The Joy of Sets Blog Hop Group - January Challenge

Today I am taking part in the Joy of Sets Blog Hop Challenge.  We are a group of crafters' from around the world who love to sharing our paper craft projects. 

This month our challenge is to make an easel card using something we have received for free.  Whilst attending OnStage last November I was delighted when I received a free stamp set called Bloom By Bloom - so I thought as I had not had chance to use it yet, I would for this project.

I have a friend with a birthday very soon - she has a bit of a thing for owls.  She has also recently become a little short sighted but has not yet resorted to wearing glasses.  When I saw this owl necklace that has a magnifying lens in the middle, I just knew I had found the perfect gift for her!

The box and the easel card I made are quite small - just 3" x 3" but the perfect size for this gift.  Underneath the card is a little drawer that opens to reveal the surprise.

Measurements
I used Calypso Coral card for my project.  The Designer Series Paper is from Happiness Blooms.

Card
6" x 3" - score at 1 1/2" and 3" then crease folds
3" x 3" (this is the front of the card).  This piece is adhered to the folded easel.  Make sure you put the adhesive in the right place (the folded over part).
3" X 1 1/2" in Whisper White.  This piece was added to the back of the easel so that I could write a message for my friend.  Unfortunately I forgot to photograph it.  

Drawer
4 7/8" x 4 7/8" - score at 1" on all four sides
Crease, cut and notch out the corners and adhere to form a box base.

Wrapper
8 1/2" x 3" - score at 1", 4", 5" and 8"
Crease on all sides and adhere on the narrow edge.

Designer Series Paper
2 3/4" x 3/4" - cut three.  Adhere to the drawer front and both sides of the wrapper.

The card is then adhered to the top of the box - I used Tombow.

You will also need another 2 pieces of DSP - I cut mine slightly smaller than the card front and card base.

Here you can see the easel part from the side.

Once assembled, you can decorate the card front to suit the recipient.  

I used one of my favourite Stitched Shape Framelits.  I stamped a simple background using the tiny flower stamps in this set.  The sentiment I used is from another new stamp set called Best Bunny.

You will also need a 'stopper' to hold the easel in position.  For this project I stamped a flower and fussy cut it out.  I then used one of the Bitty Blooms punches and some Night of Navy card to create a centre for the flower.  The  flowers have been joined together with Dimensionals.  Once in place they keep the easel from slipping down.  Looking at the photo I probably should have added a jewel to the centre of the flower too. 

Here is the completed card/box - I tied it with some pretty ribbon to hold everything in place.  I also thought it would be nice for my friend to have something to open!

You could of course make another little box to put the card/gift it in but I ran out of time to do this!

Although my project is fairly simple as my friend does not like fussy cards (or anything for that matter), you could have a lot of fun with this little box.  Its a perfect size to put all kinds of pretty things inside.

This project came together very quickly, why not try it yourself and see how much fun they are?  If the instructions don't make sense, give me a shout and I will try to explain further.  

I enjoyed using Bloom By Bloom for this project, I can see lots of possibilities and different colour combinations for it.  I will be using Bloom By Bloom for next weeks Coffee & Cards projects too.

I hope you enjoyed my project - I always take time to read and reply to all comments so don't be shy; why not leave a comment at the end of my post?

To continue on our hop, click the 'next' button to visit Ilse or the 'previous' button to go back to Maria.

Thanks for hopping with us.

Susan xx

Thank you so much for looking at my Blog today, if you don't have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and you live in the UK, I would love to be yours!  

If you need to order any supplies, simply use my “shop with me” button or click on the catalogue links on the right. Alternatively, contact me and I would be happy to place an order for you.

The Spring / Summer and Sale-A-Bration catalogues launched on the 3rd January.  If you would like copies let me know and I will pop them in the post for you.

Would you like to receive a FREE gift from me? 

All orders placed directly with me or online receive a handmade card from me as a thank you but did you know that all orders over £20 (excluding postage) will receive a gift from me too?  If you use the current Hostess Code I will pop something in with your order or post directly to you.  (Please remember to allow me to access your contact details otherwise I won't be able to contact you).

If your order is over £150 please don't use the code as you will receive your own Stampin' Rewards.  You will still receive a card and a gift from me. 

Here are the products I used today. All products are from Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased directly from my online shop by clicking the images below.

If you are local to me and can collect, I’m happy for you to piggyback one of my orders to save on postage.

If you have any questions, I’m happy to help.  You can email me susan_merrey@yahoo.co.uk or telephone 07905 403 823.

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