I was asked a short time ago how to make the milk carton style gift box. It is a natty box that allows you to fill, and refill it, without spoiling the exterior. I am all for recycling, so providing you tie it up with ribbon, or hold it together with a bull dog clip, it can easily be fastened and unfastened multiple times.
The basic principle of the carton is to divide your paper or card into 3 rows and 4 columns with an additional allowance for a tab to enable you to seal the side. The layout shown is using an A4, but any side could work as long as you divide it up in the same manor. For a taller box, just make the central row much deeper (using a 12 x 12 sheet and trim accordingly) An A4 divides neatly into 7cms square and the excess after 28 cms makes a good allowance for the tab. The columns need to be cut to the 2 scored rows, shown in the bold solid lines on the diagram (the dashed lines are only scored)
To decorate, you might find it easier do this flat. Only decorate the areas shown, as the rest will be folded in and will not be seen. Alternatively use a double sided heavy weight paper, or stamp a design onto a coloured card. Using double sided tape, or glue, seal the tab on the right to the side of panel on the left. You should now have the start of a square cylinder. Fold in the two opposite plain panels at the bottom and seal together, then seal the third plain panel onto these, and finally the decorated panel. Your base should be sealed properly to ensure the safety of any gift you put inside. To close the top, fold in the two plain panels but do not seal them, then pinch the opposite two sides together at the top and use ribbon or a clip to hold it closed. Boxes can be made as fancy or as plain as you like. Shredded tissue paper inside will add an extra luxurious quality.
The taller boxes pictured below are made from a piece of 12 " sheet trimmed to 24 cms, making the rows 7 cms, 10 cms (middle section) and 7 cms. Coloumns remian at 7cms wide.
The mini carton was made from an A4 trimmed to 15 cms x 21 cms, scored into 12 equal squares of 5 cms, with the extra 1 cms for the tab.
Happy crafting !!
Christine
Walking last week with the dogs in the woods in our village, we were still able to catch the beauty of the bluebells. It's been quite a good year for them, although the best I've seen was about 4 years ago, when they were a real blaze of glory. When thinking about what I would blog this week, I wanted to share a few of the photos we took on the walk, and to say that inspiration is all around us if only we look :)
Also this week, I pinned on my 'Inky' Pinterest board an idea called stamping bokeh technique. The link is here https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/381961612123342594/
It appealed to me, perhaps because I used to do a similar style of stamping with the children when I was nursery nursing. You will notice that I have used acrylic paints, whereas the Pinterest link shows pigment ink pads. I have however, still used a rubber tipped pencil to create a similar effect. For all the horticulturists among us, I realise the card I have produced stamping with this technique looks more like a lupin and nothing like a bluebell. But it was the bluebells that started the train of thought that made me arrive at this example.
With the schools holidays looming, perhaps this might be something you try with your children or grandchildren. You don't need expensive or unusual resources, just a rubber tipped pencil to transfer your chosen colour medium (acrylic paint, ink pads etc), and I also used an old credit card (an expired AA membership) to make the stalks, dipping the edge in the colour and dragging it down the card. I also picked up the unused acrylic paint that I had put on my palette (an old CD) on an old toothbrush, and rubbing the bristles with my thumb, finely splattered the colour to speckle the stark white background. When it is dry, simply mat onto some complimentary colours, add a bow to create a tied spray look and perhaps a few other embellishments.
Have a go, but more importantly, have fun !!!
Christine
I really fancied a bit of messy art this week. You know when you just get that urge, it has to be satisfied.
I began by stamping my plain tag with a music score stamp across the most of it, and a swirl stamp, just off the edges using a black dye based ink. After building up other layers, it can be seen subtly in the background. I then decided to add some 3D relief. Using a scrap of Dutch grey board, I cut out a heart and glued it towards the bottom of the tag. Then to give it more texture, I covered the whole of the tag in a thin layer of PVA glue, screwed up some tissue paper and added it to the tag. I made sure I firmly pressed around the heart to define the shape, and pushed creases as I went along, with my finger tips. This is soooooo satisfying. Leave it to dry thoroughly.
