Butterfly Kisses & Paper Pretties: Altered Vintage Trunk & Recipe box

Happy Saturday! I have a couple of I Am Roses projects to share with you today and I hope this inspires you to give this a try. ❤

Altering boxes is one of my all time favorite things to do other than card-making, making lay-outs and creating mini albums. There's something soothing about it, and no 2 boxes ever come out the same. When I create my boxes, I don't go "in" with a plan... it just sorta "falls together." LOL!

Here are some pictures of an altered trunk I created for my swap partner for Jade's Secret Squirrel Cigar Box group (better known as SSCB or the Secret Squirrel Sister Society - SSSS.) Because the swap is anonymous (she won't know it's from me until she opens the package) I had to cover her name with some kraft cardsotck (no peeking! LOL!) I customized the box just for her by adding her name with grungeboard - colored up with my R22 Copic marker and distressed with Walnut Stain Distress Ink from Ranger.

One of her favorite color combos is brown and pink. Since the box was already brown,

I added accents of pink to her box...

Before I start altering a box, I determine where the flowers will go and the elements (such as the frame) just fall into place from there...

I LOVE the large GB-5 Gardenias... so pretty, especially when glitzed up with my Scintillating Silver Glitz Spritz by Lindy Stamp Gang!

I used a paint crackle technique with this $1 bin Michael's frame... I inserted a piece of designer paper from the My Minds Eye Lost & Found 2 "Blush" collection, then accented the frame with more I Am Roses flowers...

This is what the inside of the trunk looks like. The theme for this month's swap was "Girlie Grunge Recipe Box." My SS doesn't cook, so she said she was going to use the box for other things... which is why I chose to alter this larger trunk for her... I handmade each of the tabs inside the trunk for her to organize her "stuff."

I kept the inside simple as I didn't want too much bulk taking up space for her things. I lined some vintage shabby floral-pearl trim and added more I Am Roses (links to products included below.)

Here is the altered recipe box I made for my SS as well. It's not "cooking" themed, so I kept it classic. No design paper -- but lots of painting and grunge and Lindy Stamp Gang goodness (Dark Chocolate Truffle Starburst Stain, my ALL time fav!!) She loves Tim Holtz, so I added touches of Tim on both boxes... this one sports the Tim Holtz box feet... I've been hoarding several of these (LOL!) but wanted to make this box extra special...

I attached a little set of keys and a telephone with a Making Memories vintage garment pin onto the trim... I thought maybe my SS could use this box for personal mementos or use it as a place to store phone numbers and addresses...

I created a video HERE so you can see exactly how I altered each of these boxes.

I hope my SS enjoys these altered boxes. I was super lucky to get her as my partner as she is VERY special in my heart and she is one of the most genuine and talented ladies I've met through the scrapbooking community on YouTube. So SS.... you probably know who you are because the subtle hints on my video probably gave it away... LOL! But I totally {HEART} you girl! Enjoy your altered boxes.... they were truly created from the heart! ❤

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Be sure to subscribe to the I Am Roses YouTube channel for creative inspiration using the I Am Roses products!

Have an AMAZING weekend everyone!