Dot & Whimsy

Use any tray that you have on hand and fill with paper food trays, flag topped straws, sparklers, treat cups, wooden spoons, etc.  

From my local dollar store, I purchased these food tray/boats.  I re-constructed the boats by turning them into more of a square shape.  Next, I simply wrapped strips of scrapbook paper around the sides. Embellish even further, if you'd like, with die-cuts and stickers...or have those out so guests can decorate their own trays!

Paper treat cups, wooden or plastic utensils are easy things to embellish. For the tops of the wooden spoons, I cut the small hearts (from scrapbook paper sheets) and attached to the handles.

I used the scallop tag die and the new Sunshine alpha stickers to create a little signage.

I picked up a package of these metallic straws at The Dollar Tree!  To embellish, I glued a 2X2 card to the side.  You could also punch holes or cut slits and slide the straws through.

And every tray needs a cute 'lil centerpiece!  Again, another find from The Dollar Tree is this blue glittered star.  I added an easel by hot-gluing a sturdy piece of chipboard to the back. Chunky Twine was added around the star and then I used various die-cuts and stickers to embellish.

Add various washi tapes to the tray so that guests can mark their cups!

There are so many other possibilities and ways to incorporate the cute designs found in this adorable patriotic collections...thanks for joining!

I'm jumping ahead a bit in the process, but you'll see above that I machine-stitched all of the papers/pages together.  If you have a sewing machine: I used a heavy-duty needle and set the zig-zag stitch to 2.0 and 4.0 (length/width) with a tension of 04.  I do recommend testing your machine by layering several thicknesses of scrap paper to see how much your machine can easily sew through.

No machine? No problem! Use an elastic cording and thread through two holes that you punch along the top and bottom (as you would a TN).

To prepare the inner pages: start layering journal cards, scraps of paper, full pieces of paper (6"X10" or whatever the size your album cover is), large doilies, cards, etc....truly if it can be folded in half, it can be added!

Decorate the pages with smaller journal cards, die-cuts and stickers.  Clip on your favorite Doodlebug mini or shaped paper clips too.

I love the longer journal cards, so to solve the issue of it being too long for my album, I folded

the bottom end up.  Secure the end with a paper clip, or as I did with a button attached along the edge of the card.

Pockets are another fun and easy addition to your smash book! I took a 6X12 strip of paper and folded the two long ends in to form the pockets.  

I love the look of the die-cuts hanging over the edge of the page...it gives it dimension and design interest.  I used a tiny stapler to attach to the page instead of glue; this allows photos to be tucked under if needed.

In finishing, I wanted a different style of closure for the album.  After die-cutting two tags (thin chipboard and the covered in patterned paper), I attached one to the front cover and (inner) back cover with hot glue.  Next, I threaded through a piece of ribbon and tied it into a loose knot for closure.  So simple!

I hope that you'll give this style of mini album a try...they're a whole lotta fun to make :)

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Doodlebug Product:

Party Time Collection Kit

Party Time Mini Icon Stickers

Party Time 6X6 Paper Pad

Party Time Chit Chat Die-Cuts

Party Time Odd & Ends Die-Cuts

Flowers Cute Clips

Denim Chunky Twine

Sprinkles

Doodle Pops

To begin: I started with an assortment of Doodlebug cardstock and the tag die from the "Large Tags" Doodle Cuts set.  After die-cutting the 26 tags, I chose to add a coordinating oval of color to each using the die from the "Mini Tags" set.  

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Doodlebug Products:

Alex Alphabet Doodle Cuts

Mini Tags Doodle Cuts

Large Tags Doodle Cuts

Hey Cupcake Mini Jewels

Hey Cupcake 6X6 Paper Pad

Party Time Paper Pad

Skinny Alphabet Stickers

Doodlebug Cardstock

Mini Icon Stickers

The formula for creating the card base is simple:

Cut an 8.5"X11" sheet of cardstock in half along the width; your two (cut) pieces will measure 4.25"X11".  Next, score the length at 2.75" and 5.5".  

The mats and designing will take place on the first 2.75" flap. 

Cut a mat of patterned paper to measure 4"X5.25" and attach to the inside of the card (the non-scored 4.25"X5.5" section).

Next, cut another mat of the same size.  The mat will be attached to the first flap, so be sure to apply adhesive to the bottom half of the mat only.

To decorate I used various stand-alone dies, swatches of create-a-cards, die-cuts, stickers, etc.

Finally, for each of the cards, I created a "stopper" to maintain the easel shape.

I used border stickers and die-cuts and then attached them with foam adhesive about 1/3" of the way down.

Please visit my YouTube channel to see a quick step-out of how the card is assembled.  These also fit neatly inside of a standard A2 envelope!

If you love cardmaking and haven't tried this style yet, I hope you'll give it a go!

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I've incorporated some of the new Doodle Cuts, Stamps and pieces from the collection to make these tag-style coloring books.

 First, I die-cut the tag shapes from smooth, white cardstock and then stamped the images for each booklet.  I layered on smaller elements such as hats, balloons and wagons to the scenes.

Next, I crafted a front and back cover by adding a die-cut piece of patterned paper to two blank tags.  Layers of die-cut circles, stickers, ribbon and a stamped "thank you" were added to the fronts!

A 1" ring was used to hold each booklet together.  

Next I made a wrap, from patterned paper, to cover the 24 count crayon box.  The coloring book was then attached to the box with a simple strang of chunky twine!

I also covered a 5" box with paper to create this sweet favor holder!  This alone (or even bigger for more favors!) makes the perfect centerpiece.

These would also make the perfect treats for back-to-school, Halloween or stocking stuffers!  

Thanks for joining us today!

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