Class is in session!

Hey, everyone!

Who's ready for the weekend? I am very excited about this weekend! Friday I am going to a long-term care facility where I will be teaching some of the residents how to make two really fun projects! I will show you how to make them, too! And then of course Sunday is my baby boy's first birthday!! WOOHOO!!! This first year has really flown by! I will be giving away a Birthday Party in a Box and on Saturday I will actually be showing you what that looks like....so keep watching! You still have time to enter to win! I will draw the name on Sunday evening!!!

Okay, so I have chosen two really fun projects that I think the residents will enjoy making...whether they are men or women. I know that space is usually limited somewhat in their rooms, so I have chosen items that won't take up much space, can serve as decor and will be functional as well. We are doing a coaster sticky note holder and a jumbo paper clip bookmark. Would you like to make one for yourself, a teacher, a friend, your church secretary, or members of your book club? I think the possibilities for giving these items are truly endless and remember Christmas is coming sooner than we think (I know! I know!) and these would make terrific stocking stuffers or gifts for kids' parties at school.

Let's make the jumbo paper clip first. It's so simple and fast! You can make a bunch in no time. First of all you will want to purchase the jumbo clips. I believe you can get a dozen clips in a package. I picked mine up in the office supply section at Wal-Mart, but you can get them anywhere you want. Next you will want to grab some of your scrap paper and some punches. You can also embellish them with ribbon, buttons, brads, etc. The sky is the limit. Grab your double sided 3M foam adhesive or whatever you choose to use and it's time to assemble. In my sample I chose a burgundy piece of scrap cardstock, punched it out with my Creative Memories star punch that I have had forever. I used the biggest star on the punch. Then with my glittery designer paper scraps, I punched another star with the smaller star on the punch. They nest together so well. Use what you have, though, no need to go buy something special for these...unless you really want to! (wink) And I also just took some curly ribbon and added it for more shimmer and bling! Simple. Now you can make one or four or ten...and then show me! Leave me a link to yours in the comments section of this blog!

Now on to the coaster post it holders! I have plain old chipboard...it came from the cardboard-like piece that is in the bottom of a box of forms. My friend gave me a whole box of them and they are great! You can use coasters like we have on page 108 of our TAC fall/winter 2008 catalog! I cut my chipboard to 4" x 4" and the same with my designer paper. You can round the corners if you want, but I chose to leave mine plain since I didn't want to add more to the project if someone has limited abilities in my class. I chose a feminine color scheme/theme for one of my coaster sticky note holders and a little more masculine one for the other. We'll have some men join us, too, and I don't want them to feel like they couldn't make this project because it looked too girly! LOL So, by just adding minimal embellishments, a button rather than a flower, I think it would appeal to men, too! Check out my flower! I added a glue dot in the center, then pressed it into some glitter (A-287, p. 120) and it looks so pretty!
To make this project, just adhere your 4" x 4" designer paper to your coaster cut at the same size. Next you will cut a piece of coordinating paper (mine shimmers) to 1¼" x 5/8" (but you can adjust the size for what you need. I used a strip of Wonder Tape (p. 121) to adhere this small piece to your large binder clip. These also come in a box of a dozen. I got them at the same place as the jumbo paper clips. You can add ribbon, a button, or any embellishments you want to the binder clip at this time. Then you just place your sticky note pad onto your coaster near the top and hold it on with your binder clip. And it's that easy to make a really fun project! I want to see yours now...so be sure you leave me a link in my comments section!
Have a terrific weekend everyone and don't forget to check out my blog candy I'm showing you on Saturday! Also, be sure and leave me a link to where I can see your card. If you don't have a blog you can still participate...just e-mail me a picture of the card. And be sure to spread the word! The more, the merrier!

Hugs,
Bridgett