I’ve been busy creating different types of boxes and gift bags - I find they are just a nice way to ‘wrap’ a present or to start a conversation about classes.

These are three I’ve done over the last week. These are so fun to make and you can turn them into a gift bag or pop a few cards in there as the present - anything really.

This bag was done from an online tutorial by Paula Goff and you can find the Easy Box Tutorial here.

The base of this gift bag is Old Olive (dont you just love that colour?) and the paper is from Brocade Backgrounds Designer Series Paper pack (12 yummy double sided papers for just $11.95)

This one can also be converted to a little box to hold a few 4×4 cards - so I might make up one of those when I have finished that.

This one is a gorgeous item called a box in a bagor was it a bag in a box?

See can you tell I’ve lost the plot today?? lol However I DO know where the tutorial for this one is!! Its at Diana Gibbs blog and its a Box in a Bag - odd name I know but it all becomes clear as you make this bag and it is rather easy to make!

For mine I’ve used Purely Pomegranate cardstock and the gorgeous Berry Bliss designer Series Papers.

Do you see the ribbon? thats the very lovely new Chocolate Chip Satin ribbon available in the new Mini Spring Catalogue starting August 1st. I’ve also used the Boho Blossoms Punch (another in the Spring Mini Catalogue you’ll need) with Pretty in Pink and Purely Pomegranate to make the little accents on the front.

Now for my last little piece - I just love this little box and yes its a nice simple one too!

After making that Fold out Brag Book yesterday I decided to explore Dawn’s blog - she’s one of the gals from UStamp and she has some lovely stuff there and there is also a tutorial for this Super Cute Box on her blog.

Here’s my Super Cute Box made in Blue Bayou Cardstock and using papers from the Fall Flowers Designer Series Pack. The Accent is made using the Boho Backgrounds stamp set and various punches and tied around some Double Stitched Blue Bayou ribbon.

I’ve popped in some little treats into a baggie and tied it up with some more Double Stitched Blue Bayou ribbon and made a tag using the Tags for All Set (available in the Spring Mini Catalogue) and coloured them direct onto rubber with my markers and then used the ‘for you’ from Occassional Greetings set.

Something tells me your going to need to cut down that money tree so you can get all the lovely new goodies coming in the new Spring Mini Catalogue.

Maybe you had also better grab your diary and your phone and ring me to book your demo in before I’m all booked out!

I know its been a few days since I posted and I do apologise for that but I have been working on these gorgeous little pocket books!

A friend (thanks Vicki) shared what she had made with her Scor-pal and being that I got one recently I thought I just had to try her tutorial - and all it takes is one sheet of 12×12 and a dash of inspiration.

So I grabbed an old sheet of 12×12 and realised how easy these little books are I had to make some with our lovely new Designer Series papers!

This one uses the lovely Fall Flowers Papers and I’ve made it into a Mother’s Day Card which I will add some tags for myself and my girls to write on for mum and also pop in a few recent photo’s of us all.

Recipe:
Stamps: Wonderful Favourites, Baroque Motifs
Papers: Fall Flowers, Old Olive Cardstock, Soft Sky Cardstock
Inks: Old Olive, Versamark
Accessories: Stampamajig, Pretties Kit, Stitched In Colour Ribbons, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Ribbon Originals - Theatre, Bind it All & wires.

This one is done with the Spring Flowers Papers and would make a great gift for a friend. You could use it as an encouragement booklet with uplifting sayings or quotes and a little note to tell them why you appreciate them and their friendship - or just as an encouragement if they are going through a rough time or for no reason at all!

Recipe:
Stamps: Simply Said
Papers: Spring Showers Designer Series Paper, Bashful Blue Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock
Inks: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Stampin Write Markers, Grosgrain Ribbons, Stitched In Colour Ribbons, Gingham Ribbon, Bind it All & wires.

Now this one just has to be my favourite - its using the Berry Bliss papers and how could you go wrong with Pink & Brown??

Recipe:
Papers: Berry Bliss Designer Series Papers, Pretty In Pink Cardstock, Very Vanilla Cardstock, Chocolate Chip Cardstock
Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Priceless, Simply Said, Beautiful Life, God’s Blessings, Be Happy, Garden Whimsy, Polka Dot & Paisley and Simply Said - it sound like alot of sets but most were for different sayings.
Inks: Versamark, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Apricot Appeal, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Very Vanilla & Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin Pastels, Stampin Write Markers, Brads, Grosgrain Ribbon, Ribbon Originals - Theatre, Stampin Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers, Circle Punches

I just love this one - I’ve used the Berry Bliss with a combination of stamp sets and techniques. These books have 8 pockets so I’ve made 4 tags to pop inside so you will have one tag and one photo per double page opening.

I would just love to show you how to make these in a class and I know your mums or friends would just love them too!

So ring me today to arrange a date - quick Mother’s Day is only 8 days away!!

Dont have time for a class before Mother’s day? then contact me for details for a kit or a pre-made one.

Well its a known fact that one should not rely on their memory when preparing for a class and I am living proof! So my tip for today is

Check your Diary!

I have been working on these cards this week in preparation for my Stamp a Stack on Saturday - I go to my diary today and it says “Longtime Friend” and “Touch of Nature” I’m like nooooooooooooooooo it cant be … it seems that my sister is having Longtime Friend and Stem Silhouettes for her Stamp a Stack next week!

I got the idea for these lovely cards from Jayne Mercer - a lovely lady and friend who does such awesome work! When I saw them on her blog I thought oh how stunning and simple - a great combination for a Stamp a Stack! Jayne used the Whisper White Craft ink on her cards where I have used the versamark - I love the subtle watermark versamark gives and if you decide its not enough you can just ‘pop’ the images with some Stampin’ Pastels - how easy!

As you can see here the cards are stamped on the base and there are just two layers and two ink pads used. The wide grosgrain just makes these cards!

Now you may like to make this set of cards and a gift bag or box to put them in as a class - contact me today and we will get you booked in!

The set used is Stem Silhouettes (not to be confused with Touch of Nature) and is in the Summer Mini Catalogue, as is the wide grosgrain ribbon, which finishes 31st March so if you would like to buy this gorgeous stamp set or the ribbon you will need to do so before the end of March.

However, if you buy it before the end of February and your order comes to $100 (before postage & handling) you can then choose one of the Sale-a-bration sets for free! and who doesnt want free stamps??

For more information on the classes and workshops I offer please either email me or ring me and we can discuss and time and date that suites you!

Why not ask me about buying the Stamps, Inks, Ribbon and cardstock in a kit? complete with instructions and the template for a box or bag.