You've Got Mail

 "In transit". Those are the words you like to read when you are tracking a package. They bring a bit of excitement to the day. A little while later you check again, because you are anxiously awaiting those Great British Baking Show oven mitts, only to see the same message. Days later, still no change. Sigh. I'm almost expecting random photos of my mitts in different locales to show up in my mailbox. This does not deserve a Paul Hollywood handshake folks.

That being said, I can tell you that I spend a great deal of time in my local post offices and have gotten to know a few employees fairly well. They (well, one postal clerk in particular) have told me of the employee shortages, the influx of holiday mail they are still delivering, plus some crazy weather that's happened in certain areas, which explained my perpetual "in transit" message. I have seen the teetering stacks of packages behind the counter. It makes me wish I had left my mail carrier a better Christmas gift tied to the mailbox. 

So instead of refreshing the USPS Tracking page over and over like a madwoman, I decided to make some art. 

Guess those GBBS mitts are still on the mind. Hm.

I used one of the kraft boxes from Alpha Stamps for a tiny project. This one is the 3x3 Kraft Folding Box with Sliding Lid with a cellophane window. I cut out a bunch of mail-themed collage images then glued them all over the box. A few words were printed, inked, and glued on. I added a header made from an oval in the Bakery Box Banners chipboard set and a Symmetrical Bronze Flourish.

The inside is pretty plain; I made four envelopes from black cardstock, added a stamp from the 4 Heart Icons Rubber Stamp Set, and called it a day. In case you're wondering, any envelope smaller than 2 1/2" square would fit. 

And here's a tutorial on how to fold the box:

fold along all the creases toward the inside except for the notched bits (those are folded the opposite way)

roll each side with the notched bits to the inside

and then join them

like so

tuck in the short tabs

and finally, roll the last two sides over to the middle. you can either use double sided tape or glue to hold the flaps in place.

Well that didn't take too long. Maybe the mitts are Out for Delivery now...

Thanks for checking out this little project, and I hope whatever you might be waiting on arrives soon!

Don't forget to GO HERE to see the supply list!

Let's Bake!

 I know a lot of people have decided to pass the time in the kitchen baking cookies, pastries, cakes, and bread. My daughter has perfected the cheesecake with zero cracks. Truly amazing. Since I do not bake anymore, I did the next best thing - miniature "baking"!

The Tiny Retro Bakery Box Kit from Alpha Stamps started me on this path, with its delightful kitchen themed buttons, new collage sheets, a tiny mixing bowl...ack! It is too much! So, naturally, I took that stuff along with some other bits and bobs and crammed it in a 7x7 Corner Room Box. Yay!

There's a work table in the center that holds pots, pans, and bowls, plus all of the baking accoutrements on the top: kitchen blender (eeek, there's a plug!), blue measuring cup (technically a coffee cup in a gorgeous retro color but a few swipes with a Sharpie turned it into a measuring cup), milk, muffin pan, rolling pin, cookie cutter, spatula, items from the kit, and a smattering of jars. 

                                       

A bit of paint has been added to the cutting board before being hung on the wall. I think it adds a nice touch, plus I really like that button. The shank was snipped off the back so it lays flat. The same was done to all of the buttons used, but I have a second set to sew onto something later. :)

The hutch in the back has tons of things on its shelves and inside the opening doors on the bottom, like a grater (another button!), honey jar, little lemon cakes, red canisters, more jars and containers, a rooster, and a canister for spoons and a whisk. (It is really a painted flower pot...)

Miniature baking can be just as enjoyable as real-life baking, just not as delicious. Not to mention a real disappointment to kids. Oh well!

Hope you have found some happiness in your day. Keep on crafting!

You can GO HERE to see all the fun bits used in this little scene.