Blogger's Challenge - Boxes or Bags

Happy Friday stampers! Time for another Blogger's Challenge to share with you. This week, our challenge Mom, Lisa asked us to create a box or bag. Well, I'm not sure my project is either, it's kind of a tote instead. I started with the Fancy Favor Box die, does that count? I sure hope so because I really like the finished project and I hope you will too!

I've put 3 photos of it here for you so you can see most of the angles ( I didn't photograph the back - there is no bow back there - it's just plain except for the dsp.)

I've made a few of the little handled carriers from the Box #2 Die and my Big Shot, but I wanted something bigger to hold more stuff (chocolate!) and thought the Fancy Favor Box die would fit the bill nicely.

Here's what I did to make the base box/carrier:
I used two pieces of Orchid Opulence cardstock cut at 6" x 12" and cut out two boxes with the Fancy Favor Box die. Before I folded the creases, I trimmed off the scalloped edge, making the panels 3 1/4" top to bottom. After I assembled the two boxes with Sticky Strip, I used more Sticky Strip and attached the boxes together, back to back, using two vertical pieces of the adhesive, one on each side of the back of one box.

To create the "carrier", I cut two pieces of Orchid Opulence cardstock at 3" x 5 1/2". These were run through the Big Shot with my Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and then I used my Corner Rounder on the top two corners of each. Next, I adhered one of those pieces to the back inside of one box using SNAIL, rounded corners up, bumpy side facing out. I then used my Large Oval Punch and punched through the top, centering it between the edges.
The other embossed piece was added the same way, and only after it was adhered against the other one did I punch the hole, using my first punched oval as a guide. I did use a little Sticky Strip at the top above the ovals to secure the pieces together well.

Next, I cut 4 pieces of Shades of Spring DSP - I really love this paper and am determined to enjoy it! Two pieces for the front/back were cut at 2 7/8" x 3" and the two pieces for the sides were cut at 3" x 4 1/4". These sizes leave a nice border of Orchid Opulence to frame them out. To adhere these pieces I just used SNAIL on all four sides corner to corner - (yes, Nancy - I DID! You and Brent would have loved it!) Sorry, inside joke! :)

For my ribbon band and bow, I cut 35" of Chocolate Chip Double Stitched Grosgrain ribbon and simply wrapped it around, tying the bow in the front. And if it makes you feel better, I did NOT get it perfect right away. Pretty bows have to be made to bend to your will, so you just have to be patient and mess with them a bit. And really, it's still not perfect, but it is still pretty!

The little gift tag was made with two Sale-A-Bration Free stamp sets - Vintage Labels and Happy Moments. I used Chocolate Chip ink on Very Vanilla cardstock for the label frame, punching it out with the Curly Label Punch. The flowers were inked using Stampin' Write Markers colored directly on the stamp. I used Orchid Opulence, Old Olive and So Saffron, which doesn't show up real well in this picture, but is really pretty in real life. Once I stamped them in the frame, I overstamped the greeting with Old Olive to finish it off. It is attached with a piece of Linen Thread which I frayed on the ends to give it a little oomph! It's much prettier than the plain ol' string.

So there you have it, my Tote Box, all ready for gift giving. I'm thinking a lot of Dove Dark Chocolate Easter Eggs would look really good inside this, but then again, they wouldn't last long in my house! :)
Be sure to check out all the other Blogger's Challenge players this week to see their fun ideas for Boxes, Bags and maybe some cute surprises too! Their links are found by clicking the badge in my sidebar.
Most of all, I hope you have a wonderful Friday!
Blessings,
~~Robin