Running With Scissors…

I call this project “Tea and Cookies”.   They’re very simple co-worker gifts — one or two tea bags in a little holder, and a tin of cookies.  I envision carrying a big basket full of various goodies into work and telling everyone “pick one”, but I don’t know if I’ll get that far.  It’s a nice idea, though.

The stamps I used for this project are Flourishes’ soon to be released Christmas Tea.  I love the images in this set and, quite frankly, when I was thinking up projects for this month’s stamps, just about everything I thought of involved this pretty little set. 

The tea bag holders measure 2 3/4″ x 8 3/8″, custom-sized for their Stash tea bags.  Score at 3 3/8″, 3 7/8″, and 7 3/8″.  Decorate and fold.  The top of the holder is a flap folded over and secured with ribbon.  The tea bag is tucked up in the fold and won’t slip out until the holder is opened.  I attached the ribbon in the back with a spot of double stick tape so the ribbon can be slipped off without untying.  By the way, the tea is caffiene-free peppermint to match the mint-colored cup with peppermint stick on the cover.

Aren’t those little cookies just adorable?  They’re actually refrigerator magnets holding firmly to the metal Altoid tins.

The team has some very pretty and giftable projects to share, as well:    Christine, Cindy, Julie, Latisha, Laura, and Stacy

The Christmas Tea set is being offered as a one day blog candy on the Flourishes Newsletter today.  You’ll find the rest of the details about the release activities there, as well.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s projects.  I kept to “quick and easy” for the most part due to time constraints, but that’s just what I need for the “little something” gifts if I plan to make several.  Thank you so much for your time, and for your comments and encouragement.  Have a wonderful weekend!

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I tend to do mostly cards, which I either use, sell or give away.  As for 3-D items…well…when it comes time to give a gift, I don’t often have time to shop for the gift, make a card to accompany it, and create pretty, custom packaging to boot.  “Little somethings” are a different matter — the gifts you give “just because”.  Those are the times I like to imagine the gift and the packaging as a whole, and have some fun with it.

When it was decided the Flourishes team would be doing all gift items and packaging for the November release, this was one of the first ideas that came to mind, thinking of a friend who will soon deliver her first baby, a girl.  We’ve already done her baby shower and, yes, that gift was presented in a store-bought bag.  This handmade box filled with itty bitty baby socks was a lot more fun, however, and, chances are, will convey a better sense of how truly happy I am for her.

The stamp set we’re previewing today is called Lampost Greetings, which I think is very clever and original.  The set comes with this lampost as well as flags for several occasions, and a few smaller accent stamps.  It’s so cute!  When you visit the team you’ll see not only Christmas gift items, but cards for different occasions, too, as the set is really so versatile.

I’m a little last minute with my post today so I don’t have time to write a complete tutorial with photos for the box, but it’s 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 designer paper.  The image is colored with Copics.  To start out:

• Cut cardstock 8 1/2″ by 10 1/2″.
• Score across at 2 1/2″, 5″ 7 1/2″, and 10″.
• Turn and score lengthwise at 2 1/2″.

Those are just the measurements and score lines for this box.  It ends up being 6″ tall, with 2 1/2″ sides.  In this case, I added the designer paper after the box was folded and adhered closed.  I used strong double-sided tape for adhesive.  The lid, made from regular cardstock, was done in the same manner, but with 1/16″ added to each measurement at which it was scored.  For a looser fit, add 1/8″ — preferrable if you’re decorating the box with paper.  This lid is a pretty snug fit.  Again, I apologize for the skimpy instructions.

The empty box reveals a village in the distance — a designer paper panel adhered to the inside back.  There’s paper on the outside back, also, as well as the inside and outside of the box bottom.

Gosh, I always tell myself I could stamp more if I didn’t write such long posts, but here I go again!  Let’s wrap this up:

Visit the Newsletter for a one-day opportunity to win Lampost Greetings and to find out how you can try your hand at winning all five of this month’s releases by playing our challenge.  Time is running short for that one!   More prizes will be up for grabs at Friday night’s release party, after which the sets will be available in the store.  All details about release activities can be found on the Newsletter.

