Hb 14!~

This morning I made a little money book, gone wild, for Brett's best bud, Alec, for his 14th birthday.  I also made a coordinating box.

I knew I wanted to use Lisa's coin envelope design and incorporate it into a money holder and last night before bed thought it would be fun to bind them all together to make a book of sorts.   I use these coin envelopes frequently for gift cards and cash; they are so easy to make and are the perfect size for both.

Once I decided on the envelopes, I thought I would use what I have at home to make the project.  Being just a week and 2 days since I came home from the hospital, driving around, while allowed, is a little fatiguing.  So, Graphic 45 A Proper Gentlemen to the rescue. :)

The envelopes are bound together with an O ring.  While I wanted to use the Bind It All to punch the holes, the envelopes were a little wide and would have had half punches on each end,  not something I wanted.  So I made a template by punching a scrap piece of paper and used that to mark where the 4 holes would go on each envelope.  I used a handheld rectangle punch to punch the holes for the O ring.  Once they were all punched I used the BIA to crimp the O ring together. All the envelopes were distressed with a sanding block and decorated simply using G45 coordinated papers and punch outs.  Each page has a Cuttlebug chipboard/ cardstock covered die cut letter that spells out his name.

The box is 4" x 3" x 1" and is made using the Scor-Pal.  The box is decorated using G45 papers, a Nestabilities circle die, Cuttlebug letters and numbers and a Cuttlebug tag.  

There are some kids who don't get a handmade gift holder as I know that it finds itself into the garbage once the gift is opened.  However, I recently learned that Alec's mom (my good friend, Anita) has saved every card, box or enclosure I have ever made for their family, so I know that this will be appreciated.  And, I am not sure I know a teen who doesn't like to see their name personalized on their gift!

On the recouping side, my surgery went well and my recovery is scooting along quite nicely.  I am up to a mile walk and can finally sit and stand easily.  Previously it felt like I had done far too many crunches!

Have a beautiful day!

V.~

Love Struck~

Today I made a couple of Valentine treat boxes for my kids, done a bit early as on Valentine's Day I will be recouping in the hospital following removal of my gallbladder.  It's been a pesky thing I have been dealing with since September and op day is finally happening on the 13th.

No stamping at all was done to make these boxes, it is all done with We R Memory Keepers Love Struck patterned paper, GKD cardstock, eyelets, dies, ribbon and the Scor-Pal.

Finished boxes are 4.5"T x 2.5"W x 2.5"D

To make the boxes:

• Trim patterned paper to 6" x 10.5"
• Placing the 10.5" side to the top, left side of the Scor-Pal, score at 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10
• Rotate and align the 6" side at the top (ensure directionality- this will be the box bottom - if paper has a specific pattern) and score at 1.5"
• Cut to where the score lines intersect on bottom.  Trim off small rectangle that is leftover.
• Pre-fold all scores.  Add Scor-Tape to small 1/2" flap and create box form by adhering to inside.
• Fold bottom flaps over each other, add Scor-Tape to final flap and secure.

For the lid:

• Trim coordinating paper to 5-1/16th x 5-1/16th
• Score 1.25 on each side
• Cut to where score lines intersect, 2 cuts on opposing sides, 4 cuts total
• Find center of lid, punch hole, add eyelet.
• Pre-fold all scores, add Scor-Tape to each flap and adhere to create lid form.

Fill box with your favorite Valentine treat.

Cut a length of ribbon that will wrap the box and tie a bow; wrap ribbon around base and up sides, thread through the lid via the underside, gently snug lid in place, tie ribbon.

Embellish box front as desired.

This past weekend we spent a couple days in Tucson, Arizona.  We went there to see a very good friend's change of command ceremony on Friday and played tourist on Saturday before heading home.

We are so proud of our friend in his new role!  And we thoroughly enjoyed our mini vacation!

 

We drove the Cactus Loop Trail in the Saguaro National Park East in the morning before heading to Old Tucson to spend the rest of our time before driving back home.

Thanks for visiting!

V.~