One of our FAVORITE things to do at Papertrey Ink is to provide you with the tools to create anything but a card! One of our goals is to bring back into "fashion" the art of showing you care with special handmade touches added to the special moments & holidays in your lives. At the same time, we also want it to be quick & easy so ANYBODY can execute the perfect project, no matter their skill level or crafting experience. This brings me to today's stamp set introduction, Boxes, Bags & Tags.
It is a set that features six frames/labels/tags along with several other bits and pieces. All of the frames coordinate with your circle punches and/or Nestabilities that you already have in your stash to make quick work of any project. You may be wondering, why is called Boxes, Bags & Tags if it doesn't literally have any boxes or bags in it?
Well, the answer is quite simple really! Because we will be introducing several mini ($5) sentiment sets over the next few months that will coordinate with these frames. This month we are starting out with a wedding theme for the coordination. The mini set for March is entitled Favor It Weddings. "Favor It" because each sentiment paired with Boxes, Bags & Tags, provides you with the ability to make your own stylish favors or small gifts in no time flat. "Weddings" because it contains nothing but adorable, punny sayings to help you to create either the perfect wedding card or favor! These would work wonderfully for more than just the actual wedding. Don't forget Bridal Showers & Anniversaries too!
To start things off, I thought I would share a little project I made with both Boxes, Bags & Tags and Favor It Weddings. I chose to work with the sentiment "A Perfect Pear". I've always had a fascination with pears. I think they are such a beautiful fruit (and it helps that they also coordinate with Spring Moss, one of my favorite colors!!!) When I added this stamp to the set, I figured there could be so much you could do with it.
Incorporating beautifully ripe pears for guests to enjoy later, for something a bit sweeter you could feature the chocolate covered variety
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pear flavored jelly beans
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pear candles
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pear flavored teas
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or even sparkling pear wine. Yum!!! So many wonderful options!
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I ended up deciding on a real pear for my purposes. I wanted a pretty box for my pear to sit in so there wouldn't be a chance of it rolling off the table. My box has two pieces to it and I created templates for them both. Even if the idea of this favor project doesn't fit into your crafting needs right now, there are certainly many other things you could utilize this box for!
Download favor_box.pdf
I scored the base of the box with Spring Moss cardstock according to the template above.
I pinched the corners (according to the score marks created) and folded the corners inward.
This box ends up with a really nice finished corner to it and is quite sturdy when made from our exclusive 110lb. cardstock!
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To add a fun twist to my box, I created a lining so to speak.
Download favor_box_lining.pdf
I cut & scored my lining according to the template, using Stamper's Select White cardstock and stamped it with one of the frames from Boxes, Bags & Tags. This is my favorite frame from the set and I thought it would help create a fabulous background paper.
I then added one of the small flowers from the set to the center of each frame. I think it really completed the look I was hoping for!
All that was left to do was adhere the lining to the box. The lining is designed to feature two overhanging flaps that expose the pretty pattern on the outside of the box.
The last addition was the pear itself, tied with a tag that reads the sentiment that started it all, "Perfect Pear", that originates from the Favor It Weddings set. The sentiment is combined with another frame featured in the Boxes, Bags & Tags set.
The finished product is something that would look lovely at each place setting at a rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, or even the wedding itself. I asked the design team to create favors for some of the other punny sentiments in the set...
Debbie Olson created this "Perfect Blend" favor with gourmet coffee inside. Aqua Mist & dark chocolate brown really make a stunning color combination here. Aqua Mist grosgrain ribbon holds the lid securely shut, while twill tape of the same color is used to edge the lid of one of our tins.
Lisa Johnson utilized "Mint to Be" with our exclusive heart tins. She used a crop-a-dile to punch holes around the sides, weave ribbon through and create a hanging loop to adorn each guests chair. The tin is filled with tasty mints, perfect for after dinner. She used Everyday Blessings paper to cover the tin carry on her color scheme.
Becky Oehlers created a beautifully packaged Bridal Tea invitation, complete with tea bags (Love is Brewing) and honey serving stick (Meant to Bee). She used our new Simple Alphabet to spell out Bridal Tea on the cover of her invitation as well. Both large frame images are from Alli's Wedding Day set. The swirls and flourished leaf on the cover of the invitation are from Boxes, Bags & Tags.
