Welcome to my ABC Holiday Series! I LOVE to decorate for the holidays! I will admit I do go a bit overboard (decorating 5 – 7 trees)! Our home becomes a forest… each tree is full of special memories! I think the “Deck the Halls” sentiment from the Carols of Christmas stamp set is the perfect box top for gifting a special ornament.
I made this box for my sister. She lives on the water and has a nautical Christmas tree. I found this beautiful ornament for her when I was at the beach. It is the perfect colors for her décor and has special meaning because I always serve crabs when she comes to visit. (Maryland has the best crabs!)
My box measures 3 x 3 x 2. I started with a 8 x 8 piece of Soft Sky Foil Frenzy Specialty Designer Series Paper. I used the Envelope Punch Board to make my box. I punched and scored at 2 1/2 and 5 3/8. Sam Donald (Pootles.com) shared a nifty trick for when your paper is larger than your punch board. The first punch and score is no problem at 2 1/2 however, the punch board only measures to 5″. To measure past the length of the punch board, simply line your punch board up on the grid paper at the 5 inch mark and move your paper over 3/8″ and punch and score. I have some photos to show you how I did it. (I took the photos after I already scored it all but you can see how I lined it up using the grid paper.)
Next, round all the corners using the corner rounder on the punch board, fold along the score lines, and cut 2 sides (opposite each other) up to the first score line. Apply adhesive on the flaps as shown. I used Tear & Tape so you could see it in the photo but Fast Fuse works great for this and right now there is a special if you purchase Fast Fuse, you get 2 refills FREE! It’s my adhesive of choice for most projects.
I made a belly band to keep the box closed. I cut a 3/4 x 11 strip of Soft Sky and wrapped it around the box (creasing it as I went) and secured it with Fast Fuse on the top. I adhered a strip of 3/8″ Soft Sky Classic Weave Ribbon on top with Tear & Tape. I added another strip of Tear & Tape on top of the ribbon and adhered a 2 7/8 square of Soft Sky Cardstock to the belly band. Next I stamped the sentiment in VersaMark then Soft Sky ink and heat embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder for a tone on tone look. I adhered the stamped 2 3/4 square on top with Stampin’ Dimensionals and added a matching ribbon bow. The belly band slides off to open the gift.
I like to give ornaments as gifts. I give my children an ornament every year. I wrap the ornament and that is the first gift they get to open each year when we decorate the tree. I always try to find one that has some meaning to go with their interests at the time or places we traveled together. When my son moved out I gave him a box with all his ornaments from over the years… trains, dinosaurs, sharks, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and all kinds of sports ornaments…so him! He can decorate his Christmas tree and be reminded of his childhood.
Here’s a couple of photos of my daughter decorating the tree for the first time. She had just turned 2 and it was so funny how she put all the ornaments on the same branch.
I hope you are enjoying this Holiday alphabet series as much as I am! I love getting a head start on cards, gifts, favors, packaging and more!
You can purchase any of the Stampin’ Up! products used to make today’s project from my online store. Click HERE to shop or click on the images below to order. *The Carols of Christmas Stamp Set is offered as a bundle and I recommend purchasing it as a bundle to save 10%! I didn’t use the dies today (they are awesome by the way) but I will be sharing ideas using them later! Check out this video to see how cool and versatile this set can be!
Have a wonderful day!
Just Stampin’
Jeanie
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Jeanne, I love the crab ornament. I also have a nautical theme tree – it is actually a artificial pre-lit palm tree, so if I had seen that ornament it would have come home with me! Where are you in Maryland – I’m on the water in Anne Arundel County. Maybe we are neighbors!
Hi Nancy! I am in Washington County…in Hagerstown. I wish I lived closer to the water!! I grew up on Cape Cod and miss the beach!!
I love that crab ornament! Your sister will be thrilled! You make the cutest projects!!! I love the holidays!!!!
Love the crab ornament and how you’ve boxed it in the foil paper with a belly band. Just beautiful and I know your sister will love it. Christmas is my favorite holiday.
I LOVE ornament! It is absolutely beautiful. Your sister will be over the moon with it. I have two ornaments made from actual blue crab crab shells; one has the MD flag painted on it and the other is painted to look like a Santa face. They are two of my favorite ornaments.
What a great post… Again! You are so clever with your ABC post. Your sister is going to love this box that you created and she’s going to adore that ornament!
What a thoughtful gift and special ornament and packaging! (I take it your sis doesn’t read your blog! Her loss!). Thanks for the hints on making the box and using the grid paper.
Thanks Susan! Two of my sisters read my blog (the other two are not crafters and I don’t think they read it). I told my sister that she could not peek at today’s post…she actually gets my emails so I told her to delete it immediately! I will probably give this to her early anyway so she can enjoy it on her tree.
I love the grid paper and use it all the time to measure and line things up!!
Love the use of that DSP! And the ornament is awesome! Thanks for the directions on how to make the box. Can’t wait to try it!
What a great tradition! My girls each have a Tupperware container of ornaments too!
The glass crab and box are the best!
🙂🦀