AccuCut Craft Blog

Thursday's gift certificate giveaway and a butterfly favor

*** Entries are no longer being accepted. ***

Posted by Jen Cramer

If you're looking for a unique idea for a small favor container you may be able to find something in the travel items section of your local Target, Wal-Mart, any dollar store, etc. Traci found these cute little screw-top containers last year and turned them into Butterfly Favors.

On the top of the favor she used the Butterfly #6 long cut die to make the layered butterfly. The die has three "wing" shapes in different sizes ranging from 2 1/4" wide to 3" wide, perfect for layering. The extra long cut version has larger sizes.

I know that butterflies have been very popular this summer and have popped up on a number of scrapbook papers and embellishments. Over the past year or so we've also seen our fair share of birds, cupcakes, skulls, robots, owls, pirates and a few other suddenly "it" shapes.

So what is your prediction for the next "it" shape for this fall/winter? Click on the comments link below and tell me what your prediction is and you'll be entered to win today's giveaway... a $75 AccuCut gift certificate. You have until 9 a.m. CST Friday, May 9, to post your comment. *** Entries are no longer being accepted. ***

Ending the week with a pair of bags

Posted by Jen Cramer

Besides note cards, I have the most fun creating things with AccuCut bag and box dies. With the variety of paper out there to choose from you can really make some beautiful packaging.

This is Bag #9. I like how the top of the long sides have an extra "flap" that folds over inside (or outside) the box to reinforce the handle area. The super jumbo version stands 4" high and the giant version, which still cuts a bag out of 12" x 12" paper, stands almost 6" high.

Here is a Groovy Flower Bag made using the super jumbo Bag #9 die. It was so easy to put together. Simply add a strip of paper to the front -- adhere a strip to the front with the ends hanging off and then simply cut them flush to the bag with scissors. Then layer two flower die cuts (I used Flowers #6) with dimensional glue dots. Add a button for the flower center and tie on some ribbon for handles (that's Love, Elsie ribbon here).

Similarly shaped to that bag, Bag #11 has scallops along the top and the super jumbo size (the only size) stands 4 1/4" high.

In this Flower for You bag, the bag was cut out of some flowery Fancy Pants Kewl cardstock and then a flower and stem die cuts were added to the front for a 3-D effect. Wouldn't you like to get a present in that bag?

Here's one more version of that bag to end our week. Sometimes simple is all you need. Here, the bag was made with another beautiful piece of double-sided cardstock -- this time it's K & Company. Then Traci punched a couple holes in the front so she could tie a wide silk ribbon on to the bag. That bag would be perfect for a wedding or baby shower, Mother's Day or someone's birthday. (See Scalloped Bag)

PS: Check back Monday through Friday next week for daily giveaways to celebrate National Scrapbook Day!

A dino-mite dinosaur die

Posted by Jen Cramer

If you're looking for a new "little boy" shape to add to your die collection, check out the AccuCut Dinosaur #10 die. It comes in two sizes: the large is 4" high and the jumbo is 6 1/2" high.

The large size may be the most versatile size as it can be added to various sizes of cards and boxes. This Dino Thank You shows it added to an A2 card.

And here you can see the same large size die cut added to a favor box.

The jumbo size die makes a great dinosaur invitation to fit in an A7 envelope. It can also add a lot of personality to a scrapbook page.

Make sure you create samples to show customers how they can create an entire dinosaur-theme party. You can also sell kits so people can just buy them and go.

Box #18

Posted by Jen Cramer

Today I'd like to feature Box #18 -- a unique vertical box that comes in three assembled sizes:

Jumbo  1 1/4"w x 1 1/4"l x 3 5/8"h
Super Jumbo  1 3/4"w x 1 3/4"l x 5 3/16"h
Giant  2 1/2"w x 2 1/2"l x 7 3/8"h

Both the jumbo and super jumbo sizes are our most popular. Let's take a look at a few examples of the jumbo size first.

I love the design of the Spring Box on the left and how Traci glued the two half-circle flaps down to create such a nice effect. That's a great idea when you want to let someone see what's inside without having to open the box. The Sweet Bon Bon Box on the right is classically wrapped up with a ribbon and tiny tag.

The next size up is the Super Jumbo size, which makes a box 5 3/16" high. This Button Top Party Favor Box would be great for favor boxes at a child's birthday party.

And the largest size we offer is Giant. It requires larger than 12" x 12" paper but I do want to show you the technique used on this Pink & Inked box that can be used on any size box.

The box is cut out of AccuCut's clear plastic sheets. After removing the protective film, you use Ranger Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Inks to add color to the outside of the box. You'll be amazed at how fast that ink dries on the clear plastic!

Tuesdays with Tammy: Wedding favor ideas

Posted by Tammy Miller

I love spring. I even love the rain. But this time of year really gets me thinking of what’s coming around the corner... all of the graduations, bridal showers and weddings I have to look forward to.

