Surgery is No Fun

I had carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand on Tuesday.   It was actually round two on that hand due to scar tissue.   My right hand is still functional though.   I'm off from work for a few weeks.   That"s a mixed blessing.  While it gives my hand a chance to recover, I'm the kind of person that likes to stay busy with something.   I suspect I'll discover how good of a one handed card maker I am.  

Custom Notecard Holder

The gift giving season is just around the corner.  Sometimes it's just a simple little gift that can make someone's day.   Here's an idea for how to  make a custom note card holder.   Yes, I said custom.  You can make any size you want, any color you want, and decorate it to your tastes (or to the liking of the gift recipient.  

I started with the notecards.   I decided that I was going to take a simple path and just use quarter sheets.    So that measures 4.25 x 5.5 inches.  And I decided to decorate my notecards with a simple motorcycle image that is running off of the side of the note.   

 No coloring.... just keeping it simple.   That stamp is gorgeous enough on it's own.

So now to the measurements and mechanics.    I drew up the design for my box.   I suggest you do the same as you'll use it as a reference during construction.   

The Base

I gave the base a 1/8 buffer so the note cards would fit snug, but with enough room to breathe.   My base is 5 5/8 and 4 3/8.   To recap on the measurement of the base (or center of the sketch below).  My note cards are 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.  Adding 1/8 inch to each side, I get the 5 5/8 and 4 3/8.  

The Sides

I wanted the sides to be 1 inch tall.   Tip:  pick an easy increment that is on your scoreboard.   The side panels will fold up, over, and then back into the base.   That's three sections that will each need to be 1 inch tall.   The first section will need tabs to fold under the side walls.   

Size of paper to cut.   

Adding my base and then the sides together, I get an overall size of 10 3/8 x 11 5/8.   Whew, that's just a bit smaller than a 12x12 sheet and I didn't need to reconfigure the size at all.    

I used a sturdy piece of Bazzell cardstock for my construction material.  I cut it 10 3/8 x 11 5/8 as per my calculations above.  

I had chosen do do 1 inch sides, so I scored three lines onto each side in 1 inch increments.  This s where it helps to have an easy measurement for the sides that works well for your scoreboard. 

Before trimming, I pre-crease all of my sides.    Keep in mind how these flaps will be folded and go ahead and crease them in that direction.  It's almost a zigzag as you crease them, as the walls of the box go up and one section folds back down into the base. 

Now to the trimming.   Pay attention here.    You still need a flap that will fold into the adjoining side to actually make a box.   So be careful as to what you trim away.  I've marked out one corner for you below with Xs in the squares that get trimmed off. 

And then for that last square in the corner, you just cut one side in as shown below.   

Here's another shot below with all four corners trimmed and the flaps for bonding the adjoining walls trimmed. 

Now that outer section of each wall will fold back into the base.  In order to avoid unnessary bulk, I mitered each corner at 45%.  Be careful to only do the outer section. 

And here's a sample picture of one trimmed section.

Now compare the trimmed cardstock to the sketc.   See how the mitered sectiosn come into play and again, pay attention to those flaps to hold the adjoining walls together. 

I like to cut a piece of chipboard to reinforce my base.  I cut the chipboard just shy of the base dimension so that it wouldn't interfere with folding.... 

Be sure to do a dry fit before adhering the chipboard down.    That way you can trim off a smidge easily.

Time for construction.   

Do three of the walls first and hold off on the last short wall.  Hopefully you trimmed your flaps in a direction to where they fold into the short walls.  

Dry fold that last wall, but keep it flat.   Mark the center of the last wall.

Use a punch to create a notch.

Adhere that last wall into place and you have your custom sized note card holder. 

Add your notecards.   Feel free to decorate further and maybe even add a ribbon across the top of the notecard holder.   

I chose to keep it simple and here's my finished product.  I did purposefully go with orange and black for a Harley Davidson feel.

Bombshell Mojo

This card is a mash up of the Mojo Monday 318 sketch and this month's Bombshell Pin-Up.   Her challenge goes live on the Bombshell Blog this Wednesday.   Stop by and check out some of team's creations.   But for now.... here's my challenge combo creation.

This card features Bombshell Stamp's Harley Motorcycle stamp set.

Here's the sketch from Mojo Monday 318

A bit of an angled shot to show off the dimension.

Here's the inside of the card. 

Supplies:
Stamps: Harley Motorcycles bomb (Bombshell Stamps)
Ink: Soft Suede for the image, Kiwi Kiss and Cranberry Crisp for a bit of distressing on the punched leaves (Stampin' Up)
Coloring: alcohol markers (Copic)
Printed Paper: Apple Cider collection (BoBunny)
Cardstock: Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Confetti Cream (Stampin' Up)
Tools: tag die from Chalk Talk Collection (Stampin' Up); double leaf punch (Creative Memories); border punch (EK Success)
Accents: Pear Pizazz seam binding (Stampin' Up); acrylic raindrop stickers (unknown)

Witching Hour - Bombshell Blog Hop

It's time for the October Bombshell Blog Hop.  It's also time for a Witching Hour - the theme for this month.   Bombshell Stamps has these fantastic digital outfits that go with their Bombshell Angel Stamp.  This outfit is from the Halloween Costume set.   It's a perfect fit.

