Bag in a Box Tutorial

If you are looking for a different way to present a gift, why not try making a "Bag in a Box".  You can decorate and embellish it to fit the occasion, and make it as plain or fancy as you want.  To help you make your own "Bag in a Box" I have included step by step instructions.  Have fun creating a new way to give that special someone a special treat!

You will need the following materials:

Paper Trimmer, Card Stock, Designer Series Paper (DSP), Decorative Label Punch, Scallop Edge Border Punch, 3/8” Circle Punch (from punch pack), Scissors, Sticky Strip, Simply Scored Tool

1.  Cut a piece of cardstock 4 ½” x 4 ½” to make your box.

2.  Score cardstock at 1” on all four sides.

3.  Use scissors to trim as shown and fold on all of the score lines.

4.  Turn cardstock over and apply Sticky Strip in the locations shown in the following picture.

5.  Remove Sticky Strip, fold in tabs, and adhere the tabs onto the

     inside of the larger middle tab.  Repeat on all sides to form your box.

6.  Cut a piece of Designer Series Paper 5 ½” x 11”.  Apply Sticky Strip all

     along one 11” side and along one 5 ½” side.  Remove the Sticky Strip liner

     from the 11” side of the DSP and starting with the 5 ½” side that DOES

     NOT have Sticky Strip adhere the DSP onto the sides of the box. Make

     sure to start the 5 ½” side of the DSP close to the middle of the box – 

     you don’t want your DSP seam to end up on the corner because it will make

     it more difficult to adhere the 5 ½” side down.

 7.  Wrap the DSP all the way around the box bottom adhering the Sticky Strip

     in place as you go.

8.  Remove the Sticky Strip liner from the 5 ½” side of the DSP and adhere the

     end of the DSP in place.

9.  Cut a piece of 1” x 11” cardstock and punch on one of the 11” sides with

     the Scallop Edge Border Punch.

10. Apply about 1” long pieces of Sticky Strip in 3-4 places along the scalloped

     card stock.  Remove the Sticky Strip liner from the punched piece and

     adhere it around the bag bottom.

11. Use the Decorative Label Punch on a piece of coordinating scrap cardstock.

     Fold the label in half and using the 3/8” Circle Punch punch a hole in the

     folded label.

Thanks to many talented Stampin' Up! Demonstrators who showed me how to make my own "Bag in a Box".  Hopefully my instructions will help you create your own.

Pinwheel birthday!

For a fun birthday card, stamp and then cut a few pinwheels.  Attach them with brads and they spin to make it even more fun!

My card base is Gumball Green cardstock, followed by a layer of Summer Starfruit and then a piece of Island Indigo Designer Series Paper from the In-Color Paper Stack.  I added some Summer Starfruit 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon before placing on my Whisper White Die Cut Label Framelit.  I stamped three pinwheels on scrap Whisper White cardstock and then cut them out and placed them onto my framelit using brads.  My pinwheel stick was stamped with Early Espresso ink directly onto the Whisper White cardstock.  This layer was placed on with dimensionals, and I added my scalloped oval sentiment.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Gumball Green #126840, Summer Starfruit #126839, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  2012-14 Paper Stack #126910

Ink:  Island Indigo #126986, Gumball Green #126861, Summer Starfruit #126991, Early Espresso #126974

Stamp Sets:  Sweets for the Sweet #122510 wood or #122512 clear, Friendly Phrases #126149 wood or #126151 clear

Punch:  Sallop Oval #119856

Ribbon:  Summer Starfruit 3/8" Stitched Satin #126846

Tools:  Big Shot #113439, Labels Collections Framelits #125598,  Paper Snips #103579

Adhesive:  Dimensionals #104430, Snail #104332

Embellishment:  3/16" Bright Brads #119749, 3/16# Subtle Brads #119638

Elegant Butterflies

Papillon Potpourri Stamp Set which coordinates with the Elegant Butterfly Punch was used for my "friends" card today. 

