Tuesday 13 February 2018

How to make a Pop up box cards blank. Step by step

Good morning. It's a bit soggy out there today and a rather wet school run done for now. So I'm cosy in my craft room so thought I'd put together a post on making a simple box pop up card as I get asked alot about how I do mine and get them looking so good.
Unfortunately I haven't got the gear to do a proper video tutorial yet so I've done a photo step by step guide using an a4 piece of card stock. So here goes.

So we start with any piece of A4 card stock you have, the thicker the more sturdy the box will be.
In your trimmer portrait style cut the card stock to 6.5" (this will be your base)


Then using the left over piece cut that portrait style again to 1"


Now using the 1" strip pop it in the trimmer and cut 2 pieces at 4 3/4" ( these will make the straps to go inside your box for you to decorate)



Next we move on to the scoring. Now you can use the Fiskars trimmer to score using the black embossing tool or use a specialised embossing board it's up to you.
So we start by placing the card stock in landscape style on the board 

And we are going to score at 2 3/4", 5 1/2", 8 1/4" & at 11"


Now turn to portrait style on your board


And we are scoring at 3 3/4" all the way down.
Now that's your base of the card scored ready to trim and fold in a minute.


Now take the 2 inside straps and place on your board in landscape and we are going to score at 1" and again at 3 3/4" this givesite you the flaps to secure the panels inside the box card and allows it to fold flat.


Next we move to trimming the card. Using the scored lines cut to centre centre line from the shorter side in this createsection the flaps for the main card and leaves the taller section as your main body of the box.


On the thin edge of the card cut a diagonal piece to join the slit you made this create the piece in which secures the box together.



Now we score and fold the sides as below.


Now I've used double sided sticky tape to the thin edge but you could use pva glue or a tape pen if your prefer. I like tape as it's quick and less messy.


Remove the tape cover and pull the left side over and it will adhere the strip to the edge and your main box is ready.


Next we fix the inside straps inside the box again I have used double sided tape to quickly and mess free stick the syrups inside the box.




All finished that is the basic method of making one of these box cards. You can now decorate it as you wish using decorative papers, embellishments etc.
I usually cut 1 x 6", 3 x 3.5" & 3 x 2.5" paper panels to stick on the card.

I hope theverything instructions help you
I love making these box cards and they are always well received.
Thankso for looking.
Crafty Hugs
Tracey 
Xx


Wednesday 7 February 2018

Docrafts Demonstrations in March 2018

Good Morning, its a brisk cold morning here in Coventry blue we have sun and blue sky so I'm busy in the craft room today working through orders and sorting out my Demonstration list.

This March I start my journey as a demonstrator for Docrafts which is very exciting. I will be attending The Range Stores in the Midlands area. There is a full list below.

Saturday 3rd March - The Range - Redditch
Sunday 11th March - The Range - Coventry
Sunday 18th March - The Range - Leicester
Sunday 25th March - The Range - Loughborough
Sunday 31st March - The Range - Kidderminster

These demo's run from 10am to 4pm ( Sunday hours may apply) so please check the The Range Stores website for full store details of opening times and car parking facilities.

Docrafts have some amazing new ranges coming out on the 28th February like
Moroccan Blue, Moroccan Haze & Freshly Cut Flowers and theses new collections are just brilliant. I can't wait to start making the samples when it all arrives this week.

Watch this space 
The doorbell has just gone and I've had my starter kit delivered today so I shall be busy playing with that lot too. 
Exciting Times

Plus I have a photo Shoot with Create & Craft Tv on the 16th February for their Club Magazine so that's super exciting too.

