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!