Cuttlebug Fun with Foam - Treat Box and Mini Cards

 Hello! Thank you for joining us today! I'm Christine, one of the Senior Design Team members here, and I am so very blessed to be able to share a new project with you using some Cuttlebug dies and Fun Foam! You can find this product at your local craft supply store. The ones I purchased were located in the same aisle as the felt. I hope that you will try to use this wonderful material with your own dies for your future projects, and hope that you will enjoy using it as much as I did!


I created this treat box using the beautiful Blue Awning patterned papers from K & Company. To embellish the box and the 4"x4" clear mini cards, I used my Cuttlebug dies from the following sets: Ornamental (heart border, swirls), Naturals (butterfly), and Floral Borders (vine and trellis border).

Here's a close-up view of the treat box (you can see the die cut Fun Foam on the front of the treat box and a little peek at the goodies in the treat compartment on the left):

Here's a better view of the treats and the mini cards from above:

I created the clear mini cards from clear boxes that I purchased from clearenvelopes.com. I prefer to use the clear boxes because they're sturdy and have a good weight to them. They were originally 4.25" x 6.25" in size, but I cut them down to 4"x4", making sure that I kept the folded edge on top.

After creating the card bases, I rounded the corners using my Zutter Round-it-All. This corner rounder is great at creating rounded corners on thicker materials. It cuts through the clear acrylic material really easily! I love this tool!

Next, I cut a piece of patterned paper 3.5" x 7" and folded it into a 3.5" x 3.5" mini note card. I rounded the bottom two corners and I adhered this note card onto the inside of the clear card base. Make sure you adhere it to the bottom part of the base, though, so that it looks like a card inside of the clear card base.

Now for the fun part...embellishing the cards! I die cut the Fun Foam using the dies listed above and added some of my favorite embellishments like Prima flowers and crystal swirls, Making Memories mini alphabet stickers, trims, and lace.

Here's a view of all of the mini cards:


All of the cards are stored inside of the clear 6"x6" box. This can be purchased at clearenvelopes.com as well (click on the link to see the product).

The inside compartment boxes are simply pieces of patterned papers that I scored and adhered together. For the left treat compartment (the rust and blue patterned paper column to the left of the mini cards in the photos), you will need a 6" x 6.25" piece of paper. Score along the longer side of the paper at 2", 3", 5", and 6". Fold along the score marks and add adhesive to the 1/4" flap that remains at the end of this sheet of paper. Roll the paper along folded lines, and adhere the flap behind the 2" piece of paper to create a rectangular column. You can fill this column with treats and then insert it into the clear box on the left side as shown in the photos.

You will also need to make a similar compartment for the bottom of the treat box (see the blue polka dot paper underneath the mini cards in the treat box). To create this, you will need a piece of paper that is 4" x 6.25" in size. Like the first treat compartment, you will score along the long side of the paper at 2", 3", 5" and 6" marks. Fold along the score marks and adhere the remaining flap to the back of the 2" piece of paper to create the rectangular column. You can fill this compartment with treats as well, and then insert it into the clear box along the bottom right corner of the clear box. You can now insert the clear mini cards into the box to completely fill the gift box.

Finally, all you need to do is embellish the front of the gift box with a die cut piece of foam and a 6" length of lace, and you're done!

Here's one more look at the completed project with everything inside of the gift box:

Thanks again for visiting today! I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will give die cutting Fun Foam a try soon!

Monday Rendezvous - Make Your Own Embossing Paste

Hi!! My name is Rosemary and for this Monday Rendezvous I am going to show you how you too can make your own embossing paste. You will surprised how easy it is and so economical too. With your chalks, you can make your paste any color you want and not have to worry about not having the right store bought color.



This photo shows the supplies you will need to make your own embossing paste and to do your project. Yep, you see that right, it's spackle!!! You can find this in your supercenter or hardware store. I think I may have gotten this at Walmart and it is not expensive at all. Maybe a couple dollars!!. This says 'fast'n final lightweight spackling'. Also shown is painters tape, chalk, plastic knife (lost my better craft spatula), embossing plate, paper plate and glitter.



Ok, we are ready to get started!! Set your embossing plate on the cardstock you want to work with. Using painters tape, tape all four sides.



