Template week at Polka Doodles #4, Seed Packet tutorial & a giveaway ;)

Re-edited: OMG!!! My seed packet & tut have been chosen as Top 3 at the Tip Top Tuesday challenge!!! Sooooooo happy!!!!






First of all I wanted to say a big "welcome" and "thank you" to all my new followers! Your support really means a lot to me!


In case you've missed my yesterday's post with my new blog button, you can view it here ;). And I have a new blog header, too! Hope you like it!


Welcome to our new Polka Doodles challenge! This week we are playing with templates - digital and plastic ;).


I've used a seed packet template from Sundae of Seasons CD, the papers are from Sundae of Seasons and the seed packet image hidden at the back is from Not For Girls CD.

The butterflies are from the Fairy Flutterfly Maxine stamp set and the flowers were a free stamp designed by our talented Nikky for the Craft Stamper. All coloured with Inktense pencils. This template is so versatile!

I loved this template so much that I could not just make one packet - I HAD to have a go and make another one lol ;). Here's the front...:

And the view of the back...

Whilst playing with the second seed packet I also thought it would be fun to try my first ever step-by-step crafty tutorial ;) So here it goes but... please be gentle with me - I'm a bit of a tutorial newbie! :D


For this project you will need:
1. Seed packet template from Sundae of Seasons CD
2. Your favourite Polka Doodles papers and images (collections used here are: Sundae of Seasons, Not For Girls and Love & Cherish CDs)
3. Scissors, paper trimmer, paper distresser
4. Favourite adhesives 
5. Tea Dye Distress Ink and a selection of distress stains
6. Blending tool, Mini Mister spray
7. Baker's twine and seem binding 
8. 0.75" and 1" circle punch plus border punch
9. Flowers and embellishments of your choice

Print off and cut out the template of the seed packet from the Sundae of Seasons CD. Trace the template onto the back of your chosen patterned paper and then cut it out. You can also print the template directly onto your chosen paper. I wanted my seed packet to be slightly bigger than the original template, so I enlarged it on my computer first.

Using your scoring board score the paper along all four lines to make the flaps fold neatly. Depending on your preference, you can fold the flaps to form a "vertical" or "horizontal" envelope/packet. 

I've gone for the "vertical" option here ;).

If you like the aged look, distress the edges with the Tea Dye distress ink and a blending tool. Remember to always work in circular motions from your craft mat onto the paper. This will help you get a soft finish without any harsh lines.

Measure the size of the card stock you will be using as a mat for the image against the size of the template. You can use a ruler - although I never do. I just go with my creative flow ;). Lol ;).

Cut out your mat.

Follow the steps as above for the patterned paper, cutting the paper slightly smaller than the cardstock mat.

Distress the edges of the patterned paper (and the cardstock mat if you like) using scissors or paper distresser. Then add some vintage flavour with the Tea Dye DI and the blending tool.

To make the closing buttons/tabs cut 2 circles using 0.75" and 2 circles using 1" circle punch.

Attach your buttons to the seed packet using a couple of eyelets, one on the opening flap and the second one half way down the packet. Do not glue the buttons as you want them to be loose, except for the eyelet centres. 

Now, using your preferred adhesive, glue the packet's flaps in place, leaving one free for the opening. 


Top Tip - do it exactly in this order. I glued the flaps first, then tried to fix the eyelets - not very easy, I can tell you that!

Cut 2 strips of paper, one slightly wider - this will be our mat. The strips should be long enough to wrap around the packet. Finish the wider strip lengthwise with a border punch to add interest. Distress the edges with the distress ink as above.

Adhere all elements in place.

Cut the seam binding to about 30 cm length. Apply your chosen Distress Stains to the seam binding and then quickly spray some water with the mini mister. You will see that the inks will start blending in nicely. If you don't have Distress Stains, you can use distress ink pads instead. 

Whilst the ribbon is still wet, wrinkle it in your hands for a lovely shabby vintage look. Let it dry naturally or if you are just as impatient as I am, you can dry it with a heat gun ;).

Choose your favourite seed packet image from the collage sheet on Not For Girls CD...

30 minutes later.....

... then cut it out ;).

Attach your image and the seam binding ribbon to the front of the packet, then add flowers and embellishments as desired.

Turn the packet over, wrap and tie baker's twine around the closing buttons. Embellish the back as desired. Here I used a lovely butterfly from  the Fairy Flutterfly Maxine stamp set  which was coloured using Inktense pencils.

And your seed packet is ready ;).

To celebrate this new tutorial adventure I will be giving away both seed packets to 2 lucky commenters :). If you'd like me to send my creative spell your way, please leave me a comment below and I will draw the lucky winner this Sunday!


Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for visiting!


Big hugs





Linking to:
Make it Monday #73 - Anything goes
Simon Says Stamp challenge - Anything goes
Top Tip Tuesday #68 - Sketch 1 Layers