Friday, June 27, 2014

Starfish Favor/Gift Box


©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2014

I am always looking for easy and elegant favor/gift boxes to slip a tiny gift or trinket into. I like to make up several at a time to have on hand. This is one of the easiest boxes ever created and can be made in any combination of colors and themes using the wonderful selection of the Arnold Grummer casting molds.



Supplies:

  • Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
  • Molds: CP Starfish
  • Microwave, heat gun or a sunny window
  • Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, paper cutter, scissors, bone folder, ruler
  • QuickGrab™ Adhesive and double sided foam tape or foam dots
  • Scraps of peach/pink and white paper (think colored junk mail, etc.)
  • Tiny amount of Gold glitter
  • 12 “each of 1” sheer Burgundy ribbon and tulle

Directions:

  1. Follow the direction for paper making and casting found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to create a sheet of light peach/pink paper.
  2. When the paper is dry, create a simple 2 x 2 x 2” box.
  3. Make white slurry, add a tiny amount of gold glitter to the slurry and cast the starfish.
  4. Dry in the microwave, with the heat tool or place in a sunny window. 

Assemble the box:

  1. Attach the castings to the top of the box lid with QuickGrab™ adhesive.
  2. Tie the double bow around the box.
  3. Place a tiny gift in the box or a small wedding or anniversary favor.

 

Friday, June 20, 2014

Memories from the Beach

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2014

The "By the Sea" gift bag filled with Salt Water Taffy was a great success. My mom has been ill for almost a year and has spent more days in the hospital and nursing home than at home with my dad. Creating small gifts to brighten her day is a pleasure. My sister was present when I gave mom her bag of taffy and this matted sand dollar. What a wonderful afternoon of sharing those memories of our times at the beach.


Supplies:

  • Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
  • Mold: CPSand Dollar
  • Microwave, heat gun or a sunny window
  • Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, scissors
  • QuickGrab™ Adhesive, double sided tape
  • Scraps of white paper (think junk mail, etc.)
  • Light blue 6 x 6” mat board (with backing) with a 2 ¾”- 3” opening
  • Embossing folder with words
  • Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
  • ColorBox™ Chalk Ink pad in Lavender Blue and Stylist handle with white foam tips
  • ColorBox™ Metallic Gold Ink pad and Metallic Gold embossing powder

Directions:

  1. Emboss the front of the mat with the folder.
  2. Edge the outside and opening of the mat with metallic gold ink.
  3. Sprinkle with gold embossing powder and heat with the heat tool.
  4. Follow the direction for paper making and casting found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to caste the sand dollar.
  5. Dry in the microwave, with the heat tool or in a sunny window.
  6. When the casting is dry use the Stylist and foam tips to add a small amount of Lavender Blue Chalk ink to bring out the texture and design of the sand dollar casting.
  7. Line up the casting in the opening of the mat and attach it to the backing with QuickGrab™ adhesive. 
  8. Use double sided tape to attach the mat to the backing.



Friday, June 13, 2014

By the Sea

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2014


Some of my favorite childhood memories are of times spent with my parents and older sister on the beach in Southern California. We would look for buried treasure, build sand castles and collect buckets and buckets of sea shells. The days were long and filled with adventure. As a reminder of those happy days I am creating several gifts items to share with my mom and sister.


Supplies:

  • Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
  • Molds: Sea Shell candy mold
  • A sunny window (the candy mold is thin plastic, the casting  need to air dry)
  • Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, paper cutter, scissors, bone folder, ruler
  • Beacon QuickGrab™ Adhesive
  • Scraps of light blue and white paper (think colored junk mail, etc.)
  • Die: small box/ bag die (or purchase pre made)
  • Rubber stamp: “Near the sea, we forget to count the days”
  • ColorBox™ White Pigment Ink, white embossing powder and heat tool

Directions:

  1. Follow the direction for paper making and casting found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to create a sheet of light blue paper.
  2. When the paper is dry cut the bag or card.
  3. Make more slurry and caste one of each of the three sizes of sea shells.
  4. Place in a sunny window to dry.
  5. Ink the stamp and stamp the saying onto the front of the bag or card (before you assemble it).
  6. Sprinkle the wet ink with white embossing powder and heat to emboss.
  7. Assemble the bag or card.
  8. Attach the three white seashell castings to the bottom area of the box/bag with QuickGrab™ adhesive.
  9. Add some iridescent shred and a special sea shell or sand dollar along with a photo.