A Scottish "Clam Box" Tutorial

Hi Everyone
I'm super excited to be with you today and to share my first ever tutorial here at Digital Delights!
Today I wanted to share how to create a clam box that you can use to hold all kinds of things.
The one I've made today is a gift for a fellow stamper so I've added some paper flowers in the box for her. You can of course add some treats to the box for a gift or put some stray embellishment you might have. I seem to always have embellishments with no home.

Let's get started

Supplies you'll need:
Stamps:
Digital stamp - Scottie Dog and Thank You
Paper:
Box
(1) Blue 8 1/2" x 10 1/2"
Top of Box Panels
(1) Brown 4 3/8" x 2 7/8"
(1) Pattern Paper 4 2/8" x 2 6/8"
Front and Back Panel
(2) Brown 4 3/8" x 1 3/8"
(2) Pattern Paper 4 2/8" x 1 2/8"
Side Panels
(2) Brown 2 7/8" x 1 3/8"
(2) Pattern Paper 2 6/8" x 1 2/8"
Accessories:
1 1/4" circle punch
Score Tape
Scissors

Step 1:
With your 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" blue card stock score the 8 1/2" side at 2" and 6".
On the 10 1/2" side score at 1 1/2", 4 1/2", 6", and 9"

Step 2:
From the 10 1/2" side cut along the score lines up to the 1 1/2" score line.
See photo for example. You will make 4 cuts on the 10 1/2" side of the card stock.
Step 3:
Next we need to trip 1/2" from the box. Fold over the 1 1/2" strips (as seen in the below photo) and line up the card stock to the 1/2" mark on the right side of your trimmer. (View photo in Step 5 to see what the end result looks like once you trip 1/2" from both sides.)
Step 4:
Adhere your brown and pattern paper panels together. You will have a large panel for the top of the box. You will also have 2 panels for the front and back of the box. Lastly you will have two shorter panels for the sides of the box.
Step 5a:
Add your panels to the box as shown in the below picture.

Step 5b:
Add adhesive to your box as shown in the picture below.Step 6:
Put box together.
Start by folding in the 1 1/2" strips to create the bottom of the box. Make sure that the smaller strips go inside the box. That way when you close the box lid it won't catch on the sides of the bottom of the box.
Step 7:
Next adhere the lid.
Step 8:
I've used a 1 1/4" circle punch to create a notch out of the box so that the lid is a bit easier to open. You could also do this step before constructing the box.
Step 9:
Decorate. I've used Scottie Dog and Thank You from the latest release. I've colored the Scottie with Copic markers. I've also used a boarder punch and used it like a fence for the sweet dog. Add some ribbon and some bling and you are in business.
Step 10:
Add your favorite treat or gifts in the box and enjoy!


Thanks so much for joining me today. Have a fantastic day creating a little something special for your someone special!

Painting with Ink Pads

Hello everyone,
This week I don't have a card to show you.  I thought I would show you how to colour in your images using ink pads and a water brush.  So in effect I guess you could say you were painting on your digis.  I picked up this little trick over at Pink Gem where the very talented Janet showed us how to use distress inks to colour images.  I have taken this one step further and used different ink pads just to show that they can all be used this way, you just have to be more patient with some than others.

So first off I printed off my Digital Delights image.  I decided to use Bonnie as I really like this image.  Then I put out the ink pads I wanted to use along with my waterbrush.

I always have a tissue to hand as well as a piece of scrap card just to see what colour the ink pad will give me before I use it on my image.

First off, I colour in the paler colours.  So the skin would be the first bit I would colour in.  I used a Tim Holtz Distress Ink in "Tattered Rose" as I think this gives a lovely skin tone colour.  When you are adding the colour to your water brush, try tapping the brush against the ink pad lightly several times.  I find this loads the colour better than just leaving the waterbrush resting on the ink pad.

So, because you are doing a skin tone first, obviously you won't need loads of colour on the brush, put some colour on and brush it quickly but lightly across the skin parts of your image.  Don't worry if it is pale, you can always add more colour if you want a darker skin tone.  I went back to the face after I'd done all the other skin parts in order to add some colour to her cheeks.

