Two of a Kind

My husband just told me last night that he needs to go to Boston for work the week before Christmas. Normally, I would have lost it... because he obviously has lost touch with reality.

But this is not a normal year. You know why? Because I've been keeping up with the

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN!

And seeing as this is Project #2, that means I am only a couple of weeks away from having all my Christmas presents purchased or made, wrapped, and under the tree that I have already set up in our family room.

(And if you believe THAT, I have a pack of self-adhesive chipboard to sell you...)

Seriously, he will be gone. And I will be quite ticked off. But that's love for you, right? I will keep my sanity by thinking of all the fun I will have handling pre-holiday cooking, baking, and card-making, all by my little lonesome.

Let me just say that he owes me BIG and I am expecting some GOOD presents (I am already working on my list).

In the meantime, let's get to our project, shall we?

Here we have one super-sweet tag book for a loved one...

Supplies:

-Tag template from Starbucks

-Scraps of patterned paper and solid cardstock

-One larger piece of krafty-colored cardstock for the book

-Several 3-4" lengths of ribbon

-Two 10" lengths of ribbon

-Alpha stamp set

-Stamp pad

-Monogram sticker

-Rhinestones

-2" square punch

-1-1/4" round punch

-Trimmer

-Hole punch (Crop-a-Dile is best)

-Adhesive

Let's get started...

Step One: Grab a Tazo Tea tag mini-book from Starbucks (they're free!). While you are there, treat yourself to a skinny pumpkin latte. Have a sip for me. I have had this tag book for AGES, wanting to do something with it. Today was the day!

Step Two: Trace the tag book onto a sheet of krafty-colored cardstock (say that ten times fast!).

Step Three: Once it's traced, cut it out. (Just a note -- I trimmed around the larger rectangle with my trimmer, then used my scissors to cut out the notches).

Step Four: Crease the folds. NOTE: for this book, you want a gate fold rather than an accordian fold. Why? Because I said so. No, really. The accordian fold won't work with the ribbon closure. Trust me.

Step Five: Ink all edges. This is great for covering up any stray pencil marks.

Step Six: Gather together some complementary patterned paper scraps and cardstock.

Step Seven: Cut eight pieces of cardstock measuring 2x3". You could use several different colors if you like. Heck, far be it for me to tell you what to do! You could even use tissue paper. Or toilet paper. Or wrapping paper. I can't guarantee the outcome, but do what you like. You're a "growing up," as my three-year-old says.

Step Eight: Adhere one of the rectangles to the bottom part of each panel, front and back. Any ole' adhesive will do.

Steps Nine and Ten: Punch 2" squares from four different patterned papers. For some reason, even though my punch is labeled 2", it cuts smaller than that. One of those mysteries of the universe, I suppose. Anywhooo, punch and adhere to the top part of the cardstock rectangle on the INSIDE only of the tag book. Then use the circle punch to punch four cute faces. Adhere (if you will note, I did not adhere the circles all in the same place. I do this so no one can accuse me of being anal-retentive. Also, because if I cannot get each one exactly in the center of the square, it will drive me nuts. Better to be intentionally imperfect than to strive for imperfection and be found lacking. Or something like that). 

Step Eleven: Using the alpha stamps, stamp an appropriate caption to each photo. I was very creative and put my kids' names.

Step Twelve: Fold up the book and punch a hole in the top part of the tags.

Step Thirteen: Fold in the outer two tags and write a sweet note to the recipient.

(Take a break here to watch the climactic final scenes of CSI New York, which is not anywhere near as fabulous as the original, but will have to do while waiting for the next season to be released on DVD).

Step Fourteen: Fold the book up and place the monogram letter on the cover.

Step Fifteen: Pause for another moment to take phone call from husband who calls you from the airplane to inform you he must be gone NEXT week as well. Realize he is calling you from the airplane so you cannot throw your Crop-A-Dile at him (your aim is not that good). Then take calming breaths and add cute bling-bling to the cover.

Step Sixteen: Using a hole punch or anywhere punch, punch two holes on the seam between the first and second tags, and third and fourth tags. Try to keep them level as this is where the ribbon is going to go for the ties.

Step Seventeen: Tie ribbon at the top of each tag, and then take your two longer pieces of ribbon and thread them through the newly created holes thusly (did you know that "thusly" is a real word? Dictionary.com even tells us, "Some speakers and writers regard thusly as a pointless synonym for thus, and they avoid it or use it only for humorous effect." Therefore, it's obvious I was trying to be funny. Isn't it fun, all the things you learn here at ScrapHappy?)

