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

Easter Treat Box

WOW, did I ever struggle to get a photo on here today.  Every time I downloaded the photo it was sideways though it was the correct orientation in the folder I was taking it from.  That was so weird.  After the 4th time I finally got it right.  Or I should say it finally got downloaded the way I had it set.  It wasn't me!!  Believe it or not!!! LOL

This was my last little Easter project.  I ran across a clear pillow box and I filled it with 10 Butterfinger eggs.  They fit in it perfectly.   It was as though the box was made especially for them and I mean custom made.  The eggs don't wiggle in there at all.

I stamped and cut out the bunny from the Everybunny set.  I colored him and then glued him in place on the box.  I didn't think the tape would hold as well.  The words were also from the set and I glued them in place too.  I tied a ribbon around the box and it was done!  

This was a very easy project to do.  I wish I would have found these pillow boxes sooner, I think I would have made a lot more of these for little gifts for the Easter dinner guests. 

Happy Easter and thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Sew What!!! Weekend Project

 Ok, here is the long awaited project!!  I hope you are not disappointed and were expecting something HUGE.  It's just something average but it took a while because I didn't have much time to devote to it each day.  Though I am glad to say I'm done with it.  I am one that likes to finish up my projects ASAP and when they linger I lose interest.  Though this one did linger but I didn't lose interest.  It was fun and I think I would like to make another one but using more layers.

You take the idea from one of those exploding boxes.  Add some padding where needed and put it all together.  It's not difficult to make, it just takes time because there are so many steps to it.

You start out with the base which is pieces of thick cardboard and not corrugated cardboard, you want something like book board.  My cardboard came from some Stampin' Up! decorative papers like the ones that have textures or glitters. They seem to use thicker cardboard in those.  I save it all.  If you saw my workroom you'd know I save it ALL!!!  You never know when you will need it, right????  The sounds of a true crafter or hoarder?  Is there much of a difference?  LOL

Anyway, back to the exploding sewing box.  The top photo shows the outside of the box.  I have only one regret about that.  I wished I would have sewn a button in the middle of the padded top before gluing it in place. 

The sides all drop down to expose the inside square.  The inside square opens as well.  I tied it together with a ribbon in the even that you needed to get something stuck at the bottom.  I just tied it in a bow but of course I took the photo of the side and not the front of that ribbon but you all know what a ribbon tied in a bow looks like so it's nothing new to you.

I was going to try to make it with all Stampin' Up! products but I had to revert to using elastic.  I was hoping to use ribbon and just tie it but it wouldn't hold the items as well.  The elastic holds everything in place nicely so I had no other choice.  The fabric is all Stampin' Up! products and it was a perfect print for this project.

My squares started out at 3" x 3" and there are 5 of them.  The padded layer on top of that measures 2-3/4" x 2-3/4".  I don't have any instructions for this.  You just glue and wrap fabric around cardboard pieces and assemble it as you go.  I do want to make a bigger one with more layers inside that drop down too.  I would like to be able to add more needles and a tape measure too, plus a nicer pair of scissors and more threads.  It took me this long to get this one done I wonder how long it will take me to make another one the size I want??? It will be weeks before it is done!!! LOL 

This makes a very fun gift to give to someone who sews.  You can have all of your important sewing needs in one little cube.  Just grab the cube and go!!!

I hope you liked this project!

Thank you ever so much for stopping by today,

Wanda

Fresh Vintage Thank You Cards

 I am loving this Fresh Vintage set more and more!  I saw these cards on Jill's Card Creation website and I just had to make them. Of course I had someone special in mind when I made them.  Yesterday was my {SO much} older sister's birthday.  I can say that on here because I know she doesn't read my blog much.  Key word being "much" here and with my luck, today would be the day she reads it!!! But the truth is, she IS older than I am!!! LOL

Anyway, back to these fun cards.  I thought they were stunning and simple to make too.  SO I set out to make them.  First I took a half sheet of Basic Black card stock and stamped the circle flower image thing from the Fresh Vintage set.  I stamped it all over the card stock using VersaMark.  Then I used clear embossing powder and I heat set it. 

