Sunday, January 25, 2009

Micro-Beaded Winter Wonderland (3x3 Box template with a lid)



I don't know about you, but I can't get enough of templates for 3x3 boxes! This one is 1 and 3/4 inches deep & it has a lid. The original template is from last years Stampin' Up! Saleabration catalogue. I just re-sized it to fit 3x3 cards, scanned it & now it's a PDF. If you need jpeg, just let me know (melstampz@gmail.com)

There are instructions added on the bottom of the template for how to make an inkless version (none of those pesky dotted lines!) :O) & The tutorial & the measurements for that method are both below.

...And it's a good thing we still have lil' bits of snow around here, because I can't get enough of these Eat Cake Kidlets playing in the snow either! It's nice that they're all winter long stamps, not just for the holidays. :O)



Here's the side view of the box & the inside view too:


I love the shine of wee microbeads (these ones are from S.U.
& they're stuck on with Crystal Lacquer)

Details:

The Stamps:
Like these cutie patootie images?

You can find these stamps in the
Winter Wonderland Stamp set here.
See more schtuff made with 'em here.

The Cardstock:
Me likey the shimmer of this Paper Temptress Cardstock. It's like twinkling H2Os but in a cardstock. Loverly shiny Stardreams metallic cardstock! It Cuttlebugs or dry embosses like a dream. The top is made with Aquamarine & the bottom is made with Opal. :O)

The Templates:
This 3x3 was an S.U. SAB template that used the 'Sweet One' set. The Top & Bottom of it are made into PDFs (at 214%) so that it can be used as a box for a 3x3 notecards & envelopes. Click the Templates if you'd like to go download the PDFS on SplitCoastStampers:


















The Construction:



Step 1) Print templates on regular ol' paper & trim around them



Step 2)
Cut cardstock pieces for the box & 3x3 cards:
  • Box BOTTOM=7 inches square
  • Box TOP=7 2/8 inches square
  • 3x3 cards=6x3 inches


Step 3) Adhere the template to your cardstock with repositionable adhesive (i used Dotto)



Step 4)
Cut 4 slits in the bottom & top box parts (where the lines on the template indicate)



Step 5)
Emboss the lid with a Cuttlebug if you like. (fold part of the 7 inch+ box over the outside of the embossing folder so it fits on the 6 inch Cuttlebug plate.



Step 6) Tear Snow strips & cut strips of decorative paper (12 or 8 inches long & then a section that is approximately 3 3/8" wide to finish the last side. (It may be a good idea to measure your box since the size will depend on how you scored it) :O) I embossed some of the strips with a Snow Dots Cuttlebug folder.



Step 7) Stamp the Winter Wonderland peoples, colour & cut them out. I used an exacto blade to give this detail & dimension. The technique I used for these guys is a good one if you want the depth of Copics but are newbie and or only have a couple colours:

1) Colour with whatever medium you're comfortable with. (I used watercolour pencil crayons for these)

2) Deepen the shadows with Copic marker colours that match (or whatever intense markers you have.)



Step 8) To bead it, apply Crystal Lacquer. (If you click the photo above you can see the icicles of Lacquer at the top. So fun. Makes ya feel like a kid with a big bottle of paste!)



Step 9) Sprinkle microbeads (or glitter or fun flock...) over the Crystal Lacquer. It's so nifty how those teensy beads catch the light and look like frost on the snow. :O)



The cards are a 3x3 gatefold turned on it's side so that they make a little horizon. The patterned paper makes the perfect little scenes scaled just right to go with these stamps. ("Be Merry" line by My Mind's Eye: "Oh Christmas Tree" & "Jolly Little Snowmen") Here's what the fold looks like:



Hope you're all still enjoyin' Winter!


21 comments:

Connie R. said...

WOW! This is so cute. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.

www.alifeandartinprogress.blogspot.com said...

These must be some of the cutest 3X3 cards and box I have ever seen!!!

Elena said...

That is so cute! The gate fold card is awesome! I love the snow sparkles!
Thank you for sharing the tutorial and templates, Mel!

Donalda said...

Mel you are just the most talented person i have seen making all these gorgeous templates etc and having them ready for us to learn them You are awesome girl I am so glad I found your blog. Your box is just beautiful you do such gorgeous work dear.

Michelle Pearson said...

very cute little set Mel....so glad to see your wonderful creations again!!

Skraptacular Designs said...

Hi, Mel! We have never met but I actually visit your blog regularly and wanted to pass forward a special award that was given to me. Hope you don't mind!

Your creativity never ceases to amaze me! When I come to your blog not only do I see all your beautiful creations BUT I always leave with great inspiration.

Thanks for sharing all your great cards and projects. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.

Hugs,
Priscilla

StampinCathy said...

This is just amazing and so inspiring. Thanks so much for the easy to follow tutorial and the inspiring project.

Angela said...

I love these boxes too, but I haven't made one yet, because I can't figure out the 3x3 envelopes. Where do you find them?
I enjoy your blog so much, and have been following secretly for awhile.
Thanks,
Angela

Sandy Knecht said...

Neat box!

Holly Young said...

Just an adorable box and the notecards are so cute too! You have so many details in this! I also have to tell you how cool your photos are with the white fur in the background. Thanks for the pdf!

Unknown said...

oh my goodness...these are so cute!!!

Nancy at EmbroideryIt.com said...

That is simply the cutest box. Thank you for sharing it and the instructions.
Hugs,
Nancy
www.basketmasterweavings.blogspot.com

Maria said...

Hiya Mel! Glad to see you back in business! I think I'll make this my next project to work on! It's such a cute box!! Thanks for sharing the template. Your boxes are so adorable and it sure is a winter wonderland by looking at your box!!

Maria

Kirsten Alicia said...

Hi Mel, this is fantastic! The images are so cute & I love the snow. Thank you for the excellent tutorial. Hope you're feeling better. Kirsten x.

Anonymous said...

What a great tutorial...as always!! Love this template - so easy to change up into any size! And yours is done so beautifully!!
hugs, Jami

Erum Tasneem said...

I love these boxes... the best part is that the inside is decorated as well... and I loved the cards inside! The details are as always mind blowing!

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

What a sweet box! I love those little cards you made.

Gwen said...

This is just darling mel! love how you used the micro beads for a perfect touch of snow!!! I am enjoying the winter!...it was 75 degrees yesterday!!!!! :)

Godelieve said...

This box is super cute and adorable. Thanks for sharing how you made it.

Morag Cutts said...

Gorgeous and very cute project! I love the effect with the micro beads. TFS!

Corie said...

This is absolutely amazing -- you are the BOMB!!