Exploding Cube Card - Happy New Year!

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Here's the card I made from the download sheet in my previous post.

I will load a tutorial in my next post.

It folds completely flat and fits a half A4 envelope.

Wishing you all the very best for 2011.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hugs,

X



New Year - Free Download & Digital Stamps

New Year Free Download Sheet

Click on image & open fully before saving

OMG! It's the 29th already!!!

I thought I'd better get these on fast.

The sheet above is with a New Year card in mind.

I'm making a sample but, as it's close to New Year, the downloads are here first.

I've sized the tag so it can be suspended

from the centre of the zero.

The next two sheets are digital stamp sets:

1) 'Numbers'

2) 'Tags'

These follow the same style but can be used all year round.

There are tags for New Year, Birthdays and Anniversaries.

I've tried to keep the outlines of the numbers simple

so they're easy to cut out and layer.

'Numbers' Free Digital Stamp Set

Click on image & open fully before saving

'Tags' Free Digital Stamp Set

Click on image & open fully before saving



I have to say I've had enough of winter and snow.

I don't mind if we have a 'Heat Wave' in January,

just a small one will do

I'm not asking for anything big.

Wishing you all a very happy and fulfilling New Year.
X

Christmas Paper Wreath & Flower Tutorial

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This wreath is made from 12 rectangles of lightweight card.
There's a tutorial on Stephanie's fab blog: Homemade Gift Ideas
The principle is that whatever size you decide to use
each rectangle needs to be twice as long as it is wide.
The fold couldn't be simpler.

I used 12 rectangles measuring 140mm (5.5") wide x 280mm (11") long
It took 12 A4 sheets to make this wreath
but it is large: 450mm (17.7") across
I recommend that you glue the pieces together
or tape them at the back- but take more time than I did
to make sure the centre circle is even!

I've included a tutorial and free template for the flowers
I stamped the leaves using See-Dees stamps 'Leaves 50052 '
stamped with VersaColor 'Evergreen', cut out and glossed.
The snowflakes were made using Martha Stewart Snowflake punch.
Punched in plumb and silver holographic card. 

The next few samples have been 'thrown together',
just to give you an idea of other options.
This one was made from 12 x 12 scrapbook paper.
The rectangles measured 4" x 8".
Twelve rectangles using 3 sheets of paper.
Finished size is: 11.5" across.

Here I only used 8 rectangles, 100mm (3.9") x 200mm (7.8").
Finished size: 250mm (9.8") across.
Another idea for decorating - simply wind decorative ribbon round.

Here I used 12 pieces of white card.
Stamped in black VersaFine using Stampin Up stamp 'Sanded'.
Decorated with a random scattering of gemstones.
Imagine decorating with sweets, masks, small presents, photographs
the list is endless.
It's a great project to do with the Kids!

Hellebore Flower Tutorial

From the template at the end of this post:
1) cut out a flower and ink the centre and petal tips.
2) I dabbed over with Adirondack Dabber 'Pearl'
3) scrunch the petals as shown in the diagram
4) smooth open and curl petals upwards & inwards,
nip the tip of each petal to give definition
5) glitter the edges of the petals and finish with
a holographic snowflake and flat backed pearl glued to the centre.

Flower Bud Tutorial

1) punch thin card using a scallop edged circle punch

and cut a five scallop section away, put this to one side
2) glue the 9 scalloped piece into a cone (overlapping one scallop)
3) cut between scallops, not completely to centre
4) fold each alternate petal back out of the way
5) roll the four remaining petals tightly in
6) roll the outer four petals tightly
7) pinch them in and over the first four

Hellebore Flower Template
Click on image & open fully before saving

This wreath can be used for so much more than Christmas -

summer party, dinner party. anniversaries, weddings, New Year

to name just a few.

It works nicely as a table centre piece too!

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and thank you for visiting!

Elaine x

Free template - easy gift box

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Here are three easy 'pillow' gift boxes with free templates at the end of this post.

The 'watermarked' background on the large and medium boxes are stamped using
VersMark Dazzle watermark stamp pad 'Champagne' and
Inkadinkado clear stamp set 'Bold Damask'

Sentiments are from Kaisercraft clear stamp set -
'Christmas Sentiments'.
The holly leaves were made using a punch -
Woodware 'Large Holly Leaf'.
I've also drawn one for you on 'template one'.

On the small box I traced over the word 'joy' with Art Institute glue, using the fine nozzle,
and glittered with Art Accentz 'Moss'.
The background is spritzed with Adirondack Acrylic paint 'Pearl' diluted in water.

The inside flaps need a finger hole so I used a 22mm (0.9") circle punch.
You don't have to match the size drawn on the template
but I wouldn't recommend any larger punch than the one used here.

The most difficult part to these boxes is scoring the curve accurately.
You can use the guide on the template
or the off cut from cutting your curved edges - see image below.

A fine scoring tool is helpful.

Run a tumble drier cloth over the dotted line first -

this helps the scoring tool glide nicely and it smells good too!
Always use wet glue to glue box flaps,

it's much stronger than double sided tape.

