How To... Create a Gift Card Envelope

For this How To there are 2 different paper sizes, based on either a piece of 8x8" paper/card or A4/12x12" paper/card.  You just choose the sizes for the paper/card you want to use.

Here are your paper sizes for this project.

Score the paper at 4cm & then either 13.5cm or 14cm (depending on the paper size you have chosen).

Round the corners at the 4cm end.



Stick Double Sided Tap on the larger end, then fold up into the middle section.



Choose a Topper for the envelope (this will also allow the flap to stay closed) you will also need foam tape to secure the topper.



Stick the foam tape along the middle & bottom of the topper - ensure that you leave space at the top of the topper to allow the envelope flap to sit behind.

Once your topper is stuck on the front of the envelope you will be able to fold the envelope flap behind it.

It is your decision if you use plain paper which you can decorate or if you want to use patterned paper.

I Challenge Myself

The other day I found a pack of 3 square cards and decided to set myself a challenge, to create general 3 cards following the LiM idea.

I was surprised how quickly I was able to complete all 3 and I was even pleased with the results.

This card was created using 2 pre-printed elements and a stamp for the sentiment.

Another pre-printed element this time with a peel-off coloured black for the sentiment.

Finally a peel-off featuring a vase of flowers (coloured with ProMarkers) and a peel-off circle, finished with the sentiment from a Little Claire Design stamp (fixed using foam squares).

A little bit less...

This week was a good one as far as my weight goes, I managed to lose 0.5lb... which is better than nothing.

At the moment I seem to be doing the Weight Watchers version of the Hokey Kokey... Put one pound on, take one pound off and so it goes on LOL.

Total Weight Loss: 28.5lb

Stamp Catalogue

As first seen on Deborah's Gems Blog, I borrowed her idea to create my own Stamp Catalogue. My Catalogue is nearly finished and I though that I would show my 'work so far' along with the way in which I store my Clear Stamps.

This is what 2 of the pages look like from my catalogue.  All images are stamped in Black Ink and the sets are separated by a blue line, each set is then labeled with the Make & where known the set name.

I have done the same sort of thing for the digital stamps, by using PowerPoint to show each image along with the description of either where the images are stored or the collection name & details.

All of my clear stamps are stored in A5 punched pockets.  I was given a box of A4 OHP sheets, so each sheet gets cut into half to create a front & back sheet.  If the stamps came with a reference image sheet this is stuck (using tape) onto one of the pieces of A5 OHP, the stamps are then put on the reverse side and the second piece of OHP is used as the backing.

My stamps are then stored in one of 2 ways, the ones I use the most are in one of two A5 ring binders on the shelf above my Craft Desk.

The rest of the stamps are stored in a A4 Really Useful Box, with a divider to create 2 areas.

My last job is to give each side of this box a name/number and number each of the ring binders.  Once this has been done I can then add the information to my catalogue of the location of each set of stamps.

All I need to remember to do is add each set (Clear & Digital) to the Catalogue when I get them, provided I remember to do that I will be able to find any stamp I want - I hope :)



It's Wednesday

Once again it's Wednesday, so time to have a look at my desk along with the other WOYWW crew... which is still tidy (ish) LOL.

So what is going on... well although I still have not cleaned the 2 pairs of scissors I have now got the Sticky Stuff Remover on the desk.

I have a small pile of card waiting to have their photo taken and in progress at the moment are 'Gift Card Envelopes' the Blue Folder is my new 'Stamp Catalogue' which is nearly completed (I just need to print out copies of a few more digital stamps) - More details will follow about this project in the next few days.

Under the blue folder is a pile of 12x12 papers taken out of my 'Crop Bag' and ready to be put away in my 12x12 Really Useful Boxes - eventually.

Not included on the Craft Desk (as they are still on the floor downstairs) are my trusty ProMarkers and the sheets of digital stamps printed out to be coloured, I spent time yesterday afternoon watching TV while colouring.  If I get time I now need to print out more digital stamps or stamp some from my Stamp Catalogue ready for the next colouring session.

I think I will now go and clean my scissors - just because I can :)

Happy Wednesday.

I just needed to sit down and quickly write an update about DH's Kidney Stone. 

For something so small it causes a lot of problems... Before the surgery DH & I spoke with the Consultant and he gave us a plan of action.  As DH had not had any contact from the hospital since being discharged (despite being told he would have an appointment within 1-2 weeks) he contacted them.

The plan has now changed, but nobody told us!!!!  On Monday I will be taking DH to one of the local hospitals for them to use Ultrasound to shatter his stone.  DH had a long chat with one of the Drs from urology last night who explained the procedure in detail.

On one hand it is good to know that something will be happening, on the other hand the whole process will not be a nice one, especially for DH.  Not surprisingly he is getting rather anxious about the whole procedure - in turn this is rubbing off onto me.

I am trying very hard to stay positive, but it is not always easy.  I  know that if I start thinking negatively, my anxiety could spiral out of control - and it has been so good lately.  DH needs me to be strong, but if my anxiety grips hold, I focus totally on me & me alone.  So I MUST remain positive, regardless how helpless I might feel and regardless of how anxious DH gets before/during Monday.

In the mean time I am asking for any spare Angels to help us both and thinking POSITIVE thoughts:

• 'On Tuesday it will all be over'
• 'I am a strong & loving person'
• 'I won't let the anxiety drag me down'

Finally all I can say is.... Roll on Tuesday!

Christmas Envelope Book

Following the How To... create a Envelope Book I created I have now made a Christmas Envelope Book, this will be given in the place of a card... I just need to decide who to give it to :)

Front & Back pages

2nd & 3rd Pages

4th & 5th Pages

6th & 7th Pages

This book was created using 2 DL size envelopes, giving a mix of plain pages & pages with a 'Pocket'.  Over the next few months I hope to create more of these books.