Paper Bow Tutorial

This bow came into being because I needed a 3-D accent. I did a search and learned how to make them from a post on flickr that used magazine pages. Paper is a little different, but these are really fast to make and can add a fun happy look to your pages or cards. OR... you could actually make it for a present topper. :)

You'll need a paper cutter, liquid adhesive and a pair of scissors (optional). Here's a step by step for you:

1. Cut 4 strips of 12 inch long paper. For this example I cut mine 5/8" wide, but you can experiment with the width.
   
2. Cut three of the strips in half at the 6" mark. At this point, you'll chose which side you want showing. I wanted the ruler side of Harper's Ruler to show because I thought the variations would make for a fun bow. Notice how I marked and X at the 3" mark on the ruler side? That will guide where you put the spot of glue, right in the middle.
   
   3. Now comes the trickiest part of the process. You'll put a dab of the liquid adhesive on the X and then fold the end on the paper backward onto itself.
   
   Here's what it looks like from the front:
   
3. Now you repeat the process with the other end of the same 6" strip.
   
   Here's what it looks like from the other side:
   
4. Now you repeat the same process six (6) times. For the last two times, before you start the process, you'll want to cut about 1/2" to 3/4" off the strip to make the end loop a bit smaller than the first four. You'll have a group that looks like this, aren't they so cute in a row like that? Notice the two on the end are just a bit smaller. It makes it easier to put the bow together.
   
   
5. Now the fun part, assembling the bow. Put a dab of glue in the middle of the first twist.
   
6. Then start stacking, adding a dab of glue (this is why I use the Quick Dry Adhesive by Scotch 3M, it really is FAST. The first and second ones will nest nicely, the next four will not nest, they'll start the lift that you see in the end.
   
   
   
7. The final step involves cutting a small piece of the strip, mine was 2.5" long, gluing the ends together and inserting it into the middle of the bow, attaching with one last dob of liquid adhesive. 
   
8. Then you can use the bow in any manner you'd like, on a layout, a card, or another project. The bow will smash when you put your layout in an album, but that just leads to the personality of the project in my opinion. I hope you have fun with this project!
   
   
   

Tutorial : turn a moleskine into a travel journal

Hello my dearest SC lovers :)

Today, I would like to show you how I turned a plain moleskine journal into a perfect travel journal for my friends!
They went to Cuba last Spring and I wanted to make a travel journal for them : they're going to be able to fill it with as many photos as they want :)

I couldn't resist using my Magellan add-on kit from this month as the Making Memories embellies box is just SO perfect for my travel theme!

I love Moleskine, I've been collectiong them for years and have tons of them full of inspiration, ideas and travel notes : I always have one in my bag, car, bed table and scraproom!

Simply add double-sided tape on the front and back covers of your Moleskine journal.

Try to choose one paper that you really like as you will see it through the window of the cover.

Add papers on the inside covers too.
Try to keep the pocket on the last page too : you will be able to put tickets, notes and tags in there!

Get ready to attach your Moleskine to the Suitcase package.
Put double-sided tape all over the window, so that you know your journal will hold still.

Ta-da! Now let's decorate the cover!


I fell in love with that cute Plane ribbon : it couldn't be more perfect for my album!

Make a pocket with double-sided paper : simply cut a piece of paper (the size doesn't really matter, it just has to fit the back cover), fold the sided and the bottom inside the pocket and glue with double-sided tape.

There you go!
I hope you liked it and I'm looking forward to seeing any Moleskine journal altered into great mini albums :)
Enjoy!
c.

fun, quick photo calendars!

these photo calendars are a fun, quick project and can make great last-minute gifts, or just a present to yourself to ring in the new year!


(click for a larger view)

you can use your photo-editing software to make these. i did these in photoshop. i cropped 12 of my favorite (colorful!) photos to 4"x4", and each of them into a blank 4"x6" document. i downloaded a calendar template from myfreecalendarmaker.com, selected the calendar for each month, and dragged that into the bottom part of the page. i then used the eyedropper tool to select a color directly from the photo, and typed out the months using that color. i printed each page onto regular 4"x6" photo paper (you can even send these out to be printed).

or...if you feel digitally challenged, you can print out 12 of your favorite photos as 4"x6" prints, print the calendar template out, and paste them on top of the photos!

to hang the calendar, i was going to use a wooden clothespin with a magnet attached, and hang them on a magnetic surface. you could also use a jewel case!

have fun :)

Last Minute Gift Ideas

Caroline and I brainstormed and came up with a list of FIFTY, yes 50 last minute gifts. Some are scrappy, some are not!

