WRAP IT UP! CREATE BOXES FOR SMALL GIFTS, CANDIES, & STOCKING STUFFERS; A TINSEL TIME TUESDAY POST

 Hi Stampers!

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And now…. let’s talk about today’s project!

Welcome to the next to the last Tinsel Time Tuesday for the 2021 Holiday Season! Since 4 August I have shared ideas for Holiday cards, gift tags, and gift card holders. I know all of you have created absolutely amazing cards to send Christmas greetings to your family and friends. So, today we are pivoting from creating cards to creating gift packaging. Today’s project uses a Mini Paper Pumpkin Box. (These are found on page 137 of the Stampin’ Up!®️ Annual Catalog.) If you do not have the Mini Paper Pumpkin Boxes no worries, I have an alternative box for you. Both boxes are the perfect size for the Stampin’ Up! Note Cards, gift tags, candies, a fun pair of Holiday socks, a pair of gloves, and many other treats and stocking stuffers. Let’s take a look at the box.

The design on the box was created by stamping the snowman images, masking them, and spritzing the entire box with a mixture of reinker and alcohol. After allowing the piece to dry, the snowman arms and snowflakes were stamped on the box. Finally the box was assembled and I added a tag and ribbon. Page down to view a video tutorial.

SUPPLIES & INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINI PAPER PUMPKIN BOX GIFT PACKAGING

* Mini Paper Pumpkin Box

* SNOWMAN SEASON stamp set

*SNOWMAN BUILDER PUNCH

* 10 snowman masks made using the punch and scrap cardstock.

* Stampin’ Spritzer

* Isopropyl Alcohol

* Balmy Blue Reinker

* Remove lid and spray top from Stampin’ Spritzer and put 6-7 drops of reinker into the Stampin’ Spritzer.

* Add the alcohol , leave a bit of room at the top. Replace the spray top.

* Shake gently to mix the ink and alcohol.

* Stamp the snowman image several times on the box using the Memento Tuxedo Black ink. (The shiny side is the inside of the box. Do not stamp on it.)

* Use the Pumpkin Pie (dark) Stampin’ Blend to color the noses, the Flirty Flamingo (light) for the cheeks, and the Balmy Blue (light) to add shading to each snowman.

* Cover your work area with grid paper or scrap paper. Place your box in the center of the paper.

* Place the masks over the stamped images. (You can use a low tack adhesive to hold the masks in place if you like.)

* Begin spritzing the box. If the color is not deep enough you can add a couple more drops of reinker to the Stampin’ Spritzer. Continue spritzing until the entire box is colored.

* Remove the masks and allow the piece to dry. It will air dry in less than 5 minutes. Drying time depends on the amount of liquid spritzed onto the piece. You can speed up drying time by using a heat tool.

* Stamp the snowman arms with the Tuxedo Black. Use the two snowflake images and Balmy Blue ink to fill in spaces between the snowmen and to add images to the sides and ends of the box. Assemble the box.

Your box is now ready to fill with goodies and gifts of your choice. Add ribbon and a tag to make it even more festive!

If you do not have the Mini Paper Pumpkin Boxes you can use cardstock to create a similar box the same size as the Mini Paper Pumpkin Box. 

For my box I use Basic White (thick) cardstock for the top and Balmy Blue cardstock for the bottom. You can use Basic White (thick) for both top and bottom if you like. I decorated the top of the box exactly the same as the Mini Paper Pumpkin Box. If you decide to use Basic White (thick) for the box bottom you can decorate it too.

SUPPLIES FOR THE BOX

* Cardstock for box bottom cut at 7 1/2” x 5 3/4” and scored on each side at 1”.

* Cardstock for box top (Basic White - thick) cut at 7 9/16” x 5 13/16” and scored at 1” on each side.

NOTE - I know 16th’s of an inch can be a little difficult to figure out sometimes, so here is where to find the 16th’s needed for the box top:

* 7 9/16” - the 9/16th is the first line after the 7 1/2” mark.

* 5 13/16th’s is the first line after the 5 3/4” mark.

* Stamp, mask, and spritz box top. Remove masks, and allow to dry.

