Thursday, 21 December 2023

Diamond Gem Box

I was recently asked whether I could design a little favour box in the shape of a diamond 💎 and this is what I came up with!

I'm so pleased with how it's turned out! I've made it easy to open, and there's plenty of room inside for some sweet treats! It would work perfectly for wedding favours or as a cute gift box for Valentine's day!


You can find the template for this box in my Etsy shop, available as both SVG and PDF.

To make one, you will need:

Diamond Gem Box template (SVG and PDF available)
* Computer and printer to print the PDF template and instructions
* Digital cutting machine
* Cardstock (220-250gsm / 80-92lb recommended)
* Craft glue / double-sided tape

If you are not using a cutting machine you will also need:

* Craft knife / scissors
* Scoring tool
* Ruler

Watch my video tutorial below, showing how to assemble the diamond box.


TIP: try experimenting with different types and textures of cardstock to see which works best for you. This smooth, mirror card one is stunning, but the ruby glitter card one is definitely my favourite!


I hope that I have inspired you to create your own little diamond favour boxes using my template and I can't wait to see what you use them for! 💎

Suzanne 

Sunday, 3 December 2023

DIY Reusable Advent Calendar

This year, I decided to make my own eco-friendly advent calendar! Although very time-consuming it was so worth the effort and it looks amazing! It can be reused year after year and can be filled with lots of different treats!


To make this advent calendar, I used:
  • festive patterned cardstock 230gsm / 85lb
  • festive patterned paper 90gsm / 33lb
  • thick card, such as grey board
  • strong tape, such as duct tape
  • brown wrapping paper
  • white cardstock 220gsm / 80lb
  • scissors / craft knife / paper trimmer
  • ruler
  • scoring board
  • craft glue
  • circular stitched die 4cm / 1.57" diameter
  • Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway
  • used Christmas card embellishments
Here's my video tutorial showing how I made it:


For the box lids, I cut out 24 pieces of patterned cardstock, each measuring 9.8 x 9.8cm / 3.85 x 3.85" and scored them at 1cm and 2.5cm / 0.4" and 1" on all four sides.

eco-friendly DIY reusable advent calendar

For the box bases, I cut out 24 pieces of patterned cardstock, each measuring 14.5 x 14.5cm / 5.7 x 5.7" and scored them at 1cm and 5cm / 0.4" and 2" on all four sides.

eco-friendly DIY reusable advent calendar

Next, I cut out two pieces of thick card, one for the front and one for the back, each measuring 17.5 x 24cm / 6.9 x 9.45" and another piece for the spine, measuring 9cm x 24cm / 3.5 x 9.45".

eco-friendly DIY reusable advent calendar

I used brown wrapping paper to cover the outside of the calendar and left approximately 2.5cm / 1" around the outside. Then I cut another piece to cover the inside of the spine, measuring 23 x 13cm / 9 x 5" and two pieces (one to cover the inside front and one to cover the inside back) measuring 23 x 16.5cm / 9 x 6.5".

eco-friendly DIY reusable advent calendar

I cut two decorative patterned paper panels for the front and back covers, each measuring 17 x 23.5cm / 6.7 x 9.25" and another panel for the spine, measuring 8.5cm x 23.5cm / 3.35 x 9.25".

eco-friendly DIY reusable advent calendar

I also cut a piece of patterned cardstock to cover the inside of the spine, measuring 8.5 x 23.5cm / 3.35 x 9.25".

eco-friendly DIY reusable advent calendar

I typed the numbers 1 - 24 onto images of a woodgrain slice, printed them onto white cardstock, then cut them out using a circular stitched die 4cm / 1.57" diameter.

eco-friendly DIY reusable advent calendar

eco-friendly DIY reusable advent calendar

Before I attached the boxes, I arranged them so that they were evenly spaced.

eco-friendly DIY reusable advent calendar

I then added three layers of scrap cardstock behind each of the numbers to give them more dimension. (Foam pads would work just as well, but, as you know, I don't like to use them.)


Once it was all assembled, I decorated the calendar with embellishments I'd saved from used Christmas cards!

eco-friendly DIY reusable advent calendar

eco-friendly DIY reusable advent calendar

It really was such a worthwhile project to make and will undoubtedly be a talking point for many years to come! I hope I have now inspired you to make one of your own!

Make an eco-friendly DIY reusable advent calendar

Happy crafting
Suzanne 🎄