Hybrid Project ~ mini candy bar wrappers & gift boxes

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Howdy Folks, it’s Casharina here and I’m happy to be bringing you a little hybrid project.  As you know from my previous post I don’t do a lot of in-depth hybrid projects.  However, I love it any time I can use my Shabby Shoppe digital papers and elements on crafty projects in addition to those that I use for my digital layouts!  Today I’m going to show you a simple way to wrap up mini candy bars that make a big statement.  (I know it’s been done for a while now, but didn’t know how to do it myself until about 2 years ago and they’re such a hit I use them anytime I can!)  I like to use digital papers from various kits to create wrappers that flow with the theme of the parties I’m throwing.  I also LOVE to add a little image of my kiddos and it makes them feel so special.  I go to a Christmas party every year with seven of my dearest friends from high school, to celebrate and reunite.  This year I thought I’d wrap up some little candy bars (who doesn’t love chocolate right?!) in a cute little gift box, being saved from the garbage!  That’s right, I’m recycling a toilet paper roll…and I have to say, they’re pretty darn cute!  Okay, so let’s get started shall we?

First, let’s gather our materials!  For the candy bar wrappers you will need:-

• Mini candy bars (Hershey is what I normally use, be sure to get the “mini” bars not the nuggets – unless you want to edit the sizes to suit!)
• Digital papers of your choice (For this project I have used the ‘Twas the Night kit and the Sugarplum Dreams kit)
• Photo editing software of your choice.  I use Adobe Photoshop CS5 so some steps might be different.
• Scissors
• Tape
• Before we begin, you might need to taste test those little bars to make sure they’re up to standards! ;)

 Directions:-

• Open up your workspace: I usually use a template size of 1.5×3.25 inches for the wrappers.  This is a little bit wider than the wrapper already on the bars, so it ensures a total coverage.

• Next, simply bring your papers into the workspace and resize them to fit the way you’d like them on the template.  Then, you’ll want to crop the whole thing to the size you are working on, in this instance a 1.5×3.25 rectangle.  To do this grab your rectangle tool and draw a large rectangle over the WHOLE rectangle.  Then go to IMAGE and CROP, this will delete the access paper hanging over the edges of the template.
• You can then add any embellishments you choose to the wrapper, as if you were scrapbooking.  For my Christmas ones I chose to have them pretty simple and just alternated the colors of papers to place on the bars.  I did have a few bars that I added flowers to.  Just make sure to keep the embellishment small enough to fit on the center of the chocolate bar.  I normally make one and check it by printing it, placing it on the bar and then keeping it as a guide.  I just hide it each time so that it’s not included in the final design.

• While keeping open your wrapper design, open a new workspace, either: a full page (8.5×11 inches) or standard photo size (4×6 inches) depending on how you choose to print.

PRINTING TIP 1: When I’m only printing a few of these I like to use my photo tray and print on 4×6 paper (I have TONS of this size and it’s just as easy as printing on the other, but it allows me to save my larger paper.)  You may also choose to print on a large sheet of paper by filling it up with rectangle wrappers and then printing.  The third option would be to size them at a size your photo lab can print; this may be cheaper depending on how many wrappers you intend to create.

• You will then go back to the original design and merge all of the layers together. CTRL+E in photoshop, or layers -> merge.  Then you need to highlight the newly merged layer and right click on it to duplicate the layer.  When the dialog box comes up go to the drop down box and find the newly created workspace (the one where you will add each of the designs for printing). This is usually called Untitled #. (I have JUST recently learned this trick and I love it!)
•  Now go over to the new page (either the 4×6/8.5×11) and you’ll find your layer.  You can then move the layer around until it fits in a good spot.  I like to lay mine out edge to edge to save trimming time (I’m not a fan of cutting, and I can’t cut straight to save my life!).

• To create more designs, go back to the wrapper design workspace and start again.  Continue following each of the steps until you have created all of the designs for your wrappers that you wish.  For this project I have created 4 different designs, using various papers from the ‘Twas the Night kit .  You’ll want to add as many as you can to the printing page to save paper, or as few as you may need.  My printer needs to be told to print as “photo paper” so that it will print to the edge, check your printers manual to figure out if and how it works for you.

PRINTING TIP 2: When I do borderless printing, it is common for me to have to shrink my design just a TINY bit in order to prevent the edges from being cut off.  You may want to try that if you find that your designs are bleeding over the edge!

• Once the designs are finished you will then need to trim them. I personally use a paper cutter, which I LOVE and could not live without!!  Seriously I use is almost EVERYDAY for something!  If you don’t have a paper cutter, scissors will do.
• Take a candy bar, wrap it with a wrapper and tape the back shut.  I am picky and try to pull the wrapper VERY tight before I tape it shut to ensure a proper fit.

Are you loving this idea but simply don’t have the time to design your own?  Well, take a quick trip over to the Shoppe and take a peek at all the super-sweet Confection Collections.  Most include candy bar wrappers in varying sizes – just read through the product description to ensure the size/s meet your candy-wrapping requirements. :o)  If you are looking for holiday-themed wrappers you can’t go past the JOY collection (pictured below)!!  And don’t forget the Shabby Shoppe is having a store-wide SALE through to December 16…so that includes the gorgeous Confection Collections too!  After you make your purchase all you need to do then is personalize your choosen wrappers and print!

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As for the toilet paper roll gift boxes, I have to say I think these are so stinkin’ cute!  (And you can always use kitchen paper towel rolls instead – just cut to size)

For this project I chose to use the ‘Twas the Night kit again and I have made one box for each of my friends who will be at the party!  This is probably one of the easiest, fastest items I’ve ever made!

• Take an empty toilet paper roll.  If you measure it around and it’s width it should be RIGHT at 4×6, “YAY” is what thought when I figured this out because it takes all the cutting out of the project if I make 4×6 prints!
• Open a 4×6 template in your photo program and design away. I used various elements from the kit to create a name tag for each of my friends.
• Then simply print out the design and wrap the toilet paper roll.  You can either staple each end after stuffing it with goodies (I’m thinking, lip gloss, chocolate candies, dress up rings for little girls, earrings for adults, the possibilities are endless!!) or wrap cellophane paper around it leaving a little on each side to tie a bit of curling ribbon to, creating a candy like look.

 That’s it!  You’re finished!!  I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and it puts you in the mood for some Christmas Cheer!!  Kylie and Rosy will be here tomorrow with two more festive posts!

CasharinaHybrid Projects, Uncategorized 2 Comments