Scraps of paper and some glue…

Did I mention I have recently won a couple of prizes online? And this time, I actually GOT them! (The one time I’d won something before it never materialized.) I have always been one of those folks who never wins anything. So, when I entered a give-away or two recently I didn’t do it with the thought that I’d win. I really just liked the product a LOT and the way you win it was to “pin it” on Pinterest. Not a problem! Much to my surprise I won. I won some adorable “Little Darlings” paper from Graphic 45 as well as some chipboard pieces and a few other things. After that – I won a beautiful little die-cutting die from “Memory Box.” I’ll show that one when I get a card made featuring it. It’s really pretty.

So, anyway – I have a friend who’s about to have a baby in a month-ish. One never knows when babies decide to show up, but the time is fast approaching. What a fabulous opportunity to use some of my prize winnings. And an excuse to purchase a couple of other things that I’d “need” for the project – like this box that I altered. The box is made of Kraft paper, and it includes an accordion-folded “mini scrapbook” inside. I found it on Overstock.com – but here’s a picture of it on Amazon – 5×8 Kraftboard Altered Art Box w/ Album. It comes just all plain like that and the possibilities for altering it are rather endless. I used a Distress Ink Pad, Tea Dye color on the edges of the paper as well as the edges of the box that showed.

I did learn something while altering this box. It has little magnets to close the door with – if you put paper between the magnets and the page they’re supposed to stick to – they don’t stick anymore. So, I had to use a velcro closure instead. So, lesson learned. I imagine if I just used paint it wouldn’t have added the bulk that kept the magnets from working. I just love the look of the paper tho – so glad I had the hook/loop stuff here that I could improvise with.

Here is a look at a bit of the inside. I put all of the photos I took on my Flickr stream if you want to see them all up close and personal.

I put some ribbon in the box to hold the book inside. Probably didn’t really need to, but I thought it looked nice.

Here’s a look at the mini-album. There’s room for a picture on one side and journaling next to that. Just couldn’t help scattering little “fussy cut” butterflies all throughout. It was hard to choose a favorite page, but I really liked the one I put a piece of lace on – and the one with the little girl picking flowers or catching a butterfly. I added a couple more butterflies for a little dimension.

Love this paper line. Love. It.

Even was able to use some of it on the gift wrapping in lieu of ribbon. (I found the gift wrap in one of my storage boxes – it’s vintage looking too – so I was quite please with how this gift came together.) Fun to make, fun to wrap – I hope the recipient enjoys it too.