Making Memory Boxes: Box Projects to Make, Give, and Keep

I got this book at our local library and loved it so much that I had to buy it. I've loved boxes my entire life and can hardly throw one away. I'm so excited about the prospect of making my own boxes in any size, shape and color that I want. I've looked through a few books on this subject, but this is the book I'll start off with. I appreciate her exacting yet easy techniques and recommendations for the best materials, like Davey board instead of lesser cardboards that will warp. She also gives a technique for making your own bookcloth which excites me as a quilter/sewer.

This is a wonderful book filled with beautiful, unique boxes. Though they can be a bit time consuming, none of the projects are difficult and they can easily be made by a beginning crafter with a little patience. The book starts out with the essentials of tools, materials and adhesives. I found the adhesives chart, which compares 4 different adhesive types, very helpful. There are also recipes for paste and methyl cellulose. Binder's board (Davy board) is the basic structural element for most of the projects. Principles covered include grain direction, parts of the box, measuring, cutting, gluing, covering with paper and fabric and making neat corners.There are 13 different box projects, including a buttonhole stitched box, jewelry box, postcard box, picture frame box, faux book box, ornament box, artist's portfolio and Victorian scrapbook. The directions are excellent and include a materials list and step-by-step instructions accompanied by clear demonstrating photos. A large picture of the finished projects is also included. Conveniently, there is a list of suppliers in the back. This book is perfect for bookbinders, rubber stampers and scrapbookers, and makes a great addition to any paper artist's library. The boxes themselves make great gifts for your loved ones and will be treasured for years to come.

This is a must-have book for anyone interested in the art of boxmaking. Barbara's vast teaching experience is reflected in the easy to follow step-by-step instructions which, when followed, will result in beautiful boxes. In the section on adhesives, Barbara takes the mystery out of the properties and usage of various adhesives (this section alone is worth the price of the book). You won't be disappointed in this practical and inspirational book.

By the time I had finished the introduction to this book and flipped through the pages of pictures, I knew that I, a ten thumbed, visually illiterate artist wanna-be, could make a memory box. Mauriello's instructions are so clear ("Whatever you do to one side of a board, do to the other")and the photos so vivid and carefully organized to show all stages of a project that I felt confident that I could buy the correct tools and supplies and construct a box of my own design. And what's more, I think I would enjoy the experience. The book is inspiring as well as beautiful. I have given copies to three friends who make their own holiday gifts, and they too are eager to make boxes.

... I connected with this book when I read the veryfirst sentence: "Anyone who has ever filled a shoe box with familyphotos or crammed small treasures into a cigar box has already made amemory box." I'm one of those anyones and I bet you are, too.Since practical, exacting, and thorough in text and visual instructiondescribe the teaching elements of the book, describing the actualboxes is a little more fun: quirky, playful, exotic, beautiful,unusual, practical, and sturdy are words that come to mind. The boxesare intended to please the eye AND to use AND to last. There is giftgiving potential here. Who wouldn't want at least one of thefollowing? The: postcard box, patchwork box, picture frame box,Victorian scrapboard, paper box, faux book box, artist's portfolio,jewelry box, button box, candy box, letter box, ornament box, and thebuttonhole stitched box. You will find many supplies needed aroundthe house, and a list of sources is given to help you find others. Youwill also find this a classy book!