Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Tootsie Pop Treat Wrappers



Hi Crafters!

Petty packaging and bows make gifts so much more special. It sends the message that you really care. That is the exact message I wanted to send to my son's kindergarten classmates, and the reason I created these treat holders.
As I reconnect with so many of my grade school classmates through Facebook, I've come to realize how significant they are to me. They are my school family! We all walked the same life path, learning and experiencing our school years together. We grew up together. We share the same memories. Good times and bad, I treasure those days, and my former classmates too!
My son is just starting his academic journey, as a kindergartner. I can't help but think that someday when he's an adult, he too, will be re-connecting with the students that are in his class right now. 
For their upcoming Fall (Halloween) party I wanted to give them some treats. Most of all, I wanted to make the treats extra special, because his classmates are special to me. They are my son's school family. 
So after some trial and error, and ultimately success, I created these Tootsie Pop wrappers. You too can make these treat wrappers, and not just for Halloween. Change up the theme by using different designer series paper patterns from Stampin' Up! These wrappers could be made for any occasion or holiday...Christmas, Easter, Birthday Party, Bridal or Baby showers, etc.
(To see additional Designer Series Paper Packs, Click here!)
Want to know how to make these Tootsie Pop wrappers? Then read on for instructions, a shopping list, and video tutorial too.


Video Tutorial:


Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of cardstock that measures 3 3/4" x 7 1/4".

2. Score cardstock, with the wrong size of the paper facing up (the side of the paper that you want inside your wrapper box). 

If you are scoring with the Simply Scored Scoring Tool then score cardstock at the following line measurements:
  • With the longer side of the cardstock on the left side (7 1/4" side), Score at 1 1/4" and 2 1/2" lines.
  • With the shorter side of the cardstock on the left side (3 3/4" side), score at the 2", 3 1/4", 5 1/4", and 6 1/2" lines.
If you are scoring with the Stampin' Trimmer and the scoring blade, then:
  • Line up the longest side of the cardstock (7 1/4 side) at the 1 1/4" mark, and score. Then, slide the cardstock to the left and line up the score line just made with the 1 1/4" mark, score again.
  • Line up the shorter side of the cardstock (3 3/4 side) at the 2" mark, and score. Slide paper over and line up the score line just made for each of the following score lines: 1 1/4", 2", 1 1/4" mark. Video tutorial listed above, demonstrates how to score with the Stampin' Trimmer.

Scored cardstock should look like the illustration below, Figure 1
(I drew pencil lines over the score lines so you could view my score lines better.)


Figure 1.


3. Pre-fold cardstock on all score lines.

4. In the illustration below, bold black lines indicate cut lines.
For now, only cut out the "cut off" portions on either side of Tab E, as specified in Figure 2.
Use scissors to make cuts between Tabs A1 and B1, and Tabs A2 and B2. Don't make any other cuts just yet.
Figure 3 shows what the cardstock should look like after completing step 4.


Figure 2.


Figure 3.
Cardstock should look like this after completing Step 4.

5. Fold over long, side flap and line up edge with the 3/4" line. Lay first tab "A" flat so it extends over the cutting channel, and trim so tab is trimmed to 3/4" wide. Do this to both sides so that both A Tabs are trimmed. See Figure 4
Figure 5 shows what cardstock should look like after completing step 5.

Figure 4.
Fold over long flap and line up edge with 3/4" mark on the trimmer. Keep Tab A flat and extended over the cutting channel, and trim. Repeat for the other Tab A.
Figure 5.
Cardstock should look like this after both A Tabs have been trimmed.

6.  Make additional cuts with scissors between the remaining tabs on both sides of the cardstock (between B and C tabs, and between C and D tabs). See the illustration in Figure 2 for cut lines, which are indicated with bold black lines .
Figure 6.
Cut up to the center score lines.


7. Place sticky strip on tabs as indicated in the illustrations below, Figures 7 and 8. Make sure sticky strip is attached to the correct side of the cardstock.
Figure 7.
This side of the cardstock will be outside the box.