Repeat on the other side.

Step Eighteen: Fold it all up, tie the ribbons, and smile. Take an Excedrin and treat yourself to a scoop or two of B&J's mint cookies 'n' cream. 

Variations: This project would be a cute coupon gift book as well, or a grandma's brag book. I made this one for our former nanny, who is like one of the family. She watched my oldest when he was a baby, and came back and took care of Callie and Ford, my nephew, for two years. We love our Randi!

Comments

[Korie B.]

I almost never go into Starbucks now that they have drive-thru service. I guess I'll have to get off my two half moons and get out of the car for my vanilla latte tomorrow!
As for the hubby going out of town, work it! My hubby recently had major surgery & I'm planning on using my Florence Nightingale good will to go to both Scrapbowl (http://www.getcroppin.com) AND Art & Soul (http://www.artandsoulretreat.com) next year. I think hubby bailing on you the week before Christmas means that you should be able to head out & do something fun. A little manipulation in a marriage is a good thing, right??? :)

[Robyn]

You crack me up Lain. Cute book. The last time I was at Starbucks was to pick up your tea though. Think they'd notice if I just walked in, took the book and left? LOL

And hubby, oh hubby, you'd better be planning something spectacular. I'd be asking for an iPhone to use while I was at the Sweetwater Retreat. :)

[Maria]

Totally cracking up...you are too funny. Your instructions on your projects are always so fun to read that one could literally just re-read the instruction over and over just to get a few more laughs! :)
I love that super fun approach you have.

And about the hubby, I think he owes you BIG
and you can definetely get "good use" out of this one....maybe quite a few overnight crops at my house and a couple of girly days out and more!!! I can help you set up a list of ideas! :)

[Mary c]

Well, my dh will probably not be home two weeks prior to and the day of Christmas because of his schedule. He hasn't been home a major holiday for two years. Thusly, I think you shouldn't whine too much cuz it could be worse.
That being said, this is very cute and gives me a great excuse to go to Starbucks...as if I needed an excuse. Really now, put on a Scrap Happy Face. :)

[Tamara]

You are a veritable well of cleverness! Any project that requires a trip to Starbucks is my kind of project.

~T.

[Christel]

Glad you are home Lain!!! Love the tag book!! Starbucks??? I have never been to one and that is the truth. Rather drink coffee at home.

[~Kristie]

I love this project, but I couldn't possibly go into a Starbucks right now. Dang D-I-E-t.
How did you manage while you were on Jenny Craig?

Hubby definitely owes you something magical for Christmas!

[Ingunn]

This is so cute...and now I have a good excuse to go to Starbucks!

[katie scott]

Love these instructions, especially the parts about being very creative and writing your kids names (better than no names right?) and the bits about the husband!

So did you ever get rid of anything after talking about pareto's law (the 80/20 thing)? Here's a little secret of mine - I'm a bit of a pack rat and while I'm not a hoarder, at least I don't think I am, I'm fascinated by them and Oprah's doing a show on them w/ Peter Walsh later this month - should be completely interesting and hopefully will inspire me to get rid of some of that 80% stuff that I don't use!

Have a great week!

[Nicole]

Poor Lain! I agree with everyone else. At the very least, maybe hubby should be the one who has to put away all the decorations after Christmas (my least favourite part of the holiday).
Cute project Lain! I too, shall have to enter Starbucks for the first time in search of these tags (I come from the land of Tim Hortons).

[Jenna]

Loved reading your directions too! They sound a lot like "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". Good humor is always appreciated. I am sorry your husband will be gone for the most insane week of the year. I agree with Nicole & think that he should have to put away all the decorations.

[melita]

Oooh...the "joys" of a dh who travels. Mine is saying he "might" have to travel the week after Thanksgiving. At first it was the week before, then the week of and now it has moved back to the week after. I am hoping it gets moved off the calendar next because he already has another trip planned in December. We will have to get together and commiserate during those single parent days!
And that is an adorable project. I have not been to Starbucks yet for their "holiday" coffees, but now I have 2 reasons to head over there tomorrow =)

[natlhol]

Love the way you write! I usually read your instructions more than once since I enjoy them so much!

Cute book, will have to stop at the Starbucks in the SuperTarget to get the template.

About the hubby...how 'bout what's HE'S missing...the cookies fresh from the oven...the snuggles on the sofa reading Christmas books...the chance to be with his family...Bet he's not too happy, either!

Not that I don't sympathize 'cuz I do. I've been there, done that. It's hard.