Avant-Garden, 2017 Sale-a-Brations, Notebooks, Weekend Project

I don't make these notebooks as often as I use to. I do make up a bunch with other images on them for the fall craft fairs and they always sell out. I "bill them" as a stocking stuffer  and they go like hotcakes!  They are practical and useful. A perfect stocking stuffer for females!!  I need to find some little kid images and make some for children too.  I suppose I could use the "Pretty Kitty" or "Barnyard Babies" sets that I have to make them for children.  As long as the image fits in the 2" x 2" white area.  I will look into that this weekend.

So, onto these notebooks.  I used Watermelon Wonder for my color.  I used a piece of cardstock for the front of the notebook and a 2" x 2" square of Whisper White to decorate the front.  I stamped the flower using Watermelon Wonder ink and Chocolate Chip ink for the center of the flower.  I used Pear Pizzazz for the leaves, some stamped directly from the ink pad and some with out inking the image up again. It gives it more color and some depth.  The "notes" is from a stamp I had made many years ago.  It keeps on stamping!!!

I use the Rubi Coil machine to punch my paper and to punch the cover and backing.  The backing I use is the cardboard found in the decorative papers.  I have a lot of it on hand!!  

I use to sell these in the web store (undecorated), just the cover but with the colors changing so much I couldn't keep up with the added work.  But if you are interested in them, you can email me.  My email address is located in the right side bar where it reads "Got a Question".  Click on that and you will see my email.  I don't like to put it in my posts, hackers can get at it pretty easy there. So I play on the cautionary side.  

These are fun gifts to give out.  The are also a fun make n take that really help promote the sale of a stamp set.  I love giving them as gifts.  Such a fun thing to give away.  I do wrap them in a clear cellophane when giving them as a gift or selling them at craft fairs.  I leave one open at the craft fair so people can see that it's just copier paper cut up for the inside.  

I have a link to my other notebooks.  Click here. Some are larger size ones, some are altered notebooks and in the mix you will see the smaller ones.  They measure 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" plus a little height on top from the spirals.  

I LOVE making these.  You may see more in the near future.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

An English Garden Notebook Weekend Project

I was in need of a notebook and with the stuff I have in my workroom, I just hate the thought of purchasing one.  So I got out my "stuff" and began making one.  

First I cut my inside paper.  I have some paper that was used in the old dot matrix printers.  I cut away the edges and used what is left.  I cut my inside pieces 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".  That way I not only have a nice size notebook but I can also use a card front if I have one or I can just make a new one!  Here I used the "English Garden" decorative paper.  I layered it with Soft Suede, Delightful Dijon, and Mossy Meadow.

The words are from a stamp I had made for me MANY years ago.  I have used it SO much and I think it will last a lifetime!!!  I hope it will anyway, I do make a lot of notebooks.  Especially mini ones that I sell at craft fairs.  I'll be making some up in the next few weeks and I'll be sharing them with you on here.

Oh, I almost forgot.  For the holes, I used the Rubi Coil machine.  It's a 4:1 machine.  That means it punches 4 holes per inch.  You need to purchase coils that are 4:1 too or you won't be able to bind your notebooks. I punch the holes in my paper and then I take the front and back of my notebook and punch them together. For the back of my notebook I used a piece of shirt board (cereal box thickness) that is white on one side.  I like the white side on the outside.  It gives the notebook a more clean and professional look.  I just remembered, I need to make a notebook for a friend so I will be making another notebook with in the next few weeks.    

These are fun to make though I do with I could just punch up a bunch of the inside paper and have it ready for me so I can make notebooks quicker!!!  I always tell myself that I should just cut and punch a few pages a day and when I'm ready I can just put notebooks together.  That last for about one time!!! LOL  Well, that's about it for this post!  Happy Stamping to you!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Garden in Bloom Mini Notebooks

Aren't these cute?  I used the "Garden in Bloom" stamp set to make them.  Plus I used the newest "In Colors". 

