On the Fourth Day of Christmas...

...I made a MATCHBOOK MINI ALBUM!



This a a super easy, super quick little mini uses cello bags for the inside pockets. It would make a great last minute gift! I made two in just a couple of hours.

Here's what you need:

-6 cello bags (9 3/4" x 4") You will need to adjust the measurements if your bags are bigger or smaller

-For card stock cover, cut one 4 1/2" x 10 1/4" piece (score at 1" and 1 3/4" from one end and 1 1/2" from other end) and one 4 1/2" x 7 3/4" piece (score 1 1/2" from one end). From scraps cut a half of a 2" circle.

-For cello binders, cut six 3" x 4" rectangles. Score in half lengthwise.

-From assorted patterned paper, cut four 4 1/4" x 6" rectangles for inside and outside cover, two 1 1/4" x 4 1/4 for inside and outside spine, and one 4 1/4" x 2 3/4" rectangle for bound end, score 1" from each side.

-From assorted double-sided patterned card stock, cut twelve 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangles for inside tags.

To make inside pockets, trim sealed end off bag so that bag measures 9" long. Fold 3" x 4" rectangles in half at score line. Cut a decorative edge if you want one.



Attach binder to cello bag at fold. Punch holes as shown. Make 6.



Fold cover card stock at score lines. Overlap 1 1/2" sections and attach with your favorite adhesive with front cover over back cover. Attach half circle to inside of front cover.



Fold 2 3/4" x 4 1/4" rectangle at score lines. attach over folded binding end of cover. Punch holes to align with holes in cello binders.



Attach patterned papers to outside and inside covers and spine.




Slip stack of cello bags into folded "u" of binding. Align holes. Thread ribbon down one hole through cover and cello binders and then up the other hole. Tie.



Add tabs to inside tags and embellish if you wish! To close, slip half circle tab under binding edge.




Enjoy making your MINI!!

Happy Holidays!

Laura

On the THIRD day of Christmas....

...I want to take a moment to make a rememberence. Yesterday was a very sad day here in Seattle. The entire Puget Sound region is in mourning. A little over a week ago, 4 (yes, FOUR) police officers were shot and killed by a lone gunman as they began their shift at a coffee house in a city just south of Seattle. Yesterday the region said good bye to these officers in a processional and service that ended up lasting most of the day. Over 5000 vehicles and 20,000 fellow officers from around the country participated. This is the second shooting of this kind here is Seattle area since Halloween night. I ask that we all take a moment and give a thought to not only these officers and their families (9 children lost a parent!) but to all of the officers, firefighters and military who put their lives on the line for us every day. I personally say Thank You and God Bless!

The project I have for you today was going to be later in the week but I moved it to today. It seemed appropriate. Angels and Christmas have always gone together. Enjoy these special angels!



I have been making these angels for years as necklaces and earrings. Lately, I have added them to a couple of my mini's as a charm on a charm dangle. Here I have added to a Holiday tag. They are simple to make and appropriate for any time of year but especially at Christmas time.



To make a charm you need a head pin and the beads shown. String beads on the head pin and make a simple or wrapped loop and voila'!

On the SECOND Day of Christmas....

...I made some Paper Roses!



To make these roses you will need punched or die-cut flowers in graduated sizes (different sizes but don't have to be the same). You can even cut out your own.



You will also need a container of water, some foil and spray starch. Soak your punches/die-cuts in the water for about 15 to 30 minutes.



The optional largest petal should have long, narrow petals. Cut petals longer if necessary. Roll long petals around your awl or a bamboo skewer. Roll on the diagonal to form a twist. Dry with an embossing tool or hair dryer. (Or air dry!)



Cut petals to be about 3/4" long on the next larger petal, if necessary.



Pinch petals in half. Scrunch flower as shown. Make a ball out of foil drape and shape the flower around the foil form. Dry with your embossing tool.



Roll end of of petals around your awl or bamboo skewers using the other larger flower. Drape over foil form and dry with your embossing tool.





Repeat the last step for the medium size flower.



Pinch the two smallest flower around your awl or bamboo skewer and dry with your embossing tool.




