Creative Technique~Challenge~Tutorial

Winner of CCS11 Creatively Different using random.org was #2 Olga.

Email: creative-vision@hotmail.com to claim your badge and shopping code

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful week. The holidays are fast approaching. Are you ready? Have you wrapped everything and gotten stocking stuffers? If not I wanted to show you a easy stocking stuffer or gift.

The details: This weeks challenge is for you to use your favorite technique. This could be embossing or coloring medium or like what I did was a 3-D project technique.

I have a tutorial for you all to use to make your very own tea bag holder. I showed some samples I have done at the most recent blog hop.

What you will need:

· One 3 1/2" x 7 3/4" piece of cardstock—Basic Grey used here
· One 6 1/2" x 7" piece of patterned paper or printed vellum—My Minds Eye used here
· Scoring tool—Scor-pal used here
· Strong adhesive—rolled adhesive used here
· Thin cord
· 25" piece of ribbon
· 1/16" hole punch
· 1 1/4" circle punch
· Stamps—Friendship used here
· Additional cardstock and embellishments to decorate the front
*The largest sized was 3 ¼ x 3 ¼ and it goes in by 1/8 down to the stamped whisper white.

Step 1
Place 3 1/2" x 7 3/4" piece of cardstock in your Scoring tool Score at 3 1/2".

Score at 4 1/4".

Step 2
fold both of the score lines.

Step 3
Line the 6 1/2" side of the patterned paper up with the top of the scoring tool Score at 1/2".

Score at 3 1/2".

Step 4
fold your score lines. Apply Adhesive to the 1/2" section of the paper.

Remove tape liner, fold paper over and rub to set adhesive.

Step 5
Align the paper sleeve with the 1/2" score line. Score at 3 5/8".

Turn paper 180 degrees, line other side up with 1/2" score line. Score again at 3 5/8". The 3 5/8" is actually marked on the score pal to make things a bit easier.

Step 6
fold both score lines.

Step 7
Slide one size of the designer paper into the 1 1/4" circle punch. Center and punch.This will make it easier to take the tea bag out of the holder later.

Line up the other end of the paper with the punched side. Line up circle punch again and punch again.

Step 8
Add Adhesive over the back of the patterned paper spine.

Peel off tape liner, center patterned paper over cardstock and tape down.

Step 9
Tie ribbon around the cardstock base.

You can decorate the front of the holder.I used dimensional's so the ribbon is able to be repositioned.

Step 10
Open the tea bag holder and punch two small holes in the spine through both the patterned paper and cardstock. You can use a 1/16" hole punch or your paper piercing tools for that. I like to use a guide for better/even hole placement.

Step 11
Thread some thin cord through the holes so both ends of the cord are on the outside of the holder.

Tie the cord in a knot or bow on the outside of the spine.

Step 12
Add tea bags into your patterned paper sleeves.

Fold tea bag holder and and tie ribbon again. Your tea bag holder is done.Variation:Instead of filling the sleeves with tea bags, try chocolate squares instead.

I used my new sewing machine to sew the front of the tea bag holder.....The lines are a tad bit wiggly but this is my first sewing machine so I have a bit of a learning curve....So far I LOVE it though.

Here is a photo of the inside. Another variation you could try are the ghiradelli or dove square chocolates.....those will fit in here just fine. it looks harder than it is. I think total for this whole tutorial (without the photos and typing it up) took about 30 minutes. Those are fast and wonderful little gifts.

OK now for the fun stuff! We want you to play along! Get some inspiration and show us your creativity!!! Of course their are rules. You must be a Creative Clear Stamps follower (super easy! In the side bar click follow) And of course you will have a chance to shine. Post your creation using the mr. widget below. You don't have to use Creative Clear Stamps but of course it is always a bonus if you do! You have until Sunday Night 12/27/09 at 8pm cst (9pm eastern, 6pm pacific). The prize each week will be a "CCS Challenge Winner" Badge to display on your blog and a personal discount code of 10% off your next CCS store purchase.Make sure you use CCS12 when you post your creation on splitcoast! Don't forget to display your winning badge so you can be in the running for a guest designer spot!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday week!