Author Archives: papercraftcrystal

Dollar Tree treat bag to mini album

Dollar Tree treat bag to mini album I’m using a package of 10 treat bags from Dollar Tree, approximately 4.5” x 9” from their spring 2024 line. These are similar in size to standard paper lunch bags, also described as a 4 lb bags. The advantage of the Dollar Tree treat bags is that youContinue reading “Dollar Tree treat bag to mini album”

Tissue box to flip-flap folio

Fun flip-flap folio with no dies, no complicated cutting or measuring, using materials you probably have right now. You will need two empty boxes from facial tissue with a center top opening. Kleenex has the right style, Puffs has a side opening that won’t work for this project. Additional supplies: two sheets of copy paperContinue reading “Tissue box to flip-flap folio”

Junk journal ephemera – 9 ideas with few special tools

Making embellishments and ephemera is great for getting creatively un-stuck or crafting when you have a small amount of time.  You can make most of these with scissors and a ruler.  A small circle punch and a corner rounder will add nice details, but are not required.   I have some PDF templates here, orContinue reading “Junk journal ephemera – 9 ideas with few special tools”

Junk Journal kit giveaway – ended

I’m celebrating my YouTube anniversary with a kit giveaway. Each kit is unique, although similar, with a variety of fun book pages, maps, vintage sewing pattern elements, die cuts, ribbon, and other embellishments.  A good way to introduce some random extras into your junk journal for experienced crafters, or a good entry point for aContinue reading “Junk Journal kit giveaway – ended”

Bargain Craft Supplies

Tips for beginners and experienced crafters looking for a crafty bargain Non-shopping Tell people you know that you’re getting started in card making or scrapbooking and looking for supplies.  Tell the people at work, in your Sunday school class or synagogue or mandir, tell your book club or your PTA. If you yourself are underContinue reading “Bargain Craft Supplies”

Easy Pencil Embellishment

A fun scrap-paper embellishment that’s quick and old-school cool.   You’ll need some scrap paper in yellow, red-orange, silver, and tan.  I used a paper crimper, decorative-edge scissors, and a corner rounder.  You could substitute a score board for the paper crimper, and regular scissors for the decorative-edge scissors and corner rounder.   Cut theContinue reading “Easy Pencil Embellishment”

Stash-busting cards with Square Punches

Stash-busting cards with square punches (or nesting dies or a paper trimmer!) Straight Up and Square    on two layered contrasting panels    sample is navy and teal with two squares of geometric pattern    3 punches of 1” in the same 3 colors    9 central images 1/2”    sample is aqua with goldContinue reading “Stash-busting cards with Square Punches”

Basically free memdex holder

To make the DIY memdex holder you will need chipboard, cardstock, something to cut circles, and one round chopstick or dowel.  I suggest a 1 3/4” circle punch, 1 1/2” circle punch, 1/8 circle punch (or Crop-a-dile) or nesting circle dies.   Cut eight large chipboard circles, mark the center, and punch a hole inContinue reading “Basically free memdex holder”

Making your own envelopes

It’s very easy to use a template to make your own envelopes. While I wouldn’t want to make hundreds this way, it’s a fun creative element to add to your handmade cards. The advantage of templates is that you don’t need any special tools – just scissors and glue – and can use any typeContinue reading “Making your own envelopes”