An Open and Shut Case!

As a retired teacher with 25 years experience, I can tell you how important it is for your child to learn some organizational skills for success in the classroom.  Looking for missing equipment such as basics like pencils and pens and erasers causes untold delays in getting work completed and also is the Number One Procrastination Excuse used by kids everywhere!



Not every child is a natural at organization.  In fact, very few are.  It is something, however, that can be taught and facilitated with a little help from Mom and Dad.  A simple pencil case can make a big difference in a child's ability to have the right tools in the right place at the right time, and saves them the frustration of a major search every time a pencil is required. (Quite often, as it turns out!)







And does Stampin' Up ever have a great solution for you!  Our new full size wood mount stamp cases would make terrific pencil cases.  And what is so cool about that is that they all have an outside sleeve that holds the labels, so they could be decorated uniquely for your child.

Taking that thought one step further, your child could totally participate in creating the design for their own pencil case.  The sleeve protects the label so the artistic efforts of you or your child would not be destroyed the first time they are shoved in a desk, and the label can be removed and changed with the seasons or for any sort of whim or idea, helping to keep your child motivated during the year.

I was looking for something other than a card to make for The Paper Players Fall themed challenge #157 - Anything But a Card, so this project would fit the bill perfectly.

I used Crisp Cantaloupe for the background paper.  This is from the In Colour 2013/15 In Colour Designer Series Paper Stacks.  It has a different design that you can see from the inside of the case.

I used the Autumn Accents BigZ die to cut out various fall leaf and acorn shapes in Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso and Coastal Cabana, then embossed them using various embossing folders including Perfect Polka Dots, Chevron, Stripes and Woodgrain folders.

The name is created using the ABC-123 Sketch Alphabet & Numbers stamps inked in Baked Brown Sugar and punched out using the Petit Pennants Builder Punch..  I've added an accent of a Naturals Designer Button and some loops of Linen Thread.   The splotches on the background are created using a stamp from Gorgeous Grunge in Coastal Cabana ink. (The photos are not as bright as usual because the flash created a glare on the plastic of the sleeve.)

I am planning to show you a more masculine design later in the week, so keep your eye open for that.  I think this might make a great Mom and Me class near the end of the month.  Let me know if you'd be interested!

Stamps:  ABC-123 Sketch Alphabet & Numbers (c130565); Gorgeous Grunge (w130514; c130517)
Paper:  2013-15 In Colour Design Series Paper Stacks (130136); Regals Core'dinations Cardstock (Cajun Craze) (129955); Early Espresso (119686), Coastal Cabana (131297), Whisper White (100730) and Crushed Curry (131199) cardstock
Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Coastal Cabana (131175) and Baked Brown Sugar (131174)
Accessories:  Naturals Designer Buttons (127554), Linen Thread (104199) Full Wood Mount Stamp Case (127551)
Tools:  Textured Impressions Embossing Folders: Perfect Polka Dots (117335); Stripes (123128); Chevron (127749); Woodgrain (127821); Petit Pennants Builder Punch (122361); Autumn Accents BigZ die (127812); Big Shot (113439); Stampin' Sanding Block (129367)

Autumn Accents BigZ Die

Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set

Naturals Designer Buttons

Petit Pennants Builder Punch

Regals Core'dinations Cardstock

Stampin' Sanding Block

Big Shot

Chevron Embossing Folder