More Altered Art Photo Boxes - Homemade Gifts

In December I shared an altered art photo box that makes a nice homemade gift. If you missed it, you can read about it here.

Today I'd like to feature two more boxes, which can also be used to store CDs, DVDs, love letters, or personal treasures. I started with file boxes I bought at a craft store.

I used a page from a calendar with photos of Tuscany and tore the picture into three sections, with the middle section being the widest, which I glued to the lid of the box. The other two sections are on the sides. Calendars usually have a page displaying all the photos in smaller sizes on the back. I used the miniature of the large photo for the front of the box (lower left-hand corner in above picture).

A view of the top of the box. 

In addition to the calendar photo, I used torn pieces of scrapbook paper and embellishments from the craft store, such as leaves, flowers, rhinestones, pearls, ribbon, raffia. 

Side view.

Back of photo box. I love the torn paper look. 

Here's another photo box:

Wood letters from the craft store were used for the names. Using the nonbrush end of a small paint brush, I dipped it into black paint and dabbed it on the letters to make black dots. The smaller dots were made by dipping the tip of a pencil into white paint and placing them in between the black dots.

Dots of gold glitter glue enhance the right edge.

The miniature of the larger photo is glued to the inside of the lid.

Side view.

Back of box. No, that's not a vintage post card glued on there.
It's scrapbook paper, but an authentic post card would be even cooler!

I apologize for the poor quality of some of these photos. 

I know nothing about photography, plus my camera was on the blink.

Here are all three photo boxes. Each was decorated with a different page 

from the same Tuscany calendar purchased at a dollar store.

You can pick any theme you want and make one of these for yourself - for sewing supplies, craft supplies, anything. Or make them as gifts for any occasion. For a wedding, you can make it elegant and add lots of pearls or rhinestones and scraps of rich fabric. 

A baby theme would be fun for a baby shower gift. Fill the box with baby shampoo, lotion, pacifiers, thermometer, spoons, diaper wipes, bibs, wash cloths, any small baby accessories. You could glue a pacifier with thin ribbon bows, along with a tiny board book or miniature teddy bear or even a cute baby brush to the top of the box.

If you know what the nursery theme is, you can go with that. Jungle animals are popular now. One mom I know decorated her daughter's nursery in a lady bug theme. A lady bug altered art box would be an adorable accent for the nursery and serve to store miscellaneous baby items such as Q-tips, Desitin, and extra packages of pacifiers.

For Mother's Day, choose a theme based on something your mom loves or collects: flowers, roosters, teacups, gardening stuff. Empty seed packages would make cool embellishments.

For Father's Day, go with a golf theme if Dad loves to golf. Or deck it out with a banner or logo of his favorite sports team. 

A book worm or writer would love a box with a book theme. Old books are cheap at thrift stores. The pages or even spines would go perfect with book marks. Floral wire can be bent into the shape of a pair of glasses for an added touch. 

Need a gift for a musician? A music theme would be tons of fun. Sheet music can be used instead of scrapbook paper. Add photos of the recipient playing at a music recital. Guitar picks, a copy of the cover of the person's favorite CD, or even drum sticks would make neat embellishments. 

These are just ideas I'm throwing out there. You can do whatever you want. Use whatever materials you'd like. I prefer to use things I have around the house to save money. Craft store embellishments can be costly if you're on a budget. 

Don't be afraid to try new things. Have fun creating your own unique art. I hope these ideas helped. 

Do you have any other ideas for themes? What would be the perfect theme if someone wanted to make one of these for you? Would you use it for photos, CD's, DVDs, or something else?