simple dreams

The Big Kahuna's Daily Grind

With Father's Day right around the corner I thought I would share a project that I created for a publication well over a year ago. The project was never accepted and so the good news is that I can now share it here with you on my blog. That means I can share the template as well without any time restrictions Ü

My family loves Hawaii and my DH and I LOVE Kona coffee, so when I was trying to create something for the Father's Day call that was going on I wanted to do something that was completely out of the box. There are not that many masculine Lockhart images and so I put my thinking cap on. It hit me like a surf wave Ü and the following idea washed over me - "Coffee Tips for our "Big Kahuna's" Daily Grind". OK - so I thought it was pretty clever, but apparently they didn't - LOL! Or perhaps they just didn't have the entire magazine to devote to one project - totally laughing now Ü!

Included in the kit are all of the necessary components to complete this booklet. Two tools that will come in handy are a Crop-a-dile and a Scor-It. The key to success in folding a piece like this is to have precise score lines. I must tell you that there truly is no other scoring device that can come close to the Scor-It when it comes to creating score lines in heavy papers or through several thickness of papers.

Unfortunately I do not have pictures of this project in progress and so I hope that the words that I use along with the templates will be precise enough to give you clear directions on creating this little one of a kind booklet. I would like to suggest that you print out the templates before reading through these directions being I think it will be easier to have them in hand vs. scrolling up and down through this lengthy dialogue. I believe there may even be a way to print this entire post so that it can be sitting next to you as you work, but I'm not certain about that being I have never tried it.

First I am going to share the pictures of the completed project both front and back. You will see these completely open in the following pictures.

I'm not certain that you can tell from this picture, but the two panels on the right end fold into the booklet. The first panel has a space for a custom made coaster or a picture - whatever you choose and the second panel has a secret "pocket in which you could put another picture or write a message. So much thought went into creating this so that no brads or "rough" ends would be exposed. I hope that my template and directions won't scare anyone Ü

This next picture showcases the opposite side of the booklet or what I will call the back of the booklet.

The first pouch was designed to hold some cold coffee recipes I have found and included in the kit. The next panel contains a dark blue secret pocket for either pictures or a message. The third panel contains another pouch designed to hold hot coffee recipes. The fourth or last panel on the right holds another surfboard design that holds Iced Coffee Tips. Again all of these components are included in the kit that I have created.

TEMPLATES and BOOK CONSTRUCTION

Each of these templates has been created to scale - 1/2" equals to 1" - in other words these templates are half the size of the original document. I have also noted measurements on these templates so that it would make it easier for you to gauge the actual size. Being that it gets confusing when too many numbers are added to the face of a template I opted to just put the critical ones in place and felt that you could gain the measurements for all the other pieces from the measurements indicated.

To create this booklet I used eight different papers - all of these are included in the kit:

1. (2) 12x12 plain tan paper
2. (1) 12x12 navy paper - I ran this paper once it was cut into the correct sizes, through my embossing machine together with a Fiskars texture plate, to add extra dimension to the project
3. (1) Basic Grey Hang Ten Surfboards - HAN-414 Slow Mo
4. (1) Basic Grey Hang Ten Stripes - HAN-417 Pipeline
5. (2) Basic Grey Multicolor All Over Pattern - HAN-410 Stoked
6. (1) Basic Grey Green Pattern - HAN-423 Rip (use for surfboard accents and accent pieces you may want to create.
7. (1) Basic Grey Small Pattern - HAN-412 Maverick (use for surfboard accents and accent pieces you may want to create.)
8. (2) Kraft paper with surfboards preprinted

There are two templates necessary to create this booklet. I have shown both sides of the template below so that you will be able to have a better understanding as to where to apply and cut each decorative paper.

STEP 1

Cut out one Template #1 and one Template #2 from plain paper. You can enlarge the templates below, but I would recommend that you use a ruler and just draw the shape lightly on your plain paper using the measurements listed. All plain paper surfaces will be covered or turned to the inside, so do not worry about pencil lines.

Black solid lines indicate the cut lines. (You only need to refer to View 1 when you cut out each Template.) Dashed lines indicated the lines on which you will need to score.

