Side Opening Gift Box Using the Explosion Scoreboard

 While I’m working on my next design team tutorial for Country Craft Creations  I thought I’d share this. I had scraps leftover from a previous design team package that I used to decorate this new box project that I used the Explosion scoreboard to make. If you don’t have the scoreboard the only things you need to change are:  score the 12x12 at 4” on all 4 sides and score the sides at 2” on all 4 sides. 

Have fun and stay crafty!!

Michelle

Retro Men Paper Collection Show and Tell

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the exclusive paper collection from Country Craft Creations...Retro Men!!! This is a new design team package I just received and I am IN LOVE with it, and you will be too!!! I have a new album coming this week using this paper that you will also love.

Check out this quick video show and tell.

Please visit Country Craft Creations and get this paper collection quick, as I have a feeling it will sell out fast! When you do, please mention that Michelle sent you!

Hearts Galore Explosion Box Tutorial

 Hi Everyone! I have another tutorial for you today.  

This isn't a Country Craft Creations design team project, but it does use Artisan Kraft and Artisan White paper in it that I did purchase from Country Craft Creations. It is the best best best ever cardstock, please, if you haven't tried it go to the store and check it out. I promise you won't be disappointed!

The patterned paper is from my stash, Echo Park's "Rustic Elegance".  

I was playing with the scoreboard again, and was coming up with different ways to incorporate the heart templates that come with the board into the box design. I hope you like it! Have a great day!!

Stay crafty,

Michelle

Rectangle Explosion Board Tutorial

 This post is a two-fer!  

The other day I wanted to figure out how to make a rectangular box using the We Are Memory Keepers Explosion Score Board, and I did.  I figured out all 7 sizes and I did a tutorial that showed how to make them and what do do.  It is a great project, and I can see it being a great sized gift box and a card all in one!  The video is here.

But then, I had an idea, and used the same principles but made a gift box/album.  The difference with this one is that I did it in such a way so that you can use the explosion board AND I give directions for use with a conventional score board.  It also has more room between the boxes so that you can add more embellishments or elements on the pages.  

I used the exclusive patterned paper collection "Tea In Wonderland" from Country Craft Creations.  This paper collection is AMAZING!  It is beautiful and girlie and full of enchantment all at once.  You will love it!  

I give all cutting lists and dimensions for the boxes and lids in both tutorial's descriptions.  

Thanks for watching.  I really appreciate your support.

Have a crafty day!

Michelle

Tea in Wonderland Mini Album Tutorial

 Hi!!!  I hope you all are doing great!

I was able to get this tutorial posted and I thought you would like to check it out.

I made this mini album with the exclusive papers "Tea in Wonderland", available at       Country Craft Creations.  You will love these papers, the patterns are amazing and the colors are just exquisite.

This album was super fun and easy to make. I have all sorts of tags and elements in this album, so you can hold a ton of pictures in it. Below I have information about the supplies I used, and the cutting list for this project. Thank you so much for all of your support, and have fun making the album.

Stay crafty,

Michelle

I used approximately 16 sheets of Artisan Cardstock in Baby Blue, and 4 sheets of the Black. I also used approximately 16 sheets of patterned paper. I used 2 sheets of heavy weight chipboard, 2 sheets of score tape, 6 Graphic 45 Tags, 4 Paper Studio Tags, and about 5-6 yards total of seambinding. Below is a cutting guide for the album.

Cover: Chipboard: 2 - 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 1 - 6 1/2 x 3 Cardstock to cover chipboard: 2 - 10 1/2 x 8 1/2 2 - 8 1/2 x 6 1 - 6 3/8 x 6 Base Pages: 5 - 9 1/4 x 12 2 - 1 x 5 15/16 Pages 1 and 10, Never Ending Elements: 6 - 8 x 6 Page 2, Horizontal Pockets: 1 - 4 3/4 x 9 1 - 2 3/4 x 9 Page 3, Vertical Pockets: 1 - 4 3/4 x 7 1 - 2 3/4 x 7 Pages 4 and 5: Waterfalls Piece A: 2 - 9 1/2 x 6 Piece B: 2 - 8 1/2 x 6 Pages 6 and 7, Stacked Gatefold Pages 8 - 5 x 6 2 - 4 x 4 Pages 8 and 9, Accordions 2 - 6 x 12 I just used leftover cardstock and created photo mats for the inside of the front and back covers. I did double mat the covers inside and out only, I did not double mat the patterned paper for the inside of the album.

