CRAFTER’S COMPANION DISCOUNT PAGE

W IN

a beautiful Polkadoodles botanical bundle!

Oold, bright and beautiful are just a few words to describe this gorgeous prize package worth over £53 each for 10 of you! Coming with a selection of stamps packed with blooms and birds, as well as a stunning sentiment selection, all perfect for hero images and those fi nal few details. We love the Heart Sing set with fabulous focal images featuring birds and fl orals that would look wonderful when layered up to create 3D elements on your makes. The second image stamp set in this package is the Hello Friend set, a heavenly mixture of fl owers and butterfl ies with the main image showcasing a jar fi lled with fl owers for a more contemporary feel to your projects. Each of the stamp sets includes versatile all-occasion sentiments such as ‘Each new day is SPECIAL and this one is no diff erent’ and ‘Have a really great day’. There are also two paper pads to help you create bright cards and projects all year round with their eye-catching colour palette. The fi rst is Bright & Beautiful, a mixture of fl orals and geometrics, with the Sweet Tweet pad perfectly rounding off the set with striking fl oral, geometric and bird-themed designs.

Over £530

worth of fantastic prizes to be won!

Love these products? Head to www.polkadoodles.co.uk to see more from Polkadoodles

How to enter

For your chance to win this Polkadoodles package, enter online at www.craftworld.com/cms/papercraft-essentials and head to the Competitions section by 19th August 2021

We promise we’ll always keep your data safe and will never share it with or sell it to other companies for marketing purposes. Our full privacy policy is available at www.practicalpublishing.co.uk/privacy The competition is operated by Practical Publishing International Ltd. For full terms and conditions, see www.practicalpublishing.co.uk/competitions

SKILL-BUILDING ESSENTIALS Skill-building essentials MAKING memories

Packed with step-by-step guides, let Helen show you how to create unique mini albums for yourself and loved ones

Helen Griff in in

Mini albums are so much fun to make, it’s no surprise they have become my favourite craft. Each page/insert is a mini scrapbook layout and these small albums are perfect for recording special events and holidays. You can make them as interactive as you like and everyone loves having a browse through them. They are perfect for the coff ee table and just the right size for children to hold. My children love our mini albums and spend many happy hours sharing memories. These little books also make great gifts for loved ones. They are perfect as wedding or new babies gifts. Give them complete with photographs or decorated and ready for the recipient to add their own. Once you know the basics, the sky is the limit! There are many techniques that can be used when making albums and you can fi nd hundreds of tutorials on YouTube. You will need a few basic tools to get you started, some of which you may already have in your craft stash. The larger tools include a scoreboard and paper trimmer. Some paper trimmers have a scoring function and these are ideal if you’re on a budget or short of space. You will also need a bone folder, doublesided tape, fast-drying glue and chipboard/cardboard (cereal

Z - F O L D A C C O R D I A N M I N I

Simple cover cards

You'll need

◆ patterned paper ◆ kraft & yellow cardstock ◆ scoreboard ◆ bone folder ◆ fl ower punches ◆ clear gems

Step by step

1 Create six pages of kraft cardstock measuring 6x½” and score at ½” and 5½”. Stack the pages together and glue on alternate sides of the narrow sections. 2 Cut twelve 4½x33⁄8” panels of paper, eight panels measuring 4¾x33⁄8” and eight panels measuring 3⁄8x33⁄8. Glue panels onto both sides of the pages. 3 Trim a 6¼x7¾” piece of yellow cardstock for the cover. Score the long side across the top at 3¾” and 4”. Fold and press with the bone folder. Glue the back page of the section from Step 1 to the back inside cover. 4 Cut three 6x3½” panels of paper and layer onto the cover. 5 Embellish the book cover with various flowers, layer together and add gems. Add photos, sentiments and more to the inside of the pages to personalise as desired.

Don’t be afraid to start small and work your way up to the more advanced projects!

