Nestabilities: Tip #6 - Add decorative elements to boxes and bags

I love using my Nestabilities dies to add decorative elements and accents to gift bags and boxes. Tonight's project is a 2,5,7,10 box. I won't go through the full tutorial because I've done a very similar box before in the Cuttlebug Mania post.To make this box you will need one piece of 8.5x11 cardstock, scraps of cardstock for tags and other accents, acetate and ribbon. Add stamps and other decorations to your hearts desire. IN this particular box, I put the cardstock through my Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder, inked it up with white craft ink and then added some clear embossing powder.

The first place I'll be using my Nestabilities is on the flap that will become the box closure. I want to give it a decorative edge so I pass it through the die so that I'm only going to be cutting one edge. Make sure that only the part of the box you want to cut is on top of the cutting edge of the die (the raised outline of the die). Then run it through your die cutting machine as your normally would. You can emboss the edge if you like.

This is what my flap looks like after it has been cut. You can do this with any die that is large enough to slip your flap or card edge through.

The next place I'm using my dies is to add a decorative window to the front of my box. I select a die (Label 2) and place it on the inside of the box where I want the window to appear. Tape it down with removeable adhesive so it doesn't slip out of place when you put it into your diecutting sandwhich. Again - make sure that only the area you want cut is on top of the raised die cutting edge. I folded the rest of the box behind the die (on the flat side) to make sure that I didn't accidentally cut through multiple panels.

Here is what the window looks like after cutting. You can put a piece of clear transparency or acetate behind the window to allow your box recipient to see the treats inside.

This is the finished box. I also made a little tag from my Nesties to add to the box closure. Fill it with holiday treats and you're ready to go! A very simple, but fun gift to give to a co-worker or neighbour.

Supplies: Cardstock (Papertrey Ink, Stampin' Up!, Bazzill), Stamps (Taylored Expressions), embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Diecuts (Nestabilities - scalloped oval, label 2, scalloped rectangle, classic square), Copic markers, acetate, ribbon (Papertrey Ink), eyelets, ink (Stampin' Up!) embossing powder.