MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED INCLUDE:

• cardstock
• tape
• scissors
• clear hobby rubber stamps
• embellishments (ribbon, glitter, buttons, eyelets, brads, etc.)
• coloring tools
• pigment ink for stamping
• Gift Box template

HOW TO MAKE YOUR GIFT BOX

0. Print the Gift Box template onto your cardstock and cut it out on all the solid lines. The template is designed to fit on an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper. You can resize if you desire. The box will measure 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 1 1/4" tall when finished.
0. Begin by making the bottom of your box. Cut out the bottom template on all the solid lines. Next lay the cut out template on the table and begin folding (fold toward yourself not toward the table) on all the dotted lines.
0. Next complete the base of the box by folding the sides of the box over the square tabs as illustrated in the photo. Secure with tape.
0. Repeat step 2 with the top of your mini gift box.
0. Turn the folded (but not secured) box over so the printed side is away from you. Choose your clear rubber stamps and decorate the 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" surface of your gift box.  You may also wish to stamp a border design or create your own design for the sides of your box.
0. Color in the stamped images and embellish as desired. Glitter may be added after the box is assembled if you prefer.
0. Once you are done decorating your box, reapeat step 3 to secure the top. You may wish to add glitter or other decorations to complete the craft.

Pull out your hobby craft supplies and create the perfectly personal Valentines Box of chocolates this Valentines Day for the ideal homemade gift idea using clear art rubber stamps. This box is not only uniquely designed by you, but it conveys those extra special feelings in the time and effort you expend.

This romantic gift box idea uses up those hard to use paper scraps and turns them into a loving Valentine wish. For an extra personal touch, you could stamp on the chocolates you place inside the box.

1. Purchase your chocolates in a heart shaped box. You will be re-covering the heart shaped surface with coordinating scraps of pattern and solid paper.
2. Begin by dividing the heart in half with a vertical line from the top of the heart to the bottom point of the heart. This will give you a line to follow so you can arrange your paper pieces straight.
3. Select 3 or 4 different papers that complement one another in color and design. Cut some into strips and others into rectangles. Experiment with the placement so you get the most appealing arrangement. Before securing any of the pieces to the box, first ink the edges of each piece with a sponge dauber and stamping ink. In the photo above, the edges were inked in a dark red ink.
4. As you glue the pieces in place, allow the edges to overlap as much as a 1/4". Check for squareness as you place each piece. Once you have covered the box, trim the excess paper from the edges and ink the edges.
5. Embellish your box with clear border and heart rubber stamps. Stamps used in the example above include the My Favorite Letters 'L' clear stamps, and the word love stamped with clear alphabet stamps.
6. Complete the project with some ribbon and other embellishments that will add dimension to the design. Create a complimentary tag if you wish and attach it to your Valentine.