Daddy's Toolbox Tutorial and a Freebie!

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Daddy’s Toolbox Tutorial and a Freebie!

17 June 2009 19,330 views 30 Comments

KelleighR-DaddysToolbox-tp_LRG I am so excited about this new release! I created it as a last minute Father’s Day gift, and thought it would be an adorable container for a gift card, little notes or chocolates. And then, I got the idea of creating some mini tools to go inside! I imagined these tools all put together to make a mini album, or stacked up as little coupons for Dad.

Of course, I had to test it out, as I typically do, and figured that I would make a little present for the amazing father of my children. And, I took pictures of my process! Aren’t you so glad? Keep reading and pick up your own tool set freebie at the end of this post!

First of all, you need to go grab the Daddy’s Toolbox Template Set from my store, then unzip it and add papers to it. I created a tutorial for The Hybrid Chick that will guide you through this process if digital scrapbooking is new to you. If you would rather not open up Photoshop, I’ve also included a lines-only pdf version that you can print out on the back of a piece of patterned paper or cardstock.

After you have added paper and elements to the template, go ahead and print it out! You’ll want to use the Borderless Printing option on your printer, or size down your project just a bit (95% or so) so that the edges don’t get cut off. To help you find your borderless printing option, I’ve written this fun tutorial, again at The Hybrid Chick. Be sure to choose the right paper! (Another tutorial!) Whew!

Now that you know everything there is to know about hybrid (oh, wait! Look at this tutorial, too!), let’s get to work.

Here is my printed project. I used Elise Hansen’s What A Catch! digital kit for my project. You’ll notice that I printed the box on Epson Premium Presentation paper, and the tools are printed on my glossy photo paper (which comes free with my ink!). Also, notice that all those lines and words that come on the template have been recolored so they are not so noticeable! Pretty cool. Be sure to do that! Nothing worse than black lines mucking up your project.

I almost always score my project before cutting it out. I found that if I turn my metal ruler over, it is closer to the paper, and I get a better scoring line.

Now, cut out your project. I’ve found that I use my craft knife (a glorified Exacto knife) about 90% of the time, now. Try it out! It is SO much faster and more precise than scissors.

Be sure to cut on ALL the solid lines. This includes the tiny little snips on the box top, as shown.

Now, assemble your box. Apply a little dry adhesive to the tabs that will be glued to the inside of the box. I use Tombow Mono Adhesive (and they really should send me some, as much as I talk them up, huh?).

I included a little handle in your template, but feel free to make your own with wire or ribbon or anything your heart desires!

Next, cut out all the little tools. Again, I used my craft knife for this, and only broke out the micro-tip scissors for the saw. (Little rounded edges are tough!)

Next, I grabbed some “found chipboard” and glued the four tool fronts to it using a wet adhesive. (I used Beacon Zip Dry.) You can find chipboard all over the place. Cereal boxes are a great source, as are mailing envelopes. The piece that I used came from the back of a stack of cardstock.

Now, cut out the little tools, and then flip them over and glue the matching page to the back of them.

(Side note: Isn’t my family gorgeous? Good grief! And, that man makes me feel all fluttery inside! What a hotty!)

Ahem. Sorry about that.

Next, I figured out where I wanted my holes to “bind” the mini album by placing the saw shape on top and marking two spots.

I punched the holes using my Crop-o-dile. You really need one of these, so go ahead and splurge. They are so cool. If you don’t have one, though, just . . . figure out how to make a hole. Maybe use a drill or a piercing tool. You could use an eyelet setter and a hammer, too. (Please don’t use a big ‘ol fat hole punch. Ew.)

To “bind” the mini album, I just ran two pieces of hemp through the holes and tied it around a pencil so I could keep the lengths nice and even. This would be adorable with some ribbon, too!

(Another side note: I just love the little tag that came in Elise Hanson’s What a Catch digital kit! Check out the “eyelet”. That’s digital!)

The inside. (Sorry the pics aren’t so great! I was getting tired.)

(Yet another side note: I just LOVED the word art Elise included in her kit. And, those stitches are so awesome!!)

My finished project:

If you would like to create your own little toolbox for Daddy, grab my Daddy’s Toolbox Template Set from my store, and then come back here and pick up my Daddy’s Tools Blog Freebie.

Please leave me a comment if you grabbed the tools! I’d love to know!