Hello, Friends! Evergreens take center stage on this Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Card. Is there anything more beautiful than snow covered pine branches? Or anything more fragrant than freshly cut pine boughs? I think not.
Tan Checkerboard Satin Ribbon adds elegance to this Winter Botanic Paper from Stamperia.
TIP: Layer 3/8″ Pine Cone Satin Ribbon over 1/2″ Brown/Cream Tartan Plaid ribbon to add another layer of texture and pattern to the card design.
TIP: Create dimension, texture and shine with a snowflake ornament layer behind the focal image. Heat emboss a chipboard snowflake with Antique Gold Embossing Enamel. Then cut the snowflake in half and use as a border along the right hand side of the card.
A bit of Natural Burlap String adds rustic charm to the pine cone baubles suspended from the sentiment stick.
A Peek Inside
What do you do when designer paper features a gorgeous wintry scene that is too wide for your card base?
Score in a flap! Now you can see the entire scene. Plus you can use the flap as a hiding spot for a chocolate treat!
Create a little gift card wallet from your scraps. It tucks perfectly into the pocket along with a journal card from the paper collection. Add a photo or a personal note to the back side of the journal card.
Many of us are mailing gifts this year. This little gift card wallet makes the presentation really special.
I hope I’ve shared some trips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your next crafty adventure. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
Would you like to see more projects made with this lovely collection? Please click HERE.
Hello, Friends! Let’s start the week off beautifully with a Stamperia Winter Botanic Photo Folio. If you love poinsettias (and I do!) and you love Old World style (yes, that, too!) then I think you will love this project.
When I was a little girl, my grandmother decorated her Christmas tree each year with bubble lights. I can remember thinking that they were the most magical ornaments I’d ever seen. Some sort of liquid in the lights bubbled up inside a candle shaped bulb. Here’s a picture I found on Pinterest.
Something about the cover on this 7″ x 6″ x 1″ folio reminds me of those bubble lights. Not sure why, but I love that it does!
Winter Botanic Photo Folio Cover
First, create a 7″ x 6″ x 1″ folio base by joining panels of cardstock together. (You can find a tutorial for a similar folio base HERE. The dimensions are different, but the basic construction is the same.)
Now back the frame with clear cardstock. Adhere with Dries Clear Adhesive and let set.
Then attach 3 layers of 1/8″ foam strips around the perimeter of the frame.
Layer panels of designer paper alternately with red, green and gold cardstock. The final panel is a card front cut from the Winter Botanic paper collection. Place your shaker mix in the center of this image.
Now press the frame in place.
Heat Emboss Reneabouquets Snowflakes and the Holly Flourish Garland with Dazzling Diamonds. Layer these on the frame and tuck in with the Floral Cluster.
The Spine and Back Cover
Wrap the spine with fabric to strengthen it. This festive burlap panel adds texture and shine, too. Punch a hole at the top and thread through a little clock key and some Glass Fairy Orbs.
TIP: Layer scraps of patterned paper on the back cover to create a Christmas quilt.
A Peek Inside
Finish the inside of the photo folio in any way you wish. I chose to add a belted waterfall feature on the left and a box pocket on the right. However, you could easily add the waterfall to both sides of the album.
The patterns in this collection are so very beautiful that I did not embellish them in any way.
Create a pocket behind the waterfall. This is a great place to tuck in more photos and a little accordion style folio.
To make this folio, simply cut this panel from the 12×12 pad. Then score between the images. Fold and hold it in place with a little paper clip embellishment.
There is loads of room in the box pocket to add little gifts. I stitched up a quick bookmark. Then I added a crocheted snowflake ornament, demitasse spoone, cookie, peppermint stick, and other treats inside.
I had enough scraps left over to make an additional photo wallet.
Stamperia Winter Botanic Photo Folio Video Tour
If you would like to see this project in live action, I’ve created a short video tour with tips and tricks for you.
I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use when making your own Christmas gifts. I think this folio would also make a great little recipe album! Once the treats are gone from the pockets, you can tuck recipes in their place. It would also make a wonderful Heritage Christmas Folio. How would you use it? I’d love to hear in the comment section below.
