Oh I am late as usual. It’s the last days of summer vacation and school will start tomorrow…well..Jana will start tomorrow whereas Josh will start Tuesday so there will be another day for me to get all ready.
I have been crafting a Schultüte (huge sugar cone filled with sweets and little toys that german kids get for their very first day of school) and will show some pics later.

Now as we will have some guests like Josh’s grandparents and god mothers and god fathers I thought of maybe doing some little favor boxes in shape of school bags for them.
It is a simple little box but it took me some tries to finally find the version that worked best for me and I will provide you with some kind of template later in case you’d prefer to create it digitally so you could just drag some digi papers over and print it out. I used a metric grid to draw my box but I am sure it transfers easily on an inch sized grid, too.

I created my boxes “traditionally” using pencil and scissors. I  stamped some of my Clearstamp Mini motives on and decorated all with some faux stitching that I drew with a thin black pen. When all was done I glued it together and let dry. Then I applied the belts that I cut from the remaining paper. Just measure them a slight bit longer than the back of the box so you can fold them to glue them down.
Well, that’s it. You can now start to fill the little school bags with M&Ms or Gummibears!

Supplies:
sturdy cardstock
scissors or craft knife
glue
bone folder (optional)
corner rounder (optional)
clearstamps (optional)
printer (optional)

How to:
You can or print and cut my template to create a template for yourself and use it to sketch it on the desired paper ,  you can simply print  my template on your chosen cardstock  or you can decorate it digitally and then print out the finished design.

No matter how you decide  doing it you will then have to cut all out and fold on the indicated lines. In case you still need to decorate your box, you may want to do it  before glueing it together. I also rounded the corners of the school bag’s front flap.

When all is done glue it. While it is drying you can cut some shoulder belts. I measured them a slight bit longer than the back of my box, folded the ends  and glued them to the back.
Your box is almost ready now, the only thing you have to do is to fill it with some little favors like M&Ms or Gummibears!

1. Gather your supplies and trace and cut template

2. Fold along the indicated lines. I used a bone folder so it folds easier

3. I rounded the corners of the box flap but you can leave it as is. Then I prefolded it, with the sloppy side inside.

4. Now you can start to decorate your box. I stamped on it and drew faux stitching along the edges.

5. Now glue your box together. Then I measured the belts using the back of the box as a rough guide.
I cut the belts from the leftover paper of the cardstock I used. Then I eyeballed the width and cut
2 strips.

6. Decorate them with some faux stitching if you like and fold the edges. Then glue them to the back

That’s it! You are done! Now fill your little schoolbag box with sweets! Have fun! Hope you liked my little tutorial!

You can download the template here.  Remember that it is for personal use!

I also decided to do some sugar cone tags to use them as decoration on my coffee table napkins. I stamped the cones of my Clearstamps “School” set with the boyish star motif on cardstock and colored them in. I still have to cut them out but I am sure they will look cute on the table.
It would be too sweet if you’d leave me a comment . I hope you liked my little tutorial!

Hugs and happy day

Sylvie

Well, I am still here and no, there is nothing fishy about this post! I simply loved Maria’s idea!

More wonderfully creative and inspirational layouts and projects with Sausan Designs papers and stamps can be seen on the norvegian Blog of  CasaKreativ or their main site . No worries, you don’t really have to speak nor read Norvegian to get inspired (maybe only to read all those lovely compliments about me LOLOL)!
The Kits shown are Funky Funky, Sing Spring and Love Generation. Norvegian Scrappers can buy all papers at Gode Minner! All papers and clearstamps are also available at Der Scrapbook Laden!
And for those of you that are into digital: all of the kits shown are available as digi kits, too, you simply have to hop over to my shop! So just get inspired and scrap!

Have fun!

Lili of Designs by Lili is this month’s guest at Catscrap and she and I teamed up to bring you this gorgeous Collab Let The Sun Shine In! Now brandspanking new and on Sale!
Check out those wonderful layouts created with our versatile kit!

Available now at Catscrap!

A big thanks to Melissa who played along with us last week on our Hybrid Valentine journey.  Sylvie will be contacting you to see what kit of hers you would like to have.

This week our challenge will be All About Me layouts.  It doesn’t have to be a standard headshot with some random facts….it can be a any type of layout, or even an ATC….something that expresses who you are and what you are about.  Sometimes as scrappers we spend so much of our precious time focussing on layouts with our kids/family that we forget about scrapping ourselves.  So, let’s see your favorite morning routine, a list of the books you want to read, the lessons you learned from high school……Let’s see something about you.

Here is a sample All About Me layout done by Sausan Designs creative team member, Pauline. She used  Zapp Papers and PiP Elements to create her hybrid AAM page!

I also found some great kits that you can use to scrap these pages.  Starting with Sausan Designs, A La Mode.  The colors are amazing and how perfect would those doodled frames look around your photo!!

A second favorite kit is meMom.  How could you resist those doodled flowers and bright pink papers and elements!!

Another great kit for an All About Me layout is Miss Poppy.  That blue paper and those doodled photo corners are so amazingly unique!!

So, come along and play with us.  Post your layout in the comment section of this post before Tuesday, March 2nd and you can win a kit of your choice from Sausan Designs.

Supplies:
Ihr braucht:

Computer
Karl and Karla or Happy Easter digital elements
InkJet printable Cotton Sheets like Cotton Jet (they come in Letter/A4 format size)
InkJet Color Printer                                                          InkJet Drucker
Scissors                                                                         Schere
piece of matching fabric                                                   passenden Stoff
Sewing machine or needle and matching thread   Nähmaschine oder Nadel und passenden Faden

How to:
Und so geht’s:

Print this cute Easter bunny on a piece of  InkJet Cotton
Hasi auf ein Stück Ink Jet Printing Cotton ausdrucken.

Now cut the bunny out, leaving a seam allowance
Hasi großzügig ausschneiden

Then cut out a piece of matching fabric (it has to be larger than the bunny) and pin bunny and fabric, right sides together
Etwas größeres Stück als Hasi zuschneiden. Hasi und Stoff rechts auf rechts mit Stecknadeln zusammen stecken.

Sew around bunny, leaving a little opening for turning
Mit der Nähmaschine Konturen des Hasi unnähen. Unten ca. 3 – 4 cm Wendeöffnung lassen.

Now trim and clip curves. Leaving a little bit of fabric at the opening makes it easier to stitch it closed
Jetzt sind Stoff und Hasi zusammengenäht, die Konturen des Hasis nochmal auf dem Stoff ausschneiden. An der Wendeöffnung etwas Stoff stehen lassen, erleichtert später das Schliessen

Turn softie and iron it (NO STEAM!). This will make it washable.
Wenden und bügeln, damit ist das Softie auch waschbar.

Stuff and sew opening closed.
Mit Bastelwatte füllen und Wendeöffnung zunähen.

Isn’t this bunny adorable? And fast and easy to make! But be careful! It can get addictive!
You created a Sausan Designs Softie yourself? Show it in our hybrid member gallery
Ist der nicht süß? Und schnell gemacht! Aber Achtung! Macht süchtig!
Selbst ein Sausan Designs Softie  gemacht? Dann zeig es doch in unserer Galerie!

I am sorry but the next part will be in german only. Karla (you can see her in the very first image) goes travelling around Germany. Right now she can only travel around Germany due to postage fees.  But you can always drop by her Blog to follow her travel route. If you think that this is cute, please link to her and sport her little banner on your Blog !

Vielleicht habt ihr ja im ersten Bild Karla gesehen…nun Karla geht auf Reisen und vielleicht darf sie euch ja auch einmal besuchen? Dann macht  mit und ladet sie ein! Mehr darüber findet ihr hier auf ihrem Blog.  Schreibt darüber auch auf Eurem Blog, damit sie viele von Euch besuchen kann!

Happy Sunday and take care wherever you are!
Sylvie

 Hybrid goodies !

We’d love to see your creations! You can post them in our member gallery ! 
TFL

This week we are exploring the hybrid Valentine.  It doesn’t have to involve much hybrid at all – you can do it all digital and then just print it out, sign it and send it to somebody you love!!  Or you can cut, glue and stitch….it is up to you!!

We have some samples from our amazing Creative Team to get you started, but first want to point out some Sausan Design kits that are perfect for all your Valentine needs (and they are on sale too!!)  Read to the end though, as we have some great free cards made from Sylvie’s designs for you.

Some of my favorite Sausan Design kits will work perfectly for Valentine’s Day.  Cloud 7 is my huge favorite – that funky, hand-drawn plaid paper is just amazing.

Another great Valentine kit (an oldie, but goodie) is Valentino Valentina.  The papers are so richly textured and the elements are timeless.

Another option is to go the QuickPage route…  For the amazing kit My Little Heart, Sylvie has some gorgeous Quickpages that would make your Valentine a nice “love” book!!

Here are the papers and elements for My Little Heart, so you can add some pages to your Quickpage love book.

Also found a couple other element packs that work well for making Valentine’s.  How cute are these hand-drawn, hand-colored hearts.  Sylvie has a great eye for colors and designs.  Also, the pressed flowers are always timeless.

Ok, enough eye candy…now let’s see what you can do with these amazing designs.  Below are some samples from our Creative Team.

Polinka put together this beautiful card.  I love that it is different from the traditional pink and red of Valentine’s day.  Beautiful work.

Lena put together these two gorgeous cards.  Love all that cut paper on the first one.  The second is just plain fun!!

Chengie made a couple very cute cards and she was kind enough to offer them to you.  See these cards below and click here to download them.  Thanks Chengie!!

After all that, seems crazy to add some more.  I put together a couple Valentine’s day cards, printed them out and added some stitching with my sewing machine.  I sort of thought the ends of my flower stems looked a bit messy, but a friend was kind enough to point out that they seemed clumped with dirt. LOL!! Thanks, Nevermore!!  Anyway, you can download my cards by clicking here.

Thanks for taking the time to read all this.  When you get a chance, please play along with us.  Please post your Valentine’s creation sometime before Tuesday, February 16th to be eligible to win a free kit from Sausan Designs.  You can post your creations in the In my Handbag Gallery at SausanDesigns.com.  Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday and a great Valentine’s Day.  We will be back in two weeks for the next “in my Handbag” challenge!!

My sweet CTMember Pauline just used some of her paper scraps (mostly from Sausandesigns-Sing Spring) but you can use whatever you find in your stash..you could even use paper from old catalogues!

Now cut or punch out circles from your papers, Pauline also punched out some little stars inside of some of the paper circles. Let your imagination flow! Then get your or your friend’s (or neighbor’s) sewing machine and just sew all those circles together. If it seems to get complicated, just arrange them on a sheet of parchment paper and sew all together. Then, when you are done, just slowly tear off the parchment paper and voilà : you are owner of a cute little paper garland!

Now you can hang the garlands from your windows or decorate the tree or you can use them for a cute little dinner table decoration:
For this little tree you can or use a ready made tree from the thrift store or you decorate some styrofoam cones with glitter ribbons or whatever you can think of. I think you can find those cones in floral shops. When you decorated them, just wrap the paper garland around the tree. If you are doing more than one tree, it will make a wonderful and unique decoration for christmas dinner table.

Have fun creating!