While previewing the new Summer Mini Catalogue last month, I was inspired by the new Designer Series Paper pack, Beyond the Garden, to create some beach themed items.  Beach bags immediately came to mind! 

I always seem to be collecting a new beach bag every year (mostly cause I can’t find the previous year’s one!)  and I love the fun bright colors they all have and of course, their capacity to hold lots of items for a day outdoors.  So, to stay true to the purpose of a real beach tote bag, I created these three replicas keeping space in mind.

All three totes are large and strong enough to be used as gift bags for that special summer or Hawaiian themed party:

*** Flower Rimmed Wild Wasabi tote  measures 8 1/2″ wide at the top, 7″tall excluding handle (11″with handle) and is 2″ deep

*** Daffodil Delight Nautical Striped tote measures 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ and is 2″ deep

*** Round Clutch Handle tote measures 7 1/2″ long, is 6″high and 1 1/2″ deep

Beach Tote Ensemble Tutorial includes:

15 pages of written instructions and measurements to complete all three projects

40 step by step photos to assist you in recreating the projects

$3.99 CAD

The tutorial will be emailed to you as a PDF file following your purchase through PayPal.

TTFN!

Natasha

Here is a cute idea for you to package some really cute little items in.

It’s a purse shaped like a trapezoid – just like my real current one!  Once you fill it, it’s not gonna tip over, that’s for sure!

This is an open view .

When closed, the front flap and cover/lid are secured together with velcro or magnets – they both work well.  I left the front tabs unattached to the sides for ease of loading and unloading goodies and treats.

Same purse – different look

My tutorial for this trapezoid purse for gift giving is available today!

It includes 9 pages of instruction along with 26 photos to assist you in creating your own purses.

The tutorial is available starting today for $1.99 CAD.

I’m going to go make a dozen more and then figure out what fun and festive things to put inside.  Not that it matters because it’s all about the packaging, isn’t that what they say?

TTFN!

Natasha

How many of you give out a plate of cookies at Christmas? 

HaHa!! I knew it – lots of you!!!  Me too!

This year, let’s throw away those paper plates and plastic wrap and give cookies away in this!

I was able to fit a dozen cookies in this box – the dimensions are 2 3/4″ x 6 1/2″ x 2 3/4″ .

 Here’s the step-by step instructions for you:

Step 1:

Stamp a 12″x 12″piece of cardstock as desired.  I used Bravo Burgundy, Bells & Boughs stamp set and shimmer paint.

Score one side at 2 3/4″ and 9 1/4″; turn cardstock 90 degrees and score at 2 3/4″, 5 1/2″, 8 1/4″, and 11″.

Step 2:

Cut off the two un-neccessary thin ends.

Step 3:

Cut on all horizontal score lines up to intersecting score lines – this creates your side ends.

Step 4:

Cut off  1  3/4″ off set of 1st tab ends. This creates the box lid…

Step 5:

Round all 4 lid corners.

Step 6:

Create a 2 1/2″x 4 3/8″ rectrangular template; lay template on box top and trace; cut out with paper cutter.

Cut a piece of acetate sheet to 3 1/2″x 5 1/2″ and adhere to inside of box covering the window.

Step 7:

Fold on all score lines folding the acetate sheet as you go.

Step 8:

 Apply double-sided tape to the last two tabs on each end as shown in photo above.  Fold up box starting at far end and finished at box lid.  Fold lid into box with tabs on the inside.

Decorate as desired…then send me a link or photo of your creation- I want to see!!!

TTFN!

Natasha

It’s my latest tutorial available today!!

I have combine my two favourite hobbies – baking and papercrafting – to create the ultimate gift!  Nothing says “I’m thinking about you” more than a plate of homemade treats…cookies, mini cupcakes and muffins, mini loaves…YUM!  But the paper plate and Saran Wrap packaging scream something else.  Next time you are delivering a homemade treat to a friend, say, “You’re the best friend ever!” by presenting the goodies in one of these cute little packages.

The tutorial includes instructions for all three packages:

* cookie bag

* 1/2 dozen mini cupcakes or muffins container

* 4 mini cupcakes or muffins box with see through lid and belly band

This tutorial is 23 pages full of step-by-step instructions and has over 50 photos to assist you all the way in creating your goody packages!  It is available today for $3.99 CAD.

Here are some other photos of the projects:

I have used minimal supplies to create these packages so it will be easy for you to recreate:

* 1 package of Elegant Soiree DSP,

*1 stamp – Homemade, 

*4 colors of cardstock – Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla

* 4 punches – 2 3/8″scallop circle, 1 3/4″ circle, eyelet border and round tab

*minimal amount or accessories such as 1 brad and a bit of ribbon here and there

Order today and get baking!  I would love to see the packages you create for your loved ones!!

