Paper Plates

Paper plates are such a versatile item in the craft world especially for children. Follow along as I explore crafts to do with a paper plate.

With the lead up to Easter, I thought that I would start with a paper plate basket that could be decorated up as a cute Easter basket.

Paper Plate Basket
Items Required:  
Small Paper Plate
Paint
Paint brush
Curling ribbon
Fabric or paper flowers
Glue
Scissors
Stapler
Piece of card measuring 20cm x 2.5 cm

What to do.

Paint your paper plate first on the front and allow to dry. When it is dry on the front paint it on the back and allow to dry.

Carefully fold each "side" of the plate into the middle creating 4 fold lines.

Open all the "sides" out so that your plate is now flat.

Carefully fold up two sides to form a corner and staple.

Fold all four corners together stapling each corner.

Cut a strip of card 20cm by 2.5cm. I have just used a piece of scrap card from my scrap pile. This is now your basket handle.

Staple your handle to the basket.

Cut a piece of curling ribbon approximately 25cm in length and tie a small bow. Glue this two the top of the basket handle.

Glue a fabric flower on top of the bow. (paper flowers or any other decorative element can also be used.)

Glue a fabric flower to either side of the basket covering the staples on the handles.

Here is a pretty little basket that will hold some delicious Easter Eggs. 

You could also use these baskets for treat baskets for birthdays, decorate in a Halloween theme for Halloween , they are even great for Christmas.

Wow, its a cliche, but it is so true, how time flies when you are busy.

To kick off our year of crafts here a four sea life themed cards.



When things get fishy………….

A5 white card
HOTP 12 x 12 bubbles – 14.5 x 10.5 cm & 14.5 x 9cm
Doodlebug Design Inc Fancy Frills Blue Jean – circles 12.5 cm
Doodlebug Design Inc Seaside card stock stickers (2181)
American Crafts 12 x 12 Card – Ocean 12 x 6.5 cm & 9 x 6.5 cm
LPD – Pre printed card fronts & sayings – fishy
D.S Tape
Foam tape
Black card

CARD FRONT
· Fold the A5 card in half.
· Attach the larger HOTP bubble paper to the front of the card.
· Attach the larger piece of ocean card in the middle
· Along the bottom edge or the ocean card piece attach the circle fancy frill.
· Attach the “When things get fishy” saying above the ocean card piece.
· Remove from the Seaside stickers the bucket of fish and the 2 penguins.
· Place the bucket of fish in the middle of the ocean card piece. Place the 2 penguins on black card. Cut around each of the penguins.
· Using foam tape attach the penguins – 1 either side of the bucket of fish.

CARD MIDDLE
· Attach the remaining HOTP bubble piece to the inside of the card.
· Attach the remaining ocean card piece along the bottom of the bubble piece in the middle.
· Attach the “You’re there as my friend” piece above the ocean card on the bubble paper.
· Remove from the Seaside stickers the 2 small shrimps and the small yellow fish. Adhere the small shrimps to either top corner of the ocean card and the yellow fish in the middle of the bottom edge.


Squid


A5 white card
Doodlebug Design Inc 12 x 12 papers – Deep Blue Sea (2145) 14.5 x 10.5 cm & 4.5 x 7 cm x2
Doodlebug Design Inc 12 x 12 papers – Sweater Stripe (1774) 7 x 5.5 cm x 2
American Crafts 12 x 12 card stock – Ocean - 8 x 5cm & 5 x 4 cm
Doodlebug Design Inc Seaside card stock stickers
LPD pre printed card fronts & sayings – “Squid”
Crafty Stickers – Gold Happy Birthday
Black card
D.S. Tape
Foam tape

CARD FRONT

· Fold the card gate style.
· From the bottom measure up 7 cm on both sides. Cut away the remaining card, so that there are just two small flaps down the bottom.
· Adhere the Sweater Stripe paper to both side of the ‘gates”
· On the smaller piece of Ocean card adhere a pink squid to the middle.
· Put double- sided tape only on 1 half of the Ocean card, attach this to 1 side of the gates. Ensure the non- sticky side over laps the other gate.


