Packaging Templates Not for the Faint of Heart

Yesterday you saw the card I gave to my friend for her birthday. Today I'm showing you the gift that I included. Why am I showing you the gift? Well, b/c I made the packaging and, quite frankly, after all of that work, someone should give me kuddos. LOL! I downloaded a digital template from Papertrey Ink and then printed it on the back of the cardstock I had chosen for the packaging. Then you score and tape flaps as set out in the assembly guide. And when it's all said and done, you have a handmade package for your goodies.

Also, Don't forget about the little contest I'm running. You have until noon tomorrow CST to enter!

Cardstock: SU - Parisian Breeze DP, choc. chip; watercolor paper

Stamps: WS - birthday chicken
Ink: SO - timber brown

Misc: PTI Timeless Template - Tucked Away; SU - watercolor pencils & blender pen; MM - green eyelet, polka dot grossgrain; green grossgrain; lt. blue satin; raspberry satin; ScorTape

Now, here's a little tip from me to you:  when using these kinds of templates, test them out on scratch paper, especially if you decide to resize them! Don't ask me how I know this, I don't want to talk about it.

Birthday Cupcake

One of my good friends recently had a birthday, and I whipped up this card to honor her special day. I based it on a layout by Mariana Grigsby in this recent Embellish Magazine challenge post. And here's an added bonus:  I'm offering a little prize if you can figure out my layout mistake. While this isn't the best quality photo since I had to use my phone rather than my digital SLR, you should still be able to see the whoopsy if you look closely. (You can click the photo to enlarge.) You have until Saturday at noon CST to post your answer. I'll select a Random.Derek winner from the correct answers. Good luck!

Cardstock/Paper: SU - choc. chip; pixie pink; tempting turquoise; glorious green, more mustard; watercolor paper; Sizzix - shantung texture, silver
Stamps: SU - Crazy for Cupcakes; PTI - Around & About Sentiments
Ink: SO - timber brown
Misc: Bazzill - micro brads; MM - stitched grossgrain; Sizzix Texturz - #20 (Birthdays), SU Backgrounds #1; machine stitching; ScorTape; pop dots

Birthday Cupcakes

I replicated the card that I forgot to photograph from the Christmas gift set. This one got rave reviews, and I must say that it's pretty snazzy. Such a happy color combo.

Cardstock: SU - riding hood red, kiwi kiss, baja breeze; DCWV - Mi Casa stack; watercolor paper
Stamps: SU - The More the Merrier
Ink: VF - onyx
Misc: MM - green eyelets; SU - watercolor pencils, blender pen; pop dots
Inspiration card

20+ Days of Cards: Day 17

You may remember this card from a few months ago. I made a big batch of them and didn't need them all at the time. I included one of the leftovers in the bundle. I didn't feel the need to photograph it again for this project.

This is such a cute & simple card. When I saw it in the SCS gallery, I immediately marked it as a favorite. I will definitely turn to the layout for future quick cards.

Cardstock/Paper: SU - delicate dots, basic black; watercolor paper
Ink: VF - onyx
Stamps: SU - A Flower for All Seasons; PTI - Autumn Abundance
Misc: SU - watercolor pencils, blender pen; EK - 2" scallop punch

20+ Days of Cards: Day 15

I'm not sure whether I've ever mentioned my love for chickens, but I've had a love affair with Gallus domesticus since I was a little girl. And it's one of the reasons I bought this particular stamp set, aside from its versatility and how easily one can assemble more masculine-feeling cards.

Cardstock/Paper: SU - real red, good morning sunshine; watercolor paper
Ink: VF - onyx; SU - riding hood red
Stamps: SU - Country Morning; PTI - Autumn Abundance
Misc: EK - 2" scallop punch, 1.75" circle punch; SU - watercolor pencils, blender pen
Inspiration card

20+ Days of Cards: Day 12

Having grown up in a farming community and as part of a farming family, the images in Country Morning really grabbed me, reminding me very much of my childhood. I, of course, wanted to include the images in this year's bundle of cards. I saw this card on SplitCoast and was inspired to create the card I'm showing you today.

