Flower Box Cards

(when it's too cold for real flowers why not a flower box card?)

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few flower box cards I worked on this week.  I have always been fascinated by box cards, having certainly seen quite a few on the internet, but they always intimidated me even though I thought the box card format would certainly be conducive for working with my favourite Stampin' Up! flower dies!  After seeing Lisa Curcio's July 21, 2021 Pop Up Box Card blog post and You Tube video (https://lisasstampstudio.com/2021/07/pop-up-box-cards-special-edition-youtube-premier.html) I thought I would muster my courage and have a go using the dimensions she had provided and ended up having a lot of fun making these four cards. (*the large black paperclip seen in the photos of the cards folded is not part of the design - it was only used to keep the card folded)

For the base of each card I cut the cardstock 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" - scored on the 5 1/2" side at 2 3/4"; and on the 8 1/2" side at 2", 4", 6" and 8".  In order to avoid the scored lip on the cut edges of the flaps I tried a slightly different approach:  I began with scoring the center line on the 5 1/2" side; then turned the cs and scored on the 8 1/2" side at 2", 4", 6", and 8" but only down to the center score line (this is the bottom of the box).  Using a ruler that is exactly 2" wide and a craft knife, I then cut rather than score and then cut, at 2", 4", 6", and 8" from the center score line to the top edge of the 8 1/2" side of the cs.  I have included a few photos that hopefully will clarify my explanation:

I assembled the box and glued in the two bridge inserts before decorating the panels.  Although the center score line on the back panel (the back panel is where the 1/2" tab is) should not be burnished, if, like me, you do get overzealous with the burnishing (as you can see from the photo above!) it is not a problem - to help with the stability of the back panel I just added a cs mat to my dsp panel. I cut the two bridge inserts from the same colour of cardstock as my box, and the measurements are:  1 1/2" x 3" - scored on the 3" side at 1/2" at each end.  I glued my inserts into my assembled box by lining up the folded ends with the front and back of the box respectively (and just under the edge of the box).

By using these dimensions for the box card the intention is that the card when folded up (or collapsed) will fit into a "standard" card envelope and, if you want to be able to use an envelope for the "standard" 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card then, when adding the elements to your bridge inserts, you have to pay attention to the elements not overhanging the folded dimensions of the box.  However, if you want to make envelopes for your cards you don't have to be so concerned about the overhanging issue - and you will see from the photos that I wasn't!  Since the underside of the flaps show when the card is folded I decided to decorate them too.  The dsp panels for the flaps and sides are all approximately 1/8" smaller than the flap/side dimensions - I found that it was a good idea to measure each flap/side as the 2" x 2 3/4" measurements could be slightly off.

Live Life in Full Bloom

For this card I used the following supplies:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) - for the base of the card, bridge inserts, shovel handle grip, scalloped circle, and the flowers' small centers;
• All Together 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper - black and white (item 160039) - for the decorative panels;
• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683) - for the flowers and large scalloped circle;
• Pear Pizzazz cardstock (item 131201) and Garden Green cardstock (item 102584) - foliage and grass;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) - sentiment circle, back panel, and the flowers' large centers;
• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) - shovel and handles of the garden shears;
• Silver Foil 12" x 12" Specialty Pack (item 156457) - for shovel blade and collar, and blades of garden shears;
• Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder (item 152718) - used to emboss the sentiment circle;
• Layering Circle dies (item 151770) - to cut sentiment circle and scalloped circles;
• Pierced Blooms dies (item 154312) - to cut flowers, flower stems, and flower leaves;
• Dandy Wishes dies (item 154315) - to cut grass; 
• Meadow dies (item 155852) - to cut large foliage;
• Garden dies (item 157918) - to cut shovel, garden shears, and small grass clump;
• Ranunculus dies (item 157976) - to cut foliage;
• Flowering Rain Boots stamp set (item 157689) - for the "live life in full bloom" sentiment and the flowers on the back panel, both of which were stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708);
• Soft Suede Ink (item 147115) - the shovel and garden shears' handles were sponged lightly with the Soft Suede ink;
• Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) - one small black dot was added to the garden shears; and
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).

For the shovel I cut one complete shovel out of Crumb Cake cardstock and for a woodgrain effect for the handle embossed it using my Pinewoods Planks 3D Embossing Folder (which is now retired and has been replaced by the Timber 3D Embossing Folder - item 156406).  I cut two partial shovels:  one from the Silver Foil for the blade and collar, which to give it a "used" look I lightly sanded and then sponged lightly with the Soft Suede ink; and one from Basic Black cardstock for the handle grip. I also lightly sponged the Crumb Cake cardstock handles of the garden shears with the Soft Suede ink.