Figure 8.
This side of the cardstock will be the inside of the box.

8. Remove sticky strip paper from both C tabs (outside of the box), and from both D tabs (inside of the box). See Figure 9.

Figure 9.
Sticky strip paper removed from Tabs C and D.

9. Lie cardstock flat on the table and raise both C Tabs up, so they are perpendicular to the table. Bring D tabs up, around the outside of each C Tab and press together. C Tabs should be nestled inside both D Tabs. See Figure 10
Figure 11 shows what cardstock should look like after completing step 9.

Figure 10.
Make sure C Tabs are inside both D Tabs before adhering together.
Figure 11.
Cardstock should look like this after completing step 9.

10. Remove sticky strip paper from both B Tabs. Raise both B Tabs up so that they are perpendicular with the table. Tuck B Tabs in side the adhered C and D Tabs. Press together. See Figure 12
Figure 13 shows what the cardstock should look like after completing step 10.

Figure 12.
Make sure B Tabs are inside the adhered C and D Tabs before adhering together.
Figure 13.
Cardstock should look like this after completing step 10.

11. Trim notches in both A Tabs as directed in Figure 14. This reduces the bulk and will allow the lid to close easily.
Figure 15 shows what the A Tabs will look like after trimming.
Figure 14.
Figure 15.
Both A Tabs should look like this after trimming notches.

12. Use a 1/4" hole punch to punch a hole in center of the lid. See Figure 16.
Figure 16.

13. Insert Tootsie Pop stick through the hole in the underside of the lid, and nestle sucker inside the box. See Figure 17
Figure 17.

14. Tuck both A Tabs inside the top of the box. See Figure 18.

Figure 18.

15. Tuck Tab E inside box top to close lid. See Figure 19.
Figure 19.

16. Your Tootsie Pop wrapper is finished! Now Stamp Your Way to decorate it, or decorate as I've done in the following pictures.
Figure 20.
Figure 21.
Witches Brew Designer Series Paper for the box.
Stamped images from the Halloween Hello stamp set.
Images were stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock.
Stamped images embossed using Versamark ink and black embossing powder.
Selected images colored in with markers.
Imaged punched out with 1" circle punch.
Circle adhered to basic black cardstock punched out with the 1 1/4" scalloped circle punch.

Punched imaged adhered to box with Stampin' Dimensionals.
Pumpkin Pie taffeta ribbon tied in a bow around the sucker stick.

Shopping List:












































































Friday, October 25, 2013

Halloween Stamped Pillows




You love to stamp and make paper crafts (cards, scrapbooking, 3D paper art). Perhaps you also possess some basic sewing skills and enjoy creating with fabric too. If this sounds like you, then this craft project is right for you!

Did you know that you can use your rubber stamps to stamp fabric? Whether you did or you didn't, I'm hear to tell you that you can Stamp Your Way into some new Halloween pillows! (Or any holiday for that matter.)

My Halloween pillows are actually just pillow covers. I slip my everyday throw pillows inside these covers, and later remove for easy storage after all the witches and goblins have gone home. I love pillow covers because I can change out my pillows for each season/holiday without having to store lots of different pillows. Pillow covers can be folded up like pillow cases and stored easily on a shelf or in your holiday storage tubs.

My inspiration for these pillows came from the new Stampin' Up! holiday catalog, page 22 to be exact. Featured on this page are two card designs that use two Stampin' Up! colors, Basic Black and Gumball Green. There's just something about that color scheme that speaks to me, and thus I knew I had to incorporate it into this year's Halloween decor. So I found some fabric similar to the Gumball Green color and used my new Stampin' Up! Halloween stamps to stamp black images creating my own Halloween pattern. I'm truly thrilled with how my new pillows turned out.
Read on for a video tutorial, written instructions, more pictures, and shopping list.


