Pull-Tab Treat Can Tutorial

Last week I had the opportunity to guest post at Meremade.  In case you missed it, here's the tutorial I shared...

Finding ways to recycle 'trash' has become a hobby of mine.  I love taking something that would otherwise be thrown away, and turning it into something useful and {cute}!  Today I'm going to show you how to make a Pull-Tab Treat Can... 

 
These Pull-Tab Treat Cans would make a fun addition to your kids' lunch boxes, or even a great gift for a teacher or friend!

Let's get started, shall we?!  Here's what you'll need:

*1- Fruit Can with a pull tab on top (I used an 8.75 oz. can of peaches)
*1- Safety Can Opener
*1- 3.75"x8.75" piece of scrapbook paper
*ribbon & other embellishments
*hot glue gun
*scrapbook adhesive
*candy

First, using your safety can opener, open your can from the BOTTOM.  Empty the fruit out of the can and wash both the can and the bottom lid well.  Dry thoroughly.

Adhere the 3.75"x8.75" piece of scrapbook paper around the can, and decorate as desired.

Fill the can with candy, leaving a 1/4" to 1/2" head space.

Put some hot glue on the edge of the bottom lid and quickly place back on the can. 

And there you have it...easy peasy!!

You can get really creative and use other items besides candy to go inside the cans as well.  How about putting a few bracelets and maybe some earrings inside?  Or what about some small toys?  The sky's the limit!!

{Valentine Kisses} + Tutorial

This is such a CUTE way to present some kisses to your special Valentine!  As soon as I saw THESE from Inking Out of the Box, I scrapped my 'To Do List' for the day and figured out how to make them instead.

I decided to use some cute paper to line the bottom of the holder and LOVE how it turned out!

Want to make your own?  Here's a quick tutorial to tell you how.  Sorry about not taking step-by-step pictures for this...I got too excited and forgot!  Hopefully my instructions will make sense.

{Supplies Needed:}

*Cardstock (6" x 3 1/2")
*Transparency Paper (3 1/8" x 2 5/8")
*Patterned Paper (3 1/2" x 1 1/2")
*Adhesive of choice
*Paper Trimmer
*Kisses

Score cardstock at 1 1/2", 3", and 4 1/2".  Cut a square out of the center of the box measuring approx. 2 1/2" x 2".  Adhere transparency to inside of box.  Fold on all score lines.  Adhere patterned paper to the inside of the front flap.  Tape 3 Kisses on the patterned paper (I used a tiny piece of double sided tape on each Kiss).  Now put adhesive on the inside of the back flap and fold into a triangular shape and press.  Embellish the front however you want. 

If I've confused you, just look at the pictures of the finished product and hopefully that will help!

    

{Lollipop Box Tutorial}

Okay....I'm finally getting this tutorial posted!  I've been avoiding it like the plague!  For some reason, writing a tutorial stresses me out.

Here goes....
Oh, and if you look really close on the pictures, you'll notice multiple score marks.  Ignore those.  These were the papers I used to figure out all the measurements:)

{Lollipop Box Tutorial}

Supplies:

Paper Cutter with Scoring Blade

4 sheets of Cardstock

Decorative Paper

Transparency Sheet

Adhesive of your choice

Lollipops

**Cut your cardstock and transparency sheet to the following measurements:
*2- 7 1/2" x 7 1/4" cardstock (top)
*1- 8 7/8" x 5 7/8" cardstock (bottom)
*1- 8 3/8" x 5 3/8" cardstock (insert)
*1- 4 1/4" x 3 1/8" transparency sheet (for window)

1.  Grab your 2 top pieces (7 1/2" x 7 1/4") and score 1 1/2" on 3 sides.  Cut the top squares out of one sheet (this will be the front), and cut along the score line, stopping at the corner, on the 2 top corner squares of the other sheet (this will be the back). 

{to cut out the window on the front piece:}
*line up the 7 1/2" side along the bottom of your cutting tool.  Line up the edge of paper at 2 1/8".  Lift up blade and insert it at 2 1/2".  Cut up to 5 1/8".
*turn paper so the top of box is at the bottom of cutting tool.  line up edge of paper at 2 1/8".  Insert blade in at 2 1/8" and cut to 4 6/8".
*Sides:  line up edge of paper at 2 1/2".  Insert blade at 2 1/8" and cut to 5 3/8".  Do the same for the other side.  You should now have a perfect square cut out of the middle.  (**if this is too confusing, just cut out a square using whatever method works best for you!  Mine has a 5/8" border on 3 sides, and the bottom 'border' should measure 2 5/8".)

2.  Adhere the 4 1/4" x 3 1/8" transparency sheet to the inside of the window. 

3.  Cut a piece of decorative paper approx. 4" x 4 1/2".  Adhere it to the inside of the back piece (this will show through the 'window').

4.  Fold both front and back pieces along score lines.  Adhere the front piece to the back piece.

It'll end up looking like this:

This picture is just to show the decorative paper in the 'window'.

5.  Now we're going to work on the 'bottom' piece (8 7/8" x 5 7/8").  Score at 2 1/8" on all 4 sides.  Cut along score marks on all 4 corners as shown in photo.  Fold along score lines and adhere the sides together.

