My blog is called "Creative Smiles" because my designs are the result of incorporating mistakes. With fumble fingers that drop whatever they are holding - repeatedly, it takes a lot of giggles, smiles and creative patience during my crafting process. xx

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

A Thank You Booklet


Some gifts deserve a unique "Thank You" card.

Made for a dear friend who always knows just what to say and do, this booklet is bound to bring a smile to her heart.

The cover is dry embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. The dies are Wizard's Spellbinders Butterflies Two and Floral Accent Shapeabilities.

The raised embossed areas are glittered with Sparkle N Sprinkle Glitter, adhered by a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen.






Made of chipboard, the booklet appears plain when untied, but then accordions to accommodate photos, messages, stamped images or die cuts.

My Thank You is filled with sweet sayings from Sparkle N Sprinkle - all but one from the Solid Butterfly Set #391. On alternating panels, Sizzix and Cuttlebug embossing folders have been utilized and glittered. Antiquing was done with VersaColor cubes, and glitter adhered with a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen. All words were heat embossed with Plum Wine Embossing Powder (one of the "cosmics"). 
One of the great things about cling rubber is the ability to cut the stamps apart and use them however you wish! This panel is actually a combination of stamps. "You" is cut from one stamp, and placed on the acrylic mount above "Fill Life With Happiness". The simple curved loops framing the Nesties die cut are the antenna from the butterfly in the same set. 

Many thanks to my Angel friend for inspiring me yet again!






Thanks for visiting. Hope your day is beautiful!


Directions for booklet:


Stamp Credits: all Sparkle N Sprinkle

Friendship 3091-391B
Friend 3090-391B
Happiness 3096-391B
Kindness 3094-391A
Friendships-Blooming 0848-265E
Floral Butterfly 3088-391B

Other Supplies:

Bubblegum Glitter G1088
Interference Green Glitter G1099
Mystical Mauve Glitter G1072
Lemonade Glitter G1091
Bridal Glitter G1029
Plum Vine Embossing Powder EP376
Orchid VersaColor Cube 99703-034
Lilac VersaColor Cube 99703-035
Narcissus VersaColor Cube 99703-131
VersaMark Watermark Pad 99702
1/4” Tear-ific tape SAT01
Sakura Glue Pen 99202
Brushable Glue 540
Heat Tool
Ruler
Old Paper dye ink
Paper trimmer
Printed paper to coordinate cardstock
Die Cuts, punches or decorative scissors
12-15” of Ribbon
Embossing folders
Chip Board or Cardboard
Choice of embellishments


These instructions will build an accordion booklet 3.25” x 3.25” x .5” when it is closed. Opened up, it will be about 27” long, depending on the length of the accordion.
Note: after experimenting with fabric, mulberry paper, cardstock and printed craft paper, I recommend not using card stock for the cover. Because it had more strength and “give”, the best option was the fabric.

1. Cut chipboard into two 3.25” squares. Cut a spine 3/8” x 3.25”. Set aside.

2. Using fabric or printed paper, cut two pieces: one, 3” x 6.5”, the other 8.5” x 4.5”.

3. Score the larger piece 5/8” down both the long sides and .75” across the top and bottom.

4. Brush the glue onto one side of the 3 chipboard pieces, and carefully center them inside the score lines of the longer piece of printed card stock, leaving about 1/8” between the three pieces. (This is so the booklet will fold easily. If creating a thicker accordion, the spine piece needs to be cut wider than 3/8” and the measurements for the printed paper should be adjusted slightly.) The 3 pieces should be in a straight line. Cut corners only on the diagonal, leaving just a little more than needed to cover the chip board.

5. With the chipboard side showing, apply Tear-ific tape on the outermost edges of all four sides of paper. (If using fabric, use Brushable Glue). Carefully “close” the two spaces on either side of the spine, creating a “fold” or semi-score. Reopen the booklet so it lays flat, chipboard side up.  Peel off the protective layer of one strip of the tape, gently folding onto the chipboard. Then do the opposite side. Next adhere the top. Now fold the booklet up again, so it looks closed. Turn up the bottom piece, remove the strip, and adhere firmly. This assures that the book will close without tearing at the binding.

6. Place ribbon down the middle of the chipboard, making sure that it is centered, with equal amounts at the top and bottom. Adhere with Tear-ific tape. Finally, apply the smaller rectangle of paper to cover the chipboard and ribbon. Before adhering the very bottom, be sure to “test it” by closing the booklet, then firmly press the bottom, verifying that there is enough room for the booklet to open and close.

7. Cut coordinating card stock into 3” strips. If using 8.5” x 11” cardstock, cut the strips 3” x 9”. If using 12” cardstock, cut the strips 3” x 12”. Score strips at 3” intervals. Adhere the strips together to make an accordion the desired length, making sure there is enough room inside the booklet when it is closed.

8. With your choice of dies, punches, embossing folders or scissors, cut and decorate shapes as desired for layering.

9. Because SNS stamps are cling mounted, it’s fun to cut the stamps apart, using them in assorted ways. The sentiment “You Fill Life With Happiness” is actually two stamps, with the “You” cut off stamp 3090-391B and placed on the acrylic block with stamp 3096-391B. The design element creating the frames is actually the butterfly antenna 3088-391B. Images are stamped with VersaMark and embossed with Plum Vine EP. Antiquing is accomplished with a dauber and Versacolor cubes. Glitters are adhered via Sakura Glue Pen.

10. When glitter is completely dry, and the accordion panel is finished, anchor the end of the accordion piece to the inside over of the booklet using either Brushable Glue or several pieces of Tear-ific Tape. Finish by closing booklet and tying ribbon in a bow.

11. Adorn front of booklet as desired.