Valentine Chocolate Box

This is the "chocolate" box that I created for my husband as a (belated) Valentine. Lift up the lid to reveal six pieces of Valentine candy, with secret sentiments hidden beneath. It's fat-free, sugar-free, but still oh-so-sweet!

For the box base, I altered a pair of heart-shaped containers that had held some handmade sticker embellishments from Michaels' $1 bins. I added scalloped cardstock to both the front and back of my heart box. I also adhered heart-shaped mulberry paper to the inside of both to cover up the raw cardboard, and an additional strip of mulberry paper to act as a lip for my box. I covered the sides with brown satin ribbon, added a ribbon loop for hanging my project, and accented the front with paper flowers and a custom tag.

On the inside, I adhered six sets of mini baking cups to the bottom - one normal cup and one turned inside out and placed inside the other cup. I did this so that you could see the heart pattern from both the sides and top of each cup. I created six sentiments, punched them out with my circle punch, and accented each of them with a paper flower and silver snap. I then glued one to the bottom of each of my mini baking cups.

For my "chocolate," I chose felt stickers for the tops. Then began the search for something to use as the bases for my candy pieces. I thought mini wooden spools, or checker pieces, or those foam marshmallows would be perfect, except for the fact that I didn't have any of these lying around the house. I tried slicing off rings from a cardboard wrapping paper tube, but that was too wide and flimsy. I thought about stacking buttons, but discarded that idea also. Finally, EUREKA! Plastic bottle caps! They're the right size, lightweight, and available! (Well, if by "available" you mean emptying out a couple of half-filled soda bottles, ransacking the recycling bin, and swapping out blue caps for the white caps on my milk containers...) Voilà! My project is complete!

Finished Size Approx 5.5" x 5.25" x 1.75", exclusive of ribbon.
Lots more pics in my online portfolio!

Happy Holidays!

No, I'm not stuck in a time warp...

I just found out that my Holiday Gift Card Tags have been accepted for publication in the upcoming Paper Crafts: 3 Ways special issue from Paper Crafts magazine! So excited... just had to share!

I'll let you know when the issue goes on sale in August. And perhaps I might even be able to share some related bonus projects with you, my loyal readers!

It's a Piece of Cake!

...and a Gift Card Holder Too!

It was love at first sight when I first saw Susan Neal's "Slice of Cake Card" in the March 2008 issue of PaperCrafts magazine. Those of you who regularly follow my blog know how I enjoy making shaped and interactive cards. So when my sister-in-law's birthday came up, I decided to create my own version of Susan's card.

I used Susan's pattern for the base of the card, with a few modifications. I decided I wanted my card to be a gift card holder. So I extended my "cake" patterned paper to create a pocket on the inside of the card. I also used Photoshop to add some shading and swirls to my "icing."

For my sentiment, I chose "Birthdays are nature's way of telling us to eat more cake." It seemed appropriate for this card! LOL

I decided to create my own candle, instead of using the pattern provided. I chose to create my card to fit in a 5¾" square envelope. This gave me the room to design a taller, slimmer candle than the one in Susan's project. Here's the step-by-step on how I created this candle...

Step 1: Run small pieces of yellow, light pink, and dark pink cardstock (CS) through your Xyron sticker maker. Remove clear plastic.

Step 2: Punch small flowers from dark pink CS. Set aside punched flowers to decorate cake.

Step 3: Adhere dark pink cardstock over light pink cardstock. Cut out shape of candle.

Step 4: Cut out flame from yellow CS.

Step 5: Adhere candle and flame to a transparency sheet, leave a small amount of space between the top of the candle and the bottom of the flame.

Step 6: Trim around the candle and flame, leaving approximately 1/8" of transparency around the outside.

Step 7: Using a silver metallic Sharpie, draw a "wick" on the back of the transparency.

Step 8: Adhere to card using an adhesive dot.

Blooming Flower Card

Grattis på födelsedagen!