* Add color to the snowman images with Stampin’ Write Markers. ( The color from the alcohol based Stampin’ Blends will bleed through the cardstock.) I used Pumpkin Pie for the noses and Blushing Bride for the cheeks. 

* The chart below shows where to cut. The dotted green lines indicate where you can miter the tabs if you like. Mitering prevents the edges of the tabs from sticking up over the edge of the box.

* For the top and bottom of the box fold along the score lines.

* Cut along the cut lines and miter if you like. 

* Place Tear & Tape or Stampin’ Seal +on the right side (top side) of the cut (and mitered) tabs.

* Adhere tabs to box sides.

(Click to enlarge.)

* Place the top on the bottom of the box. You can fill you box with candies, gift tags, note cards, or other treats. Add ribbon and tags to embellish the box.

GIFT BOX VIDEO TUTORIAL

* Other Image Options 

   - Penguin Place stamp set and Penguin Builder punch

   - Peaceful Deer stamp set and Deer Builder punch

   - Perfect.y Plaid stamp set and Pine Tree punch

NOTECARD THANK YOU SHOWN IN VIDEO

(Note cards & envelopes fit perfectly inside boxes.)

TO CREATE THIS NOTECARD

* Basic White notecard and envelope

* Basic White cardstock cut at 4 3/4” x 3 1/4”

* Balmy Blue cardstock cut at 4 7/8” x 3 3/8”

* Mask - printer paper or cardstock cut at 4 3/4” x 3 1/4”. Use the second largest Layering Circle die to cut a hole centered about 1/2” from the top of the paper.

* Second mask - punch a snowman from the printer paper or cardstock.

* Low tack tape and repositional adhesive to hold masks in place.

* Balmy Blue ink

* Memento Tuxedo Black ink

* Blending Brush or sponge dauber

* Place full mask (with circle cut out) over the Basic White cardstock and use the Tuxedo Black ink to stamp the snowman near the bottom of the circle. Cover the stamped image with the snowman mask.

* Use the Balmy Blue ink and blending brush (or sponge dauber)to add color to the exposed cardstock.

* Remove the masks. Add arms and color to the snowman. 

* Use the snowflake images and Balmy Blue ink to fill in inked area around the snowman.

* Use Tuxedo Black ink to stamp greeting of choice centered under the focal image.

* Adhere the focal piece to the Balmy Blue mat.

* Adhere this piece to the notecard.

* Stamp a few snowflakes on one corner of the envelope.

Make several of these and place them inside your box as a gift for friends or family.

That is it for today. Thank you for taking a peek. Join me next Tuesday for the final edition of Tinsel Time Tuesday for 2021! Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

http://greatinkspirations.stampinup.net

On You Tube - Kimberly Tolbert / Greatinkspirations

Contact - greatinkspirations@gmail.com

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990-2021 STAMPIN’ UP!®️

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TAG IT! USE YOUR DIES & PUNCHES TO CREATE FESTIVE GIFT TAGS: A TINSEL TIME TUESDAY POST

 Hi Stampers!

A few days ago my sister texted and informed me Christmas is100 days away. I felt a wave of panic pass through my body! There is a lot to do between now and December 25th! My Christmas card stash is growing, and I am on track to have plenty of cards by 1 December. I have made a list of possible gifts, but of course I have done no shopping. I do need to do a bit of shopping soon as my son and his family live overseas.  I have made some tags, but not nearly enough. So… I decided I still have a few days before I need to get serious about gifts, and decided to design some tags, and share them with you. 

I used dies and punches for the images on all the tags. For all the tag bases I used two dies from the TAILOR MADE TAGS (Stampin’ Up!®️ 2021-2022 Annual Catalog). For these tags I also used a bit more of my specialty papers, gems / embellishments, ribbon, and the tag bases were all cut from cardstock I had precut for card bases. Let’s take a look at the tags:

LET IT SNOW TAG

FRONT & BACK OF TAG

SUPPLIES FOR THIS TAG

* Snowman Season stamp set.

* Pool Party cardstock 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” for tag bases.

* Basic White cardstock about 5” x 2” to die cut two 1 5/8” diameter circles.