I cut the white card stock 5-3/8" x 4-1/8".  Then I stamped the large image on using black StazOn.  I wanted a sharp dark black image and that is what I got. 

I didn't have the word sets that Jill used so I used Perfectly Penned on the sideways card and on the tall card I used the "thank you" from Kindness Matters.  I'm sure I have lots of other sets that have words that will fit in those spaces.  So, back to my card.  I used the scalloped border edge punch and punched away!  I need 4 of them and they don't take long to make either.  After that was done I taped the white stamped pieces onto the black base of the card and then the punched edge piece went on.  And that was it!! Done in no time.  I did stamp my envelopes (yes Ann, they are stamped!!!).  And I put them in one of those plastic card holder "things" and tied a black ribbon around it.  I am giving this to my sister for her birthday.  It was yesterday and I had to laugh.  She was always one who got upset when mile marker birthdays rolled around.  She cried at 30 and she cried at 40 and we honestly don't know what she did at 50, we were all kind of afraid to know!! LOL  She turned 57 and was bummed because she actually thought she was turning 58 and only had 4 more years to work before she is going to retire.  What a nut!!  I think we may be looking for a home to put her in early!!! LOL  Silly girl!  Anyway, I will be seeing her this weekend and this pack of cards will be in the bag with the rest of her birthday "stuff"!  I LOVE birthdays.  I got a TON of birthday wishes on Face Book this year, I got lots of cards and even some gifts!!  Oh and dinner out too!  What more could one ask for??

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Characters Made From Punches

I just love these characters that are made entirely from punches.  This cute panda was made by Irene (my new stamping friend!).  She came to my home on Thursday night for Stamp Till You Cramp. It was her first time here and I did warn her that my workroom is overwhelming.  I always recommend that newbies bring a list of cards they would like to make.  It helps them to not feel so overwhelmed and it also gives them some direction and feel for the room and where things are.  But personally, I don't know where everything is either!!! LOL  

Irene brought these cute panda treat bags for everyone!  Wasn't that just sweet of her?  Thank you Irene, everyone loved them!

I didn't show mine to my sister, I know it would have ended up going home with her!!!  She's a nut for this punched characters.  I may part with it sometime but not right now!!! I'm so mean!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Tiny Clear Box Valentine's Day Gift Weekend Project

This is one of the tiniest little clear boxes I have ever seen.  I had bought them a while back at www.clearboxes.com  They hold 3 Hershey kisses!  They are not very roomy inside and that is a good thing if you want to eat the rest of the candy that is left!!!! LOL

I ran across them in my storage cabinet and I thought I would fill it with Hot Tamales and add it to the basket for my friend!  The basket is getting pretty full but there was room to tuck this little gem in!! 

On the front of it I used the label punch and the "Teeny Tiny Treasures" word set and layered them.  The card stock is Regal Rose and the ink is Real Red.  I tied the cute little container with a 1/4" wide Real Red grosgrain ribbon and it was done.  Quick, simple and of course EASY!! Oh and not to mention cute!!!

This little box measures 3" long by 1" deep x 1" high.  See, I told you it was tiny!!  LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Sizzix Die Spring Gift Box

The die I used here is a ScoreBoards XL die.  This one is much like the Stampin' Up! Box #2.  You could always use the new edgers dies on the end to give the flap a new look!  This one is called a "Bag, Caddy".  It produces just two pieces.  The back part is just flat and the front part is the pocket.  I like that because it allows me to change the back piece on my own.  I can cut out the front part and then use my cutter to cut out the back by hand to make it even taller if I need to.  It provides me with a little more versatility.

And like with most of these types of dies, you can cut out two and make it into a tote.  

I cut mine out and then added the decorative paper.  Then I filled it with the fun flower candies I got at The Dollar Tree.  I added some crinkles to the pocket.  Finally I added some die cut flowers and wording to the front of the pocket.  These pockets can be used for lots of occasions.  They would make great gifts and party favors!  

I have future plans for this die and of course I will share them with you when I get them done!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda