Feb 13 2009
Spring Comes Bearing Gifts
Happy Friday! One of my favorite days of the week has arrived again at last and today I’m sharing one of my favorite projects with one of my favorite new sets from Flourishes. Lots of favorites in there! Tonight is the release party at the Flourishes forum on SCS, when three new sets will be fully revealed, more samples will be shared, and games and prizes will be sure to make it a fun evening. Look for the party from 7 - 9 pm EST.
My project today features the Signs of Spring set. Oh, my! There are some pretty stamps in that set! I used just one little daffodil stamp — three times. The Flourishes team is focusing on watercoloring today, so I set aside those Prismacolor markers I’ve been practicing with in favor of this tried and true method of coloring. I’ve always loved the watercolor look, and if you have water-based dye inks (like Stampin’ Up!, for instance) and a brush or two, you can achieve this look, as well. Christine has prepared a watercolor tutorial on the Flourishes Newsletter that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. She’s an absolute master at this technique and her step-by-step will open new doors for many who have been puzzling over its mysteries.
Just a reminder, too, while you’re at the Flourishes Newsletter visiting Christine’s tutorial, you can leave a comment on the Living in Color - Day 3 post for a chance to win this beautiful set. Winners are randomly selected daily by 10 pm EST.
My handled gift box is very easy to make and I’d like to share some quick instructions with you. I only have a couple of photos, but I think it will be clear enough. I used Wild Asparagus double-sided designer paper. It’s heavy weight and works nicely for boxes.
- Cut paper 6″ x 10 1/2″.
- Score as shown at 3″, 5″, 8″ and 10″.
- Turn and score across the bottom at 2″.
- Slit the bottom section at the score lines up to the horizontal score line, as shown. Cut away and discard the last 1/2″ section of the bottom. This photo shows the inside of the box with two of the bottom flaps raised so you can see where the slits are.
Decorate the box as desired before folding closed. I added a scalloped border along the top edge, then punched with a 1 3/8″ circle punch to give a little more handle area. Now, fold into a box shape, overlapping the 1/2″ flap, and secure closed with double sided tape. I used Sticky Strip, or red liner tape.
The handles are made with Spellbinders oval dies. Applying the dies to the paper like this is the same method you’d use to make a frame. A piece of tape at the top edge of the dies will hold them both nicely in place through the cutting and embossing process.
Once you’ve made your cute little frame, you just cut it in half to make two handles. I adhered my handles to the inside of the box with Sticky Strip, but you could also use brads, eyelets, tacky glue — whatever suits your fancy.
The gift inside my daffodil box is a pair of garden-themed moisturizing gloves, a sample pack of shea butter, and a little bottle of hand lotion — a gardener’s gift. As I was making this, I thought it would be so cute to make this in the Fall and tuck a single daffodil bulb inside.
I just love this Signs of Spring stamp set with all its sweet images for Spring, Mother’s Day, Easter, or any day I’d like to send a pretty card. You’ll love what the rest of the team has made with it, too, so be sure and visit the other Flourishes designers and see their watercolor samples. Don’t forget Christine’s tutorial, as well! Here are the links to the rest of the team:
I’m glad you found time to drop in today. I truly do appreciate every one of you. Have a wonderful day!
This is so, so adorable, Leslie — I love it!!! Your box design with the fun handles is wonderfully fun!!! TFS!!!
Love the box - thanks for the tutorial! Your daffodils look wonderful!
What a great project to showcase those daffodils. This is so pretty and thank you for the directions to the adorable bag. Very pretty!
Just beautiful, what a neat idea and how exciting are these new sets. I can’t wiat to get these!! Thanks so much for all your inspiration.
What a very cute idea
love that box with the spray of spring flowers on it 
this is very pretty love that box and papers well everything about it
hugs
Norine
The box is stunning. I’m ready for spring!
Leslie this is fabulous! Awesome little box and those little flowers are so beautiful! WOW!
Leslie this is wonderful, love everything about it!!
That is so cute and with all the ideas I’m seeing it pushes me into a creative mood. Your flowers came out so pretty. Wonderful work. Pat
Just beautiful Leslie! And, what a thoughtful gift! I love the idea of a daffodil bulb– how perfect! Thanks for some fabulous inspiration!!!
Leslie this is beauitful! Okay very creative little gift idea, great coloring, papers and scallop edge. I love it all!
Beautiful little creation - I love it!!!
so cute, and love the pretty flowers cut out, thanks for sharing the directions!
Oh my– so gorgeous Leslie! Love these daffodils too– you knew just what to do with them! Great tutorial as well!
What a great gift idea Leslie!!! I love the colors…of course I love the Flourishes stamps…Hope I am home to get in on all the fun tonight. Cannot wait to see what Flourishes has to show off
Leslie I LOVE this! the daffodils are perfect. Thank you so much for the details on how to make the bag!
Superb! Love those tiny daffodils, the box, the ovals, the handles, and the lace punch on the DP top border. This is marvelous, Leslie. You’ve outdone yourself. Again. Have a fabulous weekend, my friend.
How elegant and Beautiful………I LOVE Daffodils!!!!!
Really cute bag and of course your beautiful coloring on the daffodils!! My avatar on SCS is a picture of daffodils from my yard, so needless to say, I love them! The Flourishes stamp image of the daffodils is lovely!
Leslie this is beauitful! The daffodils are pretty
WOW gorgeous Leslie! Those little daffodils just pop with color! And what an adorable spring basket too!
Gorgeous. Can’t wait to see this set as I love spring flowers!
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous Leslie!
Wow, I love the box design with the scalloped border and handles! The daffodils are gorgeous–a sure sign of spring! Thanks for sharing your creativity!
This is adorable, Leslie. Love the handles. Thanks for the tutorial!
Holy Moly Leslie, this turned out gorgeous, girl! I love this, and how sweet that you gave us directions, I am totally going to give this a go! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
Leslie, this is so pretty!
Pinky
I am not sure what I like best about your gorgeous and simple box…….the DP, design of the handle, beautifully colored floral and cut out stamp…..gosh, I could go on and on. Thank you, thank you for sharing your beautiful project and the links. You are the Best!!!
What a sweet gift box and great hint for making the handle.
Thanks for the great ideas.
This is my favorite set of the new release! Your artwork is always a cut above the rest!
I love this paper project. However, what I liked the best is showing how you used the Spellbinders. I have no idea how to use them. I have them but I cannot get them to work. I have the Cuttlebug. I would so like to others to show how they use their Spellbinders in their blogs. I will figure it out soon. Thank you, Judy
This is fabulous. Glorious colors.
What a wonderful project and gift! Your coloring is gorgeous!
Oh my gosh, how clever to use the scalloped oval for handles!!! Love it!
Your gift box is so amazing and beautiful, Leslie!! So perfect with your card, and I love how you’ve done the handles too!!
This spring gift box is so precious! I love your idea, Leslie! Thank you for sharing the tutorial!!!
This is a wonderful project/gift!! Wow! that is some fancy cutting on those flowers Leslie. The tutorial is so easy to follow. Thank you so much for sharing the how to’s with us!
Another ingenious project from Leslie! Beautiful and practical, the best kind. Love those dimensional Daffodils. Great idea about the Daffodil bulb gift. Thanks for the details. Linda
[…] made on the same premise as all my boxes, such as the handled gift box in my tutorial –> here. Today’s box is made from Crystal Clear Cardstock and decorated with BasicGrey Eskimo Kiss […]