Last month I put together a semi-DIY stationary kit for my 11-year-old sister's Christmas gift. Over the summer, Fiona gave me a sketch of a "logo" she created, based on her nickname, Fifi. It had been tacked to my board for months before I had the idea of cleaning it up in Illustrator and getting it made into a stamp, which I would then package with some blank stationary and ink pads.

When I finally got all the parts of the kit together, I realized the kit itself could/should be something more interesting than a blank cardboard box. I traced the box onto fabric, cut and glued the material, and sewed her initials onto the cover. All in all, it was a satisfying and fun project, and as Fiona's thank-you note reveals, it was also very happily received.

Fiona's original logo sketch.

Sewing initials onto "lid" of box.

Inside...

... which I also covered in fabric.

Paper.

Initials.

Final presentation.

Front of thank-you note Fiona made with her new kit.

I'm not sure how my husband managed to get himself attached to this enterprise, but I begrudgingly share the glory.