Take some of the spackle and put it on the paper plate. Put the lid back on the tub so the spackle will not dry out. You are now going to make embossing paste!!..Take how much you think you may need; I always work with more just to be sure. The way I get my color is to take my old chalks and scrape some of the chalk with the knife over the paste. You determine how much color you want to work with. Remember you can always add more chalk and if it's too dark, just add a little more of the white spackle. Now, you want to keep mixing until all the color is evenly mixed and the texture is creamy.



Yes, this is the same blue..the camera changed the color!!..Take your knife and start putting the embossing paste on your embossing plate until the design is completely covered. Once it's all applied, start swiping if off. Keep doing this until the only paste showing is that in the design itself. Be sure to wipe your knife after each swipe. Keep working until it looks like the next photo. If I had used an embossing plate that didn't have a design so close to the edges, I wouldn't have to bring it out so far. The main thing, no matter what embossing plate you are using, is to cover all the design.



Be sure to check those little edges. You may need to reapply a little to fill it in. Yep, sometimes you will swipe away and it will pick up where it shouldn't. No problem, just fill it in.



While still wet, sprinkle glitter over the design. Then, remove the painters tape working backwards. Lift the embossing plate and there you will have your finished design. Soak your plate immediately for easy cleanup.



Here is the finished card all set and ready to go!! Cuttlebug embossing folders swiss dot and textile were used to give the card extra texture.



Here is a close up of the card; you can see the raised embossing. Pretty..isn't it??!!



Some of you asked how I did the icing on my Be Inspired #24 project and now you can see how easy it is to do!! Follow step 3 with mixing your color (chalk) until creamy and mixed well. This time, transfer a glob of paste to your icing area. With your fingers, you will mold the icing until it looks like the real thing. I tapped a few times with the knife to give it a more puffy effect. While still wet, I sprinkled some pink glitter, let it set and then lightly sprayed the glitter with hairspray to hold it all in place. You will find the heavier the cardstock, the better since your cardstock will 'warp' a little. You don't notice it in the final project thought.

Now that you can see how easy this is, I would love to see your card, layout or project!! We luv comments :)

PS Don't forget to enter the Wedn challenge or to visit Regina 's Cutting Cafe
The party is still going on strong so sign up to be the 1000th follower :)

Rosemary

Special Project # 4

Hello to all!

Kirsty here!

I have been a busy little Vegemite these days,

hence my quiet activity on the blog.

But I hope to make it up to you all with a special little Easter gift box for you to create and of course give to your friends and family. I am making another 9 of them for my kids to give to their friends and teachers before they go on Easter Break/holidays next week. What a busy girl I will be! But's it's the only way to be, and that's crafting.

But on to business, this is what the Special Easter creation looks like-

Isn't it cute?! If you want to make one just do the following!

This is what you will need-

Cuttlebug folders Swirls and Swiss Dots
1- A4 piece of Light Pink CS

1- A2 piece of White CS

1- small piece of Brown CS

1- length (aprox 30cm) Ribbon

Inks- Pink and Brown

Adhesives- Tape and Glue

Glitter- I used Doodlebug sugar coating

Wheel stamp or BG stamp

Punches-

Scallop Circle punch

2 sizes of heart punch

Oval Punch

3 sizes of circle punches (3/4", 1/4" and 3/16")

Slot Punch

CS, Ink and some tools used are SU

1. With your piece of A4 CS cut it down to 17cm x 13cm (keep the left overs for embossing).

Score your piece of CS at 7cm and 10 cm along the 17cm side and then score sides at 3cm and 10cm along the 13cm side.


2. Fold and Bone the score lines, then snip the side score lines to where the creases meet.




3. Now you have to decorate the outside of your box. I used So Swirly Jumbo Wheel, Chocolate Chip Ink and Wheel Guide (SU). Then sponge the edges with ink. I used Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip.

4. Put adhesive on outer flaps and adhere your box together, when together use a slot punch or slice a slot with a craft knife big enough for your ribbon to pass through. Put your box to the side for now.

5. Pass the White piece of CS through the Cuttlebug with the swirls folder and your leftover piece of light Pink CS with the Swiss Dots folder. This CS will make your Bunny.

