Shaker-style Gift Boxes

For summertime gifts.

... or a big headstart on Christmas crafting.

These Shaker-Style mini gift boxes are right any time of year. So, I've styled them two ways: all-occasion floral decoration or Christmassy/Wintertime. 

The boxes are quick and easy to make - there's a tutorial later on in this post.

Here are your free downloads:
Shaker-StyleBasketFlowers.pdf 
Shaker-StyleChristmasBasketA.pdf
Shaker-StyleChristmasBasketB.pdf
Shaker-StyleChristmasBasketA.svg
Shaker-StyleChristmasBasketB.svg

For the flower baskets, I've just given you a .pdf. The shapes are easy enough to cut out by hand. Use a craft knife held against a ruler for the handles. Cut inside the outlines.

Of course, once you have downloaded the Shaker Box files, you can enlarge the pattern templates to make bigger boxes.

Shaker Box Mini-Tut:

1. Cut out the pattern pieces and score the folds. Use a fine embossing tool held against a metal straightedge. On the basket lid, score fold lines down the centre of the lid and across each tab. On the base, score across the base of all the tabs. On the side pieces, score the base of the tab. Remember to pierce the brad holes, if necessary.

2. Next, glue the side piece tabs onto either side of the base. The little tabs belong inside. Make sure that the decorated sides face outwards.

3. Thread a brad through the holes on the first side in the following order: both handles, right side of box, left side of box, lid tab, box base tab. On the inside of the box, spread open the brad wings, like so:

4. Next, repeat the operation for the remaining side. It is a little bit tricky getting inside the box to spread the wings on the second brad, but not in a ship-in-a-bottle league! You can (carefully) use scissor-tips to spread the brad wings if you need an assist reaching the brad inside the box interior. Here's a pic of the job, done:

Note: no need to glue the little tabs on the inside of the box. They are pretty secure as they are.

5. Separate the handles and spread them apart. Lastly, add craft thread ties to the holes on the lid and the base. Tie into bows.

These boxes make sweet party favours. 

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!