When I first started creating this project I had a fall-themed and Thanksgiving vision. I wanted to create a project that our readers could easily re-create themselves and use not just seasonally, but anytime of the year. My “Give Thanks” box could be used as a hostess gift or as a gift on any occasion.

Start by painting the wood box (5KABOXSM) with a tan colored acrylic paint (5HSP24828) and allow to dry. Then paint with Antique Bronze crackle paint (5RR-TDC24491). The metallic crackle paints take quite a while to dry compared to the regular crackle paint so you will have to set it aside for at least an hour – maybe longer depending on the thickness of the coat. Once it has dried, use a small container and add 1 part water to 1 part gesso (5HSP24941). Mix with a paint brush and then paint lightly over the box, then gently dab with a paper towel. Allow to dry. Once dried you can paint over the entire box with Matte Collage Pauge (5DU-MATTE16). This will seal and protect the paint and wood and prevent the paint from chipping.

Cut out the girl image from the Tuscan Rose collage sheet (5TR-352C - DISCONTINUED) and cut it down to size so that it fits just inside the Melissa Frances Newstead Frame (5HH-CX696 - DISCONTINUED). Glue the collage image onto the center of the box using a glue stick adhesive (5AT-BORDERLINE - DISCONTINUED) and the glue the frame on using Diamond Glaze (5JK-DIAMOND2) for a strong hold.

Take a few of the grass flowers from the Prima Wildwood Natural Flowers (5PM-530112 & 5PM-530129) ) and glue onto the right side of the image by using just a little Diamond Glaze (5JK-DIAMOND2) on the bottom of the stem and then place onto the image.

Click to enlarge