Browsing Category: Projects

Materials Needed

• With Love Banner Angel and Love Angel rubber stamps
• Backing papers from Angels Background Papers Designable - hearts, yellow haze, plaid
• Backing paper from A Patchwork of Papers – Plum haze
• Water colour pencils or pens
• Inkpad or chalks for edging paper
• Making Memories Mini Blossoms neutral
• Brads
• Bookmark tassel or ribbon or fibres
• Scallop circle punch 3”, Plain circle punches 2½” and 1”, Corner rounder punch or scissors
• Cuttlebug set of four Flowers dies. Die cutting machine
• Bind it All machine. Wire for binding – white - 5/8”
• PVA glue. 3D foam pads
• Greyboard or heavy duty cardstock A6 (4” x 6”)
• Good quality 120gsm photocopy paper for inserts
• A5 Cardstock - piece of ivory card for greeting card
• White printer cardstock for bookmark

1 - To make the Angel Notebook. Using the hearts design paper cut two pieces 7½” x 6”. Centre the grey board or heavy duty cardstock on the reverse of the backing paper and glue into position using PVA glue. Spread the glue evenly over the cardstock to prevent any bubbling in the paper. Allow to dry.

2 - Using your craft knife and ruler remove the corners of the paper diagonally on all four corners leaving about ¼” past the edge of the cover. This serves to keep your finished corners tidy.

3 - Using a scoring tool or embossing tool score round the edges of the cover to help the paper fold more easily.

4 - Glue down all the edges onto the back of the cover making sure they are well secured and allow to dry. When completed, gently tap the corners onto your working surface to give them a rounded finish.

5 - Cut two pieces from the plaid backing paper slightly smaller than the cover of the book. Glue to the inside of the covers. This will hide any fixings you may want to add and keep your notebook tidy.

6 - With the plaid side facing measure the centre point on the narrowest sides top and bottom. Lightly pencil in a line to join both points. This will be erased later.

7 - This line will give you the exact position to place the cover into your Bind-It-All and is matched up with the centre mark on the machine.

8 - Punch both covers being careful to check that your patterns are running in the same direction back and front. Erase the pencil lines.

9 - Now you can prepare your embellishment for the front of your notebook. Cut one 3” scallop circle from the plaid patterned paper. Cut one 2½” plain circle from the yellow haze paper. Ink the edges of the circles to give them some dimension. Stamp your chosen image and cut it out. I masked off the sentiment on the banner and replaced it with my own.

10 - Stamp inked with mask in place.

11 - Mask removed before stamping onto paper.

12 - Stamped image.

13 - Colour the stamped images to suit your project. Mount onto 3D foam pads. Glue the circles to the front of your notebook and place the angel towards the top of the circle giving room for the sentiment at the bottom. Cut several small flowers from your plum haze paper using the second largest flower from your Cuttlebug set, plus one from the third largest die. Alternatively you could use a flower punch. The flowers will sit better if the plum haze design is printed onto cardstock. This helps to give it more body for mounting onto your project. Cut a 1” circle from the yellow haze paper. Using your computer print your chosen sentiment onto the yellow circle, ink the edges and glue to the largest Cuttlebug flower that you cut previously. Apply a piece of 3D foam to the back of the sentiment flower. Make up the others using your mini flowers and join together with a brad. These can be placed on the front of your notebook as an added embellishment. It helps if you cut into the die cut flowers slightly and curl the petals a little. Attach to the front of your notebook.

14 - To complete your notebook, cut and punch your insert pages. Using 20 pages of good quality photocopy paper 120gsm in weight cut 80 sheets from A4 paper to measure ¼” less in length and width than your covers so that they will sit inside the covers when the notebook is bound. To punch the inserts use the same method as for the covers – this will keep them lined up perfectly. Using a section of 5/8ths” binding wire for this size notebook (you will need six complete ‘loops’) lay the covers and pages in this order: 1 - back – right side facing. 2 - front – wrong side facing. 3 - pages. Hook the wires through the punched holes with the closed edge facing you. Check that you have your patterns the right way round before you complete this section.

15 - Set the Bind-It-All to the correct depth - 5/8ths” using the guide that comes with the machine. Insert the spine of your book into the Bind it All and press firmly to close the wires.

16 - Your notebook is complete.

17 - To make the coordinating greeting card score and fold the A5 piece of cardstock to make an A6 card.Round off the two corners at the bottom edge of the card front and back. Cut a 3” circle from the plaid background paper. Cut a 2½” circle from the yellow haze background paper. Ink the edges of the circles with ink and mat them together. Stamp and cut out the Angel image. Colour to suit your project. I used water- colour pencils. Take a piece of the heart background paper ¾” x 1¾” and round off the edges on one side only. Mount onto the plum haze background paper. Round off the edges in the same way. Attach a flower cut from the plum haze paper to a mini MM flower (neutral) with a brad and secure to the tab you have made through both layers of paper. Position the mats onto the centre of your card (landscape orientation). Glue the tab onto the top left hand side of the card.

