This weekend, I experimented with making handmade stationery sets from scratch and I really like what I came up with. I created a stationery box that holds a set of four cards and envelopes. Best of all, the raw materials cost less than $3 in paper and ribbon (not counting the ink and the stamps I already own). Someone could easily make the same project with leftover ribbon and a few sheets of patterned paper that’s on hand.

Above is a picture of the full stationery kit.

The box is made out of one sheet of 12×12 textured card stock, plus a decorative strip on the flap. In the near future, I will measure the dimensions of the box and make the pattern to post on my blog (although I can’t promise when!).

And here’s a close up. I like the bright, festive hues. These are SU’s current In Colors.

Above is the card box all closed up. There’s a tiny piece of Velcro under the scalloped circle tag that keeps the box closed. I also used two big eyelets to string the ribbon through as a purse handle.

Here are the four cards in the set.

Project Recipe (all products Stampin’ Up unless otherwise noted): Season of Joy (110384), Deer Friends (hostess set), and Cute & Curly (112966) stamp sets, card stock and ink in riding hood red, baja breeze, kiwi kiss, and whisper white, designer paper in ski slope, striped ribbon in riding hood red, double stitched ribbon in baja breeze, 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon in old olive, punches in scalloped circle (109043), 1 1/2″ circle (EK Success), 1 3/8″ circle (104401), curly label punch (112966), threading water edge punch (Fiskars), stampin’ dimensionals, Heidi Swapp clear flower

So, what do you think? Would you be happy to get a similar set as a gift? I’m planning to create several of these stationery sets, non holiday themed, so you’ll surely see a few more on this blog.

I’m thankful that both Hubs and I have jobs, though imperfect, that provide dependable paychecks, plus a roof over our heads. I’m thankful that we live within 30 minutes of both our families and we can hop in a car to see them on a whim. It sounds silly, but I’m also thankful for my craft supplies. I think everyone needs an outlet to unwind. Paper crafting is my personal downtime.

Over the weekend, I made a gift box of thank you cards for the bride of the wedding that Hubs and I attended. I remember how hard it was to get going on our wedding thank you cards, so I wanted to give our friends a head start.

I made a set of four matching cards, two in pink and two in green.

Above, is a close up of the green version. I added a coordinating stamp on the envelope.

Card Recipe: SU Pocket Silhouettes stamp set, PTI colored cardstock, ink, and ribbon, PTI patterned paper, Fiskars Threading Water scalloped punch, Nestabilities rectangle and scalloped rectangle dies.

After I finished making the cards, I wrapped them up in clear, plastic box that I purchased from Papertrey Ink (PTI for short). These boxes can fit about eight cards, but I only had time to make four.

Before I finish this post, I have to mention that I’m thankful for my Hubs, who is so supportive of my very expensive hobby. I’m also thankful for my blog readers. You guys give me an audience to share my passion for paper and a reason to continue crafting.

What are you thankful for?

My friend celebrated her 29th birthday this year. As a portion of her present, I made her a box of monogrammed stationery. Simple, personal, and yet, still affordable.

(All photos were taken by my trusty compact point and shoot, since I hadn’t received the digital Rebel yet from Hubsters yet.)

First, I stamped her initial with pale aqua ink.

Next, the circle stamp outlined the “J.”

My 1.5 inch circle punch fit perfectly around the monogram.

After matting the monograms on slightly larger colored circles, I used a simple Xyron sticker unit to make seals.

Are these adorable? They’re backed on sticker paper so they can be used as envelope seals.

Now, for the stationery. The cards were made of white paper, matching monograms, and thin strips of patterned paper and colored ribbon.

Everything was adhered together with tombo tape runner.

Next, I made some pretty as punch lined envelopes using the leftover patterned paper.

Here’s the blue set…

And now, a picture of the green one.

I packaged the cards, envelopes, and seals in a thin, clear box wrapped with more patterned paper and a decorative oval that I cut using my Cuttlebug die cutting machine.

The photo is a little washed out, but here’s the final package. What do you think? Gift worthy? Or branded to the bottom drawer?

(Supplies: Nestabilities oval and scalloped oval dies, PTI aqua mist and spring moss ink, patterned paper, and cardstock, SU define your life and frames with a flourish stamps, SU circle punch, xyron sticker machine)