Valentine Box

I think the hardest part of blogging is coming up with catchy blog titles.  "Valentine Box" just reels you right in, doesn't it?  (insert rolly eye icon….)

A couple of weeks ago I went to Michael's and just started loading stuff up in my basket.  I bought a couple of different sized heart-shaped cardboard boxes and assorted ribbons and trims. 

The boxes just sat on my dining room table, patiently waiting for inspiration to strike.  Yesterday I decided to decoupage them.  As is wont to happen around here - I slap on a layer.  Think on it a bit.  Slap on another layer and repeat until I feel the object is done.  I rarely have a plan when I get started.

I took an old French ledger sheet and scanned it, then printed it.  Did the same with a couple of French postcards (just the backsides).  I decoupaged the sides of the box with the ledger and the top of the box with the postcards. 

Let it stew for a bit.  Then glued on some ribbon.  Rummaged through my trims and found a vintage gold rickrack and glued that on. 

I had a circle of tulle that I gathered and glued on the lid of the box, then I topped it with some crepe paper that I pleated.  I let it sit over night and this morning decided the finishing touch would be a pressed brass heart and some more pleated crepe paper.

Decoupaging is a funny thing.  First of all I don't think Mod Podge has changed their packaging since the 70's.  Second, there is always that moment when you start glueing on pieces of paper and it all starts to wrinkle and buckle and you are sure you have ruined things.  But when it dries it all looks fine.