18 - Make a matching bookmark 55 x 170mm (2¼” x 6½”). Print the yellow haze background from the Littlest Angel set onto cardstock. Stamp an angel image onto cardstock – I chose the’ Love ‘angel. I cut round the image and coloured her to suit the project. Using your computer print your chosen sentiment or verse on the bottom half of the bookmark to allow for positioning your angel image later. Punch a hole at the top of the bookmark and round off the corners with your corner punch.

19 - Using 3D foam pads attach the angel image near the top of the bookmark. Attach a tassel or toning ribbon or fibres through the punched hole.

• Cuddly Buddly Daisies rubber stamp set
• 2 A4 sheets of white card - Extra pieces of white card for matting
• Silver mirror card
• Yellow textured card
• Translucent vellum paper for insert
• Cuttlebug Swirls Embossing Folder, Flower Dies set of four
• Versamark inkpad
• Silver embossing powder
• Decorative corner punch
• Yellow satin ribbon 3mm, Piece of organza ribbon
• Bookmark tassel, ribbon or fibres
• Safmat – for greeting (a stamp or peel off may be used)
• 3D foam pads
• General crafting tools – cutting mat, ruler, knife, adhesive, scoring board, hole punch, pencil

1 - To make the card. Take an A4 sheet of textured white card. Score at 2 7/8” along short side. Turn and score at 2 7/8” along second short side. Fold using a bone folder to help keep the edges neat. If you have a scoring board, use the line marked A4 Gatefold to achieve the same result. Punch the four corners with a decorative corner punch.

2 - Cut one piece of matching white card to 3¼ x 4” and two pieces to 2½ x 3½”. Using your Cuttlebug embossing folder, emboss the larger piece of card. Using your Cuddly Buddly large daisies stamp, stamp and emboss the image in silver onto one of the smaller pieces of card. Repeat for the second piece. Using your pencils or markers lightly colour the images.

3 - Cut out the two forefront daisy heads from one of the stamped images. Decoupage these onto the other image using 3D foam pads.

4 - Stamp, colour and cut out the smaller daisies from your stamp set - 2 large and one small image. Decoupage the large daisy head as before and attach to the bottom right hand side of your gatefold card.

5 - Attach a piece of the narrow satin ribbon round the stamped daisy topper and secure to the back with double-sided tape. Take a small piece of the satin ribbon and tie in a knot on the front of the card. Repeat the ‘faux bow’ with your chosen second ribbon.

6 - Cut two pieces of your silver mirror card 3 ½ x 4¼” and 2¾x 3¾”. Mount the white embossed card onto the larger piece and the stamped image onto the smaller one. Now attach the matted and layered stamped image onto the embossed image with 3D foam pads. Now that your main panel is complete, attach it to the left-hand side front of your gatefold card about 1½” from the top of the card. Make sure you only glue the side that is to be attached as you want to be able to open your card!

7 - Prepare your insert on a piece of vellum 5¾” x 8”. Using your computer (I used Word) and the basic shapes facility, draw two rectangles in the form of a cross. Fill the images with a light silver colour (R 186 G 186 B 198) and select ‘No Line’ for both rectangles. Print your chosen verse or sentiment over the cross by using ‘Insert Text box’. Again select ‘No line’ and select ‘No fill’ as well so that the verse is superimposed on the cross. Print onto vellum paper making sure that the image starts 1½” down the page and attach to the inside of the card using vellum tape or carefully applied glue stick along the top edge. The placement of the image is important so that when the card is closed it isn’t seen behind the stamped panel on the front of the card.

8 - Finally, print the sentiment ‘Easter Blessings’ in the silver colour onto Safmat. Cut it out and gently burnish into place. You can also use a stamped greeting or a peel off if you prefer. Your card is finished.

9 - To make the bookmark. Take a piece of yellow card 18cm x 17cm. Fold it in half to measure 9cm x 17cm. Mark it as shown in the picture and cut out the rectangles indicated by the hatched lines. Erase any pencil marks that may be still showing.

10 - You can choose to keep the cross shape opened or closed at this stage. I chose to have it closed and glued the two sides together. Start with a piece of white cardstock measuring 16 x 16 cm. Fold it in half to measure 8cm x 16cm.

11 - Cut a second cross shape as indicated in the photo. Separate the two pieces as you will need one for the back and one for the front of the cross.

12 - Using your Cuttlebug embossing folder emboss the white crosses with the swirls pattern. As this shape is longer than the actual folder, I have included a photo of the method of embossing the final piece of the cross shape. Glue one white cross to the front of the main shape centrally and repeat for the back of the cross.

13 - Cut two flower shapes with the Cuttlebug flower dies, the largest in yellow and the smaller in white cardstock. Using your computer, print the verse or sentiment onto the smaller flower. Ink (or use a brush marker) the edges in yellow. Mat the flowers together and place in the centre of the cross.

14 - Stamp and emboss the large daisy stamp from the Cuddly Buddly Daisies set in silver. Colour and cut out the central prominent flower from the image. Glue to the bookmark.

15 - Finally punch a hole at the top of the cross and affix a tassel or toning fibres to complete it. If you have decided to keep the cross as an opening version, just punch the hole only through the front side of the cross. Your bookmark is now complete. I hope that you enjoy making your Easter projects as much as I did.