This is my hexagon-shaped birthday card that "blooms" into a six-petaled flower when opened. This design was inspired by Stephanie Hamilton's project as seen in the February 2008 issue of CARDS magazine. Stephanie and I both used the Hexagon Petal Card template that can be found on the Mirkwood Designs website. I love how the flaps overlap to create a swirl pattern which is emphasized by the alternating patterned paper.

For my design, I decided to add a simple ribbon bow closure. The ribbon performs multiple functions on this card. Of course, it keeps the card closed and adds an elegant finishing touch. But on the back of the card, it also conceals the prongs of the brad that I used to attach an embellishment to the inside of the card.

For the inside of the card, I adhered a piece of hexagon- shaped patterned paper with my sentiment printed along the outer edges. I then took apart a silk daisy and attached it to the center of my card with a large brad. I covered up the front of my brad with the "flower fluff" (technical term) from the silk flower.

Materials:

• Cardstock: Olive Parlor Roses from Scrapbook Walls collection by Chatterbox
• Patterned Paper: Light Summer Flowers from Scrapbook Walls collection by Chatterbox
• Accents: Pastel jumbo brad from Making Memories, silk flowers and gold ribbon from Michaels Stores
  
• Adhesive: Glue Dots Craft adhesive dots
  
• Fonts: Blackjack from Font Bros
• Tools: Xyron's sticker maker
• Other: template from Mirkwood Designs; Photoshop

BTW, in case you're wondering, "Grattis på födelsedagen" is "Happy Birthday" in Swedish!

Baby Shower Bib Favor/Prize

This was a special request that I received from Joanne, asking for ideas to wrap up baby shower prizes. She had purchased six 1½-inch boxes of Hershey's Kisses to give away and wanted something "cute and memorable that everyone will ewww and ahhh over." The inspiration for my idea came from a card by Meera D'Souza which appeared in the Dec/Jan 2008 issue of Paper Trends magazine. I didn't have any 1½-inch boxes handy, so I attached my finished embellishment to a Martha Stewart gift box. Joanne, I hope this helps!

Materials:

• Cardstock: colored, textured Mat Stack by DCWV, white by DMD
• Digital: flowers from Rhonna Farrer's April 2006 Kit from Two Peas in a Bucket
• Fibers: pink narrow ribbon from Michaels stores
• Adhesive: mini adhesive dots by Glue Dots and Tape Runner XL by Therm O Web
  
• Fonts: Lauren Script
• Tools: Mega Scalloped Circle & Super 2" Circle punches from Marvy Uchida; 1" circle punch from EK Success
  
• Other: Photoshop

Step 1:

Print or stamp your design on your white cardstock.

I used the flowers from Rhonna Farrer's April 2006 Kit and the font Lauren Script for my text. To make this into a prize instead of a favor, change the text to "Winner!" or "Congrats!"





Step 2:

Turn your 2" circle punch upside down so that you can see and center your design. Punch your circle.










Step 3:

Trim approximately 1/4" from the top.













Step 4:

Attach 2 lengths of narrow ribbon to your white cardstock using mini glue dots.

Note: stay close to the edge of the circle, as you will be trimming out the center.








Step 5:

Adhere your white cardstock circle to your pink cardstock. Line up the straight edges, and be sure to leave at least a 1/2" of pink around the curve of the circle.








Step 6:

Turn your Mega Scalloped Circle punch over. Insert your layered cardstock and center the white circle. Be sure your ribbon is clear before you punch your scallop.









Step 7:

Turn your 1" circle punch over and partially insert and center your layered cardstock. Again, be sure to keep your ribbon clear of the punch.

Note: If you have trouble punching through the double thickness of the cardstock, you may have to trace a 1" circle on your cardstock and cut it out with scissors or a craft knife.



Step 8:

Tie your ribbon into a bow and trim the ends.

Attach to your box with glue dots.







Final Step:

Be prepared for all those "oooo's and ahhhh's" ...

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone of you gets to share this special day with someone you love! Whether it be a significant other, a family member, a friend, or even a pet! But if not, you could at least spend it doing something you love! And for me, that is paper crafting. So, on this special day, I'm combining my two loves by showing you a Valentine's Day card that I made for my Dear Hubby!


