Stacked Books – To Store Cards!

Aloha, all!

     I have had so much fun with this project (not original, but one that goes well with current products), and I'm planning to write a tutorial within the next week (or 2?).  Who knows, I may even try a video if I can get all the boxes of stuffed that was delivered while I was away unpacked and put away (computer, printer, software, craft storage items – and who knows what else!?).  For now, though, I'll show you my finished project, give you a link to a video (but one I had trouble following), which has a link to another video.  There are probably lots of other videos, too!  And, at the end of this blog post,  I'll give you the measurements for the various papers I used should you want to try one of your own before my tutorial comes out!

     I was first introduced to the stacked books project by Jenny at Island Scrapbooking here in Hilo, Hawaii.  As soon as I saw the project, I signed up for her class, and then went about altering things a bit to make it with Stampin' Up! products AND to size it to fit greeting cards.  Each of the drawers slides out of its "book" using the Antique Brad "drawer pulls."  One of the videos suggests that you can use one of more of the drawer areas as just shelves, with no drawer necessary.  I think to do that you'd have to use something stronger than the Designer Series Papers that I used for the sides (well, top and bottom) of the "books."

     One of the reasons that I wanted to get this published here on my blog sooner than later is that everything in the project is in the Stampin' Up! Spring Catalog, and is more likely to be retired than the one product out of the main catalog, the Antique Brads.  So if you want to use these products, now is the time to consider buying them!  My Stampin' Up! store is at http://www.robinstamps.stampinup.net.

     Here are the measurements for the papers that I used for this sized project:

• Light chipboard (you can use the cardboard from Designer Series Paper packs or even pieces of cereal boxes):  Six pieces, 6-1/2" x 5-1/4"
• Designer Series Paper (DSP) (to cover the chipboard):  Six pieces, 7-1/2" x 6-1/4"; cut two of each of 3 designs.  I used the More Amore Specialty Designer Series Paper, item # 129309, $12.95.  From the Spring Catalog
• DSP for the sides of the books: Six pieces 2" x 4-7/8" (use same patterns as above); cut two of each of 3 designs
• DSP for the spine of each book:  Three pieces 6-1/2" x 3"
• Card Stock for drawers:  Three pieces 8" x 6-7/8".  I used Crumb Cake card stock, item #102128
• Card Stock for front of drawers:  Three pieces 1" x 6-1/2"

     Embellishments:

• Three Antique Brads.  Item #117273, $5.95
• Artisan Embellishments Kit (from Spring Catalog).  This includes the roses, the ribbons, the flowers, the buttons, and the ticket – everything on the top of the box!  Item # 129328.  $9.95

     Tools that you'll need:

• Scoring tool.  You can get both this and the following cutting tool by purchasing the Stampin' Trimmer, Item #126889, $29.95.
• Cutting tool
• Hot Glue Gun (not sold by Stampin' Up!)
• Sticky Strip.  Item #104294, $6.95 (plenty for this project and much more!)
• Something to punch a hole for the three brad "drawer pulls."  The Stampin' Up! Paper Piercer works wonderfully.  It's item #126189, $3.95.
• Scissors.  Stampin' Up!'s paper snips cut ribbon, too.  Item #103579.  $9.95.

     So there you are!  I'll really try hard to get a tutorial written within a week or two!  Company's coming, boxes need unpacking, I have three meetings scheduled!  I have a class tomorrow!  But I've really enjoyed this project enough to try it again – with some different papers, maybe!

     Oh, and here's the link to the video that I watched. 

     Have fun with whatever you're doing this weekend!

     UPDATE May 2013:  There is a tutorial here done by fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, Laura DeVincentis, of Dallas, Texas.