My Preppy Train Case

Hello Crafty Friends... Today is the last day of the DCWV and Eileen Hull Winter Wonderland Blog Hop!!

And I have this adorable Preppy Train Case for you today...

I absolutely LOVE this plaid paper by DCWV!! It kind of reminds me of my private school days. Back when I had to wear pleated plaid skirts and white button up collared shirts. I used to just  hate it!

But as I grew up, the plaid grew on me... I must've forgotten about how much I disliked it because I ended up wearing tons of pleated plaid skirts in my early twenties. Let it be known that these were more fashionable and didn't extend pass my knees though. And in a random turn of events,  I recently stumbled across in my closet. LOL... Hey, I was going through a very Britney Spears phase in my life. I think if you grew up in the 90's you may have too. **Side note** Man, I wish I could still fit those! Hahahaha!!

Aaaannnd, moving on...

So, my private school flashback is what inspired me to make this...

My little Preppy Train Case.

Supplies Used

Christmas Plaid Stack (DCWV)

Cranberry Christmas (DCWV)

Eileen Hull Designs' Train Case Die (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Twist and Style Tool (Sizzix)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

Black Chipboard (Grafix)

Poinsettia- Jen Long Pillow Box & Poinsettias (Sizzix)

Black Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

Rhinestone Ribbon Sliders

Rattail Cord

Eyelets

Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Gold Flatback Pearl

I started by cutting down my chipboard to workable 6"x 12" pieces. I repeated that step with the red plaid patterned paper (from the Christmas Plaid Stack).

Then I die cut both using Eileen Hull's Train Case Die... Only die cutting the main box pieces.  I layered the paper onto the chipboard and ran both through at the same time.

The die cut separated the paper into segments but the ends were still attached... this is exactly how I wanted it. 

I ran those pieces through my Xyron Creative station (still barely together). When adhesive is added to the backs it come out in the proper order so I don't have to guess what piece goes where... that way when I peel and stick them onto the coordinate chipboard pieces the pattern will flow seamlessly.

As you can see in the picture above, the pattern is uniform. 

I did not adhere the "flap" pieces. There was no need to since those pieces will be covered.

Next, I added clear glue to the flaps (you can also use hot glue). I like using wet glue because it gives me time to wiggle it into the place I want it. Once positioned in place I use mini clothespins to hold it in place till the glue dries.

While that was setting, I went back and die cut the front latch and the handle of the box from the remainder of the  black chipboard. Only the chipboard, patterned paper wasn't necessary because these pieces were going to remain solid black. 

I die cut poinsettias from this cream and gold pattern paper (from the Cranberry Christmas Stack). I ended up not using the red flowers in the picture. then added a gold flatback pearl to the center. 

Then I die cut leaves from green patterned paper (from the Christmas Plaid Stack) and glued them under the poinsettia.

I made my own tassels from rattail cord using Eileen's Twist and Style Tool. I knotted both ends after twisting, trimmed the ends, then frayed them to separate the fibers for the tassels.

Instead of adding latches to the traincase I used ribbon to hinge my box. I lined up the sides of my box to make sure everything was aligned, and wrapped two 15-1/2" of double stitched grosgrain ribbon (one for each side). Then, glued down with more clear glue.

I slid on rhinestone sliders onto the over hanging ribbon and attached magnet discs. Now my ribbons straps are magnetic closures.

I centered the front latch and handle and adhered them with more clear glue.

Lastly, I added my handmade tassel and poinsettia flower onto the train case handle

This box is just too posh! 

AND

I LOVE IT!!

I hope you enjoyed today's project and the end of our blog hop!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

~Mitsy

Christmas Tea Cup

Hello, Crafty Friends!! This Month DCWV & Eileen Hull Designs are proud to bring you a month long of creative and inspirational projects with our Winter Wonderland Blog Hop!! Join Team Eileen Hull (every Tuesday) and Team DCWV (every Friday) throughout the month of November.

Family traditions are always memorable. Many family traditions help us shape who we are and sometime who we will be. Growing up surrounded by my huge family, I remember many nights of late night cooking and sleepovers with my cousins. Followed by huge family gatherings where we stuffed our faces till we passed out on someone's living room floor.

