Perpetual Birthday Calendar and Box

NOTE: The stamp set referred to in this post has been retired by Stampin' Up and is no longer available. You may be able to still find it on Ebay. However, I updated this post with a new perpetual calendar and storage box with preprinted monthly pages that you can decorate any way you wish. This is the link to the new post: Updated Perpetual Calendar                                          

Stampin' Up sells a great Perpetual Birthday Calendar stamp set and kit. However, I thought this box would work better in my situation. I created the box and used the Perpetual Birthday Calendar stamp set on p. 12 of the 2015-2016 Catalog (#137167) to stamp and decorate each month’s insert. I added 1 inch punched out circles to the top of each sheet as dividers so I can add a card or two behind each month’s insert. All I have left to do is add the names and birthdays! Instructions for the box are below. I also have a PDF available for the calendar inserts that you can just print, cut and stamp.

The stamps are also great for backgrounds on cards and scrapbook pages! It is one of my favorite sets! Here are links to the stamp set and the Stampin' Up Perpetual Calendar Kit:

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Box Instructions: (Finished Box is 5x7 inches, 1-1/2 inches deep)
You need to cut two pieces to make the box to hold the perpetual birthday calendar sheets.
1. One piece 9 x 7 inches.
2. One piece 6 x 6.5 inches.
Scoring and Assembly (See photos that follow):
1. On the 9 x 7 inch piece, with the 9 inch side across the top of your scoreboard, score at 0.5, 2, 7 and 8.5 inches. Cut diagonal pieces off each side of the top. I put the ruler on 0 for the right middle score line and placed the ruler at 3 inches on the second score line in a downward direction, marked and cut. Use the cut-off piece to guide your cutting the diagonal piece off the other side so they will match.
2. On the 6 x 6.5 inch piece, with the 6.5 inch side at the top, score at 0.5 and 2 inches. With the 6 inch piece across the top and the score lines on top, score at 0.5 and 5.5 inches. Cut out the pieces as shown in the diagram, leaving a sort of T-shape.
3. With the half inch score line at the top of the second piece, attach it to the first piece, lining up the score lines. This makes one long piece. Then fold in the side tabs of the second piece and attach to the first piece to form the sides of the box.
4. Bring up the front section and attach it to the long side tabs, forming your completed box. I used Tombow mono-multi to give me some wiggle room, but you can use sticky strip or other double-sided tape of your choice.
5. Cut DSP to fit the front and sides of box and add ribbon or other decoration to your box.

Piece #1 - 9 x 7 inches. Cut top corners as shown. 

Piece #2 - 6 x 6-1/2 inches - Cut pieces off at score lines as shown. 

Attach the two pieces together

Fold on score lines to form box. 

Bring up front and attach as shown

Card Inserts: (finished size 4-1/2 x 7 inches)
Print numbered sheets with lines on your computer, then cut to size and stamp. I have a PDF available at my Etsy Shop. See link to my shop on the right.

Whether you go with the kit from Stampin' Up or my version, I think you'll find a perpetual birthday calendar is a great thing to have! You don't have to remember to transfer birthdays from one year's calendar to the next. You always have the dates when you need them and it's easy to add new ones! Enjoy creating and thanks for visiting!

Denim "Jeans" Card

I have another idea for a guy’s card. I recently watched a video by Melanie Muenchinger on how to do a denim technique. http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=quick+denim+technique+direct+to+paper&FORM=VIRE2#view=detail&mid=98DBD9BB081C4DD89D8798DBD9BB081C4DD89D87. I thought I would take it a step further and make a card that actually looked like a pair of jeans! I did find, however, that the newer Stampin’ Up ink pads don’t work. You need the older type pads. All you do is take any blue ink pad and drag it down across some white cardstock until you get the shade you want. I used Pacific Point. I layered the pieces so I would have functional pockets to put the money in.

Here are the instructions:

I would recommend doing the denim technique on a full sheet of white cardstock and then cutting the pieces as shown in the photo. I left it white to show the dimensions. You will need the following pieces for the “jeans:”

4 x 5-1/4” piece for layer 1

4 x 4-1/2” piece for layer 2

4 x ½” for waistband

3-1/2 x ½” for zipper flap

¾” x ½” for tab to attach button to (I actually had a jeans snap in my button bin so I used that.)