Tall Explosion Board Gift Box Tutorial

I have another video tutorial using the Explosion Board...today we make tall gift boxes in two ways. I am using a variety of papers from Country Craft Creations, including the exclusive Country Bunny papers. I hope you enjoy this project!

Have fun and stay crafty!

Bee House Cascading Page Mini Album Tutorial

Hi all!  I have another tutorial for you. I am using the amazing Bee House papers designed by Tamra of Country Craft Creations and I’ve come up with a great design team project with it. You can get your own papers by clicking this link to get to the Country Craft Creations store  

These papers are absolutely gorgeous, you are going to love the detail and the beautiful designs. I also used Artisan cardstock in Black and Summer Yellow.  

One of my YouTube viewers asked if I could do a configuration style page using 8 1/2 x 11 paper. So I came up with this. The really fun thing about this album is that all of the pages start off with the same size paper but I scored them all a little different and made them into 5 different widths. The pages graduate in size.  Check out this video and you’ll see who fun this album is and how versatile it is. 

Here are pictures of the scoring I used to make the pages with. The blue dashes are the score lines, the red indicates where to cut “slits” in the paper, or where to cut pieces out. I go over all of this in the video. The cutting list will be below that.

                                      

CUT LIST: Chipboard: 2 - 7 x 7 1 - 3 x 7 Cardstock to cover the Chipboard: (I used Artisan Black for this) 2 - 9 x 9 1 - 6 x 9 1 - 6 x 6 7/8 I did mat the patterned paper on the front of the album with Artisan Summer Ivory. I used 4 pieces at 6 7/8 x 6 7/8, two for the outside of the covers and 2 for the inside covers. I also cut a piece 2 7/8 x 6 7/8 for the outside spine. Pages: 5 - 8 1/2 x 11 From the scraps from cutting the pages above from the 12 x 12 Artisan Black, you will have 1" pieces. I used these for pocket connectors/hinges. I scored them down the middle at 1/2" and then cut them to fit the pockets. I go over all of this in the tutorial. Waterfalls (Stacked, one for the front and one for the back inside covers) 2 - 6 x 9 1/2 2 - 6 x 8 1/2 Waterfall closures (trimmed to make tag shapes) 4 - 3 1/2 x 3 Out of the scraps I made a variety of tags and photo mats that I added to the pockets. I also used 2 extra pieces of Artisan Black for this purpose. The triangle pocket under the front cover waterfall was made with a scrap left over, as is the pocket under the back cover waterfall. These were "after thought" pockets, and are optional.

Summer Stationery/Card Folio Tutorial

 Hello! This is the third design team project I am doing for Country Craft Creations (https//countrycraftcreations.com) using the gorgeous "Summer" paper collection by Carta Bella. It is a beautiful paper collection and you will love what I did with what I had left! I had 2 sheets of 12 x 12 patterned paper and scraps...this is what I made.

This is a folio meant to hold cards and tags. I envision it as something you can fill with goodies and give as a gift. I filled it with cards that can be used for pretty much any purpose...imagine holidays...WOW! Below is a cutting list for you. I did not do a visual cutting guide as this is a simple project and only took 3 sheets of cardstock to make. You will need some ribbon, copier paper, and one magnet. Have fun and let your imagination go with this one. Thanks for watching!! Cover: 2 - 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 Front inside cover accordion with dividers: 2 - 6 x 3 (accordions) 2 - 4 7/8 x 3 (dividers) 1 - 4 x 5 (accordion front) 1 - 6 x 5 (flap) Middle page: 1 - 5 1/2 x 6 1/2 Middle page accordion pockets: 2 - 7 3/4 x 2 1/2 Middle page flat pockets 2 - 5 3/4 x 2 1/2

Organizing my Albums

 My scrapbook making has taken over my guest room!  I have boxes and totes full of books and thinks that I have made.  

