Card Tote and Cards Template and Tutorial

Hi Friends! I finally got a few gift set projects done! These card tote projects fit three to five cards depending on the size you decid to cut the templates (posted below). You can resize them to create different size totes. Two of the boxes measure 4 x 5" and the smaller box measures 3.5 x 3.25" but I created 3 x 3" cards for all 3 boxes.

These are my "purpose driven projects". What is that you ask? Well, have you ever wanted to create projects with a purpose in mind, whether it's to sell them and make money, to give them to friends and family, or to donate them to a worthy cause? Well, a few weeks ago, I had called my church and asked them if they were willing to accept my crafty project as donations. They didn't call back for a while because they probably weren't sure what to do with them. LOL! They finally called back last week letting me know that they could find use for them and will gladly accept them. I suggested maybe giving them as a "just because" gift to someone during bible study or to someone who needs a lift and to the kids that attend the services. It really doesn't matter what they are going to do with them . . .I was just happy that they are willing to accept my donation.

The lovely part of it all is that it's an on-going donation. . .so when I make enough of them, I have permission to drop them of at any time! Yipee! It feels wonderful to be creating with a purpose. For sometime now, I've been losing interest in my crafting because other than giving my projects to friends and family or to my crafting friends, well. . .I wanted to do something more with them. Now that I know my craft projects will go to a good cause, I am so excited to be crafting and creating all kinds of projects; therefore, it's not purely altruistic. I benefit from it too. . .:)


I have good news. . .I figured out how to create outline templates for those who don't have a SCAL2 program for the their Cricut. For the longest time, I could not figure out how to create the score lines on a template. Today, I had a blessing by God. . .I learned how to do it and it was so amazingly easy! I knew it had to be a blessing. I think God knew I wanted to share my templates so I think God made it easy for me to learn it.

I think blessings come in many forms. . .but you have to recognize them as such. Sometimes we go through life not realizing that God blesses us with many loving gestures. We sometimes say we're lucky. . .but when you see it in a different light, you'll come to realize that they are God's blessings and you'll see how blessed you are.


Here are the 3x3" cards I created for my card totes. It's very simple designs because I want to be able to make a lot of them so I'm trying to not make them so elaborate. I'd like to drop off a bunch of gift sets and projects to my church at the end of the week so I really need to hustle! LOL!

Anyway. . .basically, I cut the box using the template below. I uploaded the template on to my Sure Cuts A Lot 2 program and cut the tote shape with my Cricut Expression. You're probably wondering why I don't create SVG files and instead create jpeg files. .. well, Blogger won't allow me to upload SVG files. I did try to create it as a SVG file and uploaded it to a site that allows SVG file uploads but when I tested it out, it didn't download as an SVG file so I wasn't able to upload the file to my SCAL2 program. I need to play around with it a bit. I'll let you know when I figure it out. In the meantime, you will need to convert the jpeg file into an SVG file yourself if you don't have the SCAL2 program.

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Card Tote Tutorial

To create a 3.25 x 3.5" tote, you will need to adjust the "width" to 5.5" and be sure to "keep the proportion". Save the file to your computer by clicking on the photo and right click your mouse and "save image". When uploading on to your SCAL2 program, click on the "auto trace" feature.

Sure Cuts A Lot 2 Template

For those who don't have SCAL2 program and want to hand cut the template, click on the photo and follow the steps as I described with SCAL2 template above. When adjusting the size when printing, you will need to "resize" the image on your photo editor to create different sized totes. Be sure to always "keep the proportion" when resizing. Right now, I believe it will print to create a 4x5" tote.

Hand Cut Template

If you do use the templates, can you just credit my blog. I'm sharing the files in good faith. Let me know if try out my templates, if it sucks or it worked well for you. Any constructive criticism is helpful if there's something that need to be adjusted.

Cut the template either with your Cricut machine or hand cutting the template. Score the cut shape as shown in the photo or use the hand cut template as a scoring guide. Fold at the score line as shown in the photo

Apply double stick tape to the edge of one of the flaps on both the left and right side.

