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

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

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

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

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

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 

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

Craft Challenge

 Using Up more Craft room pieces.

In keeping with my attempt to downsize my craft items I have started to tidy up all my boxes with papers, embellishments, gems, ribbons etc. I use a lot of stacking boxes to store my crafts, from the ‘Really Useful Box Company’ . As I go through the boxes I weed out the items I will no longer use and donate to charity and then mark the boxes with the contents, in the hope I will not buy doubles and triples of everything. This is a start, but it also highlights areas of concern. The stack of 12 x 12 & 8 x 8 paper pads which even after donating some, and selling some, leaves me with far too many. I cant bear to part with them just because I love the designs and even though I have no project in mind at this moment, I know I will enjoy using them sometime in the future. I tell myself they will only go up in price and so I am being practical keeping a good stash. All I need to do is to stop buying, and use what I have in the stash. 

Every now and then, I have a reason to select one of the paper pads and get to work on the next project, and so it happened last week. . My sister in law and I attend a craft club, where last week she announced that in Septembers she would be running a McMillans Coffee morning and would like some cards to sell as well. Last year with the same formula her friends and Jackie made over £800 to give to McMillans and they would like to match it again this year.

I went home and started thinking about what I could make for her and decided the best thing to do was select a paper pads and see what I could make with it. I chose one of the  12 x 12 pads by Crafters Companion I had purchased a few when they were on sale. This one was called Hydrangea. There were 34 of the 36 sheets remaining and I decided I would make as much as possible from the pad

Very pretty papers and I wanted to make a lot of cards, so I took one of the papers and made a box to present the first 6 cards. From a 12 x 12 I could make an all in one box that will take 4” cards. The problem being I had no 4 x 4 cards in my stash. A quick check on the internet and I was lucky to find them on sale at Hobbycraft. They were selling off the Craftstash 4 x 4 with envelopes, 50 in a pack, reduced to just £1. Great quality and too good a deal to miss. So I picked up several packs and set too, to make as many cards as possible using the papers and anything I had in the cupboard. 

Over the next couple of weeks I will craft and share my makes with you . So keep checking back to see what I have come up with. 

Happy Crafting

Dee

Special 70th Birthday Card/Memory Box

 Memory Box/Card

My latest project was a special card for a great friend. 

This is not my own design but an amalgamation of a few similar boxes I had seen on YouTube, in particular, and worth checking out NGOC Vang. This is a great memory box and I mixed the ideas from this Explosion Box, with an explosion card I have made before and then butterflies popping up in the middle. 

The outer box is made from a sheet of 12 x 12 card stock scored at 10cm and 20cm on each side, to make 9 squares. Another piece of 12 x 12 was used to cut the 4  hearts to line the corners, and the 4 pieces of  card 14.6cm x 6cm scored at 2cm on the 2 short sides and  1 long side. I then cut the corners and folded each of the scored edges over a  9.5cm square of plain card. This is a holder for the additions embellishments/tags/notelets etc . 

The Inner box is made from a piece of coordinating card stock 9” x 9” and scored at 3” and 6”. 

The corners are made the same as the outer box and each side has a black card photo mat

The centre has been decorated with  butterflies stickers on acetate strips, at different heights.

Thus being the first one I made the whole box took me 5hrs. So this is one for someone special.

Happy Crafting 

Dee

Using up Scrap fabrics

 Project 4

This is the last project using up oddments of fabrics that remained after tidying the 2 bags of fat quarters. 

For this last project I used the green christmas  fabric. There were several small pieces and so

 I decided to cut them into tree shapes and make cards with them 

Very simple and you can do it with any pieces of fabric that you think suit your Christmas style

As you can see I have cut random sizes with pinking scissors and then grouped them on the cards.

I then finished with a few gems and just have to add my Christmas Greeting 

 .

 THE BUNDLE OF FABRICS SHOWING THE GREEN PIECES USED TO MAKE THE TREES.

This completes the projects using up the scrap fabrics .

Come back soon to see my next fabulous 70th Birthday card made for a special friend. 

Happy Crafting

Dee.

More Scrap Fabric projects

 

Another great use of your Scrap Fabrics

Remember the tidy up that gave me a small stack of scrap fabrics to re-use. 

