I just finished making an adorable gift card holder for one of the teachers helpers in Paige’s JK Class. I based my card on these easy to follow instructions by Jess:

Gift Card Holder by By Jess Duerksen

OK girls…we’re making this quick and easy money holder today!

Cut a piece of CS or double sided pp to 7”h X 9”w.

Score vertically at 3” and 6” so you have 3 equal sections of 3” X 7”

Measure down 2” on the first score and cut out to there

Now measure over 1” and down the side 2.5” and cut off the angle

You’ve got your holder made! You can tape the bottom shut to make sure nothing gets lost… The cash or GC gets tucked in here.

Now add your stamp or sentiment to the front and embellish as desired!

Have fun!

~Tara~

This tutorial was created by Kristin.

Curling Chipboard

Submitted by Kristin

Here is a neat technique that I’ve tried and really enjoyed. I can’t wait to try it again!

Chipboard graces most scrapbooking layouts these days. Whether it is alphabets or an embellishment, chipboard is everywhere!

For something different try soaking your chipboard in a dish of water. I tried this with Fancy Pants chipboard flowers. Once the flower was in the water for a couple of minutes it separated into 4 thin layers. I laid the layers out on a paper towel and let them dry overnight. When they were dry, I was able to cover them with patterned paper and curl the petals with a pencil. I love the look of the thin layers of chipboard. I can’t wait to try this again with alphabets!

Don’t forget to check out the CCAS Resource Wiki. We have LOTS of fabulous tutorials.

I have been searching around for some ideas for teachers gifts that the girls can have fun decorating and making. I came across this while searching through CCAS Resources. My girls want to make some of these for the teachers helpers and fill them with handmade toffees. Yummy!!

Make a Festive Fry Box - By Renee

Fry Template by Tammy Matta

Supplies Needed:

Glue Stick or other adhesive

Patterned Paper, Cardstock or other (I used double sided sturdy Patterned Paper)

Scissors or X-acto knife

Bone folder

Size this template to your size liking in an editing program or print program.

Print the template on regular printer paper.

I printed at full size on an 8.5×11 sheet of paper. I will link my enlarged template here-
Step 1- Take template printed on a standard sheet of 8.5×11 paper. Place on top of a double sided sheet of cardstock/patterned paper. The side of the cardstock that is facing up will be the outside of the box

Step 2- Using an X-acto Knife, cut through the template and cardstock at the same time.

Step 3- Holding the cutout template and cardstock together, make the first fold on template line. Make folds so template stays to the outside of the box.

Step 4- Once the four side folds are done; gradually pinch the arc folds at the base of the box using both thumbs and index finger.

Step 5- Once folds are made, remove template

Step 6- Tape/adhere flaps to hold the box together.

Adhere the sides together; you may want to temporarily use paper clips or other methods to hold it tight until the adhesive dries completely.
Embellish and fill the box as you wish!

~Tara~

Here at CCAS, we have always highlighted the fact that most of us have kids and the need to teach our kids that crafts can be fun!

So today, we’re highlighting a fun favourite…. PLAY DOUGH.

I found this tutorial in our CCAS Resources section.

Recipe:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• food colouring (optional)
• glitter (optional)

Mix together flour, salt, water and oil in a large bowl.

Using your hands (not a beater), mix together the dough until it starts to turn into a dough ball.

Separate into smaller batches in order to create different colours.

Add food colouring and glitter to create a fun dough.

Using a roller and cookie cutters, or your fists on a board, create your masterpieces.

Put aside to dry.

There are many ways to dry your creations.

You can leave them out in the air in a room with good warm air circulation if you don’t mind waiting 7-10 days for your pieces to dry.

You can dry your pieces in the oven after a brief rest in warmly circulated air. After the pieces are partially dried, place the items into a oven at 50 degrees F for about a half an hour. If the pieces are still moist, increase the temp to 100 degrees F for an additional half an hour and remove to the counter.

Where possible, it is best to not move the piece back and forth from the oven as the change in air temperature can lead to cracking of the dough.

The last option is the fastest. Place your creation in a 200 degree F oven and bake for about 10 minutes.

Be sure to keep the temperature of the oven low to avoid the clay browning.

Once completely dry, you can paint the pieces.

Have a great Thursday!

I was changing the blade of my exacto knife yesterday and I began to cut some paper and I gave a silent thank you to a previous design team member for inspiring me to add some freehand cutting to my scrapbook routine. I had asked her to compile a tutorial for me and our members and I found it so awesome and easy to follow.

I wanted to share it with everyone else!!

Cutting With An Exacto Knife

By Melody Zahara

My husband swears when I pull out my exacto knife, I get so involved with cutting I loose all sense of stress around me. Can’t complain about that! I think this happens more so with my knife and I than anything else. I guess I get so involved that even my face goes through different scrunches. (good thing no ones snaps pics of that!)
I’ve even sat for hours upon hours..and ended up with a calice on my finger. So remember to take breaks..or you’ll end up with quite a sore finger..geez.. when will I learn.
I love the way the 3D look adds character and dimension to a layout.
Now I tried all the fancy pansy knives on the market, but the best one that I found that works for me, is from the local craft store. It comes with 5 extra blades and the tip on them is quite fine, which is what you need to get in those tight corners and cut the overall design. So, it really doesn’t matter what knife you buy..just make sure it’s a sharp one.
When I’m shopping for my patterned paper, I look for a 3D design.
Flowers are a great one, as you can cut between the petals and add layers. You can also curl the edges up of your flowers, which adds even more dimension. You can cut out an extra flower, add a little pop dot and whalla…more dimension.
If you take a peek at the patterned paper below, you can see the design on the front with a pink background. The design becomes your 3D dimension. This is what you’re wanting to cut out.

All you need is a cutting board and a sharp knife.
The first thing I do is cut the main design out, so you’re leaving the background patterned paper.

There’s really no special way to hold your knife, just remember it’s gotta be sharp. I change my blades after 2-3 los, depending on the amount of cutting involved per lo.
Once I have completed that step, I take another look at the design, and cut out the background color/patterned paper from the design itself. Now, I don’t cut everything out, I just take out bits and pieces..as you can see in the layout below.
It’s all up to the individual on how much design they would like left.
On this particular design, I left some of the background between the design, so you can see what effect it gives.
There’s nothing really magical about cutting with an exacto knife. All that is required is a 3D design on your patterned paper, a sharp knife, and a little patience.
In the layout below, I cut out the design, inked the edges, and added the design to my cardstock background.

And in this layout, I cut out the flowers and butterflies, layered them with pop dots and curled the edges.

I hope you have enjoyed the above tutorial. I would love to see some hand cutting. Email me a layout or card where you cut a design element by hand and I will enter your name into the draw for the monthly blog prize!! thynner5@yahoo.ca

~Tara~

I love making cards so I thought today I’d make my own paper to make my cards with.

So I opened up my photo editing program. I use Photoshop CS3 but this will work with your personal system too.

1. I created a new document: size 8 x 10.5 inches. I choose this size to it fits nicely inside a 8.5×11 sheet of paper for printing.

2. Using my “Custom Shape Tool” I chose a fleur de lis shape as the object I wanted to repeat.

3. Since my fleur de lis was located on layer 1, I duplicated my layer to create an exact duplicate of my shape.

4. I created a “Group” layer, Group 1.

5. I dragged both my layer 1 and my duplicate of layer 1 to the Group 1 layer. This creates an image that sticks the 2 shapes together in the given position.

6. I then duplicated Group 1.

7. I then created a new Group layer, Group 2.

8. I then dragged Group 1 and the copy of Group 1 to the new layer, Group 2.

9. I continued through this group duplicating and positioning until I fully covered my entire page with the lines of fleur de lis. I used some guidelines to help line up my layers as I went along.

10. I then created a new layer under the fleur de lis image layers. I colored it green by using my Paint Bucket Tool.

11. Then I played with some of my brush tools and some layering of colors and textures to get my desired paper. It’s just kind of wild and funky!

Now it’s time for you to create your own simple patterned papers. Let’s see you make your own patterned papers to use on a card or a page.

Here’s a card I created using a simple Superman crest that I downloaded off the internet and created my own papers for this card….

Supplies:

PP: Scenic Route Cardstock: Bazzill, Prism Stamp: Bella stamping Coloring Tools: Copic Markers Ink: Ranger Ribbon: American Crafts Die Cut: Spellbinders

I absolutely love making cards and sending cards to all my scrappy friends… I mean who doesn’t love a pretty card from a friend?

Sometimes I like to make friends, especially those who don’t scrap, cards to use and send to their own friends.  In order to deliver this special set of cards, I like to make card caddies to send them along in.

Here’s how you make a simple card caddy using 2 pieces of 12×12 patterned papers…. check it out here.

This would make a great gift to send anyone who loves to send out cards… maybe even a simple present for your Mom?

Happy card creating!

I have this wonderful tutorial for you from the Resource Section of the site. I fell in love with it the first I saw it and I love it to this day.

Mini Teabag Album by Melody Zahara

For instructions on how to make this adorable teabag album check out the CCAS Resources: Teabag Tutorial

I would love to see what you create from this tutorial. Please email me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca and put “teabag album” in the subject line to get a ballot for this months draw! Good luck.

~Tara~

I love using black and white photos on my layouts.  Since there is no colour to have to match to your paper and embellishments, you can use almost anything with these kind of photos.

Heidi wrote a fabulous tutorial on converting your coloured photos to black and white images in the CCAS Wiki HERE.

Enjoy!

I was looking through some of the wonderful projects in the CCAS wiki today and I came across a tutorial for making a mini flip flop book that I had made a few years ago.

I thought I’d share it with you…. Flip Flop Book Tutorial. I carried this little mini book in my purse for about a year! I used to show people my pictures all the time!

Make one and share it with us! If you do so, your name will be entered in this month’s blog prize draw. Good luck!