Dot & Whimsy : March 2020

BEST YEAR EVER JOURNAL CARD PORTFOLIO

Planner-lovers, cardmakers and scrapbookers alike would love to receive a handy "Journal Card Portfolio" such as this! Yesterday, at SIMPLE STORIES, I shared this fun spin on the traveler's notebook to create this unique gifting project.

To begin with the cover: I started with an 8.5"X11" piece of double-sided patterned paper and Scotch laminator with a laminating sheet. After lamination, I scored the piece at 5" and 6" and folded along the lines. Next, I used an 1/8" hole punch to make two holes at the top and bottom of the "spine". The holes were then threaded with a piece of 20mm white elastic cording and tied to create two loops for holding the inserts. I also punched a hole in the middle of the spine and made a loop of elastic to make the closure band.

For the two inserts: eight sheets of heavyweight cardstock (I used Neenah cardstock), were cut to 9.75"X8", scored in the middle and folded. The sheets were then divided into two sections so that four sheets were in each.

I crafted a cover for each section by covering a sheet of the heavyweight cardstock with patterned paper. The two sections were divided into January through June and July through December, so I used the "Best Year Ever Stamps" to identify these months. To color in the stampings, I used Sharpie markers!

Finally for the decorating and organizing of each of the pages! First, I cut apart ALL of the journal cards from the "Best Year Ever Essential Collection Kit" and corner rounded all of the edges (optional). To each of the "right-sided" pages, I added a pocket by using one of the 4X6 journal cards and scoring at 3/4" on the sides and bottom and then attaching with adhesive tape. The front of the pockets were embellished with various stickers, die-cuts and pocket squares.

On the left-hand side of the pages I actually used the leftover strip (from the top of each 12X12 paper) to create a vertical pop of color and then topped it with the month's sticker. Finally, I tucked in all of the cards to the premade pockets and used the elastic closure to neatly hold the pages together!

Thank you for joining me today!

Washi Tube Happy Mail

Oh my HAPPY MAIL!
Today I'm sharing an upcycled project using an empty
washi tape tube and other various goodies from Doodlebug Design.

Here are a few supplies that I used from my stash:

First, I wanted to create my own 1" circle stickers using the

new Doodle Stamps. To do so, I added an adhesive backing to a sheet of

Neena cardstock. Next, I die-cut 1" circles from the sticker paper and

then stamped various images with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.

After coloring the images with alcohol markers, I embellished with itty

bitty pieces such as shaped sprinkles and very small stickers from the Mini Icons.

Before starting on the tube transformation, I cleaned away the

adhesive residue and dirt with glass cleaner. The stickers on the lid

of the tube were also peeled away and cleaned.

I knew that I wanted to add a couple rolls of washi tape

to the container, so I found the measurement needed with that in mind.

I cut a piece of lightweight chipboard (from the back of a 6X6 paper

pad works great!) to the width and height needed.

Next, I cut two strips 1.5" wide and then scored at 1".

These two tabs will be added to the first chipboard piece to form the insert.

I covered the chipboard with patterns of 6X6 papers and then

adhered the smaller strips to the larger piece. Next I

cut paper to cover not only the remaining chipboard, but the tabs as well.

The divider now slides into place and the slots can be filled!

I covered the mini clothespins with leftover pieces of paper and

made some monthly calendar flags using the new stamps.

After filling the four slots with goodies, I also added a divider to the top!

Above you'll see that I threaded on a single sequin to the mini paper

clips and nestled them inside the rolls of washi tape.

To keep the paper clips from sliding down into the tube,

I made a circle divider and punched a notch so that it's easily removed.

Finally, the lid was embellished with a large bow and a

ring holding several tags and shaped clips.

There are so many ways that you could modify this design to

make your happy mail one-of-a-kind!

BLOG | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | ETSY

Doodlebug Products Used:

Mini Paperclips

Sequins

Boutique Buttons

Mini Clothespins

Gingham Assortment Washi Tape (and tube)

Odds and Ends

Mini Icon Stickers

Doodle Stamps

Cute Clips

Petite Prints 6X6 Paper Pads

Doodlebug Design gift packaging happy mail luggage treat boxes Treat Box

Luggage Style Treat Boxes

Whether you need a bitty box or a big box, this luggage-style
design is quick, easy and adorable!

