Knock, knock…

I like to try to do a quick overview of sets the last day of a countdown.  I thought I would start off by working with Wise Owl again.  I am SO in love with this set and how easy it is to customize the little guy to suit whatever vision you have for your project.  One of the cutest puns in this set is "What a hoot." which pays homage to the owl while nodding to the idea that something is humorous as well.  This sentiment inspired my project for today.  Owen is obsessed with knock knock jokes right now and I adore the sound of his laughter!  It’s so contagious!  "What a hoot" and knock knock jokes just seemed like the perfect pair!

So I decided to create a mini book that contains nothing but knock knock jokes, perfect as a replacement for the discarded birthday card you normally would give to a child on their birthday.  I set up a one sheet document for the pages of my book.  I divided the 8.5 x 11 inch sheet into ten perfect sections using one of the thinnest line settings available in my design program and set it to a gray tone.  This way when it prints, it will be visible enough to use as a cutting guide, but not so vivid that you would notice if you were a bit off with your cutting.  Also notice that there is NO trimming required!  Just a cut down the middle of the sheet and then slice each strip into the individual pages.  Nine cuts total!  I have provided the template as a free download for you here:

Download knock_knock_joke_tag_book.pdf

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You will also notice that each *page* contains a knock knock joke, already perfectly placed within each section.  I gathered the jokes from a fun page I found HERE.  If you know someone that loves a good knock knock joke, there is bound to be a least a few on there that they have never heard before!  I printed my jokes onto the Twinkle, Twinkle Bitty Star paper from the Bitty Baby Blessing 12×12 paper collection.  The paper is just the right weight for this project, not too thick and not too flimsy!

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I used a corner rounder punch on the upper right-hand corner of each page.  Just rounding one corner is something that I enjoy doing pretty frequently.  It really helps to break up the squareness of a project.

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Next, I trimmed a cover to be the same exact dimensions of the pages and one again rounded the single corner.  I then stacked them all up neatly, making sure all of the edges were even and punched a hole through all 11 layers at once with my Crop-a-dile.  Feel the power! *wink*

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I then did a little artistic work to finish the cover of the book off.  I stamped the teal cardstock with Polka Dot Basics & white ink.  I created a white matted corner of the book using portions of a few square Nestabilities dies.  "What a hoot." was stamped in black vertically.  A heavy duty epoxy brad (Making Memories) was used to hold the entire book together.

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I paper pieced my owl using some of the cardstocks throughout my project.  I discovered that black brads fit perfectly on the pupils of his eyes, adding a fun little detail!  I used the slot punch from SU! to create little pieces to substitute as his feet!  I love how cute they turned out!

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After I completed my book I wanted to create a special sleeve for it to be stored in and help protect it.  I wanted to evoke the corrugated cardboard look you see so much in packaging now, so I ran a strip of our Classic Kraft cardstock through my crimper (after I blew the dust off this tool.  I think it has been at LEAST 3 years since it’s seen the light of day!).

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I used my Scor-pal to score the fold lines for my sleeve.  The easiest thing to do is measure the height and thickness of your assembled book and use that as a reference when making your score marks.  It would have been difficult to create a universal template, since everyone’s books will vary slightly depending on the materials they use.  Once you get started on your own thought, you will see how easy it is!

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All that was left was to embellish the sleeve.  I chose to do this by wrapping additional cardstock layers around the band with a Spellbinders Double Ended Tag used in the center. 

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You’ll notice that there is a little hint of Summer Sunrise peeking out from around the brads.  This is a little something I have been doing for a few years and love how it can help carry through your accent color in a very subtle way.  I call it a paper washer.  You start by punching a 1/8-inch hole in your cardstock of choice.  I use the handheld punches from Fiskars.

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Next, invert a 1/4-inch hole punch over your 1/8-inch hole, being sure to center  it.

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One quick punch and you have completed your bitty paper washer!  So quick and easy!

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These washers are the perfect size to be used with pretty much any brand of mini brad.  You simply thread the washer onto the brad and then insert the brad into your project as you would normally!

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And the finished ensemble (don’t forget to click the photo for a better view!).  I am so pleased with how this turned out and I am anxious to give it to Owen for his birthday.  I know he will love it!  And there is nothing much better than the sound of laughter from a child.  Especially the roll-on-the-floor-laughing-from-deep-in-the-belly laughs, like Owen does!  Even if the idea of a joke book does not appeal to you, the basic concept of this book and sleeve could have a multitude of applications. 

• Coupon books for mom or dad
• mini brag books to keep in your own purse or give as a gift
• autograph book for a child to take to Disney
• *little black book* for a teen with all of her friends photos, phone numbers & birth dates
• fun flashcards for a child working on letters, match or high frequency words.  The pages would be easily interchangeable because of the brad.

I’m sure there’s oodles more that you will think of once you make just one!  What would you use it for? Please let me know if you end up brainstorming any other ideas!  I hope you were inspired today!  Don’t let the moment pass you by!

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You have GOT to stop by Debbie’s blog today to see what she has done with Quilter’s Sampler!

Melissa has another amazing project to tempt you with using Floral Frenzy.

Alli provided you with a little more insight into her Wise Owl set.

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Stamps: Wise Owl & Polka Dot Basics
Ink: Black Noir palette ink, SU! white craft ink, Versamark pad
Paper: Spring Moss, Summer Sunrise & Stamper’s Select White from Papertrey, Bitty Baby Blessings 12×12 patterned paper collection from Papertrey, blue from Bazzill
Other:epoxy brad from Making Memories, silver brads from Paper Studio, Corner Rounder, , 1/8-inch & 1/4-inch handheld hole punches & crimper ALL from Fiskars, 1-1/8 inch & 1-1/4 inch circle punches from EK Success

Finished Project Size: 4.25 inches wide x 2.25 inches high