©2008 Edna Taylor

Way back at the beginning of December I created a project for an advertorial magazine supplement called ‘Designer Cards’ which is periodically issued as a freebie with ‘Simply Cards & Papercrafts’ magazine. Not wanting to make the project look ‘old news’ for the magazine readers I’ve sat on the project for a couple of months but the magazine’s on sale now so for any of you who aren’t regular Simply readers, here’s … one I made earlier!

List of materials required;

Cuddly Buddly Rubber Stamps - Teddy & Rose and Floral Greetings.
Cuddly Buddly downloadable paper - Patchwork Papers - Pink.
Watercolour paper.
Bazzill Papers Bling - String of Pearls and Diva.
Ranger Archival Inkpad Black, Glossy Accents and Liquid Pearls.
Tim Holtz Distress Re-Inkers.
Lace, Ribbons, Prima Got Flowers, Mini Brads.
145 x 145mm square greeting card blank.
Circle Cutter, Brush, Distressing Tool, Paper Piercer, Mini Mister filled with water, PVA glue.

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1 - Stamp the images onto watercolour paper. Cut out Teddy & Rose stamped image into a 75mm circle and colour as desired using Distress Re-Inkers and a paintbrush. Distress Re-Inkers inks can be used direct from the bottle, mixed on a palette and/or diluted with water.

2 - Distress the edges of the Teddy circle using a distressing tool and pierce a dotty border around the inner edge of the circle. Colour the stamped Floral Greeting image and cut out. Highlight areas from both stamped images with Glossy Accents and set aside to dry completely.

3 - Cut a 90mm and a 105mm circle from each of the Bazzill Papers. Lightly spray water onto the outer edge of each circle to soften the paper. Push and pinch the edges of the circles to create a soft ruffled wavy edge. Apply Liquid Pearls to the outer edges of the circles and smear it a little using your fingers. Set aside to dry.

4 - Cut out background paper and lace and attach to the card base.

5 - Adhere topper roundel layers together and fix securely to card base. Assemble ribbon bow with Floral Greeting and adhere in position on card with topper roundel.

6 - Cut out four corner pieces from Bazzill Bling, distress and gently colour the edges and attach to card. Attach Prima Flowers to the card front. Apply Liquid Pearl dot highlight details to the four corner pieces. Set aside to dry. Print out an insert, trim to size, score, fold and attach to inside of card.

Keep Creating!

Hugs n Smiles,
Kim



Materials:

• Cuddly Buddly Paisley background stamp
• Cuddly Buddly Paisleys and Border stamps
• Cuddly Buddly Red Patchwork Papers download
• 2 A4 sheets white smooth card
• 1 A4 sheet white textured card
• 1 A4 sheet red card
• 1 A4 sheet silver mirror card
• Art Emboss silver metal foil
• Oddments of ribbon, red and silver grey
• Versamark inkpad
• Staz-On inkpad
• Silver embossing powder
• PVA glue
• Silver eyelet
• Two silver brads
• Darice 9 x 13 cm rectangle frame
• 4 pieces card 3.5 x 3.5 cm
• 4 pieces Art Emboss foil 5 x 5 cm.

Tools:

• Embossing Stylus tool
• Craft knife & Cutting Mat
• Ruler
• Scoring board
• Double sided tape

1 - To make the Waterfall Card. In preparation print off 1 sheet each of the dark red, mid red and multi stripe papers from the Patchwork papers download. Cut 1 strip 5 x27.5cms red card for waterfall mechanism. Cut 1 strip 2 x10.5cms red card for retaining strip. Using the A4 sheet of smooth white card, score a line 11 cms from the left hand narrow edge and fold. Attach the mid red background paper to the inside back of the folded card and the striped paper to the front of the fold. Allow an overlap on the striped paper to fold to the back of the card to keep the edges neat. Secure into place. Prepare mats of silver mirror card and dark red background paper to place on the front and the inside of the card as per the sample. Stamp the sheet of textured cardstock with the background paisley stamp and emboss with silver embossing powder. Cut mats for both panels from the stamped card measuring 6 x 16.5 cms each. Attach to the card as per the sample. 

2 - Prepare the waterfall mechanism using the red card as per the diagram. The lines that are at 2cm intervals are to be scored and folded. The longer section is the back of the mechanism and must be left unglued for the waterfall action to work. Leave aside to be completed later.

3 - Take the Art Emboss foil and cut 6 squares measuring 6 x 6 cms each. Stamp your chosen images onto three of the squares using Staz On ink. Using a stylus tool or old biro pen, carefully outline the images into the foil. It helps to use a padded surface for this technique. It is also good to practice on a spare piece of foil to check the pressure you need to apply. Too much and you can pierce the foil. You will soon get the hang of it. Your embossed image will appear on the front of the square. Trace as much or as little of the shape as you like.

4 - When you have completed the embossing, fill the resulting shape with PVA glue and allow it to cure at least overnight. This will ensure that your embossing will retain its dimension.