* Pumpkin Pie cardstock about 1 1/2” x 2” to die cut one 1 1/8” diameter circle.

* Dies shown in the photo below - tag die and the coordinating die that cuts the reenforcement piece, two dies from the Layering Circles Dies 1 5/8” diameter and 1 1/8” diameter. (You can also use circle punches - 1 1/2” and 1” will work just fine.)

NOTE - The photo below shows how I cut 4 tag bases and the reenforcement pieces from 1/2 sheet of cardstock (8 1/2” x 5 1/2”). The reenforcement die cuts three images. I used two on each tag, one on each side of the hole in the tag.  I ran the die through the machine 3 times for enough reinforcements for four tag.

* Inks - Pool Party, Real Red; Wink of Stella; Black Stampin’ Write Marker; Flirty Flamingo (light) Stampin’ Blend, and Stampin’ Blends Color Lifter.

* Ribbon - White Organdy Glittered Ribbon and/ or Pool Party Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - about 6-7 inches per tag.

* Adhesive of choice (for me the liquid glue worked best for this project), and glue dots.

ASSEMBLY

* Do all the die cutting.

* Cut each of the two Basic White circles in half for snowman heads.

* Cut the Pumpkin Pie circle in half then cut four wedges for snowman carrot noses from one of the halves. 

* Use a glue dot to attach the carrot noses to the center top of the snowman head. Use the Basic Black marker to create the snowman’s mouth. Use the Flirty Flamingo (light) Stampin’ Blend to add cheeks. Go over the cheeks with the Color Lifter.

* Use a snowflake stamp and Pool Party ink to add a snowflake background to the tag - on both sides of the tag.  (I used the image from the Penguin Place on my tags, but you can use the one in the Snowman Season set, or any one you have.)

* Use the Real Red ink to stamp the greeting (Let It Snow) on the front side of the tag, and to stamp the “to/from” on the reverse side.

* Adhere the snowman face to the bottom of the tag along the die cut stitching line.

* Go over the snowman’s face and nose with Wink of Stella. 

* Use liquid glue to add the reenforcement pieces to the top of the card on the front and back. (You can skip this if you like, but the die cut piece makes the tag look more finished and it reenforcement the hole keeping the ribbon from tearing the tag.)

* Fold the ribbon in half, then fold it in half again, and thread it through the die cut hole, pull the two ends through  the ribbon’s loop, and pull. Trim ends.

PINE TREE TAG

FRONT & BACK OF TAG

SUPPLIES FOR THIS TAG

* Stamp sets - Penguin Place and Banner Year.

* Pine Tree Punch

* Scraps of DSP- pattern(s) of choice. I used patterns from 2021-23 In Color 6” x 6” DSP Assortment in Soft Succulent and Tidings of Christmas - Pine Cone, Holly, and Greenery pattern in Soft Succulent.

* For these tags I used one of the Basic White card bases from my stash. This piece is cut at 11” x 4 1/4”. As you can see from the photo below, I was able to cut 5 tags from this orientation. I needed10 of the reenforcements. I was able to cut nine from one end of the cardstock, the positioned the die cut just one of the items from the cardstock by positioning the die along the edge.

* Ink - Real Red

* Embellishments - In Color Sheer Ribbon in Soft Succulent, gems, pearls, rhinestones of choice, 3 per tag. (I used a variety - all are found in the Annual Catalog - Metallic Pearls in silver, Holiday Rhinestones - Coastal Cabana, Genial Gems - Mint Macaron, Blue Adhesive Backed Gems, and 2021-2023 In Color Jewels in Soft Succulent.)

* Adhesive of choice.

ASSEMBLY

* Die cut the tags and the reenforcements; punch out the trees.

* Stamp the greeting on the front of the tag near the top with Real Red ink, and stamp the To/From (Banner Year) on the backside of the tag.

* Adhere the trees to the tags. Adhere the reenforcements to the tag.

* Add the ribbon just as for the snowman tag.

* Add 3 gems to each tag.

PENGUIN TAG

FRONT AND BACK OF TAG

SUPPLIES FOR THIS TAG

* Penguin Place Bundle - Penguin Place stamp set and Penguin Builder Punch

* For Unto Us stamp set.

