Romantic Gypsy Caravan Gift Box - Trimcraft DT

Hello, back with another catch up post, the First Edition papers are the perfect quality and weight for 3D paper crafting projects. I found the ‘Sweet Nothings’ papers perfect for this gypsy caravan gift box, with it’s romantic florals, soft spring colours and those fabulous wood pattern papers!  I have a video to show the caravan inside and out, link here: https://youtu.be/nxw_SIvG2yU

Step By Step:

This project has been cut on the Cricut Explore using Design Space images.  (Although I have cut this project on my Explore, a similar design could be made manually by adapting a box, shape the top sides and add a roof. Glue box onto larger card base and add wheels)

I chose the plain wood effect papers to construct the base of the box, as this was also double sided with a lovely rose print for the inside of the box.

The main top body of the caravan using the matching wood effect paper that has the rose pattern on it, which gives the appearance of stencilled flowers on the caravan.

For the wheels I cut an extra set to double them up and give extra strength, this also gave the wheels a pink paper backing to match the front.

Wheels have been attached using little brads (or split pins) the heads are hidden behind the little hearts which have been glued onto the head of the brad after assemble.

I’ve kept the decorations simple but you could really have fun dressing this one up, perhaps adding trailing flowers, etc. I have used the solid roof for the caravan but you could you the slotted roof option that would allow little notes to be posted into the box, idea for weddings etc.

To see the project in better detail, I have a video link here: https://youtu.be/nxw_SIvG2yU

This project also appears in my Trimcraft DT Gallery link here: www.thecraftblog.com/inspiration/romantic-gypsy-caravan-gift-box

Products Used:

First Edition Sweet Nothings Papers 12 x 12 – FEPAD143

4 small brads or split pins

Cricut Explore

Cricut Design Space file free with access

Adhesives: Clear Drying glue, Perma fix tape,

Easter Chick Gift Box

Hello, Easter is approaching fast and the Papermilldirect DT are working on Easter Projects.   This week I’ve chosen to work with a pattern that is suitable for all crafters to use.  This file includes PDF versions of the patterns so that you can print out a template and cut by hand if you prefer (Cutting files in different formats are also included for those with cutting machines).  The file set is called ‘Trio of Chicks’ (all links at end of post) and has a card, tag and matching box and of course works beautifully with the Papermilldirect cards whether you are machine cutting or using scissors.

I cut the 2 main box pieces and 2 egg shell tops from Papermilldirect White Linen card to give a lovely texture to the egg.  The chick has been cut from Papermilldirect coloured cardstocks in Daffodil Yellow and Mandarin Orange, with black card for the eyes (or use googly eyes if you prefer).

The egg themed box is really easy to assemble, score along the fold lines and attach the 2 pieces together at the tabs using double sided tape or glue.

You can leave the chick as plain card or add some texture as I have done here by using embossing folders for the chick’s body, wings and feet.  Applying distress inks really helps to define the shapes and highlight the embossing too.

The egg shell tops are glued in place to the top of the chicks head, use one for the front and one for the back, lining them up at a jaunty angle.  Use 3D foam pads to attach the chick body inside the box, being careful to only apply foam at the bottom section, so it won’t show over the box.  Add the beak using 3D foam pads.

Next attach the orange feet to the front of the box, again using 3D foam pads to give depth, so they look to be coming out from the egg.  Attach the wings in place on the chick’s body and add the eyes to complete the face.  I decided to use googly eyes to add extra character.

Your little Easter gift box is now ready to be filled with Easter treats.  I added some coloured tissue papers to nestle some chocolate eggs upon. I think this would make a lovely project to make with your children too, especially as the shapes are easy to cut out with scissors and it's easy to assemble, they could have lots of fun decorating and filling them with treats.

