Rainbow Sponged gift boxes

[Marta]

I just had this idea last night that I really liked and I thought I'd share with you.

I was making gift cards for my 4 year old daughter's teachers. I scanned one of her paintings and used it as art. Than I needed gift boxes for them, and I thought I make some. First I thought I should stamp my boxes, but than it struck me - the rainbow sponged papers are perfect for this! I had some at hand and I was very pleased with my idea.

I used the Aleene's box maker to make the boxes right out of the sponged cardstock. You don't need the box maker but it makes it easier to make several boxes. Than I stuck the artwork I used for the cards on top. You could stick stamp art on it, too. I even made matching gift tags from the remainder of the sponged sheet.

I think I am going to sponge some more sheets and create more boxes for Christmas! No need to wrap them, although I always put a ribbon on all my packages.

I have uploaded a picture of the boxes into the gallery. I am so tired now because I stayed up very late last night making the cards and gifts. I would have finished them earlier but my printer was not cooperating... oh well.

Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!

Marta

[linda beyer]

that is a great idea. i have the box maker and haven't used it yet. i am on my way to the gallery now.

[Marta]

Here are the boxes:

[mcmoore]

Marta,

These are great!

[linda beyer]

marta, as usual these turned out great. thanks for shareing.

[lovetostamp]

Marta, you have great ideas. Thanks for sharing this one with us. These are really nice! Great job with your sponging! :)

[Gmalew]

Marta, What a wonderful idea and so beautifully executed! Thank you for posting the photo. Happy Holidays!
Marlene

[shelby]

marta,

The boxes look great! Thanks for sharing the pics with us.


Patricia in FL

[kiddyrn]

What a great idea!

[Marta]

Thank you for your nice comments.

Happy Holidays to all!

Marta

[marcy eisenreich]

Where did you get your box maker? What size paper did you sponge on?

[Marta]

I got my boxmaker a few years ago at a local craft store. I did a search on Google for Aleene's boxmaker and it seems they don't make it any more; however I found some similar products. All it is is a scoring guide, so instead if having to measure, mark and score your boxes, you can directly score and use the score lines to fold your box.

The boxes can be made just as well by using a template or calculating it yourself. You can make any shape box you like. PM me if you'd like a link for a web site that has free downloadable templates.

I usually use a full 8.5x11" sheet of paper when I sponge, and I use several in one sponging session. The sponges hold so much ink that I can go on for quite a while, and if they start to run low on ink, just mist with water and than you get pastel colors - like the pastel color box in the picture was made this way. Than when I need a background, I just pull them out and see what fits, or maybe I start by pulling the backgrounds out and see what I can put on top. I have them in hanging file folders for easy access.

I hope this helps, Happy Holidays!

Marta

[Loutie]

Marta,

Finding boxes and wrapping is half of the battle. To make and decorate your own boxes in one swoop is too ingenious!! I love it! And the sponges and inkabilities makes it better and better! I can see why you are tierd, because that seems like a project with never-ending potential. It is practical and fun! I could see myself getting carried away and staying up late too- Great Job! Everytime I go through these boards, I find more ingenious sites. This is a definite winner!:)

[i.r.stamper]

Of ALL the times for my puter to die on me, it had to before you posted this Marta! Oh, these must have looked gorgeous under a tree!!!!! Ok, looks like I'd better start early for next year, cause I love this idea girlfriend!!! Ooo, and not only for boxes, it will also work great for handmade gift bags, too! Hmmm, bet it just might work on plain white wrapping paper as well. I just might never need to purchase gift wrapping supplies again! Thanks Marta for the great ideas!!!