And last, but never, ever least, treat yourself to some eye candy by visiting the rest of the team.  I promise, you won’t gain an ounce (unless they’re showing goodies and you get a sweet tooth…):  Christine, Julie, Latisha, Laura, and Stacy

Wishing you a wonderful day!

My project today for Flourishes’ week of gift giving is nothing fancy, but fun.  Just a little something I’ll give to a coworker.  I’ve made a box per my tutorial here, and a 4 x 4 gift card to go along with it.  The box, made from Crystal Clear Cardstock, is sized just right for this purchased tree ornament which appears at first glance to be a decorated sugar cookie, but this cookie contains zero calories.  For the card, I chose this particular stamp from the new Christmas Borders set because of its ornaments hanging on a ribbon I colored to match the bow on the box, adding dots with a white opaque pen.  The coloring was done with Copics in colors chosen to match the cookie ornament.  I traced over the Holiday Greetings sentiment and touched up the ornaments with a Stardust Clear Glitter Pen. 

This close up of the box gives a clearer picture of some of the details.  The front panel was embossed with a snowflake embossing folder, and the back panel is lined inside and out with designer paper.  Border punched cardstock trims the edges, and a magnetic snap holds the flap closed.  The construction of the box is a little different, with the sides being separate pieces.  The idea behind the design is that you can make two boxes from one 8 1/2″ by 11″ sheet of cardstock, plus scraps.

You’ll definitely want to visit the Newsletter today for a chance to win the Christmas Borders set and read all about the other ways to win prizes, as well.  The team has more projects to share, too.  You’ll get a better look at the stamp set we’re previewing today and see just how cute it really is.  Its cheeful nature holds great appeal for me, and I’m looking forward to using it for some of my Christmas cards this year.  So… let’s hop around to see a nice variety of Christmas projects:  Christine, Cindy, Julie, Latisha, Laura, and Stacy

There’s more coming tomorrow…  I hope to see you then!

Today marks the beginning of Flourishes’ November previews, and this month it’s a week long celebration of Christmas crafting.  You’ll see gift ideas, home decor, packaging, tags, and more.  We’re brimming over with projects with the new releases that have kept the team very busy for quite a while and, at last, it’s time to share.

We’ll begin with Christmas Bouquet, another of Marcella Hawley’s exquisite illustrations.  I’ve made a boxed set of six cards.

The set contains three Christmas cards and three thank you cards, and will be given as an early gift.  Each card is lined on the inside right with another layer of white, which I feel helps balance the weight and feel of the card.  A crimped cardstock sheet will protect the card front durng mailing.  Six envelopes, six crimped sheets, and six cards fit very comfortably in the box.  The coloring was done with Copics, which can be found at Flourishes, along with the satin ribbon, lavender pearls, and Classic White cardstock.  All stamps shown are included in the Christmas Bouquet stamp set.

I wrote a tutorial for the very easy box design last October, and it can be found here.  This year’s box is covered with retired Stampin’ Up! designer paper, and the image on the box and cards is nested with Spellbinders Labels One dies. 

For easy elegance I’ve also made a set of four copper embossed note cards tied with copper cord.  These are Flourishes’ 4×4 ivory notecards and envelopes which are the perfect gift accompaniment.  I dry embossed the envelope flap with my Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder.

This gorgeous copper ribbon came to me tied around a gift box, and now it wraps up this little set of notecards.  It took barely an hour to make this entire set and I must say, I love the elegant simplicity and easy see-through packaging.

You’ll see some jaw-dropping creations when you visit the rest of the team:  Christine, Cindy, Julie, Latisha, Laura, and Stacy

Please visit the Flourishes Newsletter for information on how you can win this set (a one day opportunity), or win all of this month’s releases at once.  You’ll also be able to read up on how to meet us at the release party Friday night and take a chance on winning more prizes.

