Simple box to fit a set of 4x4 inch (10x10cm) card

On Thursday I showed you how to make a set of some super cute thanks cards. I am planning to use them as thanks cards, but as I have made a few, I also wanted to put them in a box to gift them to friends. The super cute simple box also means that the cards and box are also perfect for craft fairs.

This box is an easy box to make and perfect if you are new to box making, or if you just want a quick easy box for your cards. I created the envelopes using the retired envelope punch board, I will probably but some envelopes as my envelopes are shocking, I have used the board more for boxes rather than envelopes. It is something I need to use more and practice using (apparently it takes 20 hours to be an expert in a new skill, so it may take a while.)

Simple 4x4 inch (10x10cm) box using Rich Razzleberry, Coastal Cabana and the Biggest Wish stamp set

Measurements

Metric

27.5cm x 17.5cm

score on long side (27.5cm) - 1.5cm, 3cm, 14.5cm and 16cm

score on short side (17.5cm) - 1.5cm, 3cm, 14.5cm and 16cm

Imperial

10 1/2 inches x 6 1/2 inches

score on long side (10 1/2 inches) - 1/2 inch, 1 inch, 5 1/2 inches and 6 inches

score on short side (6 1/2 inches) - 1/2 inch, 1 inch, 5 1/2 and 6 inches

Tips and tricks

• if possible use a score board (i struggle with straight lines on my trimmer)

• ensure all the score lines are all burnished (edges smoothed down to reinforce the crease, normally done using a bonefolder.)

• Lay the box out flat to work out which parts should be removed

• use liquid glue to ensure wiggle room

• rounding the corners will help close the box

• You can remove the tabs if you wish it works with and without the tabs (some people think it looks more professional with the tabs)

• Use your trimmer to remove the long tabs if you are not confident using scissors

Box template for where to cut and how the box should look following cutting before being put together

I think the box is super cute. The Coastal Cabana box was made using the measurements for CMs, rather than converting the measurements directly, I reworked the measurements for CM to avoid the random numbers (my brain works better in CM and half CM. I am still in love with the Rich Razzleberry, which is your favourite?

Simple Thank You Cards

I love getting inspiration from Pinterest and other Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators. I find their cards so beautiful with so many lovely products used. Sometimes though I love to return to simple cards. I find that I can make multiples of the simple cards quickly and also I am less likely to make mistakes if I am tired.

My inspiration for these cards was the stamp set ‘Biggest Wishes.’ this is a gorgeous sentiment set with bold lettering statement stamps and smaller swirly italic stamps for the sentiments which are Happy, Birthday, Hello, Friend and Thanks. I wanted to create simple Thanks card, which also used up some of my embellishments (I discovered that I had two packs of the Artistry Blooms Sequins open and wanted to use them up.)

Simple Thanks cards, using Biggest Wish and Artistry Blooms Sequins from Stampin' Up!

My colour inspiration for the cards came from the Artistry Blooms Sequins, these are Coastal Cabana, Calypso Coral, Mango Melody and Rich Razzleberry. Coastal Cabana has been growing on me recently as I start to have the confidence to use brighter coloures. Rich Razzleberry has always been a favourite it was one of the colours which I fell in love with, when I learnt about the colour combinations and the first ink pad I owned. I have to confess I don’t use Calypso Coral or Mango Melody very often, they are colours which I should use more.

Simple Thanks cards using Biggest Wish and Artistry Blooms Sequins from Stampin' Up!

Measurements

Metric

Card Base - 10cm x 20cm (scored at 10cm)

Insert - 9.5cm x 9.5cm

Imperial

Card Base - 4 inches by 8 inches (scored at 4 inches)

Insert 3 3/4 inches by 3 3/4 inches

Tips and Tricks

• for the bases use a full sheet of A4 in Basic White

• score the paper at 4 inches (10cm) before cutting the card on the short side

• cut card at 4 inches move card around so uncut side is on measurements and cut again

• ensure to burnish completely

• to make the colours lighter use second or third generation stamping (stamp off on scrap paper once of twice depending on colour wanted)

• if you are unsure on lining up the swirly stamp either stick to the bold or practice lining the stamps up on a scrap piece of paper

• for perfect alignment use the Stamparatus or a stamp platform.

Simple Thanks cards, using the Biggest Wish stamp set, Rich Razzleberry and Artistry Blooms Sequins from Stampin' Up!

These cards can be created, with any stamps, inks, papers and embellishments. I love the Coastal Cabana version, which is your favourite?

Birthday Card Using Christmas Items

Todays card shows that Christmas items are not just for Christmas but can be used through the year. I am using a few of my most used items from the July to December catalogue, that can be used in different ways. I think that the happy from the Christmas Cheer Dies, is a very versatile die (I am yet to use it in the way it was designed, but I do need to design some cards.)

I have used some non-Christmasy designs from the Peaceful Place DSP and my favourite sequins.

Measurements:

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (14.5cm by 21cm scored at 10.5cm)

DSP and White Layer - 10cm x 14cm

Metric

10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (14.8cm by 21cm scored at 10.5cm)

DSP and White Layer - 10cm x 14.3cm

Imperial

4 1/8 " x 5 ¾" (5.75” x 8 ¼ scored at 4 1/8)

DSP and White Layer – 3 3/4” x 5 1/2”

Tips and Tricks:

• use a Stampin’ Write marker to only add ink to the part of the stamp required

• if you are not confident cutting out a shape - use a punch

• Cut down the piece of card and foam to fit the die

• if you do not have foam, you can stack layers of die cuts together

I hope this has inspired you to use your Christmas dies and papers in a different way. I may need to hide the sequins so that they do not end up on every card. Do you have an item that you need to put away?

Twilight Free as a Bird Card

Sometimes I love going into my craft room with an idea, but no fixed formulation about what I am actually going to make. I have seen some gorgeous cards on Stamp Junkies on Facebook (it is an amazing group, if you have not seen it before, I highly recommend joining the group, the cards are fabulous.) The cards were twilight scenes using some tree stamps, I decided to create my own card using the free as a bird stamp set. I have used a mask and blending brushes using misty moonlight and balmy blue. If you wanted a darker background you could use night of navy,

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (14.5cm by 21cm scored at 10.5cm)

Silver Foil - 10cm x 14cm

White layers – 9.5cm x 13.5cm

Metric

10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (14.8cm by 21cm scored at 10.5cm)

Silver Foil - 10cm x 14.3cm

White layers – 9.5cm x 13.8cm

Imperial

4 1/8 " x 5 ¾" (5.75” x 8 ¼ scored at 4 1/8)

Silver Foil – 3 3/4” x 5 1/2”

White layers – 3 1/2” x5 ¼”

The darkness of the birds depends on the darkness of the blends I used light basic black blend, but it also works with the dark basic black blend or the Basic Black Stampin’ write marker..

For the moon I added texture using the blending brush, but it was too dark so I used a finger dauber with Craft white ink to add texture to the moon and cover my boo boos.

I am planning on trying the technique on the Peaceful; Deer Stamp Set in the new July to December catalogue. Do you prefer the lighter of darker birds.