O Antiphons - Our Altoid Advent Revealed

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Chers Amis,

At the beginning of Advent I mentioned that we were planning a special craft using the many cinnamon Altoid tins we found sprinkled through the house. Et voila! Our O Antiphon shadow boxes. It took a bit longer than we expected as the girls have so enjoyed working on them, finding just the right background and symbols to include.

Here they are from the outside adorned with rhinestones (on my Advent sewing project) Aren't they adorable! Of all the crafts we have done this year this has definitely been their favorite. Part of the fun was searching the house (and yard) like the Borrowers, looking for found objects that could be used to illustrate their scene. A piece of lichen with a silk leaf became the burning bush, a draw pull, a candlestick holder, a toothpaste cap, a vase, etc. All the kids love the Look-Alike books, especially Look-Alikes Christmas: The More you Look, The More you See! The author/illustrator uses everyday objects to illustrate charming vignettes. Try your hand at making a shadow box. It is addictive! Here are some directions for using Altoid boxes for your own creation.

• Wash and dry Altoid boxes
• Carefully remove tops from boxes using a butter knife to gently bend the "latches" if necessary
• Spray paint box exteriors gold- interiors are optional and the paint seems to pool
  
• Punch two small holes in box to allow ribbon for hanging if using as an ornament
  
• Reassemble boxes (butter knife helps with tightening)
• Using Microsoft word draw a basic shape of a rectangle with rounded corners
• Format auto shape so it measures 3.33 x 2 in.
• Cut and paste text for each O Antiphon into the shape.
• Format shape for "Colors and Lines" and pick outline size/color
• Cut out text boxes and past on inside lid of the Altoid box
• Cut a background measuring 3.33 x 2 in for the shadow box. We used images from the web, old Christmas cards, magazines and workbooks
  
• Make small shadow box opposite each reading using found objects and a glue gun
  
• Decorate outside cover with symbols/fruits for each Antiphon
• Add glitter glue, trim, rhinestones etc.
• Let dry!
• String with ribbon and display

Have fun!

-- Marjorie

PS -This is my first year really paying attention to these beautiful liturgical gems and they have added richness and depth to our Advent celebrations. Jenn at O Night Divine has a fabulous piece on the history, music, meaning, and symbolism that you must see and Katherine has a wonderful Parade of O Antiphon houses.