Small loaded envelope to hold a gift card and small treats

 I love giving gift cards and small treats. This loaded envelope is perfect. It was inspired by the Loaded Envelope by Bree Renwick (Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team member). 

You can use cardstock, two-toned paper or designer series paper (patterned) for your envelope. Then after folding to create your envelope you can decorate the front pocket any way you like. Keep it simple or layer it up with die cuts and add in ribbon and embellishments. This size could be mailed but would require extra postage. I'll be hand delivering mine. On this envelope, I used Pool Party two-toned cardstock, Basic White cardstock, Neutrals family designer series paper (Blackberry Bliss), Peaceful Evergreens and coordinating dies and Framed & Festive stamp set (retired). The trees are stamped in Pool Party classic ink. The greetings/phrases are stamped in Blackberry Bliss classic ink. 

Measurements/Instructions:

1. Envelope: Paper is 8 1/2" x 8 1/2". Score at 2 1/4" and 6 1/4" on one side. Turn 90 degrees and score at 2 3/4" on the other side. Fold and crease score lines.
2. Fold in the 2 1/4" and 6 1/4" score lines. Fold down the top corner to the outer edge to create a "collar". I added in some patterned paper so that it shows when I fold down the "collar". Cut patterned paper 2 1/4" x 2". Adhere to the back side of the flap on each end before you fold down the corner to create the collar. 
3. Add strong adhesive (tear & tape, snail plus) along one side (on the inside of the layer) from the collar score line down to the bottom on the outer edge. You can do either side. Then fold side with adhesive on top of the other flap. This seals your front together. I liked the collar adhered down so I added a little adhesive near the corner to tack it down. 
4. Add strong adhesive to the bottom below the score line along all three outer edges. I did the length of both sides and then a smaller piece along the top.  I used tear & tape adhesive. 
5. Patterned paper layer for front pocket 3 3/4" x 2 1/2". Adhere to front pocket and decorate with die cuts or images. Add ribbon on this layer if desired. 
6. Note card for front pocket 3 3/4" x 3 1/4"
7. Note card for back pocket 3 3/4" x 5". Stamp greeting or images as desired. 

Watch the video tutorial:

Here's a few others I've made so far. You can really have fun with different color combos, your favorite stamps and greetings. This would be great for other holidays too- birthdays, weddings, graduation- any holiday you give small gifts or gift cards. I used Pool Party two-toned cardstock and color family designer series paper (neutrals and regals) on these as well. For the one on the left, I used the retired Warm Hugs stamp set and Deckled Circles dies. For the one on the right, I used Yuletide Village stamp set, a retired paper pumpkin stamp, Deckled Rectangles dies, Stylish Shapes dies (in my online store), and some retired shimmery ribbon. 

You can use whatever papers, stamps and dies/punches you have on hand. What's in your stash that you need to use?

Thanks for stopping by! Give this cute treat holder or gift card holder a try. 

Shop Stampin' Up!® products in my online store. 

Happy Stampin'

~ Beth 

Milk Carton Treat Box for Christmas

 Do you like to give treats for the holidays?

This milk carton treat box is a cute option.

I love giving treats and this milk carton treat box is super cute. You can decorate it up for all kinds of holidays too. For Christmas, they can be filled with candies or small lotions and other small items. You can also tuck in a gift card. 

Download the Milk Carton Treat Box tutorial with all the measurements. 

Here's some other boxes I made. I love making them for all the different people I give small gifts to. 

You can keep it really simple and let the designer series paper (patterned paper) be the focal point or you can layer it up with images and die cuts. Have fun with it. Get out all your favorite papers and stamps and create some beautiful treat boxes. 

Here are some milk carton treat boxes I've made in the past for Halloween and Christmas. I hope this inspires you to give it a try.

Details:

1. Pick a good cardstock for your box/carton. I used Stampin' Up! cardstock. Base is 8 1/2" x 10 1/2". You can adjust this size to your need.
2. Score 10 ½” side at 3”, 5”, 8”, & 10”
3. Score 8 ½” side at ½”, 2” & 6 ½”. ½” & 2” score lines become the top milk carton. 6 ½” score line becomes the bottom.
4. Layer for front (2 options): 1: 5 ¾” x 2 ¾”- covers the top part of the box. 2: 4 ¼” x 2 ¾”- fits below the score line that makes the milk carton top.
5. Side Layers: 4 ¼” x 1 ¾” (2)
6. Back layer: 4 ¼” x 2 ¾” (optional to make it same as front)
7. See Video for cutting instructions or diagram on the downloadable pdf above.
8. Add strong adhesive to the shaded flaps.
9. Adhere layers before building treat box.
10. Adhere bottom last. Fold back flap in. Then fold side flaps in. Last fold front flap.
11. Punch holds for ribbon (optional). Fill with treats and tie ribbon around top. 

