A Gardener's Journal

Welcome.  I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend.  I wanted to share a covered journal I recently created.  A fellow blogger had sent me an email about a submission call to an International crafting magazine, and suggested that I apply. So, I did.  The submission guidelines stated to create an altered project with a 'summer-time' theme.  Sounds easy.  Sounds fun!

I altered a hard-cover journal for writing down notes, from my garden.  I thought the whole thing sounds wonderfully summer-y!

here is what I made:

I really had fun altering this hard-cover journal.  I purchased the 'book' from the $1 bin @ a big box craft store.  And altered the front cover.  Because who wants some random image with horrible yellow stripes?

To start, I covered the front of this hard-covered journal with white cardstock.  I adhered it right to the cover, and sanded the edges, so it would be flush.

I used pattern paper from the Secret Garden collection of G45 (Graphics 45).  I just love this paper.  The images are so sweet, and pretty.  Very appropriate for a summer growers journal {smile}.

I layered a large scale floral print to the blue matt, for my 'base' piece.  From there I added all the layers and pieces.  In this G45 collection are some framed images that coordinate with their collection.  So I selected my favorite.  Are you surprised that there is a bird cage in the image?  I love the bird and floral piece, with the background text.  I looks so vintage, and pretty.

I matted it with a blue checkered piece.  I really wanted to do alot of blue accent pieces.  They contrasted so nicely with the corals.  I added a white resin architecture piece, from Melissa Frances, to the top of the framed image.  I also distressed some blue buttons in varying sized.  I tied each button with cream twine and added a pearl to their centers.  I stamped the sentiment on this piece, 'Plant a SEED.  GROW a dream.' in basic black classic ink, right onto the paper.  

I added a chipboard piece, that is also with the Secret Garden collection.  The clock image reminds me that we don't always have enough time, and planting season is pretty short.  I kept with the vintage-theme, and distressed the edges with white distress paint and glitter.  I tied a piece of peach-coral colored ribbon to this piece and added a color spritz paper blossom.  I made the leaves with a piece of green pattern paper from this collection, and distressed the edges of the leaves with paint and glitter.  And adhered it to the chip board piece.

I made a small trim piece with soft suede cardstock and the text pattern paper.  I love the contrast between the text and the floral images.  I machine stitched some tea-stained trim and seam binding to the accent piece.  I added a multi-loop bow with my own collection of trinkets.  I added a tag to the bow.  I stamped 'Fleurs' (french for flowers) in basic black classic ink, on to the tag, and distressed the edges with paint and glitter.  I added a 'crystal' dangle, from 7gypsies, to the tag.  I added a flat back jeweled 'button' from Webster's Pages, to the center of the bow.  And I topped the bow with another spritzed paper blossom with hand-made leaves, those edges were distressed with paint and glitter.

I had alot of fun creating this altered journal.  But, my creation was not selected to be published.  I'm sure their crafting magazine is packed with gorgeous creations, maybe next time.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  

from Paris, with Love

I'm not sure what the weather is like where you are, but here, its actually starting to get nice outside.  When I say, 'nice' I mean 70 degree weather, with the sun shining.  This winter, to me, has been long.  Before you think that I hate the winter, I don't.  I love sitting at home, watching the snow fall outside.  The trees covered with snow.  The whisp of smoke from our chimney.  However, we haven't had a lot of snow.  But, we have had a lot of cold temperatures.  And I am not a fan of cold temperatures.  Did I mention that it snowed here on Sunday evening.  And yes, it was 70 today.

Anyways, Anita, over @ Our Creative Corner is our hostess this week.  Anita, would like you to show us your 'spring break vacation destination'.  The only other requirement is to include the name of your destination on your paper craft item.  Sounds pretty fun!

                     Here is my card:

You would probably guess that my 'spring break vacation destination' would be the south pacific.  And, you would be wrong.  I'd go to the south pacific anytime of the year, not just during the end of winter.  But, I have a 'love affair' with Paris.  Don't ask me why.  I have wonderful memories of Paris.  I even prefer French cuisine.   But there is something about that city.  I even have a board on Pinterest dedicated to Paris.  For my card I used some new products that I picked up recently.  The beautiful pattern paper, is from Teresa Collins.  

I used two different stamp sets:  Avignon, and Greetings from Paris.  I cut a scrap piece of very vanilla card stock to create my own postcard.  Then I used various stamp pads to stamp the different stamps: Desert Sand, Twilight, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, and Chocolate Chip.

The doily is actually a 4" paper doily, that I cut in half and adhered to the back of the yellow pattern paper.  I wrapped a piece of Baja Breeze seam binding around the card front.  I made one of those multi-loop bows.  I added another bow made out of white bakers twine and then a small paper blossom from Prima. 

I stamped a postage stamp in Crushed Curry classic ink, and fussy cut it out.  I adhered it below the paper blossom, so it would cover up the pointy end of the corsage pin.  I added a rhinestone ring below the pearl tip corsage pin.I also added a yellow button.  I had to.  It's a weakness, for me: buttons and bling.  There is also a blue rhinestone added to the post card. 

Thank you for stopping by.  Now, lets see your 'spring break vacation destination!