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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Tool Time Tuesday...Handmade Gift Boxes

Hi all my blogging friends. Tuesday is here again and I have another Christmas Tool Time idea for you. Today's tool is a sewing tracing wheel. If you have ever sewed clothing or known some one who has sewn clothes, you have seen a tracing wheel. Well, I haven't sewn clothing in many years, but I do use my wheel for crafting...to help me make boxes like this.




These are tracing wheels. They are used with tracing paper. When you place a sewing pattern on fabric, you will use the tracing wheel and paper to mark certain aspects of the pattern onto the fabric.



Here's a close up of the wheel itself. One has tiny teeth and the other has a smooth edge. They aren't sharp enough for cutting, but the edge will make a mark on paper, cardboard or card stock.


Not only is today Tool Time, it's also recycling day. I was given Tea Forte as a gift. The tea delicious, but I just love the shape of the tea bags too. This picture below is the wrapper the bag comes in. I knew I loved the shape, so of course I saved the wrapper. I really should go to Garbage Anonymous.


I just love the look of this burlapy (that's a word, right?) brown paper card stock. I traced the box template on the card stock.



Then I used a ruler to line up where the score lines were on the template and used my tracing wheel to score the lines.



See the indentation? Scores the paper without going through.



Here are all the lines marked on the paper. I just followed where the lines were on the paper template.



The edges fold easily with the scored lines.



Bend all the corners and flaps.



To put the box together, you can use a dab of hot glue or double sided tape.



Seal the sides, but don't seal the bottom until you are ready to fill it with a little gift.


Tie a little loop in a ribbon, cording, string or yarn...



Snip a tiny hole in the top. Don't snip too much or the knot in the ribbon will slip through. Push the loop through leaving the knot inside the box for a hanger.



Add your own decorations.



Now you have the perfect gift box for that extra special present. Great to hang on the tree too.







I know not everyone has Tea Forte to use as a template, but this is more of a tutorial for the concept of making boxes with the tracing wheel.
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However, I do have a wonderful site that I have been using for years and want to share with you. Mirkwood Designs offers templates to so many styles and shapes of boxes. Just click on this link and enjoy all her wonderful creations. Once you are on the template page, scroll down and pick a design that you like. Click on the design and just print the template. So easy!! There is also a pyramid box which is similar to my Tea Forte box.
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I hope you have fun making your own little gift boxes or envelopes with a tracing wheel. If you don't have one or don't know someone you can borrow it from...you can find them in the notions section of a sewing/crafting store or online. It would be great if you can find both the smooth edge and the perforated wheel, but if you can't...I like the smooth edge as my first choice.
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I'm sharing this at Funky Junk Interiors Party
spaceHave a Great Tuesday,
~Karen~
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I also want to take this moment to thank all of you for your wonderful comments on my Tool Time posts and especially my Christmas Home Tour post from yesterday. I'm trying to catch up on emails, but just wanted you to know I appreciate each and every comment I receive. They mean the world to me!!

19 comments:

  1. A very snazzy little gift box, Karen! Great for packaging those hard to wrap items too. Thanks for showing us.

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  2. Karen, este adorno de navidad está precioso. Gracias por las explicaciones tan buenas que nos has dado. Un beso

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  3. Gorgeous little boxes - and you could hang them upside down (open end up) and use them in an advent calendar. Just put a number on each of them.
    Great idea, Karen!

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  4. Holy Smokes! Martha just called and she is soooo jealous- between the stunning tour yesterday and todays delightful hint, she is ready to resign as the queen of "Good Things"....fondly, Sandy

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  5. What a pretty little box. I wonder what you did put in it, in the end? I love the way you explain how to do it so succinctly. It makes me want to have a go.
    Blessings, Star

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  6. Just adorable!!!!! I am sure you are getting excited for those gals of yours to be home, if they are not already. Happy Holidays!!

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  7. Karen,

    In just three Tuesdays I've become a fan! What a fun idea and I can use my old racing wheel. Thanks so much and Merry Christmas to you.

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  8. What a great little gift box. You always have something to keep the mind moving, the hands busy and the heart warm. Hmmm just wondering if your slippers are keeping your feet warm?
    Be always in stitches.

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  9. Loved your post this morning!! Have to get one of these wheels and try it out!! Check out my blog for making boxes out of old Christmas Cards....
    http://sweetp-paulette.blogspot.com/2010/12/have-yourself-recycling-little.html

    Always fun and kid love making them too...and you are recycling!!
    Take care and keep those wonderful ideas coming!
    Paulette

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  10. Soooo cute. I use my tracing wheels all the time for scoring, but this is such a fabulous idea.

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  11. What a great idea and cute little box!

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  12. cute little box...I'll have to check out the link

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  13. How clever! I like those little boxes, and the tea, too, but I certainly didn't think of replicating them. However, I do commiserate on the saving of containers!

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  14. This is great, Karen. I kept one of those little tea boxes forever, planning to do just that with it...but never got around to it. You could also trace it onto paper then enlarge and photocopy onto card stock tom have different sizes.

    Now I gotta find me another tea forte box... Hmmm...

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  15. I think I love all the same things you do...so cute. I have to go look at more of your posts.

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  16. Gorgeous little boxes is a excited box

    PVC card

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  17. Cute little box. Going to have to try this out. Thank you for sharing.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment...I just love hearing from you!