STEP 2

Cut out the patterned pieces of paper, correlating them to the templates for both views. Following are your basic cuts:

1. Navy Paper
   1. 3 1/2"w x 5 1/2"h - front cover
   2. 2 3/4"w x 9"h - inside pocket #1
   3. 3 3/4"w x 3/4"h - coffee tip holder
   4. 3 1/4"w x 3 1/2"h - inside pocket #2
2. Surfboards - HAN-414 Slow Mo
   1. 4 3/8"w x 4"h - cold coffee pocket
   2. 4 1/2"w x 4"h on left side and only 2"h on the right - be certain to refer to template for precise angled piece.
   3. use extra for recipe surfboards
3. Stripes - HAN-417 Pipeline
   1.  2 3/4"w x 3/4"h - inside pocket #1 accent
   2. 4 3/8"w x 2 1/2"h with 2 3/8" diameter halfcircle cutout - coaster holder
   3. 3 3/4"w x 3 1/4"h - inside pocket #2 cover
   4. use extra for recipe surfboards
4. Multicolor All Over Pattern - HAN-410 Stoked
   1.  (2) 11"w x 5 1/2"h - Template 1 and Template 2 main body
   2. 9 1/2"w x 5 1/2"h with notch cut out of upper left hand corner to coordinate with Template 3
   3. 9 1/2"w x 5 1/2"h with notch cut out of upper right hand corner to coordinate with Template 4

STEP 3 

Apply adhesive to back sides of all patterned paper pieces. I prefer to use my Xyron, but you could use a light glue such as Perfect Paper Adhesive as well. These lighter glues do not "dampen" your paper like some of the other glues on the market. If using a wet glue apply adhesive to each paper individually and then apply. If working with a Xyron you can apply adhesive to all your papers simultaneously.

STEP 4

Attach all patterned papers to your plain paper template EXCEPT the 11"w x 5 1/2"h multicolored HAN-410 Stoked paper on Template #1 - View 2. Use a teflon bone folder to push out any bubbles and allow to dry.

STEP 5

Create all score lines as indicated. As I stated earlier I have found that the Scor-It board has been indispensable when creating objects that need precise and deep scoring. If you do not own a Scor-It you may need to score it numerous times to get through all layers.

STEP 6

Insert large Antique Copper eyelet, using Crop-a-dile, in lower right hand corner of Template #1 piece as shown in Template #1 - View 1. Thread twine and leather string through eyelet and loop in place.

 

STEP 7

Now is the time to attach the two templates. First attach Template #2 with View 1 facing upwards - glue it down securely along the plain paper hinge to Template #1 with View 2 facing upwards as shown above. To do this I use a red liner tape to hold it securely. (It seems to work really well with the strings.)

STEP 8

Before attaching the 11"w x 5 1/2"h multicolored HAN-410 Stoked paper on Template #1 - View 2 attach the navy paper stripe using brads as shown on the template. This will hold the Iced Coffee Tips surfboard in place. Now attach this piece to the remaining plain paper panel. Recreate score lines in "fresh" paper above.

STEP 9

Add all brads as shown in the templates below. Using a Crop-a-dile insert Large Eyelet in lower left corner as shown in Template #1 - View 1 below. Be certain that you have already attached the Navy Paper "Binding" before inserting this eyelet.

Attach and secure the hardware piece using the leather string, which includes the sentiment "espressly for you", as shown in Template #2 - View 2. It needs to be attached in this direction being it folds back up and you want it facing out with the sentiment right side up when completed. Ü. Put a small piece of adhesive behind the hardware to hold it in place before securing ends - this made it easier to get the length of the string correct.

STEP 10

Now some of you may be more clever than I and figure out a way to hid the brad backs and secure them into your paper template, but I just couldn't be bothered with it and instead used my handy, dandy 1/8" red liner tape to run it along the very edges of the pockets. Secure all the little "flaps" that hang down from your creation by running this tape all the way up the edges of your flaps. Press firmly in place and hold momentarily. I then let my book rest for a short while and it has held together amazingly!!!

PICTURES AND TEMPLATES TO HELP VISUALIZE

TEMPLATE #1 - View 1

Download template_1.pdf

TEMPLATE #1 - View 2

Download template_2.pdf

TEMPLATE #2 - View 2

Download template_3.pdf

TEMPLATE #2 - View 1

Download template_4.pdf

SURFBOARDS

Cut out surfboards along lines. Trace around ends of surfboards on to decorative paper. Using a decorative edged scissors (I used a ric rac or wavy style border to cut my edge detail) cut the "straight edge" and then cut the remaining curved end with plain scissors. Adhere the decorative paper to the surfboards. You can use the pictures above to look for examples I have created.

HAWAIIAN SHIRT

Stamp Hawaiian shirt on white cardstock using Adirondack Espresso ink. I used Prismacolor pencils to color both the shirt on the front of the booklet as well as the coaster. To color this image I used the following colors: Sand, Goldenrod, GingerRoot, Chartreuse, Limepeel, Olive Green, Light Umber, Dark Umber, Copenhagen Blue, and Indigo Blue.