I embossed my Daffodil Delight cardstock with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder to add texture to my card base, and my Whisper White Apothecary Accent Framelit was pierced using my Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack.  I stamped my butterflies onto Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, and Not Quite Navy cardstock (these colors were selected by using my  Color Coach), and then punched them out with the Elegant Butterfly Punch.  I placed them onto the framelit using dimensionals.  My tiny tags were created using the Tiny Tags Stamp Set and punched out with the Jewelry Tag Punch.  A silver brad held them into place on my card.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Daffodil Delight #119683, Old Olive #100702, Not Quite Navy #100867, Whisper White #100730

Ink:  Early Espresso #126974

Stamp Sets:  Papillon Potpourri #123757 wood or #123759 clear, Tiny Tags #118091 wood or #118592 clear

Tools:  Big Shot #113439, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335, Apothecary Accents Framelits #127003, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack #126187, Paper-Piercing Tool #126189, Stampin' Pierce Mat #126199

Punches:  Elegant Butterfly #127516, Jewelry Tag #117190

Embellishment:  Metallic Brads #119741

Adhesive:  Dimensionals #104430, Snail #104332

Patio Party Birthday

Making a card with the Patio Party Designer Series Paper doesn't get much easier than this.  I just cut a piece large enough for my layer, added a few more punched lanterns, tied a bow and added my sentiment.  Most of the paper in this pack has great images that don't need a lot of extra stamping!

My card base is Whisper White Cardstock, followed by a layer of Midnight Muse Cardstock and Patio Party Designer Series Paper.  To make the embellished lanterns, I punched two 3/4" circle using Baja Breeze, Summer Starfruit, and Primrose Petals Cardstock.  I placed one of each of the circles directly onto the paper, and then folded the other coordinating one in half and adhered it to the first circle.  I tied my sentiment onto the Midnight Muse Ribbon using Whisper White Baker's Twine and placed it onto the card using dimensionals.

To make it easier to know what colors coordinate with my Designer Series Paper, as soon as I get a new package I go to my catalog and write the coordinating colors on the white cardboard piece that each designer paper pack is packaged with.  This way I know right away what colors of cardstock I am looking for.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Whisper White #100730, Midnight Muse #126843, Baja Breeze #111352, Summer Starfruit #126839, Primrose Petals #126841

Designer Series Paper:  Patio Party #126916

Stamp Set:  Petite Pairs #122495 wood or #122497 clear

Ink:  Midnight Muse #126860

Ribbon:  Midnight Muse 3/8" Stitched #126847, Whisper White Baker's Twine #124262

Punches:  3/4" Circle #119873, 1 1/4" Circle #119861

Adhesive:  Dimensionals #104430, Snail #104332

Black and White Wedding

I will be going to a black tie wedding soon so I thought it was fitting to make a black and white wedding card as well.  In person the card is much prettier with the embossing of the paper which unfortunately doesn't show up as well in the picture.

I stamped my wedding sentiments onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock and then cut it out with a Heart Framelit and placed it onto my white and black layers.  I then embossed the layers using my Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder.  The card looked like it could use a bit more embellishment so I punched two small hearts as well.  Just remember if you are going to emboss your cardstock, you should stamp your image first so you get full ink coverage.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Whisper White #100730, Basic Black #121045

Ink:  Basic Black #126980

Stamp Set:  Love & Laughter #125475 wood or #125477 clear

Punch: Small Heart #117193

Tools:  Big Shot #113439, Hearts Framelits #125599, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder #120175 

Bow tie birthday card!

For a masculine themed birthday card, turn your Petite Pennants Builder Punch into bow tie pieces by using the triangle shape and punching two for each bow tie, along with one of your smaller circle punches for the center.  Stampin' Up! demonstrator Allison Ohran posted a bow tie card on her blog for Father's Day and I thought it was a really cute idea, so I had to try making one myself.

I used the 3/4" Circle for the center of my bow ties, but I think when I make another card like this I will go with the 1/2" Circle punch instead.  One of the ladies at this month's stamp class added the smaller circle and I liked that look better.  For added embellishment I added a Natural Designer Button, and my Happy Birthday was stamped in Soft Suede ink and then  cut out using my Big Shot and the Bitty Banners Framelits.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Soft Suede #115318, Pool Party #122924, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  Comfort Cafe #126898

Ink:  Soft Suede #126978

Stamp Set:  Itty Bitty Banners #126255 wood or #126257 clear

Embellishment:  Naturals Designer Button #127554

Punches:  Petite Pennants Builder #122361, 3/4" Circle #119873

Tools:  Big Shot #113439, Bitty Banners Framelits #129267

Lovely Little Labels

I finally got around to using my Lovely Little Labels Stamp Set and coordinating Little Labels Punch Pack.  Thank you to  Stampin' Up! demonstrator Heather Heroldt who posted a cute card with this set and gave me the inspiration for my card.