Tomorrow, the Friends of Flourishes team and of few of the Senior Design Team will be previewing another of the new sets and sharing more ideas.  I’ll be back tomorrow with something other than Christmas, but I’ll leap right back into the Flourishes Christmas action from Wednesday on.  I sincerely hope you’ll enjoy this week with us.  See you tomorrow!

Today’s Flourishes preview introduces Gerbera Daisies.  Have I mentioned how excited I am about this month’s releases?  These are some of the easiest flowers to color because you can do just about anything you want with them.  Oh, how I love this stamp set!  At last, all the new sets will be available in the store after the release party, Friday night, Aug. 14.

Just a quick reminder:  Visit the Flourishes Newsletter today to see how you can have a chance to win this set, and to read up on the rest of the release details.

Today I’m having a little extra fun by participating in Sharon’s Stamp Simply Birthday Celebration.  Many of you are familiar with Sharon’s weekly Stamp Simply Challenges.  Well… today marks her 100th week of challenges!  So Sharon’s having a party, and everyone’s invited.  As part of the festivities she’s gathered up a group of designers who will share birthday ideas — cards, recipes, gift sets, all sorts of things.  Blog candies, too!  It’s all happening today.  For a complete list of links, please visit Sharon’s blog –> here.

I’ve made a gift set with the Gerbera Daisies as the focal point.  They’re such cheerful flowers, and perfect for a “happy” birthday gift.  The altered tin held a Fossil watch in its former life, and required only a new cover for the top and a band around it’s middle to cover the logo.  The existing colors of the tin were a perfect match for the card — lucky for me because I’d already made the card and then designed the rest of the gift set as an afterthought.

• I used Mod Podge, applied with a small foam brush, to adhere the papers to the tin (BasicGrey Urban Prairie).  I cut the paper for the top to the 16th of an inch and punched with a regular corner rounder — a perfect fit.
• I sanded the edges of the paper to transition it smoothly to the top of the tin.  See the divit around the edge of the lid — I sanded it down to bare metal to remove the existing painted-on pattern.
• I stamped the daisies on a square of Classic White cardstock, colored with Copics, and cut out all but the two sides that join at the corner.  The corner of the daisy image was then punched with a corner rounder, and the image was adhered to the top of the tin with Mod Podge.
• A final coat of Mod Podge was applied to all the paper surfaces after they were adhered to the tin.
• Note:  I did isolate the paper pattern for this composition with the daisies.  See how the butterfly hovers over the daisies?

I made simple bands for the soaps and stamped the butterflies on Classic White, punched with a Stampin’ Up! label punch.  The soaps are an exact fit in the tin when laid on edge, lined up in a row.  Had I known beforehand I was going to make the tin, I would have used matching silver embellishments on the card.  Here’s a closer look at the card with those fabulous Gerbera Daisies:

I think I’m in Heaven!  Wait till you see what the other designers have done with this set:  Christine, Cindy, Faith, Julie, Latisha, Laura, Stacy, Nancy

So… just to sum it up…

• Flourishes’ new sets will be available in the store tonight after the release party.
• Visit the Newsletter for details on the party, to have a chance at winning this set, and to hurry for your last day to participate in the pre-release challenge.
• Visit Sharon for lots of links to all kinds of fun things to see.

And one last thing:  If you played Flourishes’ Fit for Royalty challenge, be sure to check the Newsletter Saturday at noon for a little something extra.  You won’t want to miss it

Whew!  Lots going on!  Oh, and by the way… TGIF!  Have a great weekend and I’ll see you again soon!

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:

• Christine
• Cindy
• Faith  
• Julie
• Latisha
• Laura
• Stacy

I’m glad you found time to drop in today.  I truly do appreciate every one of you.  Have a wonderful day!

Hello!  I made today’s project for Julie’s small gift ideas challenge which can be found here.  You can see more samples of small gift ideas by visiting Deb, Joan, Sharon, Jennifer, Barb, and Tammy.

In addition to Julie’s challenge and project, she’s also offering blog candy.

You can find blog candy at Sharon’s, as well.