These little notebooks measure 2-1/2" x 2-1/2".  I have a Rubi Coil machine that punches the  holes 4:1, which means there's 4 holes per inch.  I have lots of coils at home so when I was shopping for a machine, I had to make sure I got the one with the right pitch or all of those coils would be worthless. I often save my copier paper that was only printed on part of it.  As long as there's 2-1/2" left, I cut it up and set it aside for notebooks.  It's fun to make these little notebooks. I often sell them at the craft fairs.  People LOVE buying stocking stuffers.   

The colors I used here are Watermelon Wonder, Mint Macaron, and Delightful Dijon.  On the Watermelon Wonder I also used Calypso Coral behind the butterfly.  On the Mint Macaron one I used Smoky Slate.  And on the Delightful Dijon I used Hello Honey.  

I went to the Color Lab and entered in one of the new In Colors and had the site find a color that would compliment it.  I got lazy and didn't want to rifle through the card stock to see what would match.  This is a free site to use to coordinate your colors.  I had not used the site in a while, mostly because I can usually figure out the colors myself.  Plus they had included in the list all the retired colors.  Now there is a drop down menu for just the current colors or you can pick by color group, or all colors including retired.  I like that site SO much better now that they separated the colors like that.  I will probably use it more now.  If you are not familiar with it, go to the link at the beginning of this paragraph and check it out.  I think it will be come your new coordinating buddy!!!

You can also see some cute snowman ones I did a few years back.  I always sell out of them at the craft fairs.  Click here to see the snowman notebooks.

These make great Hostess Appreciation gifts, Customer Appreciation gifts and of course, stocking stuffers!!

I use to sell the notebooks but that was before I had a million other things do to, but if you REALLY must have some, you can contact me.  Look to the right sidebar and find the icon that reads "Got a Question". My email address is found there.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Bloom with Hope Notebook Weekend Project

When I have scraps of copier paper I cut them into 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" squares and set them aside until I have enough to make a notebook.  I know, talk about being frugal!!!  I love making these notebooks. I've been making them for many years.  I always end up with a bunch to just sell off at the craft fair.  It's a fun way to make a little money out of scraps.  I also make a lot of them to give away too!

I ran across this flower in my big mess on the counter behind my worktable.  I'm SO glad it's behind my back because I would hate to look at it day after day!!! It's such a mess!!!  I need to spend a little time and clean up that whole counter.

Anyway, back to my fun project.  I don't remember when I had stamped and colored in this flower but it was fun to find it and use it so quickly!  I punched the image to 1-1/4" and I punched the Hello Honey card stock layer at 1-3/8".  I glued the layers together because these notebooks end up in purses and the tape might not hold.

I have a RubiCoil binding machine. I've had this machine for about 15 years now!!! It's been a good machine. The spring did break in it and I called and ordered new ones and replaced both of them at the same time.  I have made TONS of notebooks and cookbooks with this machine and it's paid for itself a long time ago!!!  Once I punch the copier paper and the front and back cover, I run the coil through the holes and turn the ends so it stays in place.  The back cover is usually made using a piece of shirt board.  I use to use card stock but it didn't make sense.  Why use the colored card stock on the back when I had all of this shirt board.  It's the thickness of a cereal box and makes the notebook feel more firm.  

These are great little sellers at the craft fairs.  This one probably won't make it to the craft fair, I have someone in mind for it!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Flowering Flourishes and Work of Art Notebook Weekend Project

Today I was thinking about whipping up some notebooks for the fall craft fair but I was not sure what to put on the cover.  Then I remembered this card I made a couple of weeks back.  You can see it here. 

