Welcome back, Roadies!
Ania here, hoping that you aren't tired of seeing all the the wonderful inspiration from this blog swap between Maya Road and Epiphany Crafts!
Now, I don't know how you do kids birthdays. That is, birthdays of the kids schoolmates and stuff? Around my part of Norway, the parents at the school/class normally try to agree upon a maximum amount when it comes to the value of the kids presents. And as long as the kids are young, they love presents that's stuff. You know, playthings and stuff. But then - to me it seems like the change comes when the kids are around nine-ten. The kids start give each other money instead, or gift cards (or well, their parents).
Although I personally think it's more fun to give toys or similar, I'll also admit that money or gift cards aren't that bad an idea. Especially when my own kids tend to fail to notify us parents in advance that they got a birthday invitation, and three out of four times, only notifies us the same day, giving us mayhaps one or two hours advance before the party starts. Kids!
Wow. That was a long winded explaination! Sorry! Let's move on to todays project!
It's a box (duh).
And inside: Room for a short note (my kids usually don't write much - so the kraft journaling tags from Maya Road are the perfect little size for them :p) and room for money.
The box is an old card game box, one that's old and not used any more. But instead of throwing the box away when the game could not be used any more, I figured I'd alter it so it could become a stashed away birthday gift for the occasions of "uhm-say-you-have-had-the-invitation-in-your-bag-all-week-but-decide-to-let-us-know-one-hour-before-the-party-starts" examples :p It's much more fun to arrive with money inside a fun, decorated box instead of money in a plain evnelope, imho (although that has happened too :p). Nevertheless, I covered it w/gesso then wiped around the edges with smoke grey chalk ink.
The tag/moneyholder is quite easy to create - just cut a strip that's as wide as the box, but longer - then make folds&creases so it'll fit. I've used a circle punch to punch the folds then slit more room for the journaling tag and the money with a craft knife.
Cover the box with paper, and decorate the lid. I find the scallop frames chipboard set perfect for this purpose - the shapes are fun and the size is perfect for numbers (I used jonathan mini chipboard numbers here). The fun thing with the Epiphany Crafts epoxy tools is that you can create your very own epoxy shapes, giving "old" paper new uses and looks. Love this star one!
Plus, the scraps are fun to use too - it acts just like a regular paper punch!
Hope you liked this project! An inexpensive way to make "boring" gifts more fun and seem more thoughtful too *smile*
Now, don't forget that you still have a chance to win our giveaway! Make sure to go read the details on his post.
Maya Road supplies:
Maya Mist - dark cornflower mist
Jonathan Mini Chipboard numbers
Twine cording - clementine orange
Scallop frames chipboard set
Kraft journaling tags
enjoy!
such a cute gift box!! love how you embellished the box with epoxy star and the scallop frames chipboard set!
Posted by: Angel | August 30, 2012 at 11:33 AM
This box is adorable! love how you created the little compartments inside.
Posted by: Miriam Prantner | August 30, 2012 at 01:03 PM
Great way to decorate a box to present a gift of money!
Posted by: Sue D | August 30, 2012 at 04:45 PM
The box looks wonderful! Oh, how I DO know about those last-minute invitations that my kids forget to tell us about. This box would really pretty up a birthday gift - TFS!
Posted by: Cynthia B. | August 30, 2012 at 07:10 PM
What a cute little box and like you said a great way to make a cash type gift more fun.
Posted by: Karen L K | August 30, 2012 at 09:39 PM
We do gift cards for older kids in Canada as well... They have so much stuff already that finding a present they like and not have is impossible! Really liked your box and the oval tag to place the number!
Posted by: Beatrice Lawson | August 31, 2012 at 12:05 AM
Great box! And a great way to recycle an old box!
Posted by: Linda R. | August 31, 2012 at 08:13 PM
wowwwww I love it! and yes these kids love to wait til the last minute for those announcements! Super duper cute!
Posted by: Monica Lowrance | September 01, 2012 at 07:30 PM