More Inspiration for Challenge #6 with Jo

 Hi there, Squashettes, I hope that you are all safe and well out there in Blogland!

It's Jo here with more inspiration for Challenge #6 where we're asking you to Box Clever and make an embossed box or upcycle an existing box with the help of an embossing folder or two!

We have had some wonderful entries in the gallery, but I'm sure there are still some of you who'd like to join the fun but haven't yet taken the plunge. If you're still seeking inspiration for this theme you need look no further than our fabulous Empress of Squash, Robyn, who has created some beautiful additional makes for this challenge. 

Upcycled boxes...

Easter boxes...

Thank you so much, Robyn, you really have done us proud!

I'm gonna come clean and admit that I've found this challenge to be, well, quite a challenge! I tried to make boxes using templates from the internet but none of them looked like something I'd want to share. My attempts at milk carton boxes were especially disappointing and quickly found their way into the wastepaper basket!

Fortunately, I eventually came across the instructions for a sweet little triangular box.

I worked between the instructions I found at the Scorpal site from Diane and then over at Deb's Split Coast site. I've really struggled to find the right weight of cardstock/DP to use for boxes and hit upon this nice, light card as the perfect solution. Unfortunately, I have no idea where the card came from but it's thicker than DP and held the creases well. I added a little square of embossing, which looks so cute!

These will make perfect little Easter boxes to be filled with little chocolate eggs.

And finally, because I love making them soooo much, here's another pillow box!

I finished this one by adding a Stampin' Up! bunny. Fun, fun, fun!

We'll be BOXING CLEVER until March 31st, so you still have plenty of time to play along.

Take care, keep safe and keep crafting!

Technique Time with Jo - March 2021

 

It's Jo here (the one with the sheep on her shirt), and I'm delighted to be back with a few tips and hints ahead of our next Challenge. 

I thought I'd share a few thoughts about die cutting and embossing.

I always try to remember to die cut FIRST and then emboss, but I've got to be honest it doesn't always work out that way as I get very excited about the embossing part of the creative process!

Luckily, I remembered to cut first when making this pretty pillow box using my Lawn Fawn Pillow Box die and Crafts Too embossing folder.

Look at how beautifully the Bazzils card has taken the embossing. 

Because I can see through the folder I can cut a tag and then position it so as to get the pattern just how I want it.

And now for the finished box and matching tag!

This was quite an easy make because my embossing folder was big enough to cover all of the pillow box die in one go, but what happens if you are working with a smaller folder?

I solved the problem by turning the folder side on and cutting my card so it would go through my Cuttlebug. 

I die cut the pillow box shape and then lined up the edge of the folder pattern with the line through the middle of the box and ran the folder through my Bug.

I moved the folder to emboss the other half of the die cut and this is the result.

I didn't try to match the pattern because when the box is folded and glued it doesn't show!

I tried a similar trick with a little favour box and it worked beautifully. If your embossing lines match your cut/score lines then it looks great.

Doesn't embossing just take everything up a notch with these little favour boxes? I wish I'd known about embossing when I made my wedding favours.

See you soon for a new challenge and a new guest!