It's easy to create elegant party favors or packaging for a petite gift with just one sheet of cardstock, some scored lines, and some adhesive. Whip a bunch up for your next shindig with our directions!

8 1/2" x 11" sheet cardstock

Cardstock scraps for front of box

Corner rounder punch or decorative scissors

1/8" handheld circle punch

Paper trimmer with scoring blade

Scissors

Sticky Strip

Stampin' Dimensionals

Stamps, Ink, Ribbon

Q: Renee asked: "I was wondering how you stamp an image then cut around parts of it so it looks like it's partially in and partially out of the shape. I've seen people do this on a square or rectangular piece also, but I just can't seem to get it right. Do you know what I'm talking about?"

A: This technique is referred to as "Out of the Box" in the forums. To recreate the look, stamp an image, then draw a shape around it, leaving parts of the stamped image extending beyond the drawn shape. Then, use scissors or another cutting tool to cut along your drawn lines. Once you get to the stamped image, cut around the image until you meet the other side of your shape. Try using a straight edge for boxes or a Coluzzle™ shape template for a circle or oval. You can find many samples in the gallery, as it was one of this week's Dare to Get Dirty challenges.

Resources page

Submit your question to Dina

Colorin' Kate has some follow-up tips for the alcohol-based marker tutorial: "To those wondering about the difference between waterbased markers and alcohol/solvent-based markers (of which Copic® is one brand) - there are several differences. Due to their alcohol base - these markers will not pill the paper when trying to shade (which means you can blend and layer colors on regular paper and achieve more professional results without streaks). They are waterproof (which means no smudging or smearing). They can be used on surfaces that waterbased markers do not stick to (like plastic, glass, metal and fabric - see" Trudee's tutorial on coloring your ribbon). Alcohol based markers are much more lightfast than waterbased markers. Because they are a tool designed for professional graphic artists, they are refillable and have replacement tips (making them more economical in the long run). And, you can combine alcohol markers with other mediums, such as colored pencils, pastels and chalks. I personally have never been able to achieve the same vibrancy and blendability with waterbased markers.

Alcohol Markers tutorial

There's nothing negative about this fun technique! No special supplies will be needed.