We’re keeping the party going through this week as we help Sharon celebrate, not only her 1,000,000+ blog hits, but this wonderful holiday season, too.  You can see the entire schedule of festivities on Sharon’s blog here.

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I was definitely thinking small for Julie’s challenge, and this is one of those cases where the packaging is as much fun (or more) than the gift.  I made two boxes for this project.  They’re both 4 1/4″ wide, but of two different heights, with certain adjustments made to fit the height.  To avoid confusion, however, I’m going to share the “how to” for just one of the styles — the shorter box, measuring 4 1/4″ wide x 3 1/2″ tall x 1/2″ deep.

The box is shown below with the gift items that will be tucked inside.  I made the ribbon and brad card from cardstock covered with designer paper.  The mini stamps are by Inkadinkado – just a little gift for a stamper friend.  The box will also hold a roll of 1/4″ Offray or SU! gingham ribbon.  See this post for a decorated ribbon roll.

The other box I’ve pictured holds a cocoa pack and two of the chocolate squares.  It’s the sort of gift I might leave on a coworker’s desk.  There’s a mesh ribbon loop on the side of the box to secure the candycane.  The decoration on the front of the candycane box was done with my JustRite Christmas Stamp Ensemble.

Now, to make the box:

The box sides are different than most and it may seem like an odd way to do it at first, but the beauty of these boxes is that you can make two from one 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock and some scraps.  It’s as easy to make two at once as it is to make one.

• Cut an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock in half lengthwise to create two equal lengths, 4 1/4″ x 11″
• For each box you plan to make, cut two pieces of the same color cardstock 3 3/8″ x 1″.  These will be the box sides.
• You’ll need Sticky Strip, or some kind of narrow double sided tape.  I used Sticky Strip (red liner tape) which is 1/4″ wide.

Score at 3 1/2″, 4″, 7 1/2″, 8″.

These little pieces are for the box sides — see dimensions, above.  Score the length of each side at 1/4″.  To do it on the Score-Pal I placed the piece at the marks, as shown.  After I made my first score, I turned the cardstock piece so the opposite end is against the marks and scored that side.  Then I had a 1/4″ scored edge the length of each side.  I hope that makes sense — I’m trying to minimize the number of photos.

Apply Sticky Strip the length of each edge, outside the score lines.  Trim off any overhang.

Cut designer paper to fit, and adhere as shown.  The shorter flap is the top, which will fold over to close the box.  I punched a scalloped border on the top flap end and a half circle on the other end.  The other end with the punched half circle is the box body.

Now, see the end with the punched half circle — cut 1/16″ off that end.  This is an important step in getting your box to close with nice, square edges.

Any further decorating of the box is best done before the sides are added.

Adhere sides as shown in the photo below.  Peel off the last of the Sticky Strip cover and fold up box, keeping edges even.  If you’re more coordinated than I am, you can fold up both sides at once.  I found it more fool proof to do one side at a time.

This is the inside of the finished box:

I hope you enjoyed this little project.  It’s a quick and simple “do” and can be dressed up any way you’d like.  It can hold cosmetic samples, photos (including a small photo frame), a little book, handmade soaps, 3 x 3 gift cards, paperweight, jewelry on a card . . .  I tried it with a little round mirror, a compact, a lighted magnifier — just a few ideas.

I’ll see you again soon!  Have a great day!

You may not have even noticed, but I’ve had a few days away from my blog.  My husband is home on vacation; I had a birthday “get-away” day; my son came home for a birthday visit…  One thing after another and, well, let’s just say my focus shifted for a while.  I’m back now and I’d like to take the time to share this little project with you.

It’s been over a week since I worked on designing this box, photographing, writing the instructions, etc. and I finally put the finishing touches on it today.  It’s the way the flaps are folded that makes this box so incredibly easy and, once again, the concept is derived from the 2-4-6-8 box that I use so often.

