craftysuz creating everyday

So much going on at this time of the year it's hard to find a moment to breath.  It sure takes some organization to get everything done & keep your sanity.  We're doing it a bit smaller this year since the boys are grown & I'm still getting back on my feet we thought we'd focus more on the family & less on the stuff.  I can't go without my tree though - our tradition on Black Friday isn't to shop but to put up the tree & that we did....

There's lots going on at Everything Scrapp'n.  Have you joined the new forum?  Right now we've got QOTD (question of the day) but they'll be lots of creativity going on - so join here & watch us grow.

Today is also Design Team reveal & Monthly Challenge time at ES.

This month's challenge was created by Jana titled "Think Outside the Box" - create unique packaging for a gift.  Details are on the ES blog & that's where you will post a link of your creation for a chance to win a great prize.  Each of the designers have done their take on the challenge.  So check each of them for inspiration.  Go to the ES blog to start the hop & the designers links are in the post.

I just got a Martha Stewart Score Board so I decided to make a box for my take on the challenge.   The scoring boards really make easy work of folding in just the right places.  Even though the Pink Paislee Mistletoe & Co. paper is double sided I wanted the box to be sturdy so I used black Bazzill cardstock for the inside.  Adhering both layers that were scored the same size worked perfectly.

To make this 4" box I cut the sheets of paper for the bottom of the box 8"x8" and scored at the 2" & 6" marks.   The top of the box is not as deep so I cut those sheets 6"x6" and scored at 1" & 5".  I adhered trim to the edge of the lid for a finished detail.

 Supplies:  Paper (Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Naughty or Nice,   Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Santa's Workshop, &  Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Postcards); Flowers (Tim Holtz - Grungepaper); Ink (Close to My Heart & Colorbox Chalk Ink); Trim (Joann's); Buttons (Misc. Stash)

I love Tim Holtz Grunge Paper for making flowers & other embellishments.  I cut these flowers using my Cricut Expression & Walk in the Garden cartridge.   I don't have the deep cut blade so I just used the multi cut option & went over it 3 times with depth & pressure both set at "5" (twice around was enough but did another for good measure & clean crisp edges)

I just inked the paper directly from the ink pad by dragging it over (use rubber gloves as this is messy - my fingertips are red & blue lol).  Using a heat gun in the center of the flower caused the petals to curl up in a natural position.  I then bent each petal slightly to create a realistic curve to them.  A Pop Dot between each layer added that dimension we all love.

You've got to try Grungepaper - this product it's fantastic!  Here's the link to buy in the ES store.  Heather sells by the pack or by the piece.


For my other project I continued using the Pink Paislee Mistletoe & Co line.  They really showed off an old photo of me & my Grami - Christmas 1966.  We thought the "See & Say" was high tech back then - so amazed by a talking toy.  I made another flower embellishment using the Grungepaper.  The Pink Paislee Stamps layered made a nice addition to the layout & anchored the journaling.  I also stamped on one of the flower layers to add interest.

Supplies:  Paper (Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co North Pole, Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Reindeer Games & Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Postcards); Stamp (Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co); Border (Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co - Borderline Stickers); Flower Material (Tim Holtz - Grungepaper); Flower Shape (Cricut Expression & Cricut Walk in the Garden Cartridge); Bling (Prima - Say it in Pearls - Mixed Crystals White); Button (Misc Stash); Letters (American Crafts - Thickers & Pink Paislee - Expressions Cardstock Alpha Chocolate); Ribbon (Misc Stash);  Ink (Close to My Heart & Colorbox); Paint (Tim Holtz - Crackle Paint)

Thanks so much for visiting today!  Now head to the ES store blog to see the challenge & hop around to see everyone's creations.