Lunchbox Notes Boxed Set - A #SubscribeTDS Project

It's back to school day today!

And I'm admittedly bittersweet about it - it's Emma's last 1st Day of grade school. Her 1st day of Senior Year. 

Yeah.... 11 months from now she'll be off to college. 

Exciting? Yes. 

Hard? Oh, for sure. 

So, I'm gonna cherish every minute I've got this year with my sweet girl and make LOTS of great memories! And yes, take LOTS of pictures - she's been warned. LoL! 

So, as a special treat for you today - I'm sharing one of my #SubscribeTDS Card Kit projects with you. My subscribers received this with their August kits, but I thought you'd all enjoy making these for your kiddos, or even your adult loved ones! 

We all need a little encouragement some days, don't we?

I created the box using the Envelope Punch Board - super easy! 

My instruction sheet doesn't have those directions because my subscribers receive the box already created for them - they just have to stamp and assemble!

I'll add the instructions at the bottom of the post for you though. :)

Click HERE for the Project Tutorial. It's a downloadable PDF file. 

My subscribers received supplies to make 8 cards - 4 TRUTH cards and 4 REMEMBER cards. 

I just LOVE these! Don't you?
The little paper flags are made with the Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper. I cut them at 3/4" x 2" and simply snipped a triangle out of the end to create the flag. 

Here's a list of the supplies I used to create this project: 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Of course, you can easily change out the ink color on the box if you need more masculine colors. I created mine with my sweet girl in mind. ;)
All the supplies I used are available in my Online Store. Simply click on any of the thumbnail photos of the products shown above and you'll go right to it thru the magic of the internet! 

Card Box Instructions: 

• To make the box itself, you need a piece of card stock cut at 8 1/4" square. 
• Place it in the Envelope Punch Board at the 3 1/8" measurement then punch and score. 
• Slide the card stock down to the 4 1/8" measurement, punch and score again. 
• Turn the card stock to the opposite side and repeat the above. 
• Next, turn the card stock one time to an un-punched side. 
• Line up the score lines with the pointer at the top of the board, one at a time, punch and score. 
• Turn the card stock to the opposite side and repeat. 
• Use the Corner Rounder on the Punch Board to round all four corners. 
• Assemble with Fast Fuse, Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue or Tear n' Tape

**I'd love to have you as one of my #SubscribeTDS Monthly Subscribers! 

September begins another 6 month series and you can join any time before the 10th. 

Each month, I send out a Special Code along with what stamp set or sets I'll use to design the projects. 

You simply visit my Online Store and place a minimum $30 order using the Special Code. 

This indicates that you are part of my #SubscribeTDS Subscription Service. 

Your order will ship directly to you! 

You will receive a minimum of 4 FREE Card/Project Kits that month from me, along with step-by-step instructions for stamping and assembly. 

The kits include everything you need to create these exclusive projects - all you do is stamp and assemble! 

(You provide stamps, ink and adhesive.)

You'll also receive multiple full-color photos of the projects, and starting in September, a Video of me assembling the projects. 

There is a Facebook group expressly for my Subscribers where I post all the tutorials and photos (I email them to you as well.) along with the occasional bonus project. 

PLUS - by joining my Subscription service for 6 months, you will also receive YOUR Choice of ANY stamp set in the current catalogs in month 6 as a BONUS. 

If you'd like to give it a try, simply email me at

trinitydesignstudio1@gmail.com or comment on this post with your email and I'll be in touch! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today - I have lots of stamped projects to share with you in the coming days so I hope you've bookmarked my site so you can visit often! 

P.S. Thought you might like to see this picture of my newly minted Senior! 

Some Christmas Peace in August

I always love working on Christmas projects. 

It's my favorite time of the year for a number of reasons. My husband and I were married in December. My daughter was born in December. And it's the time of year we celebrate the birth of Christ. 

Christmas is a magical, fun filled season and I love everything about it - even if it's not always the most peaceful time of year for me. 

It's easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of it all - the parties, festivities and activities can leave you desperate to catch your breath. 

I was reflecting on all that tonight as I worked in my studio on some projects for the coming months. 

Here's a sneak peek of one of those cards: 

The soft tones of the Smoky Slate and Wisteria Wonder are so soothing that you can't help but think of "peace" when you see them together. 

Add a little bling and you have a taste of the sparkling magic that makes Christmas truly the most wonderful time of the year. 

I'll be sure to show you the WHOLE card project soon - as soon as the Holiday Catalog goes live for you all. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your Sunday. 

Find a little peace wherever you may be. 

Sweet and Simple Thank You Card

Earlier this week, I shared the Stampin' Up! Weekly Deals with you here on the blog, but did you also know that I did a short LIVE Broadcast on the new app Periscope?

