Back-to-School Mug Hug Tutorial

Today is National Colouring Book Day - which is why I am giving you a useful project to make! :) You have plenty of time before the new term commences to make several of these very useful stationery-themed organisers. Make them for kids, friends, teachers. 

The B-T-S Mug Hug organiser is comprised of holster-style accordion pockets, plus a pencil holder and a paperclip box that sit within the mug. 

The project fits an 8cm(3-1/8in)-diameter mug - that's standard garden variety.

This is a straightforward print-and-cut project. Take it one step at a time. I'll talk you through it.

Here are your printables. Four files are needed to make the works. I am supplying you with .pdf files (for handmade - I'm not counting the use of a printer), and .studio and .svg files for all you digital papercrafters out there. 
BTSMugHug1of4.pdf
BTSMugHug1of4.studio
BTSMugHug1of4.svg

BTSMugHug2of4.pdf
BTSMugHug2of4.studio 
BTSMugHug2of4.svg

BTSMugHug3of4.pdf 
BTSMugHug3of4.studio 
BTSMugHug3of4.svg 

BTSMugHug4of4.pdf 
BTSMugHug4of4.studio 
BTSMugHug4of4.svg 

Back-to-School Mug Hug Organiser

1 Print all of the files on 160gsm white photocopier cardstock. Score the folds using a fine-point embossing tool held against a small metal ruler. Cut the templates out. Crease the folds. Use a bone folder for nice, crisp folds (this is especially desirable on the accordion pockets).

2 Glue the reinforcements over the holes on the Mug Hug base. For a super-durable Mug Hug, glue reinforcements onto both the front and
back sides. Note how the base is colour-coded for easy pocket placement.

3 Time to make the pockets. You need 5, total. Three of one colourway, two of the other. Or, if you prefer - all the same. As long as you make 5! Okay - the pockets have already been scored and creased. Accordion the sides as shown. Glue the side flap onto the back of the pocket (not inside it), then turn up the bottom flap and glue it in place. You can use either tacky PVAglue applied with a cocktail stick or d/s tape.

4 Next, attach the pockets to the Mug Hug Base as shown. Use tacky PVA glue or d/s tape, as before. The photo above shows a foolproof method for placing the pockets. Crease the folds of the base before attaching the pocket. This works a treat for easy alignment, and it also gives you a whisper of ease between the pockets.

5 Time to attach the Mug Hug to the mug. You need 35cm(14in) of ribbon and a tapestry needle. Lace the Mug Hug in place underneath the handle. Thread the ribbon through the holes shoelace-style (under first, then criss-cross, then out either side). Tie in a bow. Trim the ends of the ribbon I like to seal the ribbon ends with sparingly-applied PVA glue, to prevent fraying.

6 Next, make the hexagonal mini-box. This sits in the base of the mug. The folds have been creased - all you have to do turn up the box sides and glue (or tape) the adjacent sides. The box is swirl-close. Turn down the flaps consecutively (the square side of each flap belongs underneath, the tabs belong on top). Tuck the tabs under where necessary. Tah-dah- a nifty self-locking spiral.

7 Now it is time to make the hexagonal pencil holder. You've already creased the folds. Join the pencil holder to make a cylinder.Turn the base tabs under and glue them under the base hexagon - take care aligning the edges. Finally turn the top tabs inside and stick them down, for a clean finish.

And that's it. Enjoy making your Back-to-School Mug Hug(s). And enjoy the summer hols!




 



 

Pillow Box Pockets

Today’s project channels two of my favourite papercraft-y hobby horses (three if you count digi-papercrafting, which is a given). Number one is papercraft storage ideas. If you visit IKEA Marketplace, you find lots of paper products – storage boxes, magazine files. Papercrafting storage solutions is a great way to produce effective temporary storage ideas. (Plus – you can change the look frequently.) Number two is reversible paper projects. Double-sided papers double the design possibilities. Print on one or both sides of a sheet of paper to produce designs with contrast trims and attractive turn-backs.

So - here are some tweaked pillow boxes (open top + added hanging tab) you can assemble into a cascade or use solo. They remind me a bit of those pockets you make from a sandwiched paper plate-and-a-half.  

I use 160 gsm white photocopier card to make the Pillow Box Pockets. Print one side with the gingham print and print the Pillow Box template on the flip side.

Here are your free files:

BlueGingham.pdf

BluePillowBoxPockets.pdf

BluePillowBoxPockets.svg

BluePillowBoxPockets.studio 

GreenGingham.pdf

GreenPillowBoxPockets.pdf

GreenPillowBoxPockets.svg

GreenPillowBoxPockets.studio 

Pillow Box Pockets

1 Print the gingham on one side of your sheet of 160gsm photocopier card. Print the template on the back.

2 Score the fold lines with a fine-point embossing tool. Hold the tool against a small metal ruler for straight lines.

3 Fold the scored lines, paying special attention to the curved pillow-side marquises.

4 fold the decorative tab onto the gingham side of the card - stick down with a snippet of d/s tape.

5 Fold the thread-hole parts in half, securing along one long edge with d/s tape. Your choice as to "innsies" or "outsies" (plain or gingham side) - just be consistent for all the pockets in the hanging organiser.

6 Stick the back piece unit onto the pillow box like so:

Remember: you don't need a back piece for the bottom organiser pocket!

