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Sunday, 10 August 2025

Challenge Project No9 - Mini Brag Book

 Mini Brag Book

So for this challenge we are down to 3 sheets of 12 x 12 and some scraps.

With 2 of the sheets I decided to go back to what I remember as Grandma’s brag book, not my idea, and one of the first construction ideas I ever made. As these pages are double sided they are perfect for the project.

Score the sheet at 3”,6”,9” on both sides 
On the first and third score line cut up to the top horizontal score line, and on the second score line cut down (in other words in the opposite direction to the other 2 ) to the bottom horizontal line.
Then starting from the outside corner fold the square forward and back until the sheet form a booklet. Then leave the outside sheet and glue the next 2 pages together until you get to the last single sheet. 

Method One 
Cut 2 pieces of scrap cardboard (cereal boxes are perfect for this) 31/4” square. 
Use some of your scraps to cut 4”squares and cover the outside of the cardboard by sticking the cardboard in the centre of the 4” piece of scrap paper and cutting the corners before sticking down on all for sides. Once dry add the covers to the top and bottom of the book .
 

Method 2

Cut a piece of coordinating scrap paper 3.5” wide and 7” long score at 3 3/8”, 3.5”, 3 5/8.
Fold the cover in half and fold the score line to give a small bound edge.
Place a piece of ribbon 12” long between the book and the cover before adding the cover as follows:
Glue the top page all over and centre the cover over it. Turn the book over and glue the back 
page and then bring the cover over lining up to give equal sides. 
Pull the ribbon up, add the bead, and knot it off. 


I then cut 8 pieces of 2 3/4” square to make photo mats, which will be added to the pack . 



This is the last of the projects for this challenge and I have one piece of 12 x 12 left and a few odd pieces. I am going to make one last card using some of the scraps and perhaps use the last sheet to make another envelope folder, for the store cupboard. 

I also have enough scraps to make a larger card, and I have an idea I want to try, which I will show when complete

Happy Crafting 
Dee

Tuesday, 5 August 2025

Challenge - Project No 8

 



This folder is slightly different. It has a pretty notepad, and a small memory book.


The notepad was made with scraps of copy paper, (as previously described) and covered with a half sheet of paper.

The memory book was made with a sheet of 12 x 12 , sectioned and then cut through the middle and folded to make the booklet. 


Each of the seven section has been covered with a white phot mat and the side pocket has labels for journalling.

 

            So 3 sheets of the paper and half a sheet for the notepad.

This leaves 3 sheets of paper and a few bits and pieces. I would like to find another project to complete the challenge.

Dee


Monday, 4 August 2025

Project 7 - Of the Paper Pad Challenge

 Coming to the end of the pad

We are down to the last few projects now with odd pages remaining, and a few odd pieces.
None of the projects are new, I have made them all before but they suit the project and with all the papers coordinating should make a pretty display. 

Project No 7 is a classic envelope folder.. I have made the Christmas version before with 4 Christmas cards A notepad , and gift tags, and decided to use one of the last full sheets, to make a summer version. It would also use up some smaller pieces. 



This envelope is made with one sheet of 12 by 12 paper. Mark the centre of the page and then fold all four corners into the centre . Then simply fold the square in half. You can either fold the back triangle over the front or leave them down as covers for the pockets either side. In which case it would be good to use a strong wet glue to run along the outside edges leaving a pocket in the top of the envelope

In one side I placed 4 cards and envelopes, and in the other side a small notepad and 4 notelettes. 

 



We are getting near the end of the challenge 
Back soon with the last couple of projects 

Happy Crafting
Dee



Saturday, 2 August 2025

Challenge Project No6

 Using Up more Bits & Pieces

The aim of this challenge is to use up your papers, but why not clear out more bits and pieces as well. 

So to make the next batch of cards I went back to the cupboard and checked out some stacks of  embellishments, and came up with some great charms that worked with the papers. 

So another pack of 4 cards were made with the papers and the simple addition of the charms.


3 of the cards had a cat charm and 1 had a large butterfly. 
All four were packed in one presentation bag ready for the McMillan coffee morning.



