Rendezvous Monday - Mini Card Boxed Gift Set

Hello! My name is Nathalia and I'll be bringing you today's Monday Rendezvous Project Tutorial. I also have a fun giveway for our readers. Stay tuned I'll have more details on that in just a minute!

Today's project is one you should find incredibly easy to follow. I've also thrown in some easy directions on my current favorite embossing technique: creating an embossed medallion using an assortment of Nestabilities dies. The best thing about this project is that it makes the perfect gift! I intended for this boxed set to go to one of my girlfriends so I used some really funky Anna Griffin patterned papers (Peyton) but you can use any papers that inspire you.

I also recently discovered ShortCuts and I can't believe this is the first time I've used their product. ShortCuts will be sponsoring our Be Inspired challenge next week. I was so excited to use their product that I created today's tutorial with their product in mind. If you'd like to get your hands on some of this wonderful material, leave me a comment and tell me how you would use it or have already used it! We'll pick one random winner to get some ShortCuts card blanks to use for your next greeting card project! (*Winner will be announced this Thursday! Our giveaway time has been extended! Yay!*)

Now let's get started! First gather all of your material. Here's a complete supply list:

*Cardstock: #3 - 12 x 12 sheets (Black or color of your choice) * Chipboard Element: I used a Fleur de Lis but your choices are unlimited * Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: Textile * Die Cuts: Nestabilities Circle, Pinking Circle, Scalloped Circle, Inverted Circle, Labels Two and Ribbon Tag * Doodlebug Black Flocking * Glue of choice * Patterned Paper: This is a great project to use up those scraps! * Ribbon: 15 1/2" wide grosgrain ribbon (I used Anna Griffin) and some ribbon scraps * Rhinestones * ShortCuts Transparency: #1 - Frosted and #1 (4x4) - Clear Sheet * Stamps: Hero Arts All Occasion Greeting Stamps

Creating the Box Base:
*Step 1: Begin by trimming one sheet of 12 x 12 *cardstock down to make a 9.5" square

(*Tip: Instead of using cardstock for your box base you could use ShortCuts frosted or clear transparency instead.)

*Step 2: Score all four sides at: 0.75" and 1.5"

*Step 3: Follow directions shown in diagram below.

Creating the Box Lid:

*Step 1: Begin by cutting your ShortCuts Frosted transparency sheet to make a 7.9" square

*Step 2: Score all four sides at: 0.75"

*Step 3: Follow directions shown in diagram below.

Creating the Mini Cards:

*Step 1: Begin by taking #2 - 12x12 sheets of black cardstock and cut them in half.

*Step 2: Take the #4 - 6x12 sheets and cut them at 9", 6" and 3"

*Step 3: You now have #16 - 3x6 pieces of cardstock. Score and fold in half to create your Mini Card bases.

Directions for Embossed Medallion:
*Step 1: For the embossing technique you will need your Cuttlebug, A Plate, B Plate, Die facing up, Cardstock facing down, Tan Embossing Mat, scrap paper and B Plate.

*Step 2: For my medallion I used (starting from outward/inward) Scalloped Circle, Inverted Scallop Circle, Pinking Circle. Notice I used some tape to hold the dies together. The tape will also help in holding the die onto the cardfront when you emboss it. I didn't have any difficulty removing the tape off of the card when I was finished.

*Step 3: Be sure to leave your card opened. The die should be facing up and the cardstock should be facing down. The smooth side of the cardstock should be facing upward.

*Step 4: Add the tan embossing mat, a couple pieces of scrap paper, your B plate and run it through your Cuttlebug...a couple of times for a deep emboss.

You now have a pretty embossed medallion!

Finishing Your Card:

Use your Nestabilites circle die or a circle punch on your scrap patterned paper. Adhere punched circle into the center of the embossed medallion. Diecut a ribbon tag, stamp your sentiment, adhere with ribbon scraps and add rhinestones. An easy formula to follow since now you have 15 mini cards left to embellish! :)

Here you see the finished cards stacked into sets of 4 inside the box base with their envelopes.

Creating Ribbon Slide for Box:
*Step 1: Using your Labels 2 Nestability, diecut your shape out of ShortCuts clear transparency (a 4x4 piece will be enough). Finish by embossing the diecut label with the Textiles Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. Cut two more pieces of patterned paper scraps using the same Labels 2 die. Layer each piece to create the label that will be affixed in the center of your box lid. See photo below.

*Step 2: Take your 15 1/2" wide grosgrain ribbon and wrap it around the closed box. Adhere one end of the ribbon to the other end of the ribbon. Your ribbon should be able to slide on and off the box easily but still fit snugly.

*Step 3: To create the flocked chipboard embellishment I first inked the chipboard with black ink. Next apply your choice of glue. I used my Palette Glue Pad (needs heat setting) and then sprinkled Doodlebug Black Flocking. I used my fingers to burnish the flocking and then gently tapped off the excess.

*Step 4: Add a few rhinestones and adhere the chipboard embellishment onto the ribbon where it overlaps. Be sure the chipboard embellishment is only adhered to the ribbon slider.

Now that you have some easy directions I hope you'll make your own Mini Card Boxed Gift Set and if you do, let me know. I'd love to see what you made! And remember to leave a comment for your chance to get your hands on some ShortCuts product. We'll pick a random winner and announce it on the blog this *THURSDAY. (*Our giveaway has been extended for another day! Yay!)

Now go make a creative mess!

Nathalia

P.S. Don't forget about our Be Inspired #23: Using Punches Creatively Challenge. You get to vote for a winner for a beautiful camera strap and a lucky runner-up gets a set of Sizzix dies!