I just redid as a card front.  My notebook actually measures 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".  I have a Rubi Coil punch machine, and I have a bunch of coils.  I don't have the coiling machine.  The last time I checked (a few years ago) it was around $500. I figured for that much money I can just rent a movie and coil them by hand and come out ahead!!!  Plus it's electric so it would also cost money for the electricity.  I'd rather spend the electricity on a movie!!!  Anyway, with all of that sane math aside, I just put the coils on by hand.  It goes quick and I have yet to complain about it, so it must be an ok thing to do!!!  LOL

I have a few more to make but I think I will trim the left side of the white a little so the white doesn't get punched when I do the front and back covers together.  It looks ok, but I think it would look better if the white didn't get punched.  

I have been making notebooks for years and LOVE it!  I use to sell the blanks but I didn't always have enough card stock on hand to fill all of the orders.  Plus now with postage/shipping being so much higher, it would cost a lot to ship all of that heavy paper.  But it was a fun little business while it lasted.

I need to finish up the remaining notebooks and get them bagged up for the craft fair.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Mixed Bouquet Altered Notebook Weekend Project

 Isn't it funny that anything you cover with whatever material is now called an altered item?  You slap a ribbon on a jar and it's an altered jar!!!  It just made me laugh when I read the word "altered" as I typed it.  Anyway, I bought a notebook at Michael's when they had them on sale.  I wan't all that fond of the cover (and I should have taken a before photo for you but I forgot) so I just figured I would cover it with some pretty papers so I could stand to look at the thing!  LOL

I used the Crisp Cantaloupe decorative paper to cover the outside.  Then I too the Mixed Bouquet stamp set and punch and stamped a flower using the Crisp Cantaloupe ink.  I punched out two more flowers out of scrap card stock.  I glued all three together with white glue and I set them aside to dry.  I did set something heavy on them so they would dry flat.  I used three flowers because I wanted that flower to be firm.  I knew I would be grabbing it to open up the top flap of the book.  I wanted to make sure I had something there that wouldn't rip.  Using white glue (when dry) makes the piece feel more like cardboard than card stock.  It has a nice firm feel to it.  The flap has a magnetic closure.  You can see the round piece on the cover in the second photo.  That's the magnet.  I just used my craft knife to cut around it after I glued the decorative paper to the outside.

Once they were dry I glued the flower in place in the center of the flap.  I added some pearls to the center of the flower and that was it.  

Now I'm happy with the notebook and I don't have any issues looking at it!!! LOL   And now I think it's too cute to use!!!  UGH!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Gorgeous Grunge Notebook Weekend Project

Here's a fun weekend project.  I took a small 2-1/4" x 4" notebook that I had gotten at Oriental Trading a long time ago and I thought I would dress up the front of it. 

I took a piece of Whisper White and stamped the drops of liquid image on it.  Then I stamped some Daffodil Delight dots all over it and finally I stamped the grid from "Off the Grid". I used VersaMark to stamp it and then I embossed it using gold embossing powder.  

Next I mixed up some Tempting Turquoise and rubbing alcohol and sprayed a little of it on the paper.  While that was drying I took out my Washi tape and decided what colors I was going to use and cut a very thin strip of Tempting Turquoise card stock.  I got out my candy dots and I was ready to add the tape.  I wanted to give the card stock a little time for the alcohol to evaporate. 

I stamped the word "notes" on the top corner.  It was from a stamp I had made via Stampin' Up! a few years ago.  Next I taped the piece on top of the notebook.  Then I added the tape and the turquoise strip and then the dots.  The dots did not want to stick to the tape so I used Crystal Effects to set them in place.  

For the final touch I added the yellow gingham Washi tape to the spine of the notebook.  It was exactly what the notebook needed.  It was finished!  SO simple and so quick too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Just Believe Notes Weekend Project

I have made a number of these fun notebooks in the years.  I found the pattern at Capture the Moment.  You can click here for a link to the directions.  