While in the process of designing this project I visited one of my favorite blogs – that of my friend, Sharon Johnson — and found a wonderful post in which she shared three beautiful boxes made in the same manner.  A bonus!  Sharon’s boxes are a different size and shape so I’d like to encourage you to visit her post here to see her measurements and some absolutely fabulous ideas for turning a simple gift into something especially delightful.  Thank you, Sharon!

My simple box is sized for cards.  It will hold six A2 cards (and envelopes) with an average degree of layers and embellishments.

I decorated my box with Memory Box Winterberry paper on a shimmery ivory cardstock and topped it with the large poinsettia from Flourishes’ Poinsettia and Boxwood stamp set.  The poinsettia is watercolored with SU! inks and layered with dimensional foam tape.  The center pearls can be found at Flourishes here.  Gold elastic cord is attached under the poinsettia and wraps diagonally around the box to make it look just a bit more “giftable”.  It slips on and off easily.

Here’s how it’s made:

• Cut the box bottom 8 1/2″ x 7 1/4″.
• Score all sides at 1 3/8″.
• Clip to score lines as shown.

Tip:  When you make the clips as shown above, you may find your corners more tidy if you create a little space where you clip.  Cut along both sides of the score line and remove that narrow section (about 1/16th”) as shown in the photo below.

• Apply red liner tape to the flaps.
• Fold to the bumpy side of the score line and adhere.

Subsequent photos will clearly show where the tape is applied.

The next photo is the box top.  Whether top or bottom, the red liner tape is applied the same.

• Cut cardstock 7 1/2″ x 6 1/4″.  Score all sides at 13/16th” — that’s 1/16″ past the 3/4″ mark.
• Cut two designer paper strips 5 3/4″ x 3/4″
• Cut two designer paper strips 4 1/2″ x 3/4″.
• Cut one designer paper panel 5 3/4″ x 4 1/2″.
• Adhere as shown.

This is the underside of the box lid, showing where the tape is applied.  The tape is applied the same to the inside of the box bottom.  All that’s left is to fold and adhere the box.  Be certain to fold the short flaps to the inside.

And that’s all there is to it!  Although this box is sized for cards, there are many other gifts which would nest nicely within it, too — a silk scarf, socks, gloves, candy…  I hope you enjoyed!

I’ll be back Monday with more fun to share.  Until then, have yourself a wonderful weekend!

It’s all loaded up and ready to go and, gosh, I feel like singing a sleighing song!

Today’s card was made with the new Sleigh Ride set from Flourishes.  This could be Santa’s sleigh but I was thinking of a country sleigh ride — the morning glittering with frost and the world gone quiet under a blanket of snow.  What a fun way to deliver gifts to friends and neighbors.  Just bundle up in those mittens, hats, scarves, gloves, leggings, boots, sixteen layers of clothing, three lap robes…okay…it’s easy for me to romanticize a sleigh ride since we rarely get snow on the Oregon coast.  Brrrrrr…can you imagine the wind chill?  It does sound like a lovely idea, though, doesn’t it?

My sleigh has been paper pieced with the Memory Box Winterberry paper (I would provide a link but it appears to be temporarily sold out) and spruced up for the holidays with one of the bows from the Poinsettia and Boxwood set.  The presents from O Christmas Tree were arranged in the paper pieced sleigh before it was mounted on foam tape over the first copper embossed image.

About that Winterberry paper – my entire background scene was created from one sheet in the collection.  I stamped the sentiment, also from the Sleigh Ride set, directly on the paper and added Stardust Stickles to the trees and along the hillcrests.  That’s absolutely all I did to the background.  I’m happy to say there are two more of these same sheets in the collection because I have definite plans for them.  All the patterns are just wonderful.

While I had this set out I thought I’d make a few gift tags with some of the smaller images.  That’s something I wind up buying every year but now I’m prepared with 18 new tags.

Even though the images are colored, this little project went rather quickly.  I mounted the stamps all on the same block for a single stamping on each tag.  The To/From stamps are part of the Holiday Greetings set.  I never use staples on my ribbon but it was a quick way to attach it and I was trying to keep it simple.  These tags will be used by my husband as well as myself and he’d rather not have to fumble around tying ribbon on a package.  There’s a small strip of red liner tape on the back of each tag to make it easier for him.

