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It’s Bobbi Lemanski here and I’m literally thinking outside the box today! I’m sharing two alternative ways to use the new Post Box Card Base die set from the latest, Honey Bee Stamps release, Bee Mine. If you’ve been following the new release ideas on the blog and on Instagram (#HBSBeeMine), you know this Post Box Card die set makes an adorable postal box for tiny valentines, but what about making it into a backpack or retro (VW) van? Just imagine heading to the beach in this cool vintage van with your backpack filled with your electronics, music and headphones… What a great card for a bestie. I think these would make adorable teenage or youth valentine cards, too!

To make these shaped cards, I used the following Honey Bee products on both cards:

Post Box Card Base die set

Love Enclosed stamp set

Pocket Full of Love stamp and die sets

Sweet on You 6″ X 6″ paper pad

Warm Wishes stamp set for the rainbow patch, only

Backpack Card

For the backpack, I also used the following additional products for some of the accents:

Stacking Pockets die set for the front and back pockets, only

Good Mix stamp set for the headphones and electronic device, only

Sweet Treats die set for the zipper tabs, only

Notice that all of the backpack canvas exterior faux “fabric” pieces has been aged using Ranger Distressed Ink Scattered Straw. I applied it with Blender Brushes, in a very imperfect, spotty way to make it look a bit distressed, too.

To make this card, I did a partial die cut at the top so that the backpack actually opened. A little love or birthday note can be tucked inside the pack for the recipient. To make it open, do not put the top plate of your cutting sandwich over the bottom edge. This allows only the arched top to actually be cut out of the backpack. Simply score the bottom edge of the opening to allow the top pocket to open easily and perfectly straight across.

I also added a hook loop and straps to the back side of the backpack using grosgrain dotted ribbon that I had on hand. With the straps in the back, the card would not be able to open as intended with the hinge accessory so I added a back panel (to conceal the raw ribbon edges) to the back of the front panel and layered a pocket on the back to tuck in a note or some green bills! That little “for you” tag is from the Pocket Full of Love set. Isn’t it the cutest little tag?!

The zipper tabs were made from a die in the Sweet Treats die set. You could simply cut rectangles for this or find another die that is similar. I cut flowers out of the Sweet on You paper pad for the flower patches and made patterned faux fabric linings for the pockets. I used the heart patch from Pocket Full of Love and the rainbow from the Warm Wishes stamp set. All of the seams’ top-stitching was done using a fine-tip dark brown marker to finish the card. How cute would it be to send your teenager off to college with a card like this? My teenage daughter fell in love with this little backpack!

Retro Van Card

For my second shaped card, I used the following additional products for some of the accents:

Puppy Love stamp set the for the French Bulldog, only

Angel Policy stamp set for the XOXO bumper sticker and lipstick kiss, only

I used elements of the Post Box dies to make the windshield, tires, bumper, etc. The iconic “V” shaped hood design so commonly seen on the vintage VW buses was die cut using the Pocket Full of Love die set. The curve of this die is perfect for this application. I made the luggage rack at the top using a square punch. I added various “bumper stickers” on the van for personality using the sets mentioned above. The LOVE license plate was made using the Love Enclosed set. You can be really creative and personalize your van with these accents!

I used the hinge the comes with the post card box to make it a hinged card that opens. Imagine opening this card and seeing a van load of pups inside! Why didn’t I think of that earlier?!

When I got the van all done, I felt it needed a driver. This cute dog from Puppy Love came to the rescue. 🙂 I added a steering wheel by using a 1-1/4″ and 1″ circle punches. The seats are just rectangles that I rounded the edges on both sides to make them look like car seats.

In case you have not seen this die before, here’s how the die looks when made as a Post Box shaped card. Dies definitely make creating shaped cards a whole lot easier! Imagine the possibilities with this one. This die would be cute as a school bus, too. All we have to do is think outside the box to find new, fun and more ways to use our dies! Thanks for stopping by today! Here’s convenient links to shop the Honey Bee Stamp store and the Bee Mine release.

Want to see more ideas and inspiration from me? Subscribe to my blog, BobbiHartDesign.com. You can also find me on Instagram as @BobbiHartDesign and on Facebook as BobbiHartDesign.

Bobbi Hartmann Lemanski, Bobbi Hart♥ Design, Adding h♥art into every design.

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12 comments

12 responses to “Thinking Outside the Box”

  1. Lisa Byers says:

    I absolutely love this VW!! What imagination!! Love love love it!!! That puppy is adorable!!

    • Bobbi Lemanski says:

      Lisa – I’m so glad you like it. The two ideas came to me one day while walking my dog and I couldn’t wait to try these out. I love how they turned out. Thanks for stopping by today and commenting! Bobbi

  2. Very clever, love these!!

    • Bobbi Lemanski says:

      I loved making them. When the process is as fun as the outcome, you know you are spending your time wisely. 🙂 Thank you, Mirella! Bobbi

  3. Cynthia O. says:

    Very creative! Love them both.

    • Bobbi Lemanski says:

      Thanks, Cynthia! I love when you can make existing dies into new ideas/uses. This one has so many possibilities! Have a great day. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. 🙂 Bobbi

  4. Andre M. says:

    You’ve used the post box die very creatively, great to take this basic shape and customise it for a van and backpack. You’ve nailed the retro vibe on the van, and the backpack look perfect for today’s teenager! Thanks for sharing this inspiration with these fun products.

    • Bobbi Lemanski says:

      Thanks so much, Andre! I appreciate your kind comments. I love finding a new way to use something I already have in my stash like this cool die. Have a great day! I hope you get to craft a bit. ???? Bobbi

  5. Tanya S says:

    Stunned ! Speechless ! Wow ! No words !! ❤️❤️❤️

    • Bobbi Lemanski says:

      Haha! Tanya – You’re so sweet! When I’m having too much fun making something, I think it shows in the finished product. These were delightful to make. Have a wonderful week! Bobbi

  6. Amy Cooley says:

    These projects are just beyond clever!!

    • Bobbi Lemanski says:

      Amy – Thanks so much. They are not hard to make, just really fun! Have a great week. Bobbi

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