Materials List:
White Linen Card – Papermilldirect
Daffodill Yellow Card – Papermilldirect
Mandarin Orange Card – Papemilldirect
Black Card - Papermilldirect
Trio of Chicks – cutting files incl. PDF – My Scrap Chick
Embossing Folders - Swirls, & Dots - Cuttlebug
Distress Inks - Spiced Marmalade, Tea Dye, Black Soot
Googly Eyes, Coloured Tissue, Chocolate Eggs
Double Sided Tape, Cosmic Shimmer Clear Glue, 3D foam pads

This project also appears on the Papermilldirect Inspire blog link here: https://www.papermilldirect.co.uk/inspire/post/easter-chick-gift-box

Be Mine - Fun Valentine Gift Box Idea

Hello, the Papermilldirect DT have been busy creating all different kinds of gift boxes this week and I'm sharing a fun gift box idea for Valentine’s Day.  Although I have used my Cricut Explore to cut the box for this project, you could easily use the elements to decorate a plain box blank or score and fold a box similar and use heart shapes to decorate.

Cut box shape elements using my Design Space link here: https://uk.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/35853997

I have sized the box to fit A4 card all ready for you but you can easily change the dimensions if you wish.  (For those using earlier Cricut machines the box is from ‘Box It Up’ cartridge and also available free within the subscription images)  Cut the 2 side sections and lid from Papermilldirect White Hammered cardstock and the 5 red panels from Papermilldirect Post Box Red card.  Remember to pop the scorer into the holder if you want your machine to add the score lines for you.

Crease and fold lid along score lines, add glue or tape to inside of lid and adhere the red panel to show through the heart aperture.  Glue tabs to assemble box lid.

Crease and fold along score lines for the 2 box side sections, glue tabs to join panels together.

Slip the 4 red card sections into the side ‘pockets’ to show through the small heart apertures on each side of the box.  You can glue these in place if you prefer.

Fold over tabs at the bottom of box to close it.  If you wish to line the box you can add a square of red card or pattern paper inside.

Apply washi tape around the lid of the box, I have chosen a gold tape with white dots.

Using the First Edition Vintage Gentleman die set cut 1 curly moustache shape from papermilldirect black card and glue onto heart.  Add 2 googly eyes to create a fun face on the lid.

Using a sentiment stamp set and black ink, stamp ‘Be Mine’ onto white hammered card, cut out and glue to box lid.   Cover a small piece of red card with the gold washi tape and die cut into a heart.  Glue heart to box lid as shown.

As the box is a simple 2 part box shape you could easily score and fold your own using Papermilldirect cardstock.  I chose to use hammered card to give texture to the box but you could use Papermilldirect plain white card or even another colour from across the range.  You could also use templates or dies to cut your heart shapes.  Googly eyes add a fun element and come in different sizes, styles and colours so you can add lots of character to your designs, why not make a set of different ones?

Are you making gift boxes for Valentine’s Day?  Why not share your designs over on the Papermilldirect facebook page, we’d love to see them.

Materials Used:
White Hammered Card - Papermilldirect
Post Box Red Card - Papermilldirect
Black Card - Papermilldirect
Vintage Gentleman Die Set - First Edition
Sweet Little Sentiments stamp set - Clearly Besotted
Gold Washi Tape, Googly Eyes
Cosmic Shimmer Clear Drying Glue
Black Archival Ink
Cricut Explore with subscription or older cricut with 'Box it Up' images
Design Space Link:https://uk.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/35853997
 

Papermill Design Team:
if you have a moment, please do pop over and check out the other papermill teamies blogs and see what they got up to this week: 

• Barbara 
• Lisa 
• Ruth 
• Sylvia 
• Sandie
• Nessa 
• Nicole 
• Wendy
• Papermilldirect Inspire Blog  

Christmas Snowflake Gift bag with Papermilldirect

Hello, firstly apologies for my lack of posts over the last couple of weeks, I've not been feeling 100% but I'm back in blogland and trying to catch up, so first up here's a little gift bag, one of my Design Team makes for Papermill, it’s a simple make and easily adapted to use any ribbons, dies or colour-schemes you have in mind.  I’ve chosen the Papermilldirect Ultra White Pearlised paper for this gift bag as the weight is ideal, strong enough to hold its scores (and treats of of course) and yet easy to pinch in for the sides. The pretty shimmery finish is perfect for festive makes adding a touch of luxury to your gift giving.  These bags are easy and quick to make so they are perfect for batch making.  I have used folds and ribbon to seal the bags, simply undo the ribbon at the back to release the folded section of the bag.  You could also seal the back with a little festive sticker or label if you prefer.

