Giant Acorn...

or cute little box?

The other day I just wanted to make something for the fun of it...now I have a tiny little gift box as a result! We had a dry sunny day, sadly so far a bit rare this spring, so I headed outside for a few bright pictures.
The papers are from a Christmas themed paper pack I picked up a few years ago from Michaels. The cardstock is from a Recollections multi-pack

The box is straight forward and easy to put together. Using patterned paper is optional, but I think lining the rounded shape with paper, even be it plain card stock, is a good idea to mimic the smoothness of the nut.

The finished size of my box is 3.5" (9cm) excluding the stem. The total length is 5" (almost 13cm)  At this size I used letter size card stock, but of course one could easily scale it up or down.

The box measures about 2.75"(7cm) in diameter across the opening

It is the perfect size for a small gift of jewelry or even just a little snack. A collection of acorns each containing a different coffee or chocolate, all piled into a bowl would make a great gift. It would also be a practical container for a hostess gift.

I used the Acorn & Pinecone box cut file from My Scrap Chick

 I will definitely have to give that pinecone a try...

Cross Gift Box

I made this quick and easy gift box for a friend recently.

It is definitely suitable for Easter, especially with the lily added as in the example from the store.

My Scrap Chick's Cross Gift Box

I wanted a add a note inside, so I lined my box with a decorative paper

And added the note, like a scroll, inside.

The result was just what I was hoping for.

I decorated the box with a collection of Petaloo flowers. The lace strip was made with caulking and a mold.

I will need to use that lily sometime too, it makes a beautiful flower!

It's a Pencil, It's a Box...It is FUN!

OK I must have been somewhere under a rock, as I was unaware of the existence of My Scrap Chick. What a fun store, full of fun designs!

But when I saw this project - I fell in love. Just like that. Pencil Box 3D

Well now really...who would not like such a fun box or decor item? I know I do. Yes please, just give me a shelf full!

Seriously.

Now as an artist and one who works mostly in coloured pencil, well the graphite pencil is really nice, but I decided to turn it into a coloured pencil. The original pattern makes a finished pencil of 12.25" tall

Actually...a few coloured pencils... ps all the pieces in the back are done with coloured pencils. The florals not by me, but all the rest of them are prints of my work. The originals having been sold, I'm 'reduced' to having prints of them on my walls. Ha! If you'd like to see more take a look at my art blog here : Reflections Fine Art Studio. (I working on a website)

A few process pictures for you :

The body of the pencil, scored on a score board, rather than with the Cameo.

The pencil 'lead' ready for a quick bit of inking before attaching it to the 'wood' cone

 The 'wood' cone with the 'sharpener' details attached

And the detail pieces glued onto the surface of the cone - now I can add the coloured nib.

Instead of adding the pink eraser and metal strip details that the original pattern has, I added this wooden base with the coloured core so it will look like a coloured pencil.

Now I am ready to draw...or maybe not, the colour doesn't work with this piece I'm currently working on...

But they might have worked with this colouring book page. Ha!

The page is from the 'Medieval Tapestries' colouring book published by Dover. I copied and enlarged it to make a decor item for my craft area. Maybe I should arrange the pencils around it on the wall...oh the possibilities with these fun pencils are ENDLESS!

I made these all as boxes so they may be used for decor, or they may become containers. They would make the BEST gift boxes. Imagine : a colouring book and a pencil box full of pencils! Great gift, don't you think?