Oct 16, 2013

3D Owl Party Favor Treat Box

Peek-a-boo! Here is a 3D version of my owl box, suitable for digital die cutters.

Ever since I made my first ATC, I've been wanting to make a practical, useful version.



I usually cut the pupil and iris out of card stock, then the lashes from paper. This makes it easy to fluff up the lashes against a stiff circle. For this example I chose to cut the iris and reflective shine from vinyl.

If you have difficulty lining up vinyl, here's what I do. After weeding out the unwanted vinyl, I peel back the wax and cut some off, leaving part of the adhesive exposed. I hold the vinyl (waxed area) and paper against the light. This lets you see all the layers to center the circles. Once you like the placement, press the sticky area and remove the remaining wax - and voilĂ , centered circles!

My 3D owl box is now available in my shop. Hope you have a hoot making these!


Bonus owl box designs!

I have been having so much fun with my owl boxes that I can't stop making new colors.

The first blue/green color choice was inspired by my nephews. This bonus pink/orange version has now been added to the Etsy listing.

I couldn't leave my grey Halloween owl alone, so have paired him with the classic snowy white owl, like Hedwig from Harry Potter.

You can type whatever message is needed on the back to customize it for your party. I designed this pattern to be easily cuttable by hand, but for those who prefer a cutting file version, it's coming soon!

Oct 9, 2013

Halloween Owl Box (printable and editable PDF)


I've been thrilled with the feedback on my various Halloween party favor boxes and wondered how my owl would fare as a gift box for fright-night.

I found some fun tricks (glow in the dark bat, tattoos, erasers, and springing toy) at Walmart and it wouldn't all fit in my other boxes, but they fit just fine in this one with room to spare.


Just like my previous owl box, you can type whatever you like on the back of this editable PDF. It's now available in my Etsy store - thanks so much for looking!

I created this owl box for readers who don't have a digital cutter because I had requests for it after my first ATC card. However the tiny cuts are quite challenging to do by hand, so this box is a compromise. Happy haunting, everyone!


Oct 6, 2013

FREE Printable Snowflake and Candy Cane Party Favor Treat Box


I'm thrilled about the response I've been receiving from my free Halloween Ghost Party Favor pattern so of course I had to follow it up with a Christmas version! In this case, two patterns!



I'll repeat the steps here so you don't have to go back and forth:



1) After printing the file in color, you will need also need scissors, 1/8" hole punch, double-sided tape, and about 6 inches of 1/8" width ribbon.

2) Flip over the sheet (left to right). Place double-sided tape along the left edge and along the top right as shown by the arrows. Remove a small portion of the wax along the left and fold it down (do not remove all the wax yet).

3) Keeping your fingers on the waxed portion, roll the sheet into a tube, overlapping the gray diagonal lines. When it's aligned and straight, press the exposed adhesive. Gently pull more wax off, then press to adhere. Repeat until you have a completed tube.

4) Remove all the wax from the end of the tube.


5) Guided by the small gray line, pinch the top end closed.

6) Guided by the two small gray lines at the bottom end, pinch closed, then fold the end over toward the back. Unfold and fill with treats.

7) Punch a hole in the bottom middle. Fold your ribbon in half and thread it through partway. Take the ribbon ends and thread it through the folded ribbon, then pull until taut.

8) You're ready for a merry party!

Download my Printable Snowflake Party Favor PDF

If you'd like to make your own for a wedding or other occasion, I have a template and examples in a previous DIY post: http://paperzen.blogspot.ca/2011/01/diy-party-favor.html

I also  have 4 more patterns (elf, Santa, Frosty, and tree) in my shop.

Oct 2, 2013

Printable Owl Party Favor Box



Earlier this year I made an owl for a meet up group and enjoyed the enthusiasm that followed. I realize not everyone has a digital die cutter, so I kept it in the back of my mind to make a hand cuttable version that more could enjoy making themselves.




I love how a simple curve makes a classic pillow box puff out and knew I wanted to make that to form the ears, but wanted to make a flat bottom for stability. The stash can be accessed either from the top or bottom.



The simple wings gently curled, then glued to the shoulders and everything prints on a sheet of 8.5x11 inch 65lb card stock.



Of course, the ultimate party favor is one that is customizable. There's lots of space on the back for that and it'll show up purple and in this whimsical font.


I prefer using a dried up pen for scoring because I enjoy the precise ball bearing rolling along my surface, creating a fine line. I also prefer double-sided tape over glue because it's quick to set the tab, but I'll use the glue stick when adhering the wings so I can still adjust as I go.

I hope this printable owl gives you a hoot! You can find it my shop.