Stamperia Winter Botanic Gift Box Folio Tutorial: Papercrafting 101/Pockets
Hello, Friends! This Stamperia Winter Botanic Gift Box Folio Tutorial is an answer to your requests. You all loved this Stamperia Make a Wish Gift Box folio I shared a while ago. So in the spirit of Christmas, I decided to combine that tutorial with my promise to do a Papercrafting 101 installment focusing on pockets. Hey, it’s holiday crunch time, so I am trying to do double duty here!
In the tutorial below, you will learn how to create the folio base from 2 sheets of 8 1/2″ x 11″ cream cardstock. I’ll also show you how to add magnets for the closure, how to create quick and easy pockets, and how to make large image paper work in this small 4 1/4″ x 5″ format. The great thing about this style of folio is that it is quick to make, easy to adapt and wonderful to give as a gift for any occasion.
Stamperia Winter Botanic Gift Box Folio Tutorial: Shake it Up!
To create the shaker frame for the folio cover, follow these steps:
First heat emboss a Renea Bouquet Snowflake Frame with WOW Vintage Champagne Embossing Powder.
Next, use the largest Spellbinder’s Small Standard Circle Die to cut clear acrylic cardstock. Adhere this piece to the back side of the frame using Dries Clear Adhesive.
Then, place 3 layers of Darice Foam Strips on the back side of the snowflake frame.
Now, Die cut the winter bird circle from the Winter Botanic Paper collection. Back it with dimensionals and adhere to the prepared folio base.
Next, fill the center of the frame with a mixture of sequins, beads, buttons and half pearls. About 2 Tablespoons of filler is plenty.
Align the frame over the image and press gently to seal.
Add a Moss Green Shimmer Satin Bow, flowers and pearls to the folio cover.
TIP: If your shaker has a “leaky” spot where elements are escaping, you can seal the gap with Dries Clear Adhesive. It works like a charm.
Stamperia Winter Botanic Gift Box Tutorial: A Peek Inside
This sweet folio has pockets….
…folio inserts and pull out pages…
and a gorgeous selection of gifts. What a great way to send cheer in the middle of winter! There are more surprises waiting to be revealed in the project tour and tutorial below.
Stamperia Winter Botanic Gift Box Folio Tutorial on YouTube
I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
And if you’d like to purchase this gift box folio, you can find itin my ETSY SHOP.
Hello, Friends! Today marks the beginning of a new challenge over on the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog. I’ve created this Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box to go along with the Christmas Gifts theme that our hostess, Maggi, has chosen for the challenge. We’ll take a look at it in a minute, but first let’s see what she has to say about the challenge guidelines.
Challenge Theme: Tis the Season for Gift Giving!
It’s that time of the year where we’re all thinking about the perfect gift for our friends and families! For this challenge, create a vintage or shabby chic gift for a special someone in your life. Your gift could be a simple as a handmade card or tag, or an elaborate piece of home decor. Maybe you like to place your gifts in handmade boxes? Your imagination is the only limit on this challenge!
Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: The Inspiration
Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: The Box
I happen to have a love for pretty boxes. So much so that my family saves interesting boxes for me to alter. I have a box full of them in the Closet of Shame. Since so many of us give gift cards for Christmas, I thought it would be fun to create a really beautiful box that could house a gift card. That was my original intent. But when I began digging through the COS, I found a Tim Holtz 6″ x 9″ x 1″ Configurations Box that I’d forgotten all about. All the little boxes inside were missing (what on earth did I do with those???) but the box itself was perfect for my new and improved plan.
Paint the box with Candied Apple Distress Paint. Then add a layer of Distress Crazing Medium. When that has dried, rub on some Black Soot Distress Stain, wiping off with a paper towel after about 10 seconds. Then tap/brush an Embossing Dabber along the edges and sides of the box. Sprinkle on Seth Apter Ancient Amber Baked Texture to add that holiday touch of gold.
