When the moon hits your eye ...

For whatever reason, when I think of an accordion, I think of the song That's Amore. And the movie Moonstruck - oh, I love that movie. I once burst into song in the office because of one of the sorting folders that looks like an accordion - you know which one I mean?  Alas, that has nothing to do with the book / card we are making, it's just a fun thing that happens for me - continual soundtrack based on life experiences playing in my head.

I originally saw this project years ago when a friend demo'd it at our monthly SU demonstrator get together.  I remember thinking it would be fun to try but then forgot about it until a couple weeks ago when she did a facebook live showing it.  Perfect timing! While it is designed as a photobook, it made the perfect group card I needed for a lady who was leaving for another job.  I frequently need cards big enough for the entire office to sign.  Even though I am retired now, I still like to make the cards for the wonderful people I used to work with. 

I think this project would work for so many things: all your kids yearly school pics or pics with Santa, document a holiday like a road trip or maybe Christmas, sports photos, new baby's book of first for a new mom or a brag book for a grandparent / aunt / uncle, year in review book, and more.  What ideas do you have for this project?

The video showing the making of the multicolour project can be found on my youtube channel - paper pusher tv. 

Enough rambling, let's get making. The size of this project is customizable - how many spots do you need? Are you using both the front and back of the pages? With three inserts - as shown in the pics and the video - you will have 4 full squares and 6 split squares on the front and 3 full squares and 6 split squares on the back. Each extra paper you add will add 1 full square and 2 split squares on each side. These multi colour pages show best how they go together and let you see how the front and back squares are arranged.

 

 

Let's start with the covers.  You need 2 pieces of  DSP 6"x6" and 2 pieces of heavy cardboard or chip board that are 4 1/1" x 4 1/2" each. Use a strong adhesive (tear and tape, tombo white glue, or such) to adhere the chip board in the centre of the paper.  Miter the corners (as in the pic) to cut down on the bulk and make for a smoother fold.

         

  

Set the covers aside until assembly time.  Now on to the page inserts. Each page is 8 1/2" x 8 1/2". Each page gets scored the same - at 4 1/4" both ways (make a plus) and then from corner to corner in one direction.

Line up the pages so you understand assembly before adding the adhesive.  Once lined up - adhere the pages together.

   

Now it's time to adhere the covers.  If you have chosen DSP where direction makes a difference, make sure to line up the cover the correct way up - and make sure the front and back are going in the same direction.

You also need to decide on where the ribbon will tie. Whichever way you decide, just make sure you only adhere the ribbon to one cover. The ribbon will need to be about 24" long and one that ties well.

If you are adhering it so it ties in the centre of the front cover - adhere the ribbon between the back cover and the pages.  You can choose to leave the front cover plain or add a label and work the ribbon into the design.

 

 

If you want the ribbon to tie and the side (so the front cover is fully seen) then adhere the ribbon under the front label (I drew a line on the tear and tape backing so it was easier to see).  In the video I screwed this up - just couldn't focus as I tried to keep a very large project in a small area to show on camera.  The solution is actually pretty easy.  

 

Now it's time to decorate the pages. As mentioned in the video, layout everything - especially photos - before you cut and adhere.

These pages were made for signing but could be pictures, DSP or any combination.  More details on that in the video.

These books / cards are fun to make and there are so many ways you could finish them. I sense many more in my future. I would love to see any you make.

Happy crafting!

Tracey

Good things come in small packages

Need a few packaging or gift giving ideas for Christmas?  These are quick and easy to make so you could even do them for tomorrow. Or, maybe easier, just switch out the decor and make them for birthdays or valentines or easter or ....

If you would like to see the video from Show and Tell with Tracey (s1e3) you can watch the replay on my youtube channel.

Here are the measurements and tips for the projects:

  

  

You can stamp on the matte side of the box (the shiny side is the food safe side).  If you are using a stamp or DSP where direction matters, make sure you align them for the direction they appear after the box is folded up.

I have shown the cardstock in 2 different colours so you can see how to assemble.  Generally I would use the thick basic white or very vanilla for a little extra durability but coloured cardstock will hold up.

If you put adhesive all around the back of the mini envelope, it definitely helps getting the gift card or tea bag into the envelope.

No special tips here - I just love this project.

So many options for what you can fit in the 2 slots of this treat / gift card holder. Full size greeting card or notecard, tea bag, chocolates, hot chocolate, cider or coffee power, cookies ... oh the possibilities.

This works to put the cardstock/DSP panel on the same side of the envelope (inside and out) or on opposite side ( I know this because I accidently put one on the wrong side). Thinner items like tea bags, gift cards, chocolates fit in the envelope.

A little treat given in kindness or love can really make someone's day.  Have these on hand just in case someone needs a pick me up, thank you or for a special occasion.

Happy stamping and Merry Christmas peeps!

Tracey

I see a fox curled up napping under a tree

Thanks for joining me for Show and Tell with Tracey on 7 Dec 21.  If you missed the video, you can catch the replay on my YouTube channel.

Here are the pics and instructions for making the tree card - also know as the teepee card. Not sure who the original creator was but thank you so much for this fantastic idea.