You'll need

◆ kraft & yellow cardstock ◆ patterned paper ◆ six 5”-square kraft envelopes & cards ◆ vellum ◆ Tonic Studios Nuvo Drops ◆ burlap ribbon ◆ American Crafts Thickers ◆ clear gems ◆ scoreboard ◆ bone folder ◆ fl ower punches ◆ cornerrounder punch ◆ manual diecutting machine ◆ Sizzix Thinlits Flower Scallop & Meadow Leaf by Sophie Guilar die sets

Step by step

1 Seal all six envelopes and trim a very narrow strip from the top of each to make them into top-loading pockets. Cut the card blanks in half and round the corners with a punch. Matt each side of the envelope with a 5” square. 2 To make the binding, trim kraft cardstock to 5x113⁄4” and score across at 1” intervals. Accordionfold alternate ways. Starting from the right, glue each envelope along the accordion, missing a section between each one. 3 To make the box base, trim cardstock to measure 73⁄4x7¼” and score at 1” on all four sides. Cut off two of the corner squares and assemble the box with the remaining side. For the lid, trim card to 7⅝ x7⅛ ”, score at 1” on all sides and assemble. 4 Glue the last page of the album to the base of the box – position so the fl ap is on the left and allows the pages to fl ow out. 5 Matt and layer panels of co-ordinating cardstock and

Us cascade album

patterned paper onto the box, leaving narrow borders, and decorate with a burlap ribbon as a bellyband. Die-cut fl owers, leaves and a title. Add photos, handwritten sentiments and more to the inside of the pages to personalise.

C A S C A D E P O C K E T S

Wedding folio album

You'll need

◆ kraft & pink cardstock ◆ patterned paper ◆ vellum ◆ chipboard/mountboard ◆ clear gems ◆ Tonic Studios Nuvo Drops ◆ American Crafts Thickers ◆ scoreboard ◆ bone folder ◆ flower punches ◆ 1” circle punch ◆ manual diecutting machine ◆ Sizzix Thinlits Flower Scallop & Meadow Leaf by Sophie Guilar die sets ◆ Scalloped Circle Stitched & Pierced dies

Step by step

1 Trim two pieces of chipboard to 5x7” and another piece to measure 7x1/2”. Glue the pieces onto a 12x8” panel of cardstock with the slim piece in the centre, leaving a 3/8” gap between all pieces. 2 Trim the corners and wrap the edges around the chipboard securing with glue or tape. Glue the inside matt down measuring 103/4x63/4”. Fold up the cover carefully. 3 Matt the inside right with a 61/2x41/5” piece of cardstock. Trim seven 41/2x31/2” pieces of cardstock and score at 1/2” down the long sides. Fold score lines and glue them to the righthand side of the album, so they cascade downwards. Cover the hinges with strips of paper. 4 Create a large flap to the left by cutting cardstock to measure 51/4x63/4” and scoring 1/2” down the long side. Add a side pocket by cutting patterned paper to measure 73/8x31/2”, score 1/2” on three sides and use circle punch on the unscored side. 5 Add two flaps to the other side measuring 37/8x43/4” and score 1/2” down the long side. 6 Make a pocket measuring 51/2x4” and score 1/2” on three sides. To create the lock mechanism, cut two 1x3” pieces cardstock, score at 1/4” on both sides and glue to each flap. The sliding piece measures 13/4x41/2”. 7 Matt the front and back with cardstock and paper, then embellish with die-cut flowers, leaves, pinwheel and a title. Add photos, handwritten sentiments and more to the inside of the pages to personalise.

F L A P S & P O C K E T S

There’s loads of space to add more images in the future!

Step by step

1 Trim two pieces of chipboard to measure 5x6¾ ” and one 6¾ x1½ ” piece. Glue these pieces onto a piece of A4 cardstock with an extra 2½ ” piece added to the end. Leave a ⅜ ” gap between all pieces. Trim corners and wrap edges around chipboard with glue or tape.

