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Today is the day!  Tonight at 12am EST, all of the stamp sets that I have been dangling in front of you will be available for purchase!  And don't forget our release party at 10pm EST on our SCS forum.  It is going to be a WILD night with an amazing contest too!  Be sure to stop by and say hi!

So, are you ready for the final sneak peek?  It is the grand finale, for sure!  So pull up your comfy chair and your favorite beverage (whether it be hot or cold) and settle in for a good read!

I have saved the best for last!  Let me introduce you to Plain Jane.  Plain Jane Cigar Box that is, from Cosmo Cricket, retailing for $6!  You will love the possibilities that this box holds inside & out.  Constructed of sturdy 1/8-inch chipboard, this box can be easily covered with your favorite designer papers or cardstock.  If altering isn't your thing, painting the box or stamping directly on it's surface is also an option.  The unique die-cut window in the lid really allows this box to stand-out in a crowd.  It is also perfect for containing our exclusive Stationery Kit.

The Papertrey Stationery Kit contains everything you need to create a fabulous set of personalized stationery!  Retails for $8:

(30) 5.5 x 8.5 quality stationery sheets

(15) elegant square flap envelopes

(2) 5.5 x 8.5 white adhesive paper sheets

(1) 2.5 oz. round clear top tin

The stationery sheets are made from high-quality paper, similar to that found is fine stationery boutiques.  It is easy to customize them by adding small images or monogramming to the top of each sheet.  This paper takes ink beautifully!  I decided to do monograms on my set.  To make it easy to stamp the sheets with perfection each time, I created myself a template.  I cut a piece of cardstock 5.5 x 1 inch.  I drew gridlines through both centers and then punched a 1-3/8 inch circle from the exact center.

I was then able to lay the template over the top of my stationery sheet and stamp through the opening. 

It was very easy to place the template on each sheet as I went through stamping them all.  I decided to carry over my patterned paper into the sheets by adding a 3/4-inch strip at the bottom.  If you stuck to those dimensions you could add this detail to every one of the 30 stationery sheets with one 12x12 patterned sheet of patterned paper.

The envelopes feature an elegant square flap that shows you have chosen nothing but the best.  (It is industry standard to include twice as many stationery sheets as envelopes, to allow for two-page letters and errors by the writer.)  I decide to customize the envelopes too.  I cut pieces of the paper about the size of the flap.

I then adhered the patterned paper strips on and trimmed the edges from the back.  It allowed me to see a little better as to what I was doing.

Here is a finished envelope!  Super easy with stunning results! 

While I was playing around I came up  with the cutest idea EVER.  I lined the tin that is included with this kit, using the same patterned paper that I used throughout.  All I did was cut a strip of paper to adhere to the inside side and I cut a 2.75-inch circle to adhere to the inside bottom.  Think of how many ways you can use that concept.  I can hardly wait to use it in further applications!

The adhesive paper sheets are perfect for creating your own envelope seals.  Stamp your chosen monogram or image onto the label paper.  Then punch them out with a coordinating scalloped punch.  The small tin, described above, will contain the seals you create with style!  The recipient will be able to just peel the backing from each label and adhere them in place on their envelopes!

Now that you have all this beautiful stuff, you need a place to gather all of it together.  Here's where Plain Jane comes back into play!  First cut a piece of patterned paper 6-1/8 x 7 inches.  Temporarily adhere in place so that there is some extra overhang over the back. 

Flip the box over so that the patterned paper is face down on your table top.  Trace the opening of the lid with pencil.

Next, you want remove the paper from the lid and cut along the pencil lines with a craft knife.

Finally, adhere the paper back in place on lid, applying extra adhesive on the very back so that you are able to fold the overhang over and down the back of the box.  Use sanding tools in a downward motion around the inside edge of the window to form fit the paper to the box.

For the sides, cut four 6 x 1-5/8 inch strips of cardstock or paper.  Adhere them in the center of each side.  They will not go all the way to the corner, we will be covering those in the next step.  You will need to sand the cardstock on the front slightly since it is a tad lower then the remaining sides, due to the gap allowed for the closing of the lid.

