 4mm White Pearls by Darice

Small White Plastic Imprinted Beads, like Alphabet and Heart Beads by Crafts Etc.

Small Wooden Purple Button for Embellishing Inside of Matchbox Tray

Small Wooden Bead for Creating a Tray Handle

Flower-shaped Sequin in White or Lavender

Jewelry Pin Backs, like 1/4-inch Nickle Plated Steel Pin Back Item #1880-61 by Darice


Some of the Supplies You'll Need

The Steps
(Click to enlarge each image. Another browser window will open.)

1. To determine the size of your decorative paper, measure the length, width and height of your matchbox. I used different matchboxes for this project but I strongly recommend Diamond Brands. Diamond's cardboard is sturdier than other matchboxes, making it the best choice for crafts applications.


2. Cut your sticker paper to the size needed for wrapping around the box. Use the sticker paper to make glitter lace paper in purple and silver.


3. Apply double-stick tacky tape around the sleeve of the matchbox, covering most of the surface.


4. Remove the backing on the tacky tape. Wrap the glitter lace paper around the matchbox, taking care to align the edges.


5. Use a small piece of tape to adhere the end of the glitter lace paper to itself.


6. Trim any paper that extends beyond the box edges.


7. Tape or glue the fabric ribbon around the box ends.


8. Select a flower and leaf from your artificial flower bunch. Hold the petal and leaf tops together and twist a few times around each other. Tightly wrap the individual stems around the shaft of a wire wrapping tool.


9. Glue the flower on the front of the matchbox sleeve.


10. Paint the matchbox tray both inside and out. Paint it twice, allowing it to dry between coats. The picture shows a sampling of colors.


11. After the paint has dried, punch two small holes in a short side of the matchbox tray. This is where you'll fashion a handle for opening your treasure box. You may have to squeeze hard to punch through the tray if the cardboard overlaps.


12. Glue the pearl strand to the inside of the matchbox tray, around all four corners.


13. Wrap the stem of another flower around the wire tool. Glue the flower inside the tray. Glue a small button, alphabet and heart beads, and/or other embellishments inside the matchbox tray.

14. Thread a flower stem or piece of wire through a wooden bead and the tray holes. Twist the wire ends loosely to avoid tearing the box holes. You now have a handle to pull open the matchbox drawer.


15. Glue a pin clasp to the back of the matchbox. After the glue has dried, you're ready to wear your miniature art creation.


Project Tips

If you're making several matchbox pocket shrines for wedding favors, simplify your design for faster assembly.

Excessive handling may cause glitter to rub off on your hands. You may wish to spray your glitter lace paper with an acrylic matte sealer before attaching the paper to the box.

Once you've applied the glitter lace paper to the tacky tape, it's on for good. Don't try to reposition it or you'll tear it and/or the matchbox.

If punching holes in the tray is too hard or frustrating, forget about it! Glue your wooden bead to the outside of the tray instead.

---

Additional Reading

Artful Bride Wedding Favors & Decorations: A Stylish Brides Guide to Simple, Handmade Wedding Crafts, by April L. Paffrath, Paula Grasdal, Livia McRee.

Fabulous Favors: Favors for Parties, Weddings, and Holidays, by Beverly Clark

Creative Wedding Keepsakes You Can Make: by Terry L. Rye, Laurel Tudor

Product Resource Guide

Out of time? Find hundreds of ready-made wedding favors here!

Buy your craft supplies at MisterArt.com

Wholesale Arts & Crafts Supplies

Most project photos on this page were taken with a 5.0 MP resolution KODAK EASYSHARE DX4530 Zoom Digital Camera

Article Description: Do you have pieces of paper, snips of trim and other craft scraps left over from another project? Alter a matchbox into a personalized party favor your guests will adore.