Yep - I sure did! And it was fun! 
(See the bottom of this post for more info on Periscope and how to follow me there!)

I walked through each of the items that are on special this week and as I did so, I used a couple of the products. Well, those pieces were sitting on my stamp table mocking me (not really, but I couldn't just toss them in the trash bin!) so I decided to use them to make a quick and easy thank you note to put in a package I was sending. 

I used the Envelope Punch Board and a 6" x 6" piece of the Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack (Smoky Slate) to make an envelope that holds a 3 1/2" square card. 

The sweet little bow was made with the Bow Builder Punch in matching paper. 

SO stinkin' cute! I LOVE this punch!

The little card was made with a piece of 3 1/2" x 7" Thick Whisper White card stock folded in half. I stamped the outside and inside greeting from the Me = Grateful stamp set in Rich Razzleberry ink. 

It's such a sweet little spud! 

Check out the ribbon that ties it all together - 

it's the NEW Rich Razzleberry Ribbon from the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog! There's 10 yards on a roll and you're going to drool when you get it delivered. It's yummy!

Here's all the products (except the ribbon) that I used on this project:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

As always, simply click on any of the products shown and you'll go directly to my Online Store to shop for the items you need and much more! 

So, are you wondering what Periscope is?

Wondering HOW do you find me there? 

Here's the scoop:

Periscope is a LIVE Broadcasting app for your mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, Android) and you can download it FREE from iTunes and Google Play! 

Yep, FREE!

Anywho, once you have the app, you can follow lots of fun people - and ME! and be notified when they begin a LIVE Broadcast. 

If you can't tune in right then, you have up to 24 hours to watch the replay! 

The fun part is that it is - or it CAN be - interactive. When you join a LIVE Broadcast, I can see you there (if I'm looking at the screen at the time) so I know who's watching and can talk to you. You can type in messages to say HI, or ask a question or give me feedback. 

AND if you like what you are seeing or if you want to respond to something I talk about, you can simply tap your screen and the app gives out "Hearts"! 

The hearts boost not only my confidence, but my rating for searches in the app - so you're helping me be discovered by NEW paper crafters all over the world! 

The broadcasts are live and in person - no editing at all, so what you see is what you get. And I LOVE that! I love to keep it real and I love to share the joy I get from this awesome craft, but more often than not, I don't have time to film, edit and post a 'perfect' video. And we both miss out on SO much!

I'm planning to do lots of LIVE Broadcasts from the studio and share my passion for Stampin' Up! and paper crafting. I'd love it if you joined me in the journey - and SHARE it with your friends too. 

Download the app and Follow me! 

My user name is @trinitydesign95

See you back here - and on Periscope - soon!

Weekly Deals - Grab 'em While You Can!

Here are the NEW Weekly Deals! 
These change EACH Tuesday, so be sure to shop now while it's fresh in your mind. 
Dunno about you, but I have a bad habit of seeing something I want and if I don't get it right then and there, I forget and then, *POOF*!, it's gone!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

The easiest way to shop in my Online Store for these great deals is to click on the picture of the item. 

Through the magic of the internet, you'll go directly to that item in my store on the website!
When you place the item(s) in your shopping cart, the special pricing appears - magic!

Thanks for stopping by today - have a fantastic Tuesday!

Paper Pumpkin Pinwheels

You know what they say - 

better late than never. 

Right?!?

So....here's the deal. I've been a Paper Pumpkin Subscriber from the beginning. That's 2 1/2 years of those awesome cute orange boxes of crafty fun showing up in my mailbox - Each. Month. 

And here's where I get real with ya'll - 

all those kits, doubles of some of them, and I've completed the sum total of 3 of them. 

That's a whopping 10% of those monthly kits. 

Yeah, I'm a real fireball when it comes to sitting down and whipping those bad boys up. A virtual creative whirlwind! LOL! 

At any rate, last month my daughter was able to join me at Convention, where she promptly fell in LOVE with Paper Pumpkin. 

IN LOVE. 

And of course, when you see something through the eyes of your child, it takes on a whole new meaning. Her excitement has translated into my excitement and we've been crafting up a storm together since we've been back. 

TOGETHER! 

And it's all kinds of awesome...

Since we've been making such super cute things with these kits, I figured the least I could do was share the projects with you. After all, you *might* just have some of the same Paper Pumpkin kits laying around your craft room needing a little creative love. Hmmm???

These adorable pinwheels are from June 2014 and I honestly don't know why I didn't assemble them sooner. 

They are SUPER easy and quick and really, don't pinwheels just make you smile?

