Inside Spiral Notebook

~ photo heavy post ~

Howdy!  Well, I did finish my last blank journal.  I made the cover before I finished the book, and ran into a glitch.  I didn't want to put holes through the cover.  I thought the holes would look ugly through the beautiful cover.  So, I had to make an adjustment.  And thanks to Pinterest, I found my solution.  {smile}

the finished cover:

Recipe:  I made the cover and pages from my favorite kraft card stock by Paper Studio.  I used two pattern papers for the front: the text paper is from Melissa Frances, and the large polka dot ledger paper is from Bazzil (Vintage Market Place collection).  I matted the pattern papers to a piece of pool party card stock by Stampin' Up!

To add a home-made feel, I distressed the edges of the pattern papers with a thread cutter, and then machine stitched them together.

I added a half pink paper doily, and then wrapped a scrap piece of macaroon mint lace trim (Stampin' Up!)  I layered my sentiment piece just over the top of the lace.  I tucked a thread spool label in behind the sentiment piece.  I wanted to add a paper blossom to help balance the piece.  I added silver glitter to the petal tips.  And to add a sweet softness, I tucked a multi-loop bow made from a pale pink  seam binding just under the paper blossom. {smile} I tied a vintage kraft button with kraft twine, onto the multi-loop bow.  

I thought the top portion of this piece, looked bare.  So, I cut a line of hearts out the the same Bazzil pattern paper.  (It's actually the reverse side of the large polka dot ledger pattern paper.)  I did add some machine stitching, to help tie it into the cover.  I didn't want the line of hearts to look 'random' and not 'connected'.  

inside the cover:

Recipe:  I used Macaroon Mint card stock (by Stampin' Up!) for the matt.  I added a chevron pattern paper from Bazzil.  I had a scrap piece of that beautiful aqua polka dot paper laying on my craft table.  So, I hand-stamped the sentiment: 'memories', in black ink, and adhered this piece to the lower portion of the inside cover.  To help give it a 'finished' look, I hand tied a white vintage button with kraft twine.

For the first page, I wanted the author of this journal, to proclaim who they are!  I found my inspiration from Simple Stories, 'I AM' collection.  {smile}

I added 13 blank pages inside the journal.  Four of these pages, have side pockets.  That way, if you have some memorabilia you want to keep with your writing, you have a place to tuck them in.  {smile}  The blank pages are perfect for journalling, or to simply make the journal 'YOURS'.   Just add your own pattern papers, trims, embellishments and trinkets.  There is space, so you can decorate your pages to your heart's content.  {smile}

I did add some digital library cards into these pockets.  The pockets were created using other pattern papers in the same Bazzil collection.

the back cover:

Recipe:  I used the same pattern papers.  I also distressed the edges of the paper with a thread cutter.  I didn't add any machine stitching, so that it would appear 'sturdy'.

I did not create, this unique way of adding the spirals to bound my book.  I actually found a tutorial HERE.  I am very happy with how my journal did turn out.

Thank you for looking!  I will be making a few more of these, to sell in my Etsy shop.  I'll keep you posted!  I'm thinking of 'finishing' some of the 'pages' to help give the journals a more 'finished' appeal.  

Shabby Girl's Life; Book

Howdy, and welcome.  I set back into my craft room, to create another spiral bound book.  I wanted to make something girly, shabby-chic, and a pretty place to jot down what makes you happy!  To help give me a direction, and a bit of inspiration, I headed over to a favorite sketch challenge site @ Cardabilities .  The design team, will certainly give you some inspiration and the sketches are so easy to work with.  

Here is the current challenge (soon to close)

I found this sketch a breeze to work with.  The simplicity of it, allows you to do a little or a lot.  And the layers!  Who doesn't love layers?  I do!  And what about that sweet banner hanging across the top!  You know I had to use this sketch!  {smile}

and here is what I created:

I haven't bound my book yet, with the spirals.  Only because I haven't finished the covers.  And this challenge is closing soon!  I also haven't decided if I want to put the spirals at the ends, or add them to the center.  hmmm.  But, without the spirals, let me give you the recipe.
Recipe:  I used chip board for the cover.  I adhered pool party cardstock to the chipboard.  I just love this color of aqua blue.
The text pattern paper, is Melissa Frances.  I just love this paper!  Love it so much I bought a whole package of it!  Yep! 25 sheets of this one pattern paper.  I did a simple machine stitching along the border, and added a trio of zig zag stitches at the bottom right and upper left.  You know, to add some spice {smile}!
I layered the text pattern paper with a scrap piece of Bazzil pattern paper,  the Vintage Marketplace collection.  Love this collection of shady chic sweetness!  I did a double border with my sewing machine.  I added a half pink paper doily to the lower third of this pattern paper.  Then I wrapped a piece of mint lace trim, from Stampin' Up! to cover the doily seam.
I stamped my sentiment in basic black classic ink, on very vanilla card stock, both by Stampin' Up!.  I used a favorite stamp set; Favorite Memories by Technique Tuesday.  I cut the banner end with scissors.  I adhered this piece over the top of the lace trim.
I wanted to add a little something else, so I cut out a 1" circle of a thread label and tucked it behind the sentiment, but purposefully left the 'Handmade' visible.  I just love the aqua blue color with the typewriter font!
I hot glued the paper blossom, to the left of the sentiment.  I tied a kraft vintage button by Paper Trey Ink, to a multi-loop bow made of pale pink seam binding.  I hot glued this ribbon 'bundle' and tucked it in close to the paper blossom.
For the banner swag, I die cut a row of hearts, using the reverse side of the Bazzill pattern paper.  I also machine stitched this banner to the front of the cover.
I used a thread cutter to distress the edges of the pattern papers.  I also sponged kraft ink on all of the edges.  I haven't decided if I want to add some white paint and glitter to the paper blossom petal tips.
I haven't quite decided if I will be filling this spiral notebook with blank pages only, or adding a few pockets.  And, I'm not too sure how the spirals may 'alter' the cover.
Stay tuned, I might be able to finish this spiral notebook this week.  And yeah, it will be for sale in my Etsy shop once it is done.   Thank you for looking!

