You will need two co-ordinating cardstock weighted paper for this project.  The My Minds Eye papers from January’s Full Tart is perfect for this.  It also uses one of my favourite stamps called “Beep Beep I love you” by Whiff of Joy which I coloured using my new Lyra Watercolour Crayons. 

Cut Sheet A 15cm x 23cm
Cut Sheet B 15cm x 13cm

Score sheet B 2.5cm in from each edge
Cut in from the edge to the score line where shown.
Use a bonefolder to crease along each score line.
Add doublesided tape to the ‘tabs’ at either end and bend up to form a box base.

Score sheet A at 2.5cm, 10.5 cm, 13cm and 21cm.
Use a bone folder to crease all the score lines.
Place double sided tape on one edge as shown and then fold up to form your box sleeve.

Optional Extra:  Use a punch to cut a semicircle from your box base, allowing the recipient to insert their finger and slide the box out easier.

Decorate your finished box as desired. You can add a belly band around the box outside if you want to guarantee that nothing will fall out.   I also added Distress Ink to to all edges of the box sleeve and base.  Fill with goodies such as a massage or movie voucher, chocolates or just a love note. Guaranteed brownie points for going to that extra effort

You can alter the size of your box too.  This second example I’ve made uses a slightly longer middle, simply by adjusting a few measurements. 

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I enjoy making flowers to use on my projects.  Today, I thought I would show you how quick and easy it is to make your own mini flowers using the Cheery Lynn Miniature Rose die.

I have used Tim Holtz glassine paper to make my flowers.

Start by cutting 2 strips of glassine paper just a little wider than your die.

Scrunch both strips and then smooth them out.

Run both strips through your die cutting machine.

Secure your individual flowers together with a small brad.

Using your thumb and forefinger, gently move the petals up and around until you are happy with the finished look.

Using a paintbrush and a metallic glimmermist, add some colour to your flower petals.

When this has dried, grab a smaller paint brush and a metallic paint in a contrasting colour and carefully add detail to the edges of the flowers.

Your flower is now ready to be added to your next project..

These dies really do make it easy for you to add custom made flowers to any project.

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If you are anything like me you will have lots of little scraps left over after using your kit.  I normally would put these in a bag to punch out some small shapes later on. However this time I decided to put my scraps from the January Full Tart to good use and make a 2012 calendar to hang above my desk.

The beauty of this calendar is that you will need very few supplies other than scraps left from your kit and one piece of 12 x 12 cardstock.

1. Take your sheet of cardstock and cut twelve 6×2 inch rectangles.

I didn’t take a photo of this step, but here is how I cut the sheet to get the 12 rectangles.

2.  Round the corners of each piece.

3.  Print out a 2012 calendar.  I printed this calendar from here.

4. Trim the months so that they are 2×2 inches.

5.  Take your scraps and cut them so that they are 2 inches wide and various lengths.

6. Arrange the month and scrap pieces on the cardstock.

7.  As an optional step add some faux stitching.

8. Cut a small circle from scrap cardstock and add to the calendar along with one of the butterfly stickers from the kit.

9. If you have any alphabet stickers left use these on the calendar as well.

10.  Complete this process for all twelve months. Then punch a hole in the top of each and thread through an album ring to hold them all together. Add a hemp cord bow and your calendar is now complete.

This is a great way to use your scraps and to make a very easy calendar as well.

Supplies from Lime Tart

jan12fulltart 600

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Today I am showing you a different way to use your Copics. I’m sure everyone has some of those gorgeous silhouette flower stamps tucked away some where. The two I have used here are by Penny Black.

So all you need is a light coloured Distress or Memento ink, your Copics, and a silhouette stamp.

First stamp your image in a light coloured ink. I have used Distress Ink Tattered Rose.
Now colour your image!

Copics used:
For the leaves - YG91, YG95, YG00.
For the flowers – R81, R83, R85, R89.
For the stamens – YR21, YR23.

The far right image below has been highlighted with a grey chalk pencil and a white chalk pencil. I love these and think they add some great dimension. Do make sure you have completely finished using your Copics before using the chalk pencils. Mine are by Faber-Castell.

I have now cut out my image. You could also cut out the image using Spellbinders Dies like I have done in one of the sample cards below. Once the image has been cut out, sponge around it all with Distress Ink Old Paper.  It doesn’t matter if you get some on the image itself.

Then use Distress Ink Walnut Stain and your favourite background stamp and stamp around the outer edge. Sponge again using the Walnut Stain, but just on the very edges, this time.

Here is my finished card:

Plus a couple of other samples. These two have had their sentiments stamped using Copic pens – colour the sentiment stamp with your Copic pen then use your Copic Blender pen to saturate the vellum scrap and stamp on top while it is still wet. The blender will reactivate the Copic ink on your stamp. Perfect for getting your sentiment just the right colour!

I hope you like this idea. Let me know if you have a go at it!

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