The Twinery and Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop- Sweet and Simple Gift Boxes

Welcome Hoppers from: Holly Craft - http://todayscreations. blogspot.com/

I love a good gift box, and these are my favorite. I call them my little cake slices! They can be used to fit a small gift, gift card or even to use as party favor boxes. You can find the 5 minute tutorial on how to make the box HERE.  You can make these as simple or as complex as you want, and these Serendipity Stamps were so versatile. The icing on these "cakes" is The Twinery twines! Make sure you visit The Twinery and Serendipity Stamps blogs to find out how you can enter to win some very cool prizes- 

The Twinery - http://thetwinery.com/blog is giving away a full set of solids!

Serendipity Stamps - http://serendipitystamps.com/ blog- Is giving away a $25 gift certificate to their shop!

{I pre made the stamp part, cut it out and attached with foam dots}

{kept the closure simple by just doubling up the Twinery  twines to play off the floral stamp colors}

{the technique I used was what I call overstamping- I line up my stamp with my paper, make a light stamp of the image. Color it using my izink pigment and a fine brush, then overstamp it again with black ink, making sure to line the stamp back up perfectly}

{for this one the lines were easy, so I just stamped and then painted over the top}

{I loved how the side stamp sentiment came out}

{I did a lace up technique with my Twinery Twine. When punching the holes, you may miss the very edge of the paper (see very bottom hole} no worries after it's tied you won't even notice

{Yeah Mason jars, I am NOT over them...}

{I did just two holes on this one with a simple bow}

SUPPLIES:

Twine:

The Twinery Twine Mandarin

The Twinery Twine Charcoal

The Twinery Twine Pink Sorbet

Serendipity Stamps:

Mason Jar Cling Set

Art Cling Set

Paper:

Graphic 45 Botanical Tea

DCWV Limoncello Stack

Coredinations Cardstock

Izink pigment inks

Colobox Pigment Ink Black

HOPPERS:

The Twinery - http://thetwinery.com/blog

Serendipity Stamps - http://serendipitystamps.com/ blog

Jeanne Jachna - http://akeptlife.blogspot.com/

Tobi Crawford - http://tobicrawford.blogspot. ca/

Holly Craft - http://todayscreations. blogspot.com/

Denise Hahn - http://www.inmyblueroom. blogspot.com/ {------you are here!

Sue Eldred - http://sueeldred.com/ {------ NEXT UP!

DoBea Alberts - http://www.plumpoppystudio. com/blog/

Kathie Bailey - http://justaninkling.blogspot. com/

Jennifer Cuthbertson - http://www.jencuthbertson. blogspot.com/

Birgit Edblom - http://bigganed.blogspot.com/

Popsicle Stick Notebook with The Twinery and Poppy Stamp

Who says the popsicle stick crafts are for kids?! I have a big cup of these on my craft table at all times. I use them for various things; stirring paint, holding hot glue down, whatever I need. I never really thought to use them though in a project until I came up with the idea of using them to bind a notepad. After I was done binding it- I loved how cool it looked and wanted MORE of the popsicle sticks. So I made and entire cover out of them and bound it with Twinery twine. I love how the Poppy Stamps look over the imperfect surface of the sticks.

I used three signatures, and used my twine with a tapestry needle to attach to the spins stick

The covers are glued directly onto the first page and last page of the signatures

the covers are made by lining up 10 sticks, taping them down with wash tape or low tack masking tape, then gluing the crosswise sticks to support them. After it dries, simply weave the twine through each stick and tie at the end.

I used Colorbox Crafters Ink. It is specifically for wood and other hard to stamp surfaces

Supply List:

The Twinery Twine: Caribbean Stripe

Poppy Stamps:

Basket Bicycle

Small Fancy Cloud

Colorbox Crafters Ink:

Fire 

Aruba

craft sticks

Tacky glue

Plain white paper

-Denise The Twinery Design Team

DIY Packaging Tips with Xyron and Maya Road

Handmade gifts are awesome- to make and receive. Recently I noticed one of my derby friends Pistol Packin Mamma was making her own soap. So I yapped up that I would love to have some, and she sweetly obliged and brought me two bars. Wrapped in wax paper and in a ziplock bag:

 all I could think of is- I can make her some cute packaging for this! The soap was amazing and I wanted to return the favor by gifting her back something out of my bag of tricks! I made her some cute packaging using Xyron and Maya Road embellishments. This is my GO TO packaging idea. It works on pretty much any shape package and flowing 5 components: Paper Wrap- sticker-tie-focal embellishment-tag. Use these 5 components on practically any handmade gift and you will kick that gift up a notch! I am giving Pistol a set of soap wraps as a thank you for the wonderful soap she made- do you have something that needs it's own packaging? Try the 5 it works!

