On the FIRST Day of Christmas...

I'm not sure when the first day of Christmas is officially, but TODAY is the first day of Christmas here on my blog!I will upload a new project, idea, or tip each day. On the 12th Day of Christmas (actually it will be on December 18th) I will be giving away a one-of-a-kind Mini made especially for this event! To be entered all you need to do is subscribe to my blog and leave a comment that you subscribed. If you already subscribe, let me know in your comment that you are a subscriber....that's it.

This first project is a Gingerbread House Recipe Box!


It would make a great gift for the cooks in your life or a wonderful hostess gift. It can hold either recipe cards or photo's.The little box a the end is one the the first mini's I made. I saw something like it and figured out my own dimensions. I will have a video up on Youtube (http://followthepapertrail.youtube.com) showing this project and will have kits up on Etsy (http://followthepapertrail.etsy.com) to make one just like mine by tomorrow.




To make this Cover, you will need chipboard cut to the sizes shown, a 12" x 12" paper for the outside, cut into two 6" x 12" pieces. You will also need a sheet of 12" x12" paper for the inside cover, cut into two 4 1/2" x 12" pieces.




Attach chipboard to wrong side of patterned paper. Place seams as shown in photo. Make a "shim" with two thicknesses of chipboard. Use this shim to make a consistent space between chip pieces.




Trim corners about an 1/8" from corner at about a 45 degree angle.












Gently roll paper over edge of chipboard and glue in place.






Fold cover towards inside, scoring if necessary






Place inside paper on chip board to cover edges of outside paper, seaming as shown in photo. Adhere to chipboard.





Gently fold cover towards inside again, scoring if needed.









Attach magnets (or velcro dots) as shown. I have had problems with the magnets coming unglued in the past. I like to punch a small flower to cover over the magnet to help attach it more firmly without affecting it's magnetism. I like to use Glossy Accents to attach the magnet and flower. Repeat on the outside cover as well.







































Seal six #10 envelopes closed. Trim approximately 1/4 off ends of envelopes and cut in half.





Use a circle or scalloped punch to cut out "finger" pulls from envelopes.




Run a strip of adhesive 3/4" +/- from each side. Attach all envelopes together.

























I use a stronger adhesive such as Terrifically Tacky tape to affix the envelpope "group" to the coverered chip board cover. Attach approcimately 1/2" to 3/4" above bottom. Attach to front first then to back of "box".































The cover is ready to decorate!


















To make the "roof", trim a 5" x 5" piece of chip board as shown. cover with paper and attach to upper flap. Add dimensional paint to simulate snow on the roof line and windows. Add glitter glue (Stickles) to snow and tree.


Make Recipe cards or photo matt's from solid or pattern paper. I used 4" x 6" for the cards and 3" x 4" for the photo matt.




























































Have fun with this project and make sure to check out the video on Youtube!
Happy Holidays!!

Laura