TTFN!

Natasha

I discovered a way to wrap scallops around the wide oval shape.  In this card, I wrapped Pear Pizzazz scallops around the Happy Birthday image found in the Perfect Punches stamp set.  I shared this little technique with those who attended my class last night and now I’ll share it with you!

SCALLOP OVAL PHOTO TUTORIAL

Step 1.  Punch a 1 3/4″circle from cardstock – you won’t be needing that circle, you just need the outline.

 Step 2.  Center new 2 3/8″scallop circle punch around circle outline and punch.

Step 3.  Stamp image and punch out with Wide Oval Punch.

Step 4.  Make a slip inbetween two scallops with scissors.

Step 5.  Cut tiny slits the entire length of scallop edge.  Make sure the cuts are tiny as you don’t want to see cut marks when all is said and done!

Step 6.  Apply adhesive where you’ve made the cut marks.  Again don’t apply adhesive too high or it will be exposed when finished.  But then again, we do have that handy little adhesive remover don’t we!

Step 7.  Start wrapping scallops around your oval.  I always start and end on one of the narrow oval turns.  When wrapping, keep the scallop edge distance from the oval the same all the way around, as much as possible.

Step 8.  When you reach your starting point, join the scallops as best you can.  This may take a bit of fiddling with the two ends or it might line up perfectly – it’s different each time.  You will have 2 extra scallops – just cut them off.

There you have it – scallops for your Wide Oval Punch!! I love it!

TTFN!

Natasha

I enjoyed using the Sweet Pea Designer Paper pack and felt flowers since they will no longer be available after April.  I also liked experimenting with different styles of lid handles.  The step-by-step tutorial to create all three sizes of canisters is only $3.99 and available for purchase on the right sidebar.

Colors – Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, So Saffron, and Rose Red

TTFN!

Natasha

$3.99 CAD

As of today, the US dollar and the Canadian dollar are running almost at par.  This can change at any time.

This tutorial contains 17 pages of cutting/scoring dimensions as well as almost 40 step by step photos and complete instructions to create the three canisters in the photo above.

The tutorial will be emailed to you in PDF format within 8 hours (at most) of payment through Paypal.

Natasha

But……………………

I wanted to quickly share with you a sneak peak at a new tutorial I will have ready for you this Saturday – an Easter Canister Set!  Check out these little cuties:

This tutorial will provide you with the dimensions and step by step instructions (complete with photos of course) to make all three sizes of canisters.  They will be perfect for Easter chocolates and little girls will love them to hold their many girly treasures.  The tutorial will be $3.99 CAD.  Check back on Saturday for more details – until then, enjoy the tease!!

TTFN!

Natasha

SCALLOP ENVELOPE EASTER BASKET

To make a basket, you will need:

- Big Shot and Scallop Envelope die – 2 die cut from desired cardstock

- same cardstock color cut to 1 5/8″ x 7 5/8″ (I used So Saffron)

- designer series paper cut to 1 1/2″ x 11″ ( I used Tea Party dsp)

- embellishments and Sticky Strip adhesive

STEP 1.

Fold all tabs on envelopes – don’t fold on scallop flap fold.

Score the So Saffron cardstock strip at 2 1/4″ and 5 1/2″.

STEP 2.

Adhere bottom tab of one envelope to the middle portion of So Saffron strip.

STEP 3.

Repeat with second envelope.

STEP 4.

Turn the basket over and apply Sticky Strip along the score lines of all 4 side tabs.  Remove red backing from adhesive, one at a time and secure to So Saffron strip creating a box.

  STEP 5.

Wrap and adhere the dsp strip around box starting at the front.  When you are finished, you will not see a dsp seem as the front flap and embellishments will hide it.

Bring front flap down and secure with Sticky Strip.

STEP 6.

Using the large oval punch (small oval would work also), punch handle from remaining scallop flap.  Embellish your basket as desired.

 I would love to see your basket creations!!

TTFN!

Natasha

The projects I created for my Stair-Step Class have been quite popular and I have had many requests for the tutorial.  I have created a PDF file of the projects with step by step instructions and photos as well as cutting and scoring dimensions.  The price for this tutorial is $3.99 CAD and payment can be made through Paypal by clicking on the “Add to Cart” button under the “Tutorials for Sale” section of this website.  I hope you enjoy!

TTFN!

Natasha