Friday, December 3, 2010

Christmas Project

Welcome to Life-Is-Scrap! and the Rockin around the Christmas tree Blog Hop! If you've come from visiting
Carol's blog at stampincarol.blogspot.com, you're in the right place! Make sure to head to Amy's blog after you're done cruising around mine.
BLOG CANDY! It wouldn't feel like Christmas without some sweets, now would it? If you decide you like what you see, and would like to subscribe to my blog and comment on my project I will put you in a drawing for one of my newly released scrapbook totes, designed by me! You can check out the bag at http://www.lifeisscrap.com/ . I will draw randomly from the comments and subscribers on December 10th, so the winner will be sure to receive their blog candy before Christmas!

If you've just happened across my blog and would like to play along with our fun hop, you can go to Totally-Stamps
and start at the beginning. Go http://www.totally-stamps.blogspot.com/.
The theme of this blog hop is ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE. Each blog has created a project. Be sure to visit each blog for inspiration and fun BLOG CANDY.

Michelle- http://totally-stamps.blogspot.com/
Susan - http://itsmesusanp.blogspot.com/
Carol - http://cardstockscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/
Jenny - http://crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/
kATHY - http://kathy-thebeautifullife.blogspot.com/
Debbie - http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/
Misty - http://abusyplace.blogspot.com/
Iva - http://ivarai.com/
Bonnie - http://ascrapabove.blogspot.com/
Nana - http://youniquereflections.blogspot.com/
Laura - http://lauraleesdream.blogspot.com/
Marianne- http://paperorfabric.blogspot.com/
Christel- http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com/
Rebecca - http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccasaylor.com%2F&h=2c16bo2XqpKzv8nFshMspuFN2Ew
Carol N - http://stampincarol.blogspot.com/
Kee Kee - http://life-is-scrap.blogspot.com/ (here!)
Amy - http://amychomas.blogspot.com/
JD- http://jdscricuteering.blogspot.com/


Every year I make decorative boxes for my family members to give to them along with their gifts. Not only does my family look forward to seeing what their boxes will look like each year, but they get to use them over and over again as part of their Christmas decor. I start with regular paper boxes from Hobby Lobby. These usually cost around $5 each, and if you use a coupon, even cheaper! I start by painting the edges of the boxes that won't be covered by paper or trim with a paint color that coordinates with the papers I have chosen. This year I used very traiditional type Christmas line by Bo Bunny for my mother, and a cuter, more country type paper line by K&Company for my brother and his family. After the paint is dry, I cut and trim the papers, use decorative borders and trims and embellishments. I apply the paper with Mod Podge, then adhere the embellishments with hot glue or glossy accents. Then, everything gets sprayed with glimmer mist, accentuated with stickles, and sprayed with an acrylic sealer for longevity. The year the box was made is part of the decor, and makes it fun to look back each year to remember-just like we do with ornaments. I am going to start storing each years Christmas cards, letters, and a DVD copy of that year's Christmas celebration.

Here is a pic of LAST year's boxes:

Keep going to my next (older) post to see the finished products for THIS year!

34 comments:

  1. These are really cute boxes. How long have you been doing this? Great idea! Who couldn't use a box like this for storage! I'm gonna join this hop! And hopefully, I'll be a winner! You are really talented, girl!

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  2. Can I be in your family..lol Those are absoluted wonderful. Wow, what a great tradition, I think I may try this project next year. Love it. Merry Christmas

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  3. I am with Carol.. I want to be in your family also...These are totally amazing... I think I will have to try this also....

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  4. My Mother-in-law would love these...I may have to give it a whirl. TFS
    natmethner@hotmail.com

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  5. I'm with Carol! These are amazing. Loving the colors! TFS!

    Christel
    Blog Hop Sista'
    onescrappinsista.blogspot.com

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  6. Super cute boxes! How special your family must feel.
    TFS

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  7. What a wonderful project and tradition.

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  8. The boxes are gorgeous! I may be 'lifting' this idea! TFS!

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  9. How cute! Lovely idea. I'm a follower. Thank you for a chance to win your awesome candy!

