Exploding box directions

Here are the instructions for creating an Explosion (or pop-out) Box. This is my first tutorial so please bear with me.

You'll need:

3 pages of contrasting paper for the box. I used 2 green and 1 red.
1 page of paper for the lid that follows the same color scheme as the box papers. I used a paper with the green and red in it.
Liquid glue for the lid.
4 paper clips.
Embellishments (as desired).
Double-sided adhesive for the box.
Scissors.
A score board and scoring utensil (I used The Ultimate Papercraft Companion).
Paper cutter (to trim the paper to exact dimensions).

1. Cut three contrasting papers to the following sizes:
a. 9 inches (square)
b. 9.25 inches (square)
c. 9.5 inches (square)
2. Score 3” in on all four sides.
3. Fold on all four sides on score lines.
4. Cut along score lines to remove corners.
5. Align and attach. You may need to trim excess off some of the tabs if you cannot see each color.
6. To create the top, cut a 5.25 square.
7. Score 1” in on all four sides.
8. Fold up all four sides on the score lines. You want the pattern side of the paper to be the outside.
9. Cut a notch in the four corners to make tabs.
10. Flip the top over and put glue on all four tabs. You need to use liquid glue here instead of 2-sided tape or glue dots.
11. Fold in the tabs, line up to make sure they’re even, and paper clip to hold in place. Set aside to dry.
12. Once dry, check the lid for fit. You may need to trim a little off of the flaps if the lid is too snug.
13. Decorate the box as desired.

Christmas boxes and cards

It is time to get started on the Christmas boxes. I decided that I really don't have time to make and mail Christmas cards, but I can start on next year's right after the holidays. I got a really nice box to keep them in as they're made.

I have 13 Christmas boxes to make for my co-workers. I am sure I can get them finished but I better get cracking or I may run out of time. I think we're going to play Dirty Santa on the 16th and I'd like to have them finished by then.

That is only 10 days.

A different box

Technically, I guess this is another exploding, or pop-out, box. But, I put a gift inside, so I'm calling it a box treat holder. How original...

We did Secret Santa gifts at church and my recipient loves Starbucks. I decided to do a coffee theme and include a $20 gift card to Starbucks. I also included an angel ornament with the Legend of the Christmas Angel.

I looked at more than one scrapbook shop but I could not find any coffee-related items except for one style of paper. I could not believe that there was no coffee embellishments so I ended up cutting things out of the paper. I took the designs and words and put them on with either glue or pop-dots.

I cut squares to put on the inside flaps of the outside layer.Then I did ribbon and words on the inside of the middle layer. Finally, I did words and designs on the inside of the inside layer. Santa with a string of lights and a sack of toys finished off the inside.

First "exploding" box

I finished my first exploding - or pop-out - box. It's not bad for a first try. I know I'll get better with practice, though. My disappointment is really not having a large selection of embellishments and paper to select from.

I have enough paper to make 3-4 more boxes but before I can add embellishments, I'll have to make a trip to the store. The ones I'm concentrating on first will be for my co-workers. I'd like to get them out of the way so I don't have to worry about them at the last minute. Before I can make my Secret Santa gift, I'll definitely have to take a trip to the store. I don't have anything that would even remotely resemble coffee items.

Here are some pictures:

Ultimate Crafter's Companion

I ordered this and received it this past week. I've been pouring over the book and watching the videos. I planned on getting a bunch of Christmas cards done (or at least started) yesterday but all I got completed was watching videos and trying to decide which projects I want to tackle.

It's so hard to watch the videos and want to create beautiful things - and know that I don't have the extra money to purchase the beautiful supplies. I don't have the shimmery card stock they used and I don't have a bunch of paint markers, and I don't have a bunch of embellishments that I can use to spice up the cards.

I am going to make a few of the exploding boxes with a stacked red and green card stock. They will be three layers - red, green, and then red - and the lid will be green. I think I'm going to use just small pieces of different embellishments that I already have and stamp with Christmas stamps in places I don't use a 3-D embellishment. The box will then hold some Christmas candy and these will be given to my co-workers. I think that I can spend about $5 on candy and I already have just about everything else I'll need.

The ladies at church are doing a gift exchange. The person whose name I drew loves Starbucks and Abuello's. I'm going to do a "coffee" box for her and the gift inside will be a Starbucks card. In my mind, these are all adorable and really cute. Since I've not made one before I better practice on some white cardstock just to make sure that it comes together.

For cards, I think I'll try to keep it relatively simple this year and just make them look nice. Spectacular will have to wait. I already have some blank cards and envelops so I'll probably decorate those and mail to my out-of-town family. The in-town family and friends will get something with a little more pizazz.

That's the current plan, which could be subject to change if I don't like how things are going.

Blog Candy

(copied from my other blog)
I'd never heard of this before, but I have been on one link, going to the next link, and on and on. I don't remember where I started, but here are some sites for Blog Candy:

http://scrampinmama.blogspot.com/2008/11/its-time-for-blog-candy.html
http://kristineskort.blogspot.com/2008/11/my-blogoversary-blog-candy.html
http://rosaswelt.blogspot.com/2008/11/pretty-pressings-anniversary-blog-candy.html
http://heathersheavinlystampations.blogspot.com/2008/11/some-blog-candy-for-you-to-celebrate.html

First post on new blog!

I decided that I needed a blog just for the crafty side of me. So, here it is!

This blog will be dedicated solely to the cards and scrapbook layouts that I'll be working on. Until I get some designs under my belt, I may not have many posts here. I hope that changes quite quickly.

Glad to have any comments you care to post. Or, if you're another crafter - scrapbooks, altered items, cards, etc. - feel free to link back here and send me your blog info so I can link to yours.

Have a great day and God Bless!