* Balmy Blue cardstock for tag bases cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”.

* Scraps of Basic Black, Basic White, and Mango Melody.

NOTE - this card base from my stash had been scored and folded. I could not die cut it the same way I did for the snowman tag as the score line would have run through one of the tag bases. I was still able to get four tags from the cardstock as you can see in the photo below.

* Specialty Papers - Black Glimmer Paper, Rainbow Glimmer Paper (Annual Catalog) - you will need the area that is green, blue, purple, and a small piece that is the darker yellow-orange color, Snowy White Velvet paper. (You will need small scraps of these for each tag.)

* Inks - Balmy Blue, Night of Navy, Mango Melody, Memento Tuxedo Black; Wink of Stella and White Stampin’ Chalk Marker.

* Other - Basic Borders Dies - the one that sort of looks like clouds or bubbles; White Glittered Organdy Ribbon, Simply Elegant Trim - silver - 6 or so inches of each.

* Liquid adhesive (this worked best for me), glue dots, and dimensionals.

ASSEMBLY

* Die cut the tag pieces and die cut two each, 1 3/4” square pieces of the Velvet paper and the Rainbow shimmer paper (green/blue/purple) along the top edge with the border die. ( I angled the die just a little bit.)

* Punch out the penguins - 2 penguins Basic Black, Basic Whire, and Mango Melody, and 2 penguins with Black Glimmer paper, Basic White cardstock, and the dark yellow/ orange portion of the Rainbow Glimmer paper.

* Use Balmy Blue ink and stamp the snowflake images on the front of the tag. Stamp the greeting (from For Unto Us) with Night of Navy. Stamp the To/From on the back of the tag. 

* On the Basic White layer of the penguins use the Memento Tuxedo Black ink to stamp the eyes, and Mango Melody to stamp the Beal. Use the chalk marker and add a little dot to the eyes to add a bit of personality to the penguin . 

* Assemble the penguins and place dimensionals on the back.

* Adhere the Rainbow Glimmer paper or the velvet paper to the tag along the bottom of the tag just above the stitching.

* Add the reenforcement pieces as for previous tags. 

Add the penguin. 

* Add the ribbon or trim as for the previous tags. (I used the glittered ribbon for the tags on which I used glimmer papers and the Simply Elegant trim with the other design.)

With each step written out it seems like these tags take forever to make, but they don’t. It took me just under an hour to make these tags. The Tailor Made Tags Dies made it so easy to create the tags. There is another tag design, and several tag sizes included in the set of dies. I almost passed on purchasing them. I am so glad I changed my mind!

HOLIDAY TAG TIPS VIDEO

That is all for the edition of Tinsel Time Tuesday. Be sure to check in next Tuesday when we will be hanging our stockings with flair! Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990-2021 Stampin’ Up!®️

WHEN YOU NEED MULTIPLES OF A CARD, GIVE THIS SNOWMAN SEASON CARD A TRY: A TINSEL TIME TUESDAY POST

Hi Stampers!

Today’s post is about making multiples of a single card design. There are several occasions when multiples of a card design may be necessary, or a better option - party, shower, or wedding invitations, thank you cards for a specific occasion, Christmas cards, etc. Even though multiple cards of the same design might be the best option, it is not my favorite thing. I have found a process to help me approach the project in an organized and focused manner, and before I know it the cards are finished. I am sharing the process I use. It is what works for me. Maybe it will work for you too. 

(Page down to view video for tips on assembling this card design.)

STEP 1 - DESIGN THE CARD

* Decide on a stamp set(s) and if you will use a punch / dies, etc.

* Select a color scheme

* Decide on the type of card - fun fold, shaker card, etc.

* What embellishments might be used (sometimes I need to make the card before deciding on this)

* Sketch out the card - be sure to jot down cutting measurements for cardstock, colors of ink used, etc.

* Make the card (I call this card the prototype; my husband find that humorous for some reason.😁)

* Decide if you like the card as is or if it needs tweaked a bit. 

(I use this step with every card I make.)

