Sweet Little Boxes, Custom Tags

Don't you just love the convenience of gift cards? They are always the perfect fit, the recipient gets exactly what he/she wants and the shopping is easy. I pick my gift cards up when doing my grocery shopping, so I am saving the gas I would use for a trip to the mall and the environment, plus they count as double points toward my 10¢ a gallon gas discount! A gift for my friend and a gift for me! It doesn't get any better.

There's only one problem. What fun is giving a gift when there is no surprise on the opening? Of course, you can always put them in the envelope with a birthday card or actually find a box the right size and wrap it, but I love using this little gift box by Sizzix. Eileen Hull designed this Scoreboard die and also shared the technique I used.

The Duetica Lettering Arts Studio makes creating the tags so simple, and you know that the possibility of someone else having the exact same tag is very slim, since you can select each individual letter.

I will be teaching this technique tomorrow at the River City Stampers club meeting, but you get the directions here today.


Supplies
Duetica Lettering Arts Software (www.duetica.com)
Mat board or chipboard, 6” X 13”
Sizzix Scoreboard die, box with flap (www.sizzix.com)
Sizzix Texture Plate
Aluminum Foil
3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive (www.solutions.3M.com)
Alcohol inks, Ranger (www.rangerink.com)
Royal Langnickle Brush (www.royalbrush.com)
Printed paper scrap, 3” X 6”
Beacon Quick Grip (www.beaconadhesives.com)
Clearsnap Colorbox Inks (www.clearsnap.com)
Strong Double-stick tape (www.sookwangtape.com)
Brads, 2

Especially for You
Alcohol inks: Sail Boat Blue, Purple Twilight, Lettuce
3/8” Organdy Ribbon, Offray (www.offray.com)
Tag Punch
Duetica custom tag printed on cardstock

Happy Fathers Day
Alcohol inks: Slate, Rust, Mushroom
¼” Organdy Ribbon, Offray (www.offray.com)
½” and 1” Hole Punches (Texturize a small piece of cardstock. Punch small hole first, then line up and punch large circle. Ink resulting washer shape.)
Duetica custom tag printed on cardstock
Stapler

Directions

1. Adhere aluminum foil to board with Super 77 spray adhesive. Don’t worry if you get wrinkles. They’ll be covered with the texture. Cut with Scoreboard die.

2. Mark your fold lines by either re-scoring with a bone folder or marking with a pencil. When the piece is texturized, the score lines are hard to see.

2. Place the cut-out in a texture plate folder. You will have to run it through several times with the plate in different positions to cover the entire box.

Note: If you have to position the plate so that it covers another portion that has already been textured, line up the plate so that you aren’t adding additional texture.

3. Fold the box to set up your scorelines.

4. Flatten the box again and apply alcohol inks, brushing them quickly so they don’t dry. If they do, just add a little bit of plain alcohol to get the colors flowing again. You can also use the tool designed by Tim Holtz for Ranger (www.timholtz.com) for this step. It’s much quicker, but you don’t get as much color control.

5. Cut a liner for the inside back of the box and flap from matching printed paper scrap. Adhere to box inside back with strong glue.

Note: You can add the printed paper before cutting the shape, but the inside will be textured and the alcohol inks may bleed through.

6. Assemble the box, using heavy duty double-stick tape. Secure with brads if desired. Trim any excess liner paper after you make the flap fold.

7. Ink the box edges to cover fold marks and white edges.

8. Embellish as desired.

Insert your gift card and you're all set with a custom package for a custom gift!

Have a great Friday! Those of you living in the Memphis area had better enjoy this gorgeous day because the rains are heading back tomorrow and Sunday!






I received materials from Duetica Lettering Arts, Sizzix, Clearsnap, Colorbox, Royal Langnickle, Beacon, and Sookwang.