I love using all the My Timeless Templates ©.  I am often looking for new ways to dress them up, and make each one more fun and different than the last! It really is ALL about the details.

Today, in a video, I am going to show you how ONE little binder clip, can make the cutest, inexpensive handle, for just about ANY My Timeless Template © you wish to put it on!

Now you have seen how easy it really is to make these handles, I’ll share some details about the project I designed.

Basket of Thanks

Today’s project, I utilized the NEWEST! My Timeless Template © Tucked Away. 

This is the large version of the template.

I designed my box to look like a basket, with the fabric napkin overhanging, and flowers inside-*just* like the colored image from Vintage Picnic (a MUST have set-in my opinion!)

I stamped the Kraft bottom of Tucked Away © , to look similar to a basket weave by using the Tea Dye Duo ink, with Background Basics: Retro image.

I also created the “pattern” on my “napkin” (aka the template lid – mat layer), using Guidelines grid, and the flowers from Around and About, in white craft ink, and Summer Sunrise!

For the additional mat layer, I just adhered a layer of Summer Sunrise, to my stamped layer,  then used my pinking edge scissors, to easily cut my decorative layer-perfectly.

Then, for the top-I used various punched flowers to create my “paper garden”.

I added some beaded leaves, as well as Prima paper leaves to complete the “look”.

This made my basket look like it was filled with flowers! Just like the stamped basket image from Vintage Picnic.

Once you “un-tuck” the top, inside there are 4 large, Lindt Chocolate Caramel Clusters inside!

Totally YUMMY!

As you can see the binder clip ribbon handle really adds a nice detail to the overall design! Now because this template “tucks” closed, you can use your handle to present such a pretty “basket” of thanks!

This project took less than a 1/2 hour total-and that was design concept included, and the MAKING of my own patterned papers! You now have a design idea, you could whip up numerous “baskets” in no time!

Supplies:

My Timeless Template © Tucked Away

Stamps:Vintage Picnic, Retro Bkgd, Guidelines, Around and About Sentiments

Cardstock: White, Kraft, Summer Sunrise, Lemon Tart, Ripe Avocado

Ink: Tea Dye Ink Duo, Dark Chocolate, Summer Sunrise, White

Ribbon: Stitched Grosgrain in Summer Sunrise

Buttons: Melon Berry

OTHER: Leaves by Prima, Brads by SU! ,Word Window Punch by SU! Pinking scissors, Various Flower punches by Marvy, Labels die by SU, Oval punch by SU! tag punch by SU! Singlo Gel pen, Beadded leaf cluster from Michaels Craft Store

Well that is all for me today! I hope you enjoyed today’s project/tutorial.

Tonight is the Papertrey Ink Release! I hope to see you on the forum 😀

In the meantime be sure to check out Nichole’s Blog for more samples & creative clicks, as well as  Debbie’s post today (she is filling in for Becky :D) as she shares the last of the countdown peeks!

Till tomorrow

WARNING this is a SAPPY post-feel free to pass it over.

5 years ago, on August 13th 2004, at 2:21 pm, weighing in at 8lbs 8oz, and 22 inches long ……Amber Elaine Meader made her debut into the world, after 3 DAYS of  a labor! Yes , I said 3 DAYS!

 An induction, that took a long detour to days of PAIN! They induced me, and I went into labor, but my poor pathetic cervix did not want to come along. You see, my body (thankfully) loved being pregant. Babies would just stay there as long as they could, until medically PUSHED to move out.

So, I was having contractions for what they said was “nothing”. Nothing because the contractions weren’t making my cervix change at all. I was “hperstimulated”.  They stopped my induction drugs, but my body just continued to contract. Since I was overdue, and in a safe hospital setting, they just allowed this CRUEL thing called “Mother Nature” to take her course. Obviously her mojo was lacking because it took her a LONG time to really do her job!

FINALLY,  Amber came into the world, in her own time, and on her own terms! LOL!

The second I saw that face I forgot all about that. I was in awe of my new little being

I then realized I had NO IDEA what I was going to settle on for a name!

If you are interested you can read the naming story—>HERE!

 And so it began. Life with the little girl I usually, affectionately call Ambelina (Think Thumbelina-only for an Amber)

I always called her that because 1) She is my BABY 2) she was the smallest weight wise of my 2 children (other 2 were 9lbs) Plus she is beyond adorable, and it suits her!

