Memory Boxes

This week, I've been entertaining an 11-year-old cousin of mine, and one thing I decided to do was have her make a memory box. A memory box is that place where you stick all those little trinkets and such that holds a pleasant memory for you. They can be anything, really - things friends gave you, very special photos, concert tickets, even rocks from special places. They might look like junk to anyone else, but all those little objects can trigger a great memory for you.

When I was in third grade, I started my own memory box. Of course, back then, I didn't have any idea about decoupage or that you could buy unfinished boxes - I just grabbed an old leatherish mini-suitcase-type box and plastered it with stickers, then started sticking little trinkets in it. There's a nice variety of stuff in there, from a seashell a friend decorated for me to concert tickets to my favorite band to my high school graduation tassel. Good times.

These days, of course, we have our local Hobby Lobby, so I figured my cousin could make her own box. Before we left, I asked her to write down her three favorite colors. Then, once we got to the paper aisle, she picked out three different patterns of paper, keeping her favorite colors in mind. Then, it was on to the sticker aisle. Pick up a little ribbon for the border around the lid, and we were all set.

Depending on how old your little crafter is, you'll have to do all the cutting, but they can do a lot of things. Have them pick out which paper they want where (one for the base, one for the lid, and if you're really ambitious, one for inside lining) and choose a color from those papers to paint the box. For example, my cousin picked a blue paper for the bottom and a pink, green, and magenta paper for the top. Therefore, while I was cutting the paper for her, she painted the base of her box blue and the top magenta. That way, if there were any gaps when she pasted the paper on, it wouldn't be as noticeable.

Once the paint dried, it was on to the decoupage part! At eleven years old, she was perfectly capable of gluing the paper on herself, and it lets her feel accomplished. After that dried, it was on to the stickers. This is where she really seemed to have fun - just let her loose and put whatever stickers she wants wherever, and she'll be happy. Let your crafter add whatever embellishments you picked up at the craft store, and you're done with the box.

It's a nice project for a rainy summer day or two, and with any luck, it'll be something your crafter will be able to enjoy even years later.