For today's project I'm using Doodlebug Design's "Love Notes" Collection,

a couple of the mini create-a-cards and sprinkles.

I doubled the paper to create a sturdier inner box.

To begin I started with a 12X12 sheet of patterned paper, which creates two 4X4 boxes.

Score paper at 3"and 9"
Rotate paper and cut in half
Score each half 1" from each side
Cut a tab into at each corner by cutting along one of the 1" score lines
Fold along the score lines to create the box.
Glue tabs in place

The cover is as easy as cutting a 4.25" X12" strip, scoring

and wrapping around the box.

I would suggest wrapping the paper around the completed

inner box to determine where the scores are needed.

You will want to create enough 'give' so that the box slides

easily from the cover.

For the handles, I cut a 3/4" X 4" strip of paper and then scored 1/2" from each end.
I used brads to attach to one end of the box.

The inside of the box can be filled with all sorts of small goodies...

from a single BIG cookie to fun crafting embellishments, candy or jewelry!

I chose to decorate the covers with one of the smallest create-a-cards that were layered with die-cuts, stickers and glittered sprinkles.

These are so much fun to make AND give! I hope you'll give them a try!

BLOG | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | ETSY

Doodlebug Products Used:

Love Notes Collection

Doodle Pops

Create-A-Cards

Sprinkles

Chunky Brads

gift bags gifting containers I Am Collection milk container crafts Simple Stories treat bags

Gifting Milk Container & Caddy|Simple Stories

Oh the joys of gifting! Today I'm sharing a project at

SIMPLE STORIES

that I fell in LOVE with making:

"Milk Containers & Caddy" featuring the I Am Collection!
For PDF Instructions -CLICK HERE-

I love crafting gift sets and happy mail and spotted this pretty-popular project while perusing Instagram recently. When I set out to grab ideas, I look at the main photo and then go to my own drawing board to recreate in my own way :) So, let's get started with how I constructed the "milk containers":

First I used a very heavy cardstock paper that measured 5.75" X 8.5". I scored lengthwise at 2", 4", 6" and 8", which leaves a 1/2" tab. Next, I turned and scored at 1/2" and 4". Placing the paper in front of me, I have the 1/2" tab to the right (as shown above). I used a 1/4" corner rounding punch to punch all of the corners on the top flaps. Apply adhesive tape to the side tab and fold the box along the score marks; adhere tab to the inside of the opposite side. To the bottom flaps I made small angle cuts so that it would fold up easier. You will notice that the second from the end flap is missing; I glued the flap to the inside for a cleaner look when assembled.

Next, cut a small piece of white cardstock to 2"X2.5"; score at 2" and then corner round the edges of the 1/2" tab. Attach to the last bottom flap; this will be your closure (refer to the photo above).

To join the top tabs together and form the "milk carton" look, I simply folded the two side tabs in and then joined the front and back tabs with a small piece of adhesive tape.

Onto the decorating! I used various patterns from the "I Am Collection" and cut them into slightly smaller-than-the-carton- strips. The tops were adorned with mini clothes pins that were dressed in bits of paper. I layered on cute die-cuts, chipboard stickers, enamel dots and stickers to each of the containers.

For the caddy: I created the box using a 7.25" X 7.25" sheet of patterned paper. I scored around all four edges at 1.5" and then cut along one score mark at each side before folding and adhering the sides together. I also placed a small square of lightweight chipboard inside before adding the containers.

For the handle I cut two strips of 1.5"X12" pieces of paper and folded into thirds. Next, I machine stitched each of the strips and then joined them together at one end with adhesive tape. Before adhering to the inside of the box, I determined the height of the handle and then trimmed away the excess. To hide where the two strips were joined, I wrapped a piece of the discarded strip around it and secured with tape.

Finally, I tied on a couple of bows and glued them to the sides. I attached one of the decorative brads to the center of each bow using fabric glue! Whether you need a couple or a trio of these containers, just make your little caddy accordingly. Tuck small gifts or treats inside and it's ready for gift-giving!