First, here's the end product:

  

  

Note than in the first sample, the decoration hangs over the edge of the card base a lot - while I love the look of this when standing up, it does mean a custom envelope is required as it won't fit in the medium one.  The second example will.  If you are going to have overhang, lay your card flat and lay it on an envelope - that will tell how much room you have.

The card has wow factor but is quite easy to put together.  The base consists of 3 pieces of cardstock - 4 inches by 4 inches and then scored once from corner to corner.

For the patterned paper (DSP) you need 2 pieces cut 3 3/4 inches x 3 3/4 inches. Cut them in half from corner to corner. You will have one spare triangle. You can choose to leave the little triangles bare or put on a complimentary DSP.  For these you need 2 pieces cut 2 1/4 inches x 2 1/4 inches. Cut them in half corner to corner, and again you will have one piece left over.

Adhere the DSP on each piece as shown out below.  My version has white cardstock in the middle that can be written on but you can also sub out one of the DSP pieces and have the writing showing.

For ease of showing you how the pieces go together, I switched the colour on two of them. These pieces would all be the same with the DSP on the left hand side.

Adhere the pieces together.  Because people like to open and close this type of card (you just can't help yourself), I suggest a strong adhesive like Tear and Tape or Seal +. When you are putting the together, lightly line up the top corner and then fold the piece you are adhering before you fully adhere. This is to make sure you can still fold the card flat for mailing.

For the inside writing space, you need 1 piece of basic white (or very vanilla if that coordinates better with your DSP) cut at 3 3/4 inches x 3 3/4 inches. This piece gets cut in half corner to corner and adhered as shown below.

For the closure you can use flat magnetics or velcro pieces to close.  Just needs to be able to open to lay flat so not a permanent adhesive.  My preference is to adhere one magnet on the inside flap of the card, put the second magnet on top with the adhesive side out, close the card and get it all lined up nice, then press the second magnet onto the cardstock.

When getting ready to mail, fold the card flat.  As mentioned above, you want to contain the decor if you want to fit it in a standard medium envelope.  Notice the overhang, best to have it overhang over the center line (notice the foliage just above the S in the greeting) as this won't affect the envelope fit.

 

Once you make one of these cards, I think you will make many.  They are kind of addictive and can be decorated in so many ways.   Have fun creating.  One more for the road.

  

Happy Stamping!

Tracey

finally finished Friday

This may or may not be the last time that I have to use that title.  I have been trying to get things caught up for weeks.  Sometimes though, I just tire of the continual technology learning curve.  So instead of fighting it, I stepped away for a couple days and came back to look at things with fresh eyes.

In this case, it resulted in me figuring a better way to do things - and a little more refinement to my weekly schedule.  Go me!  Pinterest has been my latest nemesis but I've gotten a lot farther today.  Pinterest is where I want to upload photos (a library of sorts) and then just link to them there.  Sounds easy right. Right. Easy. Yeah.

Starting with the most recent Technique Tuesday video (s1e3) - here is my cute little penguin with his "kissed" toque and scarf. This card layer was originally used in my stamparatus technique video (s1e1) but I dropped an inked up stamp on the edge of it so it had to be trimmed down.  I love mini cards - they're 3" x 3" and so fun to make.

Technique Tuesday s1e2 was about making kits into something other than intended.  Alternative projects can be made with any supplies, kits just mean someone else prepped all materials for you.  Score!  

First up, the Love, Santa tag kit.  This kit had sold out but then came back in stock - how long it lasts is anyone's guess. Don't want tags, no problem, make them into cards.        

I also used the October 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit Peaceful Christmas (now that's a mouthful) to make some treat holders out of a card base and envelope.  Funny enough, this kit had some refills released which sold out the same day.  Then, mysteriously, they came back in stock. How long it lasts is anyone's guess. I sense a theme. 😀

This post is already picture heavy and going to be long so I will do another one with the box making basics and template.

And the latest projects to show you - final cards made with the stamparatus techniques I showed you in Technique Tuesday s1e1.

This first cards shows 2 techniques - exact stamp placement and two step stamping.

I'm not sure what this next technique called - pattern or template stamping maybe. I love the set Nothing's Better Than and think the images are very retro.  Hence the colour choices for the card. I didn't stamp this layer during the video but had done as part of the prep. I also used the same template for the wreath card (which I show in the video) but then I added some foliage and a label and it's a little hard to see.

The stamparatus is perfect for background stamps or large image stamps.  I love this Festive Foliage stamp so much it was hard to cover any of it up - but I did.

The reflection or mirror image technique takes a little practice but is so worth it. You definitely want the silicon mat to help with this one.

Finally, step stamping.  I really should have done a sample with sentiments as that is a really common use but I went with images.  I made a label out of the ornament layer and nestled it into the very yummy Christmas Pinecone dies.  The leaf card was not stamped during the video but shows you that the step method can work up and down as well as side to side.

  

Wow, that's a lot of pictures.  Thanks for hanging in until the end.  I would love to see what you guys make with the stamparatus. Maybe you could post a picture in the comments section.  I say maybe - because I have no idea if you can or not.  (that makes me giggle). Who wants to try so we can learn together?

Happy stamping peeps!

T