For the pockets, use a 2-inch circle punch and cut a small semi-circle piece from each side of the 4 x 4-1/2 inch piece (layer 2).

After the pieces are all cut, make faux stitch marks on all the pieces.

Attach the waistband with dimensionals to the top of layer 1.

Attach layer 2 with the pockets to layer 1 with dimensionals, making sure you don’t obstruct the pockets so you can insert the cash.

Attach the zipper flap without dimensionals to layer 2.

Attach the small tab to the waistband without dimensionals and attach your button.

Attach small silver punched circles to the edges of the pockets to resemble grommets or use small silver brads.

I then attached the finished “Jeans” to a piece of black cardstock cut at 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 and then attached that to the actual card. (Cut white cardstock at 5-3/4 x 9 and score at 4-1/2). Finished card size is 4-1/2 x 5-3/4 inches. If you don’t want to layer the jeans, you can attach it directly to your card and have a card that is an actual A2 size or 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 inches.

Stamp and attach the greeting of your choice, fold the cash and insert in pockets. Done!

Note: I think this would also make a cute gal’s card by using rhinestones, etc. and bling up the jeans!

"Cool" Summer Cards

Here are a couple cards I made with a summer theme. The popsicle card was actually “cased” from a shirt my granddaughter was wearing the other day. It was so darn cute I had to try to recreate it. I hand cut the popsicle. The popsicle stick is from the word window punch, and the remaining face pieces are either punched or cut from various Cricut cartridges. Unfortunately the background paper is retired, but you could use any cute ice cream themed paper.  It was a really fun card to make. I can’t wait to see if she likes it!

The second watermelon card is certainly not original. I have seen watermelon cards all over Pinterest, but I had to make one for myself. Everything used to make this card is current product from Stampin’ Up. I used watermelon wonder, cool cucumber and daffodil delight colors. The watermelon is super easy, just punch some circles, cut them in half, and layer together. The “seeds” are hearts cut in half and reshaped a little bit. The sentiment  is part of a stamp from the “You’re So Sweet” stamp set from Stampin’ Up! (p. 57 of the new catalog)

Hope you are having a fun summer! Enjoy!

June Paper Pumpkin Kit

June's Paper Pumpkin Kit had two different cards you could make. In the first picture, the card on the left is made according to the instructions. The card on the right is a card I made using the supplies included, plus some scraps of Bermuda Bay DSP from the Brights DSP stack. The bottom card is a version of the second card from the kit. Sometimes just seeing what's in the kit inspires you to create something else. If not, you can always make it like the instructions show you and you end up with some very cute projects. The kit this month makes 8 cards of 2 different designs along with 8 envelopes and liners. EVERYTHING is included, stamps, cardstock, embellishments, ink spot(s) and most of the time even adhesive! When you order your first kit they even include a clear stamp block!

There are many ways to try Paper Pumpkin. You can purchase a one month subscription for $19.95, 3 months, 6 months or a year. You can cancel at any time or skip a month by notifying them by the 10th of the month before the kits are sent out. It's a simple click of a button on the website, no questions asked! If you would like to give Paper Pumpkin kits a try, the links are below. I think you'll be impressed by the quality of the kits. You always have leftovers to use for other projects and who doesn't like a pleasant surprise in the mail every month?! It's almost time for the July kits to be mailed out. I'm excited!

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Happy 4th!

Very simple to make 4th of July card! It's a basic 4 x 5-1/2 card using Whisper White Cardstock, layered with the Real Red diagonal stripe DSP from the new Brights Collection Designer Series Paper Stack. I used Night of Navy for the corner piece cut at 2 x 2-1/2 and added punched out stars in whisper white. I used the scrap strip from punching out the stars to make the banner and inlaid Real Red cardstock stars on top. The "Happy" is from the Crazy About You stamp set and I cut the "TH" from the Birthday stamp. I used an old retired number 4 stamp. You can use whatever you have on hand. I stamped a tiny red star and cut the entire sentiment out with the new 1-1/2 inch circle punch and added a Night of Navy circle behind it cut with the 1-3/4-inch circle punch. HAPPY 4TH of JULY!!