I have a couple ideas that will spark some interest from the brides, brides' moms or even bridesmaids that are stopping in your store looking for party favor ideas. This Dress Box is one of our most popular boxes for weddings:

Here it is used to make this All Dressed Up Place Card, a perfect little box for a bridal shower. A bride-to-be can simply use it for table decorations or throughout the room so each guest knows where to sit.

And here's a more formal Bride Box dressed up with Imaginisce rub-ons and a tag:

And here is the bride box shown with the coordinating Tuxedo Box. They can be filled with mints or other little treasures like mini soaps or tealight candles. See the project here.

One more box idea is our also popular Flower Box. You get all three shapes on one jumbo die.

Here is a pink and green flower box made with our clear plastic sheets for the base:

What I love about all the boxes I've shown here is that they do not require any adhesive at all. Just fold them up and you're ready to go!

I could go on forever about boxes and bags for weddings. They are such a smart addition to a store's die cutting center so they can reach new customers. Visit the Ideas area of our website for even more wedding and stationery ideas and I’ll be back next week to share more ideas.

Let's get this party started!

Posted by Jen Cramer

I think the fact that it's finally Friday -- and that I'm really looking forward to the weekend -- inspired my choice of the die to feature today... Party Drinks!

These cute little drink glasses and condiments are just waiting to be used on invitations and other cards. To give you an idea of size, the margarita glass is 2 5/16" high and the martini glass is just 1 9/16" high.

On this Party Music CD Holder, Traci cut one glass out of white cardstock. Then she cut another out of green so she could hand cut it down to make the "inside of the glass". I love the shading with a white color pencil on the glass and the olive.

Here's a Bachelorette Invitation using the same shape:

And one more project using the margarita glass -- It's All About Friendship Bag:

If you want to see a couple more projects using the Party Drinks die, click here. And with that I think we'll call it a week here on the AccuCut blog. We'll be back again on Monday... have a great weekend!

The Suitcase Box

Posted by Jen Cramer

I have to confess that bags and boxes are my weakness -- especially this cute Suitcase Box. It comes in two sizes: Jumbo (1 1/4"w x 3 1/2"l x 2 1/2"h) and Giant (1 5/8"w x  4 1/2"w x 3 1/4"h). Those heights are assembled and do not include the handle. You need a GrandeMARK machine to use the Giant die.

I made this Live It Up box using the Jumbo size of the Suitcase Box. If you use double-sided paper you can see that the handle will be a nice contrasting color when you look at one side of the box, so keep that in mind when choosing paper. I also have to mention the small Watering Can shape -- I had never used this die before, but really liked it for its simplicity.

And take a look at this Father's Suitcase Box that Traci made. I could see how a store could make a great Father's Day class project out of this box.

Want to see more? Click here to see five projects using this die.

Pull up a chair

Posted by Jen Cramer

If you're looking to add another wedding-related die to your selection, then I have the perfect die for you: AccuCut's Box-Chair die is a place card holder and favor box rolled up into one.

On the single jumbo die you get both the chair shape and the place card that fits into the two notches on the chair back. The base is 2" square and the chair is 4 1/4" high. When assembled, the chair "seat" opens up for you to put in candies or other treats.

Now let's look at a few examples of how this box has been used:

You can see how you can use the die by itself and decorate with hand-cut paper strips (red Michael box) or you can use border dies to embellish the chair.

Click here for material lists and die information for these and two more projects using this chair. If you're a retail store, the key is to make a few examples of the die being used so brides can visualize how they could use this box at their shower or wedding. You have to inspire them!

Offer favor box dies for weddings

Posted by Jen Cramer

If you are a retail store with a die cutting center, be sure you are offering dies to tap the wedding market. By having a variety of dies for invitations and favor boxes -- and making sure you let people know you have them -- you will be able to sell more cardstock and other embellishments.

Here is a new die that came out in January that I just love for wedding favors: Box #26.

It comes in two sizes, is a nice "squatty" (is that a real word?) shape so you don't have to spend a lot of money to fill it up with candy, and it has the most adorable scalloped top. Let's look at two projects showing the two sizes.

The jumbo-size box is 2 1/2" wide x 2 1/2" long x 1 1/4" high. This Monogram Favor Box is a classic example using a monogram letter on the top -- this one uses a 2" Uppercase Roman alphabet. The bride can also make her own seals for the top of the box using a computer or rubber stamping a letter on the top or simply add a die-cut or Prima flower.

I also like the super jumbo size for a larger favor box -- it's 3 1/4" wide x 3 1/4" long x 1 5/8" high. It would also make a nice size for attendants' gifts to hold jewelry and other smaller items. This Happy Couple Box shows how you can incorporate a photo of the couple into your favor. Black and white photos are always a nice touch.

 

Want to see more boxes? Go to the AccuCut site to see all bags and boxes.