Simple Studio: What are you wishing for this Christmas? (aka the "Friday Tutorial")

Every year at Christmas, I make a mental "wish list" in my head. And every year, without fail, almost everything on my list is an "electronics" item. This year proved no different as is evidenced by my list below...

1. Nintendo DS Lite

2. Sony DVD Player

3. Samsung HDTV (for my guest/scrap room)

4. Nintendo Wii Console

5. Small point-and-shoot camera

Now those are just my top five items (trust me, there's plenty more where that came from, ha!). And lest you think I'm a spoiled brat, don't worry...I never get anything on my list. It may, in fact, well be called a "when pigs fly" list, hee! :) The kids, on the other hand, have lists that are more do-able. And, yes, we probably do spoil them some...but, hey, it's our right as parents, right? ;)

Now what's all this wishful thinking have to do with Friday's tutorial? Well, inspired by Candice's wish-list mini album (it was like the cutest thing ever!) I decided to make a displayable wish list. It's a simple, easy project that can serve the dual purpose as one of your holiday decorations. I've put mine up and it looks so cute! So without further ado, here's the tutorial for the week:

Step 1

Gather up your tools and supplies. Here are the supplies you'll need, more or less:

(1) sheet of decorative patterned paper
(1) sheet of mostly solid patterned paper (can also be cardstock)
(1) sheet of chipboard
(1) sheet of writing paper
(1) strand of ribbon for border
(1) strand of ribbon for hanging
letter stickers (to spell out "wish")
(2) larger-sized eyelets
journaling pen
miscellaneous embellishments (I used brads, chipboard and glitter)
tools: trimmer, pencil, adhesive, hole punch, eyelet setter/hammer, journaling pen

Step 2

Trim your chipboard and solid patterned paper (or cardstock) so that they are both the same size. Mine were 8.5" wide and 9.5" tall.

Step 3

Adhere the solid patterned paper to your chipboard.

Step 4

Trim your decorative patterned paper and writing paper so that there is about a 1/4" margin along the sides. The proportions of your decorative paper to your writing paper can vary, but my measurements were 8" wide and 3.5" tall for the decorative paper and 8" wide and 5.5" tall for the writing paper.

Step 5

Adhere the decorative patterned paper to your wall-papered chipboard making sure to leave a 1/4" margin at the top and sides.

Step 6

Attach grommets or large eyelets to the top two corners of your project.

Step 7

Thread ribbon through the eyelets to create a "hanger" for your wish list. Don't forget to trim the edges of your ribbon.

Step 8

Adhere your "wish" letters to the strip of decorative patterned paper. I chose to glitter some self-adhesive chipboard letters...not something I would recommend doing in the presence of a curious 2.5 year old boy, mind you! :P

Step 9

Have your eight year old son Matthew write a wish list for him and his baby brother (feel free to use your own family members here). Adhere this wish list just under the strip of patterned paper. Don't worry if the seam isn't perfect since it will be covered up in the next step.

Step 10

Adhere ribbon over your perfect/imperfect seam and add any embellishments that you would like (I added decorative brads and yet another self-glittered piece of chipboard).

Step 11

Hang up your final product and wait for Santa to bring you some goodies. That is unless you've been naughty...sorry!

Well, sorry this post got up so late. But I figure it's better late than never, right? It's been fun hanging out with you all week. Hope everyone has a great weekend! :)