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Mini Gift Boxes by Michelle Powell, Part of the Twenty to Make Series

Mini Gift Boxes by Michelle Powell, Part of the Twenty to Make Series

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Mini Gift Boxes by Michelle Powell

Mini Gift Boxes by Michelle Powell

Kate Pullen
Mini Gift Boxes by Michelle Powell is part of the Twenty to Make series of books from Search Press. With 48 pages, Mini Gift Boxes is a small book, however it is packed with Twenty innovative gift box projects. The gift boxes range from quick and simple boxes to more complex designs that would make interesting gifts in their own right. Gift boxes are perfect projects for rubber stampers who are looking for new and different ways to use their stamps. This book offers plenty of projects that are suitable for stampers of all experience levels.

Gift Box Projects

Mini Gift Boxes contains step by step guides to making Twenty gift boxes. Templates are provided for some projects, ready prepared boxes are used for others and instructions are given for how to fold some of the more basic boxes. The book focuses not only on how to make gift boxes, but also takes a look at how to transform basic gift boxes with decorations. The gift boxes include innovative designs including baby trainers, ladybug boxes, a cute Geisha girl and seasonal boxes such as a Santa shaped box and an angel. The more classic styles of box, such as the origami box, can be adapted in a variety of ways.

Supplies and Equipment

Clear supplies lists are given for each project - and a lot of supplies are used! Many of the projects use different kinds of punches and die cutting tools. The vast majority of the supplies, however, are simple to source and most crafters are likely to have them to hand or can easily purchase any necessary supplies from craft stores. Stampers will like to use plain paper and card and add their own designs and decoration using rubber stamps.

Personal Thoughts

I really enjoyed reading Mini Gift Boxes by Michelle Powell. It is a small book, but Michelle manges to pack a lot into the pages. The book contains Twenty very different projects which can be adapted to many occasions. With the price of the book being comparative to the price of a magazine (particularly given some of the discounts that some book stores offer) it certainly represents good value for money.

I appreciate the strength of the projects and the amount of material that the book manages to cover. I found that the fact that the individual steps are not illustrated means that I would need to work through the projects in scrap paper first. I found the projects well written and easy to understand - however I am an experienced papercrafter. A complete beginner may find it better to start with the projects that adapt and customize ready made boxes.

My main gripe with the book is that some of the projects use die cut machines to produce pieces. Although many experienced crafters will own a die cut machine, it is certainly not a common tool among beginner crafters, however suggestions for alternatives are provided for people without die cut machines or the necessary cartridges.

I would recommend Mini Gift Boxes to anyone interested in making gift boxes. It is ideal for stampers who are looking for a new challenge. This is a small book, however represents excellent value for money and would make a great stocking filler.

More Information

  • Title: Mini Gift Boxes
  • Author: Michelle Powell
  • Publisher: Search Press
  • Publication Date: 29 Sep Twenty09
  • Language English
  • ISBN-13: 978-1844484621

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