I decided to clean it up so I could actually use my guest room...provided COVID will let up eventually!

Doesn’t that look nice?  So much better!  The trouble is that I need more shelves!!!  

It’s not going to stop me from creating!!!  I’ll figure it out! 

Have a crafty day!

Summer Trifold Tutorial

 This is my second design team tutorial for Country Craft Creations using Carta Bella's super cute and fun paper collection called "Summer". It is really a quick album and focuses on highlighting the 3 x 4" cut apart that came in the design team package. Please visit Country Craft Creations and check out what they have in the store. There are tons of options for every paper crafting need. https://countrycraftcreations.com

Here is a cutting list. I did not do a cutting guide (visual) since there aren't too many pieces. To complete this project you will need: 5 sheets of cardstock, 12 x 12. I used the 100 lb Artisan (white) for the base, and Summer Ivory and Baby Blue for the elements. You do not have to use the different colors at all, I just wanted to. I used approximately 6 pieces of patterned paper, which included one full 3 x 4" cut apart sheet. I used several yards of seam binding for the closures throughout the album. I made tags out of leftover cardstock and used eyelets for those. I also used Graphic 45 Artist Trading Card sized tags that came in the design team package. Thanks for watching!! Stay crafty, my friends! Cutting List: Folio Base: A: 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 B: 9 1/2 x 5 C: 9 1/2 x 6 3/4 Small Pockets: 2 - 5 x 2 1/2 Never Ending Booklet: This book opens in several ways! 6 - 4 x 6 Large Pocket: 1 - 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 Waterfall Pages: These are cool, they are interactive! 1 each at... 11 1/2 x 6 10 1/2 x 6 9 1/2 x 6 8 1/2 x 6

Recipe box project

 This last week has been mentally and physically brutal. My Ace is doing well, he is home from doggie ICU but still a sick pup. He is slowly getting better. Thank goodness my mom came to babysit while we had to work. (And work this week was so hard!!!). She is an absolute angel! 

 I tried to work on design team projects but my brain wasn’t able. I do have my next one ready to film, I think Monday. But I couldn’t work on the third. Sometimes to take my mind off of things and rest it a little I do tutorials from other designers. I decided to work on Jennifer Palmer’s Recipe Box. She is an amazing designer with Country Craft Creations.

https://youtu.be/ERROrChHG5c

It’s big enough to hold 8 1/2 x 11” printouts!!!

I had the perfect papers in my stash, and used Black Artisan Cardstock. When I was done I made a quick mini file with the leftovers.

 I had so many scraps I decided to make some patchwork paper sheets. Now I have 6 more 12x12 papers to play with!  I did a tutorial on how to do that here. 

https://youtu.be/qiQwWg3KGSE

Anyway, long story but I just wanted to share. Please check out her tutorial!  I love this recipe box!  

PS:  I think the mini file may become part of a larger project I see in my future...notes are sketched!  😎

What's Cookin? A Craftology Box Album Tutorial

This is my first time creating a Craftology Box design team project for Country Craft Creations! I am so excited to be doing this for you! I am using the April Craftology Box to create this amazing album. I am using the GORGEOUS paper collection called "What's Cookin?" that is EXCLUSIVE to Country Craft Creations, and created by it amazing owner Tamra Kilgore-Merrill. This album/recipe book is big and wonderful and will hold a lot of pictures and recipes as it is intended to be a keepsake album. I hope you love it as much as I do!

This is a subscription box, so the cut list and pictures will be included in the package. If you haven't subscribed to the Craftology box, all of the measurements will be included in the tutorial. If you would like to check out the subscription or buy your papers for this album, please visit Country Craft Creations at their main page here... Country Craft Creations.

Thank you so much for watching!!

Summer Configurations Mini Album Tutorial

 This is the first design team project I am doing for Country Craft Creations using the Carta Bella "Summer" paper collection. I was totally inspired by the berry baskets this papers design, and I think you will love how I created the pages. With a few strategic scores and cuts, I was able to make 5 different pages out of a single way to score and cut a 12x12 piece of cardstock.

