Paper Dragonfly and Lotus Flower Party Favor Gift Box - 3D SVG Cut File

Paper Dragonfly and Lotus Flower Party Favor Gift Box - 3D SVG Cut File

Whenever I see a dragonfly, I feel very lucky that day. They’re so mesmerizing and fleeting.

Apron Greeting Card - Free Template - SVG PDF File

Apron Greeting Card - Free Template - SVG PDF File

Do you know someone whips up amazing dishes in the kitchen? You can make this quick and easy greeting card using my free pattern.

Watch how to assemble both styles in my latest tutorial video.

Quilling Fringed Flower #1: Dandelion Tutorial and Pattern

Quilling Fringed Flower #1: Dandelion Tutorial and Pattern

The first time I saw a fringed flower, I fell in love immediately. I had no idea quilling could take on such dimension. I knew then and there, someday I would buy an electric cutter and make flowers to my heart's content! 

In this video (the first of a series of fringed flowers), I'll be showing how to 

• fringe by hand
• fluff your petals to give them life
• make a smaller bud
• mix colors for a multicolored pom-pom or fireworks
• add them to a free printable card

Flower Box Card for Thanks and Birthday

Gift cards are great - one size fits all, and they can choose what they want. But how do you personalize that ubiquitous gift card? For me, unwrapping a gift a part of the fun. Well, I guess I mean wrapping it up for someone to unwrap is THE funnest part of all! I just love seeing them gasp and ask if it's all made of paper. I love it even more when my card is the chosen one to stay on the shelf when all the others get tossed.

My nephews wanted to give their teachers an appreciation gift, so I designed a box card that also has a pocket for a gift card.

Paper Quilling a Bird - Video Tutorial and Greeting Card Pattern

Last year, I was surprised to realize that many people are intimidated by quilling because it seemed complicated, or needed much practice to acquire the exacting results, as well as a whole shelf of new tools or materials. When one searches for examples of quilling coils, many boards and charts appear. Rather than seeing the board as a helpful dictionary, it can seem more like a confusing map with no “start here” sign.

Since then, I gave it much thought, and wanted to design a pattern to make paper quilling less daunting. I broke down the steps and used materials that were easier to handle. Essentially, I wanted to make a CIY greeting card kit that could be completed quickly and easily. Yes, that’s not a typo; CIY stands for Cut-It-Yourself, a phrase I’m coining. I love my electronic cutting machines (first a Silhouette SD and now a Cricut Explore Air), so why not have it cut all the pieces I need? Plus you won’t have a rat’s nest of supplies left over when you’re done.

Here is how my new design is so pioneering:

• If you don’t have a quilling tool, that’s good! I used a crochet hook, but you can use a skewer stick or something similar.
• You don't need a ruler because your cutting machine will cut the exact length needed, including the perforated fold marks – simply follow along the template provided.
• Instead of the usual light weight paper, the bird is quilled out of card stock (Bazzil Sour Apple).
• The strips are 1/4” in width, double what is typically used for quilling, which I hope makes the strips easier to handle. 

All the elements I used are listed in my YouTube notes, and included in the PDF menu file that comes with the package.

After someone has accomplished their first quilled item, they then ask what they should do with it. If they are new to card making and paper crafting, it can seem overwhelming to now also figure out a layout. All the elements seen here are supplied, so as long as you can import SVG files, you’re set to go.

Of course, after the card is all done, the next question is how to protect the card before giving it away. I've designed a box with a peek-a-boo window, and it’s assembled without any glue! I think it’s my misspent youth folding origami that made me challenge myself this way, but somehow I get a thrill feeling the box flaps lock in place.

This project is groundbreaking not only in the way it’s made, but also in the fact that I’ve never shot my own video before. After becoming an instructor with Craftsy, I realized I simply had to put my shyness behind me and step up to bat. My nephews rolled their eyes at me when I admitted I didn’t know how to YouTube – good thing I didn’t fess up I somehow made 3 accounts by accident along the way. There was much to learn about how to film, add music, edit, even uploading. It was all new to me and I know I'll improve on my next one, but for now, I'm simply thrilled to have come this far and push myself into new territory.

I hope you’ll spend a moment to watch my first video and let me know what you think, especially if you’re new to quilling. I want to keep improving, so please comment or email me at paperzeninfo (at) gmail.com. My hope is that many who are tempted to try quilling will discover it's not hard as it looks. 

My new Paper Quilling a Bird Tutorial can be found in my Etsy shop.

Jack O' Lantern Pumpkin Party Favor Box

Who has their carving tools ready? It's still a bit early to start digging in for Halloween, but this Jack O' Lantern doesn't need any gutting.

His perky stem comes with spiralling vines for extra fun.

There are three friendly faces to choose from, and when cut from yellow paper, appear to have an inner candlelit glow.

The pumpkin itself offers a decent size for ghoulish treats. It's easily cut from just two sheets of 8.5"x11" in green and orange, attached simply by two orange brads. So fun to assemble with little ones. It's now available in my shop.

Ladybug Party Favor Gift Box

I'm so excited to show you my latest party favor box design, an adorable ladybug!