XO's For You

Welcome.  I hope you are having a good first weekend of the year!  Me, I'm doing good.  {smile}  I don't know if it is the 'freedom' I feel, now that my craft room is clean and organized, or I simply found some mojo.  Either way, I will take it!

I visited a favorite sketch challenge blog site this week, Cardabilites, and finally got a chance to sit down at my crafting desk, and whip up a card.  Ok, I don't really 'whip-up' a card.  For those who know me, a 'fast' made card still takes me an hour or so.  This one, a bit longer.  I wanted to use some pattern papers I had already cut.  So, I dug through my scrap box to find: colors that I liked, pattern that went together, and papers that made me smile.  Simple process, really.  Now, I just needed to sit and put it all together.  And that is not always so easy.  Three hearts later, and two different blossom centers, I found created what works for me.  

To start, the sketch looks easy to work with.  Use a doily, add a blossom, and you have your two circle elements.  Well, that isn't exactly the direction I went.  

Recipe:  The card base is crumb cake by Stampin'Up!.  The first text matt is from Melissa Frances.  The next blue matt is a pattern paper I received as part of a prize from playing along with the lovely ladies over @ Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge.  The pink main panel is the only piece of this pattern paper from Bazzill I have left.  I sponged the edges with crumb cake classic ink, by Stampin' Up!, adhered them together and then did a purposefully 'sloppy' machine stitch.  I went around the card twice.

My first circle element is a doily.  The doily was cut with a doily die, by Paper Trey Ink, using glitter paper by, Stampin' Up!.  The second circle element is a circle {smile}.  I used a white text, aqua pattern paper I think is from Carta Bella.  (It's another scrap piece.)  I used a die to cut this 2" circle.  For the cluster in the second circle element, I built my piece.  I cut a heart shape from some cream felted wool.  I used a retired heart die, by Stampin' Up!   I cut the same heart shape from some silver polka dot vellum card stock.  The flower shape was cut with another retired die, by Stampin' Up!  I used a small scrap piece of another pattern paper from the collection by Bazzill.  The smaller blossom was cut with the same retired die, by Stampin' Up!, but I used some aqua mist felted wool, by Paper Trey Ink.  I ran this circle collage through my sewing machine, using a simple stitch.  

I tied some cream twine through a cream vintage button, both by Paper Trey Ink.  I used hot glue to attach the button.  The leaves were made with a scrap of green pattern paper from Nostalgia.

I added a scrap piece of cream crochet trim, by Paper Studio.  I didn't have a long enough piece to wrap around the card front.  But after 'playing' with this trim, I found I really like how it doesn't cover the card front.

I didn't add blossoms and banner for my sentiment.  Instead, I made a multi-loop bow with 1/4" silk ribbon, by Paper Trey Ink.  I also cut a tag from Whisper White card stock, by Stampin' Up!.  I used the tiny tag die, by Paper Trey Ink.  I stamped my tag with two sentiments from the same stamp set, by Stampin' Up!.  This set has been retired for over 6 years.  I sponged the edges of the tag with more crumb cake classic ink.  

And finally, to give my card a more feminine feel, I added a collection of white half faux pearls and clear rhinestones.

I originally set out to make a St. Valentine's Day card.  So, that is why the sentiment is 'XO's For You'.  This card will be for sale in my Easy shop, HERE.   I hope you enjoy the rest of your first weekend this year.  I am off to the kitchen to make some fresh bread.  Nothing fancy, just white bread.  But it makes the house smell wonderful! and it tastes amazing!  I'll post a photo on my InstaGram page, HERE.

  

Re-Purposed Cuff

Howdy!  I hope you are well.  I am doing ok.  Work has been work.  Enough said.  So, let's craft something!  I collect cardboard coffee cuffs.  Crazy, right?!  But, for a very good reason.  It's corrugated cardboard, that's thin.  That translates to easy cutting with my die cut machine!
I was looking at creating some gift card holders for a few friends, when I remembered a sketch challenge that was perfect for my little creation.
Jen, from Deconstructed Sketches has the perfect sketch for me to use my coffee cuff collection!  It's sketch # 173.  Here it is!