Here's what it will look like when you're done.

6.  Now for the insert (8 3/8" x 3 1/8").  Score at 2" on all 4 sides.  Cut out the squares on all 4 corners.  Fold on score lines.  This piece will just drop into the bottom of the box.

**Decide where you want your lollipops to go (I had enough room for 4 lollipops), and mark with a pencil.  Take an X-Acto knife and cut either a slit or an 'x' in each spot.  Place your lollipops in the insert and slide the insert into the bottom of the box.

7.  Decorate your box and lollipops as desired!

I hope this tutorial makes sense!  If anything is unclear, please email me and I'll try to give a better explanation!  And be sure to email me pictures of your completed boxes....or if you share them on your blog, email me the link!


I'm linking to these fabulous parties:
Craftify It Thursday @Life with the Lebedas

Juice Pouch Headband {Tutorial}

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I was super excited to share this tutorial on Someday Crafts last week!!  I thought I'd repost it here in case any of you missed it!!
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Today I'm going to show you how to make a Reversible Juice Pouch Headband!! 

Pretty cute, huh?  My girls love wearing these, and we always get compliments on them when we're out and about!  Alright, let's get started!!

{Juice Pouch Headband Tutorial}

Supplies Needed:

* 4 juice pouches, cleaned and dried
* Fabric
* Tape
* Sewing Machine
* Coordinating Thread
* about 4" of Elastic
* Headband Template (I just found one online that I liked...HERE)

{Step 1}  To get started, let me first show you how I clean out my juice pouches.  All I do is carefully cut a slit in the bottom, wash out in soapy water, and let air dry.  Sometimes if I want to speed up the drying process, I'll put the juice pouches in the dryer on low. 

{Step 2}  Next you'll need to carefully cut off the back of the juice pouch.  Using an Exacto-Knife, start cutting on the bottom of the pouch, where you cut the slit to clean it out.  Keep going until you've cut the whole back of it off.

This will give you a better idea of what it should look like.  The pouch on the left has the back cut off....the one on the right doesn't.

{Step 3}  Sew the pouches together.  I like to use a zig-zag stitch, but you can use a straight stitch if you prefer.

{Step 4}  Fold the pouches in half, and tape your headband template on top.  Cut around the template.

Here's what mine looked like after cutting.

{Step 5}  Fold both your fabric and headband in half.  Place juice pouch headband on the fold of the fabric.  Cut out leaving about a 1/2" border.

**Tip:  I put tape on the inside of the juice pouches to keep them in place while cutting out the fabric.

{Step 6}  Unfold the juice pouches and fabric, and place the juice pouches in the center of the fabric, right side up.  The fabric needs to be right side down. 

{Step 7}  Fold fabric to edge of juice pouch, then fold again.

Tape in place.

Here's mine all taped down.

{Step 8}  Sew along the inside edge of fabric, right over the tape.  I used a straight stitch.  DO NOT sew the ends closed!!  Once you're done with both sides, carefully peel off the tape.  After the tape is all off, iron the fabric flat using low heat.

{Step 9}  Sew your elastic in one end, backstitching to secure.

Then do the same with the other end.  Make sure you back stitch a few times!

And that's it!!  You're all done!  Now put on your cute headband and admire your work!! 

Guest Posting at Someday Crafts!!

Do you want to know how to make one of these {cute} reversible juice pouch headbands? 

I'm thrilled to be guest posting at Someday Crafts today!!  Click HERE to see my tutorial!!

DIY Heart Candy Boxes...

Have you decided what are you're giving your sweetheart for Valentine's Day this year? How about making them a custom Heart Candy Box filled with their favorite treats?




This is my kind of project......quick, simple, and cheap!

Want to make your own? Here's what you'll need:

*Posterboard
*Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks or your favorite adhesive
*Patterned Paper/Embellishments

How to assemble:

1. First decide what size you want your box, then make your heart templates. (I made mine on my computer, but you could draw them out too. Just make sure their measurements are similar). My small box measures 6" wide, so these are the sizes of my templates.
*1- 6" wide heart
*1- 5"wide heart
*1- 4.75" wide heart

2. Once you have your templates cut out, trace them onto the posterboard and cut them out. (I found that it's best to trace onto the front of the posterboard, because you'll be covering up that part of it anyways.)

Trace and cut:

*2- 6" wide hearts
*1- 5" wide heart
*1- 4.75 wide heart
*4- 1"x7.75" strips


3. Use adhesive/glue stick to adhere the smaller hearts onto the 6" wide hearts.

4. Glue 2 of the strips at a 90 degree angle along the edge of each of the smaller hearts to form the box. (I used hot glue for this part). Start at the top of the heart and work your way down. You may have to trim the strips just a smidge when you get to the bottom.

5. That's it!! You're done with assembling them.....

Now for the best part.....decorating!!






What I LOVE about these boxes (besides how {CUTE} they are!), is that you can really customize them however you want. They can be made big or small, and probably into different shapes too. I'm thinking of making some out of cereal boxes....then they'd be FREE to make!!

My girls want to make one for each of their teachers and fill them up with their favorite candies. I can't wait to get started!!