Along with the paper collection (which included patterned papers, coordinating cardstock, stickers and ephemera), I used Artisan Cardstock (White, Baby Blue, Summer Ivory, and scraps of Red and Dark Green), Art Glitter Glue, Score Tape sheets, Chipboard, seam binding, Graphic 45 Artist Trading Card sized tags, acetate, and Doo Dadz, all from Country Craft Creations. Please visit the store at https://www.countrycraftcreations.com and gather your supplies for this fun album.

Below is the cutting list for the project. I did not do a visual cutting guide for this album, since there are not too many pieces to actually cut and piece. Also, I did not make the cover using the lay flat method during this video, but do talk about how I did it. If you are unfamiliar with that method (created by Tamra Merrill, owner of Country Craft Creations), please see this link to my video where I teach the method on how to make it (and actually make the cover for this particular album).  

Have fun with your crafty time! Cutting list: Total number of papers needed: 6 of the patterned papers which included one sheet of 4 x 4 cut apart 2 coordinating cardstock papers from the collection Artisan Cardstock, 11 of White, 3 of Baby Blue, 3 of Summer Ivory, and scraps of Red and Dark Green COVER: Chipboard: 2 at 7 1/2 x 5 1/2 1 at 7 1/2 x 2 1/2 I used score tape sheets to attach chipboard to the cardstock Cardstock to cover chipboard (White): 2 at 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 1 at 9 1/2 x 6 1 at 7 3/8 x 6 I used one sheet of coordinating cardstock color from the collection for covering the inside covers I used two Graphic 45 tags for the album closure with seam binding PAGES (White): 3 at 12 x 10 3/4 2 at 12 x 12 WATERFALLS (White): 2 at 4 1/8 x 10 3/4 2 at 4 1/8 x 9 3/4 2 at 4 1/8 x 8 3/4 2 at 1 1/2 x 5 I used two magnets for the closures BERRY BASKET (on front cover, in Baby Blue): 2 at 4 1/2 x 3/4 5 at 1/2 x 3 STRAWBERRIES: Scraps of Red and Dark Green I used a heart and oak leaf punch from my stash, you could also use dies or a Cricut or Silhouette cut PAGE MATS: Their placement will be in the video, shown throughout. I used 4 x 4 cutaparts to layer on top of some of these mats. Baby Blue: 2 at 6 7/8 x 4 7/8 5 at 4 7/8 x 4 7/8 2 at 6 7/8 x 4 5/8 Summer Yellow: 2 at 6 7/8 x 4 7/8 7 at 4 7/8 x 4 7/8 1 at 6 7/8 x 4 5/8

How to make stacked waterfalls

 

I have another extra design team tutorial for Country Craft Creations.

I did a tutorial on how I create my stacked waterfalls, since I've had some questions about how I do it. I explain how I figure it out for odd and even page numbers and how to put them together. I have been making these for a while and they are super easy and fun. It's a newer technique, so I hope you like it.

Enjoy!

Stay Crafty!

Michelle

The Lay Flat Album Cover Method

 Hi, everyone. I did a video tutorial on the lay flat album cover method that Tamra Kilgore-Merrill, owner of Country Craft Creations, has developed, and that I use almost exclusively now. This video is only on how I use this method to make covers, and will be referred to in future tutorials on mini albums. I have a new album tutorial coming very soon!!! I hope you like it.

Stay Crafty!

Simple Stories Simple Card Kit tutorial

Today I have a design team tutorial for you using the simple Stories new card kit collection. 

This is available at Country Craft Creations, at countrycraftcreations.com

This is a fun and quick card making kit and I’ll share some hints and tips for making them and for adding your own touches!

Stay crafty, my friends!

Michelle  

 

My Newest Design Team Package

 

I received my new design team package from Country Craft Creations and I did a video to share it with you.

I received the gorgeous Carta Bella "Summer" Collection and as a bonus, the Simple Stories card kit, "Hello Lovely".  

Along with the kits I also have some fun embellishments and goodies to use with the collection.

Country Craft Creations is an amazing online store and an incredible Facebook community.  Not only can you buy amazing crafting supplies, including exclusive patterned papers and Artisan cardstock, but you can also find literally hundreds of tutorials, all free.  If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should.  

I will be back with more tutorials soon.

Stay crafty, my friends!