To create the Gift Bag: Take a sheet of A4 Ultra White Pearlised paper and trim to measure 21cm x 28cm.

Using a scoreboard position paper with long side across the top and score down at 6m intervals to give 4 score lines and an extra 2.5cm section at the end (this will be a joining tab later)

Now turn paper so short side is across the top and score a line at 6cm down.  This will give a row of squares.

Use scissors or craft knife to cut each score line on the squares just up to the 6cm score line to give 4 equal squares and 1 smaller rectangle.  Cut away the smaller rectangle completely.

Crease each score line of the whole sheet and form the bottom squares into tabs as you would if making a box.  I used double sided tape to adhere each flap on top of another.  When gift box bottom is completed add tape or glue to the smaller side panel and adhere this panel in place behind the next panel to enclose the sides.  Then pinch in the sides to create the gift bag shape.

Pop your gifts or treats into the bag and squeeze the top together, turn over the top once or twice to the back and you can add a sticky label at the back to seal it if desired or seal with the ribbon trim as I have done here.

For the ribbon trim, take a length of Christmas ribbon (my sentiment ribbon reads ‘Do Not Open Until Dec 25th).  Add strong doubles sided tape to the back and apply ribbon around the top of the bag with joint at the back.  Add another length of ribbon to go up the front of the back (parcel style) again using strong double sided tape to attach.  Take another length of ribbon and trim ends, form a loop and attach to top right of ribbon band.

Die-cut 3 small snowflakes and glue flat to the gift bag at the bottom to add extra interest and texture. 

To finish, Die cut and layer snowflakes as desired from PMD Ultra White Pearlised Paper and PMD Post Box Red Card.  Use 3D foam pads to create dimension when layering.  Add a clear sparkly adhesive gem in the centre to top off the snowflake.

Materials Used:
Ultra White Pearlised Paper – Papermilldirect
Post Box Red Card - Papermilldirect
Spellbinders Shapeabilities Create a Flake three #S4-340
Cuttlebug Snowflake #2 – Provocraft
Adhesives: Double Sided Tape, 3D foam pads, glue
Xmas Ribbon, Sparkly adhesive gem

Papermill Design Team:
if you have a moment, please do pop over and check out the other papermill teamies blogs and see what they got up to this week: 

• Barbara 
• Lisa 
• Ruth 
• Sylvia 
• Sandie
• Nessa 
• Nicole
• Papermilldirect Inspire Blog  

Making Gift Boxes with Papermill Direct

Waving hello and welcome to another week, another month in fact  and another blog post from me.  This time the +papermilldirect DT theme is Gift Boxes and I have created two different styles which will work for all sorts of occasions.

But first, of course, I have Special Offer News, this week is it a rather sumptuous 270gsm Emerald card stock, such a beautiful green colour I expect this one will sell out quickly especially at just £3-96 for a small A4 box size.  Link Here:   

Thanks Gift Box
This little pear shaped gift box is easy to fill and secure using the two little holes at the top to thread ribbon through. The cutting file is found within the subscription images available within Design Space (or if you have the cartridge and / or a different Cricut machine, the cartridge is called ‘Fancy Boxes’). I chose Papermill’s Raspberry Pink card to create a bright gift box and the letters cut out to spell Thanks show the contrasting panel. I chose to cut the inner panel in a pearlescent white paper and then ran it through my Big Shot using a Dots embossing folder to add some texture to the words. The box is easy to put together and features a choice of two cutting files, one is a single piece to fit a 12x12 card and the other is in 2 pieces so it can easily be used with A4 card. I chose to use A4 and only needed to add a strip of double sided tape to one panel to assemble. To finish I added one large clear adhesive gem at the top and 3 smaller clear gems along the flourish just under the Thanks wording. The top of the box was thread with sheer white organza ribbon and tied in a bow.

