It's all about the trees...

Hi, and welcome to a new week!

This week it's all about the trees.

Christmas cards that have trees on them.

That's what we're talking about.

That's the low down.

That's the story.

That's the go.

With me?


Oh, yes. This card you've seen. This card started the tree trend.

This one is dressed up and ready to par-tay! I'm not the partying type, but this card is. It's got a lot going on. Good for it.

Gotta love the Cuttlebug. Honestly, the embossing is the best thing since sliced bread.

And on that note...

If sliced bread is so good, so good that everyone compares everything to it, why do they sell unsliced bread in Woolworthes? What's with the unsliced bread? Do people really want unsliced bread?

I'll admit, I bought some and sliced it myself because it was the type we wanted and no one was around to slice it for me. So I'm there in the kitchen saying to myself, "I'm living in 2009 and I'm slicing bread. What's with that?"

Okay, forget the bread.

Got some tonight though and it was sliced.

Okay, forget the bread.

I can't forget the bread. I need it for this analogy!

Here's my question...do you think this card is unsliced?

I mean, all the ingredients are there, but is there something missing?

Slices! (bread terms)

Layers! (card terms)

What do you think?

Hey, maybe you like your bread unsliced. It's okay, you're allowed.

Here we have a nice loaf of bread all packaged and ready to go home.

It's pretty, it's simple and it's easily digestable.

Nice.

Yet another loaf. A simpler recipe. Not as many nuts and seeds.

Sometimes we just like Vegemite on white bread with butter.

Yummo.

Ah, another piece of bread with Vegemite.

Only use a bit of Vegemite though, hey? Can't be getting the eye twinge - got too much on!

Well, I said this week was going to be all about the trees...

Not sure what happened with that.

Started out with trees, finished with trees, talked about bread and Vegemite in between.

That's craft for ya.

See you tomorrow.

I'll try to stay out of the pantry...

:o)

Christmas Card Friday - Circle Tree

Hi, how's your week been?

I'm back with a simple Christmas card for you today.

It was inspired by the circles tree on page 37 of Punch Art Fun for Everyone (blue one). It's actual size in the book, so the design is small.

Below the design is on a regular sized card and uses:
CP1/CP2: Circles
CP2: Square
CP1: Star
A lot of foam tape.

Foam tape and I are best friends. We like each other and we hang out a lot.

There's two layers of circles as you can see. They were an accident, sort of.

A few circles fell on my desk like that, so onto the card they went.

Worked well and upped the ante on the card a bit.

Gotta up the ante, you know.

Design is all about the ante...

At the moment my ante is making matching envelopes/enveloboxes.

They rock.

Seriously.

A printed, pretty, I'm one-of-a-kind and I'm-all-that envelope sitting in a letterbox just makes the world spin better on it's axis.

Actually, Lord, I know You've got that all under control, but You of all people know that design and creativity are cool, so I know You get me on this.

World spinning on axis....

Recipient with smile on face...

Okay, so it looks like I got the envelope upside-down in the photo, but I didn't. When you use a horizontal pattern to make an envelope on the Crafter's Companion it turns out that way.

Check the first photo. That's the front of the envelope.

Slanty trees, but at least they're not upside-down.

To avoid the whole slanty, upside-down thing you'd have to cut your paper to get the pattern right before you start scoring and folding.

Or you'd just use your Scor-Pal because you don't turn the paper on there.

Slanty trees.

Non-slanty trees.

It doesn't really bother me.

Let's put it this way. I'm not cutting the paper to match the pattern to make it all horizontal and whatnot.

Slanty trees or not, the world will keep on spinning.

And we have You to thank for that, Lord.

You rock.

Envelopes are insignificant.

Nuff said.

Gone...

...on blog-o-cation!

Talk to you soon!

:o)

Scor-Pal Friday - Treat bags

Hey, it's Scor-Pal Friday today!

Wow, what a week!

Today is all about treat bags and bag toppers, so let's have a look.

Ah, a cute treat bag.