New Horizons Meadow

For this card I used the following supplies:

• Pear Pizzazz cardstock (item 131201) - for the card base, grass and foliage;
• Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) - for DSP panel mats, back sentiment panel mat, grass and foliage;
• Sahara Sand cardstock (item 121043) - for the fence - which was sponged lightly with Soft Suede Ink (item 147115);
• So Saffron cardstock (item 105118) - for the butterfly;
• Soft Suede cardstock (item 115318) - for the tall back foliage;
• Pale Papaya cardstock (item 155668) and Calypso Coral cardstock (item 122925) - for the small flowers;
• Night of Navy cardstock (item 100867) - for DSP mats for the front panel/side;
• Very Vanilla Thick cardstock (item 144237) - used for the back sentiment panel;
• 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortments - Subtles (item 155229) - Pear Pizzazz for the flap DSP panels;
• New Horizons 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 157768) - for the DSP panels;
• Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush (item 141897) - used on the So Saffron butterfly;
• Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) - small Very Vanilla dots used for the centers of the Pale Papaya flowers;
• Flowering Rain Boots stamp set (item 157689) - used for the "our friendship is naturally beautiful" sentiment, which was stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708);
• Horizon dies (item 157778) - used to cut fence and Mossy Meadow grass;
• Dandy Wishes dies (item 154315) - used to cut Pear Pizzazz grass;
• Meadow dies (item 155852) - used to cut foliage and butterfly;
• Harvest dies (item 156504) - used to cut foliage;
• Pierced Blooms dies (item 154312) - to cut the small Pale Papaya and Calypso Coral flowers;
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755); and
• Mossy Meadow 3/16" Braided Linen Trim (item 154298) - currently available on the Clearance Rack!

My Friend Happy Birthday

For this card I used the following supplies:

• Pool Party cardstock (item 122924) - used for the card base, back sentiment panel, and front sentiment label'
• Sunshine & Rainbows 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 158126 - a Sale-A-Bration selection!) - used for the DSP panels;
• Magenta Madness cardstock (item 153080) and Bumblebee cardstock (item 153077) - used for the flowers;
• Basic White cardstock (item 159276) - used for the flowers' large centers;
• Granny Apple Green cardstock (item 146990) - used for grass, and foliage;
• Bermuda Bay cardstock (item 131197) - used for the flowers' leaves;
• Pierced Blooms dies (item 154312) - used to cut flowers, leaves, and front sentiment label;
• Dandy Wishes dies (item 154315) - used to cut dandylion leaf;
• Birds & More dies (item 152721) - used to cut Granny Apple Green foliage;
• Peaceful Moments stamp set (item 151595) - used for the "Happy Birthday" sentiment;
• Easter Friends stamp set (item 157737) - used for the "my friend" sentiment;
• Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) - I used the small and large sizes of the Basic Black and white dots;
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708) - used to stamp all sentiments; and
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).

And finally . . .

With All My Heart

I used the following supplies for this card:

• Real Red cardstock (item102482) - used for the card base, flowers, scalloped edges adhered to both bridge inserts, the small heart on the front panel, and the stitched heart on the back sentiment panel;
• Heartwarming Hugs 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper - although a Christmas paper from the July-December 2021 Mini Catalogue I thought the red and white patterns were very versatile and could certainly be used for a Valentine card or for any time you want to use red and white - so don't always put the "seasonal" paper too far away!;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) - used to mat the DSP panel on the front of the back panel, for the scalloped trim on the top of the front of the back panel, the stitched heart on the front flap, the large centers for the flowers, and the back sentiment panel;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) - used for the smaller centers of the flowers and the bow;
• Pear Pizzazz cardstock (item 131201) and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) - used for foliage;
• Pierced Blooms dies (item 154312) - used to cut flowers, centers for flowers and bow, flower stems and leaves, and bow;
• Meadow dies (item 155852) - used to cut additional foliage;
• Scalloped Contours dies (item 155560) - to cut the Real Red scalloped edges that are glued to the bridge inserts, and the small Basic White scallop trim that is glued along the top of the front of the back panel; 
• Birds & More dies (item 152721) - used to cut small Real Red heart;
• Bouquet of Love Hybrid Embossing Folder (item 157641) - I used the smaller of the two heart dies included with the folder to cut the Basic White and Real Red stitched hearts;
• Peaceful Moments stamp set (item 151595) - used for the "Thinking of you with all my heart" sentiment, which was stamped used Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708);
• Watercolour Pencils - Assortment 1 (item 141709) - by flicking a wet paint brush along the Basic Black watercolour pencil I added the "splatters" to the back sentiment panel;
• Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) - I used small white dots to embellish the Real Red hearts and the center of the bow; and
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).

Using an envelope punch board I made a co-ordinating envelope using the Beautifully Penned 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper, a selection from the August-September 2021 Sale-A-Bration.  To embellish the envelope I added a sentiment panel cut from Basic White Thick cardstock using the Stitched Rectangle dies (item 151820) with the "may all your days blossom with joy and happiness" sentiment from the Easter Friends stamp set (item 157737), stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, and to which I glued a Real Red stitched heart.  Around the envelope I tied a bow using the Real Red 3/8" Faux Linen Ribbon (item 158129).

I had a lot of fun making these box cards and am anxious to make more - maybe in some different sizes . . .

Thank you for visiting my blog!  If you are interested in purchasing any of the available Stampin' Up! products I have used, and you reside in Canada and do not have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please do not hesitate to visit my online store on my website, https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/, or click under the "Shop With Me" tab on the right sidebar of my blog (which will take you to my online store).  I certainly appreciate your business!  Don't forget that Sale-A-Bration only runs until February 28, 2022, and is a great opportunity to get some exciting free products while stocking up on your papercrafting supplies!  You can see alll the Sale-A-Bration selections on my website!

Have fun creating!

Laurel

I am sure there must be something interesting in here!