All About Bugs and Beetles AWH Blog Hop

I'm excited to bring you a blog hop with some of the awesome ladies in the Art With Heart Stampin' Up!® Team. Today we focus on the kids in our lives, from birthday cards to party ideas.

SALE-A-Bration continues and this week we have three new additional items you can earn for free with a $90 order - ask me how!

Thank goodness my days of throwing kids parties are over. After raising 5 boys, I never want to return to that time again. It was far too hectic and crazy! I do like making cards and gifts for my six grandchildren, 5 of whom are....you guessed it - boys!!!!

I have enjoyed a bit of crafty fun last weekend, putting together a cute fancy fold card - Peekaboo Flap Fold. Stamp & Scrap With Frenchie provided a video and measurements, and I have just changed them slightly, to suit the way we make cards in Australia. This one wasn't particularly difficult and adds a nice touch of interest. 

I decided to use Beetles and Bugs to make a card and bug box. My little boys have a great interest in insects, so it was a must-have on my Occasions Catalogue wish list. It's a photopolymer stamp set on page 38, and the sample hasn't worried one bit about realism, anything goes it seems. I went with Garden Green and a retired DSP to begin with and featured a big green beetle. I used the hexagon from the Build It Framelits to cut the opening in the flap in the card, and the piece that the beetle is stamped on so that they fit together perfectly. There is a slightly larger brown hexagon for it to sit on, which I hand cut by allowing a border all around the die cut piece.The 'nine' has been diecut four times in Pear Pizzaz and glued with Tombow before being stacked. It is attached to the card so that it can also hold it closed.

 

Initially, there was a trail of ants to add interest, but overnight I had a brainwave! I had a retired stamp set, The Great Outdoors, which I've kept as it features camping, and some family are keen on that, so it's handy to hang on to. I knew there was a larger ant in that set, and thought that would look great under a magnifying glass.

 I cut three black rings using two circle framelits together, and used the icypole stick from Cool Treats as a handle. Two circles fitted on top of each other on the front, for depth and the handle, then a window sheet circle. Finally, to finish the magnifying glass off neatly, a black ring is glued to the back. When I use Tombow liquid glue on a tiny project like this, I leave it until it turns clear, and it is less messy. One of my team, Carmela, shared this tip with our team, and I use it often.

Some more insects have been stamped and coloured inside the card, along with a sentiment from Cool Treats.

The boxes are very easy using Window Box Thinlet Dies. It is made from two main pieces, and this one is very simply decorated. Every alternate panel has 'air holes' punched and the plain panels have a large beetle stamped in black. The white hexagon on the lid is another die cut with Build It Framelit Dies and for the Garden Green, I cut another 'box lid' segment and then cut it smaller using a mark on the trimmer as a guide. I was very pleased with how perfectly it turned out. You don't have to have these in graduated sizes after all!!!

Again, the Tombow glue allowed to set a little, is the way I chose to put my box together. All the folds are made with the framelit, and folded and scored with a bone folder prior to constructing. The stamping and other main decorations are also completed before adhering the little box together.

I bought the plastic bugs and beetles at a local chain store, and was able to fit 20 into the box without too much trouble. The other rather delightful thing with these boxes is how nicely the lid tucks in and stays put. If you'd love to make a Beetles & Bugs gift set, you'll find them 24/7 in my online shop under Occasions. The Window Box Thinlet Dies are paired with Window Shopping stamp set (page 43) for 10% discount for the life of this catalogue, or if you can manage with just one of the set, of course they can be purchased separately. Bugs & Beetles stamps is on page 38, at less than $30 it's a must-have if you make cards for kids.

I do hope you're enjoying this blog hop. Now it's time to hop along to see what Tina Gillespie has shared. She's so clever, it's bound to be great!

If you find a broken link or have come to this blog hop from a different entry point, you can view the participants below:

1. Rachel Palmieri
2. Tina Gillespie
3. Ros Davidson
4. Rebecca Jacovou
5. Claire Daly
6. Catherine Proctor
7. Alisha Watson
8. Kim Dallinger
9. Kate Morgan
10. Rachel Woollard
11. Monika O'Neill

12. Tania Johnson

Happy crafting

Cheers, Rachel