While previewing the new Summer Mini Catalogue last month, I was inspired by the new Designer Series Paper pack, Beyond the Garden, to create some beach themed items.  Beach bags immediately came to mind! 

I always seem to be collecting a new beach bag every year (mostly cause I can’t find the previous year’s one!)  and I love the fun bright colors they all have and of course, their capacity to hold lots of items for a day outdoors.  So, to stay true to the purpose of a real beach tote bag, I created these three replicas keeping space in mind.

All three totes are large and strong enough to be used as gift bags for that special summer or Hawaiian themed party:

*** Flower Rimmed Wild Wasabi tote  measures 8 1/2″ wide at the top, 7″tall excluding handle (11″with handle) and is 2″ deep

*** Daffodil Delight Nautical Striped tote measures 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ and is 2″ deep

*** Round Clutch Handle tote measures 7 1/2″ long, is 6″high and 1 1/2″ deep

Beach Tote Ensemble Tutorial includes:

15 pages of written instructions and measurements to complete all three projects

40 step by step photos to assist you in recreating the projects

$3.99 CAD

The tutorial will be emailed to you as a PDF file following your purchase through PayPal.

TTFN!

Natasha

It’s going to be quiet around here for most of this week, as I’m working on something a little bigger than usual for you.

Enjoy the photo teaser above and I hope to see you Thursday!

TTFN!

Natasha

All this week, I’ll be sharing projects that I’ve prepared for a special Occasions Mini class next month.  There are SO MANY amazing products in this mini catalogue, it just seemed fitting to use as many as I could for one class!

Because of the long weekend, I lost a day in my week, so I’ll be sharing 2 of the projects today:

You should know just how much I love this stamp set – Easter Blossoms- that’s why I showcased it first!   I also used Springtime Vintage DSP which pairs so well with the set. I loved Lisa Young’s card layout here, and made it my own for this class.

This is a fun little box created with the Petal Cone die.  Also from the mini, I used the Eat Chocolate stamp set.  Thanks to Kim Sinclair, one of my new stamping friends, for the idea!

See you tomorrow with another project!

TTFN!

Natasha

 You know the ones, you can decide how soft or hard you want each side of the mattress to be…

Well, I picked a number out of a hat last night as I was laying there…it felt like a good choice at the time…

…this morning, my lower back was screaming at me!!  I’ll choose a different number tonight and see how it goes…

…I’m just anxious to get back to my own bed with my memory foam top…

…moving on…

Here is a little something I made for Becky Roberts and Kim Sinclair, my leadership buddies this week (please excuse the bad hotel lighting for these photos):

I made them each a Trapezoid Purse and filled them with Coffee Crisp chocolate bars – they apparently don’t have these in the US.

Supplies used:

Stamps – Eat Chocolate

Paper and Ink – Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Pawsitively Prints II DSP, Chocolate Chip

Accessories – Pear Pizzazz poly-stitched ribbon, 1 3/4″circle punch, Scallop Die #2 and Big Shot, 1/8″hole punch, dimensionals

TTFN!

Natasha

I’ve prepared these fun AND easy projects for a special class I’m offering in February. 

Here are some close-up photos of each project for you:

Two cute cards using the new set Valentine Defined, found in the new Occasions Mini Catalogue!  Notice the fun border on the second card?  That’s made with a new great embossing folder called Framed Tulips, also found in the Occasions Mini.

I had no idea this little purse was going to be as popular with you all, as it has been!  All those who register for the class, receive my Trapezoid Purse PDF tutorial as well (available for order by clicking on the photo on the right)!

And last but not least, these two fun projects –

- a 3×3 card and matching stamped envelope

- and a matchbox with tag, to hold the all-important Valentine’s themed chocolate!  This little box’s tag is made with another great set in the Occasions Mini catalogue called Eat Chocolate – check it out, it’s awesome!

If you happen to live in or near Calgary, here are some class details:

DATE:  Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

TIME:  6:30-9:00 p.m.

COST:  $20.00 for all supplies and project kits contents

TTFN!

Natasha

Precious little quilted Christmas bags!  I love this quilted look! 

