Snowman Popup

This is a Christmas card with a popup center.  It is similar to the one Joan (Joan's Gardens) did for her workshop.  You can see her card here as well as the other projects completed in her workshop this past weekend.  The products I used for this card include:  Sizzix Scallop Circle 3-D popup die; Snowman & Stocking die;  Layered Christmas Tree die; and Holiday Lamppost.  The Christmas Tree was embossed using the Sizzix "Beaded Ribbons" embossing folder.   Cherry Lynn  Victorian Picket Fence (B123); Christmas Light Swag (B131) and Pine Branches (B146) dies were also used.  The sentiment is from JustRite "Deck the Halls".  The embossing folder used for the background is the Sizzix Triad Leaves.  VersaMark Ink was rubbed on the inside of the embossing folder, on the raised side, then run through embossing machine.  Clear embossing powder was sprinkled over the background then heat set.  Distressed stains were used to color it.  Below the edge of the scallop popup, the Memory Box "Frosty Border" was added.

The Penny Black "Village Christmas" stamp was used for the front of the card.  The Marianne Designs "Ice cycles" (LR0135) border was used at the top.

Tomorrow is the weekly challenge at Joan's Gardens.  We have a fun little project for you and I hope you will come back and join us in the challenge.

All the products used on this card can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.

Covered Box for Joan's Gardens Workshop

This is the box everyone created at Joan's Gardens Workshop.

Punches used for flowers on this box.  The first punch is the "Sakuras"; and the smaller flower is a "Blossom".  The stamens were created with the "Sky Flake" and "frilly snowflake". 

Doesn't this look like a fun project to complete at a workshop!   Joan wanted to use this  Cosmo Cricket Box and cover it with Graphic 45 design paper.    She asked me to help her design the embellishments.  We decided to use flower punches and show some of the techniques to create very realistic flowers.

 The flowers I decided to use on this box were "made up" but I think they are really pretty.    There are two different sizes, each with different stamens. The flowers were punched out of ivory card stock.  They were taught how to cut toward the center of each flower in order for it to shape better.  They then used tools from the Flower Tool Kit to soften the fibers in the card stock so they could shape them to look very realistic.  Rather than coloring with markers, we taught them how to use sponge daubers and apply different colors for a softer effect.  The colors sponged on the flowers were: Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress ink; dark brown dye based ink,  and ColorBox Rose Coral Chalk ink.  The colors were blended well until each flower matched the design paper.   After shaping the flower and stamens, they were glued together then attached over the Sizzix die cut leaves.  There is a piece of acetate over the opening in the front of the box. 

Joan has all the products in stock if you would like to create one of these boxes. 

Tomorrow I will be posting a gift tag to match this box for the Tag Challenge at Joan's Gardens.  Hope you will come back to see it.

Tea Cup Explosion Box Tutorial

This weekend Joan had a workshop at her home and I had the privilege of designing the products she would be teaching.  She wanted to use the Sizzix Big Die "3-D Tea Cup" for one of the projects.  Isn't it a great tea cup.  To give a surprise element to the project I asked if I could design an explosion box and have the tea cup in the center.  She loved the idea. 

To create the explosion box I started with a 12x12 inch piece of pink card stock.  Not all 12x12 card stock is exactly 12 inches so I cut it down to 11 3/4 inches.  I needed the box as large as possible in order for the cup and saucer to fit perfectly in the center.  This piece was scored at 3 3/4" on all four sides.  For the lid, use a 6 1/2" square piece of card stock and score it at 1 inch on all four sides. 

To create the box, cut away the four corners, cutting right on the score lines,  and your piece will look like this.  Use a bone folder to crease all the score lines.  The sides of the box will be held up with the lid and will fall down to show what is inside.

For the lid, cut a 1 inch slit up to the score line.  Do this on both ends of that side.  Turn the lid completely around and do the same thing on the opposite side.  Cut off the corners at an angle starting from score line cutting out to the edge. By cutting the corners off, the pieces will fit better when taped down.  Decorate the top of the lid first, then put ScorTape on each corner and tuck them in to create the lid.   

The products used to decorate this box are: as mentioned above the Sizzix Big Die "3-D Tea Cup;  JustRite "You Inspire Me" and "Mother Nature's Gifts" stamp sets; Martha Stewart "Monarch butterfly trim" punch; Martha Stewart "Monarch Butterfly" punch; Sizzix Corner Flourish #2; Sizzix Branch with Leaves; Nestabilities Lotus Pendant; Pink and Purple vellum for the flowers.  The saucer that comes with the die was too large so I used two Nestability ovals:  the smallest Petite Oval Lg and the second smallest Classic Oval Scallop.  The cup was embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I did not emboss the handle to make it look more realistic.  The trim on the lid was something in my "stash".  It was attached with ScorTape. All products used for this project can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.

Two other projects were completed at the workshop and I will show them tomorrow.  I think every one had a great time working on this project.  Joan's next workshop will be in June.  These workshops usually fill up even before she announces them, so if you would like to attend, be sure and email Joan for date information and to make your reservation.  There is no charge for her workshops.  You can see the other projects and read about the workshops she had this weekend at Joan's Gardens.

A few weeks ago, I showed you a lid from another explosion box I made.  That one is a different size and I will post that box again showing the inside, and will give you the dimensions.  Watch for that one later this week.