5 - Now that your pieces are ready, cut some plain white card into 5 x 5 cm squares, one for each of your foil squares. Centre the card onto the back of the embossed foil. Cut off the foil corners diagonally and fold the edges over the card pressing down lightly so that it retains its shape. Turn the piece over and carefully using a ruler and a fine point stylus, mark the front edges of the piece to give it a finished and tidy appearance. Now mount the finished squares onto a slightly larger square of white card. Ink the edges with toning red ink.

6 - Take two of the remaining foil squares and using Versamark ink and the border paisley stamp, stamp the image into the centre of the square. Cover with silver embossing powder and heat emboss. Allow the metal to cool before handling. Finish off these squares as for the others. No backfilling is required with these images. It is a good idea to wipe over the surface of the metal with an anti-static pad before stamping. This prevents any stray specks of embossing powder adhering to the metal. Prepare your greeting on the computer remembering to print it out on the mirror image setting. Choose a clear font for ease of embossing. Centre the greeting over the last square of metal foil and trace the letters with a stylus tool. Finish off the square as for the others but add an extra mat of red card.

7 - Place the retaining strip for the waterfall approximately 7cms from the bottom of the card. This is the 2 x 10.5cm piece you cut earlier. Attach this to the card using the silver brads as per the sample. Slide the back of the waterfall mechanism behind the strip and leave it totally without adhesive.

8 - Attach the completed squares to the waterfall starting at the bottom. Glue the bottom square to the first 5 x 5 cm section.

9 - Each following square is attached only to the 2 cm scored section as you need the mechanism to move freely, the completed squares will ‘hang’ from the waterfall mechanism. Alternate the embossed and stamped images as per the sample.

10 - Glue the bottom of the first panel where it makes contact with the strip to keep the mechanism in position. Punch a hole in the centre of the back strip where it falls below the retaining strip and set an eyelet. Tie a ribbon through the eyelet to use as a pull for the waterfall.

11 - Finally position the sentiment on the other side of the card. I used a die cut heart and some reverse stamping to create the motif on the top of the card but this panel could equally well be made into a book mark as an extra wee gift for that special Dad. Your Waterfall Card is now completed.

12 - To decorate the Frame. Carefully separate the front of the frame from the back. Release the holding string from the front of the frame. Leave attached to the back of the frame as you will be re-attaching it to the front later.

13 - Cover the front of the frame with the striped patterned paper, mitring the corners for a neat finish.

14 - Using the 5 x 5 cm foil squares emboss 4 of the small paisley images, one in each square as for the card project. Back fill with PVA glue so that the embossing retains its dimension. Allow the glue to cure overnight. Cover a piece of card 3.5 x 3.5 cm with the embossed image and finish as for the card project. Glue an image to each corner of the covered frame.

15 - Reassemble the photo frame and re-attach the string to its original position. Be careful to leave one side unglued so that you can insert the photo of your choice. Finish off your project by making your own wrapping paper. Stamp the paisley background stamp onto a sheet of tissue paper using a toning ink. Your project is completed.

This classic and elegant step-by-step project by Edna for a First Communion Greeting Card and lined envelope is a sure winner. Consider adapting this beautiful and timeless card for other special occasions too - wedding invitations, baby announcements and sympathy cards.

Materials -

• Faith Angel unmounted rubber stamp
• 1 sheet A4 white textured card and 1 sheet A4 white card for stamped images
• 1 sheet translucent vellum
• 1 sheet pearlescent paper to line the envelope
• 7.5 x 7.5 cm piece gold mirror card
• Shrink plastic
• Versamark ink pad
• Gold embossing powder
• Gold Brilliance ink
• 1 DL envelope
• Decorative gold border peel offs
• Gold metallic ribbon
• Sakura clear glitter pen.

Tools - Craft knife, Ruler, Cutting mat, Scoring board, 1” circle punch, 2” scallop circle punch, Adhesive, Small jump ring.

Instructions are given for the girl’s version of the project. Use the ‘Hope’ angel image and the silver colourway for a boy’s version.

1 - Cut the sheet of A4 card to 19 cms wide. Using your scoring board, place the narrow edge against the butt edge of the board and score along the A4 tri-fold line. Turn the card round and score again.

2 - Set up your computer and print the main sentiment on the card at the bottom left hand side. Use gold (Red 165, Green 138, Blue 82) for the girl’s card and silver (Red 186, Green 186, Blue 198) for the boy’s version.

3 - Stamp image of the ‘Faith’ angel onto a piece of scrap paper. Cut out the stamped image and place near the top and centrally inside the first fold of the card. Trace round the image lightly with pencil.

4 - Cut out the shape approximately 3mm inside the traced line. Erase the pencil marks. Go round the cut edge on the front of the card with a decorative peel off border as this helps to finish off the edge neatly.

5 - Stamp and heat emboss the ‘Faith’ angel, the Communion cup and the cross on the separate piece of card. Cut out the images and using your 1” circle punch, punch out the cross image to place on the back of the card. Ink the edges of the circle to give some dimension. Place the images on the card as shown in the photograph, centring the angel to fit in the window and glue in place.

6 - Using your computer, print the verse and the details onto a piece of translucent vellum cut to fit the inside folded part of the card. Fold the vellum in half and attach to the inside of the card using vellum adhesive or glue stick.

