Penny Black Saturday Challenge 44 - 3x3 Notecard Box

The Penny Black Saturday Challenge this week is to create a gift - a box, bag, tin, candle, etc. I had pretty much decided not to do the challenge this week because I'm totally stuck when it comes to ideas for these things - and I didn't really have anyone in mind to make a gift for. But I was perusing the tutorials on Splitcoaststampers earlier today and came across one for a cute little box to hold 3x3 notecards. It looked easy enough so I decided to give it a shot. I think I will make some cards for a variety of occasions and give it to my mom for Mother's Day. She can use them to put in gifts that she gives or just to give someone for a pick-me-up.

The first photo shows the box with the lid slightly ajar - so you can see it really is a box. :) This box was really very easy to make. The tutorial I used can be found here. It's made from just a few pieces of cardstock and designer paper, then embellished. If you try the tutorial, pay close attention to the pictures because there were a couple of places in the text directions that didn't really make sense. If you go by the pictures though, you'll be fine.

The photo below is another view of the top of the box. I chose to use the Country Lady Hedgehog image to decorate the box. I thought she was appropriate since she has the little letter in her hand (paw?).

The final photo shows the side of the box so you can see how I trimmed it. I didn't like the DP by itself. It just didn't look finished. I added the daisy trim around it which helped finish it off a little better. I have had that trim for just about ever. It's one of those things I keep pulling out, then decide it doesn't look right so I put it back. Finally it looked right. :) My mom will love this too because she loves daisies. The tutorial instructs you to use a corner rounder punch to create the scallped border on the bottom of the box. I think surely this tutorial was written before all the great border punches came out. I can't imagine trying to create a scalloped edge with a corner rounder. I used by scalloped border punch and it was super easy.

I'm not sure I'm totally thrilled with how my little box turned out, but it's the first time I have made one. I always find one or two things the first time I try something that I will do different next time. It would be very easy to adjust the size of the box for different projects, and of course you don't have to use this one for the 3x3 cards. It can be used for candy or other gifts, as well. At least I did try something a little different and I'm happy I did.

Supplies

Stamp: Country Lady (Penny Black)

Paper: All cardstock and paper - Die Cuts with a View

Embellishments: Classic and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities; pink and white organza ribbon; daisy trim (Making Memories); flower (Prima); scalloped border punch (Fiskars)

Technique: Prismacolor pencils blended with turpenoid