WWC157 - Heidi's "All About Occasions" Challenge

Hi stampers Happy Valentines Day!  Welcome to this week's Watercooler Wednesday challenge #WWC157.  Heidi Weaver is our host and our theme this week is "All About Occasions".    

We hope you'll join us  by linking up your special "Occasions" project by 5:00pm Mountain Time, Monday February 19th, 2018 to our Linsky.  Who knows, you might be our next Watercooler Rockstar.

Here's My Project:

Today I want to share my Thank You Note Clutch Purse project.  This cute little clutch purse and accompanying note cards could be made for just about any "Occasion" you can think of.  Mine was made as a gift for a sweet gal friend for Valentine's Day. 

The clutch is made from a single 12 x 12 sheet of double-sided designer series paper.  No special skills or tools are needed to make this clutch, other than the ability to fold the square of paper into the clutch design.  Mine was made with retired paper stock because I'm still trying to use up what's in my stash.

The clutch holds four note cards and envelopes inside, and has a magnetic clasp to keep it closed.  Here is a link to an original tutorial and video by Dee Slater on Split Coast Stampers that clearly shows how to make this special little gift card clutch purse.   

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Amazing You and One Big Meaning

Ink: Watermelon Wonder, Old Olive and Soft Suede

Card Stock: Ivory Fleck (R), and Soft Suede

DSP:  Stampin Up (R) - from my stash and Ivory Envelope Paper
Accessories: Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, So Succulent and Stylish Stems Thinlets (R), Stitched Shapes 2" Circle Thinlets, 2 Small Magnets Watermelon Wonder Grosgrain Ribbon, Faceted Gems, Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals, Tom Bow Glue, Sticky Strip.

Note Cards:

I made my own note cards, but I've seen some beautiful sets completed with the Stampin' Up! premade note cards and envelopes that are in the Annual Catalogue.  Great value here as you get 20 note cards in Whisper White or Very Vanilla card stocks with matching envelopes and the card stock is a little thicker on the note cards so make for perfect backings.

1.  Base is 7" x 5" scored at 3 1/2"

2.  1st layer - 3 1/4" x 4 3/4" Ivory Fleck card stock.  Before adhering to the note card front stamp the floral image from Amazing you in Watermelon Wonder and Old Olive.  Stamp the sentiment "A Little Thanks" from One Big Meaning in Soft Suede ink just below the floral image. Add a Faceted Gem to the flower center.

3.  2nd layer - 3 1/4" x 3/4" strip of DSP adhere below the sentiment.

4.  3rd layer - 1 1/2" x 3 1/4" strip of DSP flip so reverse side is showing.

5.  Cut a strip of ribbon and attach over the seam created by 2nd and 3rd layer and glue ribbon ends to the back of Ivory Fleck layer.  Tie a small bow in the front with another piece of ribbon and trim ends. 

6.  For the inside of the note card cut a 3 1/4" x 4 3/4"piece of Ivory Fleck card stock and adhere.  It could be stamped with another floral image but I chose to leave my black for messaging. 

7.  Two cards and envelopes fit into each of the panels on the inside of the clutch.  They tuck in rather neatly and will  stay in place.

The Clutch:

I made the clutch following the instructions in Dee Slater's video.  I changed up the way the flaps hold shut though.  I attached two small magnets under the flaps with glue dots.  I started on one side positioning the magnet underneath the flap then flipped the clutch over and let the magnet attach itself and then added the glue dot and pressed the flap down.  These are really secure and hold the clutch shut.  You could also do a belly band or tie ribbon around the clutch if you're looking for alternate methods to close it.  

The Flower Embellishment:

I created the floral embellishment with bits and pieces of cardstock I had on hand and two of my favourite die sets - So Succulent and Stylish Stems, both retired.  

I always like to ink around the edges of my flower and leaf pieces as it seems to add more depth.  For this arrangement I layered the four flower pieces together with glue dots, and attached the assembled flower to a 2" stitched circle piece that I cut from Soft Suede card stock.  Next I added the leaves with glue dots.  The circular piece was attached to the flap with sticky strip.  A few random rhinestones were added to the flap on either side of the flower.  

