Saturday, January 17, 2015

Keepsake Wedding Box

Ever since my son Tony got engaged, I've wanted to make Alex a keepsake box to put wedding items into as they plan their special day.  Then after the wedding they can use it for storage and decoration.  My first problem was finding a box.  Originally I was planning on finding a vintage hope chest and refinishing that, but I decided against it because of its large size.


Then one day last summer we were up in Kenosha, Wisconsin and we stopped at a yard sale where Chablis spied a box filled with old baseball caps.  I almost tripped over my own feet as I rushed over to check it out.  I quickly dumped all the baseball caps onto a tarp and purchased the box on the spot - for $ 3.00!  It was in really rough shape, but I fell in love with it and thought it was a steal!

I know, it's pretty sad looking, but I could just see what I wanted it to be.  First I scrubbed it down with soapy water and bleach, and let it sit outside to air out for a few days.



Next I got out my electric sander and smoothed out the entire outside of the box.  Next up I started painting.  Tony and Alex have chosen blue and gold as their wedding colors, so I picked out a pretty blue and got to work....



I wanted to line the inside of the chest with some wedding themed paper, so I got some scrap booking paper with a wedding dress and tuxedo theme.  I cut down the sheets to fit around the inside and glued them in and then coated with a couple layers of modge podge....


Once the paper was all dried, I glued lace trim around the edges and then added gold beading around the entire perimeter.  I spray painted some buttons gold and finally glued gold and white buttons and white pearls along one edge.  I also added a vintage skeleton key and a vintage number nine in one corner, to signify their anniversary date....



I wanted to stencil a quote onto the chest and Tony and I kept kicking around ideas, until one day I happened to see a Bible verse that Alex had pinned on her Pinterest board and as soon as I saw it, I knew that was the quote....


I added 2 lovebirds on a branch.....


And afterwards I distressed the entire chest and gave it a light coating of stain to age it....


At the last minute I decided I didn't care for the silver hardware, so I removed all of it, gave everything a couple coats of spray-on gold paint, and put it all back together.  I was so happy I did that because the gold hardware looks so much better....







And there it is, all finished  up.  I couldn't wait until Christmas got here so I could give it to Alex.  She absolutely loves it and she said they are going to try to use it for something at the wedding.





  I think that would be such a great idea.  The box is approximately 3' x 2' x 2'.  I hope they keep it and enjoy it for years to come....

27 comments:

  1. Really cute idea. I'm sure they will love it. Good job!

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  2. I love it. That is one of my favorite verses, it always brings tears to my eyes. At one of the weddings I officiated, the couple wrote each other a letter of all the reasons they fell in love, and placed the letters and a bottle of wine in a box, to be opened when they had their first big fight as a reminder of why their marriage was worth the effort and compromise that any relationship requires. (they also considered opening it on a special anniversary if it hadn't been opened before then -- I have the 'ceremony' in my files, but that was the one where I got the concussion so I don't remember it as clearly as I should, lol -- but it was sweet!)

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  3. Sensational keepsake! Great job and great idea too!

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    1. Thank you - I was so happy with the way it turned out.

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  4. They are such a beautiful couple and this is perfect for their treasures. What a wonderful year you have to look forward to. Take care girlfriend! Sweet hugs, Diane

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    1. Thanks Diane - Tony was so excited for me to give it to her. xo

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  5. Your son and his fiancee make such a cute couple! What a great way to repurpose an old wooden box. It came out great! What a wonderful wedding memento.

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    1. Thanks Linda - I think they are adorable together too.

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  6. What a perfect gift! I'm guessing this might well become a family heirloom!

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  7. What an awesome idea!! You did such a beautiful job Kim!! You have inspired me to finish a cabinet I have been thinking about at our home in Florida!! It's a big job and will take a while, but I hope it turns out well!! This box of yours will hold a special place in the hearts of the new family, filled with love and memories for years to come!! You are so Awesome!!!

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  8. BTW the first pic of them in the frame is an awesome idea too!! Looks like a great pic for an engagement announcement or Christmas card!!! xo

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    1. Thanks. Chablis took their engagement photos and that one is one of my favorites.

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  9. Oh my goodness, Kim! What a labor of love that box must have been! It's absolutely beautiful! What a wonderful keepsake for the kids to enjoy.
    The photos are so precious of the happy couple. I can't even imagine how awesome their wedding pictures are going to be!
    Enjoy every moment of this special time.
    Debbie
    xoxo

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    1. Thanks Debbie - I so enjoyed making that box.

      Yes, I think they are going to have fabulous wedding photos too. But then, I am partial. LOL.

      xo

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  10. I'm continually amazed by your projects

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    1. Thanks John. This one was one of my all time favorites.

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  11. This was brilliant! I love the transformation.

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    1. Thank you so much and I appreciate you coming by and leaving a comment.

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  12. So darling, and I love that you put the verse of Solomon on there!
    Allie BobeJanuary 22, 2015 at 2:52 PM
    Very Cute idea, I'd love it if you shared this on my link party "Worthwhile Wednesdays" http://www.craftyallieblog.com/2015/01/worthwhile-wednesdays-52.html
    ~Allie

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  13. Wonderful idea to store memories. The color and distressing is perfect. Love the quote.

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