My 8 1/2" x 11" piece of Very Vanilla cardstock was cut in half at 4 1/4" so I could emboss the card front with the new Fancy Fan Embossing Folder.  The new folders are just a big larger so you can not emboss a card front that was cut in half at 5 1/2".  I then cut an additional piece of Very Vanilla cardstock to use as a matte layer under my thinner layers of Basic Gray, Riding Hood Red, and Soft Suede.  I punched a row of each of the three punches, and randomly stamped images from the Lovely Little Labels set.  A piece of Linen Thread was tied around the layer and the card was finished off with my Thinking of You sentiment.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Very Vanilla #101650, Basic Gray #121044, Riding Hood Red #111348, Soft Suede #115318

Ink:  Basic Gray #126981, Soft Suede #126978, Riding Hood Red #126968

Stamp Sets:  Lovely Little Labels #126260 wood or #126262 clear,  Teeny Tiny Wishes #115370 wood or #127802 clear

Punches:  Little Labels Punch Pack #126881, Word Window #119857

Ribbon:  Linen Thread #104199

Tools:  Big Shot#113439, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder #

Daydream Medallions

Daydream Medallion stamps, paired with Floral Frames Framelits helped me create this Get Well Card.  It is so nice when products coordinate with each other, making your designing easy and fun.

To my Whisper White cardstock I stamped some medallions using Pool Party Ink.  I then stamped one of the larger medallions with Early Espresso ink onto Pool Party cardstock and cut it out with the Big Shot and a Floral Frames Framelit.  My Get Well Soon was also stamped on with Pool Party ink and cut out with a smaller Floral Frames Framelit and placed it onto the larger medallion using dimensionals. 

Just change your sentiment in the center and you have a card that can be used for any occasion.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Whisper White #100730, Pool Party #122924

Ink:  Pool Party #126982, Early Espresso #126974

Stamp Sets:  Daydream Medallions #126465 wood or #126467 clear, Delightful Dozen #122650 wood or #122652 clear

Tools:  Big Shot #113439, Floral Frames Framelits #127012

Adhesive:  Dimensionals #104430, Snail #104332

Delicate Doilies

I have so many new items to create with and sometimes I forget about my old favorites.  So this week while I was preparing for my stamp class I decided to pick a few stamps I haven't used for awhile, and use my color coach to come up with some different color combinations as well.  I also need a few wedding cards, so I decided to go in a different directions, and trust my color coach combinations to create my card.

My card base is Wild Wasabi Cardstock and I added a layer of Perfect Plum and Whisper White.  To the Whisper White layer I stamped two large doilies right onto the white cardstock, and then stamped a third doily on a piece of white scrap paper and punched it out with the 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch and layered it on top of the first two stamped doilies.  I stamped the smaller doilies using Wild Wasabi ink and punched them out with the 1 1/4" Circle Punch and decorated them with Rhinestone Basic Jewels and placed them in the center of the doilies. 

My sentiment on the inside reads - Wishing You a Lifetime of Happiness.  I really like that Stampin' Up! added another stamp set that has sentiments for both the outside and inside of the card. 

I used the following:

Cardstock:  Wild Wasabi #108641, Perfect Plum #101889, Whisper White #100731

Ink:  Wild Wasabi #126959, Perfect Plum #126963

Stamp Sets:  Delicate Doilies #122590 wood or #122592 clear, One in a Million #126380 wood or #126382 clear

Punches:  2 3/8" Scallop Circle #118874, 1 1/4" Circle #119861

Embellishment:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels #119246

Natural Composition Specialty Paper

Glossy, raised patterns printed on heavy-weight Natural paper.  That is how this paper is described in the Stampin' Up! Catalog, but until you actually see it yourself you don't realize how pretty it really is.  No heat embossing needed because the patterns appear brown and glossy all by themselves.  It is also great for making boxes because it is a very sturdy paper.