For a bit of an angle.... I love using dimensionals to give a card that extra pop.  :-)

And another angle.   

And the inside of the card

Now see what the rest of the Bombshell Gals have created and continue on the blog hop.

Bombshell Blog: http://bombshellstamps.blogspot.com/
Alison: http://alisonsrandomthoughts.blogspot.com/
Glittery Katie: http://ferrishyn-frontier.blogspot.com/
Stempelientje: http://stempelientje.blogspot.com/
Marnie: http://www.papertivity.blogspot.com/
Kim: http://www.craftypinkanchor.blogspot.com/
Alaine: http://missalaineousmosaics.blogspot.com/
Leslie: http://leslieturner58.blogspot.com/
Monika: http://paperchrome.blogspot.com/(You are here)
Kelli: http://www.cajunstampingqueen.blogspot.com/
Kathi: http://kathstales.blogspot.com/



Supplies:
Stamps: Bombshell Angel Stamp set, Halloween Costume digital stamp set (Bombshell Angel)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Tangerine Tango (Stampin' Up)
Coloring: markers (Copic)
Paper: The Spooky Time Stack (DCWV)
Cardstock: Tangerine Tango, Naturals White (inside), Basic Black (Stampin' Up); white (Neenah)
Tools: Pennant Punch (Stampin' Up); Fruit Smoothie alpha die set (Sizzix), border punch (Martha Stewart)
Accessories: bling (inside)
 

You Can Do It

I just had to play with this newly released digital stamp set from Bombshell Stamps - Rosie the Riveter.   It's taking a break from Fall and Halloween colors and stepping back to a patriotic color theme, which suits Rosie just fine.

Suppliers: 

Stamps: digital (Bombshell Stamps - Rosie the Riveter.)

Ink: distress ink (Ranger/Tim Holtz)

Printed Paper: BoBunny. 

Cardstock: Poppy Parade (Stampin' Up), blue (Creative Memories)

Tools: embossing folder (PaperStudio), circle cutter

Coloring: markers (Copic)

Halloween Bombshell Mash-Up

This card is a mash up of two challenges: 1) the color challenge posed by this month's Bombshell Pin-Up, Sharon Rogers to use purple, orange, black and lime green in a card and 2) this month's Bombshell Sketch challenge. This card features Bombshell Stamp's Bombshell Angel and the coordinating Halloween Costume digital stamps.

Supplies: 

Stamps:  Bombshell Angel and coordinating Halloween Costume digital stamps (Bombshell Stamps)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento): ink jet printer.

Coloring: markers (Copic)

Printed Paper: Erie (Basic Grey)

Cardstoc: Basic Black, Elegant Eggplant, Naturals White (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: lace ribbon

Tools: circle punch, scallop circle punch (EK Success)

Custom Pizza (Treat) Box

With Halloween around the corner, it's the perfect time for treats.   So how about a pretty little box for some special treats.    Take a look at this one adorned with this gorgeous Frankenstein Bride from Bombshell Stamp's Halloween Costume digital dress up set.

And check out the treats inside.   Yum!  The box is custom sized for these little truffles. 

Here's how I made it.....

First of all, take some measurements.  I laid the candies on my cutting mat grid.   I need a box that's 2.5 x 3.5 inches.   But how tall? 

One inch tall ought to do the trick. 

Take those measurements and translate them to this basic pattern.   The orange lines indicate where the cut lines will be. The overall design is a pizza box design with the hinged flip up lid. 

After adding the various segments together for length and width, I cut my cardstock that size - 5 1/2" x 8"

The sketch above also gives me the score lines I'll need.   

Score all of the lines.

Crease all of the score lines with your bone folder. 

Make the cuts along the orange highlighted cut lines.  

Apply adhesive to the flaps to where the flaps will be on the inside of the box.   I used Score tape.

Adhere the base off the box first.  

Then finish up with the lid.

You should have a box with a snug fit.  

I like to take a piece of packaging chipboard and line the base.   My box base is 3.5 x 2.5 inches. 

Dry fit.  Trim any adjustments.  And then adhere the chipbard to the base of the box.   

Had to make sure the little candies fit just right.    :-)

Time to decorate.   Add a base layer of cardstock.   You can use part of the above sketch 

After adding the base decorative layer, I used a hole punch to notch out the lid for a finger hold.  This makes it a lot easier to open the box and get to the treats. 

See the notch?

 Finish decorating the box.   The Frankenstein Bride image from Bombshell Stamp's Halloween Costume digital dress up set is a complete digital image with the Bombshell Angel's face and is perfect to downsize.  I reduced her size to fit on my little box, printed her out, colored, and trimmed.   

Supplies: 

Stamps: Bombshell Stamp's Halloween Costume digital dress up set

Coloring: markers (Copic)

Ink: dye ink (Stampin' Up - used for shading)

Printed Paper: Authentique

Cardstock: Stampin' Up

Tools: label shape and circle punch (EKSuccess)