by Jennifer Ellefson

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it is time to shift into overdrive to make all those hand-made gifts we promised ourselves we would this year. Today’s Savvy Saturday feature will highlight a Boxed Letter-writing Bundle that can be made using just one Die Template set from Spellbinders.

Thanks to our Design Team member Jennifer Ellefson who created this elegant ensemble using Rose Borderabilities® Petite (S4-164). So let’s not waste any time today…Gathering just a few supplies will get you moving quickly on it.

Besides your Wizardâ„¢ and regular plates/mats, gather Inkjet printable vellum sheets (8½x11″) and ColorMates Deep Racy Raspberry, both by WorldWin, white cardstock, metallic rub-ons, watercolor pencils, small paint brushes, adhesives and a corner rounder punch. (Remember, though, if you have a machine other than the Wizardâ„¢, you can still do the project because Spellbindersâ„¢ Dies work in nearly all consumer dies. Check out the videos Stacey created for help on how to use our dies in other machines.

A local paper/packaging supplies store such as Xpedx will have a variety of boxes that the set can be placed in as part of the gift set. Selecting one with a clear top will show off the gift in a beautiful way.

Instructions:

• Prepare the stationery by cutting each sheet of vellum to 5½x8″. Round the lower corners as shown. A dozen to 20 sheets would make a nice supply and uses only 6-10 sheets of vellum.
• Cut the 12×12″ raspberry paper into strips: 2×5½”, one per card. Cut one strip 12×2″ for the band.
• Cut/emboss each small strip using the Rose Borderabilities® Petite Die Template (S4-165). Note that the border only cuts on one side, giving the strip its decorative edge. Near the straight edge, the embossing echoes the cut edge.
• After cutting and embossing, embellish the design with metallic rub-ons (use your finger to wipe a small amount of the colorant over the raised design. Start lightly and build up color to the desired amount.)
• Using white cardstock, cut/emboss one (1) heart medallion to be used on the band around the box and one circle medallion for each stationery piece.
• Embellish with watercolor pencils (draw lightly over the embossed lines and use a paintbrush with a small amount of water on it to bring out the water-color look) and allow to dry thoroughly.
• Assemble the stationery by adhering the medallion to the strip and the strip to the vellum. Set aside.
• Make the box band by creating a strip long enough to go around the box loosely. Cut the strip using the die, beginning in the center. Re-align the Die Template at one end and cut again. Continue hop-scotching until it is cut to the end.
• Emboss in the same hop-scotch manner. Embellish with metallic rub-ons as described above. Add the heart medallion in the center and adhere the ends together in the back with slack enough that the band can be easily removed or replaced.
• Place envelopes into the bottom of the box. Stack the stationery on top. Put the clear lid on and slide the band into place.

Begin with Jennifer’s lovely example and think about your recipient. Would she like a different color? Would he prefer a more masculine medallion, maybe snowflakes? Now have fun while you give the project your own flair!

Cheers, Eli

Tags: Borderabilities®, Emboss, Gift, Jennifer Ellefson, Metallic Rub-ons, Stationery, Watercolor Pencils, WorldWin

This entry was posted on Saturday, November 29th, 2008 at 7:40 am and is filed under Savvy Saturday. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.