Adhere the flaps together as shown in the photo

To create the handle, cut a strip of card stock or designer paper with the length being 12". The width will be dependent on the size of your box. When cutting the handle, cut it about 1/4" less than the depth of the box. (Measure the side of the box to determine the depth). Attach the handle on the inside of the box using double stick tape or glue.

Create cards (size depends on the size of your box).

That's it! Very simple!!

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!!

Card/Project Details:

Papers: DCWV designer paper, SU Cool Caribbean
Accessories: Brads, Cricut Expression, Prima Flowers, Word Window Punch, Scribbles Iridescent Paint

Scrap Pile Saturday Challenge #4

Hi Friends!! This will be a quick post today because I need to go to bed! LOL! I'm pre-scheduling this post because we're heading to Disneyland today! Yay!! Anyway. . .let's get down to business! It's Scrap Pile Saturday Challenge again! How fun!

For those who are unfamiliar with this challenge. . .each Saturday I post a challenge that focuses on using up your scraps. .. you know, the one that you've been collecting for a long time and the pile is growing bigger. Yeah, that one! I post a challenge and all you need to do is create a card following the challenge.

I'd like to feature the participants cards from last week's challenge:

Gina Marie of Scrap Crazy created a pretty pink card using a CC Designs image.
Tina of Mommy Scraps Alot created a beautiful green card with a pretty bow.
Linda of Linanna Designs created a super cute dinosaur birthday card.
Tracey of My Creative Place created an adorable card with tons of circle elements (BTW, Tracey. . I wanted to comment your card but your blog don't have commenting option)

Now to this week's challenge:

Create a card using a stamp that you have NEVER used and to follow the sketch below!

Okay, here are the rules:

1. Other than your card base, the face of your card MUST be created using ONLY designer paper and card stock from your scrap pile. Do not cut up any new card stock or designer paper.

2. Embellishments added to your card MUST be from "opened" packages. Do not open up a new package or roll of ribbon, brads, buttons, etc.


I used my SU Forest Friends tree stamp. . .a stamp set that I bought at least a year ago but never inked, ever!! I'm not sure why. . .I just never had a reason to use the set. It's one of those sets that were on sale and I bought it because it was discounted! LOL!

I decided to create a simple design. . .my purpose was to use up my scrap designer paper and ink the stamp. I cut the label shape using my Cricut Expression and stamped the image by coloring the stamp with my SU Markers. That's basically it!


Anyway. . .I hope you'll play along this week! I really am having a blast creating these Scrap Pile Saturday challenges. It's been helping me to reduce my scrap pile and I hope it'll help you to reduce yours too! Come play along.

To play along, link your card via Mr. Linky below!!

Hope y'all have a wonderful Saturday!

Christmas Stampin All Year Long Challenge #44 - Pottery Barn Inspiration

Hello Friends! Gosh, life has been busy the past few days! Lots of things going on!!! One of which is that it's challenge time again at Christmas Stampin All Year Long! Yipee! Debbie of The Paper Garden challenged us to create a card using a Pottery Barn Inspiration. Check out the inspiration at CSAYL. This week our guest designer is Kate of Down Right Crafty! Whoohoo!

Honestly. . this week's challenge was a challenge! I love challenges! This one had me thinking a bit. . .I couldn't figure out what was the best layout for my flower and bird image. . .left side, right side, centered. I finally decided that the bird to the right and the flower to left was the best one. LOL! Decisions, decisions!



I colored the SU Belle Blossoms image using my SU Markers. I heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder then cut out the flower. To cut the bird, I used the template below. I cut the image using my Cricut Expression using the SCAL2 template. I also provided a "hand cut" template if you don't have a Cricut and SCAL2 program. Click on the image, then right click your mouse and "save image". For the SCAL2 program, use the "auto trace" feature to upload the image to your program.