Project 3 Used the odd pieces of orange and coordination patterned fabrics to make 2 pretty little tote bags . 

I sewed 3 pieces of the oddments together to form the outer bags and the only additional materials I needed was the handles, and some plain lining fabric.

The 3 pieces together made a panel big enough to fold in half and make the outer for the bag, and it was wide enough to cut in half 5o make 2 bags.

I added the handles to the front edges and cut 2 lining panels the same size.

The finished bags can be used as gift bags, small totes, book bag. 

Come back soon and see the last project with this bunch of salvaged scraps. 

Dee

Using up fabric scraps Project 2

 Project 2 - Purses & Makeup bag

The next piece of fabric uses was actually 2 pieces quite narrow but reasonably long ,

Not the black print as this was too small for this project but the grey and small mauve print behind it.

The wider piece I cut into 2 lengthways and made 2 purses from it. This size purse I use for jewellery or gift cards, but they have multiple uses. 

The pattern I use is an all in one pattern. and I use it for all size pouches up to nightdress case size, unfortunately I have been using the same method for a couple of years now and cannot remember which YouTube video I first saw it. But if you check  Jean Truelove Quilting on YouTube, she shows you the pattern and method.

The 2 narrower pieces made 2 pretty little purses. The finished size is 10cm square, which will take a credit card but would also be lovely to give jewellery or other small gifts, or give money.

On one of  the purses I have added an embroidered hedgehog appliqué. 

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The 2nd piece of fabric became a wallet size, and again would make a great gift wallet, small pencil case, or personal hygiene wallet, and on this one I added a fabric transfer. 

I also made another one the same size from the remaining section of a fat quarter.

I make many of these purses and wallets including Christmas fabric styles for gift and voucher .

Number two project done 

Back soon with No 3 .

Happy Crafting

Dee

Scrap fabric Projects

Using up the scraps from my Fat Quarter Tidy-up

In my tidying and clearing mode I decided to sort my drawer of Fat Quarters and Felt.

I started by emptying the two bags holding the fat quarters and sorting, re folding and replacing, removing any I thought I would. Not use and any odd pieces.

The baskets were placed back in the tidied drawer (with 120 fat quarters), and then I considered what to do with the remaining pieces.

I started by sorting them into colours before considering projects to make.

Project 1 

Sandwich  Bag

As the fabric had checkered fruit print I thought it would make a great sandwich bag. 

I squared off the remnant and then simply folded in half. From my scrap box I found a piece of satin white fabric to make the drawstring top, as this allowed the body of the bag to use the full fat quarters and scrap and take a full size sandwich . I added the drawstring sections, right sides together to the each side of the top of the bag, then turned the bag inside out and sewed the sides. As I was not going to line the bag, I used a zigzag stitch to attach the drawstring sections and on the side seams.

First project completed 

Check back soon to see more items made from the scrap bundle.

Happy Crafting

Dee

Hexagonal Cards

 Sam Calcott Design

Anyone who has read my blog will know I follow a lady on YouTube called Sam Calcott. I love her designs, so usually when i look at her recent posts I find a card that I have to try for myself.

And so it was with this hexagonal card. For instructions on how to make this card , check out Sam Calcott’s Floating Hexagonal pop up box card. 

I have plenty of acetate to use up and this is a great start. So here are  my versions :

This first one I uses a lovely piece of glossy yellow A4 card and stickers 

The second card I decorated with 3D embellishments from K & Co.  On another sheet of glossy lemon card.

The last one was standard white card and I built up the decorations with clear vinyl stickers. 

Come back soon to see how I have used up the tidy-up of my fat quarters, I have made several projects from the scraps. 

Happy Crafting 

Dee

 

Pop Up card from craft stash

 Easy Pop Up Card

Tidying the desk yet again, and I came across some stickers that looked fun for a card

I wanted to add a bunch of them so I thought the best base card would be the pop up box card.

You can get dies to make it, but they are not necessary if you have some basic tool.

Cut a piece of A4 card down to measure  16cm wide and 29-30cm long

Along the 16cm edge score at 9cm . The bottom section being 9cm deep and the top section 7cm.Keep the spare piece for later

Turn and score 7cm the full length

Score again at 14cm from the 9cm line to the base 

Score at 21cm & 28Cm full length.

