Bodacious Chipboard Coaster Box
I finally had a chance to make a chipboard coaster box. If you haven't made one yet, my friend Taylor created an excellent tutorial for SplitCoastStampers. Mine is a bit different from hers because I used my Bind-It-All from Eclectic Paperie to punch holes rather than having to measure and punch them by hand. Taylor used a Crop-O-Dile, and that works great as well. (Joy and Daisy from Eclectic Paperie have posted a discount code for 10% off on SplitCoastStampers if you check the forums there.)
I used Basic Grey Blush patterned paper to cover my coasters, with Mod Podge as the glue medium. As on the notebook, I used a Cuttlebug die to make chipboard flower shapes, which I colored with Regal Rose and Tempting Turquoise craft inks and then stamped with Seeing Spots. The leaves and stems are from Bodacious Bouquet, one of my favorite stylized flower sets. Ribbon is sheer brown dotted organdy by May Arts, Rose grosgrain from SU, and Aqua grosgrain from Taylor.
Several of you have asked where to buy coasters. I have bought both lightweight ones (for die-cutting) and heavy-weight ones (for boxes and frames) from Cindy Lyles's e-Bay store. When I wanted to get some in bulk once, I also bought a box from a product split on SplitCoastStampers. Cindy's come 10-20 to a package, depending upon coaster weight. In bulk, you may be able to split with a group and get 50-100 or more. If you order directly from American Coaster, I believe that the minimum order is 1000 coasters. . . I did not choose to go that route because I knew that I would still have about 950 of them sitting in my basement this time next year if I did!
Others have asked what wire sizes to get for a Bind-It-All. Disclaimer: I am not an expert! What I did was to order three different wire sizes in packages of six when I bought my binder from Eclectic Paperie. After actually seeing the wire sizes, I decided that a 3/4" or 7/8" would probably be what I use most. You might prefer smaller ones; I just like an oversized ring that I can tie ribbon on without interfering with the pages having room to turn properly. After I decided what size I liked, and after I saw how fast Benjamin and I together could go through these little wires, I found that I could order them in larger quantities (50 to a box), from Bonnie Boyle. I can vouch for having received excellent service from both Eclectic Paperie and Bonnie's Best Art Tools.
Finally, a couple of you asked me yesterday why I didn't post Benjamin's notebook. He was pleased as punch when I told him that the ladies were asking about him! Here is B's notebook, illustrated and bound without my help. I would tell you what it means, but the meaning changes every time I ask him. With children, art is fluid. We grownups are the ones who insist upon everything having a static meaning. . . Thanks for visiting, and have a wonderful, restful weekend!
Beautiful box and notebook, but Benjamin's project takes the cake! He did an amazing job!! I'm sure my daughter and he would get along famously!! :-)
Posted by: Jana Weaver | March 17, 2007 at 02:58 AM
Benjamin, I really like the way your notebook has the cutout and the bottom. I am so glad your mom shared it with us. That's pretty awesome stuff!!
Posted by: Joan B | March 17, 2007 at 07:44 AM
Thanks for all the great info on the BIA, I might just have to get one for myself and I hadn't noticed that great savings for SCS'ers either!! I LOVE the coaster box. It goes so well with your journal. They are both so cute!! TFS
Posted by: Marie - mariemc | March 17, 2007 at 08:07 AM
Wow, well tell Benjamin that he did a fabulous job and that I hope my DS does as well when he is B's age!
Posted by: stampin_melissa | March 17, 2007 at 08:15 AM
Benjamin,
Your book is great! Looks like your take after your momma in being very artistic! Great job!
Gina K.
Posted by: Gina | March 17, 2007 at 09:06 AM
But darn it, I admire your work! I haven't seen a thing I didn't like from your blog yet. I am sitting here, typing (and procrastinating) thinking "this girl is goooooooood". And now.... huh.... obviously I want that Bind-it-all machine.
