Card in a box

If you are a frequent visitor to Pinterest then you would have seen many different variations of this type of "card" called a card in a box.  When posted or given it is a flat double thickness thing that opens out into a jack in the box type shape, and is meant to sit open somewhere for all to admire.  

This can be made in any size you want, but the size I prefer to use is with an A4 sheet of cardstock score on the long side at 2 3/4, 5 1/2, 8 1/4 and 11 inches then rotate and score at 2 3/4 and then the length you want.  It is best not to make it too long so all the pop ups are easier to see at eye level, probably no more than 4 inches but longer than the flap which is 2 3/4 inches.  If you want more instructions let me know, but I am sure you will be able to work it out or find a video somewhere.  There are strips across the inside of the box for the pop ups to attach to, most videos use 2 strips but I wanted mine a bit fuller so used 3.  

My sister asked me to make a couple of these to give her grandchildren and this one is obviously Jack's.  On the side of the box it says "I love you to the moon and back" but for some reason I didn't get a photo of this.  

This one is for her granddaughter and gives you a better idea of the inside of the box and it folded flat.  


 

They really are a lot of fun to make and can be used for any occasion.  Takes a bit of time, but well worth the effort. 

Last one - an envelope card

This is the final card from last Saturday - inspired by Leonie Schroder.   The Sweet Sorbet papers were teamed up with Petal Parade stamp set, both freebies from the Sale-a-bration catalogue, to make an envelope card.  This is one of the latest trends at the moment where the envelope becomes part of the card as the inside is stuck to the envelope.  

With 12 papers in the pack, 2 of each double sided design, and 11 people at the class, I knew it would be first in gets the best choice, so I deliberately made my sample card up using the paper I liked the least cause I thought others would feel the same.  Strangely though, I actually quite like this pattern now.  

 

All sealed up with it's belly band holding it together, this is probably best handed to someone rather than posted through the mail.  
 

All opened up and ready to write on.  

Once again I got distracted and didn't get around to taking photos with the other papers in the pack, but they all looked really good.  

 

Welcome baby card

Another one from our class last Saturday.  This card was a little trickier to make and probably took up the most time, but it's my favourite from the day.  A few people didn't really need a baby card so decided instead to change the sentiments and make it into an Easter card which worked equally well.  

Not sure if this is the way other people would make this card, but we lightly stuck the top white mat on to the base card and cut through the two layers with a circle framelit, then separated the layers and used a slightly larger circle framelit on the white layer outside the already cut circle so we had an even border.  Next the white layer was embossed with a ribbon secured around to the back.  The centre panel was made up with 2 layers of scalloped blue and also 2 layers of white (front and back).  A piece of fishing line was taped to the back before the centres were stuck together.  The fishing line was then secured to the blue card (making sure it won't show above the top) before the white embossed layer was stuck on. The centre piece spins around when the card is opened and closed.  

As I said, it was a little challenging but I think worth the effort.  I wish I had taken photos of the other cards made because different colour choices were made, and the Easter ones looked great too.  But, here are my two versions.  Don't you love that little ribbon.  That's what made me buy the stamp set, I really didn't want to, but just had to. 

Banner Blast card

Another card from Saturday was this banner card.

We used the Decorative Dots embossing folder again, but this time used the reverse side for the card.  I love that you can use both sides for a bit of variation.  A couple of banners were stamped and punched in Crumb Cake, Coastal Cabanna and Real Red, and then popped up on dimensions in an arc.  Add a bit of ribbon and one of the flowers from Petal Parade, and another easy one to make.  The hardest part was making sure that the ribbon went on before the mat was stuck down.  Yes, I always forget that bit.

No sentiment went on this one so it can be used for a any occasion.    

 

Cards from weekend class

Finally I am able to show you the cards we made this weekend at our latest get together.  It's hard trying to design cards for other people to make, trying to come up with a new layout or technique, and then agonising over whether it's too hard, too easy, too boring, will take too long to make or too, too, too...., but anyway, this is one of the cards we made on Saturday, one of the easier ones.  

I tried to use products from either the Occasions catalogue or Sale-a-bration products, and here is what resulted.  First off we used the Decorative Dots embossing folder.  This one is definitely a keeper, and hopefully it will return in the full catalogue in July.  The arrow is from the Petal Parade stamp set, also a Sale-a-bration giveaway.  

This colour scheme is more suited for men with Smoky Slate, Real Red and Black.   

                            

I seem to be on a colour theme this week with Wisteria Wonder.  It wasn't intentional at all, just worked out this way. 

This was the birthday card for my niece who recently celebrated her birthday. The stamp is from the new Occasions catalogue - Another Great Year - and the set also has a couple of other images with candles, cookies and cupcake.  

I've used the Sale-a-bration freebie Banner punch with some DSP as decoration around the edges and then stamped the sentiment twice, once on white and then again on Wisteria and embossed in white, just for a bit of contrast.      

 

And even a little banner border on the inside

An envelope opening card

Here's a card that is just that little bit different from normal.  Unfortunately it needs something to prop itself up on for display purposes.   

The top flap was made using the Framelits Label Collection - the shape can be seen much better in the 2nd picture.  I've used the paper piercing technique around the edges of the flap, and then covered most of it with the circle which doubles as the closure for the card.  