As you can see 3 were made into Birthday cards and 1 ‘Just A Note’ card that could be used to cheer up a friend 

Back soon with more ideas
Happy Crafting 
Dee


Thursday, 31 July 2025

Project 5 of the Challenge - Back to Basics

 Pretty Stationary Sets

This project required using some pastel coloured A4 papers to make the base folders, and allowed me to blitz the papers requiring 2 and a half sheets of 12 x 12 and one sheet of A4 per folder, plus ribbon.  

A quick gift to make. No tools needed and makes lovely Thank You/Teachers gifts

Simply fold up the bottom of the sheet of A4 by approximately 2”, If you are making more than one use the first one as a measure for this fold to match all the folders. Trim the outside corners before running some glue down the outside edge of the fold to make the pocket.

Next measure the size and the folder and cut 2 sheets of paper 1/2” smaller on the height and width measurements. Glue to the outside. 



Next I used the same papers to make 6 matching notelettes, 

Going back to my craft room I picked up a stack of copy paper. Whenever I sell items or print anything that does not use a full page I save the other half.  I trim the pieces to 14cm x 21 and then fold in half. Putting 10 sheets together I staple the centre . The last thing I make for the folder is a matching note pad, using the 1/2 sheets of 12 x 12. Cut the 15cm x 30cm down to 15cm x 23cm. Gently fold the piece over but don’t push down on the fold. Slide the folded paper into the crease of the fold, Glue the top page of the stack and bring the folded paper down. Turn over and repeat , securing the notepad papers to the cover. 

Pop the 6 cards into one side of the folder and the notebook into the other.


You now have a great set of stationary to gift. Just add some matching ribbon to close the folder . 



I made 5 of these and added them to the challenge stack.

Happy Crafting 
Dee


Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Challenge Project No 4

 Next cards - Similar but different 

Now on a roll, my next card was something similar in design to the previous cards, but with a little twist.

The cards were covered with the 3.75” squares of patterned papers and a bow of white ribbon was attached to the centre. But instead of an embellishment or greeting added to the card, I added one of my hand made stickpins. 

The card would then be a greeting and small gift - all in one.

These cards were packaged individually with an explanatory note in the package, and I matched the pins to the colours of the background papers. 



I had enough pins to make 6 of these cards and so project 4 of the challenge has been completed. 

Keep checking in for more ideas of how to use up those lovely papers you have. 

Happy Crafting
Dee 

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Challenge Items 1 & 2

 First 2 Gift Boxes of 6 Cards 

First 2 boxes of cards have been put together.

The idea that inspired the idea of using up the 12 x 12 pad was the quick gift box.  Made from one sheet of 12 x12 with enough width and depth to add 6 cards and envelopes . In order to decide the size of the card, you need to take the amount of centre space required for the cards & envelopes you are using. As this was 4 x 4 cards, I needed a minimum of 4.5” (allowing the extra for the envelope and a little wiggle room. Then the depth you need to hold six cards all with a little embellishment (stack the cards and envelopes and measure) for the first 2 boxes needed to be 1.5”
This makes the width of the card to make the box needs to be 1.5” + 4.6” + 1.5 =7.6” 
While the length needs to be 1.5” + 4.5” + 1.5” + 4.5” =12” 
This gives you the score lines 

First box had a very simple design. I cut one of the pieces of 12 x 12  papers into 3.75” squares. Wrapped some white organza ribbon arround the papers and then glued it onto a card front. 

Since photographing these cards I have added a small pretty white embellishment with Diamante centre.



These can have a greeting added or left plain as a notelette..

The next box I decided on another simple design on the same theme but this time as Birthday cards. 


First 2 sets completed. I looked in the cupboard to see what else I had I could use, and came across some flowers I had had made some time ago .
Another six cards were quickly made and boxed

Set 3 
As you can see 3 were made with summer colour flowers and 3 with autumn colours .
To if these flowers into a gift box required more depth and therefore a standard box had to be made that required 2 sheets of papers

These were all simple to make and started the Challenge off with a quick win, leaving 
27 sheets for the next projects. 

back soon with more ideas for the remaining papers.

Happy Crafting
Dee