Layer all the dried petals in descending order. glue together with glue dots or your favorite adhesive. Mist with Glimmer Mist if you want a sparkle!



Have fun making an entire garden!

ENJOY!!

Laura

On the FIRST Day of Christmas...

I'm not sure when the first day of Christmas is officially, but TODAY is the first day of Christmas here on my blog!I will upload a new project, idea, or tip each day. On the 12th Day of Christmas (actually it will be on December 18th) I will be giving away a one-of-a-kind Mini made especially for this event! To be entered all you need to do is subscribe to my blog and leave a comment that you subscribed. If you already subscribe, let me know in your comment that you are a subscriber....that's it.

This first project is a Gingerbread House Recipe Box!


It would make a great gift for the cooks in your life or a wonderful hostess gift. It can hold either recipe cards or photo's.The little box a the end is one the the first mini's I made. I saw something like it and figured out my own dimensions. I will have a video up on Youtube (http://followthepapertrail.youtube.com) showing this project and will have kits up on Etsy (http://followthepapertrail.etsy.com) to make one just like mine by tomorrow.




To make this Cover, you will need chipboard cut to the sizes shown, a 12" x 12" paper for the outside, cut into two 6" x 12" pieces. You will also need a sheet of 12" x12" paper for the inside cover, cut into two 4 1/2" x 12" pieces.




Attach chipboard to wrong side of patterned paper. Place seams as shown in photo. Make a "shim" with two thicknesses of chipboard. Use this shim to make a consistent space between chip pieces.




Trim corners about an 1/8" from corner at about a 45 degree angle.












Gently roll paper over edge of chipboard and glue in place.






Fold cover towards inside, scoring if necessary






Place inside paper on chip board to cover edges of outside paper, seaming as shown in photo. Adhere to chipboard.





Gently fold cover towards inside again, scoring if needed.









Attach magnets (or velcro dots) as shown. I have had problems with the magnets coming unglued in the past. I like to punch a small flower to cover over the magnet to help attach it more firmly without affecting it's magnetism. I like to use Glossy Accents to attach the magnet and flower. Repeat on the outside cover as well.







































Seal six #10 envelopes closed. Trim approximately 1/4 off ends of envelopes and cut in half.





Use a circle or scalloped punch to cut out "finger" pulls from envelopes.




Run a strip of adhesive 3/4" +/- from each side. Attach all envelopes together.

























I use a stronger adhesive such as Terrifically Tacky tape to affix the envelpope "group" to the coverered chip board cover. Attach approcimately 1/2" to 3/4" above bottom. Attach to front first then to back of "box".































The cover is ready to decorate!


















To make the "roof", trim a 5" x 5" piece of chip board as shown. cover with paper and attach to upper flap. Add dimensional paint to simulate snow on the roof line and windows. Add glitter glue (Stickles) to snow and tree.


Make Recipe cards or photo matt's from solid or pattern paper. I used 4" x 6" for the cards and 3" x 4" for the photo matt.




























































Have fun with this project and make sure to check out the video on Youtube!
Happy Holidays!!

Laura

You know you have a Glimmer Mist and Stickles addiction when:

*Someone comments on your "sparkly" nail enamel and you aren't wearing nail enamel. (Too much Stickles!)

* You ask for something that sparkles for Christmas....and you're thinking Glimmer Mist!

*You look at your pearlized shampoo/conditioner in the shower and try to think of what color of Glimmer Mist it looks like...and wonder if you have that color!

*You notice for the fist time that there is a sparkle fleck in your tooth paste...and it looks like Stickles!

*You consider using a drop of Stickles on each ear when you can't find you favorite stud earrings!

I've never been a sparkle girl till I discovered Glimmer Mist and Stickles!
I think I need "Sparklers Anonymous"!



I have some new fun stuff coming up on my Blog starting Monday!

I will be doing my own version of
The 12 Days of Christmas!

I will have 12 (yes 12!!) ideas for handcrafted decor and gifts. I'm starting now to give you enough time to get them done before Christmas. Some will be super quick and easy, some a bit more involved. I will also have kits available for some of them, but all will have instructions on my blog and a video on YouTube.

Happy Holidays!!!