One of my favorite ways to stretch supplies (and my budget) is making my own "fancy" gift bags and boxes. It's fun to do, and makes presents for my family and friends feel extra-special; plus they can be used again and again.

Step 1: Starting with the smallest of the three Dylusions Nesting Boxes, place Dyan Reaveley's Small Star Flurry Stencil on one side of the box lid, and lightly secure with Dina Wakley MEdia Pink Art Tape. Using a Mini Ink Blending Tool and Domed Foam, apply Vibrant Fuchsia Archival Ink through the stencil. Reposition the stencil on the other side of the box and repeat. (Don't worry about making the design join up, the center of all three lids will be covered!)

Step 2: Apply a dot of Palm Leaf Stickles to the center of each Star Flurry, and set the lid aside to allow the Stickles to dry completely.

Step 3: On the lid of the medium-sized Nesting Box, apply Sun Dazed Archival through the star layer of Simon Hurley's Sparkling Stars Layering Stencil Set, repositioning the stencil as necessary to cover the entire surface.

Step 4: Using the sparkle stencil from the Sparkling Stars set, apply Aquamarine Archival.

Step 5: On the largest Nesting Box, and working on one half at a time, apply Sea Grass Archival to the foliage areas of Dylusions' Small Jolly Holly Stencil, and Vibrant Fuchsia to the berries.

Step 6: Add Hibiscus Stickles to all of the Fuchsia berries, then set aside and allow to dry completely.

Step 7: After the tops of the lids are completely dry, use Pink Art Tape to mask off all but the center section of each side, and use a flat brush to paint a stripe of coordinating Liquid Pearls. The colors are as follows: Ballerina on the smallest box; Gold Pearl on the medium box; and Succulent on the largest.

Step 8: Cut three strips of Dina Wakley Sticky Back Canvas Tape; each one long enough to wrap around the narrower side of a box lid; this is approximately 10.5" for the small box; 12.25" for the medium and 13" for the large. Using Dyan's Small Drip Drops Stencil and Aquamarine Archival, stencil the design on each strip, repositioning as necessary to cover the entire length.

Step 9: (Optional!) Stamp the small solid heart from Letter It's Loves Stamp Set in Coastal Coral Archival along a length of cotton ribbon sufficient to go around the longer side of each box and tie in a bow; for the samples, this was approximately eight feet, total. (Pre-printed or solid ribbon can be substituted, but stamping on ribbon is surprisingly fun!)

Step 10: Assembly: Peel the backer off your strips of stenciled canvas tape and affix to each of the boxes, wrapping the ends around to the inside of each lid. Add gifts to each box, wrap the stamped ribbon around lengthwise, and tie into neat bows.

Step 11: Add coordinating tags, if desired, made from festively-shaped Dylusions Dyamond Boards. Place your boxes under the tree and enjoy admiring them until the Big Day!