DIY: Altered Kraft Paper Gift Boxes

Kraft paper boxes are the perfect blank canvas for altering.  They make great little gift boxes too!

Scrapbook Layout: Banners, Doilies and Paper Flowers

This one was so fun to make!  Little bits if this and little bits of that went into the design.  I am so smitten with blue and orange this year!

First I glued down (Hot Glue) the home banner I made for Eddie's home coming.  You can find the full tutorial here.  

Scrapbook Layout for HSN: Burlap Flowers, Smash and Woodgrain Chipboard Letters

It is a full day of paper crafts at studio Cathie and Steve.  We are in big time prep for our new scrapbooking shows at HSN. (May 10th and 11th)  When we developed Hot Glue Gun Helpers it was because we wanted to help prevent burns and cross hot glue into other craft categories...like paper arts and mixed media.  So when we got the news that our tools would be moving to the scrapbbook shows we were beyond thrilled! 

The flowers are from my supply shop but they can easily be whipped up with either glue or by sewing.  (I'll have a full tutorial on them in a few weeks.)

I like to use a ruler to line up chipboard letters.  These letters are by K&Company and are from the Edamame line.

Using the Hot Glue Gun Helpers tweezer helps prevent burns!

The finger caps make gluing ribbon a snap!

I cut a square of paper and punched the edges. 

The papers are by Die Cuts with a View and are from the Be Mine Stack. 

The punch is from Marvy.

Next, I added a paper border to the square.  The handwriting paper is one of our new designs for Mod Podge and will be available in Michaels in JUNE.  I used some decorative scissors to add a wave edge.

I attached with Hot Glue.

I added a little lacy trim to the center of the burlap flower.

I added some ribbon trim to the paper.

I added some paper flowers.  They are from my supply shop.

I used the tweezer to set the rhinestones.

I used a quote sheet from a Smash Quote stack.  I just love them!!! I used the paddle to attach with Hot Glue.  This tool helps prevent glue wrinkles.  Works with lots of different glues.

 

I used the press wand to glue the leather flower.  (the flower is from my stash - I think it was from a broken bracelet.)  The paper tags are from my stash too.  

 Lastly, I added more embellishments... buttons, resin flowers and more gems!

Enjoy~

Cathie

For more project ideas....watch my segments on HSN.  May 10th at 5am Eastern (Anna Griffin is in my hour too) and May 11th at Noon Eastern.

Test Drive: The Unibind Photobook Creator

What a fun day!  We got to take a test drive of the Unibind Photobook Creator with the fabulous Ken Oliver. 

You can create photo albums with printed photos or create art books/ altered books with scrapbook papers, recycled papers or canvas fabrics.

Enjoy the Test drive! XO Cathie

Make it: Recycled Card Ornament

Re-craft the stacks of holiday cards from years past.... and make.....ORNAMENTS! They are simple to make and after you make just one ornament you will have the hang of it!

Materials:
several used greeting or note cards
2-1/2" punch, or a glass with a 2-1/2" base for tracing
pencil
small scrap of cardboard
ruler
glue stick
binder clips
hole punch
decorative ribbon
optional -- bone folder

1. Use the 2-1/2" punch (or trace a 2-1/2" glass base) to punch 20 circles from assorted cards. 2. Using a ruler and pencil, draw a triangle measuring 2-1/8" on all sides on a scrap of cardboard; cut out the triangle to use as a template.


3. Trace the triangle onto the back of each greeting card circle and score each circle along the triangle lines using a bone folder or ruler. The circle should fold so the printed sides of each circle are on the interior of a small triangle-bowl shape.

4. Using five of the scored circles, glue stick the flap of one circle to the flap of another, continuing with all five circles to form a star shape. Clamp together with binder clips and let dry for 15 minutes.

5. Working with 10 more greeting card circles for the middle layer, glue the flaps to the bottom layer flaps, clamp and let dry.