I embossed my Marina Mist cardstock with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, and then added a layer of Riding Hood Red cardstock, and a layer of the Specialty Paper.   I stamped and then punched out my flower and sentiment, and added a piece of 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon to finish the card.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Marina Mist #119682, Riding Hood Red #111348, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  Natural Composition #126917

Ink:  Marina Mist #126962, Crumb Cake #126975

Stamp Sets:  Perfect Punches #117022 wood or #120516 clear, Mixed Bunch #125535 wood or #125537 clear

Ribbon:  Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta #119257

Punches:  Blossom #125603, 3/4" Circle #119873, Extra-Large Oval #11859

Tools:  Big Shot #113439, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder #120175

Words of Courage

 I was asked to help out at a fundraiser this past Saturday for an organization called Humble Hearts for Hope.  They were doing a fund drive asking people to stop by and donate supplies for care packages  for deployed troops, and wanted people to be able to make a handstamped card that would be placed in each  package.  I designed very simple cards because there were a lot of different activities planned, and anyone could stop by to make a card.    People of all ages joined in and made cards, and wrote their personal sentiments inside.  Over 70 cards were made and the day was a big success.

Just a few of the people who stopped by to make their own handstamped card for a deployed soldier.  Thanks to my friend Sue who helped out at the table.

Some of the donated item that will be packaged into boxes and sent to the deployed troops.

Brenda Detweiler VP of Humble Hearts for Hope at the HHFH information booth and collecting donated items.

So, the cards made may have been simple, but the sentiments people wrote inside came from the heart.  I am sure the deployed soldier who receives one in his or her package will appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers from people at home.

If you would like to find out more about this organization you can visit their website at www.hhfh.org/ .

One of the Stampin' Up! Stamp Sets I used to prepare the cards is called Words of Courage #126335 wood or #126337 clear.  A great set with the perfect sentiments for cards for the troops.

Serene Thanks

By stamping my image directly onto First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper, I got a nice soft background image. It almost looks like the flowers are a part of the paper. 

I used More Mustard cardstock (a color I often forget to use, but really love for this card) for my card base, and added a layer of Basic Black and First Edition Specialty DSP.  I then stamped my flowers using More Mustard ink, directly onto the paper.  Some More Mustard 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon was turned around to the blank side and added at the bottom of the card.  I layered some squares for my thanks sentiment and placed it on using dimensionals.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  More Mustard#100946, Basic Black #121045, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  First Edition Specialty #121878

Ink:  More Mustard #126964

Stamp Sets:  Serene Silhouettes #127322 wood or #127324 clear, Pretty Postage #123095 wood or #123097 clear

Punches:  1" Square #124094, 1 1/4" Square #119865, 1 3/8" Square #119877

Ribbon:  More Mustard 1/2" Scallop Dots #124140

Baby Bundle Thank You

I had another request to make some baby boy thank you cards.  So, with the help of the new Apothecary Accents Framelits I had a nice focal point to stamp my baby items.

My card base is Night of Navy cardstock, and I added an embossed layer of Bashful Blue.  Using Whisper White cardstock I cut one of the Apothecary Accents and stamped my images with Night of Navy Ink, and colored them in with a Bashful Blue marker.  Some silver brads added a bit of embellishment, and the Night of Navy Grosgrain Ribbon is now retired, but one of my retired items I didn't want to part with.

I used the following:

Cardstock:  Night of Navy #100867, Bashful Blue #105120, Whisper White #100730

Ink:  Night of Navy #126970   Marker:  Subtles Collections (Bashful Blue) #119700

Stamp Sets:  Baby Bundle #118525 wood or #120576 clear, Teeny Tiny Wishes #115370 wood or #127802 clear

Punch:  Word Window #119857

Embellishment:  Metallic Brads #119741

Tools:  Big Shot #113439, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335, Apothecary Accents Framelits #127003



Reason to Smile Blog Hop

Need a reason to smile? Hopefully by joining in the Reason to Smile blog hop, you will be inspired by all of the ideas surrounding this beautiful stamp set that is being offered during the month of July for $5.00 when you spend $50 on Stampin' Up! merchandise. Thanks for stopping by my blog, and I hope you take the time to check out all of the blogs on the hop which is listed at the end of my post.

I am #5 on the list. 

