You may remember that my friend Kathy gave me a bunch of metal boxes last summer.

I just have a few left that haven’t been given makeovers yet, including two plain metal index card boxes that I didn’t really think had much potential.

But then the other day I was watching a YouTube video where the creator was adding Christmas scenes with bottle brush trees and little Santa’s or reindeer into vintage tins (Ginger Chick Rehab), and it looked like so much fun.  But I didn’t have any fabulous vintage tins on hand.

So I decided to try ‘making’ my own out of the two index card boxes.

I started with the smallest box.  I gave it a quick sanding with 150 grit sandpaper to rough up the surface a little to improve adhesion, then I also gave it a coat of Dixie Belle’s Bonding Boss for the same reason.

Next I gave the box a coat of Dixie Belle’s Drop Cloth to create a base.  Once thoroughly dry, I pulled out an old re.design with prima transfer called Gingham Red (I’m not sure why it’s called that since both included designs are plaid, not gingham, but don’t let that throw you off).

I had used most of the red plaid on this sled back in 2019 …

But I had just enough left to cover the entire box.

As you can see, it didn’t go on perfectly.  I have a couple of spots where the transfer cracked and you can see the white underneath.  But that’s OK, I wanted the box to appear vintage.

FYI, I did not apply any sort of sealer over the transfer.  I’m never happy with how a topcoat looks over these full coverage sort of transfers.  This little box shouldn’t get much wear and tear, so I think it will be OK without a sealer.

Now for the fun part.  After adding some floral foam inside the box, I hot glued in some bottle brush trees and a cute little reindeer.

Then, after adding some moss around them to hide the floral foam, I tucked in a couple of vintage glass ornaments.

Those of you who are fans of A Christmas Story might appreciate the book I used to stage the photos 😉

I went in a completely different direction with the larger of the two boxes.  I noted that when open, the lid falls all the way back, which didn’t lend itself well to the same treatment as the smaller box.

So instead I decided to just paint it up inside and out with Dixie Belle’s Dried Sage after sanding and giving it a coat of Bonding Boss first.

Then I pulled out I.O.D.’s Fairy Merry Christmas transfer (a 2023 release, now retired).  It has a really beautiful woodland wreath in muted colors.

I had been ‘saving’ it for just the right project.  I’m sure many of you know that feeling.

It was time to just go ahead and use it!

I didn’t want to just slap a wreath on the top of this box, so instead I started cutting it up to make it work on the box.  Part of it went on the front, and another section went on the top.

I also added a stamp to the box.  As I’ve mentioned quite a few times, I’m still struggling to get a result that I like when using rubber stamps.  This was actually attempt no. 2.  The first attempt was too smudged, so I tried to wipe it away with a damp cloth before it dried.  That ended up turning into a eureka sort of moment for me because I really liked the faded image that was left behind (although still not the smudging).

So I painted back over that area, and once the paint was dry I applied the stamp again.  Then I waited about 60 seconds or so, and wiped it away with a damp rag.

I’m sure this technique does not work with just any kind of ink and/or paint.  But in this case I was using VersaFine Clair ink in Pinecone over Dixie Belle paint (a chalk style paint).  I had not sealed my paint before applying the stamp.  I highly recommend playing around with this effect before attempting it on something that might get ruined.

I also added a transfer from the Fairy Merry Christmas set to the inside of the lid.

I finished the box off with a coat of Dixie Belle’s flat clear coat.

What could one use this box for?

I guess I’m not really sure.  But it definitely is pretty.  And also not overtly ‘Christmas’, so it could be popped onto a bookshelf and left there all year really.

What would you put in it?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Thank you to Dixie Belle Paint Co for their products used in this makeover.