So next I coloured the blouse and the waistcoat.  For the waistcoat I used a chalk in pad.  This gives a much softer colour than say an Adirondack ink pad just by the very nature it is a "chalk" ink pad and the colour is more subtle to start with.  Then I used a Color Box Chalk "Eye" ink pad for the blouse, I just went back and did two or three layers so that the colour was a little deeper. 

Then I went for the kilt.  I used an Adirondack ink pad called Noel because I liked the hues of green and red.  I went for the red first and did the lines on the kilt.  Don't worry if you get a bit of "overspray", because you are using a waterbrush you will be able to "lift" any excess colour off the card.

Then I added the green to the kilt, I just added more colour to the brush until I got the shade I wanted.  And don't forget, with Adirondack ink pads you can take the lid off and lay it alongside the ink pad so that you know what colour you are working in - very helpful!!

So to the ribbon in her hair.  I used the same green for the ribbons as I had used for her kilt but just went for less colour to give a softer shade.  I added more colour where the ribbon would be creased as in real life these places would be darker than the main ribbon.

For her shoes and socks I used the same colour as the waistcoat and the checks on her kilt so that it co-ordinated.

Lastly her hair.  I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye for this.  The trick here is to start off light and add more colour where you think the hair will be darker.  I tried to add a "shine" to her hair by leaving a strip of colour lighter than the rest both at the front and the bits underneath.

As a final touch I used liquid pearls for her blouse ruffles, because I think they are always a bit special on an outfit like this.  I also added them to the little cuffs on her sleeves.

(I had left the waistcoat quite a light colour, but when it was finished I thought it needed to be a bit darker, so went back and added more colour).

Most card stock should be ok to use this method, so long as you don't overwet your brush you should be okay.  And because they are water brushes, each time you change colour all you have to do is squeeze the barrel and the water washes over the bristles and cleans your brush at the same time, clever eh??

WAIT...............THERE'S MORE!!!!!!!

Okay, I know I said at the start I hadn't made a card - but I couldn't resist using her on a card so I backed the image onto some turqoise paper and added a turqoise ribbon at the bottom and a recycled sentiment off a shop bought birthday card which just happened to be in the right colours.

I hope you have a go at this method - I have to say, I'm quite addicted to it myself, so thank you Janet for giving me the idea in the first place.

Let's Show Some Luving!

Hi all! Wow! It's the last Tuesday in January!!! This month has gone soo fast!!!

I have 4 gift ideas for you today.
I used the LUV digital images available at Digital Delights store-
~Buzzles in Luv
~Cuddles Sends Luv
~Doobie in Luv
~Valentine Bonnie

Other materials I used:
~Asst valentine treats and boxes
~Coloring medium-I used Copics (you can use your own favorite meduim!)
~Patterned paper
~Stickles (optional, you can use glitter!)
~Sanding file
~Distressing ink
~Glue
~Scissors
~Stapler
~Pop Dots
~Hole Punch
~Sizzix Big Top diecut (optional)

Here is what I started with:

1. I placed the socks and a few kisses into a small zippy lock bag. I cut out a topper using my Sizzix diecut folded it and stapled  it to the top of the bag.You can simply cut a rectangle and staple it to the bag.

2. I used the Buzzles in Luv to decorate my topper. I added Stickles to their wings!

3. The next thing I did was cut a piece of patterned paper to fit over the Marshmallow treat.

4. I used Doobie in Luv to decorate this treat. I added some Stickles to his balloons! This one is EASY!!!!

5.The third item I used was the Heart Notebook. Istarted by opening the wires slightly to get the covers off.

6. I sanded over the tops of the covers for the patterned paper to stick better to them.

7. I spread a layer of glue over the covers and glued patterned paper to them.

8. Once the glue was dried, I used a hole punch and punched out the holes. I trimmed the patterned paper off carefully around the edges, sanded the edges and inked them with distressing ink.