Measurements: 2.5" x 10" with a flap scored at 2" from the top.
You might remember these treat bags. I posted them around Easter this year.

Just reminding you that they're a simple idea that can be used all year round, and for any occasion.

Now, bag toppers.

They're simply a shape that's folded on top of a bag that has treats inside. Cute gift idea too.

Here's how to make a bag topper:


* Take your topper shape and put it along any score line and score. I used Sizzix scallop circles and scallop squares.

* Fold over your treat bag and staple.

* Cover the staple with an embellishment.

* You could also punch a hole and tie a ribbon through to attach the topper.


I've scored the line here, but you can't see it very well. I'm trying with the visuals here, but sometimes the visuals aren't visable!

Let's just look at more bag toppers instead.

These two are from the (2009) Making Memories Mistletoe collection.

See the pointy edges?

I scored through the mountain of the scallop. Next time I'd probably score through the valley to avoid that pointy bit.

And now these are from October Afternoon.


How much to I love these papers?


A lot.


More points, but they're not as pointy. Different scallop shape. This one's the one from Sizzix's Clear die line.

Most of the die-cuts are from Cherry Hill, I think. I just mixed and matched. Good way to use up little bits.

Well, everyone, that's it for Scor-Pal week! It's been fun!

I hope you enjoyed all the projects and you've been inspired to make something fun and different.

Bye for now,

:o)

PS. Click here to purchase your Scor-Pal with a 15% discount! Please write SCOR15 in the comments section at checkout to claim your discount.

PPS. Alternatively, go to www.bluebazaar.com.au, shop online, then November NEW 7 on the left to find the Scor-Pals.

PPPS. Please read Monday's post (Nov 16) for more information. Thanks!

Scor-Pal Thursday - Boxes

Hello! It's Scor-Pal Thursday!

Today is all about boxes of all sizes and shapes. So fun.

Firstly, a simple box template.

To make a box:

1. Decide on the size lid you want and then cut your paper one inch wider all the way around. Put your box on the Scor-Pal and score at 1" on each side.

(An inch is a good height for a regular box. That's about 2.5cm in metric)

2. To make the base, cut the same size piece of paper as the lid and then trim a tiny bit off two sides, so when you fold it up it'll sit inside the lid. If you're using cardstock you'll have to cut a little more off. When using paper just trim only a few mm, or an 1/8" of an inch.

I suggest making your box with just regular copy paper first, so you can check all your measurements and cuts are correct.

3. After you've scored your lines, cut your tabs as you can see in the photo.

These tabs need double-sided tape. I put an * on one tab in the photo, so you can see where I mean.

4. Then fold and tape your box together!

Note for you: Don't make boxes after you make envelopes, okay? With envelopes you cut the tabs off. With boxes, you don't. When you cut the tabs off your boxes three times in a row, you finally get that idea. Trust me on that...

Here's some boxes I made - all are October Afternoon papers - Ducks in a Row, Farm Fresh x 3, Weathervane, Cherry Hill, Good Cheer.

Cute for a baby shower. You know, with little socks in it, or a bib, or similar? Wrapping clothing can be hard, but not with a little box like this.

On all these boxes the ribbon is only on the lid, so the box stays neat and sits flat. And so it's easier to open.

Didn't record any measurements for this one. Not sure why...sorry about that.

You can use patterned paper from the same line for the base like I did here, or just plain card (would make it sturdier and cheaper).

Measurements:

* Lid - 8 x 8"

* Base - 7 and 7/8 x 7 and 7/8"

* Sides - 1"

I wasn't making these for any particular reason, I was just making them in different sizes.

This is similar in size to Erin's trinket type boxes that I've showed you before (Link in sidebar - How to Make Paper Boxes).

Measurements:

* Lid - 8 x 8"

* Base - 7 and 7/8" x 7 and 7/8"

* Sides - 5"

Made this tiny one on purpose. Just wanted to make a tiny one! And it's tiny!

The lid's too big and I barely took any off the sides. It's all trial and error.

