Heartfelt Nostalgia Box

By Jill Meyer

Heartfelt-Nostalgia-Box

Materials

  • Krylon Gesso Spray - Gesso Spray (#7015)
  • Krylon Spray Adhesive - Spray Adhesive (#7010)
  • Krylon Premium Metallic - 18 KT. Gold Plate (#1000)
  • Krylon Leafing Pens - 18 KT. Gold (#9901)
  • Heart shape papier maché box with lid
  • White shelf paper
  • Plaid FolkArt® Acrylic Colors-Asphaltum
  • Plaid Glaze Vernis - Warm Taupe
  • Suede paper
  • Beaded Fringe
  • Pearl strings- 2.5 mm, 4 mm
  • Appliqué flowers
  • Postcards (reduced in size and color copied)
  • Photograph (reduced in size and color copied)
  • Photo corners
  • Open work crocheted lace heart
  • Dried flowers
  • Locket charm
  • Butterfly charms
  • Gold grosgrain ribbon
  • Tassel

General Supplies

  • Glue
  • Sponge
  • Paper towel

Instructions

  1. Paint entire outside of box and lid with white Gesso.
  2. Cut suede paper to fit inside of box, and lid and cut piece of suede paper to fit the bottom outside of box as well.  Attach suede paper with Spray Adhesive.  Edge the box with the gold Leafing Pen.
  3. Spray shelf paper metallic gold.  Allow paint to dry.  Scrunch paper up into a small ball.  Open paper up, and scrunch into a ball once again.  Repeat this process several times until the paper has wrinkles and cracks all over its surface. Soak the paper in water until it relaxes and lays flat.  Allow the paper to dry flat.  Tear the paper into irregular pieces and glue the pieces onto the entire outside of the box and lid.  Let dry completely.
  4. Sponge on Asphaltum and Warm Taupe paints.  When the pigments have had an opportunity to soak into the cracks of the paper, gently remove excess color with a paper towel.  Lightly burnish the paper with the paper towel as well.
  5. Edge the bottom of the box by attaching two rows of pearl strings with glue. Edge the lid of the box with ribbon beaded fringe. Attach the lace heart to the top of the box lid.
  6. Cut out postcards and photographs, which have been reduced and color copied.  Edge photos and photo corners with the Gold Leafing Pen. Arrange on the box lid and use photo corners with photograph.
  7. Tie grosgrain ribbon to heart locket.  Attach the locket at the center top of the lid.  Attach the tassel by hiding the string underneath the gold ribbon.  This will allow the tassel to dangle at the center back of the box.
  8. Arrange flower appliqués, and dried flowers on the box lid as well.  Accent the appliquéd flowers with some tiny pearls.  Apply butterfly charms on ribbon fringe, embellish with tiny pearls as well.

Ideas to Inspire

Customize the memorabilia on the box to match the person you are making the box for.  Use wedding invitations, honeymoon postcards, wedding photos and other items to make the gift more special.