9. I then put the covers back on the notebook.

10. I pushed the wires together again so the covers woudn't fall off.

11. I used Valentine Bonnie and added Stickles to her hearts on her dress and the big heart behind her.

12. The final item I used was the treat box. I took it completely apart carefully. I laid it out flat and spread glue all over it

13. I glued patterned paper to it and let it set. Then I cut it out with my scissors, and folded it at the same places it was originally folded.

14. I glued it all back together. I used small paper clips to hold it together until it set.I like these little clips!

15. I used distressing ink on the edges of the heart.

16. I used Cuddles Sends Luv and added Stickles to his big heart.

Well, that's it. Hope you enjoyed it! You see, it's VERY EASY to fancy up those Valentine treats for loved ones!!! And it's so much FUNNNNNN doing it!!!

Have a happy Tuesday!!!

Deanne

Gift Card and Bookmark

Hello everyone,
Welcome to another Tuesday Tutorial here at Digital Delights.  Today is a very special tutorial for me because.........

 IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!

Phew, sorry about that, don't know what came over me!!!!

This week I am going to show you how to make a gift card and matching bookmark.  This would be ideal for that little "just because" gift as it would be perfect to just pop it all in one envelope and post it wherever without it costing the earth. 

What you will need:
Piece of card 28cm x 20cm (could be any size really, this was just the size I chose to use)
Double sided tape
Digital Delights images
Laminator (not essential but it makes the bookmark last alot longer!) or sticky backed plastic

So firstly, take your piece of card and score it lengthways straight down the middle.

Next measure 7cms from the bottom of the card and score across the total width of the card.

Then cut away the bottom left hand piece of the card (obviously put it in your scraps box to use at a later date for matting and layering). 

Now I always put an insert into my cards so you will need to do this now.  I put my insert in in two separate pieces on this occasion as it was the only way to do it.  Then using double sided tape (make sure it is a strong one) or wet glue if you have the time fold up the bottom flap in order to make a pocket on the card.

Then decorate the front of the card using your Digital Delights images and DP as you would normally do.

Next for the bookmark.

Firstly take a piece of card measuring 20cm x 12cm (this will fit into the pocket on this card - you can adjust your measurements accordingly)

Score down the middle of the card lengthways:

Then cut the corners off at the top to shape the top of the bookmark.

Once you have coloured in your images place them where you think they'll look good and then adhere them to the card.  You don't need to go overboard with adhesive as you are going to either laminate the bookmark or use sticky backed plastic)

Then using your wordprocessing software insert a text box onto the document (having measured so that it will fit onto the back of the bookmark) and type whatever phrase or name you would like to as I have done here.

Then wrap the bookmark in sticky backed plastic (or laminate it) and then punch a hole at the top for some ribbon (or if you have the time why not make a tassle). Of course you don't have to do it this way, you could just cut one piece of card and put the image on one side and the wording on the other - works just the same!

So there you have your card and when the recipient opens their card they will find the bookmark sitting inside.

I hope you enjoyed this week's tutorial and I look forward to seeing you all again next time.

Desk Organizer

Hey, just wanted to let you know I am no longer a red-head! I'm a blonde again!!! hehe!

Here's my tutorial for you today!

Desk Organizer

You will need:
1 sheet of 12 x 12 heavy cardstock. Double-sided makes the box cute!!
1 sheet of coordinating paper.Again double-sided is good because you can use both patterns!
Scor-Pal (of something to do scoring with)
36 matching Eyelets and Eyelet Setter (OR a sewing machine!)
Hole Punch
*A Crop-o-dile will set eyelets AND punch holes!
Paper Trimmer
Scissors
Ribbon or Twill
Flowers
Brads
Adhesive
4 Digital Delights digital images (less than 3 1/2 X 3 1/2)

1.Score one piece of your 12x12 paper on 4" and 8" and then turn it and score it again on 4" and 8".This will give you 9 squares.

