A Year of Borders - Final day!

Time really flies when you are having a great time, and I've had so much fun creating with Melanie's "A Year of Borders".  The more I use the stamps, the more I see new possibilities - I'm sure you can tell how much I've enjoyed the set. 

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have posted such encouraging and lovely comments on Melanie's blog for me as well as visiting my blog.  I sincerely appreciate it & I hope you have been inspired too.

Here's my last project as Melanie's Guest Designer. It's a masculine gift box with a clear window panel. 

I know some of us may find it challenging creating a card or project for a guy; finding the right colours & designs may not always be easy.  I love playing a 'think out-of-the-box' challenge on my own when I have a little more time to create.  I guess I sort of miss that part of my job, but wait... I can apply the same principle to stamping!   So, for this project, I thought I'd try to create something masculine with "A Year of Borders" using a feminine paper collection. Here, I've used the patterned paper from BasicGrey Kioshi and a neutral ledger paper from Making Memories with A Year of Border's leaves border stamp.

Here's a photo of the empty box (you can see the floral pattern on the inside of the box), and a close-up photo of the pinwheel:

To make the pinwheel, cut a 2"x2" piece from the ledger paper and stamp both sides (at an angle) with the Leaves border stamp.  Then, cut along the lines as shown on Diagram A below and punch tiny holes as indicated on the diagram.  Take care when you punch the holes that you don't tear the paper.  I used a 1/16" hole punch.  Then use a pencil and roll the edges of the paper where the punched holes are.  This makes it easier to bend the paper towards the centre.  Secure the pinwheel with a brad.  I used a green brad coloured with brown copic marker (E29), and left it looking a bit distressed.


Diagram A

Next, stamp the leaves borders on a white cardstock several times.  Then fold the cardstock and run it through a crimper diagonally. Cut the crimped paper into leaf shapes, you will need 4 pieces. Sponge some Distress Inks Shabby Shutters and Antique Linen on the leaves.  Add them to the pinwheel using some scor-tape and the pinwheel is done.

The box was made using half a sheet of 12"x12" paper, and measures 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 1 1/4".  You can use any of your favourite box templates, and use Spellbinders Labels 4 die (or any of your favourite dies) to cut out a shape in the centre of the top/front panel of your box.  Then adhere a piece of acetate (with Glossy Accents) behind that panel and the window of your box is done.  I also made a tag from the ledger paper with a smaller Labels 4 die, added a strip of the patterned paper and tied it the pinwheel with Baker's twine.

I hope you'll try this project.  I think the box would be perfect to hold some chocolates, or a little something for a guy.

Thank you, Melanie, for having me be your Guest Designer for this versatile stamp set A Year of Borders.  I am so thrilled to get to know you, and so honoured that you had faith in me.  I know I will be looking forward (eagerly!) to more wonderful stamp sets from you.  God bless!

Thank you for visiting me, and have a Blessed day!