Crafty Secrets March Linky Party and DT Challenge

YAY!  Spring is getting closer!

Hello friends!

Welcome to a new month of crafting fun and that means it's also 

time for a new CRAFTY SECRETS LINKY PARTY and Design Team Challenge.

This month the team is focused on SPRING!  

So we will be sharing a variety of wonderful St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Gardening 

and anything else that screams SPRING creations with you though out the month of March.

My DT creation/tutorial I'd like to share is this cute 

Easter 'Card in a Box' using Crafty Secrets 'Easter Cut Out Kids' and their 'Green Damask Floral' digital papers.

WARNING!  

Since I'm not set up to do video tutorials, this post will be PHOTO HEAVY!

The original instructions/video came from 

Tina Weller (The Serene Stamper).

STEP 1:

Choose your paper(s).  Tina used kraft cardstock and design paper panels on her box but I decided to print out the beautiful Crafty Secrets 'Green Damask Floral' paper today.  Printing the coordinating patterns on both sides of my 100# bright white card stock.

Once printed, cut your paper 8 1/4" x 9".

STEP 2:

Score along the 9" side of your paper at 2 1/8", 4 1/4", 6 3/8" and 8 1/2".

 NEXT, turn your paper 90 degrees and score at 2 3/4"

STEP 3:

With the 8 1/4" side on top and your 2 3/4" score to the left ... 

cut your cardstock to measure 6".  Save the piece that is cut off.

From the scrap piece, measure and cut at 3 1/8" making sure to include the 'tab'.

This will give you a piece (see below) that has a 'tab' on either end.

Cut this piece in half at 1 1/8" so now you have two strips.

Each with a 'tab' at each end (see below).

Fold 'tabs' to make a 'z' and adhere sticky strip (such as scor tape) 

to ends and set aside.

STEP 4:

 With your main card stock position so the 2 3/4" side is at the top 

and cut along the SMALL square score lines to create the flaps.

Trim off the tiny strip that is left over, you won't need it.

(HINT:  the LONGER panels will create the box 

and the SHORTER panels will create the flaps.)

When using 2 sided papers as I am here,

you can now choose which pattern you want as the inside of your box

and which pattern you want as the outside.

I've chosen the blue inside and the green on the outside.

 STEP 5:

Fold on the score lines and use a strong adhesive 

(such as red line tape or scor tape) to put your box together.

 STEP 6:

For the BACK of your box, you can add a panel for writing your message.

This panel would be cut at 5 7/8" x 2".

This writing panel also gives your back panel extra strength.

I chose to use the extra piece that was cut from the full size card stock.  Since it was a little short on the side measurements, I chose to distress with Tim Holtz Tea Die ink & a sponge.

This is what your 'card in a box' will look like folded closed BEFORE decorating.

NOW COMES THE FUN PART!

DECORATING!!!

As I said at the beginning of my post, I chose to use

Crafty Secrets 'Easter Cut Out Kids' and 'Green Damask Floral' digital papers.

I actually printed out this full sheet, then began fussy cutting.

You can click on any of the images to enlarge for a closer view.

It turns out that my 'Card in a Box' will fit inside a 5x7 envelope for mailing.

Here's another peek at the finished product.

I hope you'll give it a try and please let me know if you do so I can come take a peek!

BONUS!
Did you see these darling little Printable Gift Bags?  One even has these cute kids that matches the Easter Cut Out Kids sheet that I used on my Card in a Box creation.  What fun!!!

They are so easy to print, cut and put together!

You can purchase them HERE and HERE in the Crafty Vintage Girl Shoppe!
 

OKAY ... now it's YOUR turn!

You'll have one week to play along so be sure to pop on over to the Crafty Secrets Blog and post any sample you have created using ANY Crafty Secrets product(s) and receive a $6.00 coupon. You can enter up to 4 samples to increase your chance to win the $50 gift card but only one $6.00 coupon can be sent.  

Need more inspiration and want to see more fabulous tutorials?  

Well check out what my amazing team mates have created ...

• Kathy Clement - Team Leader
• Vicki Chrisman
• Michele Kovack
• Sheila Rumney
• Elizabeth Lincoln
• Cherry Nelson

Thanks so much for stopping by today and for sticking with me to the end!

I look forward to seeing what YOU create!