Geny Cassady used the "Perfect Match" sentiment and melted a candle to form fit into one of our signature clear top tins. The single match tied to the top is the perfect finishing touch! She edged the lid with Berry Sorbet twill tape and tied the tin shut with Sweet Blush satin ribbon. The floral elements are from Boxes, Bags & Tags.
Heather Nichols utilized "Cut Out For Love" with two adorable heart-shaped cookie cutters packed in another one of our tins. The tag she created really sets off the project. I love how she finished the tag by tying a bow with Berry Sorbet satin, rather than just settling for a knot. The bow really makes the project.
Jennifer Ellefson used the original disposable camera packaging to create a template and re-create it with some of our new Pink Patterns Collection patterned paper (you'll see more peeks of the papers in the collection in coming days). She paired it with Berry Sorbet satin polka dot ribbon.The "Picture Perfect" sentiment could also be used for a small picture frame favor.
Lauren Meader created an entire party ensemble, using the sentiments "Love Blooms" and "Two Hearts, One Love". All of the floral & swirl elements are from the Boxes, Bags & Tags set. She also used the new Simple Alphabet set to label her place card. Her small heart-shaped favor (pictured on the lower-left) actually holds flower seeds, a perfect companion for a "Love Blooms" theme.
Taylor VanBruggen utilized "Espressing Our Love" paired with chocolate covered espresso beans. She used whie StazOn on the clear top of one of our tins. She paired a bit of our new pink polka dot paper with Sweet Blush polka dot ribbon. Her simple design application could be easily reproduced.
And last but not the least, Lynn Mercurio used one of our glassine bags filled with Hershey's Hugs & Kisses to coordinate with her chosen sentiment "Hugs & Kisses for the Mr & Mrs". (Lynn also uses some of our new patterned paper along with Berry Sorbet satin ribbon and accents from Boxes, Bags & Tags set.) This particular favor would prove to be inexpensive yet sophisticated & stylish at the same time.
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Do you still want to see more?
Amy is under the weather, so Lauren stepped up to the plate at the last moment to provide you with another packaging tutorial/sneak peek using It's a Celebration.
Lisa also has an amazing sneak peek showing you how you can customize our twill tape. It's a fantastic look that you will want to try TODAY!
Alli Miles has been busy with her new set, Wedding Day. Be sure to stop by and visit her to see what she has up her sleeves.
Candice Aguilar has also been sharing some insight into her thought process behind her It's a Celebration set being released this month. It's very interesting reading so don't miss out!
NICHOLE'S PEAR BOX SUPPLY LIST:
Inks- Spring Moss & Burnt Umber Palette Inks
Stamps- Boxes, Bags & Tags & Favor It Weddings from Papertrey Ink
Cardstock- Spring Moss & Stamper's Select White from Papertrey Ink
Other- Spring Moss satin ribbon
I decided to pair two of my favorites in today's sneak peek, Pretty Pink Polka Dots & Berry Sorbet Floral Print. It all starts with a focal point. I stamped this pretty swirl from our new Boxes, Bags & Tags set with Sweet Blush ink. I love how this image is singular. It enables you to be able to control the spacing & overall use of the image. The possibilities are enless with just this one stamp!
Next I added the sentiment "it's your day" from Candice's new set, "It's a Celebration". I love those loopy "y's"!!!
I wanted to do something a bit different with my focal point, so I adhered a piece of Berry Sorbet ribbon behind it. I then trimmed the ends in the formation of inverted v's.
I pierced holes on either end to enable me to insert brads. (These are from Paper Studio, almost a true match!)
I then adhered it to the front of my card. I utilized two papers from our 6x6 Pretty Patterns collection. I created a scalloped edge with my slot punch (SU!) and adhered it to the polka-dot cover. I adhered Berry Sorbet grosgrain ribbon across the seam of the two papers. The focal point is adhered with foam dimensionals to help show off the ribbon I added to the back of it.
For the inside of the card I decided to use one of my techniques from long ago. I stamped my sentiment (from Birthday Basics, LOVE this set!) onto white cardstock.
I then trimmed the sentiment into strips. 
Once adhered inside your card just slightly helter-skelter, you will have what I like to call sophisticated ransom style.