7 - Stamp the angel image onto shrink plastic using Brilliance ink. Cut out leaving a small margin. This will not show when the piece is shrunk. Take care not to smudge the ink. Punch a hole into the arch before shrinking. Glitter may be added at this stage using a Sakura clear glitter pen. The shrinking process intensifies the look of the glitter. Once the piece is shrunk, insert a small jump ring through the pre-punched hole.

8 - Finish embellishing your card by adhering a length of metallic ribbon down the side. Tie a small bow and attach the shrink plastic tag through the centre of the bow. Glue the bow and tag into place and your card is complete.

9 - Line the envelope with a toning sheet of pearlescent paper cut slightly narrower than the width and sized to fit the length minus the gummed strip on the envelope. Insert the paper into the envelope and bring up to the edge of the flap and use that as a guide to cut the paper. Slide the paper into the envelope past the gummed strip and only glue the flap area using a glue stick. Fold over the flap and press it down for a crisp edge.

10 - To complete the envelope, create a seal using gold embossing powder or gold Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel. Pour a little of either powder onto a heat resistant surface and gently heat until the powder is molten. Keep adding powder until you have enough to stamp your chosen image into. If you haven’t melted sufficient powder you can reheat it and add more until you are satisfied. Pre-ink your stamp with Versamark ink and press firmly into the molten powder. Leave it to cool and gently peel away the ‘seal’. Trim with scissors to get a pleasing shape and decorate using a length of metallic ribbon. Centre the seal onto a punched mirror card circle and attach to the flap of the envelope to complete your project.

We’ve got a fun Exploding Box Project by Dawn which makes a trendy hidey hole for those oh so yummy creme eggs!

These are the materials and basic tools that are required to make the exploding box, all available from the shop section.

• Four 12×12 sheets of coloured card, two shades of yellow and blue were used.
• Corner rounder punch.
• A length of yellow satin ribbon.
• Graphics and backing paper taken from the Bunny Angels Designable collection.
• Basic crafting kit, to include, craft knife, scissors, ruler and pencil, bone folding tool embossing tool, a selection of double sided tape, glues and foam pads.
• Cadbury crème egg or similar.
• Optional - Cuttlebug die cutting and embossing system or other die cutting system and a Cuttlebug large embossing folder.

1 - The important part of this project is accurate measuring. To begin take three pieces of the 12×12 card. Cut the first 12×12 piece down to 30×30cm, the second down to 28.5×28.5cm, the third down to 27×27cm.

2 - Taking the largest piece of card make faint pencil marks at 10cm intervals along all edges of the card. Taking a ruler and small tipped embossing tool, score the length of the card, using the pencil marks as a guide. You will end up with a grid of nine equal squares. Carefully cut away the four corner squares. Repeat with the middle sized card making marks at 9.5cm and the smallest piece of card making intervals at 9cm, scoring and cutting as above.

3 - Using the corner rounder punch, punch all the corners of the squares.

4 - Cut 4 lengths of contrasting card 10cm by 5cm. Cut a length of ribbon for each.

5 - Apply double sided tape to the ribbon and attach to the card ensuring the ends of the ribbon are secured around the back of the card.

6 - Glue these strips to the largest piece of card. These will form the outside of the box.

7 - Cut a square 20cm x 20cm, in the final piece of card, make a faint pencil mark 5cm in from each side, join these marks by scoring with your ruler and embossing tool. Take opposite edges and cut into the embossed line, up to the square formed in the middle as shown in the picture, I’ve drawn the embossed lines in pencil to make it easier to see.

8 - Apply a strong glue such as book binding glue or tacky glue to the flaps and fold your box lid together. I’ve used low tack tape to hold the box lid together until the glue dries - paper clips or pegs will also work.

9 - Carefully cut out your chosen graphics using a pair of scissors and craft knife.

10 - Print out the backing paper. Cut out five squares measuring 9cm x 9cm (one will be for the lid). Four squares measuring 8.5cm x 8.5cm and four squares 8cm x 8cm. Using the corner rounder punch round the edges of the squares. An additional option to add a nice touch if you have a Cuttlebug or other system is to emboss the squares with one of the large embossing folders.

11 - Glue the squares onto the card.

12 - Add your graphics with foam pads to add some dimension. I’ve added the graphics to the first and second layers, leaving the third layer with just the backing paper on.

13 - Glue the last square of backing paper to the lid, then stick your final chosen graphic to the lid with foam pads - I’ve used the frame image and layered it on a piece of silver mirror card.

14 - Take the bottom layer of the box and apply double sided tape to the centre box as shown. Stick the second layer on top and apply double sided tape to the centre box, and stick the final layer.

15 - Cut a piece of card 15cm by 5cm, score along the middle, then cut triangles along the bottom half (this doesn’t need to be exact).

16 - Form this into a circle and glue. Use low tack tape to hold together until the glue has dried. Cut out a circle and glue in the bottom of the cup.

17 - Glue the cup into the centre of the box. Add some tissue paper, then place your Cadbury crème egg in the cup - yum yum!

