A Gifty Tray

Hi!
I have a really fun project for you today! I am already starting my Valentine's gifts (I know, I'm shocked, too) and I wanted to make my mom something special that she keep updating as my kids get older.  Enter the 7Gypsies tray paired with SP & Company stamps and some papers from the SP Store.

I chose a small, simple tray - it has 4 sections - 1 large and 3 small.

I decided to use magnetic tape in the tray, so everything I give her can always be added or removed.

Even though you might not be able to find the exact same tape, I know similar ones are sold both online and in stores.

I added magnets to each section and then picked out some pictures and added magnets to the back of all of them.  I also wrote down the sizes so I would have them in the future so I can keep giving different pictures and embellishments to my mom so she can keep this updated.

I didn't just want boring old pictures.  I wanted some interchangeable items, too.  I figured a picture from my son's first year of Middle School would work perfectly with the Vintage Varsity set and some corkboard.

First, I stamped Circletastic in white on the corkboard and then I stamped 2011 using Memento Black Ink.  These stamps worked wonderfully on the cork.

Then I used some paper from My Mind's Eye (Away We Go) and created a mini scrapbook page to fit into the large section.

I placed the picture and a tag with his name on there and ran it through the sewing machine.

After I sew on paper, I hold the ends in place with plain old scotch tape.  This lays flatter than tying a knot and it's easy to hide - just adhere more paper on the back to cover it up!

I added a few buttons as embellishments and here is what they all look like together:

I also created a few other versions so the tray can be switched around as much as she wants.  Here is a version I did that is zoo-themed.  I put a few layers of decorative Scotch tape on Kraft and die cut them out.

Then, I ran them through the sewing machine and adhered them onto some patterned paper that I had stamped Circletastic on in black ink.

I also made a Love-Themed tray using some SP & Company stamps (I Love Love).  These are just too fun.  I cut out a mini envelope using my Silhouette.  I placed that little guy on the Echo Park Yours Truly Hugs & Kisses stock.  This is part of this month's SP & Company Club Kit, but it can also be purchased in single sheets, too.  I will enable and say that with Valentine's Day right around the corner, you NEED this stock.  :-)

I also cut out some letters and inked them up using a sponge.  I used white ink first and then red.  It just makes it a little more interesting to look at.

And to hold all of the pictures and embellishments, I cut out two envelopes and used the dry-brush technique on them to give them some pop!

Dry-brushing is easy and sounds like exactly what it is - using paint without water.  I simply use some acrylic paint and dip the brush in it.  I swipe it on a scratch piece of paper a few times to get rid of the excess paint and then I paint onto the project I'm working on.

 

For this particular envelope, I used some spray mist first and then dry-brushed in white.  I also dry brushed on the stickers I placed on there (it says PICTURES) to make it all work well together.  The frame is from Lovely Labels and was just perfect for this piece.

When that was done, I flipped it over and punched two holes, one on the flap and one on the envelope and put brads in the holes.

Then, I simply wrapped twine around the brads so there is a way to keep the envelope shut.  We don't want the contents falling out!!!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope this has given you some ideas - you can make some simple gifts {that will be loved} using just minimal supplies and stamps! And make sure you are checking out the SP Stamps blog everyday (this is on there today) - we have inspiration for you EVERY DAY!!!

Stamps: SP & Company
Stock: My Mind's Eye, Echo Park, BoBunny (Zoo stock), Stampin Up (Cork), Recollections (Kraft)
Brads: Making Memories
Ink: Memento, PTI
Twine & Dies: PTI
Digi Images for Silhouette: Kerri Bradford, Lori Whitlock
Tray: 7Gypsies
Other: Singer Sewing Machine, Crop-a-dile II, patterned Scotch tape, Tim Holtz tiny attacher

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