COASTER

STEP 1

Begin by placing circular object on coaster, centering it on the coaster. I have found that the circular Nestabilities make great templates for this. Using a sharp Light Umber Prismacolor pencil trace around the outside of the circle. Follow this with a dulled Indigo Blue crayon. Outline this area with the sharp Light Umber.

STEP 2

Using a stamp-a-ma-jig center and stamp the shirt in this circle.

STEP 3

Create a mask out of Eclipse tape and place it over the circles exposing the outer edge only. Using a small stamp (at this time Karen had not yet produced the millinery line - if I were to create this coaster now I would use the Vine Millinery Embellishment) stamp repeatedly around this "ring".

STEP 4

Color in all details using the Prismacolor Color Pencils listed above under the heading "Hawaiian Shirt". Paint coaster with Clear Decoupage Finish. Allow to dry and coat again. This will seal the coaster surface.

OK - now that is THE longest post I have ever created!!! Are you still with me? If you are you deserve a prize - LOL! Seriously - don't you just love how I hid my blog candy and save it for the faithful few who stick with me through thick and thin Ü Well I'm thinking this is a "thick" post that deserves a treat.

"Friendships multiply joys and divide griefs. - H. G.Bohn". It never ceases to amaze me and bring a huge smile to my face when I think about the hand of friendship that I have felt extended to me through the internet and each of you over this past year, plus. So the blog candy I am going to give away today is one that focuses on friendship. Included in this give-away will be one of the brand spankin' new Friendship Centers designed by Lisa Strahl of Cornish Heritage Farms together with some beautiful paper and ribbon that will make creating a card incredibly easy!

All you need to do is leave me a post that includes a quote on friendship, or a brief story about something you have done for a friend or a friend has done for you in the past few months. Do this before Monday morning - 9:00am PST and you will qualify to be a part of this drawing. You are welcome to tell me how wonderful this Father's Day idea is too - totally LOL! Sometimes it's so quiet out there that I'm wondering if I'm writing to myself Ü Hugs to you all and thank you so much for your friendship!

Valentine's Ideas by Michelle Wooderson

Just one of the many fabulous things Mish does is create treats to die for! I am always in admiration of the goodies that she creates and shares on her blog. The ideas she continually comes up with never cease to amaze me. A couple of weeks ago she sent me a picture of this awesome Valentine treat that she was working on. I am so excited to share these with you so that you too can create these fabulous little packages for treats that you would like to give to family, teachers, and friends. Michelle has put together this adorable packet of product complete with directions as to how to complete it. It has been designed for maximum flexibility - if you already own the Dew Drops, Tart of Hearts stamp, etc. then you won't get duplicates by purchasing this kit Ü

Be certain to visit Mish's blog - she will be sharing some wonderful ways to fill these little goodie bags she has created!!! These are available in limited supply so be certain to get yours now before they run out and within plenty of time to get your goodies packaged up before the big day.

Recipe Box Ensemble

Tonight I would like to present this fabulous kit that Michelle Wooderson has created! Well actually two kits - first there is the recipe box and secondly is the add-on kit of the clipboard and notebook. I am so thrilled to finally have these ready!

Being that I love to cook this is one project that I can see myself making for my girls or perhaps even with them. Passing down recipes through the generations is something that really appeals to me. When I left home after college I spent hours pouring through my mom's recipe books, copying out my favorite recipes on to note cards, scratch paper and what not. To this day I have not truly organized all those fabulous recipes. I think it is due time!!!

This ensemble that Mish has created would make a wonderful send-off gift for your child as they head out on their own adventures in life. It could be something that you create and add to over the years as you teach them to cook. Perhaps when they have learned to make a recipe they could then add it to their box. Or you could create a special box for a grandchild - what an incredibly special gift that would be! I know that my girls love my mom's cookies and baked goods. They always tell me what an amazing cook grandma is and it just warms my heart. They miss living close to grandma so they can eat her wonderful cooking! So I know that all of those recipes will be added to their box some day.

The "main ingredients" for the entire ensemble are included in the primary kit - the recipe box kit. It will include all the letters, brads, eyelets, ribbon, etc. that will be needed to complete the add-on projects. Mish then created another pair of items to use up the remaining ingredients to flesh out this wonderful little ensemble. I would highly encourage you to get the add-on kit now as well if it interests you being there are a limited supply.

Please be aware that the add-on kit. the clipboard and notebook, do not include the items listed above, so it would make no sense to purchase those items without the recipe box kit. We were trying to figure out how to package this to give you the best value for your dollar. Hopefully this will meet everyone's needs. So pop on over to our pick up your kits now.