6. This is what you need to punch out, PLUS another Scallop circle in the White CS (Sorry, missed it for the pic).

White CS-

4- Ovals

1- 2" Circle

2- Scallop Circles

1- Heart

2- 1/4" Circle (not embossed)

Pink CS-

2- Ovals

2- 3/4" Circles

1- Small Heart (embossed)

1- Small Heart (not embossed)

6- 3/16" Circles

Brown CS-

2- 3/16" Circles

3- Slithers of CS for whiskers

7. When all punched out Ink the edges with light Pink ink and put aside the plain Small Heart and one Scallop Circle. Trim the Pink Ovals down a little bit to be the inner ear of Bunny. Put bunny together to look something like this. I used dimensional tape for Bunny's mouth and nose piece. I glued the whiskers down in a criss cross layout and glued the pink nose over the top.

8. Trim a 1/4 of the leftover Scallop Circle off, sponge with Pink ink, and this is the Bunny's tail. This will be adhered to the back of the box.

9. Cover the little pink heart with glue or similar, something you use to adhere Glitter to CS. I used Crystal Effects (SU).

10. Pour Glitter over the Heart, tap off the excess glitter and then put aside to dry.

11. Adhere the Bunny to your box.

12. Attach the Tail to the other side of the box.

13. Attach the ribbon through the slots on box. I used Tape. When the Glitter Heart is dry adhere to the Bunny's ear or for something different make two of them and adhere to the Pink Circle's on Bunny's feet.

14. Put some Shredded CS or Patterned Paper inside the box with Small solid Easter Eggs or similar (I used a large Freddo Frog for the photo, I ate all the little eggs.....ssshhhh,don't tell anyone!).

Well I hope you enjoyed this months project. I also hope you have a go. I would love to see your own versions of this little beauty! It was fun to do!

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!

Thanks for dropping by! Don't forget to add us to your blogroll, or follow this blog ;)

PS Don't forget to enter the Wend challenge or to visit the Cutting cafe

We're gonna have a Parteeeee!

Thank you so much every one the survey is now closed!

ETA: Since We are only 40 followers away to show 2more snippets :)

Wanna see another, we will once we reach 1000th tonite :)

Congrats to Susana Follower #650
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Congrats to Chris Follower #900

Who is going to be 1000th ?

Please email us at Cuttlebugchallenge@gmail.com

Don't forget to enter the challenge Here :) or to visit Regina at the Cutting cafe :)


Hi Everyone:

I can't begin to tell you how giddy we feel regarding this partee of all partees!

We want to thank all of our readers for making this blog happen every week, for participating in the challenges, commenting, letting your friends know by spreading the word about us and
adding us to your blog roll and following the blog.

We want to thank you for making this blog the number One spot you stop at for great inspirations :)

Our goal is to reach 1000 followers of the blog by March 30th, so do you you think you can help us achieve this goal? Sign up on the right------->

Now, you may ask what's in it for you???
Prizes, prizes, and more prizes at 650, 700, 800, 900 posts!!!! And they are going to be Cuttlebug folder prizes!!! We know you want all of them, right?

We have a special prize for the 1000th follower! You will get a guest spot on the blog and a Cuttlebug prize pack.....wouldn't you want to be spotlighted on our inspirational blog?

On to the Partee...

Let your voice be heard, please take this survey and let Provo Craft know how you feel about the products what you are looking for..

This is your chance to voice your opinion!! We are looking for your feedback,Provo Craft are listening to what you, as a crafter really would love and want to see in their new folders!!! Take advantage of this opportunity!

The survey will take less than 2 minutes...and this survey will stay open until next Thursday :)

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228Y28HAF8X

Once you are done taking the survey, come back here, leave a comment your name email address and what country you are visiting from.

your name will be added to win the following prizes. Oh and don't forget to tell your friends about taking the survey, too. Provo Craft would like to hear from as many customers as they could, so more the merrier.
Off course the more comments we have the more prizes we will give out :)

What do you get for taking your time?
We are giving away the hard to find Swiss dot folder, or the heart combo folder or the butterfly combo folder..
Drawing will take place Friday the 4th..




