Mini Journal Box Tutorial with 6x6 paper by Reneé Matarese

Hello Ai fans!

I have loved this little box since the moment I saw it.

This is the first time that I've created it using Art Impressions paper. The reason? The template is larger than 6"x6" which most Ai paper measures. But, where there's a will, there's a way! I figured out a way to make the template work using two sheets of Ai paper.

I wanted to create a cute little Valentine's Day treat box and this is what I came up with.

To make the template dies fit on a 6x6" piece of paper to create the box, I used two sheets of paper. The first piece cut the top and back flap.

The second piece of paper cut the base of the box.

Then, I overlapped the back panel from the top, with the back panel from the base, to create a full box.

Though this die set was designed to hold the mini journal, it makes the absolute cutest little gift box or treat box. I filled mine with Hershey Kisses.

Doesn't someone in your life deserve a little something sweet?

If you share something made with Art Impressions products be sure to tag them or use #artimpressions so that we see. We LOVE seeing all of your creations.

 

Reneé's Top 10 of 2024

2024 is quickly coming to a close and I have my Top 10 favorite projects for the year.

It's never easy to narrow the list down because all of the Art Impressions stamps and dies are so wonderful! This is what I finally settled on in no particular order. I hope you enjoyed them.

 They say it's your birthday

Bunny Puppet Treat Bags

Fall Greetings

Yellow Flowers, Bees and Earrings

Punch Bugs make me SMILE

OL' Geezer

Deer Shaker Card

So Thankful

Ballooning through the Mountains

Hydrangea Chickadee

Here's hoping 2025 brings you everything you're hoping for!

I can't wait to begin a new year with Ai and I can't wait to see what you create.

Bee and Butterfly Mini Boxes by Reneé Matarese

Did you guys see the awesome little box die set that was just released?

It couldn't be cuter and I can't wait to make more.
The set is #5805 and it comes with 11 dies.

I always notice AFTER I've edited and added photos that there's yet another dog hair stuck to my project...sorry.

These little boxes are going to be so perfect for so many things!
They measure about 2 3/4" L x 2 1/4" W x 7/8" H
(Just under 7cm L x 5.8cm W x 2.2cm H)

Of course I was THRILLED to see this sweet little bee die included.  There are so many pretty dies included with the template to personalize and embellish your boxes.

For my second box I used cream cardstock and metallic gold paper which is not fun to photograph. If anyone has any tips...let me know.  This time I added the butterfly to the top.  It's tough to see but there are black rhinestones on his body and his wings are popped up to add dimension.  I measured the top of the box, cut a panel to fit and then embossed it.

I also used the other filigree die on the front of this one.  I'm not sure which is my favorite.
Also, are those Laurel branches?  I feel like I should know and that's the what they're reminding

me of.  The die is straight but I was able to easily bend them.  I'll bet they could be used to create a pretty wreath on a card too.

These were so easy to make and came together quickly. I'll be using this little set ALL the time!

Valentine Rosette's by Reneé Matarese

 Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Every year, I'm in charge of decorating my elementary school. It's a huge undertaking but it's fun.
I discovered some paper bag snowflakes that I fell in love with.  I tweaked the design a bit to make them a little more "Valentinsy." lol...

I apologize for the dark photos.  It's January in upstate NY and the sun RARELY comes out. 
These were far too big for my light box so I did my best.

Here's a step-by-step photo tutorial for how I made these.

You need 8 paper bags. Any size, any color.
Lay the first bag down with the flap underneath.

Place glue in an upside down T pattern and glue the second bag on top, pressing to secure.
Repeat until you have 4 bags glued together.

Once I had 4 bags glued together, I used 5721 – Nested Heart Dies to trace the heart pattern on.

I did this on both sides.

I used a larger heart from the set on top to create a finial.

Next, I cut along the lines I had drawn. Then I glued the last 4 bags on in the same fashion, flap side down and cut those out following along the shapes I had already cut.

I did the same thing on my larger white bags but used a scalloped pattern on the top.

I cut more hearts out of 5812 – Christmas S2 Paper Pack and 5741 – Valentines Paper Pack and created centerpieces for the rosettes as well as adding some little hearts to the white rosette.

I don't usually get too into Valentine's Day but for some reason, this year I can't seem to get enough. Last week I shared a garland that I made for my fireplace mantle.  You can find that here.
Check back later today for week two of our Clean Slate (anything goes) challenge.

It's a Clean Slate! Challenge #366

 Happy New Year everyone and welcome to our first bi-weekly
challenge of 2024!

Who doesn't want to begin the new year with a clean slate?
You can reinvent yourself and be anything you want to be.

Anything Goes!

For our first challenge, you can make anything you like with any theme you want!

I chose Valentine's Day.

We recently had our small stone mantle wrapped with wood and I couldn't wait 
to hang a garland from it.

Please excuse the Christmas decorations. We're still transitioning over.
I have a quick picture tutorial showing how I made this.

My first step was to die-cut all of my shapes.

Each heart is comprised of 5 hearts, each with a different patterned paper.
I scored them right down the center.

Next, begin gluing the hearts together.

When you get the last heart, stop.

You need to insert your string and adhere it.  I used double sided tape.

Then, glue the last heart into place.

This is my centerpiece to the garland.

The little hearts twirl around as you walk by and create a breeze.

It's so cute.

On some I added smaller hearts or a little bit of bling.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!

Be sure to check out our new Monthly Guest Designer Challenge.

You could win a free stamp set and be our next featured Guest Designer!
How exciting!

Stay tuned in 2024 for lots more new releases!

There are some really fun products coming soon.

✻ Please make a new card or handmade crafty creation. You can make any item you wish; this is not limited to cards!

✻ Limit two submissions per person. You will receive extra votes if you use Art Impressions stamps!

 ✻Please include your first name and last initial on your submission.

✻We love to comment on your entries, but keep in mind if you use a private group or a platform that you need to sign up for, we probably won't be able to.

✻ The Ai Challenge is open to everyone, international submissions are welcome!

✻ Include a link back to the Ai Blog or grab our button on the top right of our sidebar!

✻ Share the Ai love if you can, by clicking and commenting on your fellow crafters.

✻ Make sure to get your link up by the deadline to enter your creations.

✻ Good luck and happy stamping!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter