Long Awaited Tutorial for the 8 Greeting Card-Pack Gift Box

You will need:

*Score Pal

*Score tape - I use Sookwang and you can get this product at Archiver's.

*Cutting Board

*Scissors

*Tape runner

*Embellishments

*Adhesive-backed Velcro

The First step is to make the proper measurements. I can't began to tell you how many times I had to redo this because I didn't write down the measurements.

Your paper needs to be cut to 12" x 10.5".

Place you paper 12" across and 10" down and with your Scor-Pal, you will score lines in at the 3" line and the 4" line and again at the 8.5" and 9" lines.

Turn your paper so that the 10.5" side is sitting across and the 12" is down. Score lines at 1" and 2" lines and again at the 8.5" and 9" lines.

Your paper should look like this!

Now, with your scissors cut through both lines as shown on the side that measures 3". Do that on both ends.

On the end that measures 2.5", you will only cut through one line. Cut each side so that it looks like the picture below.

Now that you have successfully cut everything to measure, you may start placing the score tape (Sookwang) in the places shown below. Put a piece of score tape on the tab that shows nothing as well so that it looks like the other side shown.

Before You stick the box together, you'll want to first decorate your box with a nice card stock. Any design of your desire. In this demonstration, I failed to stick on my paper before the box was permanently stuck shut. It wasn't hard to paste while in box form, but it is A LOT easier to do with it laying flat!
Next, fold over the sides of the box so that the sticky part of the tab matches up with each side looking like the photo below.

We're almost done!

Now that we have the gift box design, we can start to add embellishments.

I have found some great flower embellishments at Michaels and Archiver's. To see the brands better, you can click on the photo and when you are done looking, just click the back button to return to Doodle Expressions.

I Heart Glue Dots! I use all different sizes. They work great for buttons, flowers, pasting ribbon down... ANYTHING!

Center and stick!

Here we have VELCRO! LOVE this item too! You can get this item at most sewing stores. I happend to find mine at Walmart in the sewing department.

Take your velcro circle or square and stick one end to the middle of the lid on your box and then stick the opposite textured end to it so that they match up when you connect the lid to the main part of the box. Works every time!

And now you have your final product!

You can fit up to 8, 4.25" x 5.5" Handmade cards
in this decorative box. You will get a FREE handcrafted box similar to this one with each order placed with Doodle Expressions!

Location Bound

Doodle Expressions is currently selling their handmade cards in 3 South St. Paul, MN locations and is doing well. We would like to thank T & T Galley (901 Southview Blvd
South St Paul, MN 55075), Primo Salon and Spa (1384 Mendota Rd
Inver Grove Hts, MN 55077) and Perk's Coffee shop (1424 E Mendota Road
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077) for letting us sell our cards in their esablishments! If you are close to the area, make sure you stop in for a bite to eat or have a cup of coffee and delicious scone or treat yourself to a spa treatment or haircut!

Sharon's Creations

Blogging

I (Rachael) have been racking my mind as to what I can possibly blog about and it occurred to me that perhaps you would like to see a card being made step by step and what materials we make it with and how we do this and how we did that sort of thing. Well, I am going to try my best to make this blog a little more eye catching and fun to look at it even if you're not interested in buying cards. It's nice to come here and look for inspiration. I do want to throw out there that I am not and English major, therefor, my spelling and grammer may be atrocious. I apologize!
I hope to get something up in the next few days!

Gifts, Gifts & Gifts

Tis' the Season is almost here and Doodle Expressions is starting to get a nice pre-order line up of cards to make for up coming holiday's and birthdays. If you would like to order cards for the holidays, you may want to make that order soon so that we can make sure they are sent out to you before the holiday is past.

Guest Blogger - Debra From She Is My Sister!

Hey everyone! My name is Debra and I run a little blog called She Is My Sister. This is my first time guest blogging, and I don't really know how to start! First and foremost I would like to thank Sharon and Rachael for having me over; I am really excited to be here, so I guess I will just jump right in!

Today I am going to show you a couple of different ways to use old, clip-on style earrings. My sister gave me a few pairs that she had found a while back and right away I thought that they would make great photo clips.

Here is what you will need:

• Clip-on style earrings
• Picture frame without the glass (Check the "as is" shelf at Michaels')
  
• Hot glue gun
• Scrapbook paper
• Ruler
• Pen
• Scissors
• Wire cutter
• Jewelry wire or paper clip
• Sewing pins
  

Let's get started!

First, I put a little dot of hot glue on the inside of the "clip" part of the earrings as so:

Can you see them? It was hard to get a good picture of a tiny dot of glue.
I did this for two reasons: first, to protect my pictures from the scratchy metal, and second, the glue helps to keep the pictures from slipping out of the earring. Sweet, huh?
Anyway..... the glue needs to dry completely, so leave the earrings open and set them aside.

Next, I found some pretty paper. This paper is from an Amy Butler scrapbook pad that I bought at Michaels'. Lay the backing of your frame onto your paper and trace around it, then cut your paper. Check to see if it fits in your frame, and make any adjustments needed.

Now, with a ruler, make a mark on the center of your paper where you will be gluing your earring:

Put a little blob of hot glue there:

Then, stick your (still open) earring to the blob of glue and let it dry:

Once the glue is dry, you can put your paper in the frame, replace the backing, and display a favorite photo.....

Or a sweet little note from a sweet little boy...

Awwww. :)

Now I am going to quickly show you how to make them into push pins.
Start by putting little dots of hot glue on the inside of the clip part, just like in option one.
I tried to glue the earring to a thumb tack to no avail. I use several different types of glue, but the tack just kept popping off of the earring. So, I improvised. I had some of these thingies in my "tool" box. I don't know what they are, but I do know that I found them in the jewelry department at...wait for it....Michaels'. Shocking, I know.

If you don't have any of these things you could use jewelry wire or bend a paper clip into shape.

Next, slip your little rod through the clip part of your earring:

And twist it to secure it into place:

Then, take you wire cutter and clip off the extra piece that is sticking out .

Now, take a regular old sewing pin and clip it down to size, too.

Put them up on your bulletin board and clip in whatever you like!

I love vintage earrings and this is such a great way to have them out where I can enjoy them every day!

Thanks again to Doodle Expressions! I hope we can do this again sometime!

Cards, Cards, Cards

We've been having a lot of fun making cards and sending them off to be shared with others. We enjoy coming up with new ideas and finding new little "blings" to put on each special card. Send us an email if you have good ideas or if there is something you would like us to make!!!

Weddings are of August... Take a look at some fresh new looks!