The stamps are from one of the Sale-a-bration freebies; Petal Parade.  I debated whether or not this was one I "needed", but am so glad I decided I did.

Welcome baby boy card

Continuing on with the baby cards which is my theme for this week, this one is for a little boy. 

I am trying to use up some of my patterned paper that has accumulated over the years, so this card is made using Basic Gray and Smoky Slate colours.  A few layers with paper piercing added and the boat image from Moving Forward stamp set. 

 

Welcome baby girl card

I have had a little bit of spare time lately and have been having fun creating a few different cards with inspiration from Pinterest.  This week I have been making baby cards, not for any specific reason but just because I can.  

This card uses a variety of different products; embossing folders, star die cuts, the old favourite Bliss stamp set and Hearts a Flutter framelits. 

Lots of layers, and lots of fun to make. 

Something a little brighter

I popped in to visit a friend the other day and while checking out her craft room tidy up and various projects I mentioned that I was thinking I needed to get this lovely border embossing folder.  Then I was lucky enough to get to take home a couple of borders already embossed for me, so I had to find a project suitable for them.  The original design came from this website. If you check Nikki's version out, make sure you have a look at some of the other cards she has made.  Lots of inspiration on there. 

My card is made on Coastal Cabana cardstock too with leaves in Pistacchio and flowers in Wisteria and Summer Sun - a retired colour I can't do without. 

Seeing stars

While on a trawl through Pinterest I found a card similar to this, and knew I had to make one for myself.  The design looked quite easy and I had the star shape, just had to find some patterned paper that would suit.  Now I know a lot of people are similar to me in this regard - I have trouble cutting into a  sheet of patterned paper.  I actually have accumulated quite a bit, but I just don't like using it.  But I am coming around to the idea that if I don't use it up, I can't get anymore.  Motivation works.

I'm not sure what's going on with the photos, but the cardstock is actually a beautiful pale blue - Bashful Blue - and the paper a chocolate colour with blue highlights.  Blame it on the beautiful rain that's falling and watering our garden.  I tried photographing the card in various different parts of the house, with and without flash, and couldn't get the right colour.  So you will just have to use your imagination with this one.  It really does look good - crisp, clean and starry.  

 

Mask and sponge

A bit of an odd name for a title, but that's the techniques used in making these cards.  

They are made by using post it notes to mask off certain areas of the card and then stamping and embossing in clear or white, stamping again in a contrast colour and then sponging.  I actually masked off and sponged first and then stamped in white just to keep the embossed white brighter.  On the butterfly version I stamped a couple of the butterflies beyond the masked area and on the leaf card I kept the images contained in the sponged area.  Either way is quite OK, just depends of what you like.  I actually think keeping it all in the block looks a little better. Which one do you prefer?

  

 

A little milestone - thanks

I am not sure if any of you have noticed, but the visitor count to my little blog site has just reached over 10,000 visitors.  Now I realise that probably most of that would be from me and my family, but thank you anyway.  

This card was made for my sister's recent birthday, a country garden theme for a country dweller.  This would have to be one of my favourite cards made recently and it was fun to make as well.  Lots of stamp sets were used, and apart from the sentiment and butterfly, all were second generation images.  This means that the stamp was inked up and stamped on scrap paper and then stamped again on the card front for a more subtle and subdued effect.  There is also something elegant about the vanilla on vanilla colour scheme too in my opinion.  I just like the way it looks, and then the sponging sets it off as well.  Hope you agree. 

 

Have you had a chance to check out the 2014 catalogue yet?  There is a link to it on the left side of the screen if you want to look.  My parcel of goods only recently arrived, so hopefully soon I will be able to put up some cards made with new stamps.  

Female birthday

Well for a Stampin' Up blog there really isn't a lot of their product on the main part of this card.  SU do have a new flower die but it's much larger than this one by Spellbinders. The frame is by Nellie's and the leaf punch from Martha Stewart.  Apart from that the rest all belongs to Stampin' Up with Wisteria Wonder cardstock and  ribbon, and then the new embossing folder Decorative Dots (which you can earn as a freebie if you spend more than $90 in Sale-a-bration current promotion) and sentiment - Teeny Tiny Sentiments.  

 

This card is for one of my friends who also happens to be a Stampin' Up demonstrator and each year for our birthdays we try to make something just that little bit special for each other.  Thank goodness we don't have to post our cards to each other - not sure how this one would go through the mail. 

A sampler for a friend

Recently I had the honour of being asked by a friend to make another couple of samplers.  This is one for her mother's 80th birthday. 

Very similar to the previous one in colour but with a little more emphasis on the recipient's favourite pasttimes such as gardening and sewing.   Lots of flowers and plants, postage stamps cause that's the generation she came from when people used to send letters, water pump and chook cause she was brought up in the country, sewing machine, manequin and dolls because she loves to sew and used to make beautiful dolls, teddies because she's a grandma, keys because she makes you feel safe and holds lots of secrets,  tea cup and teapot because she will always make you feel welcome when you visit and heart, because she loves you. 

A lot of the stamps are from Stampin' Up but you will probably see a few others as well.