Stationary Box Tutorial

So, I've finally got these directions and diagrams done up for the many people that have asked me for them...sorry that I took so long! lol :) In the next post, I will add the pics and a diagram for the 'One Sheet Wonder' cards that go with the stationary box. I just have to re-make the diagram...slight accident with my original copy involving a child's shoe and some mud...

Stationary Box:
You will need a piece of matboard (used for picture framing) the size of 18" x 18" square.

First measure in 6 1/2" and score on each side of the matboard. Then, carefully cut out each corner that's 6 1/2" x 6 1/2". An exacto knife is probably the easiest to get an accurate cut with, so as to not cut in too far.

After all the cuts are made, you are going to end up with a piece of matboard that looks like a plus sign. You should have an area in the middle of the plus sign that measures 5 " x 5 ". Each flap that comes out from this square should be 6 1/2" high x 5" wide. Please note the diagram below for the stationary box.

Stationary Box Lid:
Using another piece of matboard, cut out a piece that's 7.25" x 7.25." Score all 4 outside edges at 1.5." Then, cut out corners as shown in diagram below. Fold scored edges down and tape on outside of lid. You won't see the tape, as you're going to cover this lid with hand stamped patterned paper that you're going to make.

Outside of Stationary Box:
You will need 4 sheets of white wrapping paper (size 5' x 6.5"). I used Stampin' Up! white wrapping paper, but you could probably also use just a light weight white cardstock. Using the SU Watercolour Garden set, ramdomly stamp the large flower, using SU Elegant Eggplant, over your white paper. Add leaves to the sides of the flower using SU Certainly Celery. For the centres of the flowers use SU Barely Banana. Then, using the speckled background stamp from the SU Itty Bitty Backgrounds, fill in any blank spaces between the flowers using the three colours mentioned above.

Repeat the above method for the piece that will cover the top of the stationary box lid. This piece of paper should measure 5.75" x 5.75." just enough extra paper to wrap down over the edge then add a strip for the sides of the lid that measures 1.5" x 23.5." These pieces should be stamped, as well, before being adhered to the box with the modge podge.

Using Modge Podge, cover the back of your stamped white paper and adhere to the outside flaps of your matboard box.

Punch holes on each of the sides of the flaps, measure down 2" from top and .25" in from edge. These will be for the ribbon; to hold the sides of the boxes up and to hold the cards and envelopes in place on the inside. You will require 4 strips of eggplant coloured grosgrain ribbon. Each piece should be 18" long and cut on an angle at the ends to prevent fraying.

Now, you'll need 4 pieces (3 6/8" x 3 6/8") of SU Elegant Eggplant cardstock. Centre the pieces vertically on the sides of your box flaps. Make sure you place the pieces closer to the bottom of the flaps to allow room for the lid to go on the box and to still be able to see the entire decorative layer. Now cut out 4 pieces (3.5" x 3.5") of white cardstock. Stamp a design on the white cs, then centre these pieces on your eggplant layers. Note close up pic below of decorative layers for side of box.

There, the outside of your box is done! It really is very straight forward to do the box, if you're a visual person like me, just look at the diagrams that I've made and that should make things easier for you to follow.

I found a recipe on http://westwood.fortunecity.com/ghost/818/craftshomedecor.htm for making your own Modge Podge. I haven't tested it, but hey, it's worth a try. I copied the following from their site.

Here are recipes for making your own Modge Podge Glue. Cheaper than buying, has the same results.

Modge Podge Glaze

Mix 3 parts white glue (elmer's or any cheap brand) to 1 part water.

Add more or less water to get the desired texture and thickness.

Add 2 Tbsp. varnish, for shine. Put into container with screw on lid.

Just Like Modge Podge

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. non-self rising flour

1/2 tsp. powdered alum

1 3/4 c. water

1/4 tsp. oil of cinnamon

In medium size pan, mix together sugar, flour and alum.

Gradually add 1 cup water, stirring vigourously to break up lumps.

Boil until clear and smooth, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Add remaining water and oil. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Put into container with screw on lid.

I hope this was informative for you all and that you have as much fun making your stationary box as I did! I will add more pics of the cards that went with the stationary box along with the diagram for the 'One Sheet Wonder' in my next post.

Thanks for stopping by!

More Blog Yum

There's more blog yum to be had over at Nancy's Creative Mess. Check it out, she's offering up all sorts of yummy goodies! :) Her site's great, lots of creative ideas for the card making addict! lol :)

Here's her site: http://nancyscreativemess.blogspot.com/

Good luck!