Have a crafty day everyone
Hugs
Tracey
xxx

Monday 29 January 2018

Kanban Crafts Once Upon a Time Launch

Good morning everyone. Hope you all had a lovely weekend. It was a very busy weekas the week with Design Team duties for Kanban Crafts as they havery had 2 big new collections launching within a few days of each other. So what better way to spend your wages than on some gorgeous card stock ;)
Well Saturday's 'Vintage Glamour' was a sell out with 2 shows and it wasn't surprising the Create & Craft TV fans loved the new kit.
Well they and you are going to love this next release. Once Upon a Time launches tomorrow at 9am and another show at 3pm. It's anot amazingly magical kit and I've had great fun crafting the samples and demo's for it. Here is a sneak peek of what I made.
A nice big a5 Easel Card with shaker element

A simple Diamond fold card with tags

A big A4 card using the 12x12" card stock from the launch

This one I have done as a demo for Keith using the upsell item of double sided foI'll card stock

And a Scrapbook layout using the amazing 12x12" card stock. Layered the Princesses, cut flowers from the off cuts and created a pocket to put tickets or special keepsakes.

So why not join Kanban Keith at 9am tomorrow for a fun filled show and be quick I think this is going to fly out the door. 
Create & Craft TV 9am and 3pm

Crafty Hugs
Tracey 
X

Sunday 21 January 2018

Valentine's Day Chocolate gift boxes

Welcome to a lovely wet and cold Sunday  here in Coventry.

I've been working on some gift boxes for my Valentine's Day range to sell and here is what I have created so far.



They are 4"x4" and have a compartment inside to hold 9 foiled heart chocolates.


So far I have these 5 made up ready to go.

We've got these gold metallic boxes with a red & black theme on them.


These 2 are using pink metallic foil card stock and then added with Pink and red embellishments.


This last one is using a rose embossed card stock and I've made into a more floral chic look. 

Loved making these fun little gift boxes.
Thanks for looking
Hugs
Tracey x

Friday 19 January 2018

Exciting News -


Well it's been a bit of whirlwind adventure over the last few months since I gave up work to focus on my crafting full time.
But my latest bit of news is that I have been accepted as a Craft Demonstrator for Docrafts
This will mean popping to the Range stores within the Midlands area showing and demonstrating with their latest releases. This is yet another great opportunity for me to build my skill base and help inspire and encourage more crafters which is something I'm very passionate about from my time with Hobbycraft and loved that side of the job. 
I will post a list of events as I get them confirmed so if anyone is local then you can pop in and catch me crafting.

Here's to a super crafty 2018
Hugs
Tracey 


Wednesday 17 January 2018

Designing Samples for Hobbycraft Coventry

Hello and welcome back to my blog. This week I have been  keeping myself busy by making inspiration samples for my local Hobbycraft store here in Coventry.
I have worked with Simon and his team for nearly 2 years now making samples for new collections or to promote some of their products.
This week I was given the new seasonal papercraft ranges to create with from Trimcraft & Dovecraft. Here are a few of the samples I have made so far using their Hearts & Crosses and also the Mum in a Million ranges.
Paper Mache Magnet hearts decorated up with the Hearts & Crosses range.

7x5" card blank (£5 for 50 cards) and decorated with the Valentine's range and using a thick satin ribbon

I learnt a new technique for this one and made this 3d Diamond fold card which folds flat. 

A selection of the Mother's day cards I have made using the Mum in a Million ranges.  We've got an easel fold card, an a5 split folding card and a simple 7x5" card with washi tape and layered paper flowers. 

And finally for today I have taken a Paper Mache Heart box which I've covered with 180gsm card stock from the store, added pale aqua satin ribbon, coordinating washi tape from the collection Mum in a Million. Then I've made a topper for the lid to match. This would make a lovely gift box or keepsake for any mum.

All these samples will be on display and shown on the stores Twitter page over the coming weeks.

Thanks for looking
Hugs
Tracey x

Sunday 7 January 2018

Inspiration Sample Sunday

Good morning and welcome to my blog today.
This week I have anot interview with Create & Craft TV and I am busy making some samples of my work to take with me.
Here are a couple I have created this weekend.

Rock star Card
This one is very simple as in its lots of layers of matching card stock and embossing wet and dry techniques.

Floral Vine for a Friend Card
This card is made using a Stamp called Floral VINE and is made by Woodware Crafts distributed via Creative Expressions.
I have used Wow Embossing powders to create the topper and border on the card blank. The flowers have been coloured using Polychromo pencils.

I'm now back to desk to create some more ideas.
Happy Crafting on this lovely Sunday morning 
Hugs
Tracey x