How would you decorate this box?

Wow what a busy week full of mixed events, but have enjoyed making this gift box for our monthly Stampin' Up! International demonstrator Totally Techniques blog hop.  Our theme today was chosen by Artisan Designer Marine from France who simply challenged us to share 3D boxes, but we are all sharing a tip or two on how to decorate them also. 

I've used Prized Peony stamp set from the Stampin' Up! annual catalogue (AC) and the Peony dies that coordinate and the absolutely gorgeous designer series paper Peony Garden.  If you like girly subtle papers and colours these are all just perfect for you.  They are also good for wedding stationery and gift packaging like this. 

I created the box base in white card and then used one of the Peony stamps to heat emboss a clear image onto each side of the box before adhering the box together.  I then used sponges to add Petal Pink and So Saffron ink to colour the flowers and make them appear from their quiet slumber on the white card.  You can colour images gently using sponges, daubers or contour brushes.  Add ink to a silicon mat or even a plastic bag working it into your chosen tool.  Then gently take off a little ink on scratch paper before gently circular movements to add ink to your image.  It's a really pretty way to create soft and dreamy coloured images.  

I also added some marker splatters, by putting the nib of a Gray Granite marker into it's lid and then flicking it out of the lid to create soft splatter patterns.  

I've made a box lid using a white card onto which I stuck some of the Peony Garden paper and then cut a border to the box lid edges using my Stampin' trimmer.  It just adds a little detail.   

To finish the project I've added Petal Pink organdie striped ribbon and added a Peony made with the dies.  Each part of the flower is a different die and they all slot into each other to create a stunning flower head. You can cut them in coloured card or here I used white and again sponged colour onto the pieces.  

There are several leaf dies also with funny twiddly bits that you can add onto each leaf to give more detail. I've also sponged the add on pieces with tone on tone Soft Sea Foam ink for definition.  I used a bone folder to curl the flower and leaves for a more 3D effect. 

It was a fun project and I'm planning to use the same box for some Christmas designs soon too! 

Thanks for popping by and let me know in the comments your favourite ideas for gift box decoration.  

Keep safe and Keep Stamping!!

Hugs 

Zoe x

Prized Peony Bundle

Prized Peony Garden Suite

 

Peony Garden DSP

 

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