Inspired Stamps - Gift Box

Welcome to Inspired Stamps inspiration post. This week, the DT's assignment is Anything But A Card! I was inspired to make a little gift box for cards, using the stamp sets "Lovely Lace" and "Esther's Bouquet".

The gift box measures 5"width x 4.5" height x 2" depth.  I started with a 8" x 11.5" light yellow cardstock and randomly stamped the Lovely Lace doily with Memento Desert Sand, and the circle sentiment (in the middle of the doily) with Memento Potter's Clay.  Esther was stamped on a white cardstock and coloured with Copic Markers to match the yellow cardstock and the stamped doily.  The markers I used are Skin - E50, E51, E53, R20; Hair - E21, E23, E25, Y11; Eyes - G99, YG67, YG03, YG01, Colourless Blender & Copic Opaque White; Bow - Y06, Y21, YR23; Dress & Socks - Y21, Y06, YR23, Button - YR09, YR02, Flowers - R01, R02, R14.

If you are interested, the box was made according to the following dimensions:

After scoring and cutting out the triangle as shown above (blue lines), I used Fiskars Apron Lace border punch along the top edges of the box.  Then it was time to assemble the box.  For the handle, I cut a piece of kraft cardstock measuring 2" x 11" and punched the edges using the Apron Lace punch.  The ruffles were made from Seam binding by sewing a running stitch along the middle of the seam binding and pulling one end of the string to make the ruffles.  I secured it to the handle and along the bottom of the box using 1/4" Scor-tape. The handle was attached to the box with 2 large brads.  On top of each of the brads, I affixed a daisy flower and a felt rolled flower.

Thinking the box needed a little something, I added a strip of blings.  On the 1/8" Scor-tape, I placed the i-rock crystals on one side of the tape and then adhered it to the box.

To prevent anything sticking to the exposed adhesive in between the crystals, I scooped some clear glitter on the strip and tapped off the excess.  Lastly, I adhered Esther with pop dots onto the front of the box.

I was surprised that the box didn't take longer than an hour to put together, and I was quite pleased with it.  Now I have a little gift box of cards to give away ;)

Wow, this was a long post!  Be sure to check the Inspired Stamps Blog to see the rest of Design Team's awesome project this week.

Thank you for visiting me.
Have a lovely day!
Kary

Products used : Inspired Stamps sets Lovely Lace & Esther's Bouquet, Light Yellow Cardstock, Neenah Solar White & Desert Storm cardstocks, Memento Rich Cocoa, Desert Sand & Potter's Clay, Copic Markers, MFT Rolled Scalloped Flower die, Yellow felt, Scor-tape (1/4" and 1/8"), i-rock crystals, Hug Snug Seam Binding - Chalk White

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!