Mini Milk Cartons

It's another one of those last minute idea that I just have to give a go - last minute because:

1) I see the idea on Friday afternoon, and think, "Oh look, that's what I can make for Deb's Baby Shower gift!" The baby shower is on the next day. Never mind that I have no templates, and not even the time to google but you know, the idea is there, and I just have to run with it.

2) The earliest possible time I could experiment/work on it is Saturday morning, and that's when I also have three active boys all to myself as DH had to pop out for an hour or so.

I did have another gift planned but if this worked out, then that gift will be given when baby is born.

The idea is a picture on page 33 of the Stampin' Up 2010-11 IB & C (Idea Book & Catalogue) - NZ edition.

Unfortunately, I don't have the Bigz L Mini Milk Carton Die - indeed I don't even own the Sizzix Big Shot machine. I have not even seen the die nor the actual template it cuts out.

Fortunately, there's a small picture in the catalogue of the shape of the template the die cuts out , so I could easily just make some measurements up for it. The prototype I made up looked a decent size for what I wanted to use it for so yay! Next is working out how to do the carry tray with handle. This time I had no template to work from, but it is simple enough really to work out. I just didn't know how well it will hold up four mini milk cartons filled with yummies as I was using Designer Series Paper cardstock. Oh well, I gave it a go anyway. The end result appeared to hold up well enough. I'll just have to find out from Deb later down the track how well it served its purpose :-)

So, here it is: "Deb's Care Package"

I think it looked a bit more complete with the label embellishment:

Paper: Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper (DSP)

Punch: Heart to heart, 1" Circle, Horizontal Slot, Scallop Circle Extra Large 1 3/4"

Other: Double sided tape (though I think I'd use Sticky Strip instead if I had some - I read somewhere it's better for gift boxes), Gold decorative cord, cello bag for filling up yummy munchies in, cutting blade to cut a slit on the bottom of the tray to feed the handle panel through, 1/4" Grosgrain (I think?) Ribbon in Certainly Celery ( I think?) - I "stole" it from an old project that I had done in a class last year as it seemed to match the green on the DSP though the green there is Kiwi Kiss.

One box was filled with Prunes (if you haven't had a baby before, one of the things you always get asked by the doctor or midwife that see you in the days post birth is if you have passed bowel motions, because, well, it is important that you have a healthy bowel. So prunes can help some women).

One box was filled with Nuts (natural whole almonds and unsalted roasted cashew nuts) for energy and good fats.

The third box was filled with Lactation Cookies (actually I ran out of time to bake so I just substituted with shortbread that I had in the pantry! Will have to make Deb a batch of the actual lactation cookies when I visit her post birth. Google will give you many results, this is one of them, haven't checked if it's the same as the one I use, but it's got the main ingredients, ie flaxseed meal/ground linseed, brewers yeast, oats and chocolate chips, of course!).

Finally, the last box is filled with some chocolates. We all need a little bit of chocolate indulgence, don't you think?

The KTFPC Post #3

I had seen on ebay that someone was selling little kitsets to make-your-own bookmark projects of cute animals like bears, lions and frogs. So I googled to see if there was any tutorial on making a pig bookmark. Since I didn't find any, I just based mine on what I can see in the picture of one of the ebay listings :-) Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of it, and it was promptly given away the day it was made to the 12 year old pig crazy recipient :-) I'm sure i will be making more of these novel bookmarks so will blog about it at some stage.

However, in my search I found http://artgirlzscrappinattic.typepad.com/artgirlzscrappinattic_web/2008/02/altered-office.html and love the idea of a note/photo holder.

(That cutie patootie would be my 3rd born J20month, then 8.5months old)

Stamp Set: Best Wishes & More, Best Yet

Ink: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip

Paper: Whisper White, Bella Bleu DSP, Good Morning Sunshine DSP

Punch: Scallop Circle Extra Large 1 3/4", Circle 1 3/8"

Other: Double sided Tape, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Ribbon, Jumbo Binder Clip

(As you can see, I don't having the corresponding ink to the Not-Quite-Navy blue in the Bella Bleu paper, and the ribbon is just one that I found at the local Spotlight store that is the closest match in colour. Oh to have all the matching products! Oh well...at least, I think, this turned out quite well.

