The products I am about to introduce you to today hold a very special place in my heart. Several months ago it occurred to me what an incredible blank canvas plastic hinged easter eggs are. I wondered if there could be a way to make them elegant and versatile in the papercrafting world. And that is how the idea of our Just Hatched stamp set & box came to life.
THE BOX:
This little box may look simple, but it has several attributes that make it a joy to work with. It is made out of a very sturdy chipboard which is covered in a high quality matte white paper. The box is white even on the interior so it is easy to maintain true color when painting it. The matte white covering also gives you the ability to stamp directly on the surface with out any preparation work.
The box has a simple insert that has holes for six eggs. It is a sturdy insert that can handle quite a bit of weight. The insert is designed so that it is very easy to cover with designer paper as well. The box measures about 4x6 inches and 3.5 inches tall. The insert is removable for even more possibilities. The box will be priced at only $4each, and of course, available exclusively from Papertrey Ink.
Easter is obviously something that comes to mind first when thinking of what exactly to do with this box. But what about babies? To begin my project for today, I painted my box pink. I was very careful to paint the outside and the top rim only. The matte surface of the box takes the paint beautifully!
I just adore lined boxes. They have such a boutique feel. I decided to line my egg box with custom stamped designer paper that I created with Beautiful Blooms. The easiest way I discovered was to cut pieces of paper for each individual side. I have included measurements below so it will take all the guess-work out when you line your own box...
BOX BOTTOM LINING:
- 2) 6 x 3-1/4 inches (long sides)
- 2) 4-3/16 x 3-1/4 inches (short sides)
LID LINING:
- 1) 6-1/4 x 4-3/8 inches (top)
- 2) 6-1/4 x 1-15/16 inches (long sides)
- 2) 4-3/8 x 1-15/16 inches (short sides)
To finish off the box, I added a strip of the same patterned paper I created for the lining, to the outside cover. I pierced holes along either side of the strip and followed up with a pink marker to achieve faux stitching. I also adhered the ribbon and label.
I continued the patterned paper strip and ribbon down the sides of the box as well.
THE STAMPS:
With the concept of this box came the idea for our Just Hatched stamp set. This set contains images that make it easy to turn this box into the perfect gift. This is one of three label images in the Just Hatched stamp set. It reads "Half-Dozen Gifts Hatched Just For You, Little One". The labels from this set coordinate with the Nestabilties Oval Dies perfectly!
I knew that I wanted to put an itty-bitty pair of baby socks into each egg. I rolled them up tightly and tucked a pair into each of six eggs.
To give the plastic eggs a little pizazz, I decided to add ribbon. The ribbon needs to be about 10-inches long for each egg. Lay the ribbon out flat, apply a glue dot to the bottom point and top point of the egg. Adhere the bottom of the egg to the center of the ribbon strip.
Pull the ends of the ribbon up and around the egg and knot it into place on top of the egg. The two glue dots on either end will prevent the ribbon from sliding off!
Once I assembled everything together, the ensemble looked like this...
I am just in LOVE with this box. The way that the insert holds the eggs perfectly in place is such a STUNNING presentation! After showing the Just Hatched Egg Box & stamp set to our Design Team, they came up with a plethora of uses that aren't necessarily geared towards eggs, or Easter for that matter! I thought I would share some of their ideas with you BEFORE the reveal on February 15th. Somewhat of a sneak peek at what is to come. Instructions & supply lists will be available for ALL of these project in the Ink Pad gallery after the reveal!
Lauren Meader designed this box with candy filled "carrots" made from disposable frosting bags! She raised the box insert to the top edge of the box to allow room for the carrots. They look as though they are being pulled from the ground when you remove one! How much fun would that be for kids! (Well, adults too, for that matter!)
Heather Nichols Created this vintage findings box. It is the perfect gift for a crafting friend year-round.
She was able to use the insert holes to keep the spools of vintage trims in place!
Jennifer Ellefson created a special Easter box for a teacher. (Take note of the special border along the edge of the box that uses stamps from the set that read "Just a little something" and "For an eggstra special teacher").