Video tutorial:

Instructions and Tips:

1. Select a sturdy fabric such as a bottom weight.

2. Prep your fabric ~ very important step, don't skip!
  • Wash fabric to remove any sizing from the manufacturer.
  • Do not use any fabric softener, liquid or dryer sheets
  • Iron fabric smooth.
3. Prepare work area.
  • Select a hard, smooth work surface, such as a kitchen table or floor.
  • Cover and protect work surface to prevent staining of table.
  • Have paper towels and baby wipes handy to keep hands clean and free of ink so you don't accidentally dirty your fabric.
4. Plan out your pattern. Arrange stamps in a pattern that is pleasing to you, or use my pattern.

5. Determine which stamp is the center of your pattern and begin stamping in the center of your fabric. Continue stamping using remaining stamps in your pattern and working out from the center of your fabric. Stamp off the edge of the fabric to mimic professionally manufactured fabric designs.

6. Use an iron to heat set the ink. This will make the ink permanent and washable. 
Set the temperature of the iron to the highest temp recommended for the fabric. Turn off steam setting! Water from the steam or drips from your iron will cause any stamped area to bleed, or wash out if it hasn't been heat set yet.
Place a piece of paper (printer paper will do) over your stamped fabric and iron for about 5 seconds, continuously moving the iron in a circular fashion. Continue heat setting until all areas of the stamped fabric have been heat set.

Use your stamped fabric to make pillow covers, such as mine, or make any number of other sew related projects: table cloth, table runner, placemats, napkins, wall hangings, etc...
You can even stamp your t-shirts!


My stamped pillow paired with some of my other new pillows.

Close up of my stamp pattern.

Basic Shopping list:

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Halloween Hello Chalk Board Frame



Hi Crafters!

Chalk boards are super popular right now and for good reason, since they are a wonderful piece of nostalgia.
When I was a child I had a large green chalk board. My father was a school teacher so there was always plenty of chalk around. On that chalk board is where I practiced my basic math skills, doodled numerous drawings, and played school.  Sometimes my mother would join me in a little chalk board fun. Besides teaching me new math skills she would get artistic and doodle some drawings too. There was one drawing she created that has always stuck in my mind, since it was quite good! It was probably around Halloween, because she drew this picture of a witch. It was a witch's profile wearing a classic witch hat, with long stringy hair, a protruding chin, and a large curved nose topped with a big wart. I also recall a spider or two in the witch's hair. For years, and even to this day, I've replicated her witch drawing. This time, minus the spiders, I've replicated it through punch art! Therefore, my mom is the inspiration behind this craft project. Thanks mom!
If you'd like to create your own Halloween Hello chalk board frame and witch punch art, then read on for instructions and additional pictures. Happy Haunting!



Video tutorial:




Instructions:

1. Paint unfinished wood frame with black acrylic (craft) paint and let dry.

2. Use StazOn white ink and the skull stamp from the Halloween Hello stamp set. (...or Stamp Your Way and use any of the other stamps featured in this set, such as the witch or bat).

3. Use the White Stampin' Chalk Marker to write spooky messages around the empty spaces of your frame.

4. Create a black night backdrop for your moon: 
Cut a piece of black cardstock sized to fit the inside of the frame. I used the cardboard insert that came with the frame to trace onto my cardstock, then cut it out for a perfect fit.

5. Create a moon backdrop for your witch: 
Cut out 3 inch circle with the 3" Circle Die and Big Shot die-cut machine. Sponge the edges of the 3" circle with a sponge dauber and Smoky Slate ink. I also swirled some ink designs across the moon to give it a misty Halloween night effect. Spooooky!
Adhere the moon to the black night backdrop with dimensionals.

6. Create a punch art witch (see pictorial directions below) and adhere to the the moon with dimensionals.

7. BOO!



Shopping List:














Clear mount stamp sets require the use of an appropriate size stamp block.















Big Shot Die-Cut Machine











Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad












Sponge Daubers











Stampin' Dimensionals