6. Use the last five greeting card circles to form a top layer. Glue, clamp and dry.
7. Punch one extended flap with the hole punch, thread a length of decorative ribbon and hang.

Make This: An Organic Family Tree

 Make This: An Organic Family Tree

It’s a whole new take on the family tree, as we sink a real tree branch into plaster of Paris and decorate it with cherished family photos.

Supplies:
Plaster Of Paris Hobby & Craft Dry Mix 4.4 lb
Cold Water
Disposable Paint Stick
Mixing Bucket
Decorative Container – No holes in the bottom
Various twigs and branches – ones with multiple leads work best
Ranger Ink Memory Glass
Ranger Ink Memory Frames
Scrap ribbon
Scrapbook paper
Family photos
Additional paper embellishments
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Moss or grass
Glue Stick

Let's Make it!

1. Use the mixing bucket and mix the Plaster of Paris as instructed on the package.

 

2. Fill the decorative container with the Plaster of Paris and stick in the twigs. Tape them to the bucket if you need extra stability. Allow 30 minutes for it to dry.

3. Building the Frames: Trace 2 pieces of the scrapbook paper to the size of the slide and cut them out.

 

4. Using one of the pieces as a base, layer and glue stick on additional papers with names, birthdays, quotes, etc., just like a mini scrapbook page and allow to dry.  Glue stick the remaining scrapbook paper to the other side so that you have a backing.

5. Sandwich between the two pieces of glass, then slide them into the frame.  Add a bit of ribbon to the wire loop to create a hanger. Hang the frame on the tree. Repeat for all your family members.

6. Fill the decorative container with moss to cover the plaster.

paper crafts archive

Paper Making 101

Silhouette Cutting

Wax Sealing 101

Origami Folded Boxes

Recycled Card Ornament

Indian Paper Poms

Funky Folded Envelopes

Recycled Paper Bowls

Paper Altered Plates

Shipping Tag Scrapbook

Notebook Re-Vamp

Ticket Bowls

Tutorial: Super Girly Card with Hot Glue Gun Helpers!

Super Girly Card with Hot Glue Gun Helpers!

See the tools in action!!

The finger caps helps prevent burns when gluing ribbons and pressing!

Glue two ribbons and clip the ends.

The press wand's carved tip allows you to smear hot glue!

Glue punched papers together.

The Press Wand, keeps your fingers out of the glue!

The paddle allows for a soft press - so your petals don't get smashed!

The non-stick tweezers help with delicate items.

The Press Wand's carved tip, plumps paper flowers when you press in the center.

Tweezers are perfect for setting stones!

The blunt end of the Press Wand is perfect for a flat press!

Craft This: Family Recipe Box

Keep those legendary family recipes organized with an easy-to-make recipe box you can customize to your heart’s content.

Supplies:
Wood recipe card box
Folkart Acrylic Craft paint
Foam brush
Rub-on letter transfers (for monogram)
4 Large Beads
E6000 glue
Drawer Pull
Hand Drill
Large tree stamp
Small acorn stamp
Stamp ink
Craft paper
Decoupage
Popsicle stick

Steps:
1. Paint box with craft paint (add two coats and dry between coats)

2. Stamp the tree design on a piece of craft paper.  Cut it out and let dry.

3. Center the handle on the top of the box and use a pencil to mark the drill holes. Drill the holes in the top of the box and attach the handle.

4. Place your stamped image on front of box to find positioning. Bend cutout along seam where the lid and bottom half of box meet. Cut along seam so that the tree cut out has a top and bottom.  Decoupage the top of tree cutout to top front of box, and bottom of tree cutout to bottom front of box so that the tree design appears to be one cohesive cutout.

5. Place your monogram transfer side down and rub with a Popsicle stick. Make sure the entire thing changes color or else you won’t get a complete transfer.

6. Turn the box over and use E6000 to attach 4 large wood beads to be the feet of the box. Allow to dry.