    Terrie Barroso
    terriennz@att.net
    crafteecards.blogspot.com

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  10. I love boxes and your idea is super cute! I became a follower! :)

    maria_m_nestor@yahoo.com

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  11. These are really cute boxes
    I'm a new follower come and visit me
    http://buzzybeedesigns.blogspot.com
    Rebecca Minor
    Buzzybeedesigns(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  12. Love what you did to these boxes! I'm a new follower. Thanks for the inspiration!

    spunkycrayon at yahoo dot com

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  13. These boxes are gifts themselves - just lovely!

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  14. I think its awesome to do this each year, and to put the year on them is a great way to keep track of when it was received and see the growth from year to year.

    TFS!

    tjsgal at gmail dot com

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  15. This is a great project and idea for giving as a gift. It is so nice when people really appreciate the handmade items that get. Thank you for sharing your boxes with us on this hop.

    Marianne S.
    sthquilter at gmail dot com
    www.paperorfabric.blogspot.com

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  16. These boxes are great! TFS!
    ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  17. What beautiful boxes! I couldn't part with them! Happy Holidays to you and yours! TFS
    kathlee154@gmail.com
    http://kathleessnippitsncricuts.blogspot.com

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  18. OMG Kee Kee.. I just realized.. I AM a long lost family member!!! LOL.. but for real, these are too beautiful, I understand why your family loves getting these!
    I am already a "new" follower of your blog
    TFS
    Bonnie C
    http://ascrapabove.blogspot.com
    ascrapabove at aol dot com

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  19. Thanks for all the sweet comments, ladies! I really appreciate it. And to all my newfound, long-lost family members, I will get started on your boxes right away, but it might be next year before I get them done! LOL

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  20. What a great idea!!! I love it!! Thanks for sharing!!

    HeartAMZ1@aol.com
    Debbie Chapman

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  21. wow these are just gorgeous. i need to go alter more boxes now lol. theyre gorgeous works of art. i would totally make myself some. thanks for the inspiration!!

    Hugs
    Stephanie Collins
    stephanoid69@msn.com
    stephanoid69-youtube

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  22. Wow these are awesome! Thanks for the inspiration!
    Natalie
    mtmcbroom at gmail dot com
    http://timelesslegacydesigns.blogspot.com

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  23. They are beautiful. I have two wine boxes that I can't wait to get my hands on now,lol

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  24. These are amazing! Wow... what a great addition to your gift giving. I'd be happy with just the boxes for a gift! :-)

    ~ JD ~
    jdscricuteering{at}gmail{dot}com

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  25. What a great tradition and an awesome way to upcycle old boxes! carey@barzeski.com

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  26. Those boxes are amazing! I would love to know, what do people say when they find out there made from scratch?
    Contact Info: In case I get a chance to win that amazing blog candy! Happy Holiday's!
    arebori0204@gmail.com

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  27. What a great idea!! Those really are a gift all by themselves. Great blog! Carmen
    scrappydappydoodler@yahoo.com

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  28. wow who needs a gift in the box since the box is a gift itself!!! Love them.
    Thanks so much for the chance to win.
    annadowdy at gmail dot com

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  29. What a special family you must have to be the recipients of these wonderful boxes. Thanks for sharing. I am a new follower. patnbobcuddy@gmail.com

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  30. I love your style!!!! You are so creative; I'm so glad I found your blog through the hop!! Those boxes are adorable, and I really like ones you did this year. Thanks for the chance!! :)

    Celeste B.
    ccscards.blogspot.com
    mctdbillman at gmail dot com

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  31. Beautiful and absolutely stunning. I'm a new follower.
    Nikki
    glamoroussideofscrapping at gmail dot com
    www.theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com

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  32. Beautiful boxes you certainly are talented and have much patience

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  33. KeeKee, I know that you have a "job" in the real world, but everyday, I come here looking for inspiration,hoping to find a new post and project. You are so talented, but I guess you get that from your mom, huh? Have a super weekend and hope it's not too cold there! It's been freezing in TN!

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