~~~~ROMANTIC WEDDING FAVOR BOXES~~~~ Baby Shower and Christening, too

~ROMANTIC WEDDING FAVOR BOXES~

(Left Click Pictures to Enlarge!)

When my daughter, Adrienne, was engaged to her solider-beau, Micah, we had the grandest time planning her September '07 wedding.  I was so blessed to be a big part of her dream day and together (with LOTS and LOTS of HELP!) we managed to pull off a celebration that will last within our hearts forever...

 ~GREAT DISCOUNT STORE DEAL~

(Two Boxes of 25 for $4.99 each)

 During those hectic, but exciting, days we were constantly on the lookout for ideas for favors and gifts for her wedding guests and attendants.  I can't remember now how many creamy white strawberry sachets we decorated for wedding keepsake gifts, but I know it was over 200...probably 300!  I was sooo sick of them I never thought I'd evahhhh make another one!

 ~WHITE TO CREAM~

(Boxes Were "Baked" to Age)

Every single one of those fragrant little beauties were boxed in simple cream colored boxes and wrapped in off-white embossed wedding paper.  Pretty silk soft white ribbons and bows were used as complements and creamy white mulberry roses, too.  The boxes were almost as pretty as the sachet themselves!  Timeless yet elegant.

~TIED UP WITH SIMPLE RAYON RIBBON~

Just after Christmas I was shopping in one of our local discount stores when I came across two boxes of 25 count Favor Boxes.  They came with the melting chocolates and a mold to make wedding cake shaped chocolates.  They'd been marked down to $4.99 each (per 25 boxes).

 ~BEAUTIFUL FRENCH LACE~

At the time I didn't know about any special occasions being planned, but even so it was the little BOXES that I wanted...not so much the chocolate or the mold.  At some point someone is always getting married so there are lots of weddings, baby showers, etc. to attend! Who could go wrong for less than $5?

~LOTS OF SWEET SILVER CHARMS~

Today I'm showing you a mini-sized tutorial on how you can transform great (but rather plain) boxes like those from the Favor Kit (or those found at your local craft store) into fabulous keepsake boxes for a wedding, shower or even a Christening celebration.

~DECORATING IS SO FUN~

I started by "baking" the white boxes six at a time in a slow oven for 1 hour at 250 degrees*.  I wanted them "aged" as they were tooooo new looking for me!  I watched that first batch like a hawk.  I was afraid I was going to blow up my oven (or burn my house down!).

*NO WARRANTY IS IMPLIED OR GIVEN HERE!  :)  WATCH WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND DON'T LEAVE YOUR KITCHEN and/or YOUR OVEN UNATTENDED!

NOT EVAHHHH!

~VINTAGE LACE and ROSES~

After the outside of the boxes were "baked" to a soft creamy white I let them cool for about 15 minutes.  The lid was then wrapped in four-square style  with ribbon.

 ~PAPER LACE SHELF EDGING~

The tops were then decorated using vintage laces, ribbons, parchment roses and tiny silver charms.  You can absolutely use new ribbons, laces and trims...  Just choose smaller style trims and keep your main flower no bigger than about the size of a half-dollar.

 ~SOOO VINTAGE LOOKING~ 

The base of the boxes were wrapped (lightly glued in place) in paper lace edging and trimmed to fit.  I've had this edging for years and years so it was already softly faded to just the right color.  I'd think you could bake it, too!  I'd just be REALLY, REALLY CAREFUL if I were you! 

Once filled all you have to do is pop the lid back on and you are done!

Easily personalized with computer or hand addressed labels, too!

~SWEET FOR A BABY BOY CHRISTENING~ 

Lovely when filled with chocolates for an elegant wedding or other candies or keepsakes for special baby shower party or luncheon!

~A PRESENT IN ITSELF~

I think the boxes are so petite and sweet they'd be darling turned into a keepsake Christmas Ornament as well!  Wouldn't they be wonderful with a lock of baby's hair tucked inside?  For an ornament just hot glue a loop of tiny ribbon onto one of the corners of the box, add a dainty little bow and wah-lah...

~SWEETLY DISPLAYED~

Hope you enjoyed this Mini-How-To!  If you have any question just shoot me an email!  OK?

Hope your weekend is wonderful!  I'll be out junking and slummin' (aka:  Tag Sale Shopping).

Love to you...