Sure Cuts A Lot 2 Template (originally by Living the Swell Life)

Hand Cut Template

Anyway. . .stop by and check out the beautiful cards created by the CSAYL design team. They all did such a beautiful job! Hope you'll play along with us this week! We'd love to see your beautiful Christmas card!

Hope y'all have a wonderful Friday!!

Card Details:

Stamps: SU Bella Blossoms
Papers: SU scrappy kit dp, red (?), SU So Saffron (I think)
Ink: SU Markers
Accessories: Clear embossing powder, Cricut Expression, Pebbles Inc. ribbon, EK Success Border Punch, SU Embossing Template

Pink Cat Studio Digi Stamp Release and Mini Accordion Album Templates

Hi Friends! Today is Thursday and you know what that means!! It means it's Pink Cat Studio digi stamp release day! Yay! Well, I decided to get busy and create a card and two mini accordion album. I provided the templates for the mini accordion album below. . .both for the Sure Cuts A Lot 2 template and hand cut template.


OMG!!! This is so funny! I just realized I colored Lily's hair two different colors. I was so in a rush to finish the card that I didn't even realize I was coloring the hair in two different colors! That is so hilarious!

I created two mini albums using the templates below. I cut the templates using my Cricut Expression and using the SCAL2 program. It's a two part template as you can see. Click on each image and save on to your computer by right clicking your mouse and "save image". For the SCAL2 program, upload the image using your "auto trace" feature and adjust the width to any size (mines is 5") but be sure to "keep proportion" when adjusting the size.

If you're going to use the templates and post a project on your site using the templates, can you just please credit my blog because I worked hard to create the templates. . .:) Really. . .it is an effort for me to create them because I'm not exactly a "pro" at this.

Sure Cuts A Lot 2 Template




Hand Cut Template

If you don't have the SCAL2 program. . .you can cut the images yourself. The outline template is provided above. I finally figured out how to create outline templates from my solid templates and vice versa. LOL! I actually figured it out by accident! I love when that happens. Save the image to your computer by right clicking your mouse and "save image". Be sure to adjust the templates to the desired size. Always keep the proportions when adjusting the size of the templates. Do not print directly from the Internet. I'm not sure how big or small the templates will print if you do.

I created two different mini album layout. . .check out the layout on my second mini album below. You can create two different accordion style using the same templates. With this album, the layout is hexagon, square, hexagon and square. With the one below, it's square, hexagon, hexagon, and square. I created a simple design with non-choking materials because I'm planning to donate the mini albums to my church to give to the kids and I don't want to be responsible for any child choking. . .KWIM?

This is the Lily version of my mini album. As you can see the square is in the front as opposed to the hexagon shape as shown in my Billy album above. I colored the image using my Copic Markers.

Here is the inside the album. There are no photos on the mini albums because again, the plan is to donate the mini albums to my church. Hopefully, they'll find use for them. . .:)

Anyway, be sure to stop by the Pink Cat Studio blog and check out the fabulous cards and projects the design team created.

I'm not going to post the recipe for my card and projects because as always, my post is long again.

Hope y'all have a wonderful Thursday!!

Myscrapchick.com Sneek Peak and Good News

Hi Friends!! This is a late post but I have good news. . .I've been invited to be a guest designer at "myscrapchick.com"!!! Whoohoo! OMG. . .I cannot wait to create with their images, paper piecing and cutting files. My Cricut Expression and myscrapchick.com will become really good friends. If you have a cutting machine such as a Cricut, , you must check out the site. . .especially, if you like creating boxes, mini albums, and other scrappy projects. The files available are the bomb!!!

Anyway. . .on to more good news. Not only does myscrapchick.com sell paper piecing and cutting files (svg, gsd, wpc, and other files), they will also be creating digital stamp images! Yay! This botbunny image will be released next week Wednesday and I'm showing you a sneak peek of one of the digi images that will be released! The images come in two form. . .shaded (very light shade around the image) and regular (without shading). The light shading is fantastic because it creates a slight depth to the look of your image but it's light enough that you can still color around it like the card I made.

