A Stampin' friend of mine (Hi Tami!) recently introduced me to the circle card case.  It's such a cute card and holder - it's perfect to attach to a gift or even just to send a special message to someone in the mail.  It's similar to the carousel note holder that has been floating around on various sites and blogs, but ultimately different.  Take a look.  The finished size of the card holder is 3 x 4 1/8 and the insert is 2 5/8 x 4 These are very simple and quick to make and can be made to accommodate different size cards/inserts.

The first step is to cut a circle.  I used my Stampin' Up! Color Coach as a guide. The Color Coach is 8" in diameter.  This size circle will fit an insert measuring 2 5/8 x 4 (as indicated above). Anything round will do.  I know a lot of people use plates or various other round kitchen items. I used Le Jardin designer series paper for this project.  You can use cardstock if you choose, but I find the designer paper is so much easier to work with.  (click the thumbnail images to enlarge)

After your circle is cut out, fold up the bottom of the circle so that it is approximately 3/4" from the top.

Take your scoring blade and score 2 1/2" from EACH side.  It should look like this:

Adhere double stick tape (Sticky Strip works best) on the bottom of each flap.  Fold each flap toward the center.  *NOTE: I punched three holes along the right flap before adhering it to the center.  These holes will hold my ribbon. Inserting the ribbon at this point is easiest.  Once the ribbon is inserted I added a small piece of adhesive just to the left of the ribbon so it will help the flap lay flat.

Once both sides have been folded toward the center you're done!  Embellish as desired. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great Wednesday.

Mary Ann

Wow, this has been a long week.  As you are probably aware by now, I've been contending with blog issues.  Typepad (my "blog provider") is completing some upgrades and as a result taking a few of us offline. While they did eventually fix the problem, speed is not their forte.  I should be careful...they may take me offline again if I upset them.  I just hope the problems are behind me.

I'm happy to be online again and look forward to posting again this week.  In the meantime, take a look at the tutorial I posted last week (before I knew I wasn't online anymore) and let me know what you think.

Happy Memorial Day.

Mary Ann

Long before my favorite stamp store went out of business, they had a make-n-take session that showcased the 4 pocket centerpiece.  It can be made in a number of different sizes (S,M,L) and can be decorated to suit any occassion.  What is a 4 pcoket centerpiece you ask?  Here are a couple that I made in various sizes.  The first one is for a baby shower and each "pocket" holds a baby item (although the rattle went MIA when this picture was taken).

  Here is a side view.  Each panel is decorated with a different image.  This centerpiece is the medium size.

The next centerpiece is a gift for a neighbor's dog.  This is the large centerpiece.  Here is a side view.

The last centerpiece is the small size and was used as a gift holder for 4 small containers of lip gloss.

Side view.

Here is a quick reference for measurements.

For a small centerpiece you will need a 6x6 piece of designer paper or cardstock and will score at 2" and 4" both horizontally and vertically.

For a medium centerpiece, you will need a 9x9 piece of designer paper or cardstock and will score at 3" and 6" both horizontally and vertically.

For a large centerpiece, you will need a 12x12 piece of designer paper or cardstock and will score at 4" and 8" both horizontally and vertically.

To show you how easy these are to make, I have a brief tutorial. This tutorial is for a medium centerpiece.  You can click on the images to make them larger.

Step 1:

Cut cardstock or designer series paper to 9x9

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5:

 Punch a 1/8" hole approx 1/4" down from the top.  I also put an eyelet in for extra durability.

Step 6:

Thread ribbon through each of the eyelets and pull ribbon taught.

The final result should look like this:

Thanks for stopping by!

Mary Ann

It's been so long since I've posted and even longer since I've stamped I feel like I have forgotten how.  When I mentioned my trepidation about blogging again to my friend she said, "Don't worry about it!  It's just like riding a bike.  Once you get on again, it all comes back to you."  So here's to hoping that blogging is like riding a bike...

I'll admit that my absence from stamping has surprised me a bit.  I can't recall a time in the past 6 years that I've gone this long without touching stamps and ink.  This wasn't an intentional hiatus, but it gave me time to reflect on how much time I had previously spent in my craft room either stamping or blogging.  It was an enormous amount of time!  While I shouldn't complain, it made me realize pretty quickly that when I was stamping/blogging/surfing, I was missing the opportunity to spend time with my family, my parents, and my friends. And guess what?  I've realized over the past couple of weeks that I actually like my kids!   Who knew??  While I have no intention of giving up stamping or blogging, I have vowed to spend less time surfing and making the most of the time that I am in my craft room.  Let's just call it "re-prioritizing".

I still have a few outstanding family issues to take care of over the next couple of weeks which will limit my stamping time, but I do have a couple of projects that just need to be loaded and edited.  These were done some time ago but are still "blog worthy".  I should have one of them up tomorrow.

Some of you are aware that I have been interviewing for a new job. It's been a long process, but I remain hopeful. I was told today that I am still one of the final candidates but that they do not expect to have a final decision until the first week of June.  So, the wait continues.  The bright side to all of this is that I get to spend the next two weeks with my folks who are moving North on June 2nd.  I do not look forward to June 2nd. I miss them already.

Thank you to all of you who have inquired about me via email over the past couple of weeks.  Your friendship means more to me than you know.  I'm happy to be blogging again and look forward to reconnecting with everyone again soon.

I hope you'll stop by again tomorrow.

Mary Ann

I know, I know...I've been neglecting the blog.  When it rains it pours.  My life has been a bit of a whirlwind but the dust is starting to settle.

My son is home from college now and my daughter is in the midst of finishing her junior year.  Tranquility is out the window.  Please tell me there comes a point when teenagers become civil to one another.  If so, please tell me when so I can make arrangements to leave home and return at a later date when my sanity can be restored.  I think it's going to be a long summer.

My parents recently received an offer on their home after nearly a year on the market.  They are heading North to live with my brother and sister-in-law.  It's a mad dash to get them packed and on their way in the next few weeks.  The fact that I will miss them dearly is a completely different story.  I can't allow myself to get emotional with so much to do in such a short time.

Finally, I'm in the midst of interviewing for a job that I REALLY want.  I was called back for another interview next week - yahoo!  I'm hopeful but I need to keep grounded.  There are numerous candidates so I don't want to set myself up for disappointment.

Don't give up on me.  I'll be back in the swing of things shortly.  I'm headed to Tampa this weekend to spend Mother's Day with my mom and to pack a few boxes.  I'll be back online by Monday.

Thanks for your patience.

Mary Ann