I had a scrap of decorative paper the "Print Poetry" paper pack.  I know I won't get through that pack using scraps!!! LOL  But at least the scrap piece is gone now.  Once again I find that I should have put a layer behind the image. And I'm thinking that I should have used Very Vanilla card stock instead of the Whisper White. But I had run across this notebook and it just needed decorating.  I don't even remember making it or putting it away!  But that doesn't surprise me! LOL  Anyway, the pencil was already wrapped in white paper so I had to go with white.

You can get a good deal on scratch pads at Office Depot, Office Max or Staples.  You just have to shop around.  Sometimes you can go to your local printer and see if they have any for sale too.  I had bought a TON of them a long time ago so I just slowly pick away at the stash.  One of these days I'm hoping to find that I am in need of shopping for more.  But with the amount I have on hand right now and how quickly I am not using them I don't see myself buying anymore for a VERY long time.

These notebooks are very fun to make.  Now I did alter mine a bit from the original pattern.  I made mine shorter because of the size of the scratch pad.  It's extremely easy to adjust the pattern to what size notepads you have.  I also cut my pencil down too. We have a band saw so I just took it out there and cut it off.  You can take a craft knife and mark your length and then just roll the craft knife across the pencil and apply some pressure and when the cut gets about half way through or a bit more, you can snap the pencil on that cut line.  Just sand the end and now you have safely cut a short pencil.  Or you can try to find some short ones at the dollar store!  How ever you make these, they all turn out cute.  I just like the idea of having a pencil holder along with my notepad!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Day Planner Weekend Project

I thought I should start the year off right with a new Day Planner. I surfed the net to find some free pages that I liked.  I found so many of them that were 8-1/2" x 11" but I didn't want a planner that big.  I guess I was looking for one half that size so I could lose it easier!!!  LOL  My workroom is such a mess and I do misplace things a lot.  I'm hoping to get it cleaned up this coming weekend.  I have no other big plans!

After surfing the net and finding a page layout that I liked I printed them out.  It only took 26 pieces of copier paper because I printed it on both sides (just like a real day planner!!!).  Though I did use only 20# paper.  It did work but 28# or 30# is much nicer.  It's got some substance to it and you can't see the writing from the previous page.  But it's ok, this will do the job I have in mind for it.

I wasn't sure where I was going to go with the cover.  I used the Summer Silhouettes set.  I was going to use the card that was on that same page for my cover but it didn't really work.  The card is smaller than the front of my book so this is what I ended up with.  The catalog I am referring to is the Stampin' Up! 2012-2013 one.  

I stamped the images and then added the layers of decorative paper.  This paper came from the Summer Smooches pack.  I'm not overly fond of how the bottom part of the planner and again, it's ok, it will do the job!!

To make the planner you will need to print out the pages.  Here is the link to where I got the free pages to download and print out.  Once I got the 26 pages printed on both sides I cut them in half.  Then I punched the holes in them with my RubiCoil machine.  You can always take them to an office store such as Office Max, Office Depot or Kinko's, or maybe your local printer and have the holes punched.   Be sure to bring the cover pages with you too.  I also cut a sheet of copier paper in half so I could add one to the front of the book and one to the back.  You can always use a paper punch and bind the book together with twine or rings.  There's lots of ways to bind a book!  Once the pages were punched I ran the spiral through them and bent the edges to hold it in place.  Then I proceeded to decorate the front and that was it!! Now I have no excuse to not get the things done I need to.  Well, they will be written down at least.  Getting them done is a whole different story!!! LOL

Have fun making these.  Please be sure to check the copyrights on the pages if you plan to make these to sell. The pages were made by someone and they may have rules to them beyond personal use.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Mini Notebooks

Today I was working on some mini notebooks for the fall craft fair.  Which is 8 days away!  YIKES!!  I'm not ready.  I'm NEVER ready!  When I get home from work I'm going to finish up the pile of notebooks I have to do and Saturday I'm going to be working on clay.  I'll be sure to show you what I'm making!

