Really.  I love creating tissue box covers.

This one is pretty simple because it’s for the Manliest Bathroom in the house.  (It’s generally the SANDIEST too, but that’s a story for another day.)  I found this gorgeous Basic Grey grid Designer Series paper in the new Kaleidoscope assortment from the Occasions catalog.  When you see the rest of the patterns, you’ll think there must be a mistake – but really, it’s there!

It’s the last one on the right – the one rolled over the top.  Huh.

Anyway, the other night I was in one of those twitchy finger, I don’t know what I want to do, what-should-I-make kind of moods.  D’you ever feel that way?  I walked down the hallway and looked into the Manly Bathroom and thought TISSUE BOX.  (I know.  You probably would have done the same thing.)  It didn’t take long from that point.

Once I decided to use that fabulous grey grid the colors fell into place.  The embellishment was kind of tricky.  Remember, this is a MANLY bathroom.  Flowers are out.  (In fact, the ribbons may be viewed suspiciously.)

I used the Rosette Bigz XL die and made a very short, manly rosette.  (Is that an oxymoron?)  I stacked buttons and brads and paper circles, using dimensionals – and a fair amount of hot glue – to create some height.  I dug out my stash of ribbons to find the right colors.  That gorgeous Basic Black/Basic Grey wide satin ribbon is still on the Clearance Rack, my friends!

I can’t tell you exactly why I enjoy these so much.  They’re pretty simple to construct.  It’s fun to play with color combinations.  It’s a challenge to assemble the right assortment of embellishments.  When you’re finished, you have a pretty box for your tissues.  I think there’s more to it than that, but I haven’t figured out exactly what it is.  I guess it’s just a mystery.

If you’d like to make one of your own, there’s an easy-to-follow tutorial over at SplitCoastStampers.  Have a good time!