R2Go Stack Kit - Custom

I had a request for a custom Ready 2 Go Stack Kit.  She wanted the greetings to be about praying.

I chose to used No.8 envelopes with double sided designer card stock.  The 12x12 was cut 3 3/8 inch wide and 12 inch tall.  I then scored the fold at 6.25 inches. I added a 1/2 inch strip of black card stock at the bottom.  The easiest way to do that is to tape a strip bigger than what you need along the edge with invisible tape.  Then trim all 3 sides with the paper trimmer.

To repeat the black I cut a scallop border in black as well which I glued along the top edge and again trimmed on the left and right sides with scissors. 

The vellum greetings are 2 x 4.25 inches.  Color printed in black and clear embossed.  It this then adhered aligned with the top of the card and centered.  The scallop border is then adhered on top of that aligned with the top.

A white insert is added for the giver's personal message.

The paper is by The Girls' Paperie - Jubilee - Carousel.

This time I cut the paper the same way.  I scored it at 2 inches then from there 6.25 inches. This creates a gatefold card with the opening in the middle.

I added an Espresso brown strip of card stock along the edge and taped it down.  This one is wider than the .5 inch needed so it over laps onto the flap on the right.

I created greetings on stone colored paper which would work both pieces of designer paper I chose.  The letters are the dark brown of the small strip.  They are cut to 2" square.  It was adhered centered on the brown strip but with double sided tape only on the left hand side.

The paper is by Carta Bella - Beautiful Moments - Beautiful Banner Paper.  The other paper also had horizontal lines going across the card.

Another portrait tall card.  You have to be careful when folding designer paper because it has a white core and if the paper fibers are not well scored they will crease and expose the core which does not look great.  I ran my tool along the score line from both sides to stretch and soften the fibers.  Works well.

I added a half inch strip of coordinating ginger card stock along the bottom again attached with invisible tape. 

With the same card stock I punched the squares with the Creative Memories Double Square punch which does 1.5 and 1.25 inch squares which layer well.  The solid card stock is the larger and the greeting is the smaller. I used my corner rounder punch to do 2 of the corners. I adhered 3 squares aligned down the center of the card.

The greeting was printed in blue on ivory card stock, punched and corner rounded.  It was adhered to the center square. 

The paper is by Carta Bella - Traditions - Antique Damask. The other designer is very similar in pattern and color.

Stash busting - No.8 Cards

I have no idea when I acquired a box of 500 of No.8 envelopes so this is a stash busting exercise.

When my sister visited on the long weekend we brainstormed the options for making cards to fit these envelopes.

It measures 3 5/8 x 6 1/2 inches. They cost a lot less than A2 Invitation envelopes. 

The idea I came up with was using 12x12 card stock to create three 6 1/4 X 3 3/8 inches cards. When scored at 6.25 inches you need to add an additional piece to the other side.



1. Single Side Designer Paper
You can just add a .5 inch strip of coordinating solid card stock.  This gives you an element you can repeat on the accent you add to the card front.
2. Double Sided Designer Paper
When using double sided designer card stock you can leave that color show through below the shaped bottom edge.
3. Either Type of Designer Paper
You can make a landscape card which folds in the center with the solid piece being anywhere along the card front.

Doing some calculations on cost it was determined that over all the cost is higher to make these cards but being in the place that the supplies in my craft space have been there for a long time and it is now a stash busting project.  For that reason, it makes sense to try to make the envelopes and 12x12 card stock leave the house.
It requires me to stretch my brain to design for a new size because I have been making A2 (4.25x5.5 inch) cards for years.  

Gift Card Holders - Felt Gifts

I had a good sale on Saturday so it's time to replenish some of my inventory.  I made more gift card holders in a different design this time.














It's still a tri-fold design but this time it features a felt gift on the front.  I selected coordinating 12x12 double sided card stock cut to 5.5" tall.  I used a narrow gold ribbon pulled through 2 holes in the bow to tie it onto the card. The bow repeats the bow on the felt accent.  The card is held closed with a gold metallic paper clip.

