{Spotlight Project} Monika Creates a Stationery First Aid Kit

Hello, everybody. I'm back again with some more inspiration for you. This week, I hope to inspire you to stretch your crafting skills and join me in creating this little handbag sized folder. It is a sort of Stationery First Aid Kit. 

I don't know about you, but I quite often get caught out in situations needing pen and paper, an envelope or just simply something nice to write some details on. Thinking that something has to be done about this whilst thinking about my upcoming Spotlight Project, it was a question of now or never!
So here it is, this Thursday's Spotlight Project using our current Stamp Club set, Bloom Sketches combined with Boxed Blooms & Bold Sentiments and Mini Mixed Media Backgrounds.

This little beauty would make a perfect gift for a friend. Christmas is not that far off anymore, and it is actually quite easy to make. All you need is a cover to which 3 pockets (for envelopes, note cards and note pad) and one pen holder are attached.

My largest items were the envelopes and that's what I based my measurements on. I simply added a little extra to provide space for the pen and decorative borders.

The measurements I'm giving you will make a little book to take envelopes 15.1 x 8.6 cm (6" x 3 3/8"), note cards 14.5 x 8 cm (5 11/16" x 3 3/16") and note pad width 7.5 cm ( just under 3") with height not higher than 15 cm (just under 6"). Of course, you can always use something a little smaller.

For ease of watching and understanding, I split making the little book into 3 video tutorials.

For the first part you'll need:

- 2 pieces of thin chipboard 16 x 10 cm (6 5/16" x 3 15/16") for the covers
- 1 thin strip of chipboard 16 x 0.8 cm (6 5/16" x 3/8") for the spine
- 1 piece of card 21.5 x 16 cm (8 1/2" x 6 5/16"), butted with the long edge against the top score 10 cm (3 5/16") in from each side
- 2 pieces of card 10.7 x 16 cm (4 1/4" x 6 5/16), butted with the shorter edge against the top score at 10 cm (3 5/16")
- 1 strip of card 16 x 1.1 cm approx (6 5/16" x 7/16" to cover the spine on the inside
- glue and double sided tape





For the second part you'll need:

- Bloom Sketches, Boxed Blooms & Bold Sentiments and Mini Mixed Media Backgrounds stamp sets
- 6 to 8 note cards 14.5 x 8 cm (5 11/16" x 3 3/16")
- 5 envelopes 15.1 x 8.6 cm (6" x 3 3/8")
- 1 piece of card 17.5 x 10 cm (6 15/16" x 3 15/16), scored at 1 cm down the two short and one long side and once folded over measures approx 15.5 x 9 cm which is slightly larger than the envelopes
- 1 piece of card 17 x 8 cm (6 11/16" x 3 3/16"), scored as above folding to 15 x 7 cm which is slightly longer and narrower than the note cards
- 1 piece of card 9.8 x 9 cm (3 7.8" x just over 3 1/2") scored on three sides as above folding to 7.8 x 8 cm to fit the back of the note pad
- 1 piece of card 15 x 9 cm (just over 5 7/8" x just over 3 1/2") to stamp the decorative front panel
- scissors, brushes or blending tools, envelope punch board or small circle punch




For the third part you'll need:

- your covers, all the stamped pieces from above, your note pad and pen
- glue, scissors




Your folder should be ready by now. To finish off simply tie a ribbon around your little book.

Tip! Leave your book open and allow to dry over night before finishing off with the ribbon. This will give the glue plenty of time to bond properly. This type of binding works best with light to medium card.

I shall be back soon with some more inspiration. Until then, enjoy and happy crafting!!! :-)