A few months ago I was contacted by the company Parcel Hero (a shipping company in the UK) and asked if I’d like to participate in their “Advent Calendar” program. They reached out to crafters to alter a small wooden box, which would then be auctioned off to benefit OxFam. Crafting for charity? I’m in.

My mission: to alter/decorate a plain wooden box and include a small handmade gift. MISSION ACCEPTED.

Here’s how they describe it on the Parcel Hero blog: 

Countdown to Christmas in style this year with a totally unique advent calendar, created by some of the most imaginative craft bloggers from around the world. Forget flimsy paper doors – this calendar comes in individual hand-decorated boxes, each with a secret trinket concealed inside. And the best part is that one generous reader of this ParcelHero® blog will have the completed calendar delivered to their door this November, all while raising money for Oxfam.

Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary

In October 24 plain wooden boxes arrived at ParcelHero® HQ and we set about shipping them to craft bloggers around the world, via our network of couriers, with one simple challenge – turn them into something spectacular.

The design brief was simple. The bloggers were given total creative freedom to decorate the boxes inside and outside. We just asked that they include a handcrafted gift inside.

Once all the boxes are complete we will collect them into a one-of-its-kind advent calendar, which you will have the chance to bid on via Oxfam’s eBay page from November 18.

So here’s what I did! (PS-links to reviews and affiliate websites below.) 

First, I started with this little framed art piece that I did about a few years ago as part of my Darcie Heater review. It fit right in the box & I thought it would give me some good inspiration for the box itself, as well as save me the step of having to create a gift from scratch. (By the way, I took the suggestion of my friends on Periscope. If you like to see reviews and crafts in progress, join me there: @CraftTestDummy.)

And because I’m a craft hoarder, I still had that paper AND the stamps I used to create it!

I covered the outside of the box with Linen Vintage Decor Paint from Martha Stewart Crafts. I coated the inside with Surf blue Martha Stewart Craft Paint in Satin Finish.

Then I cut the Darcie Heater script paper into squares to fit inside the box, as well as a larger square for the top. I used Tim Holtz Distress inks in Shabby Shutters and Peacock to add the color using a distress tool. 

I also added some ribbon trims, and I decided to use my Xyron for the adhesive. I also ran my colored papers through and attached them. I chose the Xyron because I didn’t want the paper buckling at ALL.

Now for the fun part! I decided to use some Angelina Hot Fix Fibers and Film to stamp a crown and the word “Hope.” Make sure you read my post/watch my video on this- it’s SUPER fun! 

I used a Spellbinders die to cut it into a label shape. I attached that with Xyron as well. (I also had a scrap of lace sticker that was EXACTLY the right shape, so I added that too- serendipity!)

Now to round out the exterior, I used some Tim Holtz Ideology feet! I bought these on sale years ago and they’ve been sitting in a drawer, just waiting for the right project. And the crystal knob for the top also is Ideology. I used Aleene’s Jewelry glue to attach all the hardware- it didn’t want it popping off in the mail. And that stuff is STRONG.

Now for finishing touches: I added glass corners from the old Architexture line; I went over the tops of those and lined the inside edge with Silver Krylon Leafing pen. ( I LOVE that pen. Seriously.)

And because I’m a little crazy with finishing touches, I added some embellishment to the interior of the box lid…

and the underside. Because you should always sign your work AND make it pretty.

My finished altered box:

And if you’d like to BID on these pretties, click the link and you’ll see how to. There are also some other awesome bloggers that are participating, and you can see their work here:

·         http://www.inside-outandabout.com/2015/10/littleloves-catching-up-suffragette-and-trainers/

·         http://www.wherewishescomefrom.com/2015/11/small-box-dollhouse-parcelhero-oxfam.html

·         http://fairytaleprettypicture.co.uk/parcelhero-advent-calendar-box-gift-for-charity/

·         http://www.ukcraftblog.com/2015/11/pin-cushion-sewing-box-handmade-gift.html#.VkSgsbfhCUl

And if you’d like to see more, just watch this video.

Happy Merry, folks!

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About Jenny

Chief Craft Test Dummy, Craft Evangelist, Founder, Editor, bottle-washer, trouble-maker, and creative whirlwind.

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