These little notebooks are perfect stocking stuffers.  They measure 2-1/2" x 2-1/2".  The fit in the purse or car nicely.  They don't take up a lot of space either!!  These are usually a big hit at craft fairs.  The only bad thing is, you have to make a ton of them to see the bucks!!! LOL  But I almost always sell out of these so I'm hoping this year is the same!  Wish me luck on them.  If there happens to be any left I'll put them in my web store at a great price!!  

I get a questions about these notebooks so I thought I would answer them here for you.  The notebooks are constructed of card stock on the outside and copier paper on the inside.  I have a RubiCoil machine that punches the holes and I add the coils by hand (that machine costs WAY too much).  I stamp images or use stickers or whatever I find that looks good on the front and go with it!  And I never discuss what I charge for them or anything else I make for craft fairs.  What one item priced at one craft fair doesn't always sell for that at another craft fair.  You need to know what the market value in your area is and price your items accordingly.  

So I'm off to punch more copier paper.  I have stacks of it in my workroom.  Every time I have scraps I cut them in 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" and set them aside.  I wish I would have punched all the piles I made, it would have made tonight's batch go a lot quicker!!!  Live and learn.  I just wish I would remember the "learn" part!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Serene Silhouettes Notebooks Weekend Project

As I was looking at the Serene Silhouettes set and thinking about my challenge of using every image in the set I figured this circle one might be the one that will cause me trouble.  I was going to use one of the other images to make a card, because that was the easiest thing to do.  I looked again at the circle image and decided to take on the challenge now and make something with it.  But what?  I thought it would look cute in the center of my little 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" notebooks.  I had just cut some inside filler pieces, punched them and set them aside.  Why not use them now too?  So the plan was set in motion.  Picking the colors was the next challenge but not too difficult.  I SO love the Cherry Cobbler color.  It reminds me of the Bravo Burgundy but not quite as deep.  And what to go with it. Well, why not the Midnight Muse card stock.  I have a couple variety packs and more and it's best to use them.  I look at the retired colors I have that I hardly used.  I'm sure they will be used for some notebooks coming up (that probably won't get posted on here) but they will get used.  I am going to try harder to use my papers, including the decorative papers more.  Why do you buy them if you don't use them???  Silly me!  But I do know I need to get some current ribbons.

I got some new watercolor crayons too.  It's always nice to have a new box of crayons, isn't it? Mine had an accident.  There was this open container of watercolor crayons, a cup of coffee and a cat.  Watercolor crayons and coffee do not mix well.  This happened when I had left for a few hours and when I got home it was too late for the crayons.  Those things can absorb a lot of liquid!  Maybe had it been water I might have been able to leave them sit and hope they dry out.  But coffee, nope.  There was no hope!! So now these things are guarded and coffee in my workroom now has covers!!  Helpful rules to live by!  

Anyway, these notebooks will be put in a container with the rest of the finished ones for the fall craft fair.  If you make things like this to see you do need to put the Stampin' Up! copyright stamp on the back.  It's their rules and ya gotta follow them!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Fitting Occasion Notebook Weekend Project

I made this notebook myself but you can find one an alter it to make it work for you as well.  

After I assembled my notebook (punching the holes and adding the coil) I began my decorating.  First I used the Color Spritzer tool and a black marker on the Real Red card stock.  Then I took some Frost White Shimmer paint and put it in a mister bottle with some water and then sprayed over the black dots on the paper.  I used the embossing tool to heat set the color and speed up the drying time.

Next I took a piece of Very Vanilla card stock and stamped the ladybug from the A Fitting Occasion set. I used black StazOn and then I colored in the ladybugs using the Real Red marker.  I cut a piece of Basic Black card stock for the layer behind the vanilla piece. Before I set them in place on the notebook I added a metal washer between the layers and the cover of the notebooks.  I set a weighted item on top of the notebook to help get the layers set in place.  

