Monday 23 March 2020

Mother's Day


It was Mother's day in the UK yesterday and the most sad one I have ever experienced due to the COVID-19 virus. Anyone over 70 has been advised by the Government to stay inside and away from other people and Social Distance. From Saturday morning all pubs, bars, restaurants and cafe's were to be closed unless it was for takeaway food. Of course this has all had a huge effect on Mother's Day for so many families.

I decided to make a box style card. I have seen loads of them but not made one myself until now. Having seen examples online I had a fair idea of how they went together but many seemed to be small. Me being me.... I had to go big or go home.

I started with some card that I got from Lidl a while ago. They had pads of 25 sheets of card all in different colours. They are 270 GSM and 24 x 34cm so quite a bit larger than A4. At only £1.99 per pad I bought one to check the quality and was so impressed I went back and bought a few more. They have been fab for matting and layering but also due to the thickness are substantial enough to make an A5 card or in this case provide the basis for the card shape.

I cut one sheet so it would provide the 3 sides at 11cm each. I scored these at 11cm down from the top to make the flap into a square. The back piece had a tab on each side so I could stick this to the shorter sides. I always use the red line double sided tape from Affixit Craft when making something that needs to be really sturdy. It is super sticky and I have never had a project discolour when using this tape.

The card strips inside the box were spaced 1.5cm apart and this gave me 7 strips in total to attach the decorative elements to. I measured 11cm for the width of the box and 1.5cm each side. Again using the tape I stuck this to the inside of the box. I made sure it would flatten down and then it was good to decorate.


I used 2 sheets of paper from my stash which had the same green mottled background. I cut a panel for the back section and left this with a straight edge. The 3 side panels were die cut using an Eyelet Squares Spellbinders Nestabilities die. 

The image on the front is Giant Mushroom from Sheepski Designs. This is the progressive freebie image for this month from The Outlawz challenges. I coloured with Promarkers and Spectrum Noir, fussy cut the image and mounted onto thin foam squares to add dimension. I used green for the background as I wanted it to look like a garden with fairies and flutterbies flitting around above their heads.

The sides are decorated with a large flower from Papermania and a smaller flower from Craftwork Cards. In the centre is a large yellow gem. This is a bold flower and really stands out against the green background.

The back panel has a sentiment which was a digi image from a now defunct site AI Factory. I was on their DT for a time many moons ago...... I die cut this with a Grace Frame Die'sire die from Crafter's Companion. I used the Fanciful Flourish die from Cheery Lynn for the green vine as I didn't want it to look too plain when viewing from the top.

Then I got to work with the decoration inside. I honestly thought I had a little fairy die and having recently catalogued all my dies I was aghast to realise that I had not bought it when I thought I had.... I shall have to rectify that ! Anyhoo, I had some epoxy stickers from Royal & Langnickel that are pretty and glittery too so that was a nice bonus. I added these to acetate and cut round the sticker so it made it more rigid. I also did the same to some butterflies. I have a bazillion flowers so pulled together a selection of paper and fabric ones from my stash in pinks and purples. Some were Craftwork cards, some Ebay finds, some from Poundland. All elements are on 'sticks' of acetate which was recycled from packaging. I added them to the bars and just kept playing with angles and sticking them until I was happy with it.


Once completely assembled I folded it up to make sure it would be flat. Unfortunately it was about 2cm wider than my largest envelope so I had to make one for it using some designer paper from my vast collection.

This was for my Mother In Law and I was able to give it to her on Thursday when I took her shopping. I was able to see her open in when we Face Timed her and her reaction was priceless. I will admit it took me ages to make it. Partly because I hadn't made one before and partly as I underestimated how long it would take to place and space the elements on the bars. However, especially under the horrible circumstances we found ourselves in, it was worth all the time to see her reaction. She absolutely loves it and I am happy to have brought some joy to her at this time.

To anyone who visits my blog and reads this post we I truly hope you and your families stay safe and well. This virus has had such a tremendous effect on the whole world already and I feel that it will do for some time to come. Crafting more than ever gives us a creative release and for that I am tremendously grateful.

Stay safe everybody xxx

Card Details -

Size - 11cm x 24cm Box Card
Dies - Grace Frame by Crafter's Companion & Eyelet Squares by Spellbinders.
Colouring Medium - Promarkers & Spectrum Noir
Embellishments - Flowers, gems, epoxy stickers

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges (in Alphabetical Order)


52 comments:

  1. So glad to hear you made her day with your lovely creation. CarolG

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  2. Fantastic box. Love the image you used. Thanks for sharing with us at Creative Moments.

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  3. Your box is gorgeous, so nice to make something new I always feel. Thanks for sharing with us at CraftyCatz this week.x

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  4. What a precious gift. This is an amazing box card, and I know your mother-in-law will cherish it. Know that it'll bring a smile to her face every time she sees it.

    Thanks for sharing your beautiful Spring Fever with Butterflies project with us at Cut it Up! I hope you make some more box cards; it sounds like you had fun!!

    Evelyn
    http://mylittlecraftblog.wordpress.com

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  5. Adorable, fantastic box card style, these are so much fun, your card will make someone happy.

    Hugs, Lori m
    IKE’s World Challenges Design Team Member
    My blog: LittlemsCraftedMind.blogspot.com
    Thank you, for playing along in IKE’s World Challenges!

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  6. Super box card, thank you for joining us at Allsorts, xxx

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  7. This turned out wonderful ! Nice bright and cheerful ! Thanks for sharing at 613 Avenue Create xx

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  8. What a very cool project. Looks great.
    Thank you for sharing with us over here at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

    Annette DT / Admin / Registered Owner for https://worldwideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com/

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  9. Wow, what a way to put a smile on your face! Wonderful creation, bright and cheery! So glad you joined us at Creatalicious Challenges!

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  10. Wonderful exploding box. I love the flowers! Thanks for joining us and good luck with with your entry!
    Hugs, Joy
    Joyfully Stamps
    Lil Patch of Crafty Friends, Owner/Coordinator

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  11. Love your exploding box. Thank you for sharing with us at My Time to Craft, hope you can join us again soon ~ Janice DT

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  12. Gorgeous!!, It´s a marvellous project!!
    Thank you for sharing with us over here at World Wide Open Design Team
    Challenge and best of luck with your entry.
    Angela DT Member for https://worldw
    ideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com/


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  13. beautiful card ...thanks for joining us at All fun challenges...wish to see you often in next challenges
    Aurane DT All Fun Challenges

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  14. A really fun pop up box, thanks so much for sharing and joining in with our 'Animals' theme at Allsorts challenge this week.

    B x

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  15. Wonderful box card! I love all the flowers popping up! Thank you so much for playing along in our Crafting Happiness Challenge this week. Hope you’ll link up again!
    Hugs! Janis
    Crafting Happiness Challenges, Challenge Blog Owner
    Pause Dream Enjoy, Personal Craft Blog

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  16. So beautiful and cute at the same time :)
    Thanks a lot for joining us at Creatalicious! :)

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  17. Gorgeous box card! So bright and cheerful,the gnomes are adorable and the flowers so pretty.
    This is a perfect entry for our challenge at Sweet Stampin' this week, thanks for playing along.
    Chris
    x

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  18. A super box card and a very thoughtful way of making a difficult Mothers Day more special. Thank you for sharing at CD Sunday Plus.

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  19. Mandy your box put a smile on my face as soon as it popped up into my screen. I love it so bright and cheerful and those cute little gnomes are fab.
    Thank you so much for entering our challenge at Jan’s Digital Stamp Challenge, looking forward to see you again next challenge.
    Hugs Sheryl xx
    Jan’s Digital DT
    Cat Crazy Craft Corner – My Blog

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  20. Mandy, Enchanting pop-up garden box. I can almost smell the spring blooms! Thank you for playing along with us at Jan's Digi Blog Challenge and sharing your inspirational talents. Good Luck, Stay Safe, Wash your hands often and HAPPY CRAFTING!
    Hugs,
    Jan
    (Owner & Illustrator of Jan's Digi Stamp Shop)

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  21. Beautiful box, I have not made a box card yet, while I am in isolation for three months perhaps I could try one,
    Thank you for joining us
    Margaret
    CD Sunday plus DT

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  22. What a fabulous creation. I hope you are justly pleased with yourself. It is something I have always meant to do. Now we have time - perhaps! (When I have finished the Christmas cards and the dusting).
    Carol xx
    CD Sunday Plus DT

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  23. Oh My, I just love this box, especially with the gnomes. Thank you for joining Simply Create Too challenge no. 158, Shaped Cards. Come again soon.
    Erica
    Simply Create Too DT Member

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  24. Hello… Thanks for sharing your lovely card with us at Crafty Friends. It fits perfectly with our ‘Ladies/Girls’ challenge theme. Good luck in the draw and hope you will come back again soon.
    Diane Louise [Team Leader for Crafty Friends Challenge Blog]

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  25. Hi Mandy fabulous box card love all the flowers and cute gnomes,
    Carol x
    Thank you for joining us at Pearly Sparkles
    Carol DT x

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  26. Hi Mandy just popping back to say-Thank you for joining us at Unicorn
    Carol DT x

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  27. Your Box card is lovely. I am praying this crisis is over soon, until then, we all craft to keep our minds off of it! Thanks for sharing with us at The Paper Funday Challenges and best of luck in the draw! Donna - DT Member

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  28. Hi Mandy me again just to say-Thank you for joining us at 613 Avenue Create
    Carol DT x

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  29. Mandy, what an amazing pop-up box card you have made for your mother-in-law. I am glad you were able to see her open it, albeit not in person, as you put a lot of love and attention to detail in it. Your creation fits perfectly the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Inspiration and Challenge Blog Monthly Challenge this month. Thank you for entering and best wishes in the draw. Kym (Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Blog Challenge and Facebook Challenge Design Team Leader)

