Frames with a Flourish

When the Label Classics stampset was retired from Stampin’ Up’s! last catalogue, I was very pleased with this set that was to take it’s place. I love using frames on my creations as they give you an instant focal point on a card, page or in this case – a box!
To make this box I used the same technique we learned at Convention to create our gift box. The box pattern is from our demonstrator website template library. The technique uses Stampin’ Dimensionals within the frame to create a 3D/shadow effect behind it that looks really awesome. To create the frame, punch out a square from the Ballet Blue card stock using the 1 and3/8″ Square Punch. Stamp the square frame in real red onto Creamy Caramel cardstock, punch out the centre with the same square punch and then cut around the outer rim. I have adhered it to the box using Snail Adhesive (by far the simplest, cleanest adhesive I’ve ever used!) I have stamped my greeting “thankyou” on some Confetti White cardstock before adhering the dimensionals around it so they are hidden from the framed section. Lastly I stuck the greeting to the inside of the box.
It doesn’t show up too well in to photo, but I’ve used one of the other frames from this very versatile stamp set to create a background on the box using Versa Mark (a watermark inkpad).
Lately I have been discovering the wonders of the Crop-a-Dile (one of my new toys from the new catalogue). This little baby makes holes, has a hole depth gauge, sets eyelets silently, sets jumbo eyelets, punches through leather, metal, chipboard and dry embosses! (If I have missed any features please feel free to add a comment for this post with any additional uses you’ve discovered for the Crop-a-dile!)
You can see a sample of dry embossing in the bottom photograph. When the eyelet tool is set to A2, you can create little embossed circles that add a nice detail to your project, like I have done on the box handle here:


Heres a rundown of the other stamps and accessories I have used:
Occasional Greetings stampset
Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon
Black Brads
Basic Black Classic stamp pad
Versa Mark