The inside features a quarter sheet insert for the giver's sentiments and a small envelope to hold the gift card, coupon or cash.

Diecut - Sizzix Bigz Pro Die - Teapot Box

Here's my first attempt to put together the Sizzix Bigz Pro Die - Box, Tea Pot die cut.  I had my neice cut the die cuts from heavy double sided 12x12 card stock and sent them to me.  They arrived this week and with time with my sister on the weekend we put this one together.  It is a super cute teapot box and I can think of a lot of places I would use it.  A bit about that later.

The normal go to adhesive would be the red super tacky tape but the tabs are not regular and some are small so cutting the tape without waste was not going well.  I turned to my quick dry adhesive in a bottle.  This worked great.  I could cover the tab easily and completely right to the edge which is important. Small bull clips came in handy to keep the edges together for a few minutes. I did not read the instructions on line so this one I folded and glued the tabs at the top of the pot to the inside.  This make the teapot shorter and lid not sit as well as it should.

Onto effort number 2.
Make sure you fold all the folds and press down with a bone folder before you start.
This time the tabs were glued but not folded which left a border at the top of the teapot to match the edge of the cover.  The fit is not as tight either which is better.

How big is it?
It is about 5" tall and the bottom is 3 1/8" square and the opening at the top is 1 3/4" square.

What does it hold?
It holds at least 10 individually wrapped tea bags.
It would hold probably 25-50 grams of loose tea if packaged in a flexible food grade bag with a twist tie.
It would hold quite a few unwrapped tea bags placed in a food grade bag with a twist tie.
I would suggest that some thought be put to how will the recipient remove the gift inside.  A bag holding whatever it is would make getting it out easier.

How can I use it?
1) I think it is a great container to hold a tea related gift.  I had hoped to use these for Christmas gifts but the die was delayed in shipping and the die cuts did not make it before Christmas.
2) A centre piece on a table for a spring tea holding a small gift appropriate for the event.  The item could be given away at the end of the event.  A Mother's day tea, also.
3) A wedding table center piece in ivory or white subtly patterned paper holding candy. Or maybe made of translucent paper with a flameless candle on the inside.
4) A hostess gift for someone hosting a Steeped Tea party with a favorite loose tea inside as a promotion.
5) Teacher gift for year end of school or Christmas holding tea bags.- My favorite tea is Joy put out by Starbucks only at Christmas time.
6) A gift container for a woman friend with sweets or bath products inside.
7) Filled with dunking cookies - biscotti, sugar cookies, or digestives.  I'm there's a lot more options.

Well that is my 2 cents worth.  I'm really happy with how they turned out!!!

Card Club - Jan - DS Designer Paper Split

I started with double sided designer paper cut to 4.00 x 5.25".  Then I cut down the length at 2.25" then both pieces at 1.75" across the width.  I flipped over 2 of the 4 pieces and glued them to the parchment natural card front.  The border was created with the Stampin Up! Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch in deep brown card stock.  I punched a SU! Modern Label in the same card stock.  The greeting was color printed and punched with the SU! Word Window. 

All Occasion Stack Class - Double sided DP

Another very versatile sketch. I used Stampin Up! double sided designer paper. Selected my card stock to match the paper. Trimmed the DP to be just a bit smaller than the card. Then cut the DP piece and turned over the smaller piece and just butted it against the other. Glued these down to the card. Placed coordinated colored gross grain ribbon over the joint and glued it to the inside of the card front. With the tall version you will need to place a small slit in the fold to bring the ribbon to the inside. I punched a small daisy shape from the DP cut off and placed it in the centre of the flower and a brad holds the flower onto the card front. I ensured that the flower on the brown card was ivory as in the DP and white on the blue card. With no greeting these cards can be used for any occasion.

All Occasion Stack Class - Scallop

This card incorporates double sided scrapbook paper. The top of the card tucks behind the scallop which has been adhered to the bottom layer of the card. Again many different wonderful papers at Scrapbook stores these days made the options for this card endless. Wedding, birthday, baby and thinking of you cards. The ladies in class came up with several options on how to assemble these supplies. The creativity was really flowing which was really great!