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"Check" Out My Brag Book

By Becky Lemire
Off-Road Inksters
Intermediate Scramping Team Designer

Supplies:

•  You are my Sunshine Rubber Stamp (Anita's Rubber Stamps)
•  Jet Black StazOn Ink Pad (Tsukineko)
•  Checkbook Cover and Insert (Sunday International)
•  Blue & Yellow Striped background paper (The Summer Stack by DCWV) Cut to size:
        one piece to 6 1/2" x 7"
•  Yellow Dot background paper (The Summer Stack by DCWV):  Cut to size:
        one piece to 6 1/8" x 6 5/8"
        one piece to 3" x 3 3/4"
        two pieces to 2 1/4" x 2 1/4"
•  Transparency sheet (Apollo~office supply store) Cut to size:
        one piece to 1" x 6 1/8"
        one piece to 3 5/8" x 2 7/8"
        two pieces to 2 1/8" x 2 1/8"
•  Sewing Machine
•  Blue Thread
•  Nugget Charms (Oriental Trading Company)
•  Baby Blue Brads (All My Memories)
•  Perfect Paper Adhesive (US Art Quest)
•  Sponge brush
•  Scotch Double Sided Tape (3M)
•  Needle or needle tool 

Instructions:

1. Cut out all papers as directed in the supply list. 

2.  Spread glue in a semi thin layer over the back side of the striped paper that has been cut.  Attach this to the front side of the checkbook cover insert.  Smooth out the paper, turn over, and glue down the edges of the striped paper that go past the edges of the insert and let dry completely.  It is very important that you do not bend the checkbook cover out of curiosity while the glue is still wet or you will tear the wet paper at the creases-learned my lesson. 

3.  Place the squares of transparency on top of the squares of the yellow paper.  If you'd like to temporarily attach them, use some sort of removable tape.  Sew with a straight stitch around three sides (making a pocket) of both of the squares using a sewing machine threaded with corresponding blue thread.  Repeat with the larger rectangular transparency and yellow paper.  Thread, using a needle, the ends hanging out the front of the pieces through a previous hole and tape the ends down in the back.  

4.  Stamp saying in the center of the 1" x 6 1/8" piece of transparency using Jet Black StazOn ink. 

5.  Using a needle tool or 1/16" hole punch, poke two holes on either side of the bottom of the covered insert and attach the saying transparency using two baby blue brads. 

6.  Adhere the two square yellow pockets just above the stamped saying, but partially behind it using double sided tape.  See photo for placement. 

7.  Poke three more holes above the pockets (see photo) and attach the nugget charms using the baby blue brads. 

8.  Attach the larger pocket on the other side of the insert, which will be the back side when folded.  Make sure that you adhere it so that the pocket opening will be facing up when the checkbook is folded. 

9.  Optional:  Glue a piece of the yellow paper cut to 6 1/8" x 6 5/8" to the opposite side or inside of the checkbook insert.  This will cover all the workings of the project like the back side of the brads and will allow you to insert your checkbook register without any snags. 

10.  Insert photos into the pockets. 

11.  When all the papers are completely dry, fold the insert so that the front sides are facing each other.  Fold the plastic checkbook cover so that the front sides are also facing each other.  Slide the insert into the slots in the cover, smooth any wrinkles in the center and fold the opposite direction so that the inside is on the inside and you can see the fabulous cover on the outside.

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