CARD MIDDLE

· Adhere the largest piece of Deep Blue Sea paper to the inside of the card.
· Adhere the smaller 2 pieces of Deep Blue Sea paper to inside both of the gates.
· Remove the octopus from the Seaside card stock sticker collection. Attach to a piece of black card and cut around the edges.
· Using foam tape adhere this to the top of the inside of the card.
· Using foam tape adhere the “Squid” saying below the octopus.
· Adhere the remaining piece of Ocean card to the bottom so that it is completely hidden by the “gates”
· Remove the larger Shrimp from the sticker collection and adhere to the top corners of the ocean piece of card.
· Between the two squid attach the gold ‘Happy Birthday” writing.



Birthday Whale

A5 White card
HOTP 12 x 12 papers – Pool 14.5 x 10.5 cm & 10 x 8 cm
Doodlebug Design Inc 12 x 12 papers – Deep Blue Sea 14.5 x 2 cm
Doodlebug Design Inc – Seaside card stock stickers
American Crafts 12x12 card stock – Ocean 4 x 7cm
LPD pre-printed card fronts and sayings “ Have a whale of a time on your birthday”
D.S. Tape


CARD FRONT

· Fold the White A5 Card in half.
· Adhere the larger piece of HOTP Pool paper to the front.
· Adhere the strip of Deep Blue Sea paper along the bottom edge.
· Above this edge adhere the “Have a Whale of a time on your birthday “ saying.
· Remove the Whale from the sticker collection and attach this above the birthday saying.



CARD MIDDLE

· Attach the smaller piece of Pool paper to the middle.
· Attach the piece of Ocean card towards the bottom of the Pool piece.
· Remove a sea gull from the sticker collection at adhere to the top right corner of the Pool paper.



Port Hole

A5 White Card
HOTP 12 x 12 papers bubbles 14.5 x 10.5 cm
HOTP 12 x 12 papers – Pool 14.5 x 10.5 cm
American Crafts 12 x 12 Card stock – Ocean 11 x 11cm
Doodlebug Design Inc Seaside Card stock Stickers
D.S. Tape
Foam Tape



CARD FRONT

· Fold the A5 card in half.
· On 1 half draw a circle 7 cm in diameter. Cut this out.
· Adhere the Bubble paper to the front of the card. Cut out the circle.
· On the Ocean card draw a circle 10cm in diameter. Draw an inner circle 7cm in diameter. Cut these out. 9A template is included with the kit)
· Adhere the card circle over the top of the cut out circle using foam tape.
· Use the clam shell, oyster and star fish from the sticker collection to decorate the “window”


CARD MIDDLE

· Adhere the Pool paper to the inside of the card.
· Adhere the seaweed stickers from the sticker collection to the middle of the paper so that you can see it through the window.
· From the sticker collection adhere in the “window” the two turtles and 2 small fish.

I absolutely LOVE the "Sleighing Song" paper from American Crafts. When every I look at it, I am always reminded of Christmas past. Even though a sleighing song is not particularly relevant to here in West Oz as it is summer at Christmas time, the paper has a real vintage feel to it.


Have a Merry Christmas card

Items required:
A5 white card
American Crafts 12 x 12 papers – Sleighing Song (35200)
American Crafts 12 x 12 card stock – Scarlet 10x 14.5
Vellum 8 x 14.5 cm
Red/Gold/Green stripe 3mm grosgrain ribbon
Red “Merry Christmas’ Crafty Sticker
Deckle edge scissors, foam tape

CARD FRONT
1. Fold the A5 card in half – tent fold.
2. Carefully cut the verse section of the song from the sleighing paper. Trim the paper to the width of the card.
3. Carefully cut off the final line of the verse.
4. Using deckle edge scissors cut on the diagonal across the velum. Attach this to the top left corner.
5. Attach the stripe ribbon to the verse piece just above the line – bells on bobtail ring. Tuck the edges of the ribbon behind.
6. Attach all the pieces to the front of the card
7. Cut the “Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas” saying from the remainder of the sleighing song paper and trim with deckle edge scissors. Attach to the card over the vellum using foam tape.