The eggs are filled with all kinds of fun desk supplies that will help get them through the last half of the school year! A gift card to an office supply store could be attache to the inside of the cover to continue the theme and support your child's classroom!
Taylor VanBruggen took a really simple approach to the outside of her box. I just LOVE the way she used the ribbon!
She discovered that the holes in the box insert were the perfect size for miniature cupcakes! Imagine bringing a box like this to a friend or co-worker! They would be so impressed!
Lynn Mercurio made this colorful box. She utilized all the wonderful colors in the ribbon she chose to decorate the box. They are all wonderful "spring" colors!
I am in love with the way she decorated the eggs inside with ric-rac & primas! They are almost too pretty to open!
Becky Oehlers took a nature based approach to her box, coinciding with the Spring Garden label included in the Just Hatched stamp set.
She used real eggshells to create a gift of a spring garden for someone special. The best part? The recipient can plant the flower & eggshell directly into the ground. The eggshell will provide additional nutrition to get the plant established!
Geny Cassady created another version of a baby box with lots of assorted necessities, like washcloths, pacifiers, nail clippers, etc. It is a wonderful gift that you can make in advance and will be very useful (and pretty to look at) for any new mother! I love the way she added little buttons on either side of the label. Such an adorable touch!
Amy Rysavy gave "Spring Garden" new meaning with eggs full of Primas! Such a fun gift to give to a favorite stamping buddy! We all know you can never have enough Primas!
Debbie Olson worked her usual magic with combining several patterned papers elegantly together when altering her box. The colors are so fresh and "springy"!
Last but not least, Lisa Johnson created this masterpiece. As a special treat to you, Lisa will be sharing some fun details about the contents of her box and a project idea with you on Tuesday in a tutorial feature on her blog!
*
**Edited to Add: Believe it or not, after all the preparation of this post, I forgot to add the coinciding contest! So here it is!
Do you want to be the first to play with one of our exclusive egg boxes?
We are giving away our EXCLUSIVE egg boxes along with the complementing stamp set, Just Hatched! Let us know in th comments section of this post WHICH application intrigues you the most. Cupcakes? Baby socks? Spring garden in a box? Or do you have an idea ll your own that your anxious to try? Share your thoughts and you could win!
Contest ends Tuesday (02/12/08) at 12pm (EST). The winner will be selected via the Random Number Generator and posted here, on the blog! Good luck!
A little help from my friends:
As an additional change for this year, I have selected a few members of the design team to assist me with the countdown each month! Two heads are always better than one! Taylor VanBruggen has officially been assigned to post a sneak peek today! Be sure to check out her blog and the amazing tutorial she has prepared just for YOU!!! You don't want to miss it!
Nichole's Baby Sock Box Supply List-
Ink: Toile Pink Palette Ink, White Craft Ink from SU!
Paper: Stamper's Select White cardstock from Papertrey, Pretty in Pink from SU!
Stamps: Just Hatched & Beautiful Blooms from Papertrey Ink
Other: Ribbon from American Crafts, Poodleskirt Pink acrylic paint from Americana, camel hair paint brush, Oval Nestabilities Dies, paper piercer, Pretty in Pink marker from SU!, white plastic eggs from Hobby Lobby, glue dots from Glue Dots International, Foam demensionals from Fiskars, Baby socks from Carter's (via Target).
Am I really the first to post? These are just "sick" (in a good way!) I love the options for this box. Nichole you and your team are top notch!
Posted by: Victoria | February 10, 2008 at 12:19 AM
Wow, Nichole! So many possibilities...I can't wait to see what comes next...
Posted by: Maria F | February 10, 2008 at 12:27 AM
What a fun, fun project. I love variety of designs - all beautiful.
Posted by: Sue B | February 10, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Nichole, you and the PTI designers keep upping the FABULOUS factor! Love what y'all did with your plain white boxes! Wow, I'm looking forward to the 15th!