**Covering the sides and back are optional.  

Add in layers and die cuts to decorate the front of your box any way you like or keep it simple and let the designer series paper (patterns) do all the work. 

front

side

side

back

Check the video for my Milk Carton Treat Box

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my milk carton treat box. I hope you love all the ideas and give this a try. 

Happy stampin'

~ Beth

Christmas "postage stamp" card #2

 Are you inspired by beautiful postage stamps? I love getting the pretty stamps all year long but winter stamps seem to be my favorite. There's just something about glistening snow. Beautiful winter and holiday stamps have inspired this technique of creating a layer that looks like a postage stamp. It's simple really. All I did was alter my postage die cut with a pencil, ruler and a marker. The Perennial Postage dies have several sizes. My favorite sizes are the largest and second largest. 

To create this look, you trace a line about 1/4" from the edge of the die cut. I like to use my grid paper and a ruler to help make my lines straight. I use pencil first to draw in the lines. Once I have my pencil lines drawn, I stamp inside the border.  When you're done stamping, you use your ruler again and a marker to trace the lines, stopping where they intersect. This creates a dark border around the stamped images.

*Note: If you're images go beyond the pencil marks, use a post-it note or masking paper to protect the edge of your die cut. You don't want to stamp outside the pencil marks. 

You can create a scene like I did on this card or you can stamp whatever Christmas, holiday or winter images you want. I used some of my retired favorites- Spirited Snowmen and Coming Home. The greeting is from an older paper pumpkin stamp set- November 2015. So grab your favorite winter stamps and enjoy the creative process. Mix and Match sets to create beautiful layers for your "postage stamps". 

My snowman and trees are stamped in Basic Gray classic ink. I colored my images, snow drifts, and frozen pond with Stampin' Blends markers. You can pick any color combo. I used a classic Christmas combo of Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Old Olive and Mossy Meadow. Then I added in a few other colors to help complete my scene. For the snow and shadows I used Gray Granite. I found I liked this gray the best for my snow. I used light Balmy Blue for my frozen pond and as a little pop of color for my snow. I used the color lifter to soften edges and help smooth out areas. The color lifter moves the ink around and pushes it through your paper. Once I was done coloring, I stamped the greeting in Smoky Slate classic ink. 

For this card, I decided to get a bit creative and only make my lines about an inch long from each corner. Then I added in dots. I used a ruler to get them even.  To trace over the pencil marks, I recommend a Stampin' Write marker. These are the same formula as the classic inks and work well with Stampin' Blends markers. After I finished and let it sit for just a few minutes to make sure my marks were dry, I used an eraser to remove any leftover pencil marks. 

Up-close of the lines drawn in to create a border around my winter scene.

After I finished coloring and drawing in my lines, I added some white dots. I used an Artistro white paint marker pen. You can also use a white colored pencil, watercolor pencil or gel pen. The paint pen needs a little time to dry. Once it's dry, adhere it to your card base. My layer is adhered to a Real Red card base. I just love this festive color combo. You can stamp a little tree or add some fun patterned paper on the inside to finish off your card. 

I've really enjoyed creating many cards with this technique. It's simple but it gives my die cut definition and helps step-up a one layer card.  The possibilities are endless. 

Measurements:

• Card base: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". Score long side at 4 1/4"
• Perennial Postage die cut: largest die (scene stamped in landscape)
• Inside Basic White layer: 5 1/4" x 4"

Stampin' Blends used:

1. Cherry Cobbler
2. Real Red
3. Old Olive
4. Mossy Meadow
5. Gray Granite
6. light Balmy Blue
7. Natural Tones 900 (cheeks and nose)
8. Color lifter

Here's another card I did with this technique. Check out the video to see how I added the decorative lines and dots border to my layer. 

Do you want to see how to do the whole card start to finish? Check out this blog post with video. 

If you need any Stampin' Up! products or would like to browse, head over to my online store.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my card. I love the postage stamp look. I hope you'll give it a try. 