Basically you cover a piece of white cardstock with square punched DSP and then run it through the Big Shot with the Top Note die.  I went the extra mile and embossed  the Top Notes with the Big Shot.  In card you’re wondering, the “bag”portion of this project is a small white gift bag found at any big box store, the top trimmed to be the same height as the Top Note.

Supplies used:

Stamp set – Season of Joy

Ink and Paper – Whisper White,  Garden Green, Candy Cane Christmas DSP, Real Red

Accessories – small oval punch, 1 1/4″ square punch, Big Shot, Top Note die, Victorian Wallpaper embossing folder, Real Red satin ribbon, silver brads

TTFN!

Natasha

I’m interupting my baking session today, to share with you a pleasant discovery I made yesterday. 

I wanted to package my giant pretzel rods in a special way to give away as teacher gifts this year.  I went into my work area to start measuring and designing. 

I looked over to my shelf and noticed my mini cupcake box from the Homemade Goody Box tutorial sitting there…

 and wondered if my rods would possibly fit in that.  I took it off the shelf, held my breath, laid in one pretzel rod and…

…did the dance of joy!!!  They fit perfectly!

I quickly made up a couple of boxes and they are ready to go – I love those serendipidous moments!

I used this card layout as inspiration for the top of my box.  The poinsettia flower at the top was created by layering 3 – 5 Petal Flower punches and 2 small flowers punched with Boho Blossoms punch.

Supplies used:

Stamps – Four the Holidays, Notably Ornate

Paper and Ink – Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday DSP

accessories -5 Petal Flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch,  Scallop Edge punch, ticket corner punch, Big Shot and Little Leaves sizzlit, pearl accent

Now back to my baking!

TTFN!

Natasha

Here is a cute idea for you to package some really cute little items in.

It’s a purse shaped like a trapezoid – just like my real current one!  Once you fill it, it’s not gonna tip over, that’s for sure!

This is an open view .

When closed, the front flap and cover/lid are secured together with velcro or magnets – they both work well.  I left the front tabs unattached to the sides for ease of loading and unloading goodies and treats.

Same purse – different look

My tutorial for this trapezoid purse for gift giving is available today!

It includes 9 pages of instruction along with 26 photos to assist you in creating your own purses.

The tutorial is available starting today for $1.99 CAD.

I’m going to go make a dozen more and then figure out what fun and festive things to put inside.  Not that it matters because it’s all about the packaging, isn’t that what they say?

TTFN!

Natasha

This box will stay visible in my kitchen during the Christmas season.  Only 3 weeks until its time to put up the tree!  I love it!

TTFN!

Natasha

How many of you give out a plate of cookies at Christmas? 

HaHa!! I knew it – lots of you!!!  Me too!

This year, let’s throw away those paper plates and plastic wrap and give cookies away in this!

I was able to fit a dozen cookies in this box – the dimensions are 2 3/4″ x 6 1/2″ x 2 3/4″ .

 Here’s the step-by step instructions for you:

Step 1:

Stamp a 12″x 12″piece of cardstock as desired.  I used Bravo Burgundy, Bells & Boughs stamp set and shimmer paint.

Score one side at 2 3/4″ and 9 1/4″; turn cardstock 90 degrees and score at 2 3/4″, 5 1/2″, 8 1/4″, and 11″.

Step 2:

Cut off the two un-neccessary thin ends.

Step 3:

Cut on all horizontal score lines up to intersecting score lines – this creates your side ends.

Step 4:

Cut off  1  3/4″ off set of 1st tab ends. This creates the box lid…

Step 5:

Round all 4 lid corners.

Step 6:

Create a 2 1/2″x 4 3/8″ rectrangular template; lay template on box top and trace; cut out with paper cutter.

Cut a piece of acetate sheet to 3 1/2″x 5 1/2″ and adhere to inside of box covering the window.

Step 7:

Fold on all score lines folding the acetate sheet as you go.

Step 8:

 Apply double-sided tape to the last two tabs on each end as shown in photo above.  Fold up box starting at far end and finished at box lid.  Fold lid into box with tabs on the inside.

Decorate as desired…then send me a link or photo of your creation- I want to see!!!

TTFN!

Natasha