18 - This box is very versatile, once you’ve made one you’ll want to make lots in different designs!

19 - Try adding photos and messages to the flaps and hiding a variety of small gifts in the box - have fun!

©2008 Dawn Corner

These are the materials and basic tools that are required to make the book, all are available from the shop section.

• Young Love and Love Bits Designables
• A selection of red, pink and white card either A4 size or 12×12 size cut to size
• Resized oval and heart templates taken from the freebie section
• White card to make templates
• Coordinating ribbons
• Heart or other shaped gems
• Charms
• Chalks

· Basic crafting kit, to include, craft knife, scissors, ruler and pencil, bone folding tool embossing tool, a selection of double sided tape, glues, foam pads and hole punch.

· Optional - Cuttlebug die cutting and embossing system, or other die cutting system and a choice of Cuttlebug large embossing folders.

1 - To make the tag template take a piece of A5 card or fold an A4 sheet of card in halve measure 14cm along the length of both sides, make a small mark, draw a line across to join the two marks. Next find the centre of the top of the card, make a mark, then draw a line 2cm either side. Join the lines together at an angle as shown in the photo. Cut out the tag shape. You will now have a reusable template.

2 - Take a sheet of red A4 card (or 12×12 cut down to size) fold in half, smooth down using a bone folding tool. Place the tag template on top and draw around, then cut out, repeat so you have two tag shaped cards.

3 - Open one of the tag cards, and take a ruler and embossing tool, and score across the card as shown in the photo.

4 - Carefully fold down the flap.

Dawn shows us how to get creative with the Bind-It-All in this Step-by Step project. Create this funky Denim and Daisies Brag Book - a great project idea that can be adapted to suit many occasions by simply substituting the cover fabrics. Consider using satins and lace for baby and wedding, light weight tweeds and twills for a more masculine look or bright and funky cottons for teens. Raid your fabrics stash, let your imagination fly and have fun - the possibilities are endless!

These are the materials and basic tools that are required to make the book, all available from the shop here at Cuddly Buddly Crafts.

• Bind-It-All machine
• Bind-It-All Book and journal tool making kit, which contains all the basics of craft knife scissors, bone folder, wire cutters etc…
• ¾ Inch Owire bindings
• Grey board covers, I used the A5+ size
• Denim material and wadding
• Cuttlebug 2”x6” pack flower dies
• Felt squares in coordinating colours
• Book binding glue, a selection of other glues, double sided tape and foam squares
• A selection of backing papers and graphics taken from the Daisy Designables Collection

1 - Take your first piece of grey board and place onto the denim fabric, cut out a piece of the fabric slightly larger than the board as shown. Cut out a piece of the wadding the same size as the board, cut off a couple of centimetres from the edge as shown. This will allow the board and fabric to fit in the Bind It All Machine later on.

2 - Apply book binding glue to the wadding, turn over and press onto the board.

3 - Turn the board over so the wadding is sandwiched between the denim and board. Cut into the fabric, so that you have flaps cut an angle along two opposite edges and straight flaps across the other two opposite edges, as shown in the photo. Be careful not to cut too far! This will help to produce nice corners on your book cover.

4 - Starting with the shorter edge, apply book binding glue to the fabric and stick to the board. Do the same with the opposite side applying a small amount of tension. Repeat with the longer flaps, ensuring you check to make sure the corners are neat. If the corners do need to be tidied apply a small amount of the glue, as this will dry clear. I also apply a thin strip of double sided tape to the board. Repeat the process, so you have a matching front and back cover.

5 - Taking your chosen backing paper cut a rectangle slightly smaller than the cover, apply book binding glue to the back and secure to the cover, repeat with the other cover. ( I mirrored my backing papers in my graphics programme, so that my inner pages and covers matched although this isn’t necessary).

6 - Cut out two large pocket images from the Daisy Designables Collection.

7 - Apply double sided tape to the three edges shown.

8 - Stick one pocket at an angle to the inside front cover to form a ‘real’ pocket. Set aside the other pocket for later.

9 - Cut matching pages slightly smaller than the book, either print on both sides of the paper, or stick two papers together with glue to form slightly thicker pages.

10 - Take your Bind It All Machine, use the setting `C` for cover. Carefully put the front cover into the machine, and press the handle down.

11 - Turn the cover around and do the same again. Repeat with the inner pages, but with the machine on setting `D` inner pages.

12 - Taking the ¾ Inch wire, cut the required length, using the wire cutters from the tool kit.

13 - It is important to get the covers and pages in the correct order - front cover face down, back cover face up, then pages.

14 - Thread the wire through as shown.

15 - Take the ¾inch spacer and place in the machine, tighten until the Bind it all Machine is at the correct size.

16 - Place the covers, pages and wire into the machine as shown. Push the handle down until the wire is pushed together.

17 - You have now bound your brag book.

18 - Using the additional pocket, attach it to the front cover with bookbinding glue. Cut out a separate flap part and attach with foam pads. Using the Cuttlebug flower die, cut out some coordinating felt flowers and attach with glue.

19 - Tie an assortment of coordinating ribbons to the wires.

