5

The countdown that you all have been waiting for is finally here!  Only 5 days until the latest stamp set debut at Papertrey Ink.  And I am so excited to kick-off this particular countdown!  I have SO many fun things in store for you!  Be sure to check in every day from now until the 15th for new projects!

Today's project begins with a little stamped patterned paper.  There is just something so satisfying for me about taking an ordinary sheet of cardstock and turning it into a multi-colored masterpiece of pattern with just a little ink and some stamps!  I am always doing polka dots, so I thought today I would go for a fun plaid!

I started by marking my cardstock with pencil in 1.75" increments.

I then took the small stitched square from Borders & Corners Square and turned it at an angle.  By lining up the top and bottom points of the square, one point touching another point, all the way down the pencil lines, I ended up with a beautiful plaid.  Super easy (and somewhat therapeutic too!)

I knew I wanted to add a little more detail, so I used the large triple solid border with rust ink to outline a few of the stitched squares.  I love the contrast it created!  I then erased all my pencil marks.

I created this paper to be used for a special box I designed, inspired by my friend Mish and her Criss-Cross Cards. It is a super easy box to make, and it requires only one sheet of cardstock.  This is what your 8.5x11 sheet will look like after you have completed your scoring and trimming. I have created a template for you to download so you can create your very own Criss-Cross Boxes!  Here is a template for my Criss-Cross Box! 

Download crisscross_box_template.pdf

To begin assembling, you adhere the small side tabs to the long side tabs.

Then you can flip the whole front portion back.

For your third step, you want to adhere the remaining sides to the first side tabs.

Finally, you just need to adhere your criss-cross tabs in place.  First the right.

And then the left. Viola!  An easy Criss-Cross Box!

The box needed a little something, so I decided to create a band for it.  Out came one of our upcoming new releases, a very un-traditional Valentine's Day set!  And what could be more unique than heart shaped acorns and the sentiment "Nuts for you", (courtesy of "askagain" of SCS, winner #1 for our Punny Valentine contest!  I will be announcing the rest throughout the week.  The winners each receive a PT gift certificate!)  I love, LOVE, love the font for this particular set.  It translates so well into a stamp and has such a nice crispness to it. 

I added a scalloped edge to the band and adhered it to my box.

Now that I had a box, I needed something to put inside of it.  What could be more appropriate than nuts?  I found that these clear bags were the perfect fit for this particular box.  I used the SU! tab punch as a fun closure for the bag, attaching it in place securely with a staple.

On the front of the bag I added a little tag featuring one of the stars of the show for our new set, a perfectly perfect, modernized squirrel.  Isn't he the cutest!  I just love the little guy!

Here are both elements side-by-side.  This would be such a cute project for the boys/men in your life for Valentine's Day!  It isn't too girly or frilly, making it the perfect match!  You could even include chocolate covered nuts for a sweeter approach!

Many of you probably remember the Papertrey Apprentice contest that we held during our last release party.  This time we are doing something a bit different. 

I'm calling it the Papertrey Puzzler!

Here is how it is going to work.  Each day there will be a question asked at the end of my posts.  Research on our website and/or my blog to find the appropriate answer.  All answers will be numerical.  The final question will be asked at our release party on 12/14 at our Splitcoaststampers Forum.  Once you have the answer for that night, you will have a total of FIVE answers/numbers.  There will be a blog post begun here, the night of the 14th, entitled "Papertrey Puzzler".  In the body of the post, I will provide an equation.  It will read something like this:

example only (Day 5) - (Day 3) + (Day 2) x (Day 1) - (Day 4)=____

The first person to upload a comment containing the correct answer to the equation WINS the complete collection of our January release stamp sets!  They will receive their prize within a day or two of the January 15th release, making them one of the very FIRST people to get them!  Here is today's question:

DAY 5: How many dies are there TOTAL in Papertrey's Nestabilities Complete Collection?