While that was setting up I took a piece of Real Red card stock and cut it for the flap. I cut two pieces and I also rounded the corners.  Then I glued the two pieces together with a button magnet between them.  Once they were set up I used the Color Spritzer tool to give the piece a bit of color.  I set the strip on top of the notebook just where I thought the washer was.  It found the washer all on it's own.  Then I folded the strip over the edges of the notebook.  I took the strip off the top and then used a bone folder to make the folds more crisp.  Next I glued that strip between the back cover and a layer on the inside of the back cover.  

For the finishing touches I tied on a piece of black polka dot ribbon that I had laying around.  I need to use up some of my ribbons!!  And then I punched out a ladybug and glued it to a 1" black circle I punched out and set it in place on top of the strip.  That's it.  It's not all that difficult to make a magnetic closure notebook!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Best of Everything Notebook Weekend Project

Well, these were extremely fun to make!  They are altered notebooks.  They open like a matchbook.  Click here to see another one I made a while back.  There is a photo there of one open.  

I just printed out my background paper from the Floral District download.  I'm hoping I got the size of the paper right.  I should order a package of the paper and compare it.  That way I will know in the future if what I'm doing in the program I'm using is correct!  I wish the paper would load up on the My Digital Studio to the exact size.  But it doesn't so it has to be played with until it's close.  Dragging it across the screen and trying to keep it even on both edges is difficult to do.  

Anyway, I like the paper here and I thought it would be SO pretty on these matchbook notebooks.  Click on the photo for a closer view.

I had used some retired 1/4" grosgrain ribbon because I didn't have any current ribbon.  I have a ton of ribbon to use up and I'm sure you demonstrators will just find something that is current to substitute with if you are planning on making something like these. 

I got my notebooks at The Dollar Tree.  They have lots of fun notebooks and booklets to alter.  I try to stay away from that section of the store when I go in there.  

The set I used here is "Best of Everything."  I have had a lot of fun with this set and would like to use every image in it before it retires!

I am going to wrap these up in clear cellophane wrap, price them and box them up for the fall craft fair.  If you plan on selling the things you make using Stampin' Up! products be sure to use the copyright stamp on the back of your work.  It's their policy.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Blooming with Kindness Book Weekend Project

You know me and notebooks.  I just LOVE them. I love to buy them, make them and alter them!  What better way to alter a notebook than to do it with decorative papers and stamps?

Here I actually altered the notebook, though I have made notebooks like this in the past.  It is easy enough to do too.  You sort of follow the directions I did for the Post-it holder.  When you cut your cardboard for the front and back you will need to make a 3/4" strip and add the toothpick between the cardboards before you tape or glue the decorative paper in place.  You need to decide what size you want the inside papers to be and go from there.  Make sure you cut the cardboard 1/4" longer and 1/4" wider on the front and back.  This is the left side strip where the notebook will fold open.  Without it your notebook will open funny and the fold will probably be crooked.  

I glued the decorative paper in place using a glue stick.  I bent the fold right away before the glue set 100%.  I wrapped and glued the paper around the back side of the cardboard.  I trimmed the corners before folding them in.  

You will need to punch your holes in the front, back and on the pages for the inside so they all line up together.  I tied my pages to the covers using white Baker's Twine.  I also glued the front and back page of my papers to the inside cover.  It made it look more like a book doing that.

Then I decorated the front using the Blooming with Kindness stamp set.  The "notes" came from a personal stamp I had made for me a number of years ago.  I sure do get a LOT of use out of that stamp!  Probably because I make a LOT of notebooks!  LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Fabulous Florets To Do List Notebook Weekend Project

This is not one of the little projects I've been working on.  It came from a much bigger project I'm working on.  The big project is cleaning up the den.  I've hoarded it out and I'm slowly cleaning it up.  I have several totes and a few boxes of stuff to go through and I can claim the room back!!!  I kept piling stuff on the couch and chairs and it just got out of hand.  So it was time to clean it all up but it's a slow process since it's something I'm not interested in nor am enjoying what I'm doing!! But it's getting done and that's the main thing.