I paper pieced the botbunny's dress by printing the image on designer paper. I cut part of the dress and adhered it to the colored image. Very simple. To color around the image, I used my Pebbles Inc., pastels.

Myscrapchick.com also has a newsletter that provides a free image each Friday so be sure to sign up and receive your free digi files. Anyway. . .I can't wait to create more fun stuff with myscrapchick.com files!

Hope y'all have a beautiful day!

Card Details:

Stamps: myscrapchick.com digi image botbunny
Paper: K&CO designer paper, SU Cool Caribbean, Real Red
Ink: Copic Markers, Pebbles Inc., pastels
Accessories: Prima flowers, Darice rhinestones, EK Success border punch, Pebbles Inc ribbon, Nestabilities, SU Word Window Punch

Flap Card Template and Tutorial

Hi Friends! Happy Monday! How was your weekend? I had a really nice weekend. It was really busy but it was fun. I decided to create a template for a flap card. I'm still trying to figure out how to create templates. Right now, I can create templates for the Sure Cuts A Lot program for my Cricut but I'm still trying to figure out how to create outline templates for those who want to hand cut the templates. Once I'll figure it out, I'll share it with you all!

This flap card is your typical flap card but I didn't have a template to cut on my Cricut Expression. Having a template and the Cricut makes the process so much easier so I worked on creating a template.



I also cut the layered flowers on my Cricut Machine using a SCAL2 template: Click Here for the template


I decided to color the InStyle Stamps digi image and add it to the inside of the flap card. I colored the image using my Copic Markers. As you can see the card opens up to reveal the inside.

Below are the templates and the tutorial

Flap Card Sure Cuts A Lot 2 Template and Tutorial

Click on the image to download the SCUT File
or
Click Here for the SVG file

Step 1: This first template is the flap card base. Save the template as an image file by clicking the right button on your mouse and "save image". Upload the template on to your Sure Cuts A Lot 2 program. Adjust the height to 11.25" (be sure to check off "keep proportion"). The width will adjust accordingly. Cut on a 12x12" designer paper.

Click on the image to download the SCUT file
or
Click here to download the SVG file



Click on the image of the Hand Cut Template and "save image"

Step 2: Save the "liner" template above as instructed in step 1. When tracing on to your SCAL2 program, adjust the height to 10.75" (be sure to keep the proportion). The width will adjust accordingly.

Step 3: After cutting the liner with your Cricut Expression. Score at the corners of the base. This will provide a guideline when cutting the liner.


Step 4: Cut the flaps off using the score line as your guideline


Step 5: Score the corners of the flap card base. Adhere the liner on to the flap card base.


Step 6: Using the slot on the flap card base as a guide, cut a slot through the liner. The flap will insert through the slot to keep the flap card closed.

For those who are hand cutting the template, to create the liner adjust the height and width by .5" on your photo editor before printing.

Photo of the Day

Before I go, I want to share a little story. I met my friend May this weekend for dinner. We haven't seen one another in person for over 20 years. She was my childhood friend in Hawaii. She lived 3 houses away from me. When I was 10 years old, she moved to California. Although she visited Hawaii a few times after she moved away, I didn't see her again until I attended college in California. We saw each other once while I was attending school. I returned back to Hawaii and have not seen her in person until this weekend! Can you believe it?

About 6 months ago, we reconnected on Facebook and now that I live in California, we decided to meet up. She lives about an 1 1/2 hours away so meeting up isn't that simple. Wow, it's strange because it's like 20 years did not pass by since we last saw one another. There's something very unique about childhood friends. .. even if we didn't see one another for half of our lives, we have childhood friends in common and all is required is filling in the gaps and catching up. It's different from new friends. . .with new friends, I don't think the connection is as deep as those friends that you grow up with mainly because it's not all encompassing. With old friends, they usually know your friends and experienced your life in a different way. I don't know. .. do you feel the same way? Anyway, I just wanted to share my story with you because I really was happy to have seen my childhood friend again!

Hope y'all have a wonderful day!