Gift Box Class - Tuesday evening, 19th April

My upcoming class is for an elegant and useful box full of gift cards.  The class will be held on Tuesday evening, 19th April 7.30pm - approx 9.45pm.  This date is during school hols in NSW, so organise your other half to do some kid-wrangling and take a little break!  This box of cards is a useful item to have on hand, but would also make a thoughtful gift for lots of occasions.

The picture above shows the prototype, using some retired colours and papers.  During the class you will learn how to make the box and lid from your choice of  a range of cardstock and Designer Series papers.  Next, you'll make embossed 10 cards to fit inside, using paper and cardstock colours to match your box.  Instead of stamping sentiments and greetings directly onto the card, you'll stamp a broad selection of greetings which can be attached as needed, so you'll always have the 'right' card.

Class cost is $25, and includes all materials, instructions, coffee and cake.   Bookings and pre-payment are essential as spaces are limited and to allow for kit preparation and ordering of supplies. If you have to cancel for any reason I am happy to provide you with your kit so that the box and cards can be made at your leisure.  Please call 9484 9447, or email me , RSVP's appreciated by Sunday 17th April.  Location is North West Sydney, details provided on booking.

3D Box making class and Stampin' Crop Day

Hi everyone,

There is still time to book into my Friday Evening Class this Friday 19th March at Cherrybrook. We'll be making several styles of container from Designer Series paper and cardstock, and embellish them. Class cost is $20 and includes supper, full written instructions, templates to take away and all materials used to make the projects. I need two more participants to run the class this week, otherwise I will move it to the end of the scheduled class queue, so please RSVP ASAP if you are interested in attending. The time is 7.30pm for an 8-10pm class.

And, this Saturday is Stampin' Crop Day! Come along any time between 10am and 5pm and enjoy a day crafting with good company, lots of stamps, tools and accessories to play with. There will also be casual instruction, informal demonstrations, loads of inspiration and light snacks. The cost is $15 for the day, call me on 9484 9447 to book your place, or email at michelle.dyson@bigpond.com

Razzle Dazzle, Rock n Roll in a Mini Pizza Box

Here is one of the Make n Takes we made at our recent Summer Mini Launch. It uses the yummy Razzle Dazzle set, and it seems strange to see it in colours other than the current US In Colors, Razzleberry, Crushed Curry etc. But, I think it looks pretty good in Kraft and Riding Hood Red!

Here's how to make the Mini Pizza box:

1. Trim an A4 sheet of cardstock down to 6 x 11", or a 12x12 sheet down to two 6 x 11" pieces

2. Make vertical score lines down each of the long sides, at 1" in from the edges.

3. Rotate the cardstock 90 degrees and score at 1", 5", 6" and 10" in from the left short edge, you will now be able to see how the box is formed, with the folded hinge in the centre

4. Make short cuts along the horizontal score lines along both long edges, just in to the vertical 1" score lines (4 cuts per long side). At the centre spine, fold the flaps into the centre and glue down

5. Decorate the outside of the box now if you wish

6. Bend along the score lines to form the box, and use Sticky Strip on the end flaps to secure the corners. You can use ribbon across the top of the box or secured along the back hinge to hold the box neatly closed.

For the stamped panels on the lid, I used the wonderful Circle Scissor to cut a 2 3/4 circle from Whisper White and a 3" circle from Riding Hood Red. I inked up the large flower image from Razzle Dazzle with Sahara Sand ink and then used the Rock n Roll technique to add a 'halo' of Riding Hood Red ink around the edges. You can also use a sponge dauber to apply red ink if you don't like your wood blocks to look well used! I sponged around the edges of the RHR circle and mounted them together. I stamped the sentiment "It's good to dream" in Riding Hood red and punched it out with the Word Window punch. A second RHR Word Window is mounted offset it behind. To finish, a bow of Real Red Polka dot ribbon has been attached with a mini glue dot.

Now, what to put inside this little box?? Well, it would have to be a pretty special pizza, or you'd need lots of these little boxes to satisfy you. I have suggested on a number of occasions that it would be the perfect size for a gold pandora bracelet packed with gold charms, but that one has fallen on deaf ears as well. You could pack it with choccies, or make some notelets. Versatile and easy, why not have a go at making one yourself? Let me know if you need more instructions, and I might remember to make one with the camera nearby...

Mini Gift Box - step by step

Yeah, I know, it was supposed to be LAST week. I always forget just how hard it is to get anything done when school hols are on and both kids are home. Especially when the weather dictates that they are in the pool while I sit poolside with a book! Anyway, better late than never, here is my step-by-step photo tutorial on how to make a cute little box, out of just half a sheet of A4 cardstock. This is a box we made at the recent Stampin' Up! Regional training, using the Hello Again set. I have made it several times since, because it is easy, fast and economical. I hope you like my instructions and photos - click on each image if you would like to get a clearer view.

Standard A4 sheet, no trimming, just cut in half as if you were making two A5 folded cards, and then into A6 rectangles, four from one sheet.

I have drawn pencil lines on one of the pieces to indicate where to score - 1" in from each side and each end. Do this for 2 pieces if making one box, or all 4 if you are making two.

On the left hand side is the box base. Cut in to the horizontal score lines from each short end. For the other half of the box, which will become the lid, cut two corner pieces away completely, up to the score lines. On the other side, cut just to the score line from the short end, as for the base. Take a circle punch and take a half chomp half way along the longer edge.

Decorate now, it's easier when flat! I have used Versamark and the Winter Post stamp set here, and a band of the same snowflake stamped in Baja Breeze over the top. It's also a great size for using your Stampin' Around wheels - then it is an easy matter of using the co-ordinating stamp set to decorate the tag or accent for the box.

Apply Sticky Strip super strength double sided tape to the corners as shown. Then remove the red liner plastic and assemble the lid and base.

After making the lid and base, add another piece of Sticky Strip along the back edge. A bit lower than where I have placed it would be better...

Line up the lid flap with the back of the box base and stick into place. Done!!

Now you can decorate it as you please. I have added a simple tag stamped with the snowflake again, and overstamped with a silver embossed reindeer. I added some Dazzling Diamonds, using my 2 way glue pen. I mounted the 1 3/4" circle onto a 2" scallop circle punched from Brushed Silver metallic cardstock. Then I tied a piece of white taffeta around, and looped a piece of the sadly retired silver cord around it to complete the box. It's a great size for a little treat, and quick to make!