Those days are long gone since I moved to Texas.

But often, new environments give way for new experiences, which in turn give way for new traditions. Now, we have fewer traditions. That doesn't mean that they are any less special but it does mean my holidays are less hectic... which I'm OK with! Hey, this busy mommy will take any break she can get!!

One holiday tradition I have grown to love is (this is on my hubby's side of the family) all the matrons/ aunts makes handmade gifts to share. Each makes a certain crafty projects,duplicates it in bulk, then gifts it to each family. Being the crafty nut that I am, I thought this tradition was FABULOUS!! Crafts can be as elaborate or as simple as you choose... again, FABULOUS! Because, let's face it, sometimes we just get too tired or too busy to come up with an extravagant gift each and every year!!

This year I'm thinking of meeting somewhere in the middle...

So, today I'm sharing this Christmas Tea Cup Party Favors!

Supplies Used

Cranberry Christmas Stack (DCWV)

Gilded Gray Stack (DCWV)

Eileen Hull Designs XL Tea Cup 3-D Die (Sizzix)

Twist and Style Craft Tool (Sizzix)

Mat Board (Sizzix)

Holiday Lights Christmas Metal Charms (Blue Moon Beads)

Holiday Lights Twine X-mas Multi (Blue Moon Beads)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Budding Branch

Glossy Accents (Ranger)

White Opaque Gel Pen (Sakura)

Glitter Gel Pen (Sakura)

Paper Flowers(Michaels)

Paper Leaves (Prima)

Stamens (Wilton)

Eyelash Yarn

I used DCWV's Cranberry Christmas for the majority of this project.

This stack is absolutely gorgeous and  includes many "foiled" designs!

I used Sizzix Matboard as my base. These come in a pack of 6 - 6''x13" sheets.

I started by cutting my tea cup pieces out of mat board using Eileen Hull's  3-D Tea Cup. I made sure to cut out an extra tea cup, one for the front of the box and one for the back... this was the only shape on the die I had to cut twice.

Then, I used the same die to cut the same pieces out of patterned paper. 

To get the reverse/ flipped version of the tea cup, simply flip your paper over and cut on the opposite or underside.

Here are my die-cut pieces cut from matboard. I needed the amount shown above (left)... a saucer(base), tag, 2 tea cups (mirrored images of itself), and the box.

I didn't need the flaps to the patterned paper box cut outs so I discarded them, then cut down that die-cut into segments where they are creased.

Next, I ran my patterned paper pieces into my Xyron Creative Station machine. Attached them onto their match mat board pieces, folded and creased the boxes' flaps (and set aside). Then sanded down the edges.

I die cut another more paper with a contrasting pattern. This time just the top half of the die cuts were cut out. Then I attached them over the existing pieces.

Then I adhered the pieces together with glossy accents. You can use hot glue if you prefer.

I embellished with flowers, leaves, stamen, and eyelash yarn.

 I embellished the cute little mat board tag with leftover paper I had used on the tea cup and added a cute leaping reindeer charm from Blue Moon Beads. I also cut out a snowflake from one of the sheets from the Cranberry Christmas stack.

I needed something to tie my bag off with. I really love the look of baker's twine but wanted something a little more bulkier, kind of like the rope around Santa's gift sack... I was able to replicate that by using Eileen hull's Twist and Style Tool.

I simply used 3 strands of bakers twine, knotted them on both ends, pull taunt, then cranked!! 

Eileen gives a wonderful demonstration on how easy this tool is HERE.

I love how thick and lovely my twine rope turned out!! It made the great finishing touch on my Christmas Tea Cups!! 

And here is the finished favor box... 

I can't believe something as simple as candy canes can look so rich and elegant!

I hope you enjoyed my project for today!!

For MORE inspiration from BOTH teams please visit their blogs at

DCWV Inc.

and 

Eileen Hull Designs

I hope you will go and start your own holiday traditions...

***WINK, WINK***Crafty ones are pretty awesome!!

HUGS to you all!!

~Mitsy