This little mailbox is sure to be part of your Valentine decor for years to come. Add little trinkets and tuck inside to warm any heart.
Supplies:
Medium Paper Mache Mailbox (Hobby Lobby)
Matte Gel Medium
Gesso
Cream Craft Paint
Lace Trim
Clear German Glass or Mica Chips
Pattern Paper
Ephemera (old sheet music or book text)
Buttons
Butterflies
Paper Whimsy Image 170
Technique:
(1) Paint paper mache mailbox with a coat of gesso inside and outside. Once dry add two coats of craft paint in your color.
(2) Remove mailbox flag and paint separately. Once dry, coat with matte gel medium and roll into German glass. Tap off access and allow time to dry.
(3) Measure areas that you will be applying the pattern paper to and cut out accordingly. Do a dry fit with the paper to make sure it will fit.
(4) Apply matte gel medium to inside of box and add pattern paper, book text or ephemera working out air bubbles to get a nice smooth finish. Set aside to dry.
(5) Apply matte gel to outside of box and apply pattern paper being sure to smooth and work out air bubbles. Allow drying time before adding remaining layers.
(6) Add ephemera, image and butterfly to box. Allow time to dry between layers.
(7) Glue lace trim along edges of box. Once this has dried, glue buttons on.
(8) Re-attach mail flag on side of box.
(9) Tuck little treasures inside.
DAILY GIVEAWAY
Each day 3 lucky winners could receive a free download image sheet from the lovely Gale Blair, owner of www.paperwhimsy.com
TODAY’S GIVEAWAY IMAGE IS:
Paper Whimsy Sheet 170Please leave a comment with your name and email address to be eligible for this prize. Giveaway winners will be contacted by email to claim their prize!
Our giveaways winners for Day #8 are:
Marie S.
Petra B.
Marilyn R.
Congratulations! Gale will contact you by email with your prize!
This is so cute. I’ve not seen paper mache’ where I live, just metal mailboxes. But I’m sure I could use the same technique. Thanks again Nacny.
Oh yes this is a treasure!!
This is darling! I’ll have to look for the mailbox – happy to say it’s the first thing you’ve used in this series that I didn’t already have. That will be remedied on Monday!
Absolutely gorgoeus, love that shape.
This is out of my possibilities to make, no such funny paper mache things here in DK- but Nancy, it is a most darling and gorgeous art piece. I love the elements you have used ,the image, and beautiful flowered paper,the lovely lace-and everything done so acurate and beautiful.
Happy sunday dear friend, with hugs and xx,
Dorthe
This is perfection, from the images you used to the execution. How adorable it would be filled with vintage valentines and a ribbon-tied packet of love letters.
Another gorgeous project.
Again a very extraordinary and wonderful creation, dear Nancy! Super idea and beautifully designed.
Sweet, it reminds me of school days when we put our valentines cards in the little mailboxes (paper bag)! Di @ Cottage Wishes
What a beautiful work of art. What a pleasure it is waking up each morning to find a new tutorial. Christmas in February! Thanks again Nancy.
LOVE this! I have saved valentines that I received over the years – this would be a perfect place to keep them!
lovely!
I love the mailbox!!! It reminds me of when I was a little girl and got Valentine’s from classmates. So much fun!!
So gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing.
Such a sweet little creation. You always pick the perfect image to enhance your work.
Soo beautiful,Nancy.TFS.
Hugs,
Marie
This reminds me of third grade Valentines — which I loved!! Looking forward to trying it.
Love this cute mailbox!!! I don’t recall seeing these at Hobby Lobby-but I’m REALLY going to look next time i get there :)
How precious. Hobby Lobby is far from this country girl, but someplace I think I have a template of a mailbox..now that will be an all day search. Your 14 Hearts has been so fun, inspirational and motivational….thanks for doing it. Hope your weather is good, good day to stay in here, ice overnight, electricity is now back, rain, and now some snow!!But with no sun it is to reach 40!!!
So lovely and this could be used for many things/occasions!
Oh Nancy, this mailbox is soooo sweet! Love the adorable images and the colors are lovely…
Happy Sunday Nancy,
Luv your Valentine mailbox creation, it would look wonderful sitting on a desk!
Again, thanks for sharing your ideas.
Barb
So sweet, I can’t see I’ve ever seen a paper mache mailbox before! Very inventive and lovely, thanks Nancy!
What a cute idea! I love the mailbox for Valentines Day.
Barbara S.
This is my favorite so far. Maybe that’s because my Dad was a mail carrier. Love it!
this is just tooooooooooooo sweet!!
we don’t have a Hobby Lobby..but I’m going to check around..maybe Micheals or JoAnns..
thanks for sharing this !
have a lovely day!
Hi Nancy,
Love the mail box!! Hope you are having a wonderful day!
Linda
love this romantic letter box. I really think that image makes it! Lovely!
Love this idea and your simple tutorial – beautiful creation as usual!
Your touches and style all make this mailbox so very elegant and beautiful! xxoo
This is soooo adorable!! Perfect for the season of sending love letters.
Your work is so wonderful. Another great project.
love your project as well as today’s give-away!
What a wonderful idea. It would be so special on a teachers desk, to hold all those sweet Valentines.