It started out looking like this. Since there are so many photos, I'm not going to burden you with lots of details on how I made it. If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I will get back with an answer as soon as possible. I left the book free of dimensional embellishments for ease in shipping.
Some of you may remember my simple 'Greetings At Christmas' tag from last year. I decided to pattern my book after that tag, since I used one of my favorite techniques on it. I thought I might be able to sneak this by Anne, because I thought she may have missed this post last year. I chose one of my favorite Distress colors for the background--Evergreen Bough, and used Tim Holtz' Pine Branch Texture Fade to add texture.The trees fading into the background are stenciled with a stencil from Tim's Mini Stencil Set 21.
Of course, you'll recognize Tim's Woodlands tree die, another of my favorites. They are tipped with Liquid Pearls. I swiped on embossing ink at the corners and embossed them and the Flonz Craft greeting with gold powder.
The back was finished without raised texture, so the box can sit on a table. But I was able to get a little texture by using Tim's Christmas Mixed Media die in opposing corners. I can't remember how exactly I did it, but I colored backing paper with (I believe) Festive Berries and gesso, making sure some of the variegation showed through the openings. I saved the little holly leaves that fell out when I cut this. I colored them with Evergreen Bough Distress Marker and replaced them in the openings. As you can see, I am not the perfect crafter that my gift recipient is! Ha! Ha! I have to blame it on poor eyesight! It might be time for readers!
I painted my "book pages" with Sepia Color Bursts mixed with glaze. I kept the spine simple using Sticky Back Canvas colored with more of the Evergreen Bough Distress ink and a die cut (Top Dog Dies) embossed in gold.
Inside the front cover, another greeting, this time a Tim Holtz Texture Fade highlighted with metallic wax rub over a background shimmery with Perfect Pearls Heirloom Gold mist. The embossed poinsettias get their sparkle from Ranger embossing tinsel and a bit of platinum Stickles in the centers. I used Tim's Poinsettia Layering stencil and Ranger's Emboss It Dabber.
Here's the view when you open the box--plenty of room for those Christmas cards! I know Anne will get a ton of them! I brought out the Christmas Mixed Media die again and edged this panel in some festive ribbon. I've included my first 12 Tags of Christmas-Funkie Junkie Style with a handwritten message of holiday cheer on the back.
Here's another look of the front and back of the book box.
Christmas Greetings, Anne!
And now I'm so excited to give you a sneak peek of what my Secret Santa made for me.
Hop over to 'Sew Paper Paint' to see the details of this absolutely amazing richly colored and textured work of art that my incredibly creative and talented teamie and sweetest bloggie friend, Autumn, made especially for me! I'm still pinching myself! I sit and stare at it every day, and now I'm going to see how it all came together! Yippee! AND she shared one of her beautiful Christmas cards with me with the loveliest note inside! There's more! I will be opening gifts for 12 days starting Dec. 14th, as she sent me 12 MORE wrapped gifts to be opened on each of the 12 days leading up to the day Jesus was born. He IS THE reason for the season! I am so thrilled that you will get to see this gorgeous make Autumn blessed me with! Autumn, I cannot find words to express my gratitude to you for your lovely artwork and gift of friendship!
Ladies, this has been such a fun experience, and I'm so happy to be a part of this wonderful team! Anything But Cute will be taking a break in December, but we will be back on December 12 to announce the winner of our 'Rustic Glam' challenge, and starting a new challenge January 5th.
I'd like to humbly share my gift to Anne with the following challenges:
The Artistic Stamper December's Creative Challenge-Christmas I stamped and embossed my sentiment on the front cover.
Scrapy Land Challenge #55-Anything Goes (with a die that Scrapy Land sells) I used 2 Sizzix dies.
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #137-Christmas I used a stamp for my sentiment.
Thank you for your visit today, and for your awesome comments! I read and appreciate each and everyone of them.
Hugs and Blessings!
Sara Emily
Beautiful Sara Emily - I know Anne will love it, I would xxx
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! I love altering these books and your alterations are perfection. Anne is awesome and she is very lucky to get a SE original ;)
ReplyDeleteI am definitely not a perfect crafter Sara - lol, but your gift is just perfection to me! I have really enjoyed reading through how you put my amazing gift together, from the snowy trees, the delicious Evergreen Bough colour to the gorgeous poinsettia - I just love and adore every single little thing about it! It means more knowing that I can actually use it to store special cards in it and bring it out each year to proudly display on the coffee table. You really are a fabulous crafter and I am so thrilled to have one of your works of art for my very own, it will be truly cherished, just as I will our friendship! Big hugs, Anne xxxx
ReplyDeleteWhilst I am here, I would also like to thank you for joining in our Winter Magic challenge at a Vintage Journey too! xxx
ReplyDeleteLovely project, Sara, such beautiful, soft, mystical coloring! - and I can hardly wait to see what your secret santa gave you!
ReplyDeleteWow! It is such a magical book-box, Sarah! Delightful work)))))))
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, what a stunning project, Sara Emily!! I love, love the techniques you used!! It's so creative and you've decorated it perfectly!! I just love the amazing details!! I adore the tag, too!! The colors and design are fabulous!! Anne is so lucky to have received these treasures from you!! They are stunning my sweet friend!! Thank you so much for playing along at Scrapy Land!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
A fabulous box! The lovely colours and the trees are a wonderful combination for decorating this box. A gift to treasure!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, Sara Emily - a wonderful gift for Anne - so subtly wintry and then that fabulous pop of red on the back - and a coordinating tag too - brilliant!