Candy Box Gift Box
The sweetie shaped Candy Box has been cut on the Cricut Explore using a cutting file purchased from MyScrapChick, (files are on special offer at the moment for just $1). I chose Papermill’s Pale Turquoise card for the main body of the gift box. The software cuts the score lines for you, or you can do as I did and change the cut score lines to basic score lines that use the Cricut Scoring Tool, I prefer the look of the score line. The Candy Box file comes with a straight edged wrap but I wanted to add a more decorative effect, so I searched the Subscription Images and found a lace border which I then resized to fit the box. The lace border did have extra eyelet holes in the centre but I decided I would prefer it plain, so I easily removed them by simply selecting some basic circle shapes to fit over the eyelet holes, when all were covered I selected ‘weld’ and the circles disappeared leaving me with the plain inner to the lace that I required. I cut the lace wrap from papermill's pretty pearlised paper.

Once cut I went over the score lines with a bone folder to crease a bit more firmly and then assembled the box using a little cosmic shimmer glue. Using distress ink in ‘Broken China’ I inked around the blue card to emphasise the shape a little. The lace border was attached around the centre using double sided tape and a strip of patterned paper cut from 'Bright Spark' collection was added on top. To finish pink & white twine was doubled up and tied in a bow at each end.

Materials Used:
PMD Raspberry Pink Card - Papermilldirect

PMD Pale Turquoise Card - Papermilldirect

PMD Pearlised Paper - Papermilldirect
Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder
Clear sparkly adhesive Gems
White organza ribbon, Pink & White Twine 

Double Sided Tape, Cosmic Shimmer GlueDovecraft Bright Spark patterned paper
Broken China Distress Ink

Cricut Explore
(Pear shaped Thanks Box file from Subscription Images)

(Candy Boxes cutting file from MyScrapChick) 

(Lace doily wrap created in Design Space from subscription Image)

Papermill Design Team:
if you have a moment, please do pop over and check out the other papermill teamies blogs and see what they got up to this week: 

• Barbara 
• Lisa 
• Ruth 
• Sylvia 
• Sandie
• Craig 
• Papermilldirect Inspire Blog 

A Mother's Day Gift Box - with Papermilldirect

Hello, today I'd like to share this Mother’s Day Gift Box with you.  I’ve sized this box so that you can pop all sorts of goodies inside, and  if you want to make an extra special gift it is the perfect size for you to fill with 3” square handmade notecards.

As it is also my turn to Blog on the Papermilldirect Inspire Blog  this week I thought I would use this week's Special Offer card, which is a  lovely Cream card in 300gsm  - at just £19 for  an A4 Midi Box

I decided to make the Gift Box using a scoring board and scissors rather then rely on my Electric cutter.  Sometimes it's nice just to get back to basics once in a while.  I did however use a manual die cutter and dies and a border punch to create the decorative panels.  I do like to stamp and so combined a pretty feminine stamp with the cream card and coloured using promarkers.

I have included a materials list, measurements, and lots of pics to show a step by step to create this Gift Box over on my Papermill Inspire Blog post (link here)

Please do pop over and take a look, let me know your thoughts, do you make your own gift boxes?, perhaps you have ideas for things to put into the box? 

 * Please Note - This weeks Materials List is over at the Papermill Inspire Blog link above


Papermill Design Team:
if you have a moment, please do pop over and check out the other papermill teamies blogs and see what they got up to this week: 
Barbara 
Lisa  
Sylvia  
Sandie   
Craig