    PS: With everything going on in the world with regard to the coronavirus, please stay safe and well

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  30. Lovely box card Mandy! Thank you for sharing with us over here at The Fairy and the Unicorn Challenge and best of luck with your entry. Love to see you join in each month. Thank you.
    Gale DT for
    https://thefairyandtheunicornchallenge.blogspot.com/

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  31. Great box card. I love making these. I have been using the Lidl card pads for eons....great quality as you say.When I lived in Cyprus it was all we could get for crafting so it was our life saver!Thank you for sharing it with us at CD Sunday Plus Wynn DT

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  32. Great box card - love it. So nice to make something a bit different. Thank you for sharing with us.
    Jocelyn x
    CD Sunday Plus DT

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  33. What a fantastic project! What a great image. Thanks for sharing it with us at Digi Choosday good luck and hope to see you again!

    Jennifer, DT

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  34. Hi Mandy I love your pop up card! I love making these and the great thing about them is that you can just keep adding all sorts of your stash that you find. Yes, I'm a mum too and it was hard not being able to spend your day with your children in the way you want to but its more important to know and hope that everyone is safe at the end of the day isnt it.I've found some great craft bits in Aldi/Lidl from time to time and I keep random bits in hope to use them later. If there was a program on craft hoarders...Im sure I'll be there somewhere anyway!! thanks for joining us this month for our challenge at Daisy Chains and good luck! Michelle DT

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  35. Super cute box card.
    Thanks for joining us at Craftyhazelnuts patterned paper challenge.
    Happy crafting!
    Catherine x DT

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  36. Wonderful box card. Thanks for joining us at The Unicorn Challenge Blog for our "Flower Power" challenge.

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  37. WoW ! That's really pretty. A lovely creation for your first try ! :-)
    Thank you for coming to play at IKEsWORLD Challenges.
    Hugz
    IKE

    My Challenge Blog
    My Shop
    My Blog
    FB Fan Page
    Cat Lovers Challenge Blog

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  38. What a stunning creation Mandy, and I am sure at this difficult time is will brighten anyone's day. Thank you for joining our challenge at
    Let's Craft and Create this week and good luck.. Ursula Uphof DT

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  39. Congratulations! The Resident Design Team at 613 Avenue Create has chosen you as a Top Rocker for the week March 22-28, 2020! Thanks for your wonderful submission to our challenge. Please stop by our blog and grab you Top Rocker Badge!

    https://avenue613.blogspot.com/p/top-rocker-march-2.html

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  40. This is awesome! Thanks so much for sharing with us in the Love To Craft Challenge Blog's March Anything Goes challenge! We hope you visit us often!
    Hugs,
    Leslie, LTCCB DT
    Love To Scrap 2

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  41. Back with another DT hat on... still loving this box card! Thanks so much for sharing with us in the Happy Little Stampers March Anything Goes With Dies challenge! We hope you visit us often!
    Hugs,
    Leslie, HLS Dies Team
    Love To Scrap 2

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  42. Beautiful!! Thank you for joining us at Simply Create Too Challenge this time and good luck :)

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  43. What a great box card! And the colors are all beautiful! Thank you for joining us this week at
    Crafty Gals Corner Challenges .
    Scrapbookingmamaw {My Blog}
    Blessings! Jeanie Ellis, DT, Crafty Gals Corner
    www.craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.com

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  44. Gorgeous pop-up box card, I love the gnomes. Thanks for joining in our 'More than one fold' challenge over at Crafty Calendar. #staysafe
    Hugs
    Bev x

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  45. What a great box card! Thank you for coming to play at IKEsWORLD Challenges.
    Blessings.

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  46. Fabulous box card, thanks for sharing your creation with us at Scribbles Designs, we hope to see you back again.

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  47. Beautiful pop-up card which I am sure your mother-in-law will cherish. It is certainly hard celebrating family events during social isolation regulations. We have our first grandchild due at the beginning of May but may not get to visit until s/he is a few weeks old. Thanks for sharing at Path of Positivity. Pippa DT

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  48. Super:)Thanks for playing with us at The Creative Crafters:)Ines DT
    http://inka-mojmalyswiat.blogspot.com/
    https://creativecrafterschallenge.blogspot.com/

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  49. Beautiful! Thanks so much for participating in the Not Just Cards Challenge this time and good luck :)

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  50. Fantastic Pop-up card! So many pretty flowers!
    Thank you for sharing your talent with us at SCRIBBLES DESIGN. Best of luck! Nick

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  51. A lovely card!
    Thank you soo much for taking part in our "anything goes + optional layer it up” challenge over at Creatalicious & good luck in the draw.
    Hope to see you again in our new challenge as well…

    Hugs,
    Melanie
    (DT-Coordinator Creatalicious Challenges)

    (DT Crafty Friends)

    (DT The Sketchy Challenges)

    (DT Simply Create Too)

    (DT Kreativtanten)

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