Two Gifts in a Hurry!

Today is my daughter's Art teacher's birthday. I wanted to make her a personalized stationery set, monogrammed and nothing that would take too long because I needed to make two others in a hurry. She's in her 50's or 60's, so I thought something in the neutral color would be best. Well, when my daughter saw the River Rock set that I had just about finished, she reminded me that her teacher was very "colorful"... I think she used the word "bam!" to describe her personality. So back to the drawing board with brighter colors. That was alright by me because I wanted to make another set in River Rock for one of my carpool moms who sent me flowers the other day.
I used Papertrey Ink's Clear Boxes, which I love, to hold the 10 cards and 10 envelopes.

Four of the cards were simply cuttlebugged using the Swiss Dot folder and scored at the bottom with ScorPal. Monogram and border stamps are from PTI and the sentiments from Hanna Stamps. Ribbons and punches are from SU.

The other side of the clear box shows a flat note card also monogrammed with the same stamps from PTI, using SU papers (Whisper White, So Saffron, Bali Breeze DSP), and Purely Pomegranate Ink.
Using mini glue dots, I attached double-stitched ribbon in Purely Pomegranate around the clear box to resemble a shopping bag (long-ways). No need to decorate the box because the cards that show through are pretty enough. I added a coordinating pen, tied it to the strap handle and -- in my daughter's words -- "Bam!" I have a great personalized gift!

Pen: To make a pen coordinate with any stationery or journal, you must start with a pen that has a clear cover and is refillable so that it can be opened. Cut a piece of coordinating designer paper the same length as the visible part of the pen's barrel and just wide enough to go around once inside the pen. Use the stem of a small paint brush or knitting needle to start the "rolling" process. This will make it easier to push the paper through the inside of the pen. After rolling the paper neatly, glide it carefully into the inside of the pen until the clear part is covered by the paper, seal the pen and you're done.

GIFT NO. 2

This stationery set is about the same as the one above, only the colors are more subdued. I made this as a thank you for one of the moms whose daughter carpools with mine to high school. I didn't make the shopping bag handles on this one. I didn't think it needed it.Well, that's it for now. One more for a church youth counselor who's having a surprise party tonight.

Thanks for visiting!