~ Beth 

Christmas "postage stamp" card

 Are you inspired by beautiful postage stamps? I love getting the pretty stamps all year long but winter stamps seem to be my favorite. There's just something about glistening snow. Beautiful winter and holiday stamps have inspired this technique of creating a layer that looks like a postage stamp. It's simple really. All I did was alter my postage die cut with a pencil, ruler and a marker. The Perennial Postage dies have several sizes. My favorite sizes are the largest and second largest. 

After drawing in my guide lines, I stamp my images or scene inside the lines. For this postage stamp card, I used Spirited Snowman and Coming Home stamp sets. They are retired but still part of my stash and used often for winter scenes. My images are stamped in Basic Gray classic ink. Then colored with Stampin' Blends markers. The snow drifts and pond edges are drawn in with a dark Gray Granite stampin' blend marker. After doing several snowman cards, I really liked the look of Gray Granite for the snow. I went over top of the dark Gray Granite with the light Gray Granite stampin' blend marker. To smooth the edges of my scene lines, I went over them with the color lifter. This helps smooth the edges as well as lighten the color by pushing some of it through your paper. The frozen pond is colored with a light Balmy Blue stampin' blend marker and the color lifter over the edges to smooth out the lines. I used Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, light Gray Granite, light Balmy Blue and the Natural Tones 900 stampin blends markers to color in my snowman and trees. I go over how I colored my snowman and used the color lifter to lighten the gray color in my YouTube tutorial video. After I was done coloring my scene, I used a white paint marker pen to add in various sized white dots. I love the feel it gives the snowy scene and it makes the snowman appear to sparkle. I learned this technique for Alyce over at Kit and Clowder. Check out her coloring videos. 

After I'm all done stamping and coloring my layer. I use my ruler again and trace over my pencil lines with a Stampin' Write marker. I use Basic Black or Basic Gray, however, you could use any color you want. If you don't have fine tip markers, you could use a dark colored pencil. I have used a sharpie marker too but be careful if you do your lines before stamping and coloring. The sharpie may react with Stampin' Blends markers. 

All my snowman/snowgal cards turned out a little different. I've really been enjoying making a variety of these cards. 

You can use whatever stamps you have on hand. Another option for the border (if you are worried about drawing in those dark lines) is stamping in a line. I found a few "lines" in some of my sets like Light the Sky. Photopolymer stamps can be manipulated a little bit and I was able to straighten out a slightly curved line stamp to use it for my stamped border. You can also change up the color and add even more fun to your layer. I really like keeping it simple and stamping the greeting in the scene somewhere or leaving a greeting off all together. The layer is packed with texture. 

    

        

I decided to try doing some decorative lines and dots too. I love how this turned out. Get creative with your border.  

Check out my tutorial video for how I did my guidelines and finished my border. 

Measurements:

1. 1. Card base 5 1/4" x 8 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" (or folded in half)
2. 2. Layer is Basic White die cut with either #1 or #2 Perennial Postage die *I number my dies largest is 1. 
3. 3. Inside layer is Basic White 5" x 3 3/4"

Details:

• Stamps used: Spirited Snowman, Coming Home and November 2015 paper pumpkin (greeting). 
• Stampin' Blends Markers for the card in the video: Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Gray Granite, light Balmy Blue, Natural Tones 900 and color lifter
• Classic inks: Basic Gray and Smoky Slate

Want to see some new holiday favorites that you can use with this type of card? Check out my online store.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my postage stamp cards. Please leave a comment if you've tried this or need more info. 

Enjoy your day!

~ Beth

See-through Card front with Vellum

 Who doesn't love a fun, unique, see-through 

Christmas card?

This is a fun technique and it creates a WOW card. You can pair any stamp sets and greetings you have on hand with a vellum layer. I love using this technique to create wintry scenes. The embossed Vellum adds loads of texture and detail to your see-through layer. 

For this card, I used Yuletide Village and Trucking Along stamp sets to create a cute little holiday scene. The image outlines are stamped in Basic Gray classic ink. The truck is a two-step stamp so I stamped the solid truck in Cherry Cobbler. I absolutely love this classic truck image. The Yuletide Village trees and houses are colored with Stampin' Blends markers in Smoky Slate, Pool Party, Pretty Peacock and Cherry Cobbler. The greeting comes from Trucking Along and is stamped in Pretty Peacock classic ink. 

After I stamped my layers, I used a Basic Gray Stampin' Write marker to create snowy hills and land lines. This helps separate the white layers a bit. I used light Smoky Slate blend marker to create some snowy shadows and then lightened and softened the edges with the color lifter blend marker. The lines are also a cutting guide for the layer. I used snips to cut around the drawn lines and stamped images. I only cut along the top part of the layer. 

