Monday, February 22, 2010

Portable Inventory

Hi everyone!! I'm so excited because I have a great idea to share with you today! Have you ever gone to the store and found a great deal on crafting items but couldn't remember what you had at home? I've encountered that with brads, rhinestones, punches, etc. So I came up with an idea that I'm hoping will help me (and you!!) out - a portable inventory/notepad holder.

Here's what the finished product looks like:

Now for all the details, so you can start making one of your own!

You'll need:
- A sheet of cardstock
- Coordinating designer paper
- Your favorite Rubber Romance image (I used my favorite - Melanie the Shopper)
- A mini legal tablet
- Red line tape or scor-tape
- Inventory sheets (see below)
- Embellishments

Step One:
Trim cardstock to 8 1/2" by 10 1/2". Score at 5 1/8" and 5 7/16" along the long side. Crease and add mini legal pad with red line tape.

Step Two:
Add a strip of designer paper to the top binding of the legal pad. I used some dp from Basic Grey's Origins collection. Also create a pocket from a triangular piece of designer paper. Just glue on the two legs of the triangle not the hypotenuse (betcha didn't know you'd get a little geometry today, did ya?). I added this so I could tuck stuff here - specifically my Copics color chart that shows what markers I already own.

Step Three:
Time to add the inventory sheets. I created inventory sheets, so I could list the stuff I already have. This way I won't be buying duplicates when I go to the store. So far, I've made sheets for brads, buttons, gemstones, inks, felt, punches, Nestabilities, Cricut cartridges, and embossing folders. I made two different sheets - one allowing for two lists and another allowing for one longer list. I simply filled out my lists, stapled them together, adhered them with one strip of red line tape at the top, and covered the staples with a strip of designer paper.

Here's a photo of the inventory with two short lists:

and the inventory with one long list:

AND GUESS WHAT......I'M SHARING THE INVENTORY FILE WITH YOU!!

Step Four:
Dress the cover of your portable inventory/notepad holder. I added designer paper, ribbon, buttons, and this fabulous Rubber Romance image of Melanie the Shopper....I even paper pieced one of her bags as you can see in this close up:

So there you are...a portable inventory/notepad holder! I'd love to hear what you think of this idea or see your versions!

Have a great day creating!
Stephanie

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Tutorial- Classy and Sassy Post It Note Holder

Hi, everyone.  This is Sherry from the Design Team.  I wanted to share this yesterday however I have been under the weather.  Thankfully I can get it posted today- I can't wait to share this with you! Today I am making a Classy and Sassy Post It Note Holder using the ATC Size Babs in the Bath. 

Supplies you will need include:

Adhesive(s) of your choice
Clear, Acrylic Frame (for today's project I used a 5x7 Frame)
Ink of your choice PLUS a permanent Ink such a Stazon
Ribbon and embelishments
Coloring tools (I used Prismacolor Pencils and OMS)
Patterned Paper, Scrap paper and White for main image (I used patterned paper from Everafter line from Cosmo Cricket and Papertrey Ink White)

Next I slid in a 5x7 piece of patterned paper

Then I stamped my image on both white card stock AND on a piece of paper so I could paper-piece part of my image:
 
  
Now it's time to color the image.  I used Prismacolor Pencils here: 


Then I blended it with my paper blending stump and Odorless Mineral Spirits: 


Since I wanted to paper-piece the bath tub, I cut that out of my patterned paper and glued it on: 


Once my image was colored and ready, I used Nestabilities to cut it out and then mat it on gray card stock: 


Next I added Glossy Accents to the bubbles for that little extra something.  


Glossy Accents take some time to dry, so I set my image aside while I worked on the rest of my project- the actual holder. 
Next I added ribbon.  I chose to tie mine around the holder, but an alternative way would be to use sticky strip or another adhesive and attach it more permanently.  It's all about personal preference.


