Creating Keepsakes Blog

Guest Blogger: Rhonna Farrer of House of 3

Hi! I’m Rhonna Farrer, one third of the House of 3 with Heidi Swapp and Janet Hopkins. Today, I want to show you a new product we have that is so versatile and fun—we just love it!

It’s a paper-covered heart shadow box that has a clear acetate front so you can see inside. The kit comes with a chandelier dangle, one yard of black sateen ribbon, one heart top, one heart bottom, two rub-ons and a sheet of die-cut chipboard tags. Imagine all the possibilities—adding a large photo to the back of the heart to peek out and adding embellishments to make it pop, or creating fabulous, handmade gifts. I think grandparents would love a box dedicated to photos of their cute grandkids.

The best news of all? We are giving away 3 of these kits!  (We love the number 3!)  Just leave a comment here and tell us what you would do with this box, and we’ll pick 3 lucky CK winners. Now, let’s get creating . . .

Today, I’d like to share an idea I had for a family project called Love Notes using the box kit and photos. I wanted to creatively display an interactive reminder of our love for each other, and what better way than a “drop box” for us to to hang in our entryway where everyone passes by each day. In the jar on the table below the drop box, I have blank tickets and a pen for them to write little love notes to each other. There is a slit in the acetate so they can drop their love notes in. Each week we plan to gather together and read them to strengthen our family. So far, everyone loves it!

 Ready to put one together for your family?

Supplies needed:

• House of 3 Heart Box kit
• House of 3 French Oo La La Vintage Tickets
• House of 3 Printables digital backgrounds (optional—replace with patterned paper if desired)
• 2 sheets of Sticky Back Canvas by Claudine Hellmuth for Ranger Industries
• Scissors/craft knife/ hole punch
• Inkjet matte photo paper or white cardstock
• 2″ x 3″ photo
• Tulle
• Embellishments (your choice)
• Photo editing program (optional)
• Computer
• Printer

Step 1: Gather supplies. If you don’t want to use the digital/hybrid version I’ve got here, you can always use patterned paper for the background and actual fabric for the top and sides. But if you are game, try the hybrid thing . . . you’ll love it!

Step 2: Print. In Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, open up two of your favorite House of 3 digital backgrounds. Print the JPG files on the Sticky Back Canvas. On a coordinating background, type “Love Notes” 3″ down and 1″ from the right so it will be positioned properly. (Note: If you are using patterned paper, print directly on your paper and attach it to the Sticky Back Canvas.) Add any brush swirls or anything you wish. This is the time you can customize with names, quotes or whatever you want to peek through.

Step 3: Trace. Choose the Sticky Back Canvas pattern you want on the top of your box, turn it on the back, lay the heart box down and trace as shown in #3. Trace the acetate insert onto the background on the cardstock for the inside of the box.Step 4: Cut out. Cut the inside of the shadow box heart and the larger outline you’ll use for the top of the box. Adhere the heart back into the box interior.

Step 5: Peel. Separate the backing of the canvas and peel off the outline heart.  (You’ll have the other piece of heart left over.)

Step 6: Attach top. Gently press on the heart canvas to the top of the box.  Once it’s set, use a bone folder, file or burnisher to smooth the edges and make sure it’s secure.

Step 7: Cut strips. With the leftover paper canvas pieces, cut 1 1/2″ wide strips of various lengths. You’ll fit them randomly on the side of the box, so no need to measure too much now.

Step 8: Adhere strips to sides. Peel the backing off the strips and alternate patterns, gently pressing on until you have gone around the whole box. Trim as necessary.

Step 9: Cut holes. With a hole punch or craft knife, cut openings where the heart box has the holes on top and bottom of box. (Hint: Work from the inside so you can see the holes.)

Step 10: Thread ribbon and cut slit. Measure and cut the ribbon for hanging. On the top of the box put ribbon through holes and knot. With a craft knife or scissors, cut a slit for the drop box.

Step 11: Add ribbon and embellishments. Thread ribbon through the bottom holes of the box and add the rub-ons to the acetate. Adhere the acetate to the inside of the box. Attach the chandelier jewel to the bottom of the box.

Step 12: Finish as desired. Accent your small photo with some chipboard elements.  Punch a hole in it and tie onto the hanging ribbon. Add tulle or any other embellishments you’d like. For mine, I added a foil flower I made from elements in the Girls’ Loft July kit and a cute little bird I got at a craft store. Just be creative and add anything you’d like!

Hang your project somewhere your whole family can see so it can remind you to focus on the love you have for each other. Don’t forget to set a time to read your notes to one another. 

Don’t you love that creative rush you get when you make something? I love creating things I can use in my everyday life that beautify my surroundings!  While I’m here, I must tell you about an upcoming event in Salt Lake City on November 6 & 7 that has just this type of attitude in mind—Spark the Event.  

It’s a creative event that encompasses that innate desire to create. We’ll be creating with jewelry, mixed media journals and fabric while we focus on capturing photographic memories in new and creative ways! Come and join Margie Romney-Aslett, Elizabeth Kartchner, Jefra Linn  and me for an amazing creative journey. Registration is open now. For more information, check this out!

Thanks for letting me share this creative journey with you . . . come on over to my blog and be sure to enjoy your process!

Rhonna