Sizzix Box Tutorial

Thought I'd share with you how I construct my Sizzix Boxes. This tutorial might answer some of your questions regarding dimensions etc. It will also come in useful in the future and will all make sense very soon.

The completed box measures : 3 and a half by 4 and 3 quarters and 2 inches deep.

Firstly cut two pieces of card stock to 12" by 5 and a half" (you can actually get away with 11 and 3 quarters" by 5" if you are careful). Run them both through the machine.

Fold along the score lines (I tend to have the creases facing up and fold towards me along those lines) and attach tape as shown below (I have actually made a mistake in my haste and added tape to the top of both larger pieces - you only need to do this to 1). I recommend strong DST for this.


Next, attach them to make a T shape keeping the tabs on the inside of the completed box.

Finally attach the box together as shown below:

The box is now ready to be decorated. I attach panels to each side as this dnot only decorates the box but also strengthens it. Below is pic of all the parts:

2 Large Sizzix Die Cuts (brown in the pic)

2 Small Sizzix Die Cuts (brown in the pic)

1 Large Panel for the front (Plain Green Piece)

~ '3 and a quarter' inches by '4 and a half'

2 Long Side Panels (green with stamped paw prints)

~ '4 and a half' inches by '1 and 3 quarter' inches

2 Short Side Panels (green with stamped paw prints)

~ '3 and a quarter inches' by '1 and 3 quarter' inches

1 Image Layer (Stamped with Dog image)

~ 3 and seven eighths' by '4 and an eighth' inches

I have worked out how to get enough panels for 2 boxes out of one A4 piece of cardstock. Here's a cutting sheet to show you how (this is not to scale and shows an A4 piece of card as being the thick black on the outside):


And here's a close up of the finished article:

As you can see, I've added a ribbon under the first green layer on the cover to act as a 'lever' or 'handle' to lift the lid. If you look at my other boxes, you can see I've used punches to create a gap to use to lift the lid.


Hope this helps and answers any queries you have and that it is useful to some of you in the future!

5 Challenges in 1 and another look at the boxes

The theme at Secret Crafter this week is '4 Seasons'. You can use all 4 or choose 1. I've made these WINTERY boxes using my latest purchase of the XL Box die. I told you to expect more of these didn't I!!! They are designed with my little cousins in mind and what they'd like too and so they also match Allsort's 'For a Child' challenge this week. They will obviously be filled with sweeties for the children before they are handed to them.

The Snowman one is made using a black textured base and navy SU card. The all the stamps and white ink are from Elzybells. The snowflakes and Snowman means that the box fits in with Cupcake Craft Challenge's theme of 'Snow Much Fun'.

Here's a close up of the Snowman. Being a Snowman (and a Robin in the next one), I think these boxes qualify for Charisma Cardz's 'Merry and Bright' theme.

Here's another variation using red and brown. The sentiment that come with this Elzybells set are great and match the images perfectly. It's been really well thought out. I bought a similar stamp from Elzybells before they were an online store which had the robin with messages around the outside but now that the clear set has been released, it can be mixed and matched with other saying and images - how cool is that!

Rather than using ribbon as an opener as I have done in the past, I've used my SU Tab Punch to cut a curve out of the side piece to make it easier to open.

Being as these are little gifts, they also fit into One Stop Crafts theme.

Why not join in with the challenges and hop on over to the Secret Crafter Blog, Allsorts, One Stop Craft, Charisma Cardz and Cupcake Craft for more details.

An Award

Jane kindly left me an award a while back but I haven't had time to do anything about it.

The award comes with a few with rules, which are:

Pass this award on to five people, post on their blog to let them know you left this award, and then answer a list of questions in ONE word (I may have cheated with this rule a bit!).

1. Where is your cell phone? On my desk

2. Your hair? Short

3. Your mother? About

4. Your father? Around too

5. Your favorite food? Chocolate

6. Your dream last night? None I can remember

7. Your favorite drink? Pepsi

8. Your dream/goal? Be a rock climbing instructor

9. What room are you in? Study

10. Your hobby? Craft

11. Your fear? Jumping from heights

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Instructing climbing

13. Where were you last night? Bed

14. Something that you aren't? Lazy

15. Muffins? White Chocolate and Strawberry

16. Wish list item? Cricut

17. Where did you grow up? West Wales

18. Last thing you did? Ate

19. What are you wearing? Jeans

20. Your TV? Comedy and Sci Fi

21. Your Pets? None

22. Friends? Important

23. Your life? Hectic

24. Your mood? Cheery

25. Missing Someone? Yes

26. Vehicle? Swift

27. Something you’re not wearing? Socks

28. Your favorite store? Elzybells

29. Your favorite color? Green

30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday

31. Last time you cried? A while

32. Your best friend? Numerous

33. One place that I go to over and over? Clydach (at the Climbing Wall)

34. Facebook? Yes

35. Favorite place to eat? Wasabi

And the 5 I pass it onto are (I seem to have chosen Elzybells fans on the whole!):

Jane, Steph, Claire, Sarah, Elaine

A load of ATCs

I have finished off ATCs for a couple of swaps. As this is my second post of the day, make sure you check below to see more boxes made with Sarah's die cuts she sent me.