ReplyDeleteAlison x
Oh my gosh, Sara! I agree with your comment about Anne's talent, but my girl, this is every bit Anne's equal when it comes to creativity and execution! It is exquisite in every way, from every angle, outside and in!! What a treasure!! Hugs, Darnell
ReplyDeleteSugar, I don't think you could have come up with anything more perfect for Anne and I know she was thrilled. You are so dag gone good!
ReplyDeletesandy xx
stunningly beautiful sara - anne is a lucky lady!!! Hugs rachel x
ReplyDeleteSara this is absolutely stunning! Did you create the book box using a book cover or was it already a book box?
ReplyDeleteAnne, it was a book box. I guess it's hard to tell from my straight on photo. I'm so grateful for your visit and comment! Hugs!
DeleteHot diggity dang dearie! This is the perfect place to store and cherish the lovely cards that will go in it. Genius idea and creative way to store cards. Awesome sauce and genius genius genius! I adore the way you have created the front cover. It kinda reminds me of the Northern lights as the green hits the white snow and it is amazeballs! The back cover is just as splendid as is the inside. Wowzers! Huge Hugz to you muffin! ~Punkin
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing and perfect personal gift to Anne Sara, I love how you kept it flat for posting but at the same time created intricate and intriguing designs throughout. Anyone would be proud to receive and open such a fantastic present xxx
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Sara, what a genius idea and what a spectacular gift for our dear friend Anne! I adore every single inch of this brilliantly designed box! You already know how much I love your fabulous tag and it perfectly matched your stunningly beautiful box! The colors, the techniques, the compositon, everything is just perfect here! I am sure Anne did a happy dance when opened the gift from you!
ReplyDeleteI am blessed and proud and honored to call you a friend, Sara Emily!
Sending lots of love to you, my lovely! Branka xx
What a great idea and it's stunning - love the colours, the design, everything!!
ReplyDeleteSara Emily, your project is just amazing! I love a craft gift that is beautiful as well as functional and this one sure is!! So many amazing details you put into this. The front cover is just divine with that subtle pine texture in the background and then those delicate trees on top! The poinsettias on the back are just brilliant, and I love that you kept it flat but still managed a beautiful design.The inside is just as gorgeous, and then you included a tag as well, wow!! I bet Anne was just thrilled to receive such a glorious Christmas package, you really blew me away, that's for sure!!! Amazing work as always Sara, sending hugs :)
ReplyDeleteI love this so much, Sara Emily! What an awesome idea and you did a fabulous job inside and out, even including that beautiful tag of yours. Anne is very lucky to receive this! Wow, it's stunning with your simple design, color combo textures and shine! Wow! I have to make one - where did you get your book box?
ReplyDeleteI do love your gift from Autumn - she did a great job and it's perfect for you!
Unbelievable! What an amazing transformation! You have beautifully altered this "ugly" box into an amazing treasure! The blue with hints of cherry red is absolutely perfect. I love the way you used the tree die and added that gorgeous tag! I know Anne is thanking her lucky stars today that she has a creative and generous friend, such as you! Big Christmas hugs, Autumn
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! Stunningly gorgeous transformation! Love it!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Samra
Paper Talk with Samra
What an amazing project, the book looks amazing. The inside is amazing too, perfect gift. Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Hugs, Sandra
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWishes
Lynne
Your gift to Anne is truly stunning Sara Emily. Love the green pearlised and gilded hues and the masterful way you have added beautifully subtle layers and texture. (Note to self!! Stop adding unnecessary height and bulk!). A wonderful and useful gift that Im sure Anne will treasure! Nicola x
ReplyDeleteWow Sara, this book box is incredible! I can imagine many treasures being hidden in here for years to come! It has such beautiful vintage look to too, don't know how you do it hun, but you always astound me with your wonderful creations xx
ReplyDeleteOh wow! No wonder Anne is so pleased with this gorgeous gift ! The colours and textures are so beautiful and then you add that absolutely fabulous tag! Hugs, Chrisx
ReplyDeleteLove how you've transformed this festive box Sara Emily! Thank you for joining us at Frilly and Funkie and A Vintage Journey xx
ReplyDeleteThis is realy awesome Sara.....You did an amazing job with this creation. Thanx for joining us at Noor Design UK.
ReplyDeletexxx Plony
fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at Scrapyland Challenge blog and Good Luck !
Maryvonne – DT member
Stunning! The background is way beyond amazing. And I really love how you added embossing powder on the edge of the trees. It's very creative. Thank you for joining Addicted to Stamps challenge.
ReplyDeleteSai
Just popping back to say thanks for joining us at Countryview challenges and good luck! Hugs rachel xx p.s. it was lovely to have another look too xx
ReplyDeleteWOW! So pretty and love all the textures you've used!! Gorgeous trees - just got that die for xmas and can't wait to use it!! Thanks so much for joining us at Noor! Design UK "Sparkle" challenge. Happy New Year to you and yours! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Sara Emily! Thanks for playing along on the Southern Ridge Trading Company Blog.
ReplyDelete-Katelyn DT member at Southern Ridge Trading Company
I'm back to say thanks for joining us on A Vintage Journey!
ReplyDeleteAlison x