~ long, and photo heavy ~
Howdy! whew, another year. But this one will be better: more joy, more laughter, more time with friends, and more time creating! Like most of you, I too, have resolutions. Mine are basic: all of the above, and better health, and eating better. My promise to myself, my family, my friends, and my followers. So, here is where we start.
Day one: I have plans today. I had a 'good' breakfast (eating better). I will go for a 5 mile run (better health), once I finish here. And then, I will drive into town and pick up a planner. So, I can start writing down what I need to do. Pencil in time for what I want to do. And get my gym schedule on the book. This will help me organizing my time better.
My plan for tomorrow: clean my craft room (getting organized). Yes, clean. It will most likely take me 5/+ hours. It is a disaster. So much so, it has spilled onto the dinning room table, and one counter in the kitchen. It is a mess. And a nightmare. My poor husband doesn't say a word. Gotta give the guy props!
But first, I took some time to craft. Before you give me a pat on the back, or a bravo, it is late crafting. Late, in that this project should have been done at least a week ago, if not sooner. You see, I am having a winter/Christmas Friendship tea for 10 wonderfully charming, and dear friends. Next weekend. Yep, January 7th. They all know about it. They received their unofficial, invite 4 weeks ago. And, unfortunately, I am just now getting their official invites in the mail. This project was put on the back burner (so to speak) for two reasons: time, and creativity.
Time: between holiday parties, retirement teas, and 3 days of family obligations during Christmas, oh, and 2 holiday events, and one wedding; I was running out of time. Yeah, still working 40hours a week at the hospital, and taking call 3 nights a week. I cook dinner almost every night. And my dog Sasha depends on me for everything: walks, meals, love, attention, and play time. Did I mention I have a husband? Yep. I have one of those, too! Time, is something I barely had any of this past month.
Creativity: I made all the decorations, food, and personal touches to the retirement tea, crafted 4 kids ugly sweaters (for the annual ugly sweater contest), decorated a trophy for said event, made dishes for Christmas Eve lunch, and dinner. More dishes for Christmas dinner. Made birthday cards for a group of us ladies who paper craft. Made the Secret Santa gift for said holiday party. Made Cinnamon nuts for my grandchildren's teachers and coaches holiday gifts, and decorated the jars. Helped my oldest granddaughter make Peppermint Bark for her dance team. And we made custom tags, and packed them rather sweetly. And one last craft fair that required almost non stop crafting to get inventory up for the event. So see, my creativity was there. Just buried under everything else. Now that I have had a chance to catch my breathe, and before I put away all my holiday themed crafting supplies, I needed to create one more thing: Winter Friendship Tea invites.
I made these 'flip' book/cards:
here is the inside:
one more:
and the inside:
Recipe: I used the Mistletoe Collection, from Kaisercraft, one sheet of stickers, and one package of diecuts. I printed my 'tags' (invites) onto whisper white card stock by Stampin' Up!. Trimmed them to 3 1/4" x 3 3/4". I cut a scrap piece of the shimmer ribbon from Stampin' Up! and stapled it to the top of each invite. I rounded just the top two corners.
Each panel measures 4" x 6". I wanted to get the most pieces out of my paper. I adhered the pocket to the inside of the front panel before adding washi tape.
I 'trimmed the edges with washi tape, and then used my corner rounder.
From the cover to the back-
cover: I cut a piece of coordinating pattern paper 3" x 5" and used my spiral notebook punch to create a decorative edge to one side of the pattern paper. I used my corner rounder on the two corners that were left plain.
I cut my border stickers into 3" segments. I stamped my sentiment 'To my friend' onto a 3/4" wide white card stock, and stamped in Lagoon ink. I used a square punch to create the flag/banner end. I adhered the sentiment piece with foam tape just on top of the border sticker.
I stamped my 'TEA' image onto white card stock, using real red classic ink. I added an image and a word from the stickers and die cuts to each cover.
inside cover: I created the pockets with the same pattern paper. Each pocket is cut 3 3/4" x 2". The bottom corners are rounded. I made paper bows using my bow builder punch by Stampin' Up! with the scrap pieces of pattern papers. Then I added either a sticker or die cut just below the bow.
inside back panel: I added adhesive to the back of each of the little silver polka dot treat bags. I added a scrap piece of pattern paper to the top of each bag, and adhered them.
I added a decorative strip of paper to the bottom portion of each bag. A creative way to help secure the bag to the panel. I added a word from the word page with foam tape. Inside each bag is a tea bag. Fitting I thought {smile}.
the back panel: is left blank. I simply stamped my trademark in dark grey ink. I thought that since the treat bag is silver metallic and the washi tape is either silver/gray, the ink should also coordinate with the whole over all look.
I packed each invite in a clear envelope. This works two ways: eye candy for our mail carriers, and a look at your treasure in your snail mail {smile}. It's the easiest way to share a smile!
Thank you for looking. and yeah, these aren't really 'flip books', because there is no 'flip'. But I was inspired by what I found on the internet. I hope that I have given you a smile, too! a quick note: I saw a video on how to make flip books on youtube using project life cards
HERE. That is where I got my inspiration.