First ones are for the ATC Swappers Blog with the theme of 12 Days of Christmas. This is a BUMPER swap and a great way to start building a collection as the idea is to make 12 identical Christmas themed ATCs. I showed a sneak peek of these the other day and here they are in all their glory.

I used burgundy and kraft with Elzybells reindeers (again!!!). They were coloured with koh-i-noors and promarkers and actually took quite a while to colour all 12 as I had to wait between processes. Maybe I should have made a simpler style but I enjoyed making them so much and am really pleased with the results. I might add a little gold peel off star to the top right if I can find some. Here's a pic of all 12:

If you fancy joining in, hop on over to the blog for more info and there'll also be a suprise gift to all participants too this month as a thank you to all that have made the swap a success over the past year.

http://atcswappers.blogspot.com/

The second lot of ATCs are for the Addicted to ATCs blog with the theme 'SPOOKY'. I wanted to make a set that was different to my last spooky set but used the elzybells clear set again. I used the bats to create the backing card and then created a topper to go on top. I like the fact that they are all a different colour with different images but yet again, recognisable as being from the same set.

Christmas Box

Here's another box I made with the die cuts Sarah sent me last week. She included some pale green ones which matched my favourite combo of kraft and burgundy. I chalked the edges with some brown chalk and layered using the burgundy.

Then I stamped some Elzybells reindeer again and coloured with koh-i-noors, OMS and Promarkers.
What you can't see in the pick is that it is full of toffees right now - MMMMMMMM! Lovely quick, inexpensive Christmas presents and now that I have my own die (yes, it arrived), expect to see more of these!!!

Kraft Projects

Been playing with my recent purchase from Elzybells - Kraft card. I've matched it up with burgundy card and love the colour combo. In fact, the burgundy card and promarkers are the only things I've used here that weren't from Elzybells - the stamps, kraft, white ink and koh-i-noor pencils are all from their site - well worth a look. I really like the look of the reindeer on the kraft too.

In fact, I loved the combo so much that I've decided to use them for the 12 Days of Christmas swap over on ATC Swappers. During November, the swap is to make 12 ATCs so as to have a bumber swap. Check out the site for more details. Here's a sneak peek of the design I've used:

I've also made a box in this style too which I need to take pictures of to show. Keep your eyes peeled.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Halloween

A couple of days ago, I had a nice little suprise in the post from Sarah. I'd commented on a box she made using a Sizzix Die (Box 3) and she very kindly sent me 3 lots of the die cuts - one light grey set, one dark grey and a light green. What a wonderful suprise it was. The die makes quite a nice, substantial box and I think it could be so useful. Thanks to Sarah, I was able to try before I buy! Yes, I relented and bought the die now and can't wait for the delivery.

The theme this week on the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge blog is 'Halloween' and so I used the dark grey die cuts that Sarah sent me to make a Halloween treat box.

I've used my Elzybells clear set again. I used the web to create some backing panels along with one of the sentiment. I then made the topper using the circle sentiment and the cauldron.

Here's a side view of the box. As you can see, they are quite deep and can be filled with quite a bit of treats.

Elzybells Challenge 30

Over on the Elzybells blog, the theme for this fortnights challenge is Glitter, Sparkle and Shine. I've made this easel card using the Carol Singers stamp. The musical notes are not part of the stamp, I added them to the sentiment (also from Elzybells) and added some to the main image to tie it all in.

The glitter and sparkle haven't shown up well in the pic but the lantern has been coloured with yellow stickles and there's also stickles on the snowflakes and the ground. Each corner of the main square has a gem and paper piercing.

Hope you enjoyed looking at the card! Thanks for visiting.

La-La Weekly Wednesday Challenge 10 - Ribbon

This weeks challenge over at LA LA LAND CRAFTS is to use ribbon on your creation. This week, rather than a card, I've atered a notepad and made a Christmas List Pad. I've used ribbon as a divider on my altered note pad which seperates the Image from the Cuttlebug Embossed bottom.

I've used some traditional colours and used Stampin Ups Real Red and Old Olive with Real Red Ribbon.

The image has been coloured with Promarkers. The Berry Red and Marsh Green match the cardstock well.

Here's the inside of the book. there's a pad on the right and a flap on the left for keping those receipts.