Measurements:

* Lid - 3 and 3/4 x 3 and 3/4"

* Base - 3 and 5/8 x 3 and 5/8" (make a bit bigger)
* Sides - 1"

This is a favourite because it's a DVD box. What a nice way to give a DVD to someone. I'll use this in the future for sure.

Measurements:

* Lid - 18.5 x 25cm

* Base - 18cm 2mm x 24cm 2mm

* Sides - 2cm

This was supposed to be a DVD box, but I got my measurements wrong. I'll use it for something, but use copy paper first, people!

Measurements:

* Lid - 7 and 1/4 x 9 and 3/4"

* Base - 7 and 1/8 x 9 and 5/8"

* Sides - 1"

This one I made for my mum on purpose because she's into everything snowy. I made some snowman cards to put in it, but they didn't fit! And no, I didn't check them first. Didn't have time. Oh, well.

That's why I'm here, so you can learn from my mistakes.

And so I can learn from my own mistakes.

(I made some envelopes instead and it was sorted)

Measurements:

* Lid - 8 x 8"

* Base - 7 and 7/8" x 7 and 7/8"

* Sides - 1"

Well, that's it for the boxes today.

Will see you tomorrow for Scor-Pal Friday!

:o)

PS. Click here to purchase your Scor-Pal with a 15% discount. Please write SCOR15 in the comments section at checkout to claim the discount.

PPS. Alternatively, go to www.bluebazaar.com.au, shop online, then November NEW 7 on the left.

PPPS. Please read Monday's post, Nov 16, for more information. Thanks!

Scor-Pal Wednesday - Embellishing

Hi, and welcome to Scor-Pal Wednesday!

Today it's kind of all-in day. Embellishing and other ways to use the Scor-Pal. Okay?

You saw this card yesterday, but today I wanted to point out the embossed frame inside there.

See it? I put the scallop shape on the Scor-Pal, lined it up and just eye-balled the lines. Worked well!

I also put the back shape on the Scor-Pal and scored the crease line there for the flap. Nice.

Oh, and here's the back of the envelope I said I'd post.

Decorating them with a bit of something really makes a difference. Rounded corners, ribbon, deco scissors or a border like this.

Angie showed me how to make these baubles last year. You can check out her video here.

Mine above is a circle one, they're very easy. And the Scor-Pal makes all those folds very quick!

Sorry about the photo on this one. I'm referring to the criss-cross design on the cone for this card.

See it?

Barely! (Sorry about that)

If you look here you can see the lines from the inside. You might see a pencil line in there too that I forgot to rub out. I was trying to work out the direction of the lines...

I put the cone on an angle on the Scor-Pal and scored a cm apart across the cone. Turned it and did the lines again. I left a margin around the cone to keep it neat.

This is a simple one. Glitter lines.

Decide where you want your line of glitter. Put your card on the Scor-Pal and line that spot up with a groove on the board. Score a few times to get a good indentation. Run your glue pen down that line and shake some glitter in there.

Easy!

There's a line of Crystal glitter on each side of the snowmen on this one. The score lines really make it easy to do.

Yep, another glitter line on Monday's card. Really, it's so quick to do. Try it!

And here's another idea for you! I made these pinatas for a family do and was finishing them off on Friday night. All of a sudden I realised I could make their accordian legs using the Scor-Pal. Now, this was fab because it barely took any time at all!

I know, they're weird pinatas. I had everything ready to go and discovered I had no balloons in the house. I always have a few balloons! Anyway, I ended up using shopping bags with freezer bags inside. They made for some very weird looking chicks, but they did the job!

Hello, chicken legs...

Well, that's it for today. Hope you enjoyed those few ideas and that they sparked a few of your own.

That's the thing with tools. All you can do is find other ways to use them.

See you tomorrow!

:o)

PS. Click here to purchase your Scor-Pal with a 15% discount. Please write SCOR15 in the comments section of your order to claim your discount.

PPS. If the above link doesn't work, try www.bluebazaar.com.au, shop online, then it's under November NEW 7 on the left.

PPS. Read Monday's post (Nov 16) for more information. Thanks!