Then I did my best attempt at a bow.....Lol
Now I am ready to stamp my sentiment.  It is very important to use an ink such as Stazon.  Be very careful when stamping that you do not move the stamp or smear the ink.  BUT if you do smear it (as I did) then you can clean it right away with Stazon Cleaner and try again.  But you must clean it right away, before it dries.
 Here my holder is after my SECOND attempt.  
Now all you have to do is add your image and your post it notes and you are finished!  I used mounting tape for my image.  I felt it would look better if it wasn't flat, and the mounting tape will hold it securely even on the acrylic frame.
For the post-its, I just used the sticky on the back of the last Post-it Note BUT if you want to make sure it doesn't move feel free to use some sticky strip or Scor-tape.

Here is my finished project- ready to give away OR sit on my own desk.  :)
 
Thanks for stopping by today- I hope I gave you some good ideas for using your Rubber Romance Stamps!  Have a great day! 

Monday, February 15, 2010

Using Stamps to Enhance Birthday Goody Bags

My daughter's birthday is coming up soon. We are beginning to plan what she wants. She will be turning 7 and wants to have her a "girly" party with her friends. We decided for the goody bags we would make each of her guests these cute little "girly girl" bags. Steps:

1. Take a regular lunch size brown paper bag. Fold the top edge down 2 1/2 inches as shown.

2. Use a circular lid as a template for a rounded edge. Trace and then cut the excess off as shown.
3. Trace pieces to cover the front, back and the "lid." My front and back pattern paper pieces measures approximately 7 3/4 x 5 inches. 4. Adhere the pieces to the bag. The front and back are shown below.5. Cut 2 pieces of ribbon approximately 3 inches long. Fold them over and pierce a hole in them so you can put a brad through.
6. Place a brad through both ribbons making a bow. Cut a scalloped circle out and punch your brad through. Finally place a pop dot on the back of these and place them on the "lid" of the goody bag.
7. Stamp the Rubber Romance Girly Girl stamp in VersaMark onto another piece of pattern paper. Use black embossing powder and emboss the sentiment. Adhere this to the goody bag. I added some other small scalloped circles for decoration. Fill and enjoy!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Cute Little Valentine Treat

Hi everyone, Valentine's Day is only 7 days away. I have a sweet little project that would be great for classroom treats. They are fast and inexpensive, perfect to mass produce for those class parties. Turn a plain little box of candy into a special treat.


To start measure your candy box and make a wrap around piece of cardstock or patterned paper to fit around the box. Tape the paper together, but not to the box, so the candy can slide out. I used a small box of conversation hearts, but any little box of candy will do.




Next embellish your box. I added a coordinating bow. Then I stamped, cut and colored an image. For my project I used the owl stamp from Rubber Romance's Cutie Pie collection. Check them out in the Etsy shop. I added some crystal effects to the eyes and some stickles to the hearts. I kept it pretty simple, since these are going to four year olds, who will probably discard the wrapping immediately! Hope you'll give it a try.


Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you have a sweet Valentine's Day.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Little Messages

Hi everyone!! It's Wendy here with a cute Valentines day gift for your significant other, a little packet of love notes.

First, cut a piece of plain white copy paper in half length wise, then into strips.

Write on each strip a reason what you love about your significant other.... I think handwriting is best here for the personal nature of it but you certainly could write it on a computer, print it out, then cut into strips after.... Fill up your strips, and roll each message up.



Print the Button Box template from Mirkwood Designs on the backside of a piece of double sided printed paper.

(here's the front side of the paper so you can see what it looks like...)


Cut out your template, score along the score lines. (**note: the print and score lines don't bother me because they are on the inside. If it is an issue for you, print the template onto a white piece of paper, and then use your print out as a template/guide over printed cardstock. You can trace with pencil or simply hold it on top of the paper as a cut guide.)

Tuck your rolled message into the base of your little box/envelope. DON'T adhere your edges. You want it to open up like a cute little packet of notes.

Use stickers to spell "I love..." and adhere to the top flap:

Color your Rubber Romance Image - this is "You Shouldn't Have".



Mat your stamped image, and use same stickers to spell a title. Tie the whole thing with a bow tied string.

On Valentine's Day, it's just a matter of a pull, and all these cute little notes roll out with reasons why you love your special someone...



Enjoy.