And that's all there is to creating this note holder.  It's a fun and very quick to assemble project and I thoroughly enjoyed making it.  So much so, that I'm  planning to do a class on how to make these, for Mother's Day so if you're in my area and interested let me know.  

I hope you enjoyed this project as well as the ones created by the rest of the Watercooler Wednesday Design Team this week.  I'd love to hear what you think of it so leave me a comment before you go.  Your feedback is really helpful.  

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

Month of May Eastern Palace Series - Project 8

Wow , who knew the month of May would be such a whirl wind.  Between renos, bridal showers and visitors from out of town, my stamping plans have been curtailed.  However I'm back today with another in my Month of May Eastern Palace Suite series, and hopefully will get a few more in before the month ends.  

Today's Project is a set of note cards with matching envelopes and a decorated box.  That's right, everything matches.  

There are four "thank you" cards in the set each featuring different products from the Eastern Palace Suite.  Here are the directions for re-creating them:

• Card base: Cut a 4" x 8" piece of Thick Very Vanilla Card stock scored at 4".
• Layer #1:  Cut a 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" piece of card stock in one of these colours:  Fresh Fig, Tranquil Tide, Dapper Denim and Lemon Lime Twist, layered on card base with Tom Bow glue.
• Layer #2:  Cut a 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece of Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper and layer it on card stock with Tom Bow glue. 
• Using Stitched Layers cut four 2 3/4" Stitched Shapes circles from Very Vanilla card stock and adhere to the center of DSP with Tom Bow glue.
• Cut four medallions as follows:  2 using medallion dies #6 and 2 and 2 using medallion dies #3 and 5 and adhere them to the Very Vanilla circle with Tom Bow glue. Note: Match mix and match the colours of the medallions to two of the colours from each DSP square.
• Punch out 4 1 1/4" circles from the coloured card stock and 4 1" circles from Very Vanilla card stock. Adhere a coloured and very vanilla card stock piece together. 
• Before layering to the medallion, stamp the beaded circle and "thank you" sentiment from the Eastern Beauty Photopolymer stamp set on the very vanilla circle.  Adhere this layered piece with dimensionals to the medallion.

 

I made matching envelopes to go with these cards starting with a standard invitation sized envelope and a 2" x 4 4/16" piece of designer series paper that matched each of the cards.  

I really like it when the envelopes that accompany note cards are either stamped with a design or have designer paper on the envelope flaps.  Quite a while ago I discovered a great tutorial by Cindy Lawrence on Split Coast Stampers that shows how to make a "Tailored Envelope" to match your card.   Here is how I assembled my envelopes following Cindy's example:

• Apply adhesive to the flap of the envelope and seal shut.  You can use tape runner or liquid glue.
• Trim the long side of the envelope at 4 5/16".  You should now have a square. 
• Turn the envelope over and punch half-way in on the top edge with either a 1" circle or an oval punch, and set aside.
• Score the designer series paper strip on the long side at 1/2" and crease.  Make sure the side of the paper that matches your card is facing outward.  This is will be your new envelope flap.
• Put sticky strip on the back of the 1/2" crease line and adhere the flap to the envelope.  
• Round the corners to give a more finished appearance.  
• I attached a strip of sticky strip on the inside of the flap so it can be sealed once the card has been added to the envelope.  
  
  
  
  

 Here are the finished cards and their matching envelopes:

I decided to make a matching box to hold the note cards and envelopes and I'm very pleased with how it turned out.  Here's a look at the box: 

A side and top view of the gift box. 

I layered matching DSP and card stock in the bottom of the card box to give it a more finished appearance. For the box top I repeated the card layout for the Fresh Fig card and added two additional layers of card and DSP beneath it.  The sides of the box have a 1" x 4 1/8" layer of contrasting DSP. 

The box holds 4-6 note cards and envelopes.

I followed a great video by Crafty Caroline on Youtube which actually shows all the dimensions and how to assemble this box.  Just click on Crafty Caroline and you can watch how it's made.  The fun thing about Carolyn's video is that she used the Eastern Palace Suite for her box too, so it's like getting two projects in one today.   She also follows the "1/16" rule for making box lids so you get a great fitting box.