2. Cut the other piece into blocks of 3 3/4 X 3 3/4. You will need 8 of them.

3. Arrange these squares in the centres of the outside squares of your scored sheet of paper. Add eyelets to each corner. Now, I said in the supplies list to have eyelets OR a sewing machine. If you LOVE sewing, then you can sew each of these pieces down to the paper and make it look like a quilt! Nice touch! I would have done that but my silly sewing machine is not being very cooperative the last week or so. Bad, bad,bad! The important thing with this step is to have the squares attached WELL to your big piece of paper or else the corners will stick off.You don't want that to happen!!

4. Once this is complete, then fold the corners diagonally like this: If you want you can turn it over and fold again, making the fold line more prominent as you will need to use these foldlines in the step 6.

5. Punch a hole in each corner about 1/2" to 1 " in. (Phooey, didn't get a pic of that step.Sorry)

6. Turn you paper over so that the inside of the box is on the top. Take the corners opposite each other and bring them together. You will have to manipulate the paper some to get it to fold together nicely.

7.Take your ribbon or twill and put it through the holes and tie together in a knot.Trim the ribbon.

8. Do the same for the other corners. Tie and knot them together.It will look like this:

Here's what it will look like from the top.

9. Color your 4 Digital Delights images.

10. Embellish with flowers at the top of the box and add your 4 colored images to the outside squares. Here's what it will look like. All ready to add some pens, pencils and markers!!!

Here are the other 3 images I colored.

I got curious and wondered if this box would work on a smaller scale, and guess what! It did!!!

Here's a box done using a 6 x 6 piece and scored at 2" and 4" on each side.

I cut coordinating pieces that were 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 and followed the same steps as I did for the bigger one. It looked like this:

Here's what it looks like compared to the bigger one.I think it's so cute to make for party treats!!! Hey, you could even add a handle!!! Make an Easter basket! Wow! Hmmmm!

Hope you enjoy. Think of the possibilities you could use this little (or big) box could have! If you think of others, let us know in the comments. And, of course, if you try it, you MUST tell us where to go see it! Ya know, we wanna see it!!

Deanne

Fancy Folds

Hello everyone, and a very Happy New Year to you all.
Welcome to the first Tuesday Tutorial here at Digital Delights. 
As we all know cards come in all shapes and sizes and this week I am going to show you how to make a couple of cards with a difference.

Firstly you will need:
Cardstock of your choice
Any designer papers of your choice
Ruler
Scoring tool
Pencil
scrap card
Digital Delights images

Now first I have to apologise for the photographs.  My daughter borrowed my camera and now it takes pictures with lines all over them. Grrrrrr!  I am sooo mad - I've had it for ages with no problems and then......... well you don't want to hear me blathering on about kids now do you.  So I know they are awful but obviously I can't take them again so I'll have to use hubby's camera next time - SORRY!!!!!

The first card I am going to show you is a Pentagon Petal Card.  I found the template for this (along with numerous others) at Mirkwood Designs. 

Firstly you will need to download the template from the website and save it to your computer.  Then insert it into a Wordprocessing document (or whichever method you use to print out your pictures) and size it to whatever size you want to.  Obviously you are only limited by the size of the paper that your printer will take.  Alternatively, if you know of someone with a photocopier that will enlarge the template for you, you are then only limited by the size of your cardstock!
So you have printed out your template - now you need before you cut it out score along the dotted lines, then cut it out. 

Colour in whichever digital image you have chosen - I went for Little Bo Peep - and then cut it out.

I placed a piece of green shaded paper onto the main Pentagon shape and then I adhered the background to the card. 

Before adding Bo Peep I embossed her on the back so that she looked more 3D and then added her in front of the sheep hiding behind the tree using a large blob of silicone glue.  I prefer using silicone as you can mould the image rather than it laying flat if you use sticky pads.  (Mind you the 3D effect doesn't really show up in this pic - but it is 3D honest!)

 I added two blue flowers to two of the petals and  I also made a stand for the card so that you would be able to stand it up.  To do this take a piece of scrap card to match your cardstock and cut out a triangle shape with an added little extra strip.  Then score down the fold line and glue the strip to the back of your card, then the triangular piece will fold out and your card will stand up.