For future reference:

DSP Bella Bleu colours are: Very Vanilla, Kraft and Not Quite Navy

DSP Good Morning Sunshine: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip

The KTFPC Post #2

I do so love gifting handmade gifts - my dear friends who get them hopefully know that for me, it is not just a money saving way to gift. It is about gifting something of myself.

What do you do with standard off-the-production-line journals like this:

With the right tools and supplies and plenty of time and patience, you transform it to something like these:

Stamp Set: Sense of Time, (not sure but will update as I find out)

Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Naturals Ivory, Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Old Olive

Punch: Scallop Circle Extra Large1 3/4", Two-Step Bird Extra Large,

Other: Sizzix Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Dimensionals, Sizzix Circles Dies, Snail Adhesive, Double Sided Tape, Sponge daubers.

I got the idea for these Christmas 2010 gifts from the talented and kind hearted Penny who let me spent an evening late into the night at her home to use her supplies and the Big Shot machine to emboss the papers that covered the journals.

These were made with each person in mind, and prayers of blessings were declared over each of their lives.

The KTFPC Post #1

I thought I'll post pics of what other things I have made since November 2010 - just so this doesn't look like a one-post blog :-) (since I know I don't get crafting everyday, not even every week!) There are a few things I have made but not taken a picture of but I'm sure I will make more of those at some stage this year. So this is the "Keep The First Post Company" Post #1 - quick project made in January 2010.

Stamp Set: One of a Kind

Ink: Kiwi Kiss

Paper: Raspberry Tart DSP

Punch: Boho Blossoms

Other: Stampin' Pastels, Dimensionals, Double sided tape (would have preferred to use sticky tape if I actually own some), velcro dots

What do you do when you receive a phone call late on a Saturday morning - it was your dear friend saying that they were having a afternoon tea that very same day for their daughter whose 7th birthday it was? Well, it was an opportunity to create a fun little gift - yes in a very short time, with three active little boys and DH not available at home to take the boys out to work off their seemingly endless bound of energy.

Mr Google to the rescue, of course! I managed to search and found a simple purse template online. Once it was made up, then it was a quick trip to the shops to look for the fillers - hair ties, clips, lip gloss...you know, what a girl needs :)

For future reference, the colours of DSP Raspberry Tart are: Real Red, Rose Red, Cameo Coral, Pretty in Pink, Kiwi Kiss.

New Journey

The title to my first post on this blog is apt on two accounts. First it, refers to where I'm at in my paper crafting journey and secondly, this post is about how I created a card to congratulate a couple who will soon make the lifelong commitment we call Marriage. It was the night before DH's youngest brother's engagement BBQ. The children are in bed early-ish (8.30pm) and after a day of slow going on the motivation front, I got out my small (though growing!) Stampin' Up supplies to see what engagement card I could come up with.

I have been wanting to use the Versamark ink pad but really had no idea how to use it since I hadn't seen a demonstration of its use (which I now know is a-plenty - Google is so my friend!) and bought it new off Trade Me cos it was a good buy. The Watermark technique was the obvious route with what tools I have.

I only have 4 cardstock colours to choose from - Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White or Very Vanilla. Limited choice is good, otherwise I might still be debating which colours to use! The watermark effect popped out more on the Cherry Cobbler than the Real Red, so that was a simple decision that needs no more deliberating - phew.

Next decision - what sentiments and stamps to use? Well I was already using the Priceless swirly stamp for the watermark background, and since it is a card about Love, the heart or butterfly stamps in that same stamp set seems fitting. I also went for the Best Wishes stamp from the Oval All stamp set because it means I get to use the oval and Scallop oval punches (I just love using punches). Sweet - now all that remained to do is to put the card together.

Stamp Set: Priceless, Oval All

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Versamark

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Whisper White

Punch: Scallop Edge, Scallop Oval, Large Oval

Other: Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, 2-way Glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive

(ps: I just can't seem to capture the true colour on camera or otherwise it is blurry...oh well, you get the idea.)

Ahh - I feel better. It is so good to create. This was a great way to end my slow going day. Now I just have to think what to write inside the card! But that will be tomorrow's task as it is far too late now.