~~~~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 KEEPSAKES FOR A SPECIAL BABY~

 ~HAND CROCHETED BABY SWEATER SET~

My Mother who is now closer to 80 than she is to 70 is amazingly talented.  I've shared with you before that most of all I've ever learned in my life came from her.  Sadly, one of the things I don't can't do is crochet.  I want to learn someday...just have so little extra time, but it IS on my 2-Do-List!

~LOVER'S KNOT~

About a month ago I learned one of my nieces was expecting her first bundle of joy and she's having a girl.  It's become a little tradition in our family to gift the mother-to-be with a hand-crocheted baby sweater set as a new baby keepsake.

 ~TINY LITTLE BOOTIES~

I still have the ones made for my children and they are very special to me.  I've kept them in pristine condition and one day I will pass them down...

~FRILLY LITTLE BONNET~

My Mom fashioned a darling little sweater, bonnet and booties and I just love how they came out.  I especially love the tiny embroidered rosebuds and minty green leaves...

~HAND EMBROIDERED ROSEBUDS~

In a day when so much is mass-produced it still does my heart good to see something lovingly made by hand.  Just about any of us can pick something up at our local Baby's-R-Us or Tarjay (Target), but to take the TIME to create something that takes hours and hours to do...well...

priceless...don't you think?

(Thanks, Momma!  You're the best!)

Today I'm off to swim with my Miss K (gosh...remember her???) at our local water park.  Can you feel my angst joy?

Yeah...I'm so happy about it I'm still in my PJ's...

Hope your day is wonderful.  I'll be slathering on anti-wrinkle cream sunblock by the truck-loads.

Love to you...