Tuesday, March 31, 2015

How to make a Fancy Paper Bag!


Hi everyone! It's Tuesday and we are here with another tutorial, this time a fancy gift bag! Gift bags are a great alternative to gift wrapping, especially if your gift does not come with a box or it’s an odd shaped gift. They are also great for small soft toys and other difficult to wrap gifts!



 You can make this bag from Card stock, Handmade paper or Mulberry paper.  Due to their flexibility and unique look, Handmade papers or Mulberry papers are better choices.

Supplies Required:
  1. A sheet of Cardstock / Handmade Paper/ Mulberry Paper
  2. Eyelets
  3. Ribbon / Cord / Twine
  4. Mulberry Flowers
  5. Chipboard Flourishes
Tools Required:
  1. Scoring Tool
  2. Craft Glue
  3. Eyelet Setting Tool
  4. Hammer
  5. Scissors

Method:
Cut your Card stock to measure approximately 30cm x 42cm. 
 30cm x 42cm is the approximately the size of A3 paper. However, you can use different dimensions if you want. For this project a rectangular paper will work well, preferably with an approximate ratio of 1.5 (Length should be roughly 1.5 times the width). A4, A3 sizes will also work well. The height of the bag will be about 2-3 inches less than the width.

Score the paper ½” from the edge on the left side. Measure the length from the score line to the other edge and mark the centre (as shown in the figure). Make a score line at this centre. You can lightly draw a line with pencil if it makes it easier for you. (This side will form the inside of the bag).


Fold the card stock on the middle score line and punch two holes using an eyelet tool or the hole punch on the top and bottom layer. The eyelets should be more than 1.5” away from the side edges.
Flip the card stock over and fix the eyelets by inserting them through the hole from the outside and hammering them with help of an eyelet setting tool and hammer.  After the eyelets are fixed flip the paper back.

Apply glue on the 0.5” edge which you folded in the first step. Fold the sheet over and stick it onto the folded flap as shown in the image above. Let the glue dry before the next step.
Make score lines 1 inch from both the side edges of the bag. Flip over and repeat the same on the other side. These score lines will form the side pleat of the bag. Also make a score line 2 inches from the bottom edge. Flip over and do the same on the other side.


Snip the score lines up to the bottom score line as shown in the figure.  Flip the bag over and do the same on the other side. Push the centre crease in on both the sides as shown in the figure.
Now we will close the base of the bag. We do not need the cutting mat anymore.
Glue and close the bottom flaps as shown.

Thread a coordinating ribbon through the eyelets and tie the both ends together on the inside. Repeat the same with the other pair of eyelets. Take care to ensure that the tied ribbons are same length. Your bag is ready and it’s time to embellish it.

Glue the chipboard flourishes to the bag and then glue the beautiful mulberry flowers.

Note: Scoring is very important when working with paper folding. This is how you get a neat, professional looking finish.
Please let us know what you think of this tutorial in the comments below and send us pictures if you try it.
Happy crafting!

Link for Supplies:
Mulberry Papers



Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Pop Up Box Birthday Card


Hi Folks! Welcome to another Itsy Bitsy Crafty Tutorial. Today we are going to show you how to make pop up box card! These are great cards to make for any special occasion. And they are perfect to display on a shelf or desk. In this tutorial we will show you this card we like to call the “Say it with Flowers ” card.



Supplies used in this card:
  1. 12”x12” double sided Cardstock (Pink/White) –(DCWV  Cherry Limeade stack) – 1 Sheet
  2. Coordinating 12”x12” pattern paper –(DCWV  Cherry Limeade stack) – 1 Sheet
  3. Handmade Minis Embellishments Bees & Flowers 8PCS PBCI LB (IBSC14121) -1 Pack
  4. Acetate Sheet – 1 Sheet

Note: You can choose paper in any colour and pattern as per your choice.

Tools required:
  1. Craft Glue
  2. Paper Cutting Knife
  3. Cutting Mat
  4. Scoring tool

Method:

Take the two sided 12x12” card stock sheet and trim 5 inches from one edge, so that you are left with a 12”x7” piece. 


