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Sunday, 1 September 2013

Back to School...On Your Bike!

I'll warn you now that today's post is rather long...with quite a few photos too...as I've been busy making a 'back to school' gift for my flatmate. He recently started his own business and one of the thing he does is run cycling training sessions and bike clubs in schools. In the few months since he started the business it's grown much more quickly than expected, and it's looking like the coming term might be quite manic! He's not an organised person by nature, but he does like to make lists, so I've decorated a notebook for him to keep all his school 'To Do' lists in, with a matching 'Good Luck' card:


The plain kraft notebook was from Paperchase...I simply covered it using some bicycle covered paper (from the 'Cool Summer' collection by Carta Bella)...inking (with 'Brushed Corduroy' Distress Ink) and doodling around the edges...then added some lettering (cut using my Cuttlebug 'Olivia' alphabet)...then I gave it  couple of coats of a satin varnish to help make it a bit more durable:


I decorated the back too...cutting the corners out using one of my circle Nesties:


It has a piece of elastic to keep it closed:


I made the matching card in the same way using a 4x4 kraft card blank from Hobbycraft...and obviously without the varnish!


And I couldn't resist making a matching tag and some quick bicycle wrapping paper by stamping on some parcel paper using my Hero Arts 'Classic Bike' stamp and 'Rich Cocoa' Memento Ink. I also stamped a little bike on the envelope...and attached the tag to the parcel using some twine from American Crafts:


Challenges for these items:
Now I just need to get myself ready for the new school term!
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20 comments:

  1. Shirley-Anne1 September 2013 at 14:46

    Beautifully presented .Lovely gift idea .
    Thanks for sharing on Card crafters Circle .

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  2. brenda1 September 2013 at 15:45

    A lovely collection of work Helen and it will make a lovely gift for your flat mate.

    Thanks so much for joining in my 'It's all in the sentiment' theme at Allsorts this week.

    B x

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  3. Cut It Up Challenge Blog1 September 2013 at 15:48

    What a fantastic gift! I love the idea of using varnish. I would never have thought of that!

    Thanks for joining us at Cut it Up Challenges!
    Evelyn
    http://mylittlecraftblog.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Céline1 September 2013 at 17:49

    fab set, love it
    thanks for playing with us at fussy and fancy
    hugs
    céline

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  5. ~ginny1 September 2013 at 19:00

    What a great project Helen! Anyone would love to receive that cool trio of your work! Thanks for sharing your wonderful project in the “Any Sentiment” Challenge at Aud Sentiments.
    ~ginny
    Aud Sentiments Design Team
    RubberMAD at GettyCollection.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Darlene 1 September 2013 at 20:46

    WOW! What a great idea and I'm sure Rob will appreciate the organizing help!! LOVE the wrapping too ... awesome project!
    Thanks so much for joining us at The Sisterhood’s ‘BACK TO SCHOOL’ challenge and please come back again soon!
    Darlene
    one of the 'Sistahs'
    The Sisterhood of Crafters
    DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS

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  7. Squirrel x1 September 2013 at 22:18

    These are just fab hun - Rob's gonna be so chuffed! Xx

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  8. Anonymous1 September 2013 at 22:42

    What a super set and so beautifully presented.Great gift idea.Thanks for joining us at Craft Your Passion.Hope to see you again next week :D
    Lisa x

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  9. Unknown2 September 2013 at 00:24

    Such an awesome project, and your packaging is perfectly put together! Thank you for joining us this week for our Back to School Challenge at Love to Create.
    Ruza, LTC Designer

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  10. Sarah2 September 2013 at 06:58

    Fab gift and card Helen x

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  11. Helen in the UK2 September 2013 at 10:28

    Great boy theme. Love how you coordinated with the bicycle images :)

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  12. Claire2 September 2013 at 18:42

    Fab creations hun. A great gift idea. Hugs, Claire x

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  13. Sheri Gilson2 September 2013 at 20:30

    Wonderful project! Thanks so much for playing along with us at The Pink Elephant!

    ReplyDelete
  14. katslittlepassion2 September 2013 at 21:43

    I totally love your notebook! Thanks for participating in CYP challenge!
    Kat
    Craft Your Passion DT

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  15. Dawn2 September 2013 at 21:48

    LOve your little gifts & your packaging! Thanks for sharing with us at Crafting For All Seasons this time!
    Good Luck
    Hugs
    Dawn xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Migdalia3 September 2013 at 02:12

    Fabulous & Fun!!
    Thank you for joining us at Cut It Up Challenges.
    Have a wonderful day,
    Migdalia
    ♥ Crafting With Creative M ♥
    ♥ 2 Creative Chicks Challenges ♥

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jingle3 September 2013 at 20:18

    Very cute set and great wrapping, too! Thanks so much for playing along with us over at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge!

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  18. Unknown4 September 2013 at 21:21

    Thanks for entering the crafty ribbons challenge
    P x

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  19. Alica6 September 2013 at 23:16

    great little notebook and I love the decorated wrapping paper too!
    Thanks for joining us at Shopping Our Stash!

    Hugs, Alica ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Kym's Crafty Cards8 September 2013 at 00:46

    What a gorgeous book and card you have made. Thank you for taking part in the Aud Sentiments Challenge this fortnight and I wish you the best of luck in the draw. Best wishes, Kym (Aud Sentiments Design Team Member) xxx

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment on my cards! Helen x