Yummy Raspberry Coffee Cake

I've had so many requests for this recipe that I mentioned from a few posts back, I asked my friend, Kelly for it. Here it is, it really is great, give it a try and let me know what you think!

Raspberry Coffee Cake

Almond Streusel (see below)

2 cups all-purpose flour

¾ cup sugar

¼ cup stick margarine or butter, softened

1 cup milk

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla

½ tsp. salt

1 large egg

½ pkg. (about 8 oz size) *Almond paste, finely chopped

1 cup fresh or unsweetened frozen (thawed and drained) raspberries

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Grease bottom and sides of a medium springform pan, with shortening.
2. Prepare almond streusel; set aside.
3. Beat remaining ingredients, except almond paste and raspberries in medium bowl with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
4. Spread half of the batter in pan. Sprinkle with half each of the almond paste, raspberries and streusel. Repeat with remaining batter, almond paste, raspberries and streusel.
5. Bake about 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.

Almond Streusel

¼ cup firm stick margarine

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup sugar

1/3 cup slivered almonds

Cut margarine into flour and sugar in medium bowl, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until crumbly. Stir in almonds.

*Note: You can buy Almond paste at the Bulk Barn. It’s located in the candied fruit section and comes in a baggie. You just need to cut it up.

Enjoy! :)

Some interesting aerial pictures

Thought these might be interesting for everyone. I like aerial pictures, gives you such a different view that you're not used to seeing, or at least I'm not used to seeing! lol :) My husband was on a training flight today and was able to get some neat shots while he was up.

This first one is of the Halifax Harbour with Halifax on the left and the twin city, Dartmouth on the right of the harbour. I live in Dartmouth.


This is a pic of the Angus L. MacDonald Bridge, the bridge that connects the two cities from downtown.


This is our other bridge, the A. Murray MacKay Bridge.


This is a shot of the area where I live, Forest Hills, Dartmouth, NS.


This is our subdivision. Fieldwood Circle is the U shape. There's an elementary school just off to the side of our back yard. The school is the large building in the bottom right hand corner, up to the left of the school you'll see a house with a gray roof and an above ground pool. We're the 3rd house down from there with lots of trees in our back yard.

Hope you enjoyed looking at our little neck of the woods! Thanks for stopping by!

Blog Candy Alert

Alex over at http://sillybirds.blogspot.com/ is having a blog candy giveaway. She's offering up a sheet of some very sweet stamped bunnies, a couple of Michaels stamps, beautiful patterned paper, metallic tinsel and some chipboard. Check it out for a chance to win!

Also, check out the rest of her site, her cards are beautiful! They must have quite different things in the UK, would love to get my hands on some it! lol :)

A very productive day...

Today was a very productive day. We've been in our new (to us) home for nearly 8 months now and we just got our daughter, Natalia's room painted today. The colours weren't bad before, but she wanted something more 'girly,' plus the other paint job was starting to show wear, so an update it was. Now both our girls have light pink rooms. My oldest daughter, Alexandria, has a Disney princess room, our youngest is a Dora, the Explorer fanatic, so her's is a princess Dora room. They each have quite different things, so even though their paint colour is exactly the same, the rooms are quite different. I'll post pics in the next couple of days. I think they're both quite cute. :) And, they love their rooms, so that's what's most important.

We drove over to see our friends baby girl tonight. She's one week old today. Oh my goodness, it's hard to believe my little girls were once that small. They're not babies anymore! They grow up so fast! Laura is absolutely precious and is bringing lots of joy to her first time Mom and Dad. I love that I can go visit and hold and rock her and then go home and get a whole night's sleep! lol Just kidding, I do miss that stage, but I do also really enjoy my sleep! :) We also saw the lunar eclipse tonight on the way over and it was beautiful. Quite a sight! Glad I caught it!

So after a day of painting I needed at least a few minutes in my craft room. This is the card that I came up with tonight. I love the SU Watercolour Garden set. I use it a lot and like it's versatility. I however tend to use these colours a lot. I think with my next card I will try to really branch out and use a colour combo that I would never think to use. I'll have to think about that tomorrow...

Well, I think I will call it a day. We're heading to my parents tomorrow for a visit, gonna be an early start to the day. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone!

Thanks for stopping by!

Updated Link for CardMaker Magazine

Here's another link for the CardMaker magazine that I found. Apparently the other link is only offering first free issue then 6 more for $24.95. This one is offering 2 years for the same price. ?? Why wouldn't you sign up for the greater amount? lol :) Sorry if this provided confusion earlier by me posting an incorrect link. Anyway, try this one, if you're interested.
http://www.cardmakermagazine.com/sem/CMGG.html