Spring Fever and Notebook Mania

One sunny afternoon, I made a bunch of Spring embellishments using a cuttlebug flower die, and some buttons and ribbons. I sat outside on my deck and tied buttons and ribbons (great way to use your scraps and save some $$)! Then, I broke into my stash of 5x8 lined notepads and went to town!

This blue/brown notepad is part of a gift, so I covered a small kraft box with matching DP. The Damask stamp is something I picked up from Paper Source, in Georgetown, when I was visiting my son in DC. I la-la-love that stamp and I can't wait to make some stationary with it.

This blue/green Springy little number is for my sweet sister. Stems are stamped separately, aren't they too cute! I dream in Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery sometimes! But adding Old Olive cardstock to the mix just sends me! Dig that tiny polka dot ribbon too.

This pink/green notepad sparkles - for real! It is covered with My Minds Eye glittery paper, and embellished simply. I am also adding this notepad to a gift ensemble. The ruffled ribbon tuff is actually on elastic, sold by the yard at Archivers. Get thee there - OH so cute! Spend $1.39 and be happy!

I also covered the inside of my notepads with a snippet of matching DP to cover the notebook binding. It was SO FUN to mix and match papers with my ready-made Springy embellishments.

Note: Junior Notepads vary slightly in size. I cut/measured/scored depending on thickness of notebook. The front cover is scored and adhered on the back on the notebook just a few inches below the score line. Then I cut a separate piece of cardstock 5x8 and covered the entire back to make it pretty. If you need help, email me!

It's Just Right!

Another set of monogrammed cards! Gee, I wonder who had a snow day this week and extra creative time? I chose to use designer paper entitled Perfect Day by CTMH, for my perfect snow day project. The colors are g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s. I had no problem finding a matching floral stamp and copics to color-coordinate the envelopes.

This double-sided paper is so stinkin' pretty that I spent more time coordinating which sides to pair up than I did in actual card assembly! Yes, playing with paper is such a difficult task, she said with a sigh. There are three cards without mats (above) and three card with mats (below).

The monograms were stamped using the JustRite Damask Border, and the font is from the JustRite Special Occasions set. I want to share a tip on using Nestabilities to cut and mat a stamped image. Place the die so that your stamped image is centered and simply place a small piece of scotch tape on the edge of the die prior to cutting. Wa-la ... a perfectly centered cut every time. I learned this the hard way, nuff said.

Now, on to the scalloped tag which is actually a mini-card adhered to the front of the stationery box. I learned this technique from Sharon Johnson's blog. The base of the tag opens like a card. Fold your paper just like you do for a card, then position your Nestie onto the the paper making sure that the top portion of the Nestie is OFF the paper. You end up with BASE CARD that has a nice fold. I then stamped and cut a SEPARATE decorative tag using the same size Nestie, which then fit perfectly on top of the card base.

My separate tag top is stamped using the JustRite Harmony Classic Circle Stamper III set. This is a big mamma stamp (3 1/4") and somewhat difficult to get a clean stamp with no messed up edges. Thus, my sister & I held a teleconference meeting to discuss every possible solution. {We do this a lot, and sometimes she lets me call the meeting to order.} The result? Place a soft push pad under your paper before stamping. I also learned to eliminate the unwanted inked edges by running a kleenex around the wood base after inking. Meetings really can be productive! I was happy with my separate tag top! So ultimately the card base went from looking plain ....

... to this! I will write a personalized message inside the scallop note card to my friend. Something like, "Hello dear friend of mine. "

So this picture shows how the stationery box looks with the scalloped tag/card attached. Detailed instructions for the box can be found here. Once you make this box, you'll find a gazillion reasons to make it again! And now for the big finale ...

My BIG HAPPY CREATIVE MESS! Snow days are JustRite!

Teal & Brown is so Downtown!

Tell me, is there any color that doesn't compliment SU Chocolate Brown? I think not! This set uses Sky Blue (my fav) and Bayou Blue designer papers. This time, I used my brand spanking new JustRite Damask Borders and added some beeeeutiful pearls to the design. I love the way this turned out! Elegant times two!

This picture shows the simple box that holds this set of six cards. The box directions can be found here. As I was making the card fronts, I simply made an extra one and used it for the box top.

Notice the matching envelope? When my friend, Tina, receives her gift set she will think I cared enough to send the very best! I think the Vine Border stamp (Hero Arts Clear) is a perfect compliment to these designer papers. All I did was add a touch of copic marker in two matching shades. I know that I've been "gift set" giddy the last few posts. Well, saddle up gang, because I've got a few more sets in mind! But Holy Moly, aren't they the berries!

Monogram Gift Set

I am starting out the New Year with a really fun set of monogramed cards to give a friend that I have not seen in over 10 years! Everyone on the planet is using JustRite Stampers these days, and their Special Occasions Font is perfect for a personalized gift set. I intentionally stayed with minimal embellishments and used beautiful DP, which made this easy to mass produce. I also included a simple box, tied with a ribbon, to make the set extra special. There are six cards in the set.

The first three cards are matted with brown on a cream base. Each card is slightly different. I used a 2 inch strip of DP on each, and just positioned it differently on each card. A thin strip of brown cardstock separates the DP, and although it's hard to see, each card has 3 mini-pearls on the corner. I love that look!

The next three cards have no mats. The DP is adhered to to a cream base. I think I like these even better than the first three cards, and it was a lot less work! Even though they are simple, I think they are very pretty. The monogram is stamped and matted, using circle & scallop punches, then pop-dotted for a little depth.

This picture shows the simple box that holds my cards, embellished with a scalloped medallion and tied with a bow. It would easily hold more than 6 cards, especially if they were flat. All you do it untie the ribbon and lift off the box top. The ribbon and medallion is adhered to the box top so when the box is opened, the ribbon stays attached. Take a look at the box when open!

See what a perfect fit? Lastly, here are the instructions for the simple box. You only need 2 sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock. I used my scor-pal and it was easy peasy! Here's the measurements:

Cut box base 8 3/8 x 7, score all 4 sides at 1 1/4.

Cut box top 8 1/2 x 7 1/8, score all 4 sides at 1 1/4.

Once scored, fold on all score lines, cut slits on all 4 corners, fold in and secure with double sided tape. If you are going to add DP to your box top, do it before you fold and secure - it's just so much easier!

I can't tell you how much fun it is to make Monogrammed Gift Sets!

Snowbunny Bella for Thinking Inking's B-day

Debbie Olson, over at Thinking Inking is having a birthday today! And this is my virtual "gift" to her for inspiring me to purchase my first Bella! You can see Debbie's Snowbunny Bella here, which sent me and my plastic to the Bella Store! I want to wish Debbie a very Happy Birthday and thank her for graciously sharing her time and talents.

I made my Snowbunny Bella to share with my Atlanta card swap group, and I'm pretty sure they enjoyed the little cutie! I used my Scor-Pal to emboss a frame around the stamped and copic-colored Bella, with Soft Sky cardstock as a mat. Debbie often uses her copic airbrush system to highlight her stamped images {which is something that is on my wish list} so I was able to get a similar effect by masking Bella and using a sponge dauber to highlight with Soft Sky ink. And I love the fur effect on Bella by using liquide applique. See how creative juices flow when you read Debbie's blog word-for-word? Try it! And wish her a happy birthday today!