How to Know What Punches You Have

I LOVE my punches. I also love to find images to stamp that fit inside the punch for cards and other projects. I saw someone do this and I thought it was a great idea. I don't remember where or I would give them credit. Anyway, I went through all my punches and punched the image on 3x4 inch pieces of heaveweight kraft cardstock. In the original idea she slipped these cards inside plastic baseball card sleeves, but I really don't think this is necessary if you use a nice heavyweight cardstock. I wrote the name of the punch at the bottom of each card and punched holes in the top left corners and attached them together with a notebook ring. I actually found a pack of 8 at Dollar Tree for $1.00. They had 3 different sizes to choose from.

I can now go through my punched images and place them either on top of my stamped image or over an image in the catalog and find out immediately whether the image will fit inside the punch. No more guessing and digging around in your punches to see what you have or whether it will fit the image! I thought this was a great tip and I wanted to share it with anyone who hadn't seen the original idea! Happy punching!

Black and Yellow Crazy About You Card

Black and yellow are one of my favorite color combinations. This card is made with one of the flower stamps from the Crazy About You stamp set from Stampin' Up. The thanks is from Endless Thanks. Doodle line on right side is from Hello Life. Yellow cardstock and ink is Daffodil Delight. It's just a basic 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 inch card/ Very fast to put together with the exception of cutting out the leaves by hand. Flower was cut using the Flower Medallion punch from SU. Black and white is a scrap from the previous Valentine card stack, but you could use any black and white paper you may have on hand.

Summer Scrapbook Page

Cardstock: Bermuda Bay, Watermelon Wonder, Cucumber Crush, Cherries on Top DSP, and
polka dot paper from Brights Collection DSP Stack

I know I haven’t posted any scrapbook pages here yet, but quite frankly it’s because they are so time consuming for me! I can spend hours on one page! I might have a problem! Anyway, I wanted to share this scrapbook page that I made for my upcoming Stampin’ Up workshop. I had a lot of cards made but I also wanted to show a scrapbook page because not everyone makes cards. The new Cherries on Top 6x6 DSP is perfect for birthday pages, birthday party invitations, and everything summer! The coordinating cardstock and Sprinkles on Top stamp set complete the whole group. There is room for two pictures on this page along with possibly a circle cut-out picture on the right side. The stamps I used are from two different sets. Don’t be afraid to mix your stamps. It makes for a more unique look. I hope this page inspires your creativity for your own summer pages. Enjoy! 

Celebrate from Enless Birthday Wishes; the little things from Hello Life

Cone hand cut. Ice cream made with 2-1/2 inch circle punch. Sprinkles added with cut-out circles from hole punch.

Banner made using Banner Punch

Circles cut with 2-1/2 inch and 2 inch circle punches.

If you want any of these supplies, they can all be found at my on-line store @ Stampin' Up! Thanks for stopping by today! 

Bohemian DSP Card with Flower Medallion

Here is a card we will be making at my upcoming workshop on June 20th. I am having a Stampin' Up new catalog launch. If you live in the central Kansas area I would love to have you come! There will be free make and takes, a free catalog, discounted shipping, and prize drawings. You can contact me for details or go to my Facebook page.

If you don't have a demonstrator you work with already or cannot come to the workshop and would still like a catalog, click the "Purchase Catalog" link at the top of this page and I will send you one, along with a bookmark featuring the new colors, and an individual card kit for the Bohemian card shown at the top of this post. This is my cost for mailing the catalog. However, if you place an order from my online store by July 31st and select me as your demonstrator, I will refund your purchase price for the catalog. I would be thrilled to have you as a new customer!

Supplies used to create this card:

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online store

Father's Day Gift Card Wallet

Here is a wallet card I made for Father's Day. It is large enough to put cash in it, coupons for dad, gift cards, etc. Finished card is 4-3/4 x 3-3/4 inches. Here are the instructions:

1. Cut two pieces of brown cardstock at 9-1/4 x 3-3/4 and 9-1/4 x 3 inches. Score each piece at the halfway point and fold together before adhering. After the cardstock has been "limbered up" a bit, adhere the two pieces together at the bottom and both sides. Note: It takes a little careful handling to fold the two pieces together if your cardstock is heavy so it doesn't crack or crease. Use a bone folder.