Now To our loyal readers :) Here is the best part!!!! Are you ready??????

We are happy to announce Provo Craft has Authorized us to show you a snippet of one of the New a2 folders coming out in July at CHA..

Snippet # 1 Owl A2 Folder created by Kolette Hall :)




Snippet #2 Swirl Border




We ask you please do not copy this image to your blog or forum or anywhere else, rather send your readers here. :)

Now if we get to 1000 followers by Saturday Morning, we will reveal another snippet of Folders deal? So let's get everyone enroll into following our blog, as we sure would love to reveal another little snippet, we know you want to see it, right???

Don't forget our Wednesday Challenge here is Cupcake this week!

Thanks a lot,
Have a great day,
Maggie

Cuttlebug and Punches - Be inspired # 23 (Entries)

Hi Everyone:
Welcome to the most amazing entries we have received for the punches Challenge..
We want to thank all of you..for taking the time to enter the challenges and making this challenge blog the most fun we could possibly have creating these challenges for you..
We thank you for spreading a good word about us...

The winner for the Rendez vous Monday Sheetload is Sarah
Sarah please wear the badge below on your blog:)
Please send your email addy to Cuttlebugchallenge@gmail.com

We want to Thank Shaelynn for sponsoring us this week, please take the time to visit her store :) HERE

Without further Ado!
The winner of the Camera Strap is Kelly, not only did kelly create an awesome card, she used a very fun technique to create the card.
It's with pleasure Kelly recreated the technique for us..
Kelly You are Awarded The Cuttlebug Winner Badge for your blog for all to see, you are a Cuttlebug Challenge Winner!!




See below!
Let's begin!





Picket Fence Tutorial
by Kelly Landers

Many of you have probably seen the popular picket fence border punches that
are available from your retail craft stores and on the internet. Well this tutorial is
going to show you how to use another border punch that you may already have
and a Cuttlebug embossing folder to create a similar Picket Fence that you can
then add to your papercrafting projects!
Here is the card that I made my Picket Fence for…

Visit my blog for complete details about the supplies and stamps used to create this card. Kelly's blog

Supplies needed:

• Cardstock Border punch
• Paper cutter and/or scissors
• Cuttlebug Distressed Wood Embossing folder
• Cuttlebug Ruler
• Chalk or ink Adhesive Pen

Step 1:
Punch your border using the Martha Stewart punch below or a similar punch.
You could use a punch with Scallops instead of one with points for a different
looking fence!



Step 2:
Begin cutting the planks of your fence. Carefully line up your punched border so
that you are cutting down the middle of the shorter zagged point. Or if you are
using a scalloped punch then cut at the lowest point between two scallops.




Step 3:
Clean up the points of the planks by trimming off the nubs that are left!




Step 4:
Cut four pieces of crossbars using your paper cutter making them equal in width
to your fence planks. Lay them horizontally on your crafting surface and be sure
that they are horizontal and parallel to each other. Use your ruler to ensure
proper spacing and leveling. I taped my crossbars and guide to my work surface
to keep it from moving while I attached my planks. Put adhesive onto your
crossbar (side facing up) so the planks will stick to it as you place them.



Step 5:
Repeat the above step adding your second crossbar if desired. Continue adding
your planks until you have a fence piece the size needed for your project. Trim
the ends of the crossbars allowing them to overhang past the planks slightly.



Step 6:
Put your assembled fence and two remaining crossbars (if desired) into your
Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes embossing folder and run it through the Cuttlebug.
Be sure that your planks are parallel to the stripes in the folder. This will give
your fence the appearance of wood graining!



Step 7:
To complete your project, Put adhesive on the back of the two remaining
crossbars and place them on top of the fence planks directly over the bottom two
crossbars that you previously added. To add realistic details, put nail marks onto
your fence using a pen and chalk or ink your fence for shading and dimension.



Voila All done! isn't this an amazing tutorial on using your punches in unusual ways?


Don't forget to come back at 10 AM EST for our Party with fun Prizes and an amazing Announcement :)
Please don't forget to add us to your blog roll and also follow this blog :)

Please leave a comment and vote for the runner up for the Sizzix prize pack :)

Here are the other amazing entries!

Have a great day,
Maggie