I hope you enjoyed today's project and will come back again to see more of the Month of May Eastern Palace Suite projects that I've been working on.  If you like today's project please let me know.  I'm inspired by your comments and it really encourages me to keep posting.

 

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Christmas Hostess Gifts - Day Three Cards and Box

I love having small note cards on hand that I can tuck into a gift, and when I saw a video by Deb Valder featuring a box and matching 3 x 3 note cards made with the Envelope Punch Board, I knew I had to make some for hostess gifts. 

My Version:

Once again my investment in the Envelope Punch Board has paid off.  Not only was I able to make this cute little box, but I also made four lined envelopes to go with the note cards. Now that's value!  Here's how they were made.

Envelope Punch Board #133774. The Envelope Punch Board includes: An easy-to-use chart to create up to 66 different envelope sizes (including standard sizes). The measurements are provided both in inches and centimeters. A scoring tool in a convenient storage slot. Two punches designed right into the tool itself: one to make the envelope and one to round its corners.

The Box:

1. I wanted enough room in my envelope to hold the four cards and envelopes so chose a card size of 4 x 4 on the Envelope Punch Board.  For this selection the card stock is cut to 6 7/8 X 6 7/8.

2.  Line up your card stock at the 3 1/2" measurement on the punch board and then punch and score. Note: for the next few steps I will be using a sheet of white card stock instead of the gumball green so I can show the measurements.  

3.  For your second, third and fourth score lines, simply line up the first scoreline with the pointer on the punch, punch, score and rotate to the next side and repeat this process until all four sides are punched and scored. 

4.  Now move the card stock to the 2 5/8" mark on the punch board and score a line (do not punch).  Repeat the scoring from the 2 5/8" mark all the way around the card stock until all four sides are scored.

Oops...... this picture should show 2 5/8 not 2 3/8.......  don't worry I changed it before I scored so my sample is correct.

This picture shows the two score lines and how they intersect at the corners. The center of your box should measure 3 1/4" x 3 1/4"

5.  Using the criss-crossed score lines at the corners of each flap as your guide cut away the scored pieces.  What you cut away will resemble a V and your flaps will now be longer and the square on the inside of the card stock will measure 3 1/4 x 3 1/4".

Cutting away the V in each corner.  

After the corner's have been cutaway your box should look like this one and the actual box in the picture below.  

Okay this is the real meal deal, and we're back to Gumball Green pictures from this point on.  

 6.  Using your bone folder crease all score lines to make them crisper.  Round the top flap with the corner rounder.  Put adhesive on the two inside flaps and then glue to bottom flap.  Your envelope box is now complete except for decorating.  See below.

Use bone folder to crease all the score lines.  This makes your box look more finished.  

When I closed the two side flaps I used a glue dot on the bottom flap at the point and then lined both flaps up flush before taking the sticky strip off the bottom flap and overlapping the side flaps.  Be really careful and make sure everything is lined up so your box sides and back are flush and square. Trust me, take your time and you won't have to redo it.

When you close up the flaps really make sure they are in alignment or you will get a slight overlap like I did on the next picture.  That bummed me out so much I had to make a replacement.  

Round off the pointed end of the card flap using the corner rounder punch on the Envelope Punch Board.  It's awesome this board comes with two punches!   

Having that flap rounded really makes a difference.  Don't you think?

3 x 3 Envelopes:

1.  Cut 4 pieces of white card stock each measuring 5 1/4 x 5 14".

2.  Starting with the first envelope line up one of the pieces of card stock at the 2 5/8" mark on the board's measuring guide.

3.  Press down on the punch and score a line across paper.  Rotate paper to the next side and line up the pointer on the punch with the scored line.  Punch again and score a line.  Repeat this step until all four sides are punched. 

4.  Place one of the points in the corner punch and punch to round corner.
This flap will be the top flap.

5.  Using your bone folder crease all score lines.  

6.  Fold up bottom and side flaps and add adhesive.  Your envelope is now ready for a liner. 

Liner:
I watched a couple of Youtube videos explaining how to make envelope liners but the one that impressed me the most and was quick to follow was one produced by Mary Fish.  I suggest you take a look at her great video.  Here is a link.  