The self-adhesive labels were a little tricky due to slippage and drying time for the ink.  I tried Stazon but, oddly, that ink just lifted right off with the stamp.  I stamped my labels with Palette Noir and set them aside for a while to dry, then colored the images with fine-tipped Sharpies which dried almost instantly.

That’s it for today!  I’ll have more samples with Flourishes’ new releases tomorrow.  I must admit I’m loving this year’s Christmas sets.  Now through Monday, Oct. 13th, you can discount 10% from your entire Flourishes order if you use the promotion code RSC88.  Be sure and visit my Flourishes friends for some beautiful and inspiring samples:

 See you again soon!  Have a wonderful day!

This is a little something I made for a friend — one of those “just because” sort of things.  I used my new JustRite Harmony Classic Circle Stamper II Ensemble with a flower from Summer Botanicals.  The stamps were colored directly with markers and I always like the somewhat distressed or painted look this gives the images.

For the tag on the clear box I omitted the outer ring.  The word, “friend”, on the card was cut from the center of one of the JustRite stamps in the ensemble.  Because the new JustRite sets are more than monograms there’s a lot of versatility in a single set, and this is one of my favorites.

The box is a 2-4-6-8 design which I return to often because of its simplicity.  I tried something a little different with this one and I’d like to share it with you.  It’s made with Crystal Clear Cardstock which I embossed with the same design as the card.  In case you’re not familiar with 2-4-6-8 boxes I’ve included a photo to help illustrate the concept.  Since clear cardstock is so difficult to photograph I’m showing it in gray.

Cut a half sheet of Crystal Clear Cardstock — 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″.  Score across at 2″, 4″, 6″ and 8″.  Turn and score lengthwise at 2″.  Cut along the score lines up to the lengthwise score line, as shown.  Cut away and discard the lower 1/2″ section.

Back to the clear cardstock now — This part of the process is a little difficult to illustrate but very easy to do.  You need to fold the box in half and insert it in your embossing folder with the bottom cut flaps hanging out the end of the folder.

Run it through your Cuttlebug and it will emboss the whole top part of the box at once.  It will feel a little tight as it goes through, rather like when your Cuttlebug was brand new.  I’ve only done this once — you’re looking at it — but it worked just fine.

The following is a picture of the box after it was embossed and removed from the folder.  Again, the clear cardstock is not the most photogenic subject, but I think you can get the idea.  It’s pretty cool and much more so in person:

Now you apply Sticky Strip to the outside of that little 1/2″ flap and fold the upper part of the box closed like a tube.  Then fold up the bottom flaps and adhere with Sticky Strip.

There’s always the question, then, as to how you cover the Sticky Strip.  Well, I think it’s hardly noticable, especially once the box is filled and pinched closed.  I used a little clip to close the top of the box.  The tag is tied to the clip, rather than through the top of the box, so it’s very easy to open and close the box.

I hope you enjoyed this very simple project.  I just love embossing the clear cardstock.  I’m sure this could be fancied up even more, perhaps with a little designer paper trim around the bottom or top.  You could add a handle and turn it into a basket, maybe add a row of eyelets along the top and lace some ribbon through.  It could be elegant or cute, whatever your heart desires.

This particular JustRite Harmony Classic Ensemble is perfect for a project like this and you can’t beat the flexibility.  So much fun in one set of stamps!  The ribbon, by the way, can be found here, and the Spellbinders circle dies here.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  Have a happy day!

• Stamps:  Summer Botanicals, JustRite Harmony Classic II
• Paper:  Crystal Clear Cardstock, Old Olive Orchid Opulence, Whisper White
• Ink:  Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, Close to Cocoa markers
• Accessories:  Floral Fantasy Cuttlebug embossing folder, ribbon, Spellbinders circle nesties, Sticky Strip, Scotch brand foam mounting tape, candy (of course — yum!)