20 - The last bit is left to you, what you want to do with the book, give as a gift, or add lots of photos then give as a gift, or keep for yourself!

21 - For other brag book projects consider using satins and lace for baby and wedding, light weight tweeds and twills for a more masculine look or bright and funky cottons for teens. Raid your fabrics stash, let your imagination fly and have fun - the possibilities are endless!

This step-by-step project for a ’Gift Box Card’ can be adapted to suit a wide variety of themes once you have learnt the basic construction principles. Have fun and Keep Creating!

These are the materials and basic tools that are required to make the card.

• Card-box template taken from the Freebie template section, there are three templates to this card-box
• Star shape template resized, from the Freebie shape template section
• Three A4 sheets of printed card with backing paper designs taken from the Country Gents graphics collection
•  Busy Buddies Men’s Celebrate rubber stamp set and Kling-On backing foam
• Rubber stamping embossing supplies, which includes, clear ink pad, gold embossing powder, heat gun and acrylic block
• Colouring in medium, I used water colours
• Coordinating ribbon and fibres.

You will also need craft knife, metal ruler, scissors, pencil, embossing or scoring tool and a selection of double sided tape, glue and foam pads.

1 - Take your sheet of Busy Buddies Celebrate Men rubber stamps and carefully cut around an image, get as close up to the image as you can but be careful not to cut into the design.

2 - Cut a piece of Kling-On backing slightly bigger than your stamp, peel back the backing, as shown above (beware this is very sticky!) place your cut out stamp on top. Take a craft knife and carefully trim around the edge of your stamp, leaving a small border. Repeat with all of the stamps, leave aside for now.

3 - Print your box templates from the freebie template section onto thick card and carefully cut out with a metal ruler and craft knife. Print the backing paper designs from the Country Gents graphic collection, onto textured card, print on both sides, by printing once, then sending through your printer again on the reverse side. You will need two double A4 sided printed sheets which will form the front and back of the box and one A4 sheet which is printed on one side, which will become the card part of the box. Take one of the double sided printed sheets and place the template on top, draw round the template in pencil, ensure you mark where the score lines will be.

4 - Remove the template and using a scoring tool or small tipped embossing tool, carefully score along the marks. It’s easier to do the scoring before you cut the shape out. Cut the shape out, then fold on the score lines, using a bone folding tool to give a crisp finish. You will have two similar shapes for the front and back of the box.

5 - Once you have cut out the third shape from the templates, which will form the hinged card on the front of the box, crease the card so the fold is on the right and the two small flaps are on the left hand side. Unfold the card and apply double sided tape or strong glue, as shown above, you will be left with one flap on the left hand side which will later be attached to the box. Put aside for the moment.

6 - Place an acrylic block on the table and place a chosen stamp onto it, because of the Kling-On backing foam the stamp will stay firmly put. Leaving the stamp face up, take a clear pigment ink and tap lightly with it on the stamp surface, to give an even covering of ink.

7 - Turn the stamp over and stamp firmly onto your card, always keep at least one hand on the stamp and press evenly over the stamp surface, do not rock the stamp as this could result in a blurred image! Remove the stamp, and you will be able to just see the image (it will look a bit like a watermark).

8 - Sprinkle gold embossing powder all over the stamped image. Tap off the embossing powder, onto a scrap piece of paper and return the unused powder into it’s jar. Once all the loose powder has been removed you will end up with an image as above.

9 - Taking the heat gun, I always let mine warm up for a few seconds before directing on the paper. Direct the heat over the image, letting one area melt and turn a shiny gold, before moving onto the next area. Have the heat gun, a couple of inches or about 10cm away from the paper, there’s no need to franticly move the heat gun around, nice and steady to get good results. Remember, the heat gun does get very very hot so keep your fingers out of the way! You can just see in the photo the areas that are turning to a lovely shiny gold colour, where the heat is being directed.

10 - Next is to colour in the stamped image. I have used watercolour paint, I have also stamped, embossed and cut out the other images I am going to use.

11 - Back the stamped images onto dark green card, then cut a slightly bigger rectangle in dark red card and a strip of dark red card the same width as the card front. I’ve outlined the dark red card with a gold marker pen, but a gold ink pad would work as well.

12 - Attach the stamped image at an angle onto the dark red card with double sided tape or glue. Turn the card over and secure some coordinating green fibre to the back with a piece of tape and wind the fibre around the card. Repeat with the other length of card.

13 - Take the card front and attach some ribbon with a thin piece of double sided tape down the right hand side. Attach the cards with fibres with foam pads, then attach the other stamped images. Put aside for now.

14 - Next is to cut out the aperture in the box. Print out the resized star template from the freebie shape template section onto card. Cut out. Take the printed front part of the box and turn over. Draw around the star template in pencil and cut out with a ruler and craft knife.

15 - Apply double sided tape around the star cut out as shown. Take a piece of acetate, I put mine through the printer and printed the same background paper design. Attach the acetate to the box.

16 - Stick some sticky backed fibre around the star aperture - peel offs would also work well.

17 - Lay out the three parts of the box-card as shown. I am going to attach the part that will be the card on the front of the box first. Apply double sided tape along the flap on the card and attach to the flap on the box back.

