Something Different

As Monty Python would say, and now for something entirely different.  A while back I saw the neatest thing on Janet's blog.  It was a handmade book of boxes.  It looked so interesting.  I wanted to make one too. So I ordered the books on how to make it.

 Then nothing.  I never got around to making it.  When I was visiting Janet in Indianapolis a couple weeks ago, I got to see her book in person.  She keeps it in her casket.  I was reminded that I always wanted to make it.  When I got home I looked for the books and found them.
So I scrounged around for some special paper to make it with.  Or rather, to just try out the first step.  I had some leathery paper that I tried it out with first.

 Like Goldilocks, that paper was too heavy.  So then I got some rice paper, but it was too light.

I want a paper that you can draw on with pen and ink or watercolor.  What is recommended is cartridge paper.  I guess that means copy paper or computer paper.  But it has to be slightly larger than 81/2 by 11.  So at this point, I haven't found the perfect paper.  I want some handmade paper.  But the box is easy to make.  Then as I was walking this morning I thought about making it out of linen.  Could you cross stitch linen and make this?  I thought of all the unfinished stitching I have in a drawer.  Could I take a piece of stitching and make it into a box?  It could happen.

I happen to run across a tutorial about lining an Altoid's tin with paper.  The tutorial used Mod Podge.  I have some of that.  I also have a limited edition kit that I stitched that goes on a tin.

 So I tried using the Mod Podge to apply the paper to the inside of the tin.

 It worked beautifully.  I also thought, hey, why not try to attach the stitching to the top of the tin in the same way.  So I did.

 There is still some twisted cording that goes around the edge of the top to hide the wonky edge.

It's a lovely day for doing something fun.
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