Speedy Standard Card Box (& Trickz for Cuttlebug Borders & stuff)

finally that sad lil' card box got a makeover....

Before...

After...


Here are a coupla trixz that you might find useful..

Cuttlebug Border Folders:

My fab SBS2 sis Cathy (of Paper Garden Projects fame) sent me a prezzie: the Frills border folders & they are SO fun to play around with.

You can emboss strips of patterned paper for faux ribbon. It's pretty much free and I find it easier to use than that tricksy ol' fabricky ribbon. Not to mention you can use any colour of paper (or stamped, embossed, or artsy homemade papers...) for infinite possibilities.

Add a little bit of scotch tape at each end of the Cuttlebug border embossing folder & it will stay all nice & straight when you emboss those lovely borders.



If your border leaves a line impression, you can use this great trick from Vicki. But for a distessed piece like this I just smooth it out with a bone folder (I find the scoring tool from my Scor-Pal is the best since it leaves no shine on the paper!)



To get funky elements, freehand cut the edges of the boarder embossed paper & line 'em up for a border.

Just Rite Stampers:

My sweet sweet sweet SBS2 sister AnnMarie spoiled me rotten with a whole bunch of goodies & an incredible monogram Just Rite Stamper set was part of the spoiling. They are SOOOOoohh fun to use. Thank You AnnMarie; you're an absolute angel!!!

This looks a mess, but maybe you'll find some ideas here anyhow? ;o)
I did this stuff to make the monogram flowery thinger:

1...stamped the monogram stamp on watercolour paper & punched out another plain circle
2...used the plain punched out circle to mask over the stamped monogram
3...sponged on some ink
4...drew a scallop shape around the letter (Quickie glue pen)
5...glittered the glue pen (Martha Stewart Onyx glitter)
6...cut out the scallop (you could use scallop circle nestabilities if you have one) then...

7...Shaped the scallops by debossing...I cut a line between each scallop & turned it over to shape them (just used the end of a paint brush with the paper on top of a mat made from pieces of fun foam.)

Cheap tricks for embossed mats:

Of course Nestabilities can be embossed all tidy in a Cuttlebug, but for those of you who don't have a bug you can also freehand deboss (for Nesties or any mat shapes you cut.) Just use a stylus (and a mat made from pieces of fun foam.) You can use a ruler to run the stylus along for straight lines, or just go for it freehand for a distressed look.

Sewing on Embellishments:

You can sew on embellishments for movement.

These adorable little flower charms were part of another humungous spoiling from my SBS2 sis the amazing Maria. (I am WAY too lucky.) Thank You Maria; you're the sweetest blog buddy a gal could ever ask for!

Sewing 'em on means they swing a little when you hold the box. (It'd be fun to try buttons like this) :O)



A little trick, if your stitches are looking uneven in spots you can trick the eye by filling them in with a marker in the same colour as your thread. Sneaky Sneaky Sneaky!!! hehehe.



Lining the flaps of a box can be a nifty way to make your project look more unified. A speedy way to do that is to trace the flaps onto your DP & cut em' out (I used the pages of an old book that fell apart, again LOL. Can't get enough of that look...)

and that's it...


Other Tutorial Jazz:

-1-
Click here for the gesso
embossed paper tutorial:

It makes for da niftiest texture
(& only takes a minute)

-2-
This embossing was done with a
Homemade cereal box
embossing plate:



-3-
Tut. for a Standard
(4.5 inch x 6 inch) Box here

(fits Standard/A2 cards just right) :O)


More Tricks You Can do with these
Cuttlebug Border Sets:

• Vicki's brilliant idea to avoid the lines it can leave
• Becca makes a lovely white card with that technique here. Stunning!
• Becca (who does incredible things with embossing folders) used this folder border set to add dots to the straight edge of her half ovals on this card. Don't tiny details make such a difference? I love her stunning work!
• Libby makes a sweet embossed scallop!
• Cindy sanded the embossing & added dewdrops for a gorgeous look
• meldouthit made a pretty card with symmetrical side borders (tutorial there too)
• Susan's stunning card uses them with ribbon!
• & She distresses it too for a really funky look
• Karen's gorgeous album has the border as embellishment.
• Eileen does some stunning double embossing!
• Eileen has some awesome tips for how to use the borders
• Becky creates the sweetest border with the frills folder
• Cuttlebug border backgrounds by Becky (Gorgeous!)

Hope you're having a truly great weekend!

P.S. Needa get your Shoppin' on?
You can find the border folders at Paper Garden Projects here.

And you still have until the 3oth to play and win some goodies with Paper Garden Projects Birthday Challenges:

Humorous Card Challenge

Add a Flower Challenge

Just Say Thanks Challenge

:O)