I actually designed this card a while ago, with my husband in mind. The base of this square card is a transparency sheet on which I mounted a pink swirl heart "pocket." The cover asks the question, "How do I Love thee? Let me count the ways..." (Although, I suppose technically it should say "WHY Do I Love Thee?"...) I provided five of the answers on flower-adorned strips of double-sided cardstock, which are stored inside the pocket.

The inside of the card reveals another, slightly smaller heart that reads, "Happy Valentine's Day."

Materials:

• Cardstock: Classic K McKenna by K&Company
• Transparency Sheet: 3M
• Accents: Prima Flowers, Making Memories brads
  
• Adhesive: Therm O Web & Xyron
• Fonts: Contemporary Brush, Beautiful

Honestly, I could count way more than five reasons why I love my DH, but from an aesthetic point-of-view, five looked good sticking out of the pocket. Sorry, Dear!

Finished Size 5" square.
Want to see more of this card? Check it out in my online portfolio!

It's in the (Diaper) Bag!

Howdy folks! Just wanted to get a quick post up to show you the card that I designed for my best friend's baby shower.


I had an overflowing designer diaper bag in mind when I created this card. I'm not sure if I achieved the effect that I wanted... It may be mistaken for an overflowing tote bag instead. Oh well!

I picked my cardstock and ribbon to coordinate with my Foof-a-La patterned paper from Autumn Leaves and added pink ribbon with a bow to hide the seam. I attached my handles with brads and looped a couple of plastic pacifiers on ribbon to the front. I adhered another strip of patterned paper on the inside. I cut the paper longer than the card to suggest baby bottle holders on the sides. I also only added adhesive to the sides and bottom to create a pocket in which I stuffed die-cuts of toys and other baby paraphernalia. (Could also hold a gift card...)

The finished size is approximately 6" x 7.5".
Additional photos in my online portfolio.

CELEBRATION TIME!!! (Part 3)

Make a wish and blow out the candle!


Here is the third installment of my "Birthday Bubbles" series...

Materials:

• Cardstock: Blue #2 from DieCuts With a View
• Double-Sided Patterned Paper: The Goods Bubbles by American Crafts
• Transparency Sheet: 3M
• Accents: Birthday Soft Spoken embellishments by Me & My Big Ideas, birthday sticker from Lighthearted Collection by Wordsworth
• Adhesive: mini adhesive dots by Glue Dots
• Tools: Xyron sticker maker, Fiskars paper crimper

Instructions:

1. Cut a 5" x 10" rectangle from transparency sheet. Fold in half to form a 5" square, crease at the top.
2. Cut 1½" x 3" rectangle from solid paper.
3. Cut a 3" x 3" square and the cupcake top (see template) from patterned paper.
4. Run all three pieces through Xyron sticker maker, so that the adhesive is on the patterned side of the square and on the orange side of the cupcake top.
5. Apply birthday sticker to solid side of square. Attach to the center of the inside of the card.
6. Remove clear plastic from the solid rectangle (not the wax paper backing) and run it through crimper, short end first.
7. Trim bottom corners from each side of the crimped paper to form "cupcake holder." Start cutting approx. ¼" in from the bottom edge, cutting to top corners.
8. Attach the cupcake holder, cupcake top, and candle to the front of the card.

Bonus Tip! Use clear mini glue dots to attach the candle instead of the the foam adhesive provided - it'll be less noticeable from the inside of the card.

My Bad...

Hello Everyone!

So sorry that I have been so absent recently. For the past month or so, I've been working on my best friend Julie's baby shower. I was busy designing the invites, game cards, favors, prizes, thank you notes, etc. for the big day. (Well, not THE Big Day. I'll leave that one to Julie...)

So to make it up to you, my next post will be the final installment in my "Birthday Bubbles" card series. And I hope to be showing you at least some of the designs that I created for Julie's shower in the coming weeks.

Thanks for your patience!
~ Angela