Transformation!!!

This is what happens when you take a $1 chipwood box from Michael's and turn it into a fancy schmancy project! Not only the box but inside is a little book with tags and lots of room for pictures, journaling, and your own mementos. First off, let me say, I found this project on Butterfly Kisses channel on You Tube. I love Arlene's mini books and am a follower of her blog and when I saw this I knew I wanted to try it. The only problem was acquiring a few of the boxes. It seems everyone is "onto" this idea and is raiding the $1 bins at Mike's. I managed to snag 4 or 5 after canvassing 4 different Michael's. The box is about 3.5 x 3 x 2 and comes with the wood button knob and an elastic closure which you remove before decorating. I have one suggestion I learned while doing this. Try and match your paper (which only covers the lid and bottom) to your paint colors for the rest of the box rather closely. It doesn't look as good if there's a large contrast. Once you decorate the box with paint and paper and seal it, you can decorate to your heart's content. The little book is just 2.5" squares of chipboard covered with paper and I made pockets for little tags and pictures then bound it with the Bind It All which was very easy. It just fits inside. In fact I would make the next one slightly smaller as once I get it in, it takes some tugging to remove it! BTW, I used acrylic paints from the craft store and K & Co. Madeline paper and Graphic 45 Staples stickers for the tags inside. The top has a K & Co butterfly, Recollections flower and two mini roses made with the Sizzix 3D die plus a Tim Holtz metal tag. I can't wait to make another one! Enjoy!