2 Glue the inside matt down measuring 6½ x11¾ ”. Add extra tape around the spine area for added strength. Fold up the cover carefully.

3 To make the binding, trim three pieces of cardstock; 6½ x2½ ”, 6½ x2”, 6½ x1¾ ”. Score ½” from both sides on each piece and stack together. Add tape to both sides of each fl ap and taper the ends. Glue the binding to the spine.

4 Make six pages measuring 6½ x9½ ”, score at 4¾ ” and fold in half. Matt the pages measuring 4½ x6¼ ”. 5 Die-cut six Moroccan Card Edges. Adhere the fl ap to the outside edge of the page, then close and glue on the other side. The openings should be at the top and on the right. 6 Starting from the back, remove the backing tape from the last hinge and place the page to the underside, ensuring it’s straight, then press down. Remove the backing tape from the other side and close the page. Repeat with the other pages.

Baby book B I N D I N G & P O C K E T S

You'll need

◆ patterned paper ◆ chipboard/ mountboard ◆ kraft & pink cardstock ◆ vellum ◆ Elle’s Studio Title Builder wood veneer shapes ◆ Heidi Swapp Hawthorne Phrase stamp set ◆ clear gems ◆ Tonic Studio Nuvo Drops ◆ American Crafts Thickers ◆ scoreboard ◆ bone folder ◆ fl ower punches ◆ 1” circle punch ◆ manual diecutting machine ◆ Sizzix Thinlits Flower Scallop, Moroccan Card Edge & Meadow Leaf by Sophie Guilar die sets ◆ Scalloped Circle Stitched & Pierced dies

Bonus make

Find this make at www.craftworld.com/cms/ papercraft-essentials/

7 Make inserts measuring 4½ x6¼ ” and add circles of paper at the top for tabs. Make books from envelopes with the fl aps adhered together. For the bellybands, trim cardstock to 7½ x2” and score at ½ ” top and bottom. Matt the front and back covers and decorate with die-cut fl owers, leaves and a title.

Top Tip

Scoring a double-width piece, then cutting it in two, is a lot quicker and easier than scoring two narrow pieces!

Pillow gift box

You’ll need

 Paper Poetry Transformation

Collection 12x18cm gift box, Neon Green A4 Motif paper pad, Origami paper, tag & stickers  clear embossing pad  gold embossing powder  heat tool  circle punches  scoreboard & scoring tool  3D foam pads

Step by step

1 Assemble box and trim A4 blue patterned paper to make a 6cmwide slide-off wrap. 2 Trim an 8cm strip from one of the origami papers, score down at every 0.5cm all the way across. Before concertina folding like a fan, split strip into two 4cm pieces. Fold each, snip all folded pieces at one edge to a point. Join the ends together to make a circle and adhere together in the centre, holding it tight while it dries. 3 Wipe the pointed edges of the flower with the embossing pad, add gold embossing powder and heat to set. 4 Add two pinched and layered circles, and a large heart sticker completing the flower. 5 Repeat using a 6cm origami paper strip for the smaller flower, splitting in two once scored, to make the smaller design. 6 Affix to the wrap on the gift box, tucking in a tag. Add small gold stars to finish.

Washi sticker quartet

You’ll need

 Paper Poetry Transformation

Collection Neon Green A4

Motif paper pad, flower and foliage Washi stickers  white, red & green cardstock  3D foam pads  circle, heart & hexagon nesting dies  Sizzix Thinlits Phrases, Thank you & Flamingo die set  manual die-cutting machine

Step by step

1 Create card blanks measuring up to 12.5cm from white cardstock, using circle and hexagon dies. Create two 12.5cmsquare card blanks. 2 Cover each card blank with patterned paper, leaving a wide white border. 3 Cut or die-cut a smaller white shape for the focal element for each card. 4 Separate the Washi stickers from the roll then create wreaths and borders for each focal panel. Work around each one, layering one sticker over the last. Alternate foliage with flowers for a mixture of subtle and bright colours. 5 Affix the panels to the card fronts using 3D foam pads and add a die-cut sentiment for each.