In completing tonight's post I thought I would share one of my mom's fabulous recipes with you - it is absolutely delicious!!!

Fudge Squares

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 3 tbsp. cocoa
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Beat eggs, add sugar and vanilla. Beat until thick. Mix cocoa with melted butter, add flour and nuts. Grease 9"x12" pan and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and spread icing mixture over top of cake.

Icing

• 5 tbsp. brown sugar
• 3 tbsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. cream

Boil for three minutes, then add 1/2 cup coconut. Spread over top of baked fudge squares. Allow to cool.

Return to oven and set under broiler watching closely. As soon as the topping begins to bubble and brown remove from the oven. My mom recommends standing and watching it so that you don't burn it Ü

Enjoy!!!

ETA: I am so thrilled - my mom, who is now 77 has just started using a computer!!! She is reading my blog and I am SO excited. She called me today when she saw the recipe I posted. I can't believe I missed that last part about putting the recipe under the broiler. Thanks mom! Can you tell I don't have enough time to bake lately?!?! These are indeed the most scrumptious treats!

Christmas Pennant Banner

At Summer CHA banners abounded everywhere. Each had it's own personality. Then Karen Lockhart created a fall banner for her darling grandson Nicholas, and I was totally enamoured. I thought that it would be fun to create a kit that would put all the necessary components together in to one package, including directions and enough product to make it the same as what I have done or to add your own twist and personality to it.

Cosmo Cricket products are some of my favorite and so I choose the versatile "Be Good" line to piece together this kit. I think that the colors look so awesome next to a brick or wood fireplace. I can also see this pennant banner strung across the face of an old mirror, or over an open doorway. Including the ribbon this pennant extends approximately 48" in length.

In creating this banner I did use my Janome sewing machine for the very first time! Oh what fun it is to sew so simply. I highly recommend this little machine if you are interested in basic sewing on your projects. One little trick I learned was to place the needle in the "E" position and allow the foot to act as a guide - this helped me to sew oh so straight. If you enlarge the picture below you will see that the needle is aligned towards the left side of the foot. All I did was follow the center guide of my foot down my paper to create my perfectly straight seam. How cool is that?!?

Again I can highly recommend the Janome Sew Mini machine - it was SO much easier to use than my "regular" sewing machine. No tension adjustments necessary - that makes a very happy Ellen Ü

So if you were thinking about making a Pennant Banner this holiday season and this one appeals to you head on over to the store now. A limited supply is available and will not be restocked once these are sold out.

We're Back Ü

Florida was WONDERFUL! The sunshine and warmth rejuvenated our bodies. To be in 70-80 degree weather is pure novelty - LOL!  We had so much fun riding the rollercoasters, collecting signatures from the characters (Katrina in particular loved this part) and watching the fireworks parades and shows.

We also enjoyed the wildlife at Sea World. Feeding the dolphins was a highlight for us! The sounds that they make when they know the fish are coming and the "smiles" that they give when popping their heads up for those tastey morsels - well it was awesome.

I just have to share one picture of the girls with Cinderella - it was amazing to see that Maddi is now just as tall as all the princesses - where does time go? The last time we were at Disney she was Katrina's age and size! My little "princesses" are growing up (that is what all the Disney characters would call the girls - LOL!)

I wanted to share two new kits with you that went up over the last couple of weeks. Items I haven't had a chance to talk about. The first is a wonderful kit, Christmas Bracelet, that Debbie Olson put together with the Antique Silver bracelets. Once again Debbie has done an amazing job of selecting items for this kit. These will be ideal to wear during the upcoming holiday season!

Then I finally received the last of the product in that was needed for the Sweet Treats Cornet. This particular Cornet really appeals to me because of the vibrant colors. I can totally see putting little treats in these, hanging them on the doorknobs of friends homes, ringing the doorbell and running. You could also hang them from the backs of guests chairs, on your tree or package them up with goodies to give to a friend.

It may be hard to see in the photo, but the red paper has snowflakes on it. Below is a picture of the first step of the project so that you can see what the paper above actually looks like Ü

This photo also shows why I recommend the plastic as a template. It is so easy to position your template when you can see through to the pattern below.

I am still awaiting the arrival of a few more goodies for the one last cornet. Hopefully it will be soon being that the holiday season is rapidly approaching. I also have a few more surprises that I'm working on this weekend - I hope to get them done pronto being that I think that they will add a fun twist to your Christmas decorating and gift-giving this season.