Because the vellum is slick and we embossed it, you'll want to use a strong adhesive. I recommend tear & tape for the top flap that holds the vellum layer. For the bottom layers I used liquid glue. You could also use Seal + adhesive. 

Did you notice my fun color combo? Cherry Cobbler, Pool Party, Pretty Peacock, Smoky Slate and Basic Gray. Give it a try. I love it with any wintry theme. 

Measurements and cutting instructions:

1. Cut base 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", score at 4 1/4". Slide base down and cut at 4 3/4". This creates the 1/2" flap for your tape to hold vellum layer.

2. Use remainder cardstock from base to create a layer. Stamp as desired and cut or die cut around the top edge. *see video

3. Cut another layer for front. 5 1/2" x 2 1/2" (or desired height)

4. Cut cardstock layer for backside/bottom of vellum 5 1/2" x 2"

For all the stamping, cutting and assembly instructions, check out the video:

Supplies Used:

• Yuletide Village and Trucking Along stamp sets
• Cardstocks: Basic White and Vellum (retired SU)
• Classic inks: Basic Gray, Cherry Cobbler and Pretty Peacock
• Stampin' Blends Markers: Cherry Cobbler, Pool Party, Pretty Peacock, Smoky Slate and color lifter
• Stampin' Write Marker: Basic Gray
• Tools: Cut & Emboss machine, Softly Falling embossing folder (retired), trimmer and snips
• Embellishment: Wink of Stella
• Adhesives: Tear & Tape and liquid glue

I hope you'll give this technique a try. Enjoy! You can find Stampin' Up! products in my Online Store.

Happy Stampin!

~ Beth

Whimsical Color Combo with Winterly Tree Tops

 Do you like to try different color combos?

Here's a whimsical color combo for you.

Petal Pink, Soft Sea Foam, Pool Party and Pretty Peacock make a soft, whimsical color combo with a little pop. I like to add in some neutrals to complete my color combo. I usually add in Basic Gray, Basic White and Smoky Slate. What neutrals would you add?

The birds from Winterly Tree Tops were perfect for this whimsical and fun color combo. They were stamped in Basic Gray classic ink and colored with Smoky Slate and Pool Party Stampin' blends markers. Adding layers is a great way to bring in the different colors in the combo. I love the bold Pretty Peacock card base. It helps draw attention to the soft colors and add a fun pop of color. The berries were colored with Petal Pink and Soft Sea Foam blends and the branch was colored with Smoky Slate blends. I added some light Pool Party blend marker to my Basic White rectangle. Then I smoothed the edges with my color lifter blend marker. 

For this card and layout, I wanted to add a small greeting (Artful Amaryllis) so the birds remained the focal point. It is stamped in Pretty Peacock classic ink. I am a big fan of using general greetings like Hello. The card can be for any occasion. I love this Petal Pink polka dot patterned paper. It's from the Flowering Zinnias designer series paper. The Soft Sea Foam die cut banner helps add a little color between the layers. 

Recreate this card with your own supplies.

Measurements:

• Card base: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Designer Series paper layer: 5 1/4" x 3"
• Die cut rectangle: 1 3/4" x 3 1/4" (Everyday Details dies)
• Die cut banner: 2 3/8" x 1 5/8" (Nested Essentials dies)
• Greeting: 1/4" x 3/4"- adjust to fit your greeting
• Die cut birds from Winterly Tree Tops. Use whatever images and dies you have to create this layer.
• Inside layer" 5" x 3 3/4"

You can view the Stampin' Up! products I used here.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you give this color combo a try.

Enjoy!

~ Beth

Make 5 cards with a 6" x 12" piece of patterned paper

 Do you get paper shares? I find myself wondering what to do with the 6" x 12" sheets and how to cut them up the best way to maximize them. After all, we want to use most of it with little waste. 

I love chopping up my patterned paper based off a template. This set of cards was made with a template I created for my 6" x 12" sheet.  

Download the One Sheet Wonder template 5 and use it with your favorite patterned papers. The pdf has all the measurements. 

You can keep the cards simple if the patterned paper is really busy or layer them up with fun and beautiful images and die cuts. 

I really like using this template for busy patterns that you may feel nervous about cutting or wonder how to use it and tone it down. This one sheet wonder 6" x 12" version is great. I hope you give it a try.

Grab this paper or browse my online store for more Stampin' Up! products for your crafting adventures. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog and checking out my cards. 

~ Beth