I adhered a vintage silver plate spoon to the side of the box in lieu of a handle.
And I added more stenciling/inking to the spine.
Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: The Paper
Stamperia Winter Botanic is the most gorgeous paper! After distressing/inking the edges, I matted it on some kraft cardstock which I also distressed and inked. Then I stitched around the edges of the paper on my machine. To add some texture and layering to the paper, I added some Opaque Crackle Texture Paste through a Stamperia Stencil. When the paste was dry, I lightly sponged on some Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink, spritzed lightly with water and heat dried.
Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: Framed
Can you spot something you rarely see in one of my projects? The answer is that I used just ONE layer of designer paper. To draw the eye to the image of that beautiful winter bird, I decided to top it with a Tim Holtz Vignette Topper Frame. Here’s how I altered it:
First, place the frame in a shallow box. I like to use the 12″ x 12″ shipping boxes that paper gets shipped in. Placing the frame in a box is not a requirement, but it sure does make cleanup easy!
Next, spray the frame thoroughly with Ground Espresso Distress Stain Spray.
Then, while the stain is still wet, spray randomly with Tim Holtz Tarnished Brass Mica Spray.
After the frame is dry (I used my heat gun) scrape some Opaque Crackle Texture Paste randomly around the frame.
Then apply Art Institute Dries Clear Adhesive on a piece of sponge. Squeeze the sponge gently to evenly distribute the adhesive. Then tap the sponge randomly all over the surface of the frame.
Next, place the frame over a funnel tray or a large piece of paper and sprinkle liberally with Clear Rock Candy Distress Glitter. This gives the frame a frosty appearance and adds subtle sparkle to the “snow”.
Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: The Finishing Touches
Wrap the left hand side of the paper panel with burlap string. Tie a knot and add some rusty jingle bells in the upper left corner. Arrange Little Birdie Flowers (Buttermilk Rosalind Roses and Danica Cherry) along the left hand side of the box. Tear out the “Happy Holidays” sentiment from the paper collection, distress, back with dimensionals and add above the frame.
Alter a Graphic 45 Ornate Door Plate and Knob by painting with black gesso. While the paint is damp, spritz it liberally with the Tim Holtz Mica Spray again. Then heat dry.
Add mustard seeds and green peppercorns in the corners of the frame.
Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: A Peek Inside
The interior of the box holds a little Christmas card and photo folio.
This 5″ x 7″ card has a base layer of Stamperia Rice Paper. Apply this with Distress Vintage Collage Medium for a beautiful vintage finish. Stitch on some scraps of designer paper and the beautiful deer image. Then add more stenciling and inking for texture.
Dry brush Picket Fence Distress Paint on a wood slice (my son cut these for me in his shop but you can use the Tim Holtz brand). Add some Opaque Crackle Texture Paste randomly around the edges, sprinkle with Clear Rock Candy Distress Glitter and set aside to dry. Color a Tim Holtz Deer with Alcohol Inks. I wanted to add a white bottle brush tree to the wood slice, but it prevented the box from closing. So I colored this pretty silvertone Christmas tree charm with Pesto Alcohol Ink instead. All these elements were joined by some Spanish Moss and some rusty jingle bells.
Here’s a peek at the inside. That’s a handmade crocheted/starched snowflake ornament in the pocket.
Stamperia Winter Botanic Christmas Box: The Folio
I added more rice paper images to the cover of this 4 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ magnetic folio.
There are 6 panels in all, each decorated with papers from the Winter Botanic and Alchemy Collections. I even managed to fit in another pocket.
You are cordially invited to join this festive challenge. To do so, simply link up your vintage or shabby chic Christmas Gift themed project on the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog before 11:55PM EST on Tuesday, December 4th.
The Frilly and Funkie Design team will invite the creator of our favorite project to a special Guest Designer spot on the blog. We will also give Top 3 Badges to 3 additional favorite projects. And everyone who enters and follows the challenge rules will be entered into a drawing for a $25 shopping spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.
I hope I’ve shared some tips, techniques and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures! If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