2.  Cut and adhere decorative paper pieces to the outside and inside of card. You will need two pieces cut at 4-1/2 x 3-5/8 for the outside of wallet and two cut at 4-1/2 x 2-3/4 for inside of wallet. Note: Since the cardstock I used had a white core, I sponged the edges of the paper with brown ink before adhering to wallet.

3. Attach a piece of ivory or other colored cardstock to right inside of wallet for your message and for a place to sign the card. This piece measures 4 x 2-1/2 inches.

4. Stamp message and cut out with a 1-3/4 inch circle punch and layer on top of a brown piece cut with a 2 inch circle punch.

5. Make a bellyband to hold the wallet card closed by cutting a piece of brown cardstock 3/4 x 10 inches, fold around card and glue band together. I attached two small brad heads or "candy dots" to the righthand side.

Supplies Used: Stampin' Up cardstock is Early Espresso, Early Espresso ink from Stampin' Up, 1-3/4 inch circle punch and 2-inch circle punch from Stampin' Up, Father's Day greeting from a prior Paper Pumpkin kit, candy dots (neutral) from Stampin' Up, and patterned cardstock is from a Colorbok cardstock stack called "Neutral Basics."

New Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set

These are cards made with the brand new Sprinkles of Life stamp set in the new 2015-2016 catalog available June 2nd (item #139971). This is a very special stamp set because Stampin' Up is donating $3.00 from the sale of every stamp set to Ronald McDonald House Charities. RMHC helps keep families together when children are receiving medical treatment away from home. It is a really versatile stamp set with 22 photopolymer stamps. You will have stamps for birthdays, thank yous, and other occasions all year long and help make a difference too!

Toolbox Gift Card Holder for Father's Day

This toolbox card has been quite a project! I made one and then wrote the instructions, and then made another one from my instructions, revised some of the instructions to make it clearer, and here is the end result! I have seen several toolbox cards but this is my creation. When you lift the flap of the card on top it reveals a holder for a gift card. It is not hard to make, it just has a lot of steps. I decided to give it to you in "recipe" fashion with the number of pieces you need to cut and the "ingredients." I hope you give it a try and let me know what you think. I have several guys in the family who I think will like this card, so it could be for birthdays or Father's Day, just change up the sentiment.

Toolbox Gift Card “Recipe”

1 – 8-1/2 x 11 piece of heavyweight (80 lb) red cardstock, cut in half lengthwise at 4-1/4 inches

1 – 2-1/2 x 4-1/4 piece of red cardstock

4 – 1 x 4-1/4 inch pieces of red cardstock

5 – ¼ inch by 4-1/4 inch pieces of silver, gray or black cardstock

1 – 1-5/8 x 3/8 inch piece of silver or gray cardstock

1 – 1-3/4 x ½ inch piece of black cardstock

8 – ½ inch punched circles from black cardstock

4 – ¼ to ½ inch silver triangles cut from silver or gray cardstock

1 – 4 x 3-3/4 piece of white cardstock

1 – medium sized silver brad

2 – small silver brad heads, dots or eyelets

1 - 1 x 1/2 inch magnetic strip

Toolbox Gift Card Instructions:

1.      Start with an 8-1/2 x 11 piece of heavyweight red cardstock (I recommend 80 lb). Cut it in half so you have 2 pieces of 4 ¼ x 11 inches.

2.      Score one of the pieces at the 5-1/2 inch mark and fold in half.

3.      From the other half of the 8 ½ x 11 cardstock, cut a piece 2-1/2 x 4-1/4. Score at ½ inch.

4.      Attach this piece of card stock to the top of card (folded edge) and fold over the ½ inch side to the back of card and adhere to card with a strong adhesive. I recommend Tombow mono-multi for this entire project. This “flap” you have created will be the “lid” to the toolbox.