CARD INSIDE
1. Attach the remainder of the verse to the scarlet card stock.
2. Use the stripe ribbon to cover the join. Tuck the ends in behind.
3. Attach the remaining piece of velum to the top of the card stock on the left-hand side.
4. Attach all pieces to the inside of the card matching up the bottom edges.
5. Adhere the red Merry Christmas inside the card on the vellum.

This is the next card in our Christmas card series it is a play on words as well as a way to use snowflake papers which are hard to use here in Western Australia.


Cool Christmas card







Items required:
A5 card – white
Doodlebug Design In 12 x 12 papers – Flurry – 14.5 x 10.5 cm & 6cm x 6cm
HOTP Paper Pizzazz 12 x 12 papers – Blue Snowflakes & Swirls10 x 14.5 cm & 10 x 9cm
Silver Kindy Glitz
Pre – printed Christmas saying
Window template
Deckle edge scissors, foam tape

CARD FRONT
1. Fold the A5 card in half. Using the window template as a guide place it on the front of the card and trace around the inside and cut it out.
2. Attach the Flurry paper to the front of the card and cut out the “window”
3. Place the window template on the blue snowflakes and swirls paper (10 x 9cm) and trace around both the inside and outside of the template. IMPORTANT: ensure that the position of your template lines up with the one already cut out on the card front.
4. Cut out the inside of the template first, then the outside and attach to the front of the card.
5. Use silver kindy glitz to highlight the window.

CARD INSIDE
6. Attach the larger piece of the Blue snowflakes and swirls to the inside of the card.
7. To make the snowflake, fold the smaller piece of flurry paper into a triangle, fold in half again and then in half again. Using sharp scissors snip out small triangular pieces
8. Attach this to the inside of the card ensuring that it shows through the window.
9. Cut around the edge of the pre-printed Christmas saying with deckle edge scissors and attach in the middle of the snowflake using foam tape.
10. Embellish the edges with silver kindy glitz.

I find that when it comes to making Christmas cards that whilst I look for ideas that are quick and easy to put together when I have to do quite a few, I do like to produce a more elaborate card that I can give to a special friend or family member.

The best thing about making Christmas Cards is that there is such a beautiful range of papers, embellishments and bling available that can help you to create both simple and elaborate cards and because its Christmas you can really indulge...............................................

I hope that you enjoy view and creating the following cards as much as I enjoyed making them. All the supplies to make the cards can be purchase at http://www.littlepacksdistribution.com.au/

Pocket Christmas card

Items required:
A5 white card
White card stock 8 x 13 cm
American Crafts 12 x 12 paper – Thin Mint 8 x 13cm
American Crafts 12 x 12 papers – Garland Greetings
Doodlebug Design Inc 12 x 12 papers – Holly Jolly 10 .5 x 14.5 cm
Red/Green/Gold tripe 3mm grosgrain ribbon x 10cm
Acetate or clear plastic 8cm x 10cm
Pre-printed Christmas greeting
Gold kindy glitz

CARD FRONT
1. Fold the A5 card in half. Draw an arched shape window in the centre measuring 6.5 cm wide 7 9cm high. Cut it out. (See image for guidance)
2. Attach the Holly Jolly paper to the front of the card and cut out the window.
3. On the inside of the card attach the acetate or clear plastic
4. Use double sided tape or glue to seal the bottom and side edge of the card closed forming a pocket.
5. Cut out holly pieces from the Garland Greetings paper and embellish the front of the card.
6. Apply gold kindy glitz around the window frame
CARD INSIDE
1. Attach the red/green/gold ribbon to the top of the 8 x 13 white card creating a loop.
2. Attach the Thin Mint paper to the card piece sandwiching the ribbon in the middle of the two pieces.
3. Cut out a holly piece to embellish the card slide.
4. Attach the pre-printed Christmas greeting to the card slide
5. Slide inside the pocket. The greeting should be visible through the window.

