The Gift of Giving Blog Hop

Hello there fellow crafters!!!  Welcome to our "Gift of Giving" Blog Hop!

If you are looking for Handmade Holidays Blog Hop (The Buckle Boutique) please go HERE.
If you are looking for my Frosted Designs Layout for Friday's Challenge (white space), please go HERE.

With the holiday season lurking just around the corner, we decided to give our members some ideas for fabulous handmade items that can be gifted this year!  Our Design Team has been working really hard so sit back and enjoy the show as you "hop" along with us!

As you hop along, you will notice each Design Team member has a "secret" word on their blog that makes a quote.  Be sure to write it down and email Brandimatos@gmail.com with your completed quote!  After you've completed the hop, come back here (the Frosted Designs Blog) and leave us a comment letting us know.  One winner will be randomly selected from the comments to win a $20.00 Gift Certificate to the Frosted Designs Store!!!!

We also have some other fabulous prizes up for grabs! 
Creative Embellishments is offering up a $20.00 Gift Certificate to their AMAZING online store full of chipboard, stamps, flair, and more!!!! 

Regina from The Cutting Cafe has generously offered winner's choice for THREE SETS of their choosing to her online store FULL of digi stamps and cut files for EVERY occasion (no, seriously... EVERY occasion!!)!!!!!

So what are you waiting for?!?  Let's get hopping!!! 

Here is the line-up in case you get lost along the way:

Michelle

Sandee

Athanasia

Brandi

Shanna

Rachelle

Solange

Julie

Channa

Megan

Joni

Lori

Connie

You have until midnight on November 14th to "hop" along with us!  As you hop, be sure to write down the "secret" word from each member's blog.  Once you've completed the hop, you'll have a completed quote!  Email that to brandimatos@gmail.com for your chance to win one of the fabulous prizes listed above!!!!

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!!!!  
Happy Scrapping :-)

Hello and Welcome to the Frosted Designs The Gift of Giving Blog Hop!!

You should have arrived from HERE.  If you found me first, please go to the BEGINNING so you don't miss anything!!!  My DT Sisters are very talented!!

I used watercolor paper for the covers of my two Note Pads.  I colored on the watercolor paper (sized to 3 1/16 x 5 1/16) with burgundy and gold gleatos. 

I spritzed the watercolor paper with water and used a paintbrush to blend the colors. 

As the paper dried, it flattened out. 

Next, I used Tim Holtz Dot Fade stencil (from the Shades of Spring Kit) and some Molding Paste to add some texture. 

I inked the edges with Mixed Media Peach ink and stamped some images on one of the covers. 

I used some rub ons from the Enchanted Kit on the other cover.  I have never been a fan of rub ons because they never seemed to work for me.  I have to say I do like these rub ons - the color is very vibrant and they transferred to my cover pretty easily. 

My covers are finished - now to turn them into note pads.  I use unlined index cards for my paper.  I punch the holes and bind the note pads with my Zutter Bind-It-All. 

Here are my supplies! 

I punched the covers first.  I trimmed chipboard for the back cover and punched them as well.  Next I punched the index cards.  I punch about 10 sheets at a time. 

I center the paper in the Bind-It-All and punch away. 

I used 3/4" wires and trimmed them with my wire cutter to fit my note pads.  First I put the paper on the wires, next the cover and finally the back.  This way the pretty wires are in the front.

Once they are on the wire, I close the wire using the Bind-It-All. 

I added a bit of ribbon to each and they are ready to give away!

Here are the note pads individually!  I love making gifts for my friends - I hope I inspired you today!!

The word you need is: HAVE!  Good luck!!

Thank you for joining us on this hop!  Your next and final stop is CONNIE!

Your next stop is HERE.

Here is a complete list of blogs in case you get lost along the way:

Note Pad and Gift Card

I am filling in for Bobby (Sassy Dude) today at She's A Sassy Lady.

If you are looking for the Disney Pixar Blog Hop, go HERE.

I made this darling note pad and gift card for my good friend Jenny.

I used my Imagine More Cards cartridge with my Cricut Imagine to find my image and patterned paper.