7 Fold up the sides of each pocket and stick the pillow box marquise-shaped sides together with d/s tape or PVA glue. The back-piece marquises go underneath, the top-piece marquises on top.

8 Thread ribbon or baker's twine through the holes, overlapping to join units where necessary. Tie in pretty bows. Hanging loop on top.

A solo Pillow Box Pocket can sometimes be as useful as a railway-style cascade!

Hex Hatch Patchwork Box

More papercraft sewing accessories! A fabric patchwork sewing stash box inspired me to make this printable project. I am always keen on hexagons, plus I was fascinated by the offbeat hatch-in-the-lid opening. Of course, you can use these boxes to store any small bits and pieces – stationery items, craft items. The boxes are fun to make and very giftable.

The box is an unusual shape - consequently, constructing it is a papercraft adventure of a very do-able nature. To make it, the hexagons are joined in a railway track-style strip, joined to make a ring, then the top sections are folded down. Lid and base are then added. More specific how-tos follow in the post.

Here are your free printables (instructions follow). Choice of three colourways!:

HexPatchBoxBlue.pdf 

HexPatchBoxBlue.svg 

HexPatchBoxGreen.pdf 

HexPatchBoxGreen.svg 

HexPatchBoxBurgundy.pdf 

HexPatchBoxBurgundy.svg 

Hex Hatch Patch Box

1 Cut out the pieces. Score the folds. Crease the folds.

2 Join little tab to make a continuous strip of six hexagons. Join little tab to make a ring.

3 Join adjacent sides.

4 On the top of the box, fold under and stick down the tabs around the top opening.

5 On the bottom of the box, glue the base hexagon in place. Glue the base liner inside the

box, over the base, for a tidy appearance.

6 Insert a brad centre front of lid piece. Fold under five of the six lid tabs, leaving the tab opposite the brad unfolded. Glue the lid liner underneath the lid top.

7 Glue the lid tab under a hatch opening edge on the box top. Insert a brad on the box top, to correspond with the lid brad. Tie a piece of craft thread onto the lid brad. Wrap the thread around the brads to close the box. 

Enjoy your Hex Hatch Patch Box! Make a batch and stack your stash!

Folk Art Egg Party Boxes

Basic party boxes today - with seam binding handles. Make them up in a size to suit. 

Here are your free printables. Two prints to choose from. The small size box has an all-in-one template for convenience. If you want a larger size, choose the pieced template and enlarge as required.
Box1Small.pdf 
Box1Bigger.pdf 
Box2Small.pdf
Box2Bigger.pdf

Box1Small.svg
Box1Bigger.svg 
Box2Small.svg 
Box2Bigger.svg 

Since these boxes are probably going to contain party treats, the handles are knotted in place, rather than stapled. Carefully cut slits where marked on the box side panels and insert the seam binding. Knot on the inside. 

This project concludes all the Folk Art Egg party makes series. Here are the other projects in the group (clockwise from top, click on the links):

PartyBunting
PillowBoxes 
HexagonBaskets 
SquareBasket-Box 
PartyBoxes (above)
CupcakeWraps 

I hope you have a lovely chocalicious party.

Folk Art Eggs Pillow Bags

Pillow bags today - with a cute faux button feature on the flap. Print, cut, make them in a jiffy!

Here are your free printables (two colour combos):
PillowBag1.pdf 
PillowBag2.pdf 

PillowBag1.svg 
PillowBag2.svg 

Next up: ribbon-handled party boxes, the last project in my Folk Art Eggs party makes series.

Holiday Makes 2014: Free Print-and-Cuts

I've been posting this year's batch of co-ordinated printable holiday makes since July, so it's time for a review. There's something for everyone in this batch of festive makes: gift packaging, ornaments, greeting card display. And, of course, lots of Milk Cartons.

Below, the links to my original blogposts:

PuffyStarOrnaments 

PatchworkStarMatchboxOrnaments 

ToastRackCardRacks2014 

GingerbreadHouseCardRack 

MilkCartonBells 

MilkCartonPerpetualCalendars 

MiniMilkCartonGiftBoxes 

Two-ToneMilkCartons(BiggerSize)

MilkCartonBonBonGiftBoxes

Happy crafting. Enjoy making crafts to give.

Snowflower Cards & Stands

I got this idea from my Toast Rack Card Racks. My lightbulb moment? Make a stand with just one slot in it and it can be used to display a solo card - or as a placecard stand for a tablesetting (sort of a one-slice toast rack, if you will). You can also insert a bunch of cards and use the cards as memos - Post-It note alternatives.

It would be fun to send a card along with a pre-cut flat-pack stand. The stand is super-simple to make: cut out (of course), crease the folds.To assemble, stick the sloted band onto the base at either side (shape the band so it curves easily into an arch). Next, stick the side panel top tabs onto the band (at 12 o'clock) - on both front and back.

There are two versions of the stand. The one with the extended base can support slightly heavier cards. (You don't have to use the card stand exclusively with the co-ordinating Snowflower Card.)

Here are your freebies:
SnowflowerCard.pdf
SnowflowerCardLiner.pdf
SnowflowerCardHolders.pdf

SnowflowerCard.svg
SnowflowerCardLiner.svg
SnowflowerCardHolders.svg

Snowflowers? My take on fantasy snowflakes. Have fun sending these easy-make greetings.