Friday, May 29, 2015

Father's Day Gift Card Wallet




Here is a wallet card I made for Father's Day. It is large enough to put cash in it, coupons for dad, gift cards, etc. Finished card is 4-3/4 x 3-3/4 inches. Here are the instructions:

1. Cut two pieces of brown cardstock at 9-1/4 x 3-3/4 and 9-1/4 x 3 inches. Score each piece at the halfway point and fold together before adhering. After the cardstock has been "limbered up" a bit, adhere the two pieces together at the bottom and both sides. Note: It takes a little careful handling to fold the two pieces together if your cardstock is heavy so it doesn't crack or crease. Use a bone folder.

2.  Cut and adhere decorative paper pieces to the outside and inside of card. You will need two pieces cut at 4-1/2 x 3-5/8 for the outside of wallet and two cut at 4-1/2 x 2-3/4 for inside of wallet. Note: Since the cardstock I used had a white core, I sponged the edges of the paper with brown ink before adhering to wallet.

3. Attach a piece of ivory or other colored cardstock to right inside of wallet for your message and for a place to sign the card. This piece measures 4 x 2-1/2 inches.

4. Stamp message and cut out with a 1-3/4 inch circle punch and layer on top of a brown piece cut with a 2 inch circle punch.

5. Make a bellyband to hold the wallet card closed by cutting a piece of brown cardstock 3/4 x 10 inches, fold around card and glue band together. I attached two small brad heads or "candy dots" to the righthand side.

Supplies Used: Stampin' Up cardstock is Early Espresso, Early Espresso ink from Stampin' Up, 1-3/4 inch circle punch and 2-inch circle punch from Stampin' Up, Father's Day greeting from a prior Paper Pumpkin kit, candy dots (neutral) from Stampin' Up, and patterned cardstock is from a Colorbok cardstock stack called "Neutral Basics."

Saturday, May 23, 2015

New Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set


These are cards made with the brand new Sprinkles of Life stamp set in the new 2015-2016 catalog available June 2nd (item #139971). This is a very special stamp set because Stampin' Up is donating $3.00 from the sale of every stamp set to Ronald McDonald House Charities. RMHC helps keep families together when children are receiving medical treatment away from home. It is a really versatile stamp set with 22 photopolymer stamps. You will have stamps for birthdays, thank yous, and other occasions all year long and help make a difference too!

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Toolbox Gift Card Holder for Father's Day



This toolbox card has been quite a project! I made one and then wrote the instructions, and then made another one from my instructions, revised some of the instructions to make it clearer, and here is the end result! I have seen several toolbox cards but this is my creation. When you lift the flap of the card on top it reveals a holder for a gift card. It is not hard to make, it just has a lot of steps. I decided to give it to you in "recipe" fashion with the number of pieces you need to cut and the "ingredients." I hope you give it a try and let me know what you think. I have several guys in the family who I think will like this card, so it could be for birthdays or Father's Day, just change up the sentiment.

Toolbox Gift Card “Recipe”
1 – 8-1/2 x 11 piece of heavyweight (80 lb) red cardstock, cut in half lengthwise at 4-1/4 inches
1 – 2-1/2 x 4-1/4 piece of red cardstock
4 – 1 x 4-1/4 inch pieces of red cardstock
5 – ¼ inch by 4-1/4 inch pieces of silver, gray or black cardstock
1 – 1-5/8 x 3/8 inch piece of silver or gray cardstock
1 – 1-3/4 x ½ inch piece of black cardstock
8 – ½ inch punched circles from black cardstock
4 – ¼ to ½ inch silver triangles cut from silver or gray cardstock
1 – 4 x 3-3/4 piece of white cardstock
1 – medium sized silver brad
2 – small silver brad heads, dots or eyelets
1 - 1 x 1/2 inch magnetic strip



Toolbox Gift Card Instructions:

1.      Start with an 8-1/2 x 11 piece of heavyweight red cardstock (I recommend 80 lb). Cut it in half so you have 2 pieces of 4 ¼ x 11 inches.
2.      Score one of the pieces at the 5-1/2 inch mark and fold in half.
3.      From the other half of the 8 ½ x 11 cardstock, cut a piece 2-1/2 x 4-1/4. Score at ½ inch.
4.      Attach this piece of card stock to the top of card (folded edge) and fold over the ½ inch side to the back of card and adhere to card with a strong adhesive. I recommend Tombow mono-multi for this entire project. This “flap” you have created will be the “lid” to the toolbox.
5.      Next score the bottom of card, both front and back, at ½ inch, fold up inside the card on both sides and glue down. This will stabilize the card when the wheels are attached later.
6.      Cut four 1 x 4-1/4 inch pieces for drawers (2 for drawers, 1 for gift card insert under the flap, and 1 for inside of card). Cut five ¼ inch strips of shiny silver, gray or black cardstock and attach to the tops of the drawer pieces and the bottom of the flap of card.
7.      Add a brad to the center of this flap on top of the strip of silver cardstock.
8.      Cut out the word “tools” or other word of your choice. Cut a piece of silver or gray cardstock     1- 5/8 x 3/8 inches and a piece of black cardstock 1 ¾ x ½ inch. Layer and add the words. Add brads if desired on either side and attach to right bottom of flap or lid of toolbox.
9.      Attach one of the drawers under the flap towards the bottom, adhering only along bottom and two sides to form a pocket for the gift card. Use a very thin line of glue for this step. IMPORTANT: Dry fit the gift card drawer and the other drawers before adhering so you can make any adjustments. After dry fitting the drawers, attach the two front drawers with dimensional adhesive dots or strips.
10.   For wheels, cut 8 one-half inch circles from black cardstock and glue together in twos to make four wheels. Doubling the cardstock will strengthen them for standing.
11.   Cut 4 small triangles from the same silver cardstock, etc. used for the drawer handles and toolbox lid. Glue to front of wheels and attach wheels to ends of card on each corner.
12.   To close lid to hide gift card, attach a strong magnetic strip the length of the prongs of the brad for the brad to attach to and close the flap.
13.   For inside of card, attach a piece of white cardstock 4 x 3-3/4 inches and stamp with greeting.
14.   At bottom of card, below greeting,  add the last drawer piece. Do not use dimensional adhesives for this drawer.

 I have the PDF for this Toolbox Gift Card Holder for sale on Etsy for $1.95 as an instant download. Just click the link below: 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/451603478/toolbox-gift-card-holder-pdf-file?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=Toolbox Gift Card Holder&ref=sr_gallery_3

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Sneak Peek New Bohemian Designer Series Paper


Here is a sneak peek of the new Bohemian DSP coming June 2nd from Stampin' Up! Don't you just love the bright colors?! Think of all the great projects you could make with this paper! There will also be matching solid color cardstock packs available so you know you will have the right colors when you go to make a project.

The size of my bag is approximately 4-1/2 x 4-1/2 not including the handles. If you would like the instructions and a great how-to video, visit http://www.craftyhallett.co.uk/bag-in-a-box-handbag/  I cut my 12 inch piece of DSP for the body of the handbag at 4 inches rather than the 3-1/2 inches and I also cut my handle pieces at 7-1/2 inches. The rest of the dimensions are the same as in the video.

Mini-Handbags a/k/a "Hallett Bags"



These are some mini-handbags I have been making for the last couple of weeks. They were Mother's Day gifts that I couldn't share until after Mother's Day, so here they are! I used various retired Stampin' Up! DSP's, including Mocha Morning, Floral District and Everyday Enchantment. It takes 12 x 12 paper because of the circumference of the purse and 12 inch strips of cardstock for the bands. The bags will hold small gifts or note cards (no larger than 4 x4). I made note cards for one bag and covered post-it note pads for the others. The size of my bags are approximately 4-1/2 x 4-1/2 not including the handles.

(Note: I had previously posted a link to the original creator of these bags, but that link has since been moved or changed. I have found another video by another crafter if you would like a video tutorial to help you put the bags together. That link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJIxYqQomJ4 ) 

I did cut my 12 inch piece of DSP for the body of the handbag at 4 inches rather than the 3-1/2 inches in the original instructions and I also cut my handle pieces at 7-1/2 inches. The rest of the dimensions are the same.

These are an absolute blast to make and I have to warn you - THEY ARE ADDICTIVE! They have become so popular among crafters that they are being referred to in forums as "Hallett Bags," so I have to give a big thank you to Crafty Caroline for her inspiration!  However, since her video is no longer active, the video I linked above is by Ophelia Crafts.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Paper Beach Bag




I think I've turned into a "bag lady"! I've been making bags for the last couple of weeks. I can't show the other bags I made until after Mother's Day, so come back then to see those. This is a "beach bag". You can find the instructions at: http://scor-pal.blogspot.com/2013/06/scor-pal-and-heartfelt-creations-with_5672.html
This bag will hold A2 sized cards easily. Finished size is 6 x 6. The instructions do not call for an inside band, but on real beach bags there is so I added it for strength and because I thought it needed a finishing touch. I also added the "monogram." I might also add that the ribbon measurement in the instructions is off. It calls for one yard of ribbon, but I found it takes about 6 inches more than that. Just dry fit the ribbon before you cut it to see how much you think it needs. Give it a try and check back next week for the other bags I've made and the instructions for those.

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Watercoloring with Blender Pens

If you are missing Blendabilities you might want to try this technique. It's not new, but definitely worth another look! I've been doing this lately and it is fun, like painting. You get a softer look than with markers and it is a great technique to either bring back to your toolbox or try for the first time. Here is a link to the video that demonstrates how it is done. Watercoloring with Blender Pens
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