Fall is most definitely in the air! I wanted to create another project using the A Muse Benefit for Leukemia & Lymphoma calendar. All proceeds from the sale of this calendar will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This is such an important and worthy cause and I want to continue to draw attention to it, as well I love the calendars that Linda created and know that you will be able to make some wonderful projects with it too. You can read more about it here on my blog - which also has the links to other places on the internet that you will be able to find inspiration for these calendars.
We're in the pink Ü I have some new toys, oops I mean tools in the store - LOL! I don't know how many of you remember me as the "gadget girl" from my active days on SCS. Those were the good 'ole days when I had the time to interact in the real world Ü. Well, I'm still a gadget girl! I am always looking for just the right tool to get the job done in a perfectionist sort of manner. I must tell you that the new Pink Bind it All V2 is much more user friendly and I'm LOVING it! Not only is it pink, which is many women's favorite color, but it has new features that I am going to talk about below!
You will notice an arrow pointing at two of the new features. These features are very important in my opinion. I had the older version of the Bind it All and never could quite get the same spacing on my holes. The perfectionist side of me is now VERY happy Ü
The new extension paper guide bar and the extension paper guide plate are shown above. The "bar" is a measuring device that is housed within the Bind it All and can be adjusted by moving the locking levers into the open position. When the bar is engaged and locked, it can set measurement positions for ease in repeating punches over and over again in the exact same spot! With the use of this bar measurements can be set and repeated up to 12 1/2" wide.
The "plate" is removable and attaches to the bar. It serves a similar purpose as the bar for repeat punching ease. The benefit of using this plate is that it sets measurements for projects smaller than 4". The great news is that between the extension paper guide bar and plate you can easily set measurements and repeat punches time after time without having to remeaure to have precise punches in your projects!
The other new feature that I am thrilled with is the Bind it All V2 will accomodate materials that are up to 35% thicker than the original version. This will allow you to line regular chipboard with cardstock on both sides and still punch through this thicker version with ease.
To begin I simply cut two pieces of Craft-a-Board down to a 5" x 5" square. I then affixed the Sparkle decorative paper to the surface as shown above. Next I used the Round it All to make my perfectly rounded 1/2" corner. A coordinating Copic marker was used to color the edges.
One of the tips I read that I have found to be extremely helpful is to draw a straight line in pencil on the back of my projects. Then align that center with the centering arrow on the machine. Now open and adjust the paper guide bar aligning it with the edge of your project.
As you can see it is now simple to place the next portion of your project in to the Bind it All channel and position it against the paper guide bar as shown above. Each punch will be consistent and therefore your project will be much more up to perfectionist standards Ü.
We also have the new pink wire cutters. Simply determine the number of holes that you have punched in your project and cut the coil to coordinate. The section in the bottom is cut down to coordinate with the six holes punched in my calendar project. These wire cutters are the same as most wire cutters so please do not feel the need to replace your existing tools unless you are like me and just really want the cute pink ones.
Next adjust the width of your Owire channel to coordinate with the Owire that you have selected to complete your project. In this case I am using one of the new 1/2" Antique Brass wires.
I like to position my Owire as shown above. Then simply push down the handle in one smooth motion and voila you have a beautifully bound project.
I then used my same pencil guide to position my X-Large Eyelet and marked the center with a pencil dot. This easily allowed me to punch in the correct position using my Crop-a-dile.
I have included the photo below being at times it is hard to know just which setting to have your tool when setting these large eyeles. A picture is worth a thousand words they say. Ü For those whose eyes can actually see the little indicator letter and number on the Crop-a-dile it is set a a 4 on one side and a D on the other.
I added a picture of my cute "little pumpkins" that I had taken several years ago. I LOVE fall leaf pictures. Being their clothes just would have screamed "uncoordinated" I opted to change the photo to Sepia colors using Photoshop Elements. I then added the sentiment using Rummage Bins, All Things Fall set
Being that I have more than one pumpkin I needed to add an "s" to the word pumpkin. My favorite way of masking words is to place a piece of tape on the stamp covering the extra parts. Simply ink the image with the tape in place.
Then remove the tape and you will only have ink on the portion of the stamp that you desire. I then used my stamp positioner (Stamp-a-ma-jig) to correctly align this last important letter.
For the center section I wanted to include a stamped image portion. Once again I used stamps from the All Things Fall set. Using one of the papers from the Memory Box Sparkle collection that had orange little "flower-like" shapes (I pretended they were little pumpkins Ü).
To find the correct size punch for the hardware I simply placed the hardware over the punch as shown above.
I then stamped my sentiment and cut out the sentiment with the coordinating square nestability.
Last and most importantly you need the calendar - LOL! I simply printed off the 4 Bar format calendar cut it out and attached it using a little hinge clip from the same We R hardware set. What I love about using the clip is that I can now change the calendar out when November rolls around Ü I am thrilled with the color selection that Linda selected for the month words on these calendars. It makes it simple to coordinate them with colors of that particular season.
I truly hope that this inspires you to pull out your Bind it All and make a calendar. I am loving the fact that it brightens up the area above the shelf in our reception desk area!