Ok, I've said my peace. Now I must go :-)
CC
Posted by: Catherine Cote | March 17, 2007 at 09:42 AM
Beautiful coaster box Debbie! What a glorious set to put on your desk. Thanks for all the information on the coil sizes too. I think that the Bind it All will be finding its way to my house come next payday!
I also love your sons project! He is quite the artist himself (he must have his momma's talent for creating).
Linda
Posted by: Linda | March 17, 2007 at 09:54 AM
Love your coaster box.
Posted by: Shelley ~ photocropper | March 17, 2007 at 10:09 AM
Beautiful two-piece set!!
Posted by: Susanne Brown | March 17, 2007 at 10:13 AM
Great coaster box, Debbie, and B's notebook is adorable! MY girls would gladly accept it from him, LOL!
Posted by: Sharon Harnist | March 17, 2007 at 01:53 PM
Isn't it excitng when children get excited about their art? I have a coil binder and my 6 year old DD loves to make books. Her meaning changes every time you ask her as well!
Posted by: Heather | March 17, 2007 at 02:14 PM
Tell B he has a great notebook, I can't wait to look for that discount code so I can make some of these great notebooks.
They are just so nice looking.
Posted by: K Ostvig | March 17, 2007 at 02:40 PM
Benamin, your book is awesome. You are braver than I am to try this project on your own. I want to try to do something like this. Way to go, Benjamin!!!!
Posted by: Marilyn McFadden | March 17, 2007 at 04:41 PM
Benjamin's did a fine job on his book. I know you are pretty proud. Beautiful Coaster Box to coordinate with your notebook.
Posted by: Tammy | March 17, 2007 at 05:58 PM
Debbie, your box is beautiful! I can see where the BIA would be VERY handy with these.
Tell B his book is precious! Ü
Posted by: debbie | March 17, 2007 at 06:28 PM
Gorgeous! So inspiring!
Donna (http://blog.360.yahoo.com/rubyslippers74)
Posted by: Donna | March 17, 2007 at 11:03 PM
Great job, Benjamin!
You make the book making look easy enough for me to do as well! I love the colors you chose - gives me a warm, happy feeling.
Posted by: twinks | March 18, 2007 at 05:21 AM
Debbie, I just love the coaster box! One of these days I'm going to attempt to do one! And Benjamin, what a cool notebook, you did a fantastic job! I can see that you are as talented as your Mom!
Posted by: Kathi | March 18, 2007 at 06:19 AM
Benjamin,
What a great notebook you did! Mom yours is fabulous also and now I am off to order a bind it all! ;)
Posted by: Kathy | March 18, 2007 at 07:45 AM
Nice coaster box. Like the paper and the flowers.
Benjamin's notebook is cute. I think many little girl would love to receive it. :o)
Posted by: Monika/buzsy | March 18, 2007 at 08:57 AM
I love your project and Benjamin's too! Great jobs. And congrats on your SS contest win! I can't wait to see your Sew Faux project!
Posted by: Michelle | March 18, 2007 at 10:35 AM
Wow...spectacular! TFS
Posted by: Lynn in St. Louis | March 18, 2007 at 10:46 AM
wow!!! Debbie This is just GORGEOUS I love this Idea I may try this sometime!! TFS!
Bety :)
Posted by: iralamija | March 18, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Love it, love it, love it! I just invested in a Cuttlebug and today I have a coupon from the "M" store so I'm going to try to get by there for the flower shapes. Colors are really pretty.
Benjamin, your colors are great! I'm so glad you're continuing to be "artsy crafty".
Please keep posting, Mom.
Posted by: Barbara Edwards | March 18, 2007 at 02:04 PM
Hi Debbie,
Your coaster box is gorgeous!Every thing that you make is so very beautiful.I have never come to your blog and not liked any thing that you have made. I saw your name in this months issue of Stampin'Success, congratulations in winning the Sew Faux contest. :)
Mary
Posted by: Mary C. Anderson | March 18, 2007 at 04:37 PM