The Ink Blot Spot

Elegant Desk Set

I promised a while back that I would post photos of the desk set I made for myself (finally something I kept for my own use).  So, here they are:

This first photo shows the letter tray in the background, with ribbons from Theatre Ribbon Originals and a laminated sheet of retired Designer Series Paper (DSP) in the bottom.  Also seen here is a pencil cup made from chipboard coasters and embellished with DSP, ribbons, Hodgepodge Hardware, Pretties Kit, and On Board chipboard.  Next, is a paperclip holder fashioned from a tuna can and lined with a magnetic strip (embellished as above).  Lastly in this photo, a decorated bottle makes a vase for silk sunflowers (just to pretty the office even more).

This next photo shows some manilla folders embellished, again, with DSP, ribbons and Hodgepodge Hardware (I really USE all these items in my office!)  You can also see a little lamp made from an empty vitamin container (see an earlier post on this blog for the lamp).

The next few items are not really part of the desk set, but since they coordinate with it, I included them.  It is a travel gift set that includes a travel mug, a travel journal and just one of the luggage tags.  I'll also post a close-up of the travel set.

Hope you'll enjoy these and be inspired to make a set for yourself or as a gift.  If you do, send me photos or a link to your blog or gallery!

Happy stamping. 

Got an Idea...Where's the lightbulb??

I happened to catch an episode of Carol Duval on HGTV a week or so ago.  She had one of her regular guests on, Mary O'Neil, President of Hot Potatoes.  She took an empty oatmeal box and turned it into a LAMP!  Well, I just thought that was the COOLEST, so I had to try it.

My oatmeal container was still pretty full (I should eat more of it..."It's the right thing to do," as Wilfred Brimly would say).  So, I found a breadcrumb container and a little vitamin container.  (I'm working on emptying a peanut container to use next).  I stamped on the lamp shade and the cardstock used to cover the base. (For the little one, I used the retired "Enchante" Designer Series Paper, and left the shade as-is for that one).  I assembled the bottle adapter lamp kit and, VOILA!

The little lamp coordinates with a whole office set I made for myself.  I love my office at work!  I usually make things like this as gifts, so it's nice to keep this set and enjoy it for a change.  Next week, I'll take the camera to work and show you the whole set...WITH LAMP!

Okay, who else has STAMPED A LAMP?

Magic Calendar

My friend and sister-demonstrator, Cyndy, gave me the inspiration for this latest project.  I know, I know, I should have been making 2008 calendars back in the fall!!  I'm ALWAYS behind and catching up!

Anyway, Cyndy is very talented and she often inspires me.  So glad she's my stampin' bud!  Very cool lady.  (Who else invites me to a CHOCOLATE tasting party with the girls??)  Hey, speaking of which, I agreed to have one of these fun Dove Chocolate parties myself.  So, if you LOVE chocolate (chocolate martini, anyone?) and you are in the northwest NJ area, let me know if you want to come!

I digress...Here is the Magic Calendar:

Well, I am having trouble uploading a couple of the photos that would make the construction of these somewhat understandable.

The "Magic" is that the front and back panels are connected by strips of cardstock.  Open to the right for January - June.  Open to the left for July - December. 

These are really fun to create.  Cyndy and I may offer a stamp camp to make these in the fall (for 2009), so this is why I am not offering a tutorial on these at this time.  Hope you like them!

Baby Layette

My boss and his wife are expecting a baby girl.  So, I stamped layette items to give at the shower.  Hope you'll enjoy these:

 

Graduation Gifts

Hi again!  Just thought I would share with you some of my latest projects (just one reason I have not been scrapbooking!!).  Brian's niece, Lauren, just graduated from high school and will attend Virginia Tech in the fall.  So, aside from the gift card we gave her to get whatever SHE wants, I couldn't resist making her a little desk set for her dorm room.  VT's colors are Maroon and Orange (don't know who put those together, but be that as it may....) I went with this color scheme.  Lauren is very attractive, but prefers sports and contemporary to flowery or vintage.

     

So, the set includes a wire letter tray which I decorated with ribbon and a sheet of laminated Designer Series Paper for the bottom.  Next is a pencil cup made from chipboard coasters and decorated with coordinating DSP, ribbons, Hodgepodge Hardware, On Board letter "l" for lauren.  The pens also coordinate by slipping a piece of DSP inside the pen.  There is a corkboard/dry erase board which is megnetized on back.  The desktop calendar is made from a clear acrylic frame.  For the jumbo clip, I printed out a VT logo and adhered it to a big flat marble using Crystal Effects.  Finally, the Memo Cube is also made from the chipboard coasters and decorated, again, with all SU products.  The last photo shows all items piled into the letter tray.

The photos, unfortunately, are a little fuzzy.  But I think you get the idea.  And I hope you'll try some of these projects yourself in your own colors!  If you want to know more about how to make any of these, please contact me!