Upcycled Box and Mini Book using Architextures Collection

Sometimes the best things that come in the mail aren’t what’s inside the packaging but the packaging itself!  Recently, I ordered some spices and they came in this nifty box that really caught my eye.  Of course, the one drawback was that the box was bright, and I mean bright, shiny yellow.  I’d recently discovered the joys of playing with Tattered Angels High Impact Paint and even though I’d used it on metal, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to give my box a try.  Tattered Angels High Impact Paint is a multi-purpose paint that dries permanent. And the best part yet?  I had an Aqua one in my stash, come on, how could it not look great transformed from shiny yellow to lucious aqua.

So here’s a snippet of the finished box and here’s how it looked being transformed — With 24 colors available I’m sure you’ll find the perfect Tattered Angels High Impact paint to alter your project as well.

So my sage words of advice to you: when you get some neat packaging in the mail, look at it with crafty eyes and see if it could be transformed as my little box was.
I didn’t use any primer on my box, just the Tattered Angels High Impact Paint.  I did go over some areas a couple of times for better coverage.  Once all my edges were covered in Aqua, I cut mats from the Architextues 8″x8″ paper pad to cover inside and out, but to give it some pop, I backed each mat with solid black cardstock before gluing to the box.  After the box was finished, I measured the inside to determine the size of my mini book. I could handle a 4″x6″ mini easily.
I took 12″x4″ black cardstock and cut six sheets, scoring each in the middle at 6″.  I punched holes in the middle along each scoreline for my stitching.  Now mind you, I just did my own thing with the stitching until I achieved the look I liked but there is a multitude of YouTube videos available for all kinds of stitched signatures for books, just do a search if you’re unsure or wanting something specific.

Once my book was stitched together, the fun part began by covering the pages.  Here you can just let your imagination run free with the collection you’ve chosen and the stash you’ve hoarded.  I have created three videos for you today and bundled them all into a playlist – Upcycled Box & Mini  on my YouTube channel.  So if you’re wanting to see how I did the box, cut, stitched and assembled the mini album or just a walk through of the finished project they are in one neat and tidy spot for you.

This is how the mini looks all neatly tucked away inside the altered box, pretty nifty huh?
So remember – the sky’s the limit as to what size and shape you could alter.
Anything is fair game, you just need to tailor the mini to fit the box.

I did want to point out a few things I did that I think really add to the texture of the mini album.
I re-cut the hinge on the back cover from a second sheet of paper and applied several coats (on both sides) of Aleene’s Collage Podge and inked the edges heavily with black. You could use any similar Mod Podge type product.  I wanted something that would be matte and just give some extra tactile feel to the hinge.  Once dry, I glued the second one atop the first and it’s a great addition to the outside of the mini.

Another great way to add a touchable aspect to your mini is to incorporate clear embossing powder. On  the window panes above, I used a Versamark pen and went over each window pane, I then sprinkled a liberal amount of clear embossing powder over the top.  Once dry, you get a nice sheen to the windows which make them really come alive on the page.  It’s a sure way to have fingers reach out to touch the window panes.  You’ll see on the video when I point them out that I’ve used this technique in several areas of the book.

Of course, the most fantastic way to add some real visiable wow to your book is to incorporate one of the many Architextures Treasures.  They come in a vast array of designs, are sticky on the back, can be altered to fit your need or desire and give a real punch factor to wherever you place them.
The clock face I used is very dimensional and I’m positive that everyone that picks up your mini will have to touch and look at it up close and personal!

There are just so many fun aspects to this project that I can’t wait to share with you.
Pop on over to the video and join me as I walk through the whole book.
Perhaps it will give you lots of food for thought when you decide to upcycle the next box that hits your mailbox.

Supplies, Tools and Stuff from my Stash

7 Gypsies Architextures 8×8″ Paper Pad, Architextures 12×12″ Market Signs Paper,  Architextures Treasures – Alarm Clock, Architextures Stash Paque – Create, Architextures Junque Pack – Porch, Gypsy Moments Tags – To & From Asst

Canvas Home Basics  Sisal Rope, Canvas Sheet – natural,  Mini Clothespins – Black

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist – Graphite, Silver Sugar, Vanilla Breeze, Valentine Pink, Patina; High Impact Paint -Aqua

From my Stash – Artisan Cardstock – Black; Black cording/twine; Versamark Ink; Clear embossing powder; Art Glitter Glue; Kraft Tex – Black; Glossy Accents; Wink of Stella; Metal Rose embellishment; Aleene’s Collage Podge

Tools I used – Fiskars Cutter; Martha Stewart Scor Board; Bone Folder; WRMK pokey tool; Large Eyed long needle

CANVAS CORP BRANDS

Follow Canvas Corp Brands Store, Blog and Facebook Collective Group (this is a group you must request to join, but boy is it worth it!!!)

Canvas Home Basics at Facebook and Instagram.  7gypsies at Facebook and Instagram.  Tattered Angels on Facebook and Instagram.

Visit me at A Soul’s Heartbeat on Blogger, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.

Patti Senter

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