Weddingbee boards

For the Card Box:

I bought some christmas gift boxes from Michaels and some inexpensive acrylic craft paint, and some pearl trim from Joann's.  I couldn't find a paint color I liked, so I mixed white, ivory, and antique gold for custom colors that fit my theme.  I used an x-acto knife and ruler to cut the slit in the top lid, and then cut the holes in the bottom of the top box and the top of the bottom lid.  I sanded the boxes lightly so that the paint would stick since the boxes were very smooth (very important!!!! I should have sanded them more, actually) and then hand painted them.  I had to use two, sometimes three layers, and I had to let the paint dry in between.  I covered my table with kraft paper, but newspaper would work too.  Painting the gold ivy pattern by hand took six or more hours, I worked on this all night.  I used clips to hold the boxes together while the glue dried.  I used painters masking tape to create a straight line for the gold trim, but since I didn't do a good enough job sanding the box I could only do one side like that- the tape started to pull up the paint.  This probably could have been avoided if I had let the box dry over night, but I was impatient.  If you are in a less humid area then the drying time will be shorter.

The unity candle was pretty straight-forward.  Layered different bits of ribbon with glue and double stick tape.  I have to make the base, still deciding on that.  Probably will do something with seashells and river rocks in a wood tray.

The flowergirl baskets were already gold, no need to paint those thankfully.  I wrapped the handle in ribbon and then added a tulle ivory bow.  I held the ends of the tulle and satin ribbon over a candle to finish the edges so that they wouldn't unravel later.  I tied a star fish to the handle with raffia.

Total cost for the two boxes, candles (with 2 extra taper candles), 4 types of ribbon, paint, pearl trim, a spool of tulle, cheap brushes, star fish, baskets, and raffia- $90.  I already had the glue, sanding paper, kraft/butcher paper, tape, silk flower for the candle, etc, but if you wanted to add that all in I'd say I spend $110 or something close.  I bought way too much paint, I could have saved money on that, but that only cost $15 probably so it wasn't bad.

What do you guys think?  I still have to add a sign that says "Cards" and create a base for the unity candles.  My theme is vintage seaside- I wanted everything to look elegant with touches of the ocean.  I may add some seashells to the cardbox, I haven't decided.

Sorry the photos are so grainy!

Thank you everyone!  My fiance called me insane when he woke up in the morning and saw the finished product, haha.  He couldn't believe I handed painted them.

I may add more to the cardbox.  Do you guys think it needs more details?

An important part of DIY is to plan the project and make a supply list before you go to Michaels, otherwise its overwhelming!  I had a general idea for what I wanted to do but made the mistake of not knowing how I would do it, so it took me two hours to walk through Michaels, ack!

hehe, thank you everyone!  My next project is a DIY cake topper- either a monogram with swarovski crystals or a polymer clay bride and groom caricature.  I may do both and put the caricature on the gift table by the card box.  Haven't decided yet.