How Not to Use the Bind It All

Whenever I see some awesome new card, or other item, that someone with talent has made, I completely lose my senses -- I can't help but think "That looks great and it doesn't look that hard to make... if I buy the [fill in the blank] I'll be able to make that too." Perhaps that sounds familiar to you?? So, of course, I bought the Bind It All. The good thing is that I purchased the Bind It All from Bonnie's Best Art Tools. There is a Bonnie and she is the best! If Bonnie sells it and it is something I want, I always buy it from Bonnie. Bonnie sold me my Genesis Paper Trimmer and my Japanese Screw Punch, among other things. Bonnie got my order for the Bind It All and called me to explain that she could ship it more cheaply than the way I had selected and I would get it sooner. Now that's personalized service! The second good thing is that, if I say so myself, I came up with a practical thing to make with the Bind It All -- I wanted a portfolio with an easy way to store some "stuff" -- in this case, envelopes from stampers to whom I "owed" a card, bills that need to be paid, etc. And I made it with the Bind It All! Ok, now the How Not to Use it part. The instructions strongly suggest that you start with a small project. That was my first mistake. By small, they mean -- not a lot of holes to punch. But, I thought I was too smart to start small (passed the bar exam on the first try!!) and I really wanted to make the portfolio. So, here is what happened on my first attempt -- Beautiful, isn't it? I guess I missed the "following directions" class in law school. Keep in mind that I ruined a lovely 9 1/2 by 10 1/2 piece of lightweight cardboard covered on both sides with Stampin Up's Recollections paper. Eventually, however, I made this: Quit laughing!! I know it isn't going to win any design contests, but I also managed to use my woefully neglected Cricut to make the letters. Here's the inside (yes, I know the envelopes are not lined up evenly -- I did that on purpose so you'd learn from my mistakes ---- NOT!!). All in all, I think it is kind of cool. My next project for the Bind It All -- something small! ************* Note: to respond to a comment, the first 3 pictures posted in the entry on Gina K were all made by Gina, not me. Also, another wonderful commenter asked what my favorite color is. I love buttery yellow!