Finished box measurements are:

Small ;
78mm long (3") x 60mm high (2.4") x 20mm deep (0.8")

Medium;
98mm long (3.9") x 75mm high (2.9") x 25mm deep (0.9")

Large;
148mm long (5.8") x 110mm high (4.3") x 40mm deep (1.6")

Easy Gift Boxes (small & medium) download sheet one
Click on the image and open fully before saving

 

Easy Gift Boxes (large) download sheet two

Click on the image and open fully before saving

I'll be giving you details of the flower in my next post.

Thanks for popping by and your comments are always appreciated.

X

small gift bag template & tutorial click here



Free template - Christmas favour/gift boxes

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Favour boxes are increasing in popularity and are a great alternative to Christmas crackers on the festive table.

Unlike crackers, you have complete freedom to choose the contents - anything from small gifts to mints, chocolates or sweets.

I have designed a small tapered box here and there are free templates at the end of this post.

I've included a template for the flower too.

I first saw this flower on Sarita's blog: Little Princess Cards.

Her work is stunning so allow yourself plenty of time to enjoy it!

There is a superb tutorial for this flower here:

Creations with Christina - yet another hugely talented artist.

I used Craft Concepts embossing folder 'Budding Vine' for the textured panels on all of these boxes.

Misted here using Cosmic Shimmer 'Lava Red'.

The leaves were made using X Cut Embossing punch 'Beech Leaf'

 Here I used Cosmic Shimmer 'Peacock Green' to add depth to the embossed panels.

 The flower centre was made using Martha Stewart 'Snowflake' punch.

Punched out in black and glittered with black holographic glitter.

On this box I dabbed lightly over the embossing using a VersaMark ink pad,

then brushed Perfect Pearls 'Heirloom Gold' across the surface.

The flower is misted with Cosmic Shimmer 'Purple Violet'.

 I didn't have a dark gemstone so used a lilac gem and tinted it darker using a purple Promarker.

To make the box:

1) Glue flaps 1 & 2 to the inside front

2) Glue flaps 3 & 4 to the inside sides

3) Fold the front flap in and glue in position

This strengthens the front of the box

and locks flaps '1 & 2' in position.

The made box measurements are:
Top - 68mm square (just over 2.5 inches)
Base - 55mm square (just over 2 inches)
Hieght - 33mm (just over 1.25 inches)
and it only requires one full UK A4 sheet of card

Favour Box download sheet.

Click on the image and open it fully before saving

Grunge flower download sheet.

Click on the image and open it fully before saving



Oh this has taken me so long to post...
I'm not sure which is slower - my 'old' computer or my 'young' BT Internet connection!

I have cobwebs on my iced-up fingers!!!

Keep warm......
 X

Free Christmas Pyramage - 'Santa Hugs'

Here's my Christmas pyramage and backing papers.

There are free downloads at the end of this post.

I have only used three layers of the pyramage here: 2, 4 and 6.

You'll find they're all numbered on the sheet.

Each image allows up to six layers.

Before assembling the layers I inked lightly round the edges

using Distress Ink 'Chipped Sapphire'.

It's my new black!

I attached acetate over the back of the card aperture

then fixed the pyramage onto it.

The sentiments are from Inkadinkado clear stamps set,

'Cool Christmas'

Download Sheets

Click on the images to open them fully

before saving.

These are large images to ensure a good print quality.

'Santa Hugs' Pyramage sheet

Christmas Backing Papers

Thanks for popping by
X

Halloween Tags - 'Trick or Treat'

Trick or Treat?



These are my Halloween 'trick or treat' tags.

There are some free downloads at the end of this post.

The Tags:

I printed the tags,
cut them out,
then sponged them with distress inks.
Simple washing-up sponges - cut into small sections - are just as effective as 'craft sponges'

The inks I used were Rangers Distress inks;

1) crushed olive

2) rusty hinge

3) barn door

4) chipped sapphire

To finish;

I mounted each tag onto a 37mm x 70mm piece of black card,

trimmed the corners and punched the hole.

I cut thin strips from the plastic used to make the bags 

and threaded one through each tag.

The letters are highlighted with black holographic glitter.

The bats:

1) I printed the bat onto white cartridge paper, cut out and

traced onto black card, then cut out.

2) Scored down the wings

3) Folded along the score lines to dimension the bat wings.

The eyes:

Print then apply a light coat of gloss/varnish to each eye.

Allow to dry and cut out.

Shaping the eyes:

You will need a half-spoon and a quarter-spoon measuring scoop.

1) Place the 'eye' (print-side down) into the half-spoon measure.

2) Gently press the quarter-spoon measure into this.

3) Tip the 'eye' out, onto an embossing mat,

gently work the back of the quarter-spoon, in a circular motion,

across the reverse of the 'eye'.

I attached the bats and eyes using paper springs - made from strips of red paper.

 

The bags:

The treat bags are made from 350mm squares of  black and orange carrier bags.
I cut the edges in a zig-zag pattern.

Filled with a small selection of sweets

and a Halloween joke.

Here's the link for the jokes and lots of fab Halloween stuff:

Halloween Jokes

I printed the jokes onto coloured paper and cut into strips.

 Download Sheets

 Click on images

and make sure they are full size before you save.

'Trick or Treat Eyeball Tags'

'Trick or Treat Tags'

 'Trick or Treat Bats'

Thanks for visiting and hope you have a Happy Halloween!

X