Need ideas for making a memory box

[ncbyrne]

My mother-in-law's 90th birthday party is March 25. Everyone invited has been asked to write down their fondest memory that includes her. I have been assigned the job of making a "box" to deposit the papers in at the party...something she will keep. I've tried searching for ideas online, but can't find anything for a homemade type. Anyone have any ideas on how to do this?

 

[lewdyan1]

You might want to post this over on the crafting board. There are a lot of creative DIS'ers over there!

 

[ToTLaugher]

I have made a couple of boxes. I will try to describe the process. Hopefully it will make sense.

You can buy a wooden box at any craft store. I like to get the ones that have a hinged top.

You will also need:
foam brushes and acrylic paint from the painting section of the store
rub on transfers or stickers from the scrapbooking area.
modge podge (Decoupage glue)

paint the entire box with the paint. Put on stickers or transfers. Using a foam brush neaty paint on the modge podge. Let it dry. Sand very lightly (using fine sand paper or steel wool). Apply at least one more coat of modge podge. Apply enough coats to make the finish feel smooth (in other words so you can't feel the stickers) Always sand between coats.

If you want you can print verses or sayings on your computer to cut out and apply to the box. Put the modge podge on the bottom of the paper, stick it down on the box and cover with modge podge.

I hope this helps. PM me if you have any questions!

By the way be sure to paint the inside of the box to so it looks finished.

 

[rockin_rep]

Wow, 90! Happy birthday to your MIL!

I've done something similar for special occasions - but made them into books, with letters, cards, notes etc. as you mentioned.

Depending on the occasion (b-day, anniversary, confirmation etc) i buy a notebook or album, some are just simple 3-ring binder types that i have someone decorate (or use pics of the guest of honor), some nicer. Then just insert each card into each page.

This might work better for your MIL, if she has any probs with dexterity. A book may be easier to hold and read than pulling from a box.

I'm sure she'll enjoy whatever you make!

 

[momsgoofy]

Strange you should ask...I was interpreting in a childcare class this week and the student I interpret for implemented a lesson plan on this exact topic.

She used the pressed paper boxes...craft boxes or whatever you call them...I've seen them in Hobby Lobby, JoAnn Fabrics and Walmart....they are brown paper bag color and different sizes and shapes. Anyway...then she used glue (hot glue gun is best) to attach things to decorate the box...she suggested that they use silk flowers, photos, anything that would be special to them. You might decorate it like a birthday cake in honor of your MIL's birthday.

When I was married my girlfriend and I decorated an old hat box with satin fabric...left over from my wedding dress...and pearls...left over from the wedding dress and veil...and some silk ivory roses that I purchased in the fabric or hobby store. It was pretty easy. We made this as a card box...I didn't like the wishing wells or mailboxes I'd seen at other weddings and saw the decorated box at a bridal show.

Hope this helps!