Here is the card I designed:

I used the SNOWMAN SEASON stamp set (Annual Catalog):

And the SNOWMAN BUILDER PUNCH (Annual Catalog):

And one stamp from the PENGUIN PLACE stamp set (Mini Catalog):

Here is my prototype:

STEP 2 - GATHER SUPPLIES / CUT CARDSTOCK

(The stamp set/sets, punches, dies, etc have been selected, so are not included in this list.)

* I start with cutting my card bases, layering pieces, cardstock for stamping, etc. The amount needed will of course depend on the number of cards you will be making. (I made 5 copies of the card, so I will give the amounts for 5 cards.)

- 5 Balmy Blue card bases each cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” , scored and folded at 4 1/4”.

- 5 pieces of Basic White cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4” (panel for inside card.)

- 5 pieces of Basic White cardstock cut at 4 1/4” x 3” (focal panel)

- 5 pieces of Red Foil (or Real Red cardstock) cut at 4 3/8” x 3 1/8” to mat focal panel

- Strip of Basic White cardstock 11” x 1 1/2” to stamp 5 snowman images

- Strip of Basic White cardstock about 5” x 1” to stamp 5 hats.

- Scrap of Smoky Slate cardstock to punch out snowman arms.

* Now gather inks, markers, or other coloring tools.

- Real Red, Balmy Blue, and Memento Tuxedo Black ink pads.

- Stampin’ Blends - Flirty Flamingo (light), Shaded Spruce (light), Real Red (dark), Pumpkin Pie (dark), 

Smoky Slate(dark), Balmy Blue (light), and the Color Lifter.

All of my adhesives are easily accessible at my work area, if yours are not collect adhesive of choice, glue dots (3 per card), and dimensionals (3-4 per card).

STEP 3 - DO THE STAMPING

* Stamp the card bases. Add the snowflakes image to the upper left corner and lower right corner of the card bases with Balmy Blue ink. (I forgot to photograph the stamped card base. Refer to the finished card to see where I stamped the snowflake image on the card base. Watch the video to see a little tip for placement.)

* Stamp all the inside panels. Use Balmy Blue to stamp the snowflakes image in the upper left corner and the lower left corner . Use Real Red ink and stamp the sentiment centered just below the snowflakes in the upper left corner.

* Stamp all the focal panels. Stamp the snowline swoosh with Balmy Blue about 1” - 1 1/2” from the bottom of the card. Stamp the snowflake image with Balmy Blue 3 times. (Refer to card photo for placement.) Finally, Stamp the Merry Christmas in Real Red under the snowline.

* Stamp the snowman images and the hat images - then use the Stampin’ Blends to add color to the snowmen and the hats. (In the video I state which colors I used where, and demonstrate how I added a bit more shadowing to the snowman image.)

- 5 snowmen will fit on the 11” x 1 1/2” piece of Basic White cardstock, and 5+ hats will fit on the 5” x 1” piece. 

STEP 4 - PUNCHING & /OR DIE CUTTING

* I used the STITCHED RECTANGLES DIE (3 3/4” x 2 3/8”) to cut the center from the Red Foil to use on another project. You can use any die or punch you like as long as there is enough of an edge to adhere the focal panel to the foil and allow the focal panel to hide the hole. 

* Punch out the snowman images (Watch video for tip.)

* Punch out the hats.

* Punch out 5 sets of snowman arms.

STEP 5 - ASSEMBLE THE CARD

* Build the snowmen! Use glue dots to attach the hat and arms. Place dimensionals on the back side of the snowmen.

* Adhere the focal panels to the Red Foil (or Real Red cardstock) mats.

* Adhere these panels  to the card bases. (Watch video for placement tip.)

* Remove the backing from the dimensionals, and position the snowmen on the cards.

* Adhere the inside panels to the inside of the cards.

TOTALLY OPTIONAL

* Add Wink of Stella to the snowflakes and snow men for a bit of shimmer!

STEP 6 - CELEBRATE, THE MULTIPLE COPIES OF THE CARD DESIGN ARE COMPLETE!

VIDEO:  WHEN YOU NEED MULTIPLES OF A CARD

That is all for this edition of Tinsel Time Tuesday. Thanks for stopping by. Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990-2021 Stampin’ Up!®️