Pretty Little Purses

Here's a quick project that may come in handy as an activity over the summer hols. These are papercraft versions of those cute little laced leathercraft purses. They are just big enough to hold a coin for ice cream. You can also stick them onto the front of card as a mini-gift.

For a re-closeable purse seal use a 3D foam square from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L (I really like how their foam sticky pads have rounded corners - ideal for an open/close project). Lace the purse together with baker's twine or craft thread stitched with a tapestry needle. Use blanket stitches or oversewing.

Here are your digi-downloads:
PrettyLittlePurses.svg 
PrettyLittlePurses.pdf 

Here's what the pattern template looks like:

There is only one purse front given because all the purse backs share the same pattern. If using the .pdf, you will have to pierce the stitching holes. A 1/16" circle hand punch would be the most efficient way to do that. Recommended paper: American Crafts Cardstock. An ideal weight and it is printer-friendly!

Ink Economy Printables! Envelopes & Cards

Envelope flip sides.

Co-ordinating card enclosures.

Kraft paper.

Parchment.

Printables are great - but they can be a drain on your ink cartridges. With that in mind, I've designed easy-on-the-ink printables. There's no background colour to print, so you rely on the colour of the paper you supply. Change the paper to vary the look. You can choose a tint of the outline print for a monochrome look, kraft paper for a rustic feel, or go for parchment for a more elegant appearance.

I'm still crafting mock Indian block prints. Boho. Vintage hippie. Whatever.

Free downloads for the printables here, choice of three co-ordinating designs:
EnvelopeCardBlue.pdf 
EnvelopeCardRed.pdf 
EnvelopeCardGreen.pdf

Here's what the printable looks like:
 

I've given you .pdf files because the cutting is very easy. Here's a tip:
For professional-looking results, cut the card out with a craft knife held against a metal straight edge. Here's a time-saver: for the envelope, cut out the edges that don't show (like the long underlap edge) with scissors and the visible edges with the craft knife.

Score the folds with an embossing tool held against a metal ruler. Crease the folds. Lap the one long edge over the other, then turn up the base flap. Use tacky glue (thinly applied) or d/s tap. The brads are optional.

Happy printing!

Mock Block Print Notecards

I've always loved Indian block prints. So now that I am learning how to design digital prints, I thought I'd have a go. The result: a set of co-ordinated notecards. I had big fun designing the motifs and matching borders.

These notecards make an excellent craft project for a lazy summer day because all you have to do is print, cut, and fold the card in half (use a scoring board and a bone folder for a professional finish). Tip: to accentuate the fabric-like appearance, print your notecards on textured cardstock (like American Crafts or Bazzill Basics). Classy!

Print! Cut! (...fold)

Ah yes, I forgot to tell you: I did one card in a predominantly pink colourway - somebody always wants one:

Here are your free downloads. The files are .pdfs. The cutting is so easy that using a digital cutting machine is uncalled for.
MockBlockPrintBlueFlowerBorder.pdf
PaisleyMockBlockNotecard.pdf
MockBlockPrintNotecardsBlue2.pdf
MockBlockPrintNotecardChartreuse.pdf
MockBlockPrintNotecardsPink.pdf

(Well - not quite chartreuse. Sort of a mustard colour. But almost.)

Enjoy.