Cardstock/Paper: SU - parisian breeze; lt. kraft; watercolor paper
Ink: SO - timber brown
Stamps: SU - Country Morning; PTI - Autumn Abundance
Misc: SEI - ribbon; ScorPal; SU - watercolor pencils, blender pen, eyelet border punch; Sizzix - TopNotez; Zips

20+ Days of Cards: Day 11

The first time I saw this set of Papertrey stamps, I knew I had to have them. They're so versatile. And who doesn't love to receive flowers?! Once again, Dawn's color combo came to the rescue, and I borrowed the layout from this card in the PTI design gallery.

Cardstock/Paper: SU - always artichoke, pink passion, certainly celery; cream; watercolor paper
Ink: VF - onyx
Stamps: PTI - Autumn Abundance
Misc: SU - watercolor pencils, blender pen; MM - ribbon; Sizzix - Texturz #17; pop dots; Zips; sewing machine

20+ Days of Cards: Day 10

I bought this stamp from a fellow blogger but hadn't had the opportunity to ink it. This was the perfect opportunity. It makes the cutest blank notecard, don't you think? I used one of Dawn's color challenges to put the whole thing together.

Cardstock/Paper: SU - sweet always, chocolate chip; watercolor paper
Ink: SO - timber brown
Stamps: WS - Fall Fun Kitty
Misc: SU - watercolor pencils, blender pen, linen thread; misc. buttons; Zots

20+ Days of Cards: Day 8

I like having a multipurpose card in the stash. By leaving the inside of this card blank, you are free to celebrate anything from a birthday to a piece of good news to a beautiful day. I saw this card in the Papertrey idea gallery and knew it was the perfect design.

Cardstock/Paper: SU - wintergreen, windsor knot, good morning sunshine, chocolate chip; kraft; watercolor paper
Ink: SO - timber brown
Stamps: PTI - Autumn Abundance
Misc: SU - linen thread, watercolor pencils, blender pen, ticket corner punch; MM - pewter brads; brown pen

20+ Days of Cards: Day 6

It's nice to have a winter card ready to go right after the holidays. Whether it's for a thank-you note or just to say HI to family for the new year. This card caught my eye and was very easy to replicate. I hope you enjoy.

Cardstock/Paper: SU - real red, always artichoke, wintergreen d/p; watercolor paper; silver paper
Ink: VF - onyx
Stamps: SU - The More the Merrier
Misc: SU - watercolor pencils, blender pen, scallop edge punch; Recollections - silver pearls; Stickles - frosted lace, crystal; Sizzix - snowflakes

20+ Days of Cards: Day 4

Welcome to Day 4 of the project parade. Today we're giving thanks. Enjoy!

Cardstock: SU - kiwi kiss, tangerine tango, pumpkin pie, more mustard; watercolor paper
Ink: SO - timber brown
Stamps: SU - The More the Merrier
Misc: SU - Alpine Originals felt ribbon, watercolor pencils, blender pen, scallop circle punch; EK - 1.75" circle punch; Fiskars - 1" circle punch; Sizzix - Texturz #15 Lovely Flourish; pop dots; Zips; Zots
Inspiration card

20+ Days of Cards: Day 2

Did you enjoy yesterday's card? It's nice to scraplift when you're trying to save time. Adapt the colors & go. That made it easy. Today's card is an original design (as far as I know) but it didn't start out that way. I saw this card but when it came down to it didn't have enough stuff in the stash to make it look right. I had already stamped & colored the main image, so I drew inspiration for paper selection from there. The layout worked itself out. Enjoy!

Cardstock/Paper: SU - real red, barely banana, Windsor Knot dp; black; watercolor paper
Ink: VF - onyx
Stamps: TCP - Smells Like Cake
Misc: SU - watercolor pencils, blender pen; Stickles - Xmas Red; CM - circles