 Using a paper cutting knife or scissor, make score lines as shown in the figure (guidelines below)





The Blue lines are the score lines and the red lines are the cuts. Make 3 cuts (along the red dotted lines) as shown in the figure above.

Fold the box on the score lines as shown in the figure.



Cut a 4”x1” piece of the card stock. Make a score line lengthwise at the ½” mark as shown in the figure. This piece will used to close the side of the box.

Apply craft glue on the side of the small edge piece and stick to the edge sides as shown above.




Glue the other side of the edge piece and stick to the other side edge of the box.

Fold three of the flaps as shown.

 From the piece of paper you had initially trimmed off, cut three 5”x 1” strips of paper. Make score lines about 1” from both the ends as shown in figure above.


Fold the end tabs as shown in the image. Apply glue to the tabs.



Stick the three tabs inside of the box as shown above.
NOTE: You might have to trim the tabs for a good fit. The tabs should sit comfortably inside without distorting the shape of the box.


Cut out four squares of approximately 2.5” x 2.5” from the coordinating pattern paper. Centre and glue them onto the flaps of the box.


Glue the flower embellishment to the first strip (as shown).
Cut 5 thin strips (about 0.5mm wide) of acetate sheet. Glue the rest of the embellishments (flowers and bees) to the ends of these strips.
Glue these acetate strips to the other two tabs. Stick the birthday sentiment on the flap as shown above.  Your pop up box is complete!


Note: It is important to let the glue dry properly between steps.  


You can write personalize messages, add more flowers or use different embellishments depending on the occasion. This is a very versatile style and you customize it to suit your requirement


Do leave your feedback in the comments below and send us pictures on our Facebook Page if you make it.
Happy crafting!J

Here are the links for supplies:

Printed cardstock:
Mini Embellishments:
Craft Glue:
Cutting Mat
Scoring Tool
Paper Knife




Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Thermocol Ant


Hello everyone! Its Tuesday and we are back with a fun tutorial. Summer vacations are just around the corner! So, today we thought we will do a simple but fun Kid's Craft project. These easy and simple crafts are great to initiate kids into the creative world of crafts! We try to make these tutorial very detailed so that young children can also follow them easily.
Thermocol balls, pompoms, chenille sticks and google eyes are very versatile crafting materials and there are hundreds of possibilities. Give these supplies and some craft glue to kids and you will be surprised what they can come up with! Today we are going to make a whimsical ant with wings J



Here are the supplies you need for this project:
  1. Thermocol Ball 6cm – 1pc
  2. Thermocol Ball 4cm – 1pc
  3. Chenille stems : 2 pcs
  4. White Pompoms 8mm – 6pcs
  5. Google eyes: 2 pcs
  6. Rhinestone crystal: 1 pc
  7. Ribbon 0.6cm – 20cm
  8. Black tempera paint (Acrylic or water colour will also work)
  9. Paint Brush
  10. A scrap of vellum (optional)
  11. Silicon Glue
  12. Cutting Pliers





Method:
 
Paint both the thermocol balls black using tempera paint. You can also use acrylic paints or water colours.
 
Using Silicon glue, attach both the balls together.
Stick the googly eyes and the rhinestone for the nose.

Wrap the ribbon around the neck, cut appropriate length and stick the two ends together.
Make a bow with the remaining ribbon and stick it with glue as shown in the picture above.

Using cutting pliers, cut both the chenille stems in 3 equal parts.
Stick the little pompoms to one end of these chenille stem pieces.
Put some glue at the other end of the chenille stem and insert in the thermocol ball as shown in the picture.
Gently manipulate the stems to get the right shape. Your ant is ready. Continue further if you want to add wings.
Cut the wings out of vellum in desired shape.
Glue the wings to the back as shown in the figure. 
And your cute little ant is ready!

Please leave your feedback in the comments below and do send us pictures on our Facebook Page if you try it.

Happy Crafting!


Links for Supplies: