Saturday, April 25, 2009

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop- April

Hi friends,
Today I'm excited to show you what I did for PTI's Blog Hop.

I was so excited when I saw this month's Blog Hop was to feature Lauren's Timeless Templates (luuuuuuv!) I've purchased most of them because they are truly easy to work with. (At the end of this post, I'll show you how I like to print & put them together.) On to the deets...
This Office desk Trio is for my uncle. He often brings home work to do so I thought I would make these as his birthday present to help him maximize organization of his everyday office supplies for his home office.

First up is a Personalized Note Tray (very much inspired by Nichole's) using "Desk Top Organizer." I used the Damask design because it is gender neutral. It is slightly glittered, but not over the top. I think it gives it elegance. I used a fleur-de-lis border punch to punch a border in vellum.

I also made 4 coordinating pens. I used the Pentel pens because you can unscrew the top & add your personalization to the barrel. I used the smaller pen (I think the RSVP can be bulky). Plus I bought these thinner pens at the 99c store (5 for $1)-much cheaper! I hope you can see the difference in the pic.

Up next is a caddy using "From the Desk of."

I created an acetate compartment that divides the back pocket into thirds. This way, the bottom of the box won't be damaged by scissors, pencil/pen marks. (I'm a little type-A, I know!) Again, I used the border punch in vellum to accent the top of the box.

Finally, is the big daddy of the bunch. I used "File it with Flair" to make this organizer.

I included generic labels (bills, notes, outgoing, paid, to do, to be filed, etc) so he can personalize it to whatever his needs may be. Again, I punched a vellum border to accentuate the top of the organizer.

Now, this is how I prefer to print o
ut MTTs. I have put cardstock in my printer & it goes through alright. Of course, each time I would hold my breath hoping it wouldn't jam, print out unevenly, or bend/warp the cardstock. Too much stress! Well, what I REALLY DIDN'T like was having score lines show. I even lightened them, but you could still see them. I don't know about you, but I like it when someone can't figure out how I did it. When someone can see where the template is- it just looks like my kids can do it too. NOOO!!! I want to look like I'm a crafting engineer, even if I'm not :)

So I just print it on regular copy paper-no muss, no fuss. Then I line it up with my cardstock & staple it around places that I won't be using. Don't need to go crazy- just enough to hold it down. The staples hold it in place beautifully!




Then I simply cut it out. I try to cut in straight lines because then the paper tends not to shift at all. The scraps just fall away cleanly, in big pieces. ( I also use those scraps for other things.)




Then I just put it on my trimmer & score on the template and cardstock together. For me this is the BEST way I've tried.




I folded the papers back so you can see how well it scores through both. I use the Martha Stewart bone folder because it has very pointy tips & edges so your score lines are crisp & clean.


I use Scor-Tape to adhere it together. It sticks to the paper- not to you! I hope you found this helpful & you liked my projects today.

I'm off to meet Eric Carle at the Festival of Books at UCLA today. YAAY! So excited :)
He'll be signing copies of t
he anniversary edition of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Don't know who he is? Ask any teacher or child anywhere! His books are wonderful!
Thanks for hopping by!


29 comments:

  1. Oh MY GOODNESS!! I think I'm in love! How amazing... what a wonderful job!

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  2. Your projects are STUNNING Karli! I love that damask patterned papers! Your Uncle is one lucky guy!

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  3. Wow! What a gorgeous ensemble! It's so elegant! Thanks for showing how you print out and assemble the templates. The staple idea is quite helpful. My printer prints decently onthe cardstock, but it doesn't ever seem to be 100% straight, so I will be sure to try your tip!

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  4. Very nice set. Lovely color combo.

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  5. I love that damask paper. What great projects, very elegant. Thanks for the ideas.

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  6. HOLY MOLY! I am in love. You really out did yourself! WOW! Thanks for sharing your own tips for the tempplates too! You are so sweet!

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  7. Karli you have just given me the idea I need for a masculine take on a desk set - been wanting to do this for some time and now have a great idea to work with! Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Love how you made this work for a male. I have a hard time thinking of gifts for the guys in my life!

    It's a good life!
    Terri E.

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  9. Okay, not only are these project freaking AWESOME and beautiful, but I can't believe I didn't think of using scrap paper for the templates!!! I also don't like the printed lines showing, but didn't know what to do about it. So THANK YOU for sharing that!
    And those neutral colors and the damask stamps are just perfect.

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  10. I about fell off my chair when I saw this STUNNING project!! Fantastic work...

    My girls LOVE Eric Carle books and love the illustrations!!

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  11. wow, what an amazing set!! This is so elegant and classy!! It would work in any home office or work office!! Thanks for the inspiration

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  12. This is amazing, so elegant and rich looking. You're right, depending on the color it would be fabulous for a guy or a girl. And the fleur de lis punch looks great with the damask designs.

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  13. This is STUNNING~ your uncle is gonna love it!

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  14. Such great colors! What a wonderful set!! I bet your uncle is going to love it!!

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  15. The black for this is amazing and perfect for a gentleman!

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  16. Stunning; I want this myself!!!

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  17. Very elegant project! And thanks for the tip - I have the same printer troubles.

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  18. What a thoughtful gift--looks fabulous! And, I'm so jealous that you got to meet Eric Carle (I'm a kindergarten teacher, so I totally get your excitement about meeting him).

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  19. Wow, wow, wow! Love how elegant this is!

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  20. A beautiful gift. Your uncle is going to love it!

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  21. Wow! So professional looking - it is fantastic! I love the colors you chose and love to see this put together for a guy. Great job!

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  22. Beautiful nice and elegant!!
    Thanks for the tips!

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  23. THis is quite sophistitacated with the black damask. Really wonderful!

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  24. OMG, how elegant. Fantastic job.

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Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment :) So appreciated!