Friday, May 31, 2013

Pillow Box Shower Favors


Happy Friday, everyone! I finally got around to writing up the tutorial for these sweet pillow box favors that I created for my daughter's bridal shower earlier this month. Since it was in Los Angeles, I tried to come up with something that was portable and would travel well without getting crushed. These were perfect. My favorite part is the gold leafing - I think it adds such a rich look!

My new gold leaf obsession started out with a Better Homes & Gardens email about the latest trends. Apparently, gold/gilding is very hot right now! Drawing on my vast experience in the 90s (I used to gold leaf anything that didn't move) I decided to gild some thrift store vases to use in my daughter's reception table arrangements. She loved my test versions and we ended up doing them for all the tables. So easy!

You can see just a little glimpse of the bottom of one in this photo. Her flowers were absolutely beautiful. Almost all the containers were thrift store finds - pink Depression glass, milk glass, vintage pressed glass, and a variety of cute planters. I found all the silver trays at thrift stores too. It was fun to have an eclectic mix of shapes and sizes.

When I sat down to work on the favors, I spotted the leftover gold leaf and knew I had to incorporate it somewhere. The little touch of gold on the frames gives them an elegant look and is something unexpected.  These pretty pillow boxes go together really quickly and would be appropriate for any feminine occasion.

Begin by cutting desired cardstock using Tim Holtz' Pillow Box die from Sizzix. I didn't find I needed a crease pad, but if your score lines are cutting through, trying using one.

Assemble the box and emboss using one of the Book Covers Texture Fades, centering the flat circle portion in the middle of the box. The score lines will still be visible after embossing.

Next, cut a frame from chipboard using Tim's Tag and Bookplates die. Cover with adhesive size. This glue is made specifically for adhering gold leaf and can be found at any large craft store. Mine came from Michaels. Let dry until tacky.

When the adhesive has dried to a tacky consistency (this usually takes 30 minutes, but was much quicker on the chipboard) apply the gold leaf, burnishing to remove the excess.

Thread a 16" length of baker's twine through the frame and attach to the center of the box using glue dots.

Cut woman's silhouette from black cardstock using Tim Holtz' Mini Silhouettes die. Apply foam square to back and adhere to center of frame.

Fill box with treats, fold in ends and tie as shown. The baker's twine was a Target Dollar Spot find. I picked it up knowing it would come in handy at some point, and I'm so glad I did - I think the gold thread ties everything together (ha!) perfectly.

Most of the supplies I used can be found at Inspiration Emporium via the links below. When you use my coupon code - stamptramp - you'll save 10%!



Finally, here's a photo of my beautiful daughter, Olivia, and her new husband, Rickie. They make the most adorable couple! My son, Luke, was a groomsmen and looked so cute in his tux and cream bow tie.

Ok, just one more pic! Even though it's blurry, I just love this photo taken during their exit. I can't wait until I have the professional pictures to share!

Thanks so much for stopping by - have a wonderful weekend!

19 comments:

  1. She was such a beatufil bride. Love the pill boxes. I so remember gold leafing everything in the 90's too:) I must confess I missed being able to some of that for Stephenie.

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  2. Shelly,
    Everything is absolutely gorgeous!!! I knew it would be, had no doubt. Can't wait to see more. Love the thrift store finds. Congratulations.
    Gail in Oklahoma

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  3. Hi Shelly,
    What a fabulous post! Thanks so much for sharing a picture of the bride and groom...such a happy day. I'm with you; the exit picture is wonderful. It all kind of goes by in a blur anyway so in addition to being a great picture with contrast, it seems rather appropriate. And thanks for keeping me up to date on the gold leafing...I love how it looks with the flower arrangements. And the flowers are to die for. So lush. Just everything about this makes me smile. THANK YOU!!
    Sara

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  4. Gorgeous and such a fabulous celebration!

    ~Linda

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  5. Thank you for sharing your beautiful makes and the fab photos.
    Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  6. Congrats to all! What fabulous decor you created for the events! I love them.

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  7. Gorgeous! Beautiful Bride, handsome groom and a Beautiful lovely project!! TFS

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  8. Absolutely taken by the beauty of you favors. They are so simple but so incredibly shabbily elegant. The flower arrangements too are striking. Congratulations to your daughter for her wedding and having such a talented mom

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  9. Genius use of the pillow box die with the texture fade, and the gilding is the perfect touch! Such beautiful photos of such a beautiful day. Congrats to you and your family!

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  10. I love the centerpieces, the wedding photos, the favor boxes and what they were filled with! This post is just filled with fabulousness! ;-)

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  11. Those are drop dead gorgeous!!! I haven't played with gold leafing in years, now I you've got me wanting to jump into it again :-) I love the wedding photos!

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  12. Beautiful, Shelly! Love these beautiful favors you made and the gold leafing is so elegant. Your daughter must have been thrilled. Love the pics!

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  13. Shelly! Love Couple~!
    Congratulations on your daughter wedding!

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  14. The bride and groom were exquisite and those adorable little pillow boxes were such a beautiful and subtle touch :)
    Congratulations

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  15. Beautiful bride!Love your pillow boxes!Love the pics!

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  16. Great box Shirley and what a lovely couple
    Congratulations.

    Greetings Janny

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  17. Shelly, I love the gold leafing. It adds such a dramatic and elegant touch without going overboard.

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  18. Beautiful Shelly! Congratulations to your family!!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!