I traded the stitching at the top for a sentiment that I stamped directly onto the pattern paper.  The 'green' rectangle is actually the gift card.  The brown center rectangle is my re-used coffee cuff.  I used a banner piece in place of the scallop trim.  But the sentiment remains the same.   Here is what I made!

Ok, so here is the recipe:  The card base is always artichoke card stock by Stampin' Up!.  The matts are kraft by Recollections.  The two sentiments are from the same stamp set by Verve: Delightful and Delicious.  I think it's retired.  I believe that I purchased the stamp set over 5 years ago.
I took a 'collected' coffee cuff, and used the 'back' side.  (I didn't think the 'green' side would work.)  I wrapped some strawberry bakers twine around the card, and tied a green vintage button from Paper Trey ink to the front.  I used 3 (yeah, three!) glue dots to hold the button in place.
The pattern paper is: Happiness is Homemade by Tilda.  (I had to purchase the pattern paper from overseas.  Tilda is a company from Sweden.)
I inked the bottom of a 'favorite' coffee cup into soft suede classic ink, and 'stamped' it  right onto the pattern paper.  I thought the coffee rings would look sweet.  I then took a water mark/splatter stamp and stamped onto the pattern paper, too.
Ok, I made several (about 12) of these cards.  I used different papers for different 'looks'.  Here are a few others:

office theme

floral theme

and of course I had to make a holiday version!

holiday theme

And  yeah, these will be for sale at my Arts and Craft Fair this Saturday!  Thank you for stopping by! I am off into my craft room once more.  I need to create a few more notepads and notebooks, and a couple gift bags.  Thank you for stopping by!

Pretty Little Notes

Happy Saturday!  I hope you have something wonderful planned for this U.S.A. holiday: Labor Day! This holiday was originally created to celebrate the working man, who through his hard work and dedication helped our economy grow!  So, my hat is off to all those whose strong work ethic and loyalty to their employer, made this nation a great place to work, and venture out on our own business opportunities.

I have added a few new items to my Etsy shop, HERE.  And through out this long weekend, I will be adding more and more stuff.  I'd like to take a moment and share with you a few items that will be for sale in my little shop this weekend.

mini composition notebook

This altered/decorated mini composition notebook, is the perfect size to travel with you in a tote, handbag, or backpack.  The ribbon holds a pen.  And yeah, I even added some pattern paper in the pen barrel to coordinate with this sweet little notebook.  I left the ends of the double stitch ribbon long, so you have enough length to re-tie a bow.  You may also cut the ends of the ribbon to a length you prefer.  This little notebook has 75 pages of white lined paper.  See more photos HERE.

narrow notepad

This long, narrow notepad is the perfect size for making a list, or dotting down chores.  The clip at the bottom holds this pad closed, so it can travel along with you in a tote, or handbag.  But don't keep this little beauty a secret!  Move the clip to the top of the notepad, and it will hang from a message board, too!  The pad has 25 pages of vanilla lined paper.   See more photos HERE

I purchased these beautiful pattern papers earlier this year, in April (2014).  I was making some crafts for Mother's Day, and stumbled upon these sweet pattern papers.  For some reason they reminded me of my Mother and Grandmother.  The company is Bazzill.  Yeah, they started making pattern paper too.  And like their solid card stock, this pattern paper is a heavy weight.  Perfect for these covered note pad/book.  I added my personal touches to these little gems: machine stitching, hand-stamped sentiments,  buttons, twine, and of course ribbon!

Thank you for stopping 

Teamwork

Good Morning.   I hope this post finds you well.  I have been busy crafting, and getting things listed and weighted for my Etsy shop.  Sorry I haven't posted this week.

If you don't know, I work in a local hospital.  And recently our department has needed some help from the nurses.  So, in my usual fashion, I made them some cupcakes and a card {smile}.

The cupcakes were a lemon cake with a red raspberry whipped icing.  I was focused on pink lemonade, so that is where I got my inspiration and their name {smile}.

But, a 'gift' isn't complete without a card.  So, here is what I whipped up.  I wanted something simple but with some visual interest.

The card base is Ocean Tides cardstock by Paper Trey Ink.  They make a good heavy card stock, like Stampin' Up!.  The black and cream text pattern paper is a retired piece from Stampin' Up!  I can't remember what the name of the DSP is, but it is at least 2-3 years old.  The floral pattern paper is from Bazzill.  Believe it or not.  I love the sweet, simple floral design in stripes.

I tied some gold bakers twine thru the back of a Bo Bunny button and added it to the left of my sentiment banner.  I inked the sentiment in basic black classic ink and stamped on a very vanilla piece of card stock; both from Stampin' Up!  The stamp was a free gift from Verve.  So, I don't know if you can 'buy' the stamp.  I love the mix of font and the simple sentiment.

Thank you for stopping by.  Don't forget, I have blog candy available to 'win'!  Take care.