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Saturday, 3 May 2025

Jane Austin Keepsake Box

I'm sharing a Jane Austin themed Keepsake Box with matchbox mini books that I have made for myself using one of the digital download kits from Polka Art Studios.


This year marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austin and celebrates the life of this amazing author and her six classic novels.

I was thrilled to see this kit which is a crafting mix of my love of these books and diorama in a perfectly executed kit.


The Jane Austin Keepsake Book with matchbox mini books is a digital download kit from Polka Art Studios. This charming vintage kit also comes with a printable template and a link to an easy to follow YouTube tutorial while you craft. 

Everything has been carefully thought out, once downloaded, just print and craft.


I've recently upgraded my desktop pc, which I prefer to use from even though I have a Chromebook and I often use different software programs to print from, depending on what I am doing,  but really like that fact that this whole kit is completely set out for you just to cut out an assemble, which makes your crafting so much easier.

You just need to add a few pieces of card to strengthen your box. I used some Kraft card.


I love these picture story pages for the mini books. Each one thought through and illustrated, with a  lovely vintage feel to it too.

Sometimes you sit down to craft and don't know where to start, especially if your mojo has taken some time out, but what is great with a project like this is that all the hard work has been done for you and it has been set up ready for you to assemble and put your own personal finishing touches to it.


I've added a touch of copper metallic wax to the edges of the tea caddy shaped box and some 1cm pink organza ribbon around the edges of the box to highlight the decorated bands. On top of that I've added some small flat backed cream pearls.


I love this idea of a mini collection of mini books in this style. My favourites have always been Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice. All I need now is a  Bronte Sisters set of mini books with Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights to add to my collection.


If I had printed my tea caddy box out on the correct printer setting my match boxes would fit snuggly inside but I am happy with how they look and think this design would make such a beautiful keepsake box to gift.


The inside of the box is just as pretty as the outside. I tend to use what I have in my craft stash when I am crafting and I used  Navigator card (200gsm) for the tea caddy  box, matchbox and book cover and copier paper for the book pages.

I have also edged my project throughout with vintage photo distress ink and used a clear sparkle overlay pen on the flowers on the front and inside lid of the box for a little shimmer.


I've added a 'love' charm with a tiny hanging heart shaped key on the front of the box and tied a piece of wired dusky pink taffeta ribbon across the front of my box.


I also added a heart shaped button to the top of my tea caddy shaped box and a few more flat backed cream pearls.


I have loved making this for myself, I'm normally a slow crafter and this didn't take that long to make which is an added bonus too.

Have a look a Polka Art Studios YouTube channel if you'd like some crafty inspiration too. They have lots of free projects to download that you may want to try out too that also come with free tutorials.

Thanks for stopping by today to view my little crafty space and have a weekend,
whatever you have planned for yourself.

Happy Crafting






Challenges
CD Sunday Plus - AG  - Winner 
Crafts Galore - AG - DT Favourite 
TicTacToe -stripes/ribbon/treat holder - mine are mini books
613 Ave Create - AG
We love to create - AG  - DT Favourite 

18 comments:

Cheryl W. said...

Everything you create is so beautiful, Michelle. The exquisite details and perfect construction just blow me away. You're amazing!

KarinsArtScrap said...

wow this is gorgeous Michelle, beautiful made and done........gr karin

crafty-stamper said...

WOW this is absolutely amazing Michelle, fabulous box, such beautiful Vintage papers and images and just love those little mini books-absolutely amazing and a fabulous gift or keepsake.
Carol x

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

So clever, love it . Hugs Angela xXx

Mia said...

Beautiful! Thank you so much for entering our challenge at 613 Avenue Create with this lovely creation. Looking forward to see you again next challenge.
Regards,
Mia
Designer for 613 Avenue Create
craftartista.blogspot.com {My Blog}

brenda said...

A gorgeous mixed media piece depicting as you rightly say one of our very best authors.

B x

Jocelyn said...

Wow! This is beautiful. What an amazing project. So many details. One more word to sum it up - Fabulous.
Thank you for sharing with us.
Jocelyn x
CD Sunday Plus DT

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

An amazing piece of work, showing off the images to their full potential, a fabulous creation Emma. So many details added to make it really special. x

Pamela said...

This is a stunningly beautiful make. The images are beautiful and you've used them to make a beautiful keepsake. This is my sort of make!
Pamela
CD Sunday Plus DT.

Linby said...

I've made this too but not shared it yet. Isn't it fun and love how you personalised yours.

!neke said...

Love this creation !!!!
Fijn dat je meedoet !
Girlz Creative Fun Art of Scrap
groeten Ineke

mamawcindy said...

First off, I love that you made this for yourself. It sounds like it's perfect for you. What a wonderful kit. I think it's just beautiful and love all of the pretty details that you added.
Happy day to you!
cindys-greencricut

Seafield Jo said...

Wow! This is a fabulous creation, so beautiful. Amazing!
Thanks for sharing with us.
Jo x
CD Sunday Plus DT

Becca Sadler said...

Spectacular mega project! Little projects inside of a larger creation! Super! Thanks for sharing at Ally's Angels #93!! -- Becca

Pauline C said...

Very clever and intricate mixed media project with so much beautiful detail to look at. Thanks so much for sharing with this month’s “I Spy With My Little Eye” challenge.
Pauline xx

Roni JJ said...

WOW!!! This is a stunning creation! Every aspect is beautiful!! Thank you for sharing your project with us at the Crafts Galore Encore “Anything Goes” Challenge. Good luck and we hope to see you again soon!

Dagmara Gorczyńska said...

Wow, this is so beautiful! I love everything connected with books!

Thank you for joining us at the Crafts Galore Encore
Challenge.
~ DT Dagmara

https://shinebrightandcreate@blogspot.com/ said...

thanks so much for your lovely comments x

Jane Austin Keepsake Box

I'm sharing a Jane Austin themed Keepsake Box with matchbox mini books that I have made for myself using one of the digital download kit...