Saturday, May 16, 2009

My Timeless Template Challenge #2!


Good morning! I'm so excited to share my template challenge this week :O) I couldn't get Lauren's awesome templates out of my head for the past two weeks! Probably because of the challenge, but seriously, I drew sketches and took notes on the three templates I'm showing today while I was sitting at work. Mind you, I should have been looking over our money or contracts, but I was sketching on scrap paper! I took those sketches home and this is what I created:

Flower Pen Holder
Paper Clip Dispenser

Notepad File Box

I created this set for a friend at work who has a birthday coming up :O) Both the Flower Pen Holder and the Paper Clip Dispenser use the "For Keepsake" template. I printed the template scaled to "multiple pages per sheet" at 2 per page with a horizontal configuration for my
Paper Clip Dispenser. This shrunk the template to approximately a third of the normal size.

While I was sitting at work thinking of these baskets I wanted to make, certain Longaberger baskets on my desk were my inspiration (for the pen and paper clip containers). I thought I could easily figure out how to make a paper clip dispenser based on the design of the Longaberger Paper Clip Basket. Wouldn't you know, I came home tonight and finally put it together...and my "vision" worked like a charm!!
After I made the lid, I cut some pink foam paper about a quarter of an inch smaller than the inside of the lid. I didn't want it touching the sides so the lid would still fit the right way. I took three squares that I cut to the same size and cut a hole in the center of each (same size as the hole in the lid). I adhered the squares together with Crystal Effects and set them aside to dry. Once dry, I trimmed a piece of magnet to fit just inside the hole of the foam and lid. It was a little "taller" than the hole, so before I adhered it, I trimmed the magnet lengthwise to fit. Peeled the backing and adhered in the hole. I used Crystal Effects to adhere to the inside of the lid because I feel like it's a stronger bond and it seemed to be doing a good job of holding the foam together :O)










I have another Longaberger basket on my desk that holds my gerbera daisy pens :O) I don't recall the name of the basket, but it's shaped like a jar and kind of tapers at the top. I think it was the Blue Ribbon Basket or something like that. Anyway, the Flower Pen Basket I created is definitely not shaped like my Longaberger basket, but I really thought I could make the template work for flower pens. I only cut a window on one side thinking that the basket would most likely be pushed against the cubicle wall, but in hindsight, I would probably cut another window to make it easier to see the gem rocks and my cute, purple butterfly on the window :O) It was really hard trying to get a good photo of it.

I feel like anyone who likes to craft has made flower pens I kept the lids on my pens because I don't want them marking up the inside of my holder. Another option would be to line the inside with acetate. Then if the pens marked it, you could wipe it off.

For the inside panels of both For Keepsake baskets, I stamped white polka dots (PTI Polka Dot Basics) on Pretty in Pink cardstock. I also did this for the middle divider of my "From the Desk Of" template. I used some remaining flowers from my bunches to accessorize my templates.


Originally I was planning on laying the Notepad File Box on it's back to make it look like an in/outbox (mini) but I liked it so much when I stood it up, I left it alone. I wanted a cute way for my friend to display her notepads on her desk and thought this design was perfect! You'll notice I didn't modify the notepads we use at work to match the basket. This was on purpose to show what it will truly look like at work. We go through these things pretty quickly. Didn't this one turn out cute? I really did like it when all was said and done! I hope my friend isn't reading my blog this week... If she is, I guess it won't be a surprise :)

I really hope you get to play along today! The My Timeless Templates were soooo easy to use!! They're listed for $5 on Papertrey Ink, but they also have two free templates that you can use. Both of them are adorable! Part of the challenge of using a template today was to create a birthday gift and use the color purple or a butterfly.

If you upload to an online gallery, be sure to use the keyword MTTC02 (no space). I can't wait to see what you come up with!!
Be sure to check out the My Time to Create Design Team's projects also! The sneak peeks are intriguing :O)

My Time To Create Design Team:

Okay, that's all I have for now! Be sure to post your creations to Mr. Linky on Lauren's blog so we can check out your projects! Have a great weekend :O)

13 comments:

Dawn Easton said...

GREAT gift set girl!

AKiteFlier said...

Woo Hoo - You have been one busy bee and doing the DT forum too? Kristin - do you ever sleep??? Ok Since I'm second I can use all the great adjectives - this set is awesome, amazing, beautiful, creative, darling, stunning and brilliant! TFS the deets on the paper clip holder - so clever :-)

Tamara said...

You are a genius!

I never would have though about making these templates smaller for other uses. this is a GORGEOUS desk set, and I am sure anyone would be happy to receive this.

Lisa Kind said...

OMGosh, Kristin! This is AWESOME! The paper clip holder is so clever! Your friend will love it!

Handmade by Odette said...

Kristin, i love love love the colors you used here, and the patterned paper matches perfectly with the color of the cardstock; besides, I love pink :)
Great job pal !!!
Odette

Alicia Weiman said...

THis is really neat Kristin. I like how you reduced its size for the paper clips. I'm sure your friend will love this. Have a great weekend. We're off to the hospital to get platelets!

Erica said...

Absolutely beautiful...so well-thought out and put together. You did Lauren proud, I'd say.

Judy McMullen said...

Wow! I'm blown away by how you used Lauren's template!! Amazingly clever and Oh, So Very Pretty!!!

Swedie said...

Great desk set idea, and I love the creative way you did the paperclip holder!

Swedie

Lauren (mytime) said...

HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is over the top girl! Im beyond in love. You are genius :D Look at all the time you put into it. WOW! Can I be your office mate?! Im in awe

Dana Gustafson said...

Kristen, Kristen, Kristen! You have been a busy bee! I love that you went all crazy with template plans and made them come to life. Everything is gorgeous and your office mate is a lucky girl. Keep the creative daydreaming going...it looks SO great on ya!

Cat said...

What a gorgeous set! Well thought out design!

Jeanne said...

Very cute bedside table container! Love the colors and detail. I also love the paper clip holder that you made. Terrific!!!!!!

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