Milk Carton Carrier Tutorial

Now this could be a long post, it's surprising how long it takes to do these tutorials. Fingers crossed it makes sense but if you've any questions please leave a comment or send me an email. (You should be able to click on all the images for a larger and clearer version.)

note: This is not my original idea, I've only adapted this one here from Lauren Meader.

Cut...

2 pieces of cardstock @ 8 1/2" x 2"

and

2 pieces of cardstock @ 5 7/8" x 3 3/4"

(For everyone in Europe the cardstock is A4. You can get all these pieces out of one sheet of A4 by cutting the two 8 1/2" x 2" pieces first and then trimming the remaining piece to 3 3/4" wide and then cutting that piece in half.)

Score the two 8 1/2" x 2" pieces @ 1/2", 2 3/8", 6 1/8" & 8" across the long side, then score 1/2" down the width. (that bit always confuses me on which side is which, but hopefully you can work it out from the picture.)

Then score the two 5 7/8" x 3 3/4" pieces at 1 7/8".

From a Post-it-note punch out a circle with a 1 3/8" circle punch and use this mask to position where you want the hole for the carrier handle on the 5 7/8" x 3 3/4" piece of cardstock. When you're happy on your positioning match the two 5 7/8" x 3 3/4"pieces of cardstock together, place you punch over your mask and punch through. I wasn't sure if the punch would manage double thickness but my Stampin' Up! one did. If your punch can't quite manage it, do one piece at a time using your mask as a guide for where your hole is.

To add the decorative scalloped circle round the hole you have just made, punch a 1 3/8" circle in a co-ordinating piece of cardstock. Position the scallop circle over the top of the hole you have just made and punch out (make 2 - one for each side).

Stick these as shown. (Make sure your two 5 7/8" x 3 3/4" pieces are matched together when you do this. I managed to flip one piece over whilst doing a sample and consequently they holes didn't match up. lol!)

Now to make one half of the carrier, fold on the score line so it comes up to the scallop circle.

Now take your 8 1/2" x 2" piece and use the scallop border punch to decorate the long edge that does not have a score line. Fold on all the score lines, cut out the small corners as shown and make two, 1/2" cuts on the score lines again as shown. Add some strong sticky strip to the inside of each tab.

Now it's time to put the first half of the carrier together... are you still with me??

Take your 5 7/8" x 3 3/4" piece and with the scored bit folded up, turn it over and position it into the corner of the 8 1/2" x 2" piece. Fold over the small flap and stick down. Stick the other little flap down on the opposite side in the same way.

As you lift the carrier up you will see how this comes together - the base will drop down and the tabs you have left are to be stuck to the underside of the base. (This isn't easy to explain but hopefully the pictures will make it clearer)

Do the same to make the other carrier half.

When you have made two of these, put plenty of strong sticky tape on the back of one and stick them together ...and VOILA! A little carrier ready for you to decorate! I rounded the corners on this one, which are hiding under the ribbon, and I added some patterned paper to the centre panel before I started putting the whole thing together. The rest is self explanatory. The pots I filled with Choccy raisins and surprisingly they're quite heavy but the carrier takes the weight no problem.

I hope this tutorial can be of use to someone. Please leave a comment, and a link to let me know if you've had a go - I'd love to see your creations!

tfl,

Jo :)

E.T.A. The containers are plastic shot glasses with lids. I bought mine from a lady that sold them from a bulk buy, so sorry I can't help as to where you can get them from. I did a quick Google and there are suppliers out there though.

Pocket Silhoutte...again!

I have a new member to my Stampin'Up! team... yaay!! Helen has signed up to be a Demonstrator and I'm so excited and pleased for her. She is such a lovely, bubbily and enthusiastic crafter and I know she will do well in her new venture - Congratulations Helen! She already holds craft classes on a weekly basis in the North of Dorset so if anyone lives that way and would like more details please get in touch with me and I will let you have her email. She's in the process of setting up a blog but as I haven't actually asked if I can publicly give out her details, via me is the best bet until I have approval. So my card today is very similar to the one I sent to Helen. I adore the colours on this which are Bashful Blue and Lavender Lace - very spring like with a piece of silver hodgepodge to accentuate the greeting....so delicate. The rectangular mount in lavender lace was made with the scallop border punch and this tutorial I did last year. It's still my most favourite punch - really hope scallops stay in fashion for a looong time. My intention today was to post the tutorial for the Milk Carton Container but it's been one of those days which has just flown by. This morning the washing machine packed up - luckily hubs fixed it, phew! Apparently I'm supposed to clean out the filter every now and then.... not every five years, Oopps! There was water everywhere and anyone who know me will confirm that me and water don't go together very well... apart from when I shower that is. LOL!! At least the machine is running nicely now, although the towels that'd been stuck in there for the last 24 hours looked a bit washed out! ha! Thankfully the sun shone today, such a contrast to the continual rain from yesterday. I wanted to take some photo's of the projects I've made but with the sun being very low in the sky it was a nightmare to get some good shots. I did manage to get a few photo's but before I knew it, it was too dark to do the one's for the tutorial. I'd made a start but with shadows, a yellow hue and a high ISO they looked rubbish so I gave up. I'll start again in the morning - promise! I did take a few pics of another Milk Carton Container that I've made so I will leave you with a little sneak. tfl, Jo :)

Polka Dot Punches

I got sidetracked yesterday as I was going to create something for Kristina's Colour Challenge, but once I get an idea in my head I have to go with it. So I've got these little pots that I bought from Jo which are perfect for altering and filling with sweets, and on my travels through blogland I spotted some milk carton containers which I thought would be just the job to carry the pots in. I've been searching for instructions on how to make them for awhile now and eventually I found a post on Lauren Meader's blog (fab lady by the way -very, very talented). So, I made one. It was actually miles too big for my little pots so I shrunk it to fit, and this is what I came up with....

I didn't have anything to put in the pots apart from one small packet of yoghurt raisins I pinched from Jake, and they only filled one pot! ....don't worry, I will let him eat them later. The choccie raisins look quite good actually..think I'll get some when I'm out tomorrow. Anyway, I was wanting to show you how fabulous the heart from the Sale-a-bration set called Polka Dot Punches looked when I white embossed it onto black cardstock - isn't it striking? And to match my little treat container I made a card. I love Polka Dots, so to tie in with the theme I did a bit more white embossing using the large background Polka Dot stamp from the main catalogue. Hope you like. tfl, Jo :) Supplies: Stamps - Polka Dot Punches (SAB) 113788, Polka Dot 109276, Yummy (SAB) 113782 & Circle of Friendship 107137 Colours - Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black Other Materials - SU! White Embossing Powder, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon

Happy Birthday Karen!

It's my bestest friend Karen's Birthday today. I've known Karen for over 20 years and she has always been there for me through life's ups and downs and I couldn't be without her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN!

XXX

This is the card I made for her along with a handmade box which holds a pretty necklace.

I really can't seem to stop using Regal Rose and choc Chip with the Sweet Always papers - I love 'em! lol I will do something different tomorrow though as I see Kristina has a new colour challenge up, so fingers crossed I get time to play later.

ttfn,

Jo :)