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Monday, March 8, 2010

Make a Family Face Button Box

Here's a fun project that we liked to call our Button Box. We use it for all of our extra face buttons for the Family Tree and Memory Calendar. You can use it as a catchall for any number of small items. It would also make a fabulous recipe box for all of your favorite family recipes. Mother's Day isn't that far off. If you get crackin now, you could get this done and make it a Mother's Day to remember!


Step 1: Gather Materials
you will need:
a wooden box,
Mod Podge glue,
foam brush,
damp cloth,
dry cloth,
variety of family pictures printed on a laser printer,
razor blade or exacto knife,
sandpaper,
Krylon Acrylic Matte Finish spray and distressing supplies, if desired.

Step 2:
Layout and Attach Pictures
Before you start gluing, it's a good idea to have all of your pictures trimmed. Get an idea of where to place each picture by laying them in position on the box. Once you have a plan, use the foam brush and apply a thin layer of glue on the wood box. Apply just enough glue to cover the space where the first picture will go. Use the dry cloth to rub the picture flat, making sure there aren't any air bubbles. For the next picture, again apply a thin layer of glue where that picture will be placed. Be sure to place glue over the first picture where the second one overlaps. Place the second picture and LIGHTLY wipe around it using your damp cloth to remove any excess glue. Then use the dry cloth to smooth the picture and remove any air bubbles. Rub gently. If you rub too hard you will rub the ink off the picture. Continue for all sides of the box until the box is covered with your pictures. It's a good idea to have a variety of picture sizes available to fill in spaces as you work through the project. We also like to print our pictures in a combination of black/white (gray scale) and sepia for visual interest.

Step 3: Trim Edges
Trim any overhanging paper edges using your razor blade or exacto knife. (Make sure that the glue has dried before you trim! Otherwise you will just tear the pictures.) If you have glued a picture that covers both the lid and the box, take your razor blade and cut along the seam to separate the picture.


Step 4: Sand and Distress
After all of your pictures are glued, trimmed and dry, sand the edges of your box using the piece of sandpaper. We like to soften the corners to help 'age' the box. Rubbing distress ink or chalk on the edges will also give the project an authentic 'old' look. Let the ink dry before giving it 2 or 3 coats of the Matte Finish Spray. This seals your project and protects the pictures.

15 comments:

Sue McPeak said...

This is a wonderful treasure box idea for family momentos. I have made them for my Grands and put special things that belonged to their when he was a child. Each year I add to the boxes. Love the idea of using family photos...I feel another box coming on. Nice tutorial.

Kaysi said...

That is so fun! What a great idea!

Angie Holden said...

Gorgeous box!

Amanda at 32˙North said...

What a wonderful way to enjoy treasured photos every day - thanks for sharing such a great idea! I stopped by your Etsy shop - the photo blocks are so cute! I have an Etsy shop, too and really enjoy selling there.

Unknown said...

I love this idea. The box is beautiful.

Helena said...

What a beautiful idea.

Thank you for linking up to A Little Craft Therapy with Life in the Pitts.

concretenprimroses said...

I love your heritage crafts!
I have ended up with the bulk of photos etc for both my family and my husbands, pretty ironic considering we don't have any biological children.
I am making heritage crafts also and tryng to come up with gifts to relatives using copies on some of these photos.
Your blog is an inspiration. I'm very pleased to have come accross it.
Kathy
Kathy

Stories by Me! said...

Kevin's {childless} uncle became the photo keeper for many of the family's pictures. We are grateful that he took such excellent care of all the memories and now shares copies with anyone who wants them!

Lori said...

Wonderful!!! What way to have photos out of a photo book. I love it.

Thanks for joining Get Your Craft on Thurs. Please join me next week for another great party.

Lori

mommy2luke2008 said...

This is beautiful!! I love anything to do with photo's so I really love your blog!!! You make such beautiful stuff. Very creative!!
http://lilbitofus.blogspot.com/2010/03/friday-favorites.html

Katie said...

What a great one of a kind special keepsake.

creativejewishmom.com said...

Thanks so much for linking up at craft schooling Sunday last week, such an inspiring project! Hope to see you again this week, I'll be featuring your project! all the best, Sara

Its So Very Cheri said...

What a great idea.
Thanks for posting to the party.
My favs will be up this evening.
Cheri www.itssoverycheri.com
Have you Re-signed up to follow me again, here at my NEW blog? If not you will not get updates--blame Google not me. I don't know what they think they are going to do with my followers-they don't need them.

Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden said...

What a beautiful place for family photos! Great work!

Thanks for linking up to Make it Yours Day at My Backyard Eden!

Anonymous said...

I just did a box for my 18 yr. old granddaughter with photos of her from baby to high school graduation. I used a wooden box I had in my craft closet for years. So proud of my finished product. Thanks for the good idea.