Summertime is fun time and what better time for a beach-themed birthday party? I’m going to show you how to make this adorable beach ball and matching tag using the Cutie Pie Thinlits Dies (item 138273) and the Big Shot (item 143263).

First, you’ll need to die cut and assemble 10 pie boxes using the Cutie Pie Thinlits Dies. I recommend using Whisper White Thick Cardstock (item 140272) along with Daffodil Delight (item 119683), Cucumber Crush (item 138335), Pacific Point (item 111350), Tangerine Tango (item 111349), and Real Red Cardstock (item 102482).

Next, cut a template for the top of the box using the same die. Trace around the edges of some coordinating polka dot paper from the Brights (item 138434) and 2015–2017 In Color (item 138432) Designer Series Paper Stacks and cut by hand.

Glue the triangles to the top of the coordinating box.

Glue the sides of the boxes together to form a circle. Place a white box in between each of the colored boxes. (It’s easier to work in sections.)

Die cut two 2-15/16″ circles from Whisper White Thick Cardstock. Stamp the word “Sunshine” from the Crazy about You Stamp Set (item 138859) on one of the circles in Tangerine Tango ink (item 126946); glue it to the center of the box where the triangles come to a point. Glue the second circle to the center of the back for added stability. Die cut the word “Hello” from Pacific Point Cardstock using the Hello You Thinlits Dies (item 137363) and adhere it to the circle. Cut a small flower and leaves using the Swirly Scribbles Thinlits Dies (item 141497).

To create the matching tag, cut 10 triangles using the small triangle from the Cutie Pie Thinlits Dies.

Glue the pieces (in the same order as before) to a piece of thin white copy paper. (Hint: Save one of the white triangles for last—just in case some of the edges don’t line up exactly.)

Use the same circle die as before to die cut a circle from the center. (You’ll have a lot of waste, so you may want to cut shorter triangles for future tags now that you know how big the pieces need to be.) Die cut an additional circle from Whisper White Thick Cardstock and glue it to the back of the tag for added stability. Use a 3/4″ Circle Punch (item 119873) to create the center of the tag from a piece of Whisper White Thick Cardstock. Punch a small hole in the top of the tag using a 1/8″ Circle Punch (item 134365) and tie the tag to the top of a 2″ x 8″ Cellophane Bag (item 141703) filled with colorful gumballs using Linen Thread (item 104199).

Finally, make some coordinating flowers from the same supplies using the Botanical Builder Framelits Dies (item 140625).

These projects are easy enough that you can get the kids involved, too. Have fun crafting this summer!

Connie Collins
Artisan Design Team 2015–2016