So do you fancy jooining in this week? Then here's what to do:

1) Create a NEW card or other papercraft project for the challenge.Yes, you may combine challenges!You may use any stamps, but if you've got some La-La Landstamps, why not show them some love!
2) Link your card or project to Mr. Linky below. Be sure to link directly to the blog post featuring your entry or to the gallery picture of your entry.
3) Leave a comment on our blog
4) If you link your card to Splitcoaststampers, please use Keyword: LLWWC10. If you are using a stamp from La-La Land Crafts, please use BOTH keywords LLLC and LLWWC10.
5) Link to this challenge in your blog or gallery post

An award

I've only just come across Denyze's blog and love her work. She left me an award which I think is great - it's always nice to know that what you do has put a smile on someones face. Thanks Denyze.

Now I have to write 5 things about myself and then pass it on to 5 more people so that we are spreading the smiles.

1. I was a primary school teacher (still teach a little) but now study on an Outdoor Education Course teaching outdoor pursuits to children
2. I really love rock climbing
3. I've just got my first kayaking award for rescuing
4. I couldn't craft without my Cuttlebug, it has so many uses
5. I am my worst critic and often think things are worse than they are

And who am I passing this award on to? Here are my five:

Sarah - always a source of inspiration

Elaine - a good online friend who has saved me many a time from crafting disasters

Jane - an ATCs addict with an addiction to Elzybells just like myself

Scrappy Max - amazing colouring

She - for her amazing and unique ATC style

Another Halloween Treat Box

I've used another Lauren Meader Template for this little box. It's a picnic basket and comes in two sizes - I've used the small version here. It comes with a lid and handles too but I've left them off here.

Ive used my Elzybells 'Mini Messages - Happy Haunting' clear stamp set here. The web, wording and Vampire are all from the set. Sorry about the blurred top image.

Instead of putting the topper on the front, I've attached it to the inside back panel. Think it just adds a little more interest to the box.

This box fits in with the challenge over at Saturday Spotlight which is to make a treat holder. It's my first time entering one of their challenges.

Hope you like!

Halloween Box

Here's a box I've made for Trick or Treating using a Lauren Meader templeate. I've used Pepper as my image and think it looks good in the middle. Used some Halloween paper for the band. What do you think?

La-La Weekly Wednesday Challenge 9 - Sparkle

After last weeks Blog Hop, it's a return to challenges over at La La Land. This weeks theme is:

SPARKLE

Here’s my card for this weeks challenge. I’ve used two shades of Blue Glitter Card for the base and band and some silver peel offs and card to add extra sparkle. Still didn’t think there was enough so added White Stickles to the hat and snow!!!

So to join in this week, here's what you need to do to participate:
1) Create a NEW card or other papercraft project for the challenge.Yes, you may combine challenges!You may use any stamps, but if you've got some La-La Landstamps, why not show them some love!

2) Link your card or project to Mr. Linky below.Be sure to link directly to the blog post featuring your entry or to the gallery picture of your entry.

3) Leave a comment on our blog

4) If you link your card to Splitcoaststampers, please use Keyword: LLWWC9**If you are using a stamp from La-La Land Crafts, please use BOTH keywords LLLC and LLWWC9

5) Link to this challenge in your blog or gallery post

ATC Swappers - Spooky

This month's theme over at ATC SWAPPERS is:

SPOOKY

and I have used my Elzybells clear stamps to build this little scene on my ATCs. I love the fact that the set comes with so many images, borders and sentiments. It makes projects so easy and co-ordinated.

Here's a pic of all 4 of them together. If you fancy joining in with the swap and possibly getting one of these back, then there's still time. Hop on over to the blog for more details and to have a look at the mega Christmas swap.

http://atcswappers.blogspot.com/

La-La Weekly Wednesday Challenge 8 - Winter/Christmas

Well here we go with challenge 8 at La La Land Crafts! This weeks theme is Christmas/Winter. It is also a chance to show you what we've all been making with the sneak peeks we showed last week during the blog hop!

My sneak Peek was 'BUILDING SNOWMAN MAYA'. I made another easel card to show her off. I don't think the photo does the card justice as it is far more effective in person.

So, fancy joining in with this week's challenge?

Here's what you need to do to participate:
1) Create a NEW card or other papercraft project for the challenge.
Yes, you may combine challenges!
You may use any stamps, but if you've got some La-La Land stamps, why not show them some love!
2) Link your card or project to Mr. Linky on the challenge post over on the blog.
Be sure to link directly to the blog post featuring your entry or to the gallery picture of your entry.
3) Leave a comment on our blog
4) If you link your card to Splitcoaststampers, please use Keyword: LLWWC8
**If you are using a stamp from La-La Land Crafts, please use BOTH keywords LLLC and LLWWC8