Eileen Hull's New Sizzix Gift Box Die

Hello Eileen Hull fans! I'm back to share another project I made with one of her new Chapter 1 Sizzix Dies – The Gift Box with Scallop Edges Die.

The Gift Box Die

This was debuted at the recent Creativation show and as are all of Eileen's Scoreboards Dies, it is extremely versatile. If you haven't already, head on over to Eileen's blog and check out the past several weeks of posts to see all the fabulous samples the Inspiration Team has made using her newest dies. Prepare to have your socks knocked off! I used the Gift Box to make a Space themed holder for a mini spool album. Take a look:

There is a scroll type "album" that wraps around the spool, which fits neatly inside the box.

…and it lights up!

Warning, there are a lot of photos (and a tutorial) so I hope you are in a comfy chair.

And a closer look at the box itself:

And now for the how to! (are you still with me lol? Need a beverage refill?)

1) The Gift Box Die is really easy to put together. If you are using a non - directional patterned paper it's easy to first attach the paper to your board and then die cut your box pieces. I did that with the inside patterned paper because it didn't matter which way was up and I wanted all surfaces inside the box covered with it. However, the outside of the box was a different story. I temporarily left it "naked" when I cut the pieces.

I ran strips of the space mobile paper through my Xyron Creative Station to apply adhesive to the back. (Adhesive sheets work really well too!) I carefully applied it to the parts destined to become the "sides" of the box and trimmed off the overhang with my craft knife. I also cut through the paper along the score lines. As part of my design, I wanted an "industrial" background to fade into the patterned paper. I laid down a thin layer of white Fresco paint, blending it out. I added some Distress Paint - Brushed Pewter over the top for the metallic gleam. I stamped over that with Archival Ink using the Circuit Board stamp.

2) I constructed my little robot using the Tim Holtz Die Robotic. (Love that die set!!) I used the new Hexagon Stacked Tiles set and circle punches to make the bolt heads. For the bolt paper, I actually used a catch sheet from my spray box! (Hot tip: those sheets can make cool art lol!) It was thin kraft paper so I adhered it to cardstock first.

yep, I saved it and it worked perfectly for this project!

3) I played around with the placements of all my hexagons and other elements. As I faded the background, I wanted to have my hexagon tiles "fade" from bolts into patterned paper tiles.

4) I assembled the box by gluing the tabs with a quick grab glue. Red line tape works really well also.

I left the last tab unglued of course since I wanted to put things in my box! The friction of the tab keeps the box top closed. The red scalloped edge piece I wanted to use for decoration and as a handle for opening the box. There are lots of ways to use this piece and form the box closure. (Check out other ways my teammates have done it.)

I had to make sure to leave a gap between the inner tab and the fold of the scalloped edge piece. The edge of the box fits right in there.

The album strip wound on the spool:

1) I first cut two strips of printed fabric and a piece of quilt batting wider than the inner portion of the wooden spool. I sewed along one edge through all three layers. I followed up by trimming away the seam allowance with a pair of pinking shears.

2) I opened up the sandwich and hand stitched the Tiny Lights onto the batting. I had to make sure I didn't get the wire in the path of my second (to be sewn) seam allowance so I marked it with pins and stayed away.

Stay away from the path of the second seam!

3) Once the Tiny Light strand was secure, I measured and pinned for my second seam. As I stitched I went slowly and felt to see if any parts of the wire had shifted. I definitely did not want to sew over the wire! Again, I trimmed with the pinking shears after sewing.

Next came the fun part of stenciling and stitching on the die cuts and charms. I also needed to make a little cover to hide the control for the lights.

4) Eileen's Credit Card Sleeve & Tags Die Set (sadly retired) has a tag in it that is the perfect size. I adhered patterned paper to heavy cardstock and cut two tags out.

I built up the sides with strips of foam core board so there would be a niche for the control box. I left the top open so I can slide it out to change the batteries when needed. It's a snug fit so it doesn't come out accidentally.

Whew, that was long! Thanks for stopping by! Check out Eileen's blog and if you are not already a member, join the Facebook Eileen Hull Fan Club group. It is a warm, supportive group with lots of inspiration and sharing going on. You'll just have to answer a few simple questions when asking to join (to keep out spammers) and then you'll be added. ;-)

I also am entering this project in the February Mini Album Makers Challenge. I had fun making my mini spool album and have ideas for exploring this type of album (and some vintage spools in my stash to use. ;-)  )



Dies:
Eileen Hull Sizzix
Gift Box with Scallop Edges Die ( Sizzix / SB )
Credit Card Sleeve & Tags - retired

Tim Holtz Sizzix
Robotic ( Sizzix / SB )
Stacked Tiles, Hexagon ( Sizzix / SB )
Friendship Words - Script ( Sizzix / SB )
Adventure Words - Block - retired
Gadget Gears - retired

Other:

A Jillian Vance Design stamp - Circuit Board
Tim Holtz - Tiny Lights
Tim Holtz - Hex Fasteners
Tim Holtz - Faucet Knobs

Sizzix Sizzles Matboard

Eileen Hull Embossing Powder by Emerald Creek - Aqua Splash

Eileen Hull Embossing Powder by Emerald Creek - Golden Rod

Eileen Hull Clearsnap Blends Ink - Clear

PaperArtsy Fresco Chalk Paint - Snowflake

Distress Paint - Brushed Pewter, Broken China

Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Falling Stars, Numbered

Distress Mica Spray - Antique Bronze

Distress Spray Stain - Candied Apple

Distress Inks - Chipped Sapphire, Black Soot

cardstock

Some links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! (My husband also thanks you!) If you shop at Topflight Stamps, use my coupon code LISAHOEL for 12% off your order.

Space Box with mini Spool Album
by MonalisaH -Lisa Hoel
Scrapbook.com