Cut pieces of binding tape to cover all four corners and reinforce the hinge at the back of the lid.  (Mine is from Heidi Swapp).

As the finishing touch, I adhered clear transparency to the back of the opening in the lid and attached a scalloped monogram which appears to "float" in the window.

Here is a little peek of one of the many ways you could arrange the inside of your box with all the contents.  I just love this project because there are SO many different looks and styles you could achieve with such a customizable basis, such as the cigar box & Stationery Kit.  I am really excited to see what you come up with to!

I look forward to seeing many of you tonight at the release party!  Thanks for stopping by!

Supply list to come later today...

Comments

[Elizebeth]

HOLY gift set!

You have a LOT of these.....right????

[Alli Miles]

I just fell off my chair! Nichole, you are sooooo unbelievable. Your talent is amazing.

[Monica]

Oh My!!! This is a WONDERFUL idea!!! I have to agree with eth above you have came up with some amazing sneek peeks! Thanks so much Nicole. You Rock!!!!

[Joan B]

You are rockin' this month for sure.

[Catherine]

Oh my goodness! I love everything...can't wait to see the whole set and be broke again this month =)

[denise]

I love all the sneak peeks- can't wait til the unveiling!!

[Kim Langston]

Lady you have some mad skills... I am so loving and appreciating all the tutorials you have been posting. I am telling you, mad skills seriously. Your art rocks!

[Nancy]

I love this look - do tell us about the alphabet you used as well!

[Nancy]

I love this look - do tell us about the alphabet you used as well!

[Nancy]

I love this look - do tell us about the alphabet you used as well!

[Aussie Kylie]

You said it in your post Nichole - STUNNING!!! What wonderful Christmas presents these will make.
K-xxx

[Heather J]

What an awesome idea! Love this as a Christmas gift.

[Christine Villacarlos]

what a lovely gift set idea!!! you rock, Nichole!!!

[teresa chapman]

OMG - I just fell off my chair too! I just love, love, love this project! I am traveling all week but will be on my laptop until the wee hours so that I can get my order placed at 12:01 AM :) Who cares if I fall asleep in my training class tomorrow :)

Nice letter you chose too :)

Teresa (T)

[Melanie Muenchinger]

shaking head in awe and disbelief...!

*got maybe only ONE hour of sleep last night after reading "the big announcement", ugh!! (lying/tossing awake torn between cramming from the blog and making mental notes of ideas for my new stamp set!!!) Hopefully I can still manage to be fresh and sharp for tonight's party!!

[Teresa]

WOW - that is a stunning stationery set! So thoughtful of you to make it for me! Let me know where to send my address, ok? LOL!
Seriously - that set is gorgeous and I can easily see these as Christmas gifts for teachers, etc. Cannot wait for the release!

[margaritamama]

Good Lord Gert! This is totally gift worthy! You are so amazing Nichole, oh to be inside your head for a few days! Can't wait for the party!

[Michelle Nadraszky]

Wow! This is absolutely beautiful - what a great gift this would make.

[Kathyc on SCS]

How do you sleep with all this creativeness running rampant in your brain???? I just love this set that you've created! See you tonite!

[Karen Sullivan]

you have totally outdone yourself - this is amazing - better than any stationery set you could buy in a store. Can't wait for the release party tonight!

[Stacy White]

this project rocks!!!! These will make awesome Christmas gifts. Can't wait to get my hands on this great stuff.

[Genevieve Stovall]

Great project! I can't wait until tonight!

[Tricia]

Wow. That's amazing. Your work and creativity are mind-boggling. Thanks for sharing!!

[Starla (star)]

Can I just say THANK YOU?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!! You have just solved "what to get the teacher's for Christmas THIS year" problem!! I can't wait for tomorrow!!

[Samantha]

OMG! I want it all! Grandma gifts here we come. She will love this. Thank you so much for sharing you wonderful ideas, you are so amazing.