The first project I did was this centerpiece. I made 5 of the pinwheels and used my Paper Piercer to punch a hole near the top of the paper straw. I pushed the large brad holding the pinwheel together through the hole in the straw and held it all together that way. No adhesive needed!

5 of them fit neatly into this water goblet and I used the King Leo peppermints as filler to hold them in place. One of the included banner pieces was clipped to the rim of the glass rim with a mini clothespin. 

Next, I turned my attention to a grapevine wreath that was hanging on my classroom wall. 

It used to have pieces of Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon tied in with the Real Red and Very Vanilla for a Valentine's Day motif. 

I simply removed those pieces and attached 3 of the Night of Navy polka-dot pinwheel pieces to the empty spots using some more mini-clothespins. 

Easy and adorable! 

Last, but not least - and this is my favorite project - I made a new banner for my antique window that hangs in my classroom. 

Love, love this!!

The burlap banner pieces are cut from a 10 yard roll that I purchased at Walmart. The pinwheels are simply attached to the burlap with the brad that holds them together. No adhesive!

I used the paper straws that came in the Paper Pumpkin kit as a 'cover' for the thick twine I used to string the banner. They were perfect for some additional color but also worked great to clip the banner pieces to hang them! 

Here's a close up of each pinwheel panel: 

There are a ton of really cute projects that were made with the pieces of this kit - you can find a lot of them on Pinterest. 

I chose to keep the pinwheels as they were intended, but I just used them in a few different ways. Pinwheels are nostalgic and remind me of a simpler time and since they make me smile, I decided to not mess with a good thing! 

I hope you enjoyed these projects and hey, did you know that if you are a NEW Subscriber to Paper Pumpkin through September 10th - your first 2 months are 50% off?!?

Yep, that's what I call a deal! 

It's normally just $19.95 a month for each kit, but with this deal your first 2 kits will be just 

$9.98 each. 

Each kit includes pre-designed, assembly ready paper crafting projects along with a NEW, exclusive stamp set and inks, plus all the supplies you need to make the projects as shown. It couldn't be easier to make something super cute, super quick!

I really encourage you to give it a try - and don't be like me! 

Open those kits and make the awesome projects inside! 

Invite your daughter or a friend to join you for a fun crafting night. 

Come to my monthly Paper Pumpkin Play Time and make your kits plus get lots of other creative ideas for using the supplies included! 

We got a sneak peek at August and September's kits when we were at Convention and they are 

BEYOND CUTE! 

You really will regret it if you miss them....

Click the 50% off ad above to visit the Paper Pumpkin website to sign up. 

Or click this link here:

www.mypaperpumpkin.com

Be sure to choose me as your Stampin' Up! demonstrator - Robin Merriman #112744! 

When I am notified that you've joined, you'll receive a special Thank You card in the mail from me, plus new inspiration each month on different, creative ways you can use your Paper Pumpkin kits!

She chose 11 of my past kits to play with and she's having a blast! 

Emma's enjoying Paper Pumpkin - it's time you gave it a try too! 

You can choose a gift subscription too, it might be just the thing for the crafty teen in your life!

Happy Crafting,

~~Robin

Glassine Paper Window Card

There's a new product in the Annual Stampin' Up! Catalog called Glassine Sheets. When I saw it, I got all giddy - and not for the reason you'd expect....

In my "other" life, when I was still a police officer, I was a crime scene tech. Kinda like CSI, but not really because tv is NEVER the same as real life. But, I digress. 

We used to use glassine envelopes to collect fine evidence like hairs and fibers and such. The paper is air, water and grease resistant, so it was perfect for that stuff. 

So, I guess when I saw Glassine Sheets in the catalog, the wave of nostalgia hit me and I ordered some on my first order. Kinda like ordering the bomb pop from the ice cream truck because it reminds you of your childhood. Or not. But you get the idea. :)

Anyway, I've used up my entire first pack between my #SubscribeTDS Card Kit Club and these swap cards from Convention last week:

Apparently I'm the only one who knew Glassine Sheets were even in the catalog because I can't tell you the number of times I got asked - what IS that? Do we SELL that? 

The answer is Glassine Sheets and Yes, we do. (#138348 $5 pack of 10 sheets)

This card may look a bit complicated, but I can assure you, it's not. Here's the link to my YouTube tutorial video for this sweet card: 

Do you follow me there already? If not, you might want to - I've planned out new, twice weekly videos through the Fall and I have a LOT of fun and informative stamping to share with you! Here's the link so you can subscribe: 

Robin Merriman - Trinity Design Studio

Here's the supply list of products I used to create this card: 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

As always, you can click on any of the thumbnail photos and go directly to my Online Store where you can shop for any and all of these products and more! 

Thanks so much for stopping by today - I hope you'll have time to get crafty and make something fun! 

~~Robin