Supplies for today's project:

INK- Cognac & Burnt Umber Palette Ink Pads, Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink from Ranger

CARDSTOCK- Prism

STAMPS- Papertrey Ink

OTHER- gingham ribbon from American Crafts, scalloped scissors from Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby), tab punch from SU!, clear bag from clearbags.com

Comments

Nichole... Your criss-cross box is so clever and cute. Hats off to Mish for the inspiration! Can't wait to see more. I'll have to sharpen up my math skills for sure!

[Jewels]

Oh How lovely is that made from scratch pattern paper. I love how you did that. I also have my m/c ready for the new set. That little squirrel drives me nutty!! I love the countdown and I am so glad its here. Can't wait to see more!! WTG Nicole!!

[Katie]

Wow! I was wondering how you were going to do punny Valentine's Day stamps, and you do not disappoint! I sure wish my husband's birthday wasn't Friday night!!! With me being in the Mountain Time Zone, I'll probably still be at the movies at 10. Bummer!!!

[Nancy]

This looks like it will be a really cute set! I can't wait to see more :)

[Beth]

I adore anything with squirrels and/or acorns! You made my night! The project is wonderful! I love the clever box design. I am totally bummed that I have to work 7pm-1am Friday night at our local ER so no contest for me. I'll keep my fingers crossed that those sweet squirrels are still there for me a 1:30 am Central Time!

[Karen]

I love what you have so far...this is soooo cute..also looking forward to what's coming up. I'm already having fun playing the Papertrey treasure hunt. thank you!

[Sue B]

You are amazing. Love the box (thank you for the template) and sneek peek of the new set. The squirrel is adorable.

[MonicaB]

Super cool project and the stamps you used are adorable!! TFS

[Heather J]

uh oh - another month of not saving $$$! I love the box as well, I'll have to give it a try!

[Lisa M]

DAY 5: How many dies are there TOTAL in Papertrey's Nestabilities Complete Collection?

Here's my answer.... 92 dies (48 solid + 44 scalloped).

[Judy Tuttle]

Very cute box! I love it! And as a math teacher I LOVE your new PUZZLE GAME! Can't wait to get started!
Judy

[Lynn Mercurio]

What an awesome project. Love it!

[Tessa]

This is just adorable!!! What a cute idea. I am so excited about this contest only I'm going to have to work really hard cause EEEK it's Math related! I teach Kindergarten for a reason ya know!

[Kelsey Forester]

Love the squirrel! I'll reach my 12 sets in no time now! :)
Have a great day!

[Aimee]

92 total dies in all

[Julie Campbell]

Oh my gosh! I love that little squirrel and the sentiment is PERFECT! Thanks for making something that is great for the guys too! :) I can't wait to see more!!!

[Becky]

So beautiful! I love how the bottom of the acorn resembles the ladybug body from little lady. SO nice. It is perfect. like always.

[Julie Masse]

What a great project Nicole! That box is super cute and I LOVE the squirrel - how great!! Can't wait to see the rest!

[Deanna Woodland]

92 Dies... Gorgeous Project!

[Michelle Wooderson]

Ohhhhhhhhh, you are SO good Nichole! Thank you for mentioning me today, how sweet! I'm glad I inspired you. The little squirrel and nuts saying are so cute. A must have I'm certain!

[Ayesha Ekanayake]

Hey Nicole, as always.. the stamps and the project looks great !. The answer to your Day 1 question is 92 dies (48 solid + 44 scalloped)!

[DeniseLynn]

Love the project today. I know the answer to today's question but I am thinking that we are not to answer them aloud each day but to keep track of our answers then be the first to answer after all 5 days are done and all questions asked. is that right?

[Otter]

That Mishy is something isn't she!! Cute concept from the criss cross card!!! Thanks for the download also!! You are sooooo generous!!

[Carolyn King]

What a wonderful project. Love that squirrel! and LOVE your puzzle game---how fun!
Clever, clever!

[Leslie Elvert]

What great not-so-girly images, love them! Thanks for sharing the box pattern. Can't wait to see more!