When the tissue had dried, I removed any excess tissue by trimming around the edge of the tag. I then chose 3 acrylic paints (light and shocking pink, pale blue), and using a wet wipe to apply, I randomly rubbed in small amounts of the paint, starting with the lightest colour first, until I was happy with the finish. This really highlights the wrinkles in the tissue wrap, creating a wonderful texture. Again, this needs to be left to dry. If you use a heat tool, it could dry out the glue too much and the tissue might fall away....so be patient.
I then over stamped, a few random words, using a black dye ink. An image or a verse would work equally as well, as you are only adding interest to catch the eye. I then added a few accents to finish it off - gemstones, flower eyelets and a die cut of a treble clef, simply because I had started with a music score stamp, but again, this could be anything. You are simply creating layers, textures, accents, and therefore interest. You could try glitter, brads, cogs or other metal embellishments, or simply collage other cut outs. I used Frayed Burlap Distress ink to 'age' the edges, but this is optional. A little chiffon ribbon threaded through the top completed the tag, ready to mount on a card.
Well that was therapeutic.....so as always, relax and have some fun !!!!
Christine
Using 2 sheets of A4 card the same colour, place the first sheet portrait view onto a score board and score at 8.5 cms. Rotate 1/4 turn anticlockwise and score at 1.5 cms, 13.5 cms, 26 cms and 26.5 cms. Remove sections shown in the photo to the left. Add tape to the left edge, but avoid the tab.
Now take the second sheet and score again, portrait at 8.5 cms, rotate 1/4 turn anticlockwise. Score at 12.5 cms, 13 cms,
25.5 cms and 26 cms. Again cut away the excess as shown in the photo on the left. You will notice the upper right has been cut into a shape, this can be done using a die, or simply use the curve of a plate as a guide. Also trim another 1/2 cm down the already cut length of the inner side, on the lower half.
Attach the two pieces together, then crease all the scored lines using a bone folder. Fold the bottom pockets up, but don't fix the side tab until you've decorated .... it just makes it much easier to manage. The album should neatly fold in from the right hand side.
I fastened mine with a simple button and some sheering elastic, but you could make a coordinating belly band or fasten up with a length of ribbon. I chose to use the Graphic 45 Mother Goose collection. I could tell you that I love this collection, but the truth is I love all their collections as they are so detailed and are of an excellent quality which makes working with them such a pleasure.
I haven't actually stuck those grey photo/journal mats down yet, as I haven't quite made my mind up what I am going to do with them. They were however, the waste discarded from the first two steps above, so I simply trimmed them and will leave them with the mini album, until I am ready to finish it for a particular person.
Here are some of the pictures of the inside, with the lower pockets now glued down to seal the right hand side of them.
I was asked a short time ago how to make the milk carton style gift box. It is a natty box that allows you to fill, and refill it, without spoiling the exterior. I am all for recycling, so providing you tie it up with ribbon, or hold it together with a bull dog clip, it can easily be fastened and unfastened multiple times.
To decorate, you might find it easier do this flat. Only decorate the areas shown, as the rest will be folded in and will not be seen. Alternatively use a double sided heavy weight paper, or stamp a design onto a coloured card. Using double sided tape, or glue, seal the tab on the right to the side of panel on the left. You should now have the start of a square cylinder. Fold in the two opposite plain panels at the bottom and seal together, then seal the third plain panel onto these, and finally the decorated panel. Your base should be sealed properly to ensure the safety of any gift you put inside. To close the top, fold in the two plain panels but do not seal them, then pinch the opposite two sides together at the top and use ribbon or a clip to hold it closed. Boxes can be made as fancy or as plain as you like. Shredded tissue paper inside will add an extra luxurious quality.
