Monday 12 November 2012

DT project #1 featuring Teresa Collins’s Christmas Cottage Collection by Astrid


Hello everyone and welcome to the Snazzys blog. Regulars will know that this month we are featuring the wonderful Christmas Cottage collection by Teresa Collins. Like usual you have a chance to win this collection, all you have to do is leave a comment on the first post here Make sure to also check out all the other fabulous projects my teamies have been creating so far!


Every once in a while I enjoy doing a good old paper crafting project, so away goes the gesso, brushes and paints and all the arty cool stuff, and out come the scissors, ruler and glue. The moment I saw these wonderful papers they spelled Christmas Gifts to me, and just such  good old crafty fun, these lovely traditional look papers just lend themselves to that perfectly.
Now the project on the right is not a card as you may think but a little tea light gift box. Here you can see the inside:



I’ll do a quick little step by step for you, just in case you want to make one yourself:
What you will need:
Papers from the collection
3 sheets of strong A4 Card
2 tea lights
A match box (I used a Swan one which is just the perfect size).
1. Take one piece of card and cut at 5” along the long side.
2. Score at 5”, 6” and 11”, the remaining bit becomes  a glue tab.


3. Do the same with a second piece of A4 card and glue together as shown. The second square will over lap, this gives the base of your box strength.


4. Make the inside box for the lights and matches by cutting a 5” square out of your third piece of card, and score at 3/4” round all for sides, cut slits as shown for the glue tabs. and fold and glue together.


5 Now comes the fun part of covering everything with bits of your chosen papers from the collection. I made mine just 1/4 “ smaller than each of the panels Glue the little box onto the base of the inside of the outer box and apart from embellishing you are done!


Here you can see how I covered the match box:


And here is some more detail on the front of the box:



I used various Tim Holtz and Spellbinder dies from my stash to embellish my box as well as some of the lovely brads and die cuts that come with collection. I also used the stamps from the collection for all the sentiments. I adhered some small magnets on the inside of the cover and underneath the flap to hold the box closed.

Alright, now for the little house, – this is actually not just a deco piece but can also be a little gift box as the roof comes off  to hold some special Christmas baking.


I have created a template for this. The easiest way to make the house is to cut one of the papers to A4 size and print the template straight on to it. Alternatively you can print on to a bit of card and then use that as a template for the house by tracing it onto the card stock from the collection.

Once cut, folded and glued together you can again decorate it to your hearts content. Here are some pictures of how I did mine.



Well I hope you enjoyed this little project and maybe you feel inspired to make some gifts like this your self. The quality of these papers is superb and strong enough to make these boxes sturdy!


I’ll be back later on in the week with another project, so until then, stay crafty!




18 comments:

Joan said...

Oh wow, fabulous projects, I love the little house and will be definitely making some of them,thank you so much for the tutorial and template

Joan

craftimamma said...

Wow, anyone would love to receive either of these lovely gifts Astrid. They are both gorgeous and showcase this collection beautifully. Wonderful tutorial for the first one and such a useful template for the second cute little house. I love all the embellishment details you've included in both projects. Wonderful stuff!

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Sarah said...

Two wonderful little gift ideas with easy to follow directions, too. Beautiful work, Astrid!

Deborah said...

Two brilliant gifts! I adore the little house. And thank you for the how-to and the template.

Paula Whittaker said...

loving the house....thats stunning.Thanks for sharing the template.

Dorthe said...

Astrid, your little house is the most wonderful sweet piece, thankyou for the pattern- and the box description, they are both wonderful christmas projects.
XO,Dorthe

Maryann Laursen said...

Absolutely gorgeous project here Astrid, and I´m definitely going to try this with the girls. Thanks so much for sharing the teemplate with us here too, you´re always sooo generous. Can´t wait to see what more fun you have for us later.

snazzyoriginal said...

Two amazing projects with great 'how tos'. The inking on the little cottage is just perfect. I'm sure lots of people will be making these very special little gifts for Christmas xx

Sandie said...

Astrid, what beautiful Christmas projects, and thanks so much for sharing the instructions. I have book-marked in the hope to find some time to create a set myself.. thank you so much for the inspiration. xx

Minxy said...

WOW 2 totally amazing projects to kick start your week, I love the surprise that it wasn't a card, that's a really neat gift, and the house looks wonderful {i nearly decorated a maya road house just like that, glad I didn't now as am sure this one would of been far better than mine} and its all hand made which is doublely awesome x

Ros Crawford said...

Stunning!! Just love these projects!

Redanne said...

Wow Astrid, two really beautiful projects, those papers are fabulous. I love the idea of the candle box and the house is very special. Wonderful makes! A x

Zuzu's Blog said...

Almost orgasmic.. I see the first image and think "cool ornament and card".... i scroll and read and WOW.. fantastic gifts. I love your tealight gift box... beautiful... love the house gift box too.. very impressive stuff.

Marisa Job said...

Beautiful Christmas projects!! Very impressive as always!!

Netty said...

You really come up with some fantastic projects Astrid and seeing those candles inside....well and there was me thinking it was card... xx

Gillian .... said...

Two amazing projects Astrid with a fabulous "how to" also, your right this paper collection is screaming out to be made into festive gifts. Love love love this project. xx

Sarah x said...

These are great, I love the little house will definatly be making some of these x

Ephemera said...

Oh Astrid this is amazing, love the tea light holder and that little cottage is so adorable and such a fab idea, thanks for the templates, Have to say I'm pants at making anything like that. My last disater was making an ATC box holder LOL! xx