5.      Next score the bottom of card, both front and back, at ½ inch, fold up inside the card on both sides and glue down. This will stabilize the card when the wheels are attached later.

6.      Cut four 1 x 4-1/4 inch pieces for drawers (2 for drawers, 1 for gift card insert under the flap, and 1 for inside of card). Cut five ¼ inch strips of shiny silver, gray or black cardstock and attach to the tops of the drawer pieces and the bottom of the flap of card.

7.      Add a brad to the center of this flap on top of the strip of silver cardstock.

8.      Cut out the word “tools” or other word of your choice. Cut a piece of silver or gray cardstock     1- 5/8 x 3/8 inches and a piece of black cardstock 1 ¾ x ½ inch. Layer and add the words. Add brads if desired on either side and attach to right bottom of flap or lid of toolbox.

9.      Attach one of the drawers under the flap towards the bottom, adhering only along bottom and two sides to form a pocket for the gift card. Use a very thin line of glue for this step. IMPORTANT: Dry fit the gift card drawer and the other drawers before adhering so you can make any adjustments. After dry fitting the drawers, attach the two front drawers with dimensional adhesive dots or strips.

10.   For wheels, cut 8 one-half inch circles from black cardstock and glue together in twos to make four wheels. Doubling the cardstock will strengthen them for standing.

11.   Cut 4 small triangles from the same silver cardstock, etc. used for the drawer handles and toolbox lid. Glue to front of wheels and attach wheels to ends of card on each corner.

12.   To close lid to hide gift card, attach a strong magnetic strip the length of the prongs of the brad for the brad to attach to and close the flap.

13.   For inside of card, attach a piece of white cardstock 4 x 3-3/4 inches and stamp with greeting.

14.   At bottom of card, below greeting,  add the last drawer piece. Do not use dimensional adhesives for this drawer.

 I have the PDF for this Toolbox Gift Card Holder for sale on Etsy for $1.95 as an instant download. Just click the link below: 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/451603478/toolbox-gift-card-holder-pdf-file?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=Toolbox Gift Card Holder&ref=sr_gallery_3

Sneak Peek New Bohemian Designer Series Paper

Here is a sneak peek of the new Bohemian DSP coming June 2nd from Stampin' Up! Don't you just love the bright colors?! Think of all the great projects you could make with this paper! There will also be matching solid color cardstock packs available so you know you will have the right colors when you go to make a project.

The size of my bag is approximately 4-1/2 x 4-1/2 not including the handles. If you would like the instructions and a great how-to video, visit http://www.craftyhallett.co.uk/bag-in-a-box-handbag/  I cut my 12 inch piece of DSP for the body of the handbag at 4 inches rather than the 3-1/2 inches and I also cut my handle pieces at 7-1/2 inches. The rest of the dimensions are the same as in the video.

Mini-Handbags a/k/a "Hallett Bags"

These are some mini-handbags I have been making for the last couple of weeks. They were Mother's Day gifts that I couldn't share until after Mother's Day, so here they are! I used various retired Stampin' Up! DSP's, including Mocha Morning, Floral District and Everyday Enchantment. It takes 12 x 12 paper because of the circumference of the purse and 12 inch strips of cardstock for the bands. The bags will hold small gifts or note cards (no larger than 4 x4). I made note cards for one bag and covered post-it note pads for the others. The size of my bags are approximately 4-1/2 x 4-1/2 not including the handles.

(Note: I had previously posted a link to the original creator of these bags, but that link has since been moved or changed. I have found another video by another crafter if you would like a video tutorial to help you put the bags together. That link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJIxYqQomJ4 ) 

I did cut my 12 inch piece of DSP for the body of the handbag at 4 inches rather than the 3-1/2 inches in the original instructions and I also cut my handle pieces at 7-1/2 inches. The rest of the dimensions are the same.

These are an absolute blast to make and I have to warn you - THEY ARE ADDICTIVE! They have become so popular among crafters that they are being referred to in forums as "Hallett Bags," so I have to give a big thank you to Crafty Caroline for her inspiration!  However, since her video is no longer active, the video I linked above is by Ophelia Crafts.