Chocolate makes such a great gift for Christmas. This chocolate box is a really neat way to give a large block of chocolate. You also have the opportunity of using up scraps and left over bits when it comes to embellishing. You could also make use of this box for many other special occasions such as Easter, Mother's Day and birthdays.

Chocolate Gift Box

Items required:
American Crafts 12 x 12 card stock – Grape
American Crafts 12 x 12 paper – Merry Memories Varnish (35197) 10 x 17 cm & 6 x 10cm
Red merry Christmas ribbon 2 pieces x 28 cm
Red/Green/Gold striped 3mm grosgrain ribbon x 10cm
American Crafts Merry Christmas rub on
Double sided tape, scissors, rule, pencil







1. On the 12 x 12 card stock measure and mark the following measurements and lines.



2. Score and fold along the dotted lines. Cut along the thick dark lines.
3. Fold the box together, using tape to secure.
4. Fold up the bottom flaps to form the base.
5. Using a punch or cut a rectangle on both the sides of the box to secure a gift tag or ribbon.
6. Choose 1 side to be the front of the box and attach the large piece of Merry Memories paper.
7. On the smaller piece draw a tag shape and cut it out.
8. On the reverse side (green side) rub on the “Merry Christmas’ rub-on
9. Attach the tag to the front of the box.
10. Wrap the 2 pieces of the Merry Christmas ribbon around the box at the top and bottom of the Merry Memories paper.
11. Tie the red/gold/green stripe ribbon in a bow and attach to the top of the tag.

All the pieces to complete the boxes can be found in our online shop

www.littlepacksdistribution.com.au

Gable Roof Christmas treat box

Here is another box that makes a great gift box for Christmas. Embellishing these boxes are also a great way to use up any of your left over stash

I really enjoyed making this box and I hope that you have fun to.

Gable Christmas Treat Box

Items Required:
American Crafts 12 x 12 card stock – Aqua
American Crafts 12 x 12 card stock – Cranberry - 10 cm x 6cm
American Crafts 12 x 12 papers – Thin Mint – 8cm x 16.5 cm
Doodlebug Design Inc Paper Frills – Ladybug
Doodlebug Design Inc Sugar Coated card stock – Bumblebee (1543)
Doodlebug Design Inc Sugar Coated card stock – Ribbon Candy (1989)
Doodlebug Design Inc 12 x 12 papers – Christmas Classic (1753) 7cm x 10cm
Red/Gold/Green strip 3mm grosgrain ribbon x 10cm
Stick on Star jewels x 2
Stick on wooden Christmas tree
Large star punch
Small Star punch
Double sided tape, foam tape, pencil, rule and scissors


1. Measure and mark the following measurements of the Aqua card stock.


2. Score and fold along the dotted lines. Cut along the heavy black lines.
3. Place double sided tape along the 1.5cm flap. Fold into a box shape.
4. To for the base of the box, fold the 5cm flaps together securing with double sided tape.
5. Tuck the each of the 5.5cm top flaps inside the box – use double-sided tape to secure in position.
6. The 2 remaining flaps meet together to form a gable roof for the box.
7. Us a punch or cut 2 circle in the top of the “roof” and tie with a ribbon
8. Adhere the piece if Thin Mint paper to the front of the box
9. Attach the Christmas classic paper on top of the Thin mint at the bottom leaving a 1/2cm gap from the bottom edge.
10. Attach a wooden Christmas tree and decorate with a jewel star
11. Cut a tag shape from the Cranberry card stock and attach the stripe ribbon behind to form a loop.
12. Attach to the front of the box with tape
13. Choose a paper frill and cut to side to embellish the top of the gable.
14. Using a small star punch – punch out 10 stars from the bumblebee sugarcoated card stock.
15. Using foam tape attach these to the box front – 5 along the top and 5 around the tree
16 Punch out 2 large stars from the Ribbon candy sugar coated card stock and attach with foam tape

Use image as a guideline