Product updates:

Lockhart Stamp Company - we have some oh SO awesome new images coming very soon!!! I have yet to determine the countdown for these items being that I am trying so hard to get a handle on the availability of all the items. I will announce it shortly Ü

Copic - more glitter pens are finally on their way and are scheduled to be delivered on November 19th!!! UPS typically delivers late in the afternoon and so we will do our best to get those orders out to you pronto. We actually have the boxes ready to go and are just waiting for those pens to slip in, seal up and ship. We are so anxious to get these to you as soon as possible.

Copic SU Color Coordinated Sketch Markers - I would like to update you on the whereabouts of these. I have crossed my fingers and toes, and legs and ... well you get the picture - LOL!... that these will arrive the first part of December. I know that many of you have them on your Christmas wish list and so I am hoping that we get them SOON!

Spellbinders - yes, we are awaiting our shipment just like everyone else. I have been pestering them for weeks now - LOL! They know that when we call we NEED an update. Well here is the update - they are to ship out our order on Monday or Tuesday of next week. With Thanksgiving in there I am guessing that they will not arrive until the following Monday - November 26th. I wish so badly that there were a way to pick up the pace. I sincerely apologize for this delay and wish that there were some way for me to snap my fingers and have the product appear, but unfortunately it doesn't work like that. I will keep you informed as to whether or not the shipment actually goes out and for those of you who have had the faith to preorder from us I can assure you that we have those boxes ready and are anxiously awaiting this shipment as well. Promptness and accuracy are so important to us and so it is incredibly difficult for us to sit here and wait - LOL!

The last little tidbit I am going to slip into your ears is that we have a ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY coming up Ü Ü Ü. I can't believe how quickly this year has zoomed by. With that anniversary will come a sale of course - LOL! I know you have all been anxiously awaiting word on this. I am still trying to nail down the dates. I don't want to have any preorders on our calendar being that it is such a nightmare to fulfill those orders when this happens and so I am trying to get everything lined up before announcing the dates. I was hoping to be ready for Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but alas the products just aren't here and I know how important it is to have as much as possible available to you for that sale. So please cross your fingers for us that we can get everything organized in the next week or so and announce those dates to you!

It's good to be back - even though it is pouring outside. I'm off to photograph the new dew drops and other fun new things that have arrived. You are going to LOVE the new colors!!! So check out the "New" section of our store when you have a minute and watch for changes over the next few days. I will be updating it frequently Ü

Talented Women and Class Kits

I'm not certain where to begin other than the beginning, so grab your favorite drink and settle in - LOL!

This adventure began less than a year ago. Many of you kept wondering where you could get Lockhart Stamp Company images, as well as some of the tools that I had fallen in love with over my last five years of crafting --- unfortunately I had no place to send you. At that point my DH and I made a leap of faith and we, Ellen Hutson LLC, went ahead and opened an on-line store to help meet your needs. Never would I have dreamed that it would grow at the rate it has. I appreciate you all SO much and we hope to always be able to be here to help you with your creative needs and provide you with top-notch customer service and quality products. If something falls through the cracks please let us know - it is of the utmost importance to us that we follow through with every aspect of this business that has developed over the past year.

With that growth have come growing pains - I had less and less time to create and educate. As you have all probably figured out by now, I love the creative and educational process and therefore it was most important to me that I continue to provide that for each of you. I knew that if I didn't take care of the "business" aspects of this business I had started then nothing could continue to happen. So I went in search of other women who also believe in the value of creativity and education. That search led me to the amazingly talented women who I am so proud to call my business associates. Debbie Olson, Michelle Wooderson and Trudee Sauer are each so gifted and I feel blessed that they have agreed to work with me, as well as work with the companies that I have developed strong relationships with over this past year. These women have set goals for themselves and their "little businesses" and together we are trying to move forward to provide you with inspiration, education and a smile each day.

One of the things that I have learned over the course of my short "career" is to value the talents in others and to respect their rights. With this respect comes my belief that women should not work for free. My desire is to assist in leading this industry towards making changes in how it is that designers and concept artists are compensated for their hard work. One of the projects that we are working on are Class Kits. These women are fantastic educators and we know that you can't fly all over the United States to attend their classes, so we are trying to bring their instruction to you by putting everything together in a box and sending their class directions to you. Along with those instructions will come all the "unusual" ingredients to create that project. When fitting, you will also be able to purchase additional items to create more of that same project. Proceeds from each sale will go directly to our business associate who has created that kit!

I am SO thrilled to share the first of these kits with you tonight - Rose Bracelet!!! This incredibly beautiful bracelet and charm have been designed by Debbie Olson. Please visit our webstore to learn more about what is included in this Class Kit.

There will be more kits to follow soon and they are BEAUTIFUL! I thank you in advance for helping us realize these dreams. Please join me in congratulating Debbie on her first kit!!!