Kimono Thank You Card

Today I wanted to share a Kimono Thank You card created by Kit. The original card was posted on my blog on August 5, 2011. Kit sent me these photos - she did a fabulous job. They are being raffled at a fundraiser to benefit the Tsunami Victims. It always warms my heart to know others are able to recreate the project posted. Thank you for checking in today.........................if you have made a kimono card, I sure would love to see them!!!

My Asian SCAL Test

After much thought and research, I recently took the plunge to purchase SCAL 2.0 (Sure Cuts a Lot). This is a program that connects and utilizes your Cricut machine to cut an image. And, I mean I really thought about it for a loooooog time...................I have been able to make a couple cards by purchasing some files ready to use with this program. What I really wanted to do is to design my own images. I had my Asian Last Name "Lee" stamp custom made. I stamped the image on a white card stock, then scanned it and converted the image into another program called "Inkscape". Then I imported it into to SCAL and was able to cut it!!!! Yay - I sure felt good to make this accomplishment. I also tried a couple different sizes: slightly larger.......cool!!!! way cool!!!! I also found a free web site to import various Asian words. The following words were imported: "Friendship", file was converted in Inkscape, then exported to SCAL..............wow - waaay cool!!! Now I wonder why I didn't take this plunge earlier..........................

So stay tuned for some fun exciting projects!!!!

Pushing the Envelope Tutorial

Thank you all for your patience in waiting for the "Pushing the Envelope" tutorial. The original post on 3/5/2011. The tutorial will provide the BASIC steps to make this type of album. Left Photo: To prepare to make this book: (2) 6-1/2" x 5" chipboard pieces (2) 7-1/2 x 6" patterned paper (2) 6-1/4" x 4-3/4" solid/pattern paper for inside cover (2) 4-3/4" x 12" solid/pattern paper for spine, scored 1-1/4" along 12" side (7) envelopes of your choice - A2 size used for this tutorial (7) 20" long cut ribbon of your choice 1/8" Hand Held circle punch Keep in mind, these are basic measurements. If the envelopes used are larger in size, increase to adjust the covers accordingly. COVER: Right Photo: Adhere the 7-1/2" x 6" piece to the chipboard. To make the corners, apply adhesive to the edge, then fold up the corners (as shown in the photo), repeat on all 4 corners. Left Photo: to achieve crisp sides, use a bone folder or simply lift up the side and rock forward (see yellow arrow), apply adhesive, secure. Right photo: finished front and back cover results. Set aside - do not apply inside cover yet!!!

SPINE: Left Photo: Crease and fold the 4-3/4" x 12 strips. Connect the two strips (see yellow arrow)

Right Photo: There are a total of 7 mountains for the outside and 8 for the inside. Note: The total amount of folds will also depend on how many envelopes are being used for the album.

Left Photo: Make a template 2" x 4-3/4" using chipboard. First hole is 1-1/8" from the top, following (3) 1/8" holes on the edge 1-1/4" apart. Note: if envelopes are larger/smaller in size, center the template for the same results. Place the template on the 3rd fold line which will the 1st mountain fold, mark holes - continue marking on all mountain sections.

Right Photo: Fold crease to punch holes using a 1/8" hand held punch. Repeat process 6 additional times.

Preparing the Envelopes

Left Photo: Fold the envelope flap inside (see yellow arrow)

Right Photo: using the template previously made for the strips, center template on envelope, mark holes.

After punching the envelopes, the envelope side results are as shown. Note: the 1/8" punch should be ONLY punching half way (or 1/16" in).

Connecting the Envelopes to the Spine

Left Photo: A needle with larger holes will be good to thread ribbon of your choice.

Right Photo: After threading needle, push through the center hole of the spine and envelope (see yellow arrow). Leave about 7" of ribbon as a tail.

Left photo: After threading ribbon through the center hole, from the inside of the envelope, thread through the bottom hole and through the bottom of the spine (see yellow arrow)

Right Photo: Bring needle up to the top spine hole, thread through top envelope hole as shown.

Left Photo: Before the spine attaching process is completed, outside of the spine should be as shown

Right Photo: Thread through the center envelope hole and through spine ensuring the tail will be on the opposite side of the original tail (see yellow arrow). Tie a double knot to secure ribbon.

Finished attached envelope results:

Attaching Cover to Spine

Left Photo: adhere spine extension to the cover (see yellow arrow)........position it 1/4" from the edge

Right photo: Adhere the solid/pattern paper on top to hide the extension.

Results of finished project side view

Whew.........................this tutorial took a bit longer than expected. I do hope it is clear, if not, please, let me know.

Tag Book from Pleasanton Scrapbook Expo

Here is a fun project: it's a "Make & Take" from the recent Pleasanton Scrapbook Expo at the Dollar Scrapbooking booth. This tag book was designed by the creative Alison Wong who used the product line Creative Cafe by Creative Imaginations. See Alison's gallery of tag books on www.dollarscrapbooking.net . There are many vibrant tag pages with a variety of embellishments and stickers: a total of 7 small tags and 7 large tags. Photos of each page are below. I added some flowers, word stickers, along with colorful Ric-rack and buttons after I got home. This tag book is 3" x 6" and the smaller tags measure 2-1/2" x 4-1/4". The Gold color 2" ring allows additional tags to be added later...........what I love best about this tag book is the sticker tabs which are uniquely used throughout the book. This is the cover: Here's the Tag Book fanned out............... So here are all the tags I have so far...................

Don't you just love it?

Melissa Frances Kitschy Recipe Album

I attended the Pleasanton Scrapbook Expo a couple weeks ago and was able to attend this great class given by the Melissa Frances group. Everything was supplied to complete this project (don't you love that?) but I never finish my project at class, I finish it at home. Here's the front chipboard cover. Project finished size is 6" x 6-1/2" x 1-1/2". The 1st page was cool: the scalloped edge Kraft envelope has a tag. I added the Baker's twine to the envelope. The page has a ruffled pattern paper with a sponged edge..........Ranger's Distressed Burlap Ink is used throughout this project on all the pages and stickers. A paper doily sponged with Ranger's distressed Burlap Ink is incorporated on to this page along with added Baler's twine: Another ruffled pattern paper on this tabbed section: More fun embellishments: added Baker's twine and a waxed cupcake liner (sponged with ranger's Distress Burlap ink) Here's another fun scalloped Kraft envelope with a tag and Baker's twine. The sponged doily is peeking out of the edge The last tabbed section: a vertical ruffled pattern paper as embellishment:

There are a variety of recipe cards (6 different designs) behind each decorated tab section as follows. There were a whole bundle of recipe cards in the set which I believe,is sold separately.

This was such a cute project and not difficult to complete.

Hope you enjoyed this.........................