Happy Friday G45ers,
We've got an extra special blog lined up for you today! Father's Day is this Sunday and there's still time to create something special for dad! We've got three splendid ideas for Father's Day cards and gifts! You're sure to find the perfect handmade treasure for your dad, grandparent or special guy in your life! We've got a pretty French Country altered gift box by Romy Veul. Denise Johnson has created an adorable Place in Time date keepsake mini album. We also have a fun and fabulous A Ladies' Diary trio card tutorial by Maria Cole! Today is loaded with inspiration and joy! Plus we have a new winner for this week's blog contest! We chose this week's winner at random from comments left on our Facebook page. And the winner is...
-Angel Sena: "Would really love to win especially the 8x8 proper gentleman pad. I have looked for it, but can no longer find it."
Congratulations, Angel! Please email us with your shipping information at info@g45papers.com to claim your prize. This is the beautiful prize that Angel won today! We have a new blog contest every week here on the Graphic 45 blog so there's always a chance to win something wonderful! Stay tuned for your next chance to win!
Now it's time to give all of you G45ers the perfect inspiration for handmade Father's Day gifts! We begin with this superb altered 8x8 Matchbook box created by Romy Veul. This is the perfect way to turn a simple gift into something beautifully heartfelt. Romy used our French Country collection to add rustic charm and elegance to the Graphic 45 8x8 Matchbook Box. What a wonderful idea! It's fun to make and it's guaranteed to make dad feel loved and appreciated!
"For
as long as I can remember, I have always given my dad handmade gifts
for Father’s Day. When I was 4, I painted a rock for him in the most
awful combination of colours. But he still owns it! When I was 5, I made
him a flower pot, even though he does not have any flowers. But he still
cherishes it! Well, I could go on like that for a few more sentences. I
really want to stick to my tradition of handmade crafts and still like
to create something special for him. For this Father’s Day I was looking
for a special gift packaging. As soon as I saw the 8x8” Staples matchbook
box, I knew this would be perfect for it. I actually covered the inner
square of the shadow box with paper, so it would become more like a
secret box. I scrapped a photo of myself with the gorgeous French
Country collection on top of the box and filled the inside with his
favourite candy and a sweet note to my dad" -Romy
Supplies:
8x8 matchbook box
French Country 12x12 papers: Sunflower, Rendezvous, Bon Appetit, A La Carte, Montage
French Country Stickers
French Country Chipboard 2
French Country 8x8 paper pad
Staples Ornate Metal Label Holders
Staples Ornate Metal Keys
May Arts gold ribbon (along the sides of the box)
Scor Tape
Next we have an wonderfully clever date book keepsake by Denise. This sweet mini was made using the new Graphic 45 Tag Album Staples and pretty Place in Time and French Country papers. The mini is filled with fun ideas for outings with dad. It's the gift that keeps on giving! Here is what Denise had to say about the inspiration behind this lovely gift!
"Create
this gift for dad that will last long after Father’s day....the whole
year in fact! Using Place in Time monthly themed elements create a date
with dad page for every month of the year. This keepsake includes a date
for each month, a pocket for mementos as well as room for photos and
journaling for each date. After the year is through not only will you
have had 12 fun dates with dad, you will have a keepsake/scrapbook to
cherish the memories long after. PS...
I chose some dates that cost me a little, along with some freebies.
Check out Restaurant.com and group-on for great ideas and good deals! A
friend of mine did only freebie dates, the planning and scheduling is
the most important thing here...spending the time and looking forward to
your dates!! Enjoy!" -Denise
Monthly gift ideas I included:
June- Cinetopia (dinner and a movie GC)
July- Beach trip (include a map and list of things to do)
August- Baseball game (game & train tickets)
September- Golf & coffee date (GC for local par 3 and Starbucks Card)
October- Pumpkin Patch outing
November- Big Al’s Bowling date (CG)
December- Ice Skating (include a flyer from the ice rink)
January- movie date (GC)
February- 1st Friday Art Walk (include flyers from participating studios)
March- bike ride at the lake (include a map of the trail)
April- Fancy Dinner date (include a Restaurant.com GC)
May- Subway picnic and hike (GC and a map to a local hiking trail)
Supplies:
Graphic 45 Staples- Regular Tag Album
Graphic 45 Staples- Large Tag Album
Graphic 45 Place in Time Collection 8 x 8 Papercrafting Paper
Graphic 45 French Country Collection 8 x 8 Papercrafting Paper
Graphic 45 Bird Song Collection Chipboard Tags 2
Graphic 45 French Country Collection Chipboard 1 & 2
Graphic 45 French Country Collection Tags & Pockets
Graphic 45 French Country Collection Banners
Graphic 45 French Country Collection Flowers
Graphic 45 French Country Collection 6 x 6 Patterns & Solids
Graphic 45 Staples- Ornate Drawer Pull, Ornate Keys
Graphic 45 French Country & Secret Garden Collections- misc. Alphabet Stickers
Graphic 45 Staples- Alphabet Stickers
Misc. May Arts Ribbons
7 Gypsies- paper fasteners & manilla tag pockets
Scrapworks- misc. rub-on letters
Misc
bits- chipboard crown, bulldog clip, vintage buttons, bakers twine,
crown brad, tickets, metal sprocket charm, plastic Tim Holtz letters
Distressing ink and tool
Journal stamp and ink
Last but not least is this wonderful and fun card trio tutorial by Maria. Follow along with her step-by-step tutorial to create the perfect card for dad! This tutorial is filled with lots of great techniques for working with Graphic 45 papers and Staples! Take it away, Maria!
"For
Father’s Day, I wanted to make a unique card set that you can use for
the important guys in your life! I love trying alternate ways of using
Graphic 45 products, so the idea to use the envelopes from my black
policy album hit the spot. Not only are the envelopes lean and long, but
they have a uniform style so that each guy receives an equally elegant
card. Since
most of us may have used up our Proper Gentleman paper, the next best
paper line to use for a Father’s Day gift was A Ladies Diary! I felt it
would be a fun challenge to use paper that I would normally use with
feminine projects for masculine recipients instead. Being the
flower-lover I am, I did end up adding in some fussy cut flowers and
mini roses but I don’t think my dad, grandpa, or father-in-law will
mind! So
these envelopes have a front flap that flip up to reveal a message area
along with another area that you can place a photo, or something fun
like tickets to his favorite sporting event! I left the inside of the
envelope empty, so that your dad can fill it with little mementos from
Father’s Day. These envelope cards are quite easy to put together! Feel free to substitute other paper patterns or colors wherever you like." -Maria
Supplies:
Graphic 45 Paper:
A Ladies Diary Ageless Beauty
A Ladies Diary Fashion Plate
A Ladies Diary Lasting Impression
A Ladies Diary Moment In Time
A Ladies Diary Timeless Memoir
Graphic 45 Staples:
Black Envelope Policy Album
A Ladies Diary Alphabet Stickers
A Ladies Diary Chipboard Die-cuts 2
Ornate Metal Label Holder Staples
Ornate Key Hole Staples
Ornate Keys Staples
Additional Products:
May Arts sheer gold ribbon (6) 1 foot long pieces
May Arts black plaid ribbon (3) 1 foot long pieces
Imaginarium Designs chipboard pieces
6 tiny metal brads
Prima mini roses
Corner punch of your choice
Ranger Distress Crackle Paint in Clear Rock Candy
Tutorial:
Overall note:
Ink and distress edges of all papers that you cut and fussy cut with
Vintage Photo Distress Ink and a paper distresser before adhering.
Step 1: Remove (3) envelopes from your black policy envelope album.
Step 2:
Take Timeless Memoir paper, tan side up, and cut (3) 3 7/8” wide x 12”
tall pieces. With each piece, score 3” at the bottom and fold. You will
use one piece per envelope.
Step 3:
Adhere the 9” tall section of the Timeless Memoir pieces to the front
of the envelopes. (The front of your envelopes have the envelope flaps
on top.)
Adhere the 3” tall sections to the back of the envelope.
Step 4:
Take Fashion Plate paper, black side up, and cut (3) 3.75” wide x 12”
tall strips. Trim each of these to 3.75” wide x 8.75” tall, but save
your 3.75” wide x 3.25” tall pieces for Step 7.
Step 5:
Take 3.75” wide x 8.75” tall Fashion Plate paper and score .75” from
the top and fold. Adhere just the scored section to the front of each
envelope to create a flap.
Step 6a:
Take Lasting Impression paper, border side up, and trim off the bottom
(3) patterns: the journal images, clocks, and pink fashion plate. Cut
out each journal image; you will use one per envelope. Take clock border
and cut (3) 3.75” long strips. Take pink fashion plate border and cut
(3) 3 7/8” long strips. Save the pink fashion plate strips for Step 15.
Step 6b:
Take your remaining Lasting Impression paper and flip over to reveal
blue side. Cut (3) 3.75” wide x 7.5” tall pieces. Then, trim each piece
to 3.75” wide x 6” tall but save your 3.75” wide x 1.5” tall scraps for
Step 11.
Step 7:
Locate your 3.75” x 3.25” Fashion Plate pieces from Step 4. Turn pieces
so they are 3.25” x 3.75”. Use a fancy corner punch (I used Martha
Stewart’s Deco Shell punch) on each corner.
Step 8a:
Locate your Moments In Time paper. Fussy cut (6) bunches of flowers,
(3) medium clocks, and (3) large clocks from the edges of your paper.
Set aside the medium clocks for Step x10.
Step 8b:
Locate your Ageless Beauty paper and cut out the (3) photo mats that
have men in them along with the photo mat of the car. Fussy cut (3)
stamps.
Step 9:
Open up each flap. Adhere 3.75” x 6” Lasting Impression, journal image,
stamp, and large clock to upper half. Adhere 3.25” x 3.75” Fashion
Plate pieces and fussy cut flowers to lower half. Optional: Use Ladies’
Diary Alphabet Stickers to spell “for you” on each.
Step 10:
Locate your fussy cut medium-sized clocks from Step 10. For a crackled
effect, apply some Distress Crackle Paint in Clear Rock Candy to each.
Dry completely before using.
Step 11:
Optional: Take some fancy chipboard embellishments, such as these
corner edges and medallions from Imaginarium Designs, and apply some
brown ink. Set aside.
Step 12:
Locate your 3.75” x 1.5” Lasting Impression pieces from Step 6b. Make
sure the blue side is face up, then use your alphabet stickers to spell
“Dad” or “Papa” in the center of the piece. (Note: These particular
letters from Ladies’ Diary can only fit 5 characters or less.) Adhere
Ornate Metal Label Holder over stickers; punch holes and insert brads.
Also punch holes in the lower left and right corners and insert tiny
metal brads. Adhere to the bottom of the front flap to create
nameplates.
Step 13:
Locate 3.75” wide clock border pieces and adhere above nameplates.
Then, arrange Ageless Beauty images, chipboard embellishments, Ladies’
Diary chipboard die cuts, mini roses, fussy cut flowers, and
medium-sized clock per photo.
Step 14:
Take black plaid ribbon, fold in half, then fold in half again. Take a
Metal Brad and pierce through ribbon and insert into envelope flap hole.
Take 1 foot of gold ribbon, tie an Ornate Metal Key in the center, then
tie around Metal Brad. Place a letter sticker under the envelope flap
to hide the brad arms.
Step 15:
Take your Lasting Impression 3 7/8” strips from Step 6a and adhere to
the back of your envelopes, blue side up. Take 1 foot of gold ribbon and
tie around the inside of the envelope, making a bow on the side. Take a
large monogram sticker and attach with foam dots to the back.
Step 16:
Insert some movie tickets or other fun things underneath the gold
ribbon. Or, tuck a menu from his favorite restaurant inside the
envelope. Then, give him a big hug and tell him “Happy Father’s Day” and
how much you love him!
We hope you all had a lot of fun exploring these fabulous ideas for Father's Day gifts and cards! We encourage you all to take some time to create a special handmade gift for your dad! Huge thanks to Romy, Denise and Maria for their gorgeous work today! We hope you all enjoy your day! Come on back and see us for more joyful craft ideas to brighten your day. Have a great weekend and a Happy Father's Day!
Your Pals in Paper,
Team Graphic 45