So onto this post!  While I was going through one of the totes  I ran across two stacks of printed, cut and punched "To Do" lists.  I thought I should put them together and decorate them up so that is what I did this evening.  

I used the Fabulous Florets stamp set on the front.  The Regal Rose flower is set in place using Dimensionals.  The other two flowers were stamped in Pretty in Pink and then cut out.  

The words are from a personal stamp I had made many years back.  I LOVE making "To Do" lists and having a stamp with those words on it was a must for me!! It comes in handy when you run across stacks of "To Do" lists!!

These are a nice size too.  They are 8.5" long and a bit over 3" wide.  They are a third of the 11" side of the paper.  I remember getting 3 pages per sheet of copier paper.  I cut it in thirds and of course it didn't work out exactly right so there was one that was just a little bit bigger but it was easy enough to work with.  I just made sure I set it aside so I would get the paper size accurate for the front and back.  

I'm going to pack these up with the other craft fair stuff I've been running across and also creating as I go! 

Ok, I'm off to clean up a little more in the den.  Still NOT with any enthusiasm!  Only determination! 

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Bright Blossoms on Notes Weekend Project

 The title of the post sounds like it should read, "Notes on Bright Blossoms" but in fact it is correct.  The Bright Blossoms was done on top of a note pad!

While cleaning in our den (it's such a mess from be dumping stuff in there for so long) and I ran across a few notebooks that hadn't been boxed up with the other ones.  I had bought them for a project that has gone by the wayside now.  SO I will redecorate them for the fall craft fair and for stocking stuffers. These make such wonderful gifts.     

The bottom photo is of the original note holder.  The top flips up and then you flip down the bottom piece and you can write on the tablet that is inside.  

I just took that note holder and covered it with the Summer Smooches Designer Paper.  I cut away the excess on the front.  I wasn't going to measure it exactly. I just got the paper taped to the cover and then trimmed away the excess.  SO much easier than measuring and hoping you got it on straight.  

I cut some Pacific Point card stock to fit the top of the front flap. I layered it using Daffodil Delight and Whisper White card stock. I was going to use Very Vanilla but the colors got washed away so I went with the white.  

I then took one of the images in the set (this was my favorite today) and I colored it in with markers.  I huffed on it and then stamped the image on the piece of white I had cut.  I taped it in place and the notebook was now redecorated.  

I will probably add some red ribbon (when I order more) at the bottom, it does need something there.  And maybe next time I will add two designs of decorative paper to give it a bit more of a punch!  But I still like the looks of it as it is with the fun yellow circles!!

You can redecorate any notebook with the right paper and stamps!  And sometimes you don't even need to use stamps on it!  Just let your imagination run, but not too wild!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Notes on Faith in Nature

I still have a big pile of 2.5" x 2.5" pieces of copier paper all punched and ready for notebooks.  Today I thought I would use the leaf from Faith in Nature.  That was a very fun and beautiful Hostess set I had gotten.  I mostly got it because I loved the pear image in the set.  Have you ever done that?  Got a set just for one image?  I still do if it involves a snowman!!! LOL

I am working on getting my stash of 2.5" x 2.5" notebooks built up for the fall craft fair.  They are a great money maker plus they draw shoppers to the booth because they make great stocking stuffers.  Once I get my holiday stamps and start using them I will be making more Christmas and winter notebooks.  Those seem to sell the best. Probably because they are being used for stocking stuffers!!!

These notebooks were pretty easy to make too.  I just cut a piece of Wild Wasabi card stock 2" x 2" and the white card stock 1-7/8" x 1-7/8".  I stamped on the small white piece using VersaMark.  Then I embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I sponged the color over the embossed image and this is what you get.  It's soft, subtle and pretty too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Notebooks Weekend Project

I'm working on getting my notebook stash built back up for the fall craft fair.  I just noticed that I have a shoe box size tote full of scrap card stock.  Most of my notebooks measure 2.5" x 2.5" so I can make quite a few with the scrap that builds up during the year.

