Brace yourself.
Welcome to a rather long blog post only rivaled by and even longer tutorial video, which I’ve also including for your viewing pleasure – I’m apologizing in advance!
Today’s project is an involved one with several steps. I was inspired by all the mini albums that were included in the recent Papertrey Ink Stamp-a-Faire. Mini-albums and mini-scrapbooks have never been my thing…which is why I have a huge pile of untouched scrapbookable items sitting in a box in my craft room closet!
I love the look of mini-albums though, so I decided to design something with a similar look…but a different function!
This month’s photo gave me all the color inspiration I needed to create a summery notecard book along with coordinating gift packaging.
Before I get into the details of how I created these projects, how about some photos of the finished product…
I combined all sorts of stamp sets for this cute ensemble and even used a little McGuyvering to create the gift packaging.
The notecards inside the book are perforated, making it easy to tear each one out and write a quick note. For more information on my sewing machine perforation technique, take a look at THIS post.
Instead of taking photos of each step, I decided to record a video of the process – but it’s a long one…30ish minutes, actually. So, if you’re interested and up for a little crafting television time, watch and learn how this came together.
First, though – here is a list of the supplies you’ll need for this particular project, just in case you want to create as you watch. Of course, you can always just use this project as inspiration and get creative with whatever supplies you already have on hand.
Stamps (all PTI):
- Background Basics: Gingham
- Background Basics: Tin Types
- Gracious Vases
- Fruit Fusion: Cherries Mini Stamp Set
- Fruit Fusion: Berries Mini Stamp Set
- Fruit Fusion: Grapes Mini Stamp Set
- Fruit Fusion: Melon Mini Stamp Set
Cardstock & Paper:
Notecard Book:
- (12) 5 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ pieces of Stamper’s Select Cardstock
- (1) 3 1/2″ x 10 3/4″ piece of Stamper’s Select Cardstock
- (1) 3 1/2″ x 1 3/4″ piece of chipboard
Gift Bag:
- (2) 4 1/4″ x 7″ pieces of Melon Berry Cardstock
- (1) 1″ strip of Stamper’s Select Cardstock
- Scraps of white cardstock for die cutting the bag label
Ink:
- Papertrey Ink Classic Kraft Dye Ink
- Impress Fresh Ink in Ginger, Strawberry, Basil, Sugar, Fuchsia, Chamomile, Chocolate & French Lavender, Black (if you don’t have Impress Fresh Ink, you’ll simply need ink in the following shades: green, red, coral/light orange, hot pink, pale yellow, purple/lavender, brown, black)
Dies:
- Papertrey Ink Edgers #2 “B” Die
- Papertrey Ink Limitless Layers 1 3/4″ – scalloped edge circle and plain circle
Punch:
- Large Oval Punch (I used one from Marvy)
Ribbon & Twine:
- Spring Moss Satin Ribbon
- Twinery baker’s twine in Cappucino threaded through a large needle (any brown baker’s twine would work – or choose another color!)
Other:
- (1) Small White Paper Bag
- Scor-Tape or other adhesive
- Crop-a-Dile or other hole punch
- Scoreboard (I use Martha Stewart’s Scoreboard but any will work)
And before I go – more photos of this fun & fruity gift set!
Thanks for stopping by and for those who braved that video – Congratulations & Thank You! You get a million love bucks to spend in whatever way you choose:-)
See you later gators.
sweet:)
Very creative!
Wow, these are all fabulous, Amber!
I love these Amber! I need to break out my fruit stamps… they have been neglected. Awesome job!
Terrific project Amber!! Love the idea!
Gosh, what a great set! I haven’t had a chance to watch the video yet (I’m at work) but will plan to do that tonight.
I have to ask how you keep from smearing your Fresh Ink. I have several of them – and love the colors – but I have a terrible time with the smearing. They never seem to really dry. Any tricks that you’ve learned?
Sweet! Love every card in the booklet. What a lovely gift this makes.
Oh what FUN! Love this Amber.
Very nice set !
Your fruit set is SO adorable, Amber.
Sweet project. I looking forward to watching the video when I have some extra time.
I love this project! So summery and sweet. I haven’t watched the video yet, but I will!
Fabulous! Love this set! – Irma
I think being on the PTI design team has to be somewhere in your future! wow!
You are amazing. That’s all I have to say about that.
I really enjoyed this – I’m definitely a visual learner, and I get so much from watching talented people do their thing. I hope you’ll do more videos, because this one was terrific!
Amazing set of notecards. The whole package is so beautiful.
This is one super sweet project. I agree with some of the other posters. I’d love to see you on the PTI design team.
Amber!! This project is AMAZING!! I love the idea, I love the stamps you used, I love how you combined all the colours, I love the bag, I LOVE IT ALL! I haven’t watched the video because it will kill my battery – but when I am plugged in I will!!
thank you for sharing the tutorial! Love the notecards.
What a fabulous set Amber, and I’ll be watching the video tomorrow!
Great job. Informative Tutorial–gets the wheels turning. Thanks for taking the time to figure out all the details.
Super gift idea. I’ll watch the video at home tonight. Love your work!
What a great set of notecards.
love this set of sweet notecards!
Love this! I see a hostess gift in my future!
Lovely notecard set. I will come back and watch the video later.
I love this set and the video! TFS
Wow! What an awesome note card set! I may just have to make this tomorrow. I need a hostess gift for a crop I’m attending this weekend! Thanks for the wonderful video!
Thanks for sharing this awesome project, Amber! It was definitely worth watching from start to finish.
Wow!!!!! What an absolutely sweet little set!!! I love everything about it!!!
Adorable set!
awesome notecard set. Thanks for sharing the video.
What a lovely ensemble!
What a great project! I hope make more videos.
What an amazing project. I loved the video, it’s great to hear what you think of each step along with how you do it. Thank you!!
I’m so glad I found your blog! LOVE this note card set. It looks fun to make and will make a great gift. I’m already thinking of doing some sets as holiday thank you notecards and including matching envelopes. How convenient that would make sending out thank you cards. 🙂 Glad to see your creative packaging. TFS the great video, too. 🙂
Amber, I’ve followed your blog for quite awhile now, and as always your design for the Blog Hop is just spectacular! I am impressed with your own take on the Front and Center die! Your note card design using your sewing machine to perforate the cards a great idea. Thank you for taking the time to produce a tutorial video. What a great project to gift a friend.
This came out Fabulous. I may need to do this for some of my closest girlfriends. TFS, Smooches… Felicia
Love the notecards set AND the DIY packaging idea. Great job. 🙂
WOW …what great inspiration!! I’m loving all the little details in your notecard set and pretty packaging. Your video was so well done and explained everything so clearly. Definitely on my “to do list”!! Thanks!!
Stunning little set and I absolutely love the idea of perforated cards in a book – how clever. Will definitely be watching this video tomorrow after work – THANK YOU, for such glorious inspiration 🙂
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing how you created this pretty project. So many great ideas and it looks fabulous.
What a lovely Project!
Amber, this is a great project! I love everything about it from start to finish. I love your personality and I’m a visual learner, so videos are fun. The colors are lovely and isn’t it fun to make a useful gift. People love getting homemade, which intriques me. Growing up, my mom and I made lots of homemade gifts and I’ve passed that on to my daughter and it delights me when she makes me stuff. I’m a total die-0-holic and I want those front and center dies, but usually try to get as many small sets as possible with my craft funds. LOL You improvised perfectly! Thanks for this great tutorial. And perfect timing as I need a gift for my MIL. Have a Great Day!
Awesome card set…loved watching your video.