 Adding a quick bookmark makes a cute gift too!
Easy to make using the Two Tags Bigz Die.
Fold your piece of cardstock in half, and keep the bottom of the die exposed so instead of cutting two tags, you get one large tag with a fold.

The picture on the right shows how the bookmark looks when it is opened.

For added embellishment I ran the bookmark through my Big Shot and embossed it with the Fancy Fan Folder.  I attached my flower on with dimensionals after I punched it out with the 1 3/4" Scallop Circle.

To make my card I started with Baja Breeze cardstock.  To this I added two layers, one with Primrose Petals cardstock and Patio Party Designer Series Paper, and one with Summer Starfruit and Whisper White cardstock.  To my Whisper White layer I first stamped my full flower image with Primrose Petal ink, and then added the second detailed flower image with Summer Starfruit ink.   To dress up the center of the flowers I added a Basic Pearl, and for further embellishment I tied on a piece of Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon.  My "To My Friend" sentiment was placed on with dimensionals and is from the Friendly Phrases Stamp Set.  In addition, I used one of my templates from the Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack to pierce the top corner of the card to add a different look.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Baja Breee #111352, Primrose Petals #126841, Summer Starfruit #126839, Whisper White #100730     Designer Series Paper:  Patio Party #126916  Ink:  Primrose Petals #126858, Summer Starfruit 126991   Stamp Sets:  Reason to Smile #131274 wood or #131275,  Friendly Phrases #126149 wood or #126151 clear    Ribbon:  Primrose Petals 3/8"  Stitched Satin #126844    Embellishment:  Pearl Basic Jewels #119247  Punches:  Large Oval #119855, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle #119854  Tools:  Paper-Piercing Tool #126189, Stampin' Pierce Mat #126199, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack #126187, Big Shot #113439, Two Tags Bigz Die #115954, Fancy Fan Folder #127751  Adhesive:  Dimensionals #104430, Snail #104332

Stop by to see the other Reason to Smile Blog Hop creations:

1. Elaine Uhl - http://createnstamp.blogspot.com/2012/07/handcrafted-smiles.html
2. Susan Carlson - http://stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com/2012/07/reason-to-smile-blog-h...
3. Lori Witt - http://www.stampinwithlori.com/2012/07/reason-to-smile-blog-hop.html
4. Andi Potler - http://www.absolutekreations.com/2012/07/10/reason-to-smile-blog-hop/
5. Eileen Lang - www.eileensstampingcorner.blogspot.com - You are here
6. Karin Biefeld - http://www.karinbiefeld.blogspot.com/

Another Nature's Pace for any occasion

Last week I posted a card I made using the Nature's Pace Stamp Set that I framed by sponging around the Label Framelit.  Today I made one by cutting two different size Label Framelits and embossing all of my layers.  I made several to use as all occasion note cards, therefore I did not add a sentiment.

My card base and the smaller Framelit were made using Very Vanilla cardstock, and the larger Framelit was cut with Old Olive cardstock.  I stamped my image using Old Olive ink, and then embossed all of the layers with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder. 

Remember - ink your cardstock before running it through the Big Shot to get even coverage.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Very Vanilla #101650, Old Olive #100702

Ink:  Old Olive #126953

Stamp Set:  Nature's Pace #122660 wood or #122662 clear

Tools:  Big Shot #113439, Labels Collection Framelits #125598, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder #120175

Baby Tees

The baby shower is over, the presents unwrapped, and now it is time for the mother-to-be to send out her thank you cards.  I made the invitations a few months back, and I was happy to help her out by making the thank you cards as well.

I started with Night of Navy cardstock, followed by a layer of Bashful Blue and Whisper White.  I used the Baby Tees Wheel which goes with the Jumbo Handle and rolled the wheel over my Night of Navy ink pad and then onto my white layer.  Using markers, I colored in the images and added my Thank You.  To dress up the layers a bit I used the 3/16" corner punch to round the edges.

I also added a layer of Whisper White to the inside of the card to make it easier to write the thank you.  I usually do this when my cardstock is really dark in color.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Night of Navy #100867, Bashful Blue #105120, Whisper White #100730

Ink:  Night of Navy #126970  Markers:  Subtles Collection #119700, Brights Collection #119702

Tools:  Jumbo Handle #103661, Baby Tees Wheel #118621

Punch:  3/16" Corner #119871