A New Explosion Box Design Tutorial For You

Today I have a new explosion box for you.  The video tutorial is available on YouTube.  You can click the video below to see it...

This is a design team project for Country Craft Creations using the awesome papers by Echo Park called "Remember the Magic" and Red Artisan Cardstock.  I also used the Explosion Board by We Are Memory Keepers.  

This album features a waterfall type mini album and fun new diagonal belly bands.  I think you will like this album in a box very much!  It was fun and easy to make.

You will need approximately 4 pieces of 12 x 12 cardstock to create the base of the book/album. I'm sorry, I didn't do a good job of trying to figure out how much patterned paper I used, but I guesstimate that I used about 10 sheets total. (I used up a lot of scraps up in this project.). I also used a little seam binding and some chipboard stickers. Please visit Country Craft Creations for your supplies.

 Thanks for stopping by the blog and thanks for going on to You Tube to see the video.  

Have fun and stay crafty!

Michelle

Country Bunny Basket Tutorial

Welcome to my design team tutorial using the new Country Bunny paper collection and the new 100 lb Artisan cardstock exclusively sold at Country Craft Creations.

Today I am making this quick and cute basket project which also uses the We Are Memory Keepers Explosion board. I love this project, as it is so versatile and can be used with all kinds of different papers. This project is a decor piece, it IS NOT STURDY enough for children to go Easter egg hunting. It is also paper, and flammable, so I did use a battery operated candle in it, NOT A REAL CANDLE!

All you need to make this project are two pieces of 12 x 12 cardstock, 2 pieces of 12 x 12 patterned paper and embellishments of choice. I hope you like it and have fun with it. I will be back soon with more projects to share with you!

Check out the video below and have fun creating!!!

Stay crafty,

Michelle

Ireland Forever Mini Album Tutorial

Hello everyone! I finally have the "Ireland Forever" tutorial for you. If you watched my last video share, I showed you the cute album I made for a design team for Country Craft Creations using Photo Play's "Lucky Charm" paper collection, and I said I would remake it in the tutorial using Country Craft Creations exclusive "Ireland Forever" paper collection.  

Here is the video.

This collection is so beautiful and sophisticated and just plain gorgeous. Whether you want a paper collection for St. Patrick's day, an album to showcase your heritage, or memories from a trip to Ireland, this paper is for you. It is stunning. This is just one of Tamra's new lines. Go to Country Craft Creations to check it out and get some for yourself.

Below you will find the cutting list for this project and the cutting guide for the cardstock used in this project. In total, I used 2 sheets of heavy weight chipboard, 14 sheets of Black Artisan cardstock, 6 sheets of the new color Olive, and 16 sheets if the patterned paper. There are 24 sheets in the pack, so I still have 8 sheets left to do another project. I also used a little bit of white cardstock from my scraps. You will also need seam binding and 4 large magnets for closures. Thanks for watching and stay crafty! CUTTING LIST: All cardstock is in black except for where mentioned... Chipboard: 1 - 2 1/2 x 9 2 - 7 1/4 x 9 Cardstock to cover chipboard: 1 - 5 1/2 x 11 2 - 9 1/4 x 11 1 - 8 7/8 x 5 1/2 In Olive: 2 - 7 1/8 x 8 7/8 and 1 - 2 3/8 x 8 7/8 Waterfalls, inner covers: 2 - 6 x 9 1/2 2 - 6 x 8 1/2 8 - 4 1/2 x 6 2 - 2 1/2 x 6 5/8 Pages: 4 - 8 3/4 x 7 1/2 The following are page elements that we make in the video... Pages 1 and 8: I show two different options, so watch the video and decide which you want to do...either a booklet or a trifold, or one of each...These are in Olive Booklet, 2 - 6 x 8 Trifold, - 2 - 6 x 12 Pages 2 and 3: 2 - 6 x 12 2 - 1 1/8 x 4 4 - 4 7/8 x 6 Pages 4 and 5: 2 - 9 1/8 x 6 1 - 3 x 3 1 - 5 x 5 Pages 6 and 7: 1 - 8 3/4 x 8 3/4

Below are the cutting guides for your cardstock. Some are for the main color (black) and some are the contrasting color (Olive).