{ So start by wrapping the paper, (here I used corrugated cardstock) and sticking with Xyron Mega Runner or High Tack Tape. Then run your own "sticker" through a Xyron Create A Sticker (here I used a Maya Road Chipboard piece sprayed orange with Colorbox Pigment Ink Spray in Tangerine). Tied it all together, then stuck on the Maya Road Kraft Flower. Then just whipped out a quick tag and Voila!}



Xyron, May Arts and Simple Stories Blog Hop- Baby's Treasure B

For some reason right now all my friends are having babies, so I was very lucky to get this amazing Hello Baby collection from Simple Stories, and May Arts ribbon too!? Yes please! My first thought was mini album, but I really wanted my friend Angelica to have something to put little treasures, mementos and ephemera in. That's where the Treasure Box idea came from. I already had the simple wood box- but the inside, I wanted some little dividers-so I will show you how to make "guts" with your own box and Xyron adhesives. I have also added lots of tips for making your box and ideas of what to put in it. Enjoy!

{I started by measuring all of the sides I want to cover and then misusing .25 inch off so some of the wood showed through. I ran them through my Create A Sticker Max. Don't forget to burnish the back of your cardstock for maximum adhesion.  I lined the outer lid with May Arts Ribbon by using my Xyron Mega Runner with .25 inch tape in it. Then coat the whole thing in glossy Mod Podge. I want this box to last for a long time, so the Mod Podge acts as a sealer and protectant}

{to make the "guts" I trimmed chipboard. I measured to the top lid of the box, and the inner length and width. You want a perfect fit- so cut a little bigger and trim to size. No chipboard? How about a cereal box?}

{Start with the longer pieces. Cut the paper same length and 2 times the height-plus an inch. My guts were 1.5 inches high, so I cut the paper 4 inches high (1.5x2=3+1=4)}

{score down the center, if you don't have a score pal you can just fold half over}

{Now take your tape runner, and attache to the inside fold, then put adhesive on other side and fold over the chipboard}

{Now you have that extra little half inch hanging over each side, just make a fold by bending to each side then folding out flat. I Missed taking a picture of this after it was done, but if you look down two photos you are creating the flaps that will attach these pieces to the bottom of the box}

{Now repeat with the shorted ones, only don't make the extra for the flaps- so on my 1.5 inch guts I cut 3 inch strips- repeat above steps to adhere the paper}

{now play with them and decide where you want them- mark lightly with a pencil where you want to cut the slits}

{Take a small hole punch, or eyelet punch like mine and punch at the marks at least half way through the gut (you must go hallway or a little more-less than that they won't sit flush}

{After I punch the hole I cut into it- this is to make a slightly wider slit than if you just made a single cut- if you don't make room for the layers of paper and chipboard it won't lay nicely}

{So like this!}

{ Now do the short sides- but CAREFUL! See my finger tips? That should be the side you DO NOT cut into}

{Now I wanted this to be super sturdy, and I also needed a little forgiveness so I used some liquid glue. Glue your large pieces with the flaps first, then drop in your smaller ones. I decided afterwards I wanted a larger spaces I just trimmed one of my guts shorter}

{Now take some white glue and make a drop at the top of each non front facing slot (to hide the glue), run your finger down it. This little dab of glue will make your guts super strong}

{Now let the fun begin! I wanted to keep the outside simple and durables I just added the beautiful piece of wired May Arts Ribbon}

{added some crystal flowers for a little sparkle}

{TIP: the loose ends I folded under and glued down to the box to keep the bow in place and prevent raveling}

{A little vintage button to help open the lid. TIP: when using Mod Podge, the box lid can get sticky and not open easily- just take some sandpaper to the inside lid and that should take care of it}

{Treasures! I used: a mini craft bag, doily, vintage tickets, Maya Road Flowers, Petaloo Flowers, May Arts Ribbon and Simple Stories Hello Baby stickers}

{In the "empty" treasure box I put a little vending machine prize container, glass vial, a dolly perm rod, and some mini clothes pins. I can imagine her adding- baby teeth, locks of hair, her hospital band, photos.... written memories}

I made a little mini board with some cork and push pins, some kindergarten line paper}

{I made a little Monthly Mini book for her instagram pics of baby Amelia}

{here is a close up of some of the trinkets}

{I love this May Arts ribbon "Handmade with Love" for the book!}

{pretty pleased with how this came out and I REALLY hope when Amelia is older her Mom can take it out and show her all of her 1st year baby treasures}

Hopping along? Please visit 

Xyrons BLOG

May Arts BLOG

and

Simple Stories BLOG

Supply list:

Xyron Create A Sticker

Xyron Mega Runner

May Arts Ribbon

Simple Stories Hello Baby Paper Pack

Petaloo Textured Elements Burlap Blossoms Ivory

Maya Road Kraft Flowers

Box and Cork paper- Michael's

Mod Podge Glossy Lustre