~~~SWEET TREATS WITH BABY IN MIND~~~ Simply Fabulous Baby Shower Favors

 ~DARLING BABY SHOWER FAVOR~

(left click to enlarge pictures)

One of the side benefits of growing up a PK (Preacher's Kid) came in the attending of lots and lots of parties and celebrations!  It didn't matter if the affair was simple or extremely detailed, my super talented (and gifted) Momma ALWAYS served hostess to the best bridal and baby showers this girl has EVAHHHH seen!

 

  ~FASHIONED WITH PAPER LACE TRIM~

I owe all I know today to her and she will always be my hero!  She was sooooo before her time....

~ORIGINAL DIAPER STYLE (In The Background)~

~NEWLY DESIGNED (In The Front)~

When I was growing up in the 1960's I was always mindful that my Mom had to work her magic on a very tight budget.  Remember...back then there were no stores like Michael's and Hobby Lobby!  Also...she was limited to using construction paper and the like for invitations, etc., vs. the fabulous paper goods that are now commonplace.  I remember her sitting at our tiny dining room table snipping, cutting and dipping away...
Sweet memories for me!

 ~BEVERAGE NAPKINS AND DOILIES~

 

In addition, Acid Free scrapbooking paper hadn't been invented yet and the only "punch" you could find on the market was the standard hole punch found at the local office supply store.

 ~START OUT BY FOLDING A NAPKIN IN HALF~

~PAPER LACE/TOP STITCHED NAPKIN~

Still...my Momma forged ahead and created both elegant and whimsical parties on about $10...yep!  Ten bucks!  With white linen tablecloths and what is now considered to be vintage glassware, she never missed a chance to add that extra little something to each and every celebration.  Everyone was in awe of her talent...

 

 ~PIN TOGETHER WITH A GOLD SAFETY PIN~

  She made specialty cakes that looked like crocheted lace baby sweaters with tiny pink roses (or yellow for a boy) for the buttons (no special pan...just a knife and her imagination) and was the first person I ever saw go to the trouble of fashioning Baby Diaper Nut Cups (favors) from simple beverage napkins...

Can you even imagine seeing something like this 40 years ago?  I told you...my Mom was (and still is!) absolutely amazing!  In the Spring I plan on showing you even MORE of her fabulous designs from years gone by...you will surely be inspired!

(I LOVE YOU, MOM!)

 

 ~'DIAPERS' ARE READY FOR DIPPING~

 

Next week I'm hosting a Baby Shower here at my La Chaumière de Briarwood for the daughter of one of my dearest friends.  She is having a baby girl and is due in about 8 weeks.  I just couldn't resist making some of these special little treats for the shower guests!

~DIPPED IN MELTED PARAFFIN~

I used the very same concept as my Mother did all those years ago only I decided to try and add a tad bit of panache.  A simple paper lace doily was trimmed down and stitched along the straight edge of the folded beverage napkin!

~DOUBLE DIP DIAPERS~

Fold the left and rights sides (points) of the napkin together and the bottom point upward which will form your little Diaper Cup.  Secure in place through all the layers with a single gold safety pin.  (Don't use hot glue as it will melt from the heat of the wax).  

 ~FILL WITH MINTS, CHOCOLATES or NUTS~

Dip once in melted paraffin and after about 30 seconds mold in place on wax paper.  You want your 'Diaper Cups' to stand up so you might want to press the sides firmly down.  When cooled (about 5-7 minutes) dip a second time.  The added wax will give stability to the Diaper and make it look fabulous!

 ~I LOVE THE WHITE~

The Shower I'm hosting will be done in a pastel palate...  But...I could help but think the Diaper Cups would look darling done in pinks and browns (or blues and browns) with chocolate candies on the inside.  Fancy ribbons to match are easily found at your local craft shop and would add the perfect final touch for a smashing take-home favor!

 ~WRAPPED IN CELLO BAGS~

Now...something to keep in mind.  The napkin color you choose will darken once it's been dipped in the paraffin wax.  I personally love the white and almost tinted it with food coloring for a tiny bit of pink.  But...in the end I opted to stay with the white and I love it the best!

 ~TIED UP WITH ORGANZA RIBBON~

Wouldn't this be a cute little announcement gift to hand out to friends and family to announce the birth (and sex) of a new baby?  They are VERY simple to make and inexpensive, too!  Again...I think they would be especially sweet filled with the chocolates and custom tagged with a "IT'S A BOY" or "IT'S A GIRL" banner...  You could even add the given name, too!

Hope you enjoyed another little peek into my world!

Have fun creating!  Blessings for a lovely week!

Love to you~