Bag instructions.

As promised here are the instructions for the bags I posted yesterday. I couldn't resist decorating a few as I have some birthdays coming up which I can use them for.

Nifty hey? And a good way to use all those scraps

First cut your paper to 21 cm x 30 cm. Then score the long edge at 14 cm and 28 cm.

Turn and score halfway down at 2 cm and all the way down at 19 cm. Cut away the shaded areas. The angles don't have to be an exact degree. Then fold the dotted lines and glue.

 Cut the flap in a curve shape with fancy scissors and you're done.

I live a tiny walk away from Abakhan who are having a pre sale evening tonight with cake and wine so guess where I'm going??

Finished box.

I finished the little box I started on Thursday. I can see a little scraggy bit on the top corner which needs to be snipped off, lol.

The paper is Papermania Home for Christmas. The stamp is also from a papermania clear set. I bought it from the Docrafts website a while ago for the princely sum of 75p and it has been so useful. The box is quite simple and masculine, deffo one for the boys. Just need to find something to put in it now.

 Another beautiful day here in Chester, I think a wander around town is "on the cards" later, lol.

                                See you soon .     Di.xx

Box under construction.

I was perusing a really good blog called Flutterby Atomic Butterfly and loved Kelly's latest box. I set about making one but i couldn't understand the instructions ( well i did after a while) so i decided to just do my own thing.I started with an A4 sheet of card and trimmed the longer length to 11".

Place card horizontally on your score board and score at 2", 5", 7" and 10". Turn card around ( guess who didn't take a photo of this bit) and score at 11/2", 5" and 7".

With the smallest section on the right cut out to match the above pic ,then score and fold also as above.Sorry about the slightly vague instructions but between mine and Kelly's you should be able to make sense of it all.

This is how it looks when assembled. It doesn't look much at the moment but as mother says, unfinished things are for fools and children to see. I will decorate it on sunday morning and upload it when it's done.

 see you soon. Di, xx

Target weight 9st 2 lb. This mornings weight still 9st 2lb despite my "feeders" trying to fatten me up. Phew!!

Notecard gift bag tutorial.

I've just spent ages looking for a tutorial for this little bag on the net but couldn't find one the same so I've  thrown a few photos together.

You'll need a piece of card 71/2" x 101/2" to fit 4"x4" note cards. If you're going to alter the size learn from me and measure the envelopes, not the cards!

Place card in landscape position and score at 41/2" and 6".

Turn and score at 11/2" and 6". Fold all score lines.

Glue A to B on both sides as shown , then glue C to A.

Easy peasy! now you can decorate your bag, if you're going to do lots of matting etc it's easier to do it before gluing while it's still flat.

I've used grossgrain ribbon for the handles as it's slightly stiffer than ordinary ribbon. the stamp is by Inkadinkado. I cut my own 4"x4" cards and get the envies from the papermill shop.
For more inspiration check out the SCS gallery here. There is a link to how to make the flower under "tutorials" in my sidebar.

Little gift bag tutorial.

First let me give you a link to where i got the idea for these little bags from. Carrie has used a big shot die for her bag but they are easy enough to make without one. You don't really need a scorepal either it just makes it a bit easier.

You will need a piece of A5 card, printed or plain.

Place in landscape position and score at 1", 4",5" and 8".

 Turn and score at 11/2"  and 5".

With the small margin to the left cut where I've drawn bold lines then fold and crease along the dotted lines.

If I'm a good enough teacher this is what it should look like.

Put double sided tape where shown (you will need the narrow stuff for the side) and stick down to make a basic box shape.

Excuse the camera shake, not easy taking pics with one hand. Pinch both sides in at the top and crease about three quarters of the way down the bag. All measurements can be adjusted to make bigger bags but I was being greedy and wanted to get 2 out of an A4 sheet.

And here's the finished bag. I made mine from the music printed card i got from Payperbox while i was away. A bit of inking round the edges to make it look old and a circular greeting from a papemania clear set. I made the paper flower out of a plain 1" circle punch as i didn't have a small scalloped one, worked out O.K. though. I used a bit of self adhesive velcro to keep it closed.  This size of bag is perfect for giving a bracelet or necklace wrapped in tissue paper. I used to make jewellery in another life and have still got loads of beads left so I think I may have a play with them before Crimbo.

 Phew, that took ages I hope I haven't missed any bits out (!) if I have let me know.  Di.xx

Wow!! How cool is this!!

D'ya know what there's some clever sods out there.Me and Speedy have different sleep requirements i.e i need about 5 hours a night and he needs about 10. This means i get 5 hours extra to stalk peoples galleries and blogs. Well i was doing a bit of stalking and through SCS gallery i found a site called Learn to stamp and scrap with Lynn Larson.The reason i went to her site was to check out some Flowers she'd made and blow me there was a tutorial! Now i've seen these type of flowers before but theres something different about hers.I'll show you my first attempt but you'll have to visit her blog to see whats so different.

I have made a box which has been sitting around waiting for me to find a suitable finishing touch and these are just what i need. I'll finish it off and blog it tomorrow. Pardon ? What?  Oh you want the link. O.K. it's HERE.

Milk Cartons.Mooooo!!

Unaccustomed as I am..... I've done a little tutorial for these milk cartons because although there is one on SCS. it's a bit more complicated.

Take a piece of card 6"x83/4" .Score it at 2", 4", 6", 8".

Turn it the other way and score at 1" and 4". Fold all score lines and crease well with a bone folder then cut between creases at bottom edge (you can just about see in pic).This is the best time to decorate your box while it's still flat. Join down the side seem with DST.  EDIT. my original post said 2" and 4" .Oops that was wrong apologies to anyone who tried to make one with those measurements.

Fold the bottom flaps up and adhere with DST or glue (not sellotape please!)

Use both hands at once to do this(,unless there's a camera in the other one) push the sides in whilst closing the top together. Try and keep it central and press the box downwards slightly to create the carton shape.
Always practice on cheap card first.

Sweet or what??? I got the little paperclips at Wilkinson's, can't remember how much but very cheap, chocs are Tesco £1 for a net.
                     Thanks for looking, now go and get making!!    Di. xxx