These two notebooks measure 3" x 4".  Often I end up with excess copier paper and I will normally cut it 2.5" x 2.5" and sometimes there are odd sizes left and I will cut them a bit larger.  There's always some image that I would like to add to a notebook front.  And in this case that is what I did.

I SO love the Fabulous Florets set. I'm not all that fond of cutting out the images but will do it now and then.  The notebook in the back was made using the Fabulous Florets set.  The blue notebook was done using an Inkadinkado set I ran across in my carousel of hanging stamp sets.  I have a TON of stamp sets on that thing and I hardly use them.  As I was paging through the sets looking for something that had to do with graduation I saw this set and pulled it out.  This set is called Boxed Wishes.  There's 5 other images in the set and the next time I make notebooks this size I will probably head for that set.  Well, unless I find something new in the Stamping Up! sets I'm gong to get that will fit in that space!

I love making notebooks.  When I get caught up on things I may make blanks again for the web store.  Though I'm not sure there is much of an interest in them anymore.  I use to take orders for them and the covers were in any Stampin' Up! color but I got overwhelmed with orders and when there was a lull in the sales I quite offering them.  I LOVE the little 2.5" x 2.5" notebooks.  I use to use them for workshop gifts.  Anyway, I will be working on more of them soon.

Edited: Fabulous Florets replaced Field Flowers, an error in what stamp set was used.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Aviary Notebook

My post for today is a fun notebook.  It started out as a card but as I began putting it together it started looking more and more like a notebook to me instead of a card. 

The pretty decorative papers used here is from the Spice Cake pack.  I cut each strip 1" wide and the longest I cut at 3" and the rest are cut a 1/2" less than the one before it.  

I used the die cut for the tag.  I stamped the bird, cage and stand using the "Aviary" stamp set.  

The "notes" is from a personal image I had made up yeas ago.  I make notes of notebooks and it was a perfect one for me to order!

I set the tag in place with Dimensionals as well as the notes layers.  I then added some rhinestones on the cage and stand to give it a little bling and it was done!

Now if I can get the photo on here later I will certainly share it with you.

On a personal note here.  After finally getting this post on here and all the frustration involved with it I can officially say that I am not happy with the changes that Blogger has made.  I had to switch from Foxfire to Explorer in order to get the arrows to work to select the links or photo icon to add my photo.  UNREAL. Why do they have to mess with things all at once?  Why can't they make little improvements so we can adjust to them little by little?  UGH.  Anyway, here is my post for today!  Finally!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Just Believe Notebook and Beaded Pen Weekend Project

Does this box look familiar?  It should, it is what the large clear block came in.  I know, I just have to save everything.  But see, it actually came in handy.  I believe this is the last clear box container that I had left.  I managed to use them all.  Recycling is such a good thing!!  

The backing of the container has a piece of cardboard (from a pack of 12" x 12" decorative paper) and a piece of Cherry Cobbler decorative paper taped to it.  I wanted the container to have a nice completed look.

The notebook contains about 50 sheets of card stock.  I redid the card that Terri had made for me and added the "notes" the front of it.  

I also included a beaded pen.  I printed out a page from the 1st Edition download onto a 8-1/2" x 11" label.  I cut out the length I needed for the pen and sponged some Crumb Cake and More Mustard over it to give it the vanilla look since I didn't have any large labels like that in vanilla.  White was just too bright for the pen.  

I put the label on the pen and then the double stick paper and then rolled the pen in the micro beads.  And that is it.  So easy and quick to do!  I put the pen in one of those 1" x 8" cellophane bags and folded the flap down a bit more than usual because the pen isn't all that long!  It made the pen look more expensive and impressive too!

Now I have a nice pen and pad gift in a great package all ready for the craft fair!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda