Creation Station ABC's of Stampin'

Our theme this month is the ABCs of stampin'.  It's a topic that could be interpreted in a myriad of possibilities.  One may be back to school or basic stamp techniques, but for me I say it means
"Always be crafting'!" 

My opening line for this post was written more than a week and a half back.  In the light of this week's events in Texas and Louisiana my thoughts have shifted and for now it's 

"About Being Charitable."

My heart goes out to all those in need and those who are serving in Texas.  While watching all the news this week I thought I would make a little something special.  I first watercolored the shape of Texas on Watercolor Paper and then added a God Bless America focal layer.  This amazing stamp will never leave my collection.  It was created by Stampin' Up! back on September 20, 2001 as a "special edition decorative rubber stamp to benefit disaster relief efforts in New York City and Washington DC."  You can read more about the stamp here.

For a group of young women that I serve and with whom I spend lots of time, I made gifts filled with back to school supplies.  The Dollar Tree had these super cute yellow polka dot pencil bags that fit my gift bag perfectly.  Inside I packed them with pencils, pens, highlighters, erasers, sharpeners, composition books, and most important--Smarties.

So, for this bag it's is one of those bag-box styles.  You create a box bottom and then wrap DSP around it.  I sometimes just start cutting, scoring, folding, and adhering things until I have something worthwhile.  It's exactly how I cook.  Recipes for me are usually something I don't use unless I am baking.  When I serve a meal I say "enjoy it cause it will never be the same."  I craft like I cook--I do it with love and it always turns out yummy.  Thus for this bag there is no pattern.  I can say it's is two pieces of 12" x 6" DSP wrapped around an 8" x 1" box bottom.  The DSP is pleated in both the front and back.  In fact, it's within the pleats that I have hidden where the ends of the DSP are glued together.  

Another ABC for me is to "Always Be Curling" my bakers twine.  I do it because the twine that is wrapped on the cardboard has kinks in it.  So, I run the twine between my fingernails.  When I do it with al lot of pressure it causes the twine to curl.

An inside view of the gift bag gives you a look at the reinforced ribbon holes.  I used the 1" Circle Punch to make the reinforcers.  Isn't the new wired ribbon from the Holiday Catalog totally awesome?

Here is a look at the bottom of the gift bag.  I used Sahara Sand card stock and Tear and Tape to make the bottom and then slid it inside to the bottom edge of the DSP. 

Before you leave I will share some of my runner up ABCs of stampin' include:

- Avoid being cautious when stampin'

- Attempt bold concepts

- Accept bad creations (and be willing to throw them away, it's just paper)

Now that you have seen my spin on this month's Creation Station theme you are going to head over to Linda's Blog.  I am positive she will blow your mind--she is one talented stamper!

to Julie

to Linda