I wanted to share a couple of photos, marking her 5th year, in a special way, so I made a Smilebox! That is something I haven’t done in a LONG time :C

It was easy and free 😀 I looked back on some other Smileboxes I made a while back and just cried! LOL!

You can view ALL my Smileboxes —>HERE! 

It was such a nice way to capture memories of my kids, since I don’t really scrapbook. I like how it is online, interactive and comes together quick too! LOL!

When Amber was born the very first photos I took of her were in my front yard! I picked some Daisies, and spread them around her while she was on a blanket that I quilted for her. I knew she was my last “baby” so I truly cherished every moment.

Well these Daisies are from the SAME garden………….and she is in the same front yard……………..only much, much, older for this photo session!

WOW! Five years! REALLY?! It was but a blink of an eye……

Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Happy 5th Birthday Amber!

You have brought me some of the best memories in the world, in your 5 years.

You are an amazing little girl, who seems so old for her age. You are growing far too fast. Before I know it you will be off to college, and moving out :C You say the funniest things I have ever heard too.

You are a lot like me, the good parts of me anyway!

You are strong willed, independent, responsible, confident, creative, sweet, sensitive, smart and so loving, oh and I know I said it already, but FUNNY!! You are a bit shy at times too (that is NOT me! LOL!), but if push comes to shove you ALWAYS speak your mind (something I do too often! LOL!), so no one pushes you around. 

My favorite thing you say is “Guess how much I love you?”

Then you stretch out your arms are wide as you can…..and you say “This much!” Then you wrap them around me and squeeze as tight as you possibly can. I will miss that as you grow! I hope you still feel that way when you are a teenager! LOL!

You also repeat every motherly thing that comes out of my mouth, when interacting with your siblings (I’m glad to know I don’t speak French and SOMEONE is listening! LOL! Yeah!)

You are so smart. You tell me when you grow up you want to be an “animal doctor”. I believe you can, and will do whatever you set out to. I just bought you a much of “animal doctor” stuff for your birthday to hwlp get you started (wink). You made a stuffed dog at Build a Bear a few months ago. You take her everywhere! You have a great love of animals, so I hope to encourage you to reach for your dream.

You always set out new goals to accomplish- like jumping rope, riding a bike, doing the hoola hoop (or as you say Hoolie-Hooping), and your newest goal is learning to roller skate. You *just * got a pair for you birthday! Granted I couldn’t find Hello Kitty like you asked for, so I hope they will be OK.

You are a fast learner, so I’m certain that by weeks end you will be the best lil roller skater ever! You work hard to be the best you can in everything you do, and you never give up! I love that drive you have.

You love all sports, along with singing and dancing too! There isn’t anything you don’t like or can’t do!

You are like my littlest best friend.

You are my shopping buddy-who is always honest in telling me how I look! “Oh mommy I think this color would look so pretty on you!” or “I think that might make your butt look big” and Oh! Mommy you look so nice today and you smell good too!

You love when I paint your nails. You won’t leave the house without them done! You insist on perfume too 😀 You even carry around your own pocketbook most days. You also have to approve your outfits and decide HOW you want your hair done on a given day.

You are also my crafting side kick, where we create for hours together. You are amazing with the things you can make. I’m always so proud of everything you create.

You are also my exercise coach “Mommy, why can’t you do that like the girl on TV?! It’s not THAT hard! Look I can do that!” (and you do)

My lil poser! LOL! You let me take as many photos of you as I see fit 😀 and I enjoy it.

My little helper around the house. You do lots of chores on your own, and recently helped me totally clean, redecorate and reorganize both bedrooms. When I got to Noah’s room I looked around and said “OH! BOY! I just don’t think I have it in me to do this!” You took my hand, and pulled me off the bed and said “I will help you do everything. We will get it done together.” and we did! You kept up with me and helped re-do the entire room. When we had to throw out something of Noah’s you would say”OOPS! Don’t tell Noah we threw that in the trash, or that either” It was so funny.

You like to be independent and do as much as possible by yourself !

You have a great sense of confidence too. I also love that you are nice, kind and caring to EVERYONE! You nkow its not nice to hurt peoples feelings and be mean, even if someone else is doing so.

I often look at you and wonder how I created such a being. I think you will turn out to be an amazing woman.

There are no words to say how proud I am of you. I look forward to all the things you will do and ways you will grow each and every year.

No matter what, you have to know that I will always love you, and I will always see you as that little girl…. surrounded by daisies.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl!

XOXOXO

mom-