Ta Da!!  This card will fit a small square envelope and you can fold the petals in so that they stay shut (takes a bit of practice but it does work - look!!)

The second card I am going to show you is a Swing card.  Now you can use any shape you like for the Swinging bit - I chose a circle - but if this is the first time you have done one then I would go for a square because it is easier to cut out.  I found this template at http://www.timeforcrafting.co.uk/ and it is by Sara Sandberg - but there are numerous sites where you can find templates to use.  Just remember to link to them in your post so that they know you borrowed their template.

So take a piece of A5 card and lay the template over the top.  Then score the dotted lines and cut the solid lines. 

(To help you with the cutting of the circle, Sara's template has an added circle and a flower on it for you to use).  I used the circle and drew round it to give me my cut lines.

When you have cut your circle shape you need to fold down your score lines to give the shape of the card. 

Then you decorate the card as you would like.  I added some black and white DP from a Paper Cellar pad.  Then I using the circle that I cut out earlier I used a Heather type of stamp from a Stamp Tapestry pack and went round the edge of the circle and then added Maggie into the middle of the circle. 

Again I embossed her and used silicone glue to adhere her to the circle.

 I embossed the flower petals after I had used a different Stamp Tapestry image of three little flowers in red and added that to the back of the circle. 

So when you open the card you can see one image when it is closed and a different one when it is open. 

I haven't added any sentiments yet as I thought I would save these cards and use them when the need arises - I will add the sentiments then.
So there you go - two different shaped cards for you to try.  They can be a bit fiddly but are well worth the effort, I think you will agree.

Quick and Easy Gift Card Holder Ideas!

We're getting down to the last few days before Christmas! Oops, did you forget to get someone a gift? Need to get them a gift card? Well, here are three different ways to add some FUN to giving someone a gift card!

Gift Card Holder #1
You will need:
-Envelope
-Punch (optional, because you can just use scissors)
-patterned paper
-Embellishments
-Digital Delights digital images
-Coloring materials

1. Lick the envelope closed.

2.Using a punch ,clip off the corners of the envelope. You can use just about any sort of punch for this. OR you can simply use your scissors and cut a rectangle shape off the corners.

This punch left an edge on the envelope, so I simply trimmed it off.

The gift card will go in the envelope like this:

3. Now it's ready to embellish! Here's my finished Gift Card Holder #1.

Here's another one.

Gift Card Holder #2

You will need:

-tp paper roll (If you'd prefer NOT to use a tp roll, then use a paper towel roll and cut it to the desired length)

-glue

-patterned paper

-small piece of cardstock to make a tag

-embellishments

-Digital Delights digital images

-coloring materials

1.Flatten your roll.

2. Glue one end closed.

I like to use those little paper clips to hold it together for a few minutes for the glue to set.They are very handy little things!!!

3. Cover with patterned paper.

4. Create a tag to fit inside the holder. The gift card will be adhered to this tag.

5. Trip the edges of one side of the tag.

The card will look like this on the tag.

6. Decorate tag and holder as desired.Here's mine:

And, finally Gift Card Holder #3

You will need:

-1/2 sheet of 81/2X11 sheet of cardstock

-Punch (again optional as you can use your scissors)

-Glue

-Patterned paper

-Digital Delights digital images

-Embellishments

1. Fold one side of your card in about 3 cm. This will be a pocket for the gift card.

2. Using a punch, make a notch in the center of the fold like so. Again, if you don't have a punch, you can simply cut a notch using your scissors.

3. Glue the edges to complete the pocket.

4. Once that's dry, fold the cardstock to make your card.

Your gift card will go inside the pocket like this:

5. Decorate and embellish as desired. Here's what mine looks like:

Thanks for taking the time to check out my tutorial. These are REALLY very easy and quick to make, they really are!!! Let us know if you try any of them,please!

Have a Joyous Holiday Season!!!

Deanne