Hello, stampers! With succulents being so “hot” right now, I wanted to create something special for you all that had something to do with them. There was just one problem. I don’t as yet have the Oh So Succulent Bundle (item 145184). Gasp, I know, but I do have the Vertical Garden Project Kit (item 143635) and the Vertical Garden Stamp Set (item 142996) so I’m here today using some of the items out of the Vertical Garden kit and stamp set for some gorgeous gift boxes. I’ve also pulled out a trusty old tool that has a million-and-one uses, the Envelope Punch Board (item 133774). So I’m mixing up some of the old with the new.

The Envelope Punch Board (item 133774) is not only fabulous for making your own envelopes, but you can also make your own boxes with them, too. What’s better than not only making a special handmade card for your special friends but also making the gift box, as well?

I’ve created three different-sized boxes for you with three different looks. I’m loving the mix of the Basic Black Solid Baker’s Twine (item 141682) with the soft Sahara Sand Cardstock (item 121043) to give the gift boxes a bit of a grungy, modern feel.

For the first box I marked and scored all my fold lines and then I measured approximately how wide the swirl stamp image was from the Vertical Garden Stamp Set (item 142996). I wanted to make sure that I could mark even spacing across the top of the box to stamp and then heat emboss White Stampin’ Emboss Powder (item 109132). Once the lid was embossed and the embossing powder was set I could put the box and lid together using Tear & Tape Adhesive (item 138995). Tear & Tape is a strong adhesive and is fabulous for boxes and 3D items. I just wrapped the Basic Black Solid Baker’s Twine (item 141682) a few times and then decorated with the succulents from the Vertical Garden Project Kit (item 143635).

To give the succulents a bit more depth and color I sponged each petal using the Stamping Sponges (item 141337). Then I finished off the boxes with 5/8″ Burlap Ribbon (item 141487) and Gold Sequin Trim (item 132983)—just for some added elements and texture.

How fabulous is that “Hello” from the Vertical Garden Stamp Set? I love the font and it looks so gorgeous stamped and heat embossed with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder (item 109132) on Vellum Cardstock (item 101856). I trimmed down the vellum to a 2″ strip using the Stampin’ Trimmer (item 126889), then turned it into a gorgeous tag using the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch (item 133324). That punch makes tag-making oh, so easy!

The second box is again made with the Envelope Punch Board and embellished in a way that is similar to the first one. I just changed up the stamped images and the size of the box.

The last box is again made with the Envelope Punch Board, but instead of making it in Sahara Sand Cardstock, this one is made using the Thick Whisper White Cardstock (item 140272). This cardstock is not only fabulous for card bases but for smaller, 3D constructions, as well.

As I did with the first two boxes, I punched and scored the cardstock to prepare for making the box, but before I put it together, I first stamped the swirly image on the lid of the box using VersaMark ink (item 102283) and embossed it using Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder (item 109129) and the Heat Tool (item 129053). The splatters over the top are flicks of Gold Wink of Stella (item 141898). The Wink of Stella adds another touch and element to your creation and really looks fabulous splattered over . . . well, everything!

To flick Wink of Stella, give the barrel chamber a bit of a squeeze so the brush tip is quite wet. Then press the brush tip just in the top edge of the lid and push and flick the brush tip out of the lid away from you so that it splatters over your creation. Give the Wink of Stella a minute or two to dry or give it a quick blast with the Heat Tool. (If you don’t let your splatters dry, they will smudge and then not look so pretty.)

The little box is then finished off with some of the same ribbons and trims as the first two boxes as well as some Gold Metallic Thread (item 138401) tied around it for some more added prettiness.

Thank you so much for joining me today. I do hope that I’ve inspired you to dress up your gift boxes and to create a pretty package for your gifts.

Rochelle Blok
2017 Artisan Design Team