18 - This picture shows the hinge from the card front attached to the box back.

19 - This picture shows the card from the top once closed. Open up the card again, you will now have two pieces to form the box.

20 - Place double sided tape to the long flap on the box front (the part of the box with the aperture on it). Stick this flap to the box back.

21 - Next put tape and glue as shown on the box back. Then carefully make up your box. I found it easier to use a ruler to poke down the part formed box to stick some of the flaps.

22 - Finally put some Hi Tack glue along the seam as shown and hold together.

23 - Have fun trying different techniques with your stamping and have fun making your boxes to put small gifts, sweeties, socks, ties, panties and pet treats in.

With this Step-by-Step project, Dawn demonstrates how to use our free gift bag template to create wonderful decorative gift bags.

These are the materials and basic tools that are required to make the gift bag.

• Medium bag template taken from the freebie section
• Two A4 sheets of chosen card
• Giggles Nativity set graphics, I used the tag, Giggles king images and the Happy Christmas greeting banner.

You will also need a selection of coordinating ribbon, fibres, eyelets, brads and gems. Craft knife, metal ruler, scissors, pencil, embossing or scoring tool, piercing tool, eyelet setting tool and a selection of double sided tape, glue and foam pads available from the shop.

1 - Print the medium sized bag template from the freebie section onto card. Using a sharp craft knife and metal ruler carefully cut out the template.

2 - Take the first sheet of your chosen card and place it face down. Take the template you have just cut out and place it on top. Draw around the template and make faint pencil marks where the scores lines will be.

3 - Using a ruler and scoring tool (or small tipped embossing tool) score along the score lines. It’s important to do the scoring before you cut your bag out. Once all the scoring has been done, carefully cut out the first part of the bag using either a craft knife or pair of scissors.

4 - Starting with the longest edges make your folds, using a bone folding tool to give a neat finish. Then fold the two shorter flaps using the bone folder tool. Repeat all of the above, so you have two identical pieces to form the bag.

5 - On the reverse side of the bag, draw two small pencil marks where the eyelets will be placed to form the handles.

6 - Using an eyelet setting tool make a hole over the pencil mark. When using any type of eyelet setter, it’s always a good idea to use an old cutting mat underneath your work.

7 - Turn your work over and place your chosen eyelet in the hole, then turn it back over the use the eyelet setting tool to secure it in position. Repeat this four times, to make the handles for your bag.

8 - It is best to attach your chosen graphics to the outside of the bag before you make the bag up. Take your chosen graphics and carefully cut out with either a craft knife or pair of scissors.

9 - One way to attach a piece of ribbon is by doubling the ribbon over, place on the tag and use a piercing tool to make a small hole through the ribbon and tag. Then pop the brad though the hole and open the legs on the back of the tag to securely hold the brad in place.

10 - The graphics now need to be attached to the front of the bag. Use double sided tape or a strong glue. Apply double sided tape around the edges, turn back the edges of the tape slightly.

11 - Position the graphics on the front of the bag, once you are happy with the position, hold the images firmly with one hand and remove the backing from the double sided tape. Attach the Giggles King onto the tag with foam pads or silicone glue.

12 - On the other side of the bag I`m going to attach another tag. Position an eyelet on the tag as before, then take a doubled over piece of ribbon, thread the doubled end through the eyelet, to form a loop. Take the two tail ends of the ribbon and thread through the loop and pull. Place a small piece of tape on the back to hold the ribbon. Attach the tag, Giggles King and Christmas banner with double sided tape as before.

13 - Take both parts of the bag and face up, apply double sided tape to the edges of all the flaps. On the longest bottom flaps apply tape to the outer edge as you have with the others (as seen by the right hand part of photo) then on the other part of bag, apply tape to the underside of the bottom flap (as seen by left hand side of photo). Remove backing from tape along the bottom flaps and fix together. It’s easier if you fix the shorter flap to the larger flap to begin with. Once you are happy with with these, remove the backing from the side edges and stick together.

14 - Finally, you need to add the handles. Take some chosen fibres and cord, and thread through the eyelet, (you might need to help them with a pokey tool) tie a knot on the inside of the bag. Twist the fibres together then thread through the other eyelet and secure with a knot. Repeat on the other side of the bag.

15 - Another way to use the template is to print it directly to your printed papers. Print two A4 sheets of backing paper from the Giggles Nativity set (use borderless setting if your printer allows).

16 - Turn the paper over and print the template direct to your backing sheets. Score, cut out and add eyelets as before.

17 - Take some chosen graphics, I have layered and mirrored these images in my graphics programme. I’ve matted the images on to green mirror card.

18 - Using a bone folding tool or something similar such as a pencil, gently roll the image over to add some shape. Apply foam pads or silicone glue, before adding to the bag.

19 - Make up the bag as before. This time I`ve used ribbon to make the handles. Thread though the eyelets and tie a knot inside the bag to secure. The template can of course be used with any of the other graphics sets. My Daughter is going to use one of these bags to take some sweeties to her School at the end of term. Have fun making your bags and remember you can add extra sparkle with glitter and gems.