1. Make a Glass Ball Ornament with curled paper and bells and stickers



2. Put a bottle of wine in a pretty bag

3. Make several kinds of cookies, put them on plates, when you wrap them up include the recipes so that your friends can make their favorites next year.

4. Make a 4x6 Brag Book



5. Make Salt Dough or Cinnamon Dough Ornaments, paint them, and give them away.

6. Have your kids draw on a T-shirt, or Frame, or Mug for a parent or grandparent.



7. Make up some easy Mason Jar gifts. Top them with fabric and ribbon for a pretty presentation.

8. Make a Band-Aid Box Gift Card Holder


9. Make some pom pom barrettes for the little girlies on your list!

10.Make a felt and fabric brooch.



11. Fill a Gift Bag filled $1 Spot gifties

12. Hot glue cinnamon sticks around a candle. You could embellish it with ribbons and flowers too.



by Martha

13. Put a bow on a bag of mixed nuts (my dad's fav!)

14. Give a Paper Bag Card Gift Card Holder



15. Present a nice mug holding an individual packet of hot chocolate and a chocolate dipped spoon.

16. Make someone a piece of Monogram Wall Art



by Caroline

17. Make a set of refrigerator magnets out of bottle caps and round magnets

18. Give a Photo Ornament



by Denise

19. String a bell or two on a ribbon and tie it to a shepard's hook earring set. Give it to your favorite merry friend! This one you might want to make a few sets at a time, they'll be a crowd favorite!



20. Buy an I Tunes Gift Card

21. Decorate a box or tin filled with homemade cookies



by Danielle

22. Cover a 2009 Pocket Calendar

23. Decorate a NoteCube



24. Consider maing a different photo ornament



by Elisa

25. Find a favorite quote and make a piece of Wall Art



26. Dip Pretzel logs into melted chocolate and then roll immediately in sprinkles. Package 5 together in a lollipop bag and tie with a ribbon, viola, insta gift for your coworkers.

27. Speaking of sprinkles, Fill a restaurant sugar container (I got mine at Big Lots) with Sprinkles and wrap a ribbon around with a tag that says "spread joy"



28. Give a gift subscription to a favorite magazine.

29. Monogram a hand towel.

30. Give some Name Wall Art



31. Make a fun and bright statement for someone by stringing a button necklace.

32. Give a mix CD of your own making:)

33. Punch butterflies out of different patterned papers and make a butterfly collage.

34. Get a $1 Store big bowl, fill it with Microwave Popcorn, a couple of candy bars or movie candy and a gift card to Netflix or Blockbuster

35. Make a family tree.



by Davinie

36. Make your own gift bag, decorate the outside, fill it with candy, give away the love:)

37. Cover a Kraft Notebook from Target, wrap a matching pen with it and give it to a special friend.

38. Cover some Letters

39. Decorate a Tin and fill it with candy



by Denise

40. Give a "Night Out" to a busy couple of parents. Buy them 2 tickets to the movies, and offer to watch their kids!

41. Make a pillow box Gift Card holder.

42. Make your own Coupons

43. Wrap up a set of matching cards



44. Make a Ribbon Belt

45. Decorate a Candle

46. Make a Felt Tree, or a stuffed tree.

47. Or Make a paper tree, or a different paper tree or a different different paper trees.



by Francine

48. Frame some recent photos of your family or kids for a parent or close family member.

49. Make a reusable Coffee Cozy out of Felt and give it with a Starbuck's gift card.

50. Make an Altoid Tin Mini Book



Comment here with any other suggestions or you know, whatever, and on Monday I'll pull a name for a last minute gift or two from Studio Calico :)

scrappy christmas gift ideas...from the SC gallery!

well, the holidays are fast approaching and if you want to make some of your gifts this year, you better get cracking. (of course, if you're a procrastinator like me, you're going to be busy the week before christmas. lol). maybe you're in need of some inspiration - i sure was! what better place to look than in the SC gallery?


i loved this shadow box project when i saw it on ali edwards' blog, and i love hannal's version of it. this is SUCH a great gift idea - and even for yourself! this is something i think i'm just going to have to give a try myself :)


as soon as i saw this butterfly collage by Jaquie, i just had to add it to my favorites. it's just so gorgeous! there are so many beautiful details, and it would make a lovely gift for someone!


this altered frame by akaliz is gorgeous!!!


i also love this canvas by her! both projects has such amazing details on them!


these clear ornaments/frame by Nichoda are just wonderful! what a lovely keepsake that would make a great gift!

this next one is from a past DT gallery:

i looooooved this board that tina made with the looking glass kit! it's so clever and it would make an awesome gift for someone, too!

hope these ideas get your started :)