Easy-to-make card set and and box

Last fall I shared a couple of card designs I made by cutting and folding 12" x 12" patterned card stock and adding a few embellishments ("No stamping required" posted Sept. 11, 2014). I decided to try that technique again, but this time with a smaller card stock mat stack (4-1/2" x 6-1/2").

Supplies (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):
Paper: The Mariposa Mat Stack (DCWV), vellum card stock, gold glimmer paper, textured Vanilla Cream card stock (Darice) - for envelopes
Accessories: Just Blooms white daisy variety pack (Close to My Heart), earth tones glitter buttons (American Crafts), rhinestones, Shine & Sparkle sequins (Hazel & Ruby), Wink of Stella clear glitter brush pen (ZIG), linen thread, Victoria crochet trim, Baja Breeze 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Beautiful Wings Embosslits die, Bitty Butterfly punch, Envelope Punch Board, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Mono Multi liquid glue

When I first saw the Mariposa Mat Stack in the craft store I immediately loved it. But I stood firm and didn't buy it. (Since I am primarily a card-maker, I only use little bits of patterned paper at a time, so one pack lasts a loooong time.) I didn't have such willpower the second time, though, and it came home with me.

I love the different butterfly- and bird-themed prints, many of which have glitter or foil on them. But I realized that several of the prints were going to be difficult to incorporate on a card because they had a definite focal point rather than an all-over pattern. So why not make them into their own cards?

I made three cards with each of four different prints. I trimmed 1/2" off the long side of each piece of card stock (either the top or bottom, depending on the design) and then folded them in half, for a total of twelve 3-1/4" x 4" card bases. Then I simply added embellishments. Starting with the top left card in the picture above, I added a layered butterfly, crochet trim and ribbon, paper flowers with buttons and rhinestones, and gold sequins. For the last card I also used my Wink of Stella clear glitter brush pen to add glitter to one of the flowers (you can see the sparkle a bit in this picture).

Once the cards were done, I made envelopes for them with some textured cream card stock. When I bought the cream card stock, I was hoping it would be heavy enough for card bases. Upon opening it, though, I discovered it was actually pretty lightweight. I was pretty disappointed until I realized that it was perfect for these envelopes.

I made my envelopes with the Envelope Punch Board, using the measurements for a 3-1/2" x 4" card. I used the 1/2" strip I cut off each card to decorate the envelopes so they coordinate. Since these cards are too small to mail, I did not add any adhesive for sealing the envelope closed.

With all the cards and envelopes done, I needed a way to package the set. I wanted a little box or basket that could be displayed on a desk or shelf to keep the cards handy. I didn't have anything that was the right size, so I made my own little holder.

Supplies used for the box (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):
Stamps: Butterfly Basics
Paper: Kraft card stock
Ink: Crumb Cake
Accessories: Beachfront Ribbon Originals, Scor-Tape (Scor-Pal)

Making a box like this is actually pretty simple. Here's a quick tutorial (Note: These measurements are not the ones I used for my box.):
1. Determine the length and width you will need for the base (e.g., 2" x 4").
2. Decide how tall you want your box (e.g., 3"), add that amount to the dimensions for the base (now 5" x 7") and cut your card stock to that size.
3. On each side, measure in the amount of the height of your box and score (e.g., score each side at 3"). That should leave a square or rectangle in the center of the card stock that is the size you need for your base.
4. On opposite sides of the card stock, cut along the two score lines just to the point where they meet the perpendicular score line. This will create "tabs" on the four corners. (If desired, you can trim down the tabs, but leave enough card stock to apply adhesive. Practice folding up your box to determine how or if you want to trim the tabs.)
5. If desired, stamp your box.
6. Fold and crease all the score lines.
7. Add strong adhesive on the four corner tabs.
8. Fold up the sides of the box, tucking in the tabs that were created in Step 4.
9. Embellish your box as desired and fill with cards or other goodies.

To give this as a gift, I placed the box and cards in a cellophane bag and tied it with a coordinating ribbon. Thanks for stopping by!