Top Tip

This is such a simple idea and very quick to make, these little stickers are so versatile This would make a lovely gift set for a friend

Q&A with Nicky...

How long have you been working with Papercraft Essentials? Do you remember your fi rst project/issue? I have been designing for this magazine for about four years now. Papercraft Essentials 147 was my fi rst issue, when I showcased a Craftwork Cards collection, and I am very lucky to have contributed to over 40 issues since then, showcasing collections from companies or creating inspiration for the goodies that come with the magazine.

What do you love about Papercraft Essentials? I love how accessible the projects are, using the magazine kits. It’s really important for new or inexperienced crafters to be able to use the kits without much extra equipment, or adapt what they have to make cards of their own. I’m always inspired by layouts or imaginative ideas from my fellow Design Team members, even when I have made projects myself!

What do craft magazines mean to you and why are they so important to crafters? I remember how excited I was when I fi rst started cardmaking and discovered magazines, full of new products and ideas. I must have copies of Papercraft Essentials going back years! Inspiration is key, and I took so much from the features in the magazines, even cutting out pages or card layouts that inspired me. I have a scrapbook full of these pages and pictures, and I still love looking at it. Magazines are a great source of information about new products too, and I have spent more money than I dare admit to over the years, seeking out must-have new products that I have seen on the pages of Papercraft Essentials.

Photo frame

You’ll need

 Paper Poetry Transformation

Collection Neon Green A4

Motif paper pad, fl ower Washi stickers, tags & twine  blue & white cardstock  pink vellum  sequins  3D foam pads  deep-edged A4 wooden frame  Creative Expressions

Craft Dies by Jamie Rodgers

Canvas Collection Hexagon dies  Julie Hickey Designs

Uppercase Alphabet die set  manual die-cutting machine

Step by step

1 Die-cut seven hexagon canvases from the paper pad, using two colours and three separate designs to complement each other. Fold and seal hexagon edges. 2 Line the frame with blue cardstock then trim white cardstock to fi t. 3 Affi x fl ower Washi stickers over a strip of white cardstock

Happy birthday

You’ll need

 Paper Poetry Transformation

Collection Neon Green A4

Motif paper pad, Washi tape, Origami paper, tags & fl ower stickers  white 17cm-square card blank  white & pink cardstock

Top Tip

There are so many papers to choose from in the pad, but using a couple of one design helps give the project some uniformity

then die-cut the letters to spell ‘INSPIRE’. Die-cut again from blue cardstock and affi x together, off setting them slightly. Adhere to a piece of pink vellum, backed by white cardstock for strength. 4 Arrange the hexagons around the frame, allowing space for the word. Select three tags and adhere over the frames. 5 Use 3D foam pads to adhere the word over the frames and keep it straight where there is nothing to support it. 6 Embellish with sequins and a twine bow to fi nish.

 Blue Belle VersaFine

Clair inkpad  clear embossing powder  pink ribbon  gems  heat tool  3D foam pads  circle nesting dies  Lisa Horton Crafts Double

Layered Sentiments stamp & die set  manual die-cutting machine

Step by step

1 Stamp and clear heat-emboss the sentiment on pink cardstock then die-cut into shape. 2 Die-cut a 12cm circle of grey patterned paper and add flower stickers for extra detail, trimming around the circle edges. Affix to a white 13cm die-cut circle. Affix two tags across the circle then cover with the sentiment and add a bow. 3 Affix a 15cm square of blue patterned paper to a larger lilac patterned square and adhere to the card front. 4 Trim a 15x6cm piece of white cardstock and wrap three lengths of lilac Washi tape around it. Affix across the centre of the card front. Add the circle topper using 3D foam pads. 5 Add gems from the top-left corner down to the bottom-right, plus a few over the flowers on the tags.