Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Baby's First Year Mini Book and Keepsake Box

Today for Papercrafting Wednesday and in honor of Mother's Day I wanted to share a baby gift I made a few years ago for my mom to give her friend's expectant daughter as part of a shower gift. It was the first time I started working with unfinished boxes and really fun to make.

You start with an unfinished wooden box, this kind has an indentation on the lid that I've seen some people fill with tiles. I have never worked with tiles, so I just put a large daisy in mine and some plastic letters I found at Big Lots once on huge clearance, I think I bought six sets they were so cheap. I still have some.

To make the box, all I did was disassemble and paint pink. Then I decoupaged some cute girly paper on the lid. I used a border sticker around the edge of the lid, and then added a layer of Mod Podge over everything. I removed the plastic center of the flower and added some stitches to it to hold it together. A button was added for the center and then it was attached with hot glue. The letters are self adhesive but I added some glue dots to help make sure they wouldn't fall off.
The mini book is 4x6 and is accordian style. I made the front and back cover by covering chipboard and then attaching to the first and last page of the book. There is a page for each month. I thought a 4x6 picture cropped down to 3.5x5 or so would fit in nicely; then the number month sticker wouldn't be covered up and some of the pretty patterned paper would still show up. The strip of paper held down by brads is not glued on so that the picture can be slipped underneath it, if that's what the new Mommy wanted to do.Updated 3/1/11, Also added to Maryanne's & Christine's Baby Themed Events:
Memories by Christine scrapbookingCrafty Mommy Diva

19 Friends Said:

Mama King said...

Beautiful! I've never tried one of those unfinished boxes. I may since Lu is into squirreling away her treasures.

Cheryl said...

Very cute!

Martha said...

Hi Katie!

Very cute project!

Vickie said...

That box is darling, Katie! As I always say, you are so creative!

What you said about me and the doctors: So true! I think just about every week since March I have been taking the kids for some sort of medical thing. Monday, yesterday and today, I had to take Adela to the doctor for antibiotic shots for an ear infection because she is spitting out her medicine!

MAN!!

Crystal said...

Very cute box and album. It turned out great.

Clare said...

Just lovely , what wonderful memories that these will keep.

Barbara H. said...

That is really cute. What a sweet idea!

The Old Parsonage said...

Ahhh, I love it. I'm going to a baby shower next month and just have to make this!!

So sweet, thanks for sharing!!!

Do drop by my blog sometime soon.

Enjoy your evening!
Leann

Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog said...

What a fabulous craft and keepsake! You have inspired me!

Kim @ Life of a Modern Mom said...

These are SO cute! I really need to learn to use Mod Podge!

A Tiger's game would be so fun, I am very jealous you are closer!Molly does really good at the baseball games, I usually have a bag of tricks to make sure if she gets antsy that I can distract her, and I did find the closer we sit the better because the actual ball and players hold her attention. I hope you make it to a game, have fun!

Mindy said...

That is very cute and what a great gift idea! Adding it to my list of things to try!

The Old Parsonage said...

Hi Katie

Me again. You asked about the square heart card and how I did the die cut. We took a 3" x 3" square and used a scalloped punch and just centered it on the card;not cutting to the ends, then turned the card and repeated the punch.

Thanks for stopping by, come back again!

Leann

Ashlee said...

Precious. What a cute idea! I've been covering boxes lately too; it's sort of addictive.

Heidi Boos said...

Beautiful, Katie! Handmade gifts are always the best kind (in my opinion).

Tina said...

hi katie girl,

this is a super cute box and album - I love making these mini albums and I know people love getting them...keep up the fun samples - love to see your craftiness.

hugs

Kelli said...

What a beautiful and special gift for your mom!
~Kelli

Helen Pigott said...

What a beautiful box, I am sure it will be well received.
Helen x

Crafty Mommy Diva said...

Adorable box - love the flower. What a great size for a mini book too. Thanks for linking this up to my Crafty Mommy Diva Baby Shower Event!

MBC Scrapbooking said...

This flowered box is so sweet! Thank you for linking up all of these baby projects for my scrap party- they are being featured tonight at MBC:)

Hope you are feeling well with baby #2!
C:)

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