1.  To determine the size of the liner and not waste a lot of DSP simply measure from the top point of the envelope flap (before you round it out) to the notch.  For my 3 x 3 envelope when I measured this distance it came to 
2 1/2 so I cut a piece of DSP to 21/2 x 2 1/2".

Sorry I didn't do a coloured example so you could see the measurement better, but if you look really close you can see that  the measurement is 2 1/2" from the tip to the score line.  

2.  Put this piece of DSP in Envelope Punch so that the piece extends to the 
2 1/2" measurement then decrease that measurement by 1/8 of an inch.  That meant my paper was now sitting at 2 3/8" on the ruler.  Now press the punch.

3.  Remove the piece of DSP and flip it to the reverse side and put it back in the punch at 2 3/8" and punch again. You should now have two rounded corners that will match the rounded lines of your envelope flap.  

 4.  Round the tip of the liner in the Corner Rounder punch.  Put adhesive on the side  of the paper you want to stick down and adhere it to the envelope.  

5.  To make sure the flap closes nicely with this additional piece of paper, fold the flap the opposite way and then back again and use the bone folder to crease along the score line.  Voila!  You're done. 

The little 3 x 3 note cards slide easily into these cute little envelopes.  

3 x 3 Note Cards: 

1.Cut 4 pieces of card stock to measure 3" x 6" and score at 3".  These are your four note card bases.  Go over score line with bone folder for a crisp fold.

2. Cut four of each of the following layer pieces:
1st Layer (DSP) 2 1/2 x 2 1/2"
2nd Layer (Cherry Cobbler) 2 1/4 x 2 1/4" 
3rd Layer (Whisper White) 2 x 2"

All the card components cut and ready to assemble.

3. Adhere the 1st layer to the card base.  Adhere the second layer to the first layer.

4. Stamp the tree image from the Warmth and Wonder Hostess Set #131883 in Gumball Green on 3rd layer piece.  The tree is a two step stamp, so once the tree is stamped then stamp the ornament stamp in Cherry Cobbler ink on top of the tree image. Tip:  If you're using wood mount stamps I recommend you use a Stamp-a-ma-jig so you are able to place the ornament stamp in the right position on the tree.

Warmth and Wonder Hostess Stamp Set #131883.  You can find this at the back of the Idea Book and Catalogue.  It has 7 stamps .  This is a great value at $12.00 or it can be earned for free if you book a $200 workshop.  

5. Adhere the stamped whisper white layer to the Cherry Cobbler layer. 

6. Cut a piece of 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 Whisper White card stock for the inside of the card. Adhere with adhesive. 

Box Front:

1. Cut the following layer pieces:
1st Layer (DSP)  2 3/4 x 2 3/4"
2nd Layer (Cherry Cobbler) 2 1/4 x 2 1/4'
3rd Layer (Whisper White) 2 x 2" 

2.  Adhere 2nd Layer to the 1st layer with adhesive.  Attach 3rd Layer to Cherry Cobbler layer with dimensionals.  

3.  For my lid image I coloured small basic rhinestones with a Red Scripto Marker and positioned them over each of the ornaments to add a little Christmas sparkle.   


4. Cut a 20" piece of 3/8" White Taffeta Ribbon and loop it around the box so the loose ends are at the top and ready to be tied into a bow.  Add dimensionals to the back of the DSP piece only on the sides so there is a channel for the ribbon to go through and then adhere to the box top. 

5.  Add your finished cards and envelopes to the box and tie the ribbon in a bow at the top of the box.  You're done!  

Supplies:

Card Stock:
Whisper White #100730
Cherry Cobbler #119685
Gumball Green #126840
Season of Style Designer Paper Pack #131883
Note: For the envelopes I used a non Stampin' Up lighter weight card stock from Staples, to reduce the bulk of the envelopes.

Ink:
Cherry Cobbler #126966
Gumball Green #126840

Accessories:
3/8" White Taffeta Ribbon #109070
Basic Rhinestones #119246
Red Scripto Marker (non SU)
Envelope Punch Board #
Stampin' Trimmer #126889

Well I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  Please leave me a comment if you liked it, and let me know if you make one yourself.  I can't wait to hear from you!