I changed my mind on the patterned paper I first printed out.  I also made my Bird Cage image a little too big.  Had I used Cricut Craft Room, I would have been able to see that (oops)!

So I tried again and printed the bird cage smaller along with some other images for another project. When I use my Imagine, I tend to print off many images to use as much of my paper as I can.

Instead of patterned paper, I went with a solid pink.  I used this ribbon from Michaels.  It is actually Christmas ribbon, but I liked it because it had music notes on it.  Birdies sing a lot, so I thought this would be perfect!!

I tied the ribbon on my 4x4 card front with the bow on the side.

I inked the bird cage image with Vintage Photo and adhered it on top of the ribbon.

What a lovely card!

I inked and adhered the bird cage image to a 3 x 5 inch piece of pink cardstock.  I tied the ribbon around the pink cardstock.

I mounted the pink cardstock onto a bright blue cardstock sized to 3 1/16 x 5 1/16 inches.  I find this tiny bit larger size works great as a cover for 3x5 blank notecard pages.

I used my Bind-it-All to punch and bind my notebook with 1/2" wires.

If you want to see how to bind these note pads, I have a tutorial HERE.

I love making note pads to give as gifts.  It is a fun way to keep a grocery list or document tidbits for scrapbook layouts!

I hope Jenny likes my gift to her.  I love how bright it is ~ especially in the cold and snowy winter here!!!

  

Note Pads for the Teacher and Staff

I made these note pads for Tanner's Teacher for Christmas.

I used scrap paper and black and red cardstock.  The paper is 3x5 blank note cards as my paper and my Bind-It-All to bind them together.

I used Nate's ABCs for the font sized to 0.85 inches.

I used Fabulous Finds for the background rectangle sized to 6.20 (Actual size).

I cut them out in red and black cardstock.

I tend to make my note pads in bulk!!  I trim my pretty paper scraps to 3x5 or a tad bit larger than 3x5 to use as covers.  I use watercolor paper or chipboard to back my scrapbook paper.

And for the support staff:

I used Snow Friends and some scrap paper to create these notepads for the support staff.

I cut the snowmen to 4 inches and used stickles to color in the details.

Tune in tomorrow to see the gift bags I decorated to put them in!

Journal Note Pads (BIA)

I am finishing up my very first Scrapbook Design and You (SDU) class next week and I wanted to make a little something for my students.  This is my first time teaching this class and I am finding my groove!  One of the classes is all about the importance of journaling and I wanted to make a journal for each of the ladies to keep with them in their purses.  I am still without my Gypsy,so I had to remember how to use the Cricut the "old" way.

I took an inexpensive pad of watercolor paper and cut two sets of 3 1/8 by 5 1/8 rectangle for each notepad.  I also cut the same size (two sets each) of paper from a K&Co. paper pad.  I left the insides of the covers white, but sometimes I cover them as well.

To embellish the cover, I used Storybook for the accent frame.  I wanted "Once upon a Time" since this journal is for writing stories and tidbits that will help with journaling later on.  I guessed at 2 1/2 inches and got lucky!

I used my MS  glue writing pen to glue the frame down onto the accent blackout piece. 

I left the blackout pieces on my mat until the accent frames were glued on.

I inked the edges of the covers with StazOn black ink and a fantastix.  I got this technique from MakeupGirl217.

I got out my trusty Bind It All.  I used my new Space Bar so the holes are punched a little closer to the edge.

I centered the cover and back (flipped the way it will be once assembled) and pushed the lever down.  I have to stand up in order to do this!!

The pages of the note pads are 3x5 blank index cards.  I just stocked up on several packs as the back to school supplies are everywhere!  I use 40 sheets per note pad.

To assemble, put the note pad together the way it goes, then flip the back cover over the top as if the binding is on **the back cover is the top, the cover is the middle and the pages are on the bottom of this photo. 

You put the o-wire in so that the loose pieces are threaded through the back, front and then the pages.  You want the connected pieces to end up in the back of the note pad.

You stand up the note pad with the o-wire down, then push the lever down.  This will bend and close the wire.

If you are not careful, you can cut too close to the edge!!  I am glad I did not glue on the embellishment yet!!

Here are the finished note pads!

A close up!!