Friday, June 20, 2008

Show me the money





With graduations, birthday parties, etc. I am often stuck with no idea what to get the participant. Money always seems to be the answer. However, I find it boring to give money. Are they going to remember you for it? "Oh yeah, Aunt Kathleen gave me $20 for my birthday." Not really. So I am always on the lookout for a clever way to give money or giftcards. I saw a wonderful idea on Patty's blog for presenting money. It's for this wonderful booklet made out of 3 x 3 envelopes. See her tutorial here.

I made this one for our neighbor boy's birthday. The mom LOVED it! She went on and on about how talented I was. Don't we creative types just love that? It made it all worth it. She loved it so much she wants me to make some up for her. What I did was take five 3 x 3 envelopes,tuck the flaps in, turn them to the side and decorate them with designer paper. Then I made a cover and back and punched holes and bound it with my bind-it-all. You could punch holes and tie ribbon or use rings if you didn't have a bind-it-all but the BIA works slick!
In the first envelope we put $2, the next $3, the next $5, the 4th $10 and the final envelope we slipped a notecard in it with a note from my son(the gift giver). I also used my It's Your Birthday stamp set and used a different greeting on each page. I'm going to make something similiar for my nephew's graduation party. They will remember me for the clever way I presented the money. I put a little more thought than just sticking some money in a card. Mission accomplished.

11 comments:

Alex said...

Oh, this is a FABULOUS gift, Kathleen - I can see why she loved it!! I definitely need to try my hand at this - what a wonderful keepsake!!! And, you are talented!!! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

Lauren said...

This is super clever and SO cool! You are on a roll Kathleen.

specialcraftmom4 said...

What a neat idea!!!! Now I have to have a bind-it-all (: LOL! What are the cards inside like? Great idea, thanks for sharing (:

Lynn Put said...

This is a great idea and very cute!
Thanks for sharing!

Maria said...

Wow, Kathleen! The money holder and box is awesome!! I love it. Such a great idea to use the envelopes! T

Maria

Godchick said...

This is SO clever, what a great idea! Love it!!! I might have to give it a shot sometime.

Angie Tieman said...

Oooh, great project! I love your version of it!!

Patty Bennett said...

Great job!! Glad you enjoyed the idea!! :) Patty

Crissy said...

This is an awesome idea! I may have to "borrow" it for my niece's birthday coming up!

Rose Ann said...

OMgosh...this is really awesome!! What a fantastic idea!! I love it!!

mel m. m. mccarthy said...

You are TOO clever. How fun for a kid to open this. I love the idea of using the 3x3 envelopes. A book would make a neat way to hold a 3x3 notecard set as a gift too. (Ouuuuu!?! You are SO inpiring!) :0)