Random Ramblings of a Scramping Addict

Nifty Office Decor Design

Good Day Everyone, I hope you're having a fantabulous weekend (I know I am)! Here's a little peak at a project I've been working on. It's a month-at-a-glance 3 dimensional desktop calendar! Isn't it cute?

Somewhere online I saw a pattern for this really neat spherical ball made from paper (Sorry, can't remember where). When I realized that the ball had 12 sides, I thought it would make a perfect calendar project, so I set to work making a 2010 calendar for my desktop!

I took the original pattern and created a digital cutter file to make it easier for me to cut the base pieces. Using this method, cutting the 12 pieces takes me about 10 minutes total - so much quicker and more precise than cutting each one individually.

Each month is decorated differently, and I used up mostly scraps I had on hand from the CTMH Emporium Paper Pack, My Stickease, and Emporium Creative Basics Collection. There are a bunch of embellies, brads, ribbons, clips etc., and while it looks tricky, it was actually really easy to put together once I had each of the calendars designed. Working on a such a small canvas, and a pentagonal one at that was a bit of a challenge for me intially, but once I got going I think I did ok.

Now, I just can't wait for my office to be painted and all set up so that I can put this on display!

All Wrapped & Ready

Those of you that follow me on Twitter know that I received a package in the mail yesterday that I've been waiting for for a bit now. I can't say out loud here exactly what was in the box since it is a gift for someone that might read this before I hand it over, but suffice it to say when she does get it, she's gonna love it!

And...since I am try to take advantage of every possible opportunity to get crafty, I set to work designing some custom packaging. How fun is that?

I surfed the net for a while, and found lots of way cute packaging ideas but unfortunately, none of the items I came across were suitable to hold the item in question (but I did bookmark them for future reference of course!). So instead, I had to go totally custom on this one. I kept it simple - and built a 2 piece box that fit the 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" item perfectly.

The papers and embellies I used on this one are all CTMH - and the ribbon is my absolute favourite element (I've been hoarding it for a while now). It says "share live laugh love give create". I thought it very suitable for the occassion. The plaid paper is from the "Aspen" collection - also one of my faves.

Here's a couple of more pics for you.

The item wrapped up inside (Sorry the tissue is crinkly - it was all I had).

Close up of the matching notecard that I slipped in the box. (I sure wish I could figure out how to properly photograph items so they show their true dimension. This card has foam square popping out the scallopped panel, and more under the star.) The heart, scalloped pane and star are from CTMH Thoughtful Seasons.

I just can't wait to hand the package over - I'll have to try to make that plan for sometime this weekend!

Until next time.

Sharpie - Vendor Spotlight at Craft Critique with Giveaway

Pop on over to Craft Critique to read my review of the way cool Sharpie Paint Markers, and the NEW Stainless Steel Sharpie!

There's even a Sharpie giveaway associated with the Vendor Spotlight! All you need to do is leave a comment on one of the Sharpie reviews that will be posted over the next few days for a chance to win one of 5 prizes.

Every Once in a While

you find the absolutely cutest pattern online, and have to make one 'just because' -- and that my friends is how I came to make this.

As luck would have it though....my friend's daughter is turning 'Sweet Sixteen' on Sunday and we're going to dinner. So, I will fill the gift card wallet with a card from her favourite store, fill the rest of the space in the 'shoe' with some candies and call it a day. I think she'll love it! (or at least I hope so, as I don't really want to part with it.)

If you're interested in trying this one for yourself, check out this post at Artistic Paperie where you can pick up a template. April (the site owner) has just recently started blogging again after a brief hiatus, and I for one think that's fab! She is full of great ideas, and posts some absolutely amazing art. Believe it or not, last Fall she made a pile of these shoes, and filled them with Halloween treats. I gotta say, she has a lot more patience than I do as I admit that this one was a bit tricky and picky to put together. As you can see, I did manage to get it together in the end and I think I will make at least one more of these cute containers in the near future to give as a gift - and at least one other for my daughter's room. Quite simply, she just fell in love with it as soon as she saw it - and asked me to make her one. I suppose if that's all it takes to keep my six-year-old happy, a paper shoe, I'm pretty lucky.

Happy {Canadian} Thanksgiving and Happy Tuesday to Everyone Else!

Well, I'm a bit late in posting my holiday wishes, but I couldn't resist trying to make the holiday weekend last just one more day. It's always soooo hard to get back into the swing of things after having an extra day off, but the good news is, it makes for a short week at the office. So put a smile on your face......the weekend is closer than you think!

Lucky for me, I actually got a fair bit of crafting time in this weekend too! All in between visits with family and lots and lots of food!

I can't post pics of them all, since there are a few loose ends to tie up on most of them, but I am proud to report that I created (3) double page scrapbook layouts - that's 6 whole pages (yay me!). Plus (6) standard size cards, (4) 3x3 cards, and (4) gift card holders. The cards and stuff are a gift for Christmas for a family member (shhhh!) -- and they're all packaged up in this little stationary box that I saw on splitcoast. If you'd like to try to make one for yourself, a printable tutorial can be found at here at Addicted to Stamping.

I did very little stamping - basically only card sentiments. The rest of the card elements are stickers that coordinate with the papers. All supplies are Close To My Heart - and the product is called Boom-Di-Ada. It's very fun!

The stationary box was a lot easier to put together than I had anticipated, and the whole project came together pretty quickly. I guess that's one of the benefits of using stickers instead of stamps. The downside is of course that in order to duplicate the cards I need to buy the stickers again......but, so long as I can get them, that's not a horrible thing I guess.

I had a lot of fun pulling this together, and honestly, I am soooo shocked that it's only October and I'm already able to cross 2 recipients off my gift-giving list. If I can keep up this pace, I'll be doing alright I think - and avoiding the December crunch.

Happy Tuesday!!!