Posted by: April | February 10, 2008 at 12:31 AM
These are absolutely stunning. You did a wonderful job selecting your design team for the upcoming year ... they all produced something different but equally beautiful. I cannot wait for the rest of the countdown~
Posted by: niccole-k | February 10, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Awesome!!! I simply can not fathom the number of truly unique ideas you keep coming up with! -I DO know that I'm gonna need to get a part-time job to help me pay for the long list of 'new toys' I hope to get! : ) Great job!!!
Posted by: Lisa Westphal | February 10, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Oh my...this is brilliant. I have a bunch of these hanging out in my holiday tub downstairs...off I go!
Posted by: Allison | February 10, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Nichole - I can't take it anymore!!! I need the 15th to be here so I can buy all of this stuff. This is an excellent product and I love everything the you and the designers have thought of!
Posted by: Heather J. | February 10, 2008 at 01:08 AM
HOLY TOLEDO! I am just in awe. Seriously, how do you all do it?!?! I haven't even covered a single one of my heart tins and now I will be dreaming of these boxes.
Posted by: Charlene Austin (SCS - Willow01) | February 10, 2008 at 01:18 AM
OMG OMG OMG!!!! Too cute for words, but the words that DO come to mind are awe-inspiring, amazing? That baby sock idea just about put me over the edge, although they are ALL great ideas! I am forwarding this on to many...oh, and I see we got a sneak peek at another papertrey ribbon color, Nicole? :D Congrats to all of you on your beautiful works of art!
Posted by: Jessica | February 10, 2008 at 01:24 AM
Nichole, really these projects are simply amazing. Each one is so unique and special. wow. wow!
Posted by: Travelingmama | February 10, 2008 at 01:42 AM
Wow...they all look fantastic!!
Posted by: Rose Ann | February 10, 2008 at 01:52 AM
Oh Wow!! It's all so beautiful. Love your boxes ladies. You never fail to deliver Nichole.
Posted by: Courtney Ferguson | February 10, 2008 at 02:00 AM
oooohing and aaaaaaahing over here! those projects rock, Nichole! TFS!
Posted by: Christine Villacarlos | February 10, 2008 at 02:13 AM
Unbelievable! What an adorable way to give a gift to someone.
Posted by: Candyf | February 10, 2008 at 02:17 AM
How adorable! What a wonderful baby gift that would be. I love all of the boxes!
Posted by: Diana Bays | February 10, 2008 at 02:23 AM
I love all the variations on the box -there are soooo many great ideas - just perfect for gifts and embelishments!
Posted by: meigan | February 10, 2008 at 02:32 AM
You've outdone yourselves this time! I love the idea with the little plants, but my favourite is the box with the cupcakes.....yummo!
Posted by: Teresa | February 10, 2008 at 02:55 AM
WOWSERS!! Never seen Easter look so good before..just amazing creations!
Posted by: Julia | February 10, 2008 at 03:08 AM
I am speachless, the samples are wonderful and visualize that the design options are endless. I can hardly wait to try one. What an exciting month sure to chase away the winter blues. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work ladies. Ann
Posted by: Ann Lind | February 10, 2008 at 03:17 AM
this is just amazing ,endless possibilities here
Posted by: Svana | February 10, 2008 at 03:22 AM
Wow, Nichole you really do a wonderful no, amazing job of displaying how versatile those boxes can be. Your creativity shines through each one. My jaw just dropped when I saw them.
Nettie
Posted by: nettie | February 10, 2008 at 04:08 AM
Just when I think you can't come up with anything else that I must have, you do it again! This is awesome! I hope you have enough stock for all of us placing orders on the 15th!
Posted by: Saltycatcco | February 10, 2008 at 04:20 AM
Love it, Love it, Loooove it!
What an amazing, versatile box-you have outdone yourselves with this one!
Posted by: Jodie Winters | February 10, 2008 at 04:29 AM
These are ABSOLUTELY adorable! Can't wait to see the stamp set.....you all are totally awesome!
Posted by: Debbie Barnhart | February 10, 2008 at 05:40 AM