Showcase photographs on a decoupaged box in memory of a loved one.

Skill:    2    Time:    2    Cost:    2

You will need:
•  3 1/2" x 9" x 12" hinged basswood box*
•  Wood pieces: six 2" ovals, 1 1/16" finial dowel cap, wood tag shape with hole
•  Patterned papers*: floral, red, brown striped
•  Four 16mm white pearl beads
•  1 1/2 yds. of 1/4" white pearl trim
•  18" of 1 1/2" brown wire-edged ribbon
•  Photographs of choice
•  Sympathy-themed rubber stamp
•  Black pigment ink
•  Acrylic paint*: Espresso, Alizarin Crimson, Antique White, Metallic Gold
•  Acrylic sealer*
•  Foam brushes
•  Paintbrushes
•  Sanding block
•  Tack cloth
•  Hammer
•  Drill & drill bit
•  Paper trimmer
•  Photo-safe glue*
•  Tacky glue*
•  Decoupage medium*
Small sharp scissors, tape measure, tiny nails

*The following products were used for this project: 7 gypsies brown striped paper • Aleene's Memory Glue, Original Tacky Glue • Basic Grey patterned papers (French Hens, Ambrosia) • DecoArt Americana acrylic paints, multi-purpose sealer • Plaid Mod Podge • Walnut Hollow basswood cornice box.

Note: For product information, see end of article.

•  Allow glue to dry between steps.
•  See photo for details and placement.

STEP 1: Paint box. Use foam brush to coat box inside and out with sealer. Sand lightly. Wipe with tack cloth. Apply two to three coats of Espresso to box. Paint ovals and tag Antique White. Paint knob Alizarin Crimson.  

STEP 2: Cover with paper. Measure length and width of top of box. Use paper trimmer to measure and cut a piece of brown striped paper same size as top of box. Cut pieces from a variety of patterned papers for sides and front of box in same way. Use foam brush and decoupage medium to apply cut pieces to box, smoothing out air bubbles with fingers as needed. 

STEP 3: Add photo ovals. Glue wood ovals to wrong sides of photos with memory glue, carefully centering photos. Note: Hold photo and oval up to a well-lit window to align placement. When glue has set, use small sharp scissors to trim photo around oval. Sand edges even with sanding block. Use tacky glue to attach ovals to sides and front of box. Make small line of tacky glue around each oval on box. Press pearl trim onto glue, having ends meet at bottom of ovals.

STEP 4: Add feet and knob. For pearl feet, drill and bit  to drill four holes at bottom corners of box. Insert small nail into hole of each pearl. Apply tacky glue on end of nail. Use hammer to carefully tap nail into hole. Dry-brush crimson metallic paint on knob. Glue knob to top center of box.

STEP 5: Make tag. Use pigment ink and stamp sentiment on tag. Cut a 10" length of pearl trim. Insert one end of pearl trim in hole on tag and wrap and glue trim around knob. Cut 12" length of ribbon. Tie in a bow around knob. Cut ribbon ends at a slant.

STEP 6: Finish. Fill box with memorabilia, photographs, as you like. 

   
Source:

7gypsies
(877) 7GYPSY7
www.sevengypsies.com

Aleene's (Duncan Enterprises)
(800) 438-6226
www.ilovetocreate.com

Basic Grey
(801) 544-1116
www.basicgrey.com

DecoArt
(800) 367-3047
www.decoart.com

Plaid Enterprises
(800) 842-4197
www.plaidonline.com

Walnut Hollow
(800) 950-5101
www.walnuthollow.com