'Tis the season for a very CRATE Christmas! Today marks the first day of our celebratory holiday event, A Very Crate Christmas, and gifting is in season as there are five brand new "Paper Heart" collection kits to be given away throughout this amazingly fun week! The first three kits will find their way to three of our fave Peppermint project makers, which begin showing tomorrow. The remaining two will be chosen from the numerous comments left in response to this week's posts! And to keep the winner's organized and easy to find, they'll announce on Thursday! Make sure to mark the date! Also, stop by frequently to check out what our blog visitors have created with our popular holiday collection, Peppermint! There's lots to share...
To get us started, we've brought forth a little surprise - Our Design Team Gals, Christine and Tara, coordinated the cutest of Peppermint Box Ornaments, along with a small tutorial as to how to make one for yourself! We figure it's a great way to start the week and to get the holiday mood a'brewing around here! So, without further ado, allow us to introduce some last minute holiday crafting...
Boxes, boxes - bet you have lots of 'em, don't you?! Maybe you've a special dessert cabinet that is home to a box marked, "Jello"? If so, then you'll want to cook up a bit of Jello for dessert tonight, 'cause we're going to show you how to turn that box into a petite Christmas shadow boxes for affixing to a tree or setting atop a mantle. And in making them, we're sharing two very different versions - both festive and fun! To give you a general idea as to how to start your own, Christine's kindly provided us with introductory instructions...
The basic frame of the ornament is a small, thin cardboard box - whether it's "jello" or of a different brand, it doesn't matter, as long as it's small enough for display in a tree - though maybe you'll take to creating a larger version to set elsewhere!
I opted to paint the box exterior with Vanilla acrylic paint. In doing so, I painted on a total of "five layers" of paint, allowing each to dry before applying the next. You've the option to cover the box with paper, as well.
Though, before applying the paint, I put the box through my big shot with a Spellbinder's Label Die and punched out the front window of the ornament. If without a die-cut machine, simply remove the entire front from the box instead.
To give it more charm and attraction, with a gloss varnish as my adhesive, I applied a thick layer of Crystal Coarse Glitter. Immediately apply the glitter after brushing on the varnish. Do small sections at a time to make this process easier. Also, paper plates are perfect for managing large amounts of glitter! Allow the glitter coated box to sit for a few hours and then follow it up with a coat of hair spray to keep the glitter from falling off.
By no means is it required to paint the inside of the box, but I felt it was a great support element to the overall interior design on my ornament. With a brush, I spread a thin layer of light turquoise mist to the inside area of the box. Note how lightly the color goes on - it almost looks like watercolor paints!
Once the box itself is ready, you're going to want to think about how best to build your chosen design within the box. Should certain elements be positioned prior to gluing your box together? Which are easily added after the box (minus the top) is adhered fully? Try to have a general idea of the order in which you'll be putting the ornament together so that you don't prematurely close off certain areas of the box.
I opted for a scenic background. I took to trimming the chipboard globe just slightly and adhered it down with extra glue.
Because I wanted to create a realistic sense of there being a "house" amongst trees and so forth, I positioned "rolling hills" at three varying levels. While doing so, I had to carefully monitor the height and curvature of each hill so that they didn't impede upon each other. I then sanded the tops with a file and folded them at the bottom for adhering down. Note the 1/4" space between each hill. This allows available space for additional design work.
I'm going to show a close-up of the inside of my ornament, below. It includes other decorative details that I won't necessarily explain as they're fairly straight forward. Just make sure that you use a significant amount of adhesive (Quick Dry Tacky Glue) to keep things securely in place. After the primary portion of the design is complete, tuck in tufts of cotton and coat it with crystal flakes. Use extreme care during this step to avoid damaging or dismantling the finished product.
Another hint: Utilize "all the space" that's available when adding things to the inside of the box. Think about the opening, the sides, the floor, etc. All of these areas, when decorated, lead to an extraordinary view!
And finally, to assist with hanging on the tree, add a loop of thick ribbon through the top of the box. Carefully punch a hole with an awl and position through it, both ribbon ends. Tie a knot to keep the ribbon from slipping through the hole. Feel free to further embellish the ribbon with a tag or other small complimentary items.
For a completely different take on this project, Tara's made an ornament, as well, from an identical box...
She's gone the candy route with a charming "Candy Cane" theme - there are peppermint candies everywhere! Look closely for additional design ideas..for example, Tara mounted a line of pearls along the roof line of the house. She's also tucked them into the snow, giving it a more glimmered feel. So pretty...
Even more clever, Tara pushed a hole through the back of the ornament so that a light is easily positioned within the ornament setting. It gives the inside of the box a subtle glow.
A cute button topper makes an ideal spot for an ornament hook, or maybe you'd rather just gently find a home for the ornament on top a branch? Both options work equally!
One last peek inside before we leave you for the day! Don't forget to visit us tomorrow as we begin focusing on YOUR gorgeous Peppermint creations! We've a vast array to display and admire....
Happy Holidays, to all! More Peppermint treats ahead...
Oh my goodness so many that I love! I guess my vote is going to be for Natalia's card with the sled and skis. I love the snowy hill in the background with the little houses. Just adorable! Posted by: Emily | December 20, 2011 at 09:16 AM