The 4 sections form the box with the unscored section forming the back, and the  1-1.5cm end section making the flap to put the box section together. 

Cut the top section of the seam away with a slight V notch under  the score line

Cut the top score lines down to the 9cm line cutting very neatly each side of the score line to make it easy to fold up and down.

If you want to cover the sections with pretty back papers cut 4 pieces 8,5cm H and 6.5cm W

3 pieces 6.5cm x 6.5cm and one piece for the back 15.5cm x 6.5cm 

Glue them or use double side tape to add to the box card.

From the spare card cut 2 strips  11cm long by 1cm wide and score 2cm each end 

Add double sided tape to the outside of the flap and then fold the other edge to fit over 

Put tape on the ends of the 11cm strip and stick to either side of the box, positioned just below the 9cm line. One in front and one at back .

Next cut strips of acetate at different lengths and add your stickers to the top end. Stick them onto the two lines  of card at angles so you can see as much of the embellishments as possible. 

I have used carton animals but you can use butterflies, flowers, birds etc 

This card will fold flat and fit into an A5 envelope. 

I love this style of pop up card and use it quite often as it is very versatile.

Next up some more acetate cards with hexagonal shape that give the illusion of an invisible suspension card. 

 

Easter Post

 Something for Easter

Today my post is a special for Easter 

Instead of an Easter card I have made these lovely Easter stakes that can be used in the garden or part of an Easter display .

• Here they are in my indoor plant 
• They would be perfect for lining the path to the egg hunt.
• Placed by the front door 

I have made them by making a rosette with scrap paper 2 pieces 12” x 2.5”

1cm scores all the way along and then folded valley and mountain folds.

To the centre of the rosette I have hot-glued a wooden tag with the Easter bunny image and then all of this has been hot-glued to the stick. 

I finished the back with a circle of paper to cover the stick and then a piece of ribbon with a loop over the top finished with a wooden button. 

The craft group I attend had a go at making them along with the yellow card die cut chick that holds a Cadburys cream egg. 

Happy Crafting 

Dee 

Desk cleared & 2 Great Keepsake books made

 More Tidying = Blizzard Books  

I don’t know about you but every time I try to clear my desk I manage about 10 minutes tidying  before I pick up something that just begs to be made into a card or craft project. Some of my card designs and fabric patterns come from these tidying moments. Or it may be that I am putting away paper and card I see a use for them, so they never get into the correct box, they just scream to be made into a folio page or , most recently blizzard books. 

Thought Process

I was putting away some papers I had printed and realised that the copy paper I had used for the printing was the right thickness for origami folding.

That led me to remember the Blizzard books I had made some time ago.

I quickly folded a small size blizzard book. As the binding for the blizzard is made from a piece of paper half the width of the length of the paper this was made from a piece 15cm x 29.5cm, using the whole length of the A4 sheet. This binding was a fraction too small to hold business cards, so I repeated the process making the width 16.5cm and this worked perfectly.

Having made the book binding I cut 2 pieces of card to make the covers, a little bigger than the business cards I had put into the book. 

Looking at the card covers on the desk, I needed papers or fabric to cover them.

I decided as I was going to use the book to hold my business cards I would use some fabric recycled from one of hubbies shirt and I would have a great memory/keepsake book that would be useful.

I usually use a button on elastic for a closure for this type of book but for this memory book I found an old Ilfracombe Yacht Club pin that had particular meaning. 

                                     ——————————————————————

I was so pleased with the end product I decided to make another. This time, staying with the memory book theme, I decided to make another bigger book and using a sheet of A3 paper , which is 42cm long I cut it to 21cm wide. I wanted this memory book to be a photo album and so cut panels 4” wide from sheets of A4 Black card. 

Next what to cover the book cover with. This time i decided to use one of Brian’s ties and carefully unpicked a favourite silk tie, ironed it out, sewed 2 pieces of the stabilising fabric from inside the tie together to make padding for the card (as the silk was quite fine) and glued the stabiliser and the silk onto the 2 covers. 

                                                                

                                            

                

                                    

I really like this book and will pick some favourite photos  to go inside. I am also going to offer  a workshop for this project and kits where there will be fabric included and instructions to use your own fabrics to make this a keepsake book.