19 June 2019

Japanese boxes and the story!

Hi Everyone, I have something I haven't done for a couple of years today, I hope you like them. It's a long post with a few piccies.

Visiting my youngest brother and SiL a couple of weeks ago, she asked, as they have been adding an extension and decorating a new bedroom suite, that I make her a copy of boxes I did for her a few years ago, but in a Japanese theme. I was thrilled she had asked.

This is the story - so off I go to get supplies, but I searched and searched for the 4 x 4 boxes in a tray for days, nothing in crafty shops  and nothing on line either, seems the previous supplier had closed down.

Then a follower email arrived including what I thought I wanted. I rang the local shop, nope, they don't have them, I knew I hadn't seen them LOL. He said that a shop further away had them, so off we go for a car ride and there were similar ones but no tray. I bought them anyway and have to say the lad assistant was so very helpful, even looking in the shop back store, searching for a tray which may fit the boxes.

Japanese paper wasn't available around here either! I had beautiful paper in my files, but didn't want to use it in case the inkjet ink ran when covered in the glue.  So a LONG online search found it, whew!
boxes - The Works
 Kaisercraft "Hanami Garden" paper pad - Ebay
let me know if you need the seller info
PVA glue, watered down

I forgot to take a piccie of the before, except of one box.
I painted the boxes with acrylic paint, then realised I didn't need too as I was papering all surfaces - duh!
 although I also painted the inside 

These are the boxes covered and inked on the edges. There were a few pages with gold embossing, so I decided to use them for the tops.

here they are with their tops attached and after being covered with the watered down glue which strengthens the paper, making it very hard wearing in use.

side views too



I still felt they needed a tray as the originals had, so into my Cameo and designed one that JUST fitted the 12 x 12 mat, to enable a one piece tray. I did strengthen it by adding another layer on the bottom and the sides before using PVA glue, watered down to add more strength, as I had done on the boxes.

I added a peel off, which added to the gold embossing I felt. This was also covered with the watered down glue.

Here they are complete.
 I glad to say she was over the moon with them.

16 comments:

Lynne said...

WOW! They really are beautiful and a lovely keepsake too.
Lynne x

Janis Lewis said...

These are beautiful! I love the tray they sit on. Very nicely done.

cuilliesocks said...

Absolutely stunning work Faith, the papers are gorgeous and so glad you managed to find them, and the tray is just perfect for them. I can see why your daughter was delighted with them, Kate x

Hetty said...

Thanks for sharing the story about the search for the boxes and the papers.
The result is stunning and I understand your SIL loves it.
All the effort was totally worth it.

Greta said...

Wow! Of course she was thrilled--amazingly gorgeous project worth all your efforts to get the supplies!

Shirley Young said...

They look amazing Faith and well worth all the effort xx

Carol L said...

These turned out to be so beautiful, and your SIL is very lucky to have had you making these for her! All the work going into creating them was so worth it for the end result! Beautiful boxes to treasure for years! Well done!

Shona Erlenborn said...

These are stunning Faith! Love the custom made tray too! No doubt your SIL was pleased with the result.

Mac Mable said...

Absolutely stunning Faith and no wonder she was over the moon with them. You put a lot of effort and work into the boxes and tray and it was so worth it. Clearly made with love too x.

crafty-stamper said...

WOW these are absolutely stunning -can always rely on the works!The papers are absolutely beautiful and the tray is just perfect -a brilliant transformation
Carol x

cotnob said...

Your boxes are beautiful Faith, well worth all of the hard work sourcing the materials.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Mia said...

LLLLLLLLLLLOVELY, LLLLLLLLOVELY, LLLLLLLLLLLLOVELY boxes, Faith!!!!!!!! Hugs, my dear friend.

Beebeebabs said...

Beautiful work as always thanks for sharing!!

Pat K said...

WOW!! (I've missed so many lovely makes) This is beyond fabulous. Love it too!

Nancy said...

Wow, Faith! Those are really beautiful boxes! I've covered the occasional box before. However, I've never done a set of three and placed them in a tray like that! It's a gorgeous presentation! :o)

Linby said...

Glad you got there in the end - it was worth it they are just beautiful.