Go all out using an overlay and lots of color! 2SUNS Graffity Grunge Walls Overlays V2 collection was perfect to provide the background color and inspiration to transform a plain pillow box template.
You’ll need the Pillow Box with Band SVG Template file from RisaRocksit
And this file: Paint Brush and Can Clipart Set from Emil Timplaru Store
Add a couple of fun embellishments, some fiber, and a hand crafted “paint swatch” ties it all together.
Additional supplies:
- electronic die cut machine (eclips2 and eCal3)
- AC cardstock (12 x 12 White)
- Neenah cardstock (8.5 x 11 White)
- Bazill cardstock (8.5 x 11 Pebble)
- Printer
- Print Shop Elements (optional)
- Fonts: The Old Navy Style (Grunge), American Typewriter
- Glue, double sided tape
- Fibers
- Pop up dots
- Paint (thick chalk paint or other heavy bodied paint)
- Mod Podge, and foam brush
Let’s get started
Since the files from the overlay collection are huge and might bog down your cutting software, duplicate the image you’re wanting to use in your photo editing software and reduce the duplicate to 8 x 8 and save.
Open your cutting software. Make sure that the pillow box file has been downloaded, unzipped and is open to the svg files. Drag and drop the pillow box on the mat. Leave this file at 100%.
You will not need the belly band, so you can delete it from the mat. Using pattern fill and load image, add the copy of the image you saved earlier. Set the size to 7.50 x 7.50. Preview the filled box. You can adjust the X and Y settings, rotate or skew if desired. When you’re happy with the way it looks, note the settings down on a piece of paper, to maintain the integrity of the design with the additional boxes you will create. Click ok.
Open another page and drag the pillow box file to the mat. Using your software’s commands, resize the pillow box to 75%. You don’t need the belly band for this box either. Repeat the process of using pattern fill. Make sure you select the image, size about .5 inches larger than the size of the box. Repeat any additional changes you made with the previous box.
Open another page and drag the pillow box to the mat a 3rd time and resize the box and bellyband to 50%. Repeat pattern fill and prepare to cut.
Print the boxes using the print 2 cut directions for your software. Set these pieces aside to let the ink dry thoroughly.
When dry, cut the boxes by completing the print 2 cut process in your cutting software and set the cut boxes aside for the moment.
Open an additional page – import the paintbrush and size as desired. Again, use the print 2 cut option in your software. These were cut on glossy cardstock and you do need to let them dry for a couple of hours before cutting to avoid smearing. When dry, cut the brushes. You’ll need 1 brush per set of boxes.
Create a shadow cut that is the exact same size as the brush and cut 5 copies for each brush using the Bazill Pebble cardstock. Glue 5 layers of the pebble cardstock together and glue the print 2 cut brush to the top. Let dry. Once the glue has dried, dip the brush end into the paint to color the bristles. Let dry. Add a coat of mod podge to add a little shine and to keep the paint from flaking off. The dimension and realism of the “dried” paint on the brush just adds the perfect touch.
Create your other embellishments – a badge and your invite. The badge was created in the cutting software using the Old Navy font and American Typewriter for these samples. These were also made as print 2 cut and the shape was from the eCal library. If desired, dip the bottom edge of the cut into chalk paint and let dry. Add some Mod Podge to seal the paint. Make 2 for each set of boxes.
The paint swatch is so fun to make and adapt to the colors of your box. These were made in Printshop Elements and a copy of the file was saved as a .psd to allow for further changes in colors for the future. They were also imported into the cutting software and the print 2 cut option was used.
Before putting the boxes together, train the paper a bit – fold on the score lines and ease the box ends into their folds. Apply a strip of double stick tape or glue to the tab and make the box. Leave the ends open and the boxes flat for the time being. Decide on how you will place your embellishments on the 2 larger boxes. When you have made that decision, close the bottom of the box. You can secure with a bit of tape or some glue if desired, but it’s not necessary unless your contents are weighty. Fill each box as desired and close. Adhere your embellishments.
The largest of the boxes will hold the invitation and any other special directions and a small gift. The middle box will hold a treat and the smallest of boxes will hold a couple of very small gifts for each of the “artists” attending the gathering.
Enjoy your gathering!
If you choose to create something similar, be sure to share with us. We’d love to see. You’ll find more inspiration on Jan’s author page and on her blog.
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