the CLASSroom

Treasure Everyday Mini Album by Paula Cheney

We are honored to share the work of one of the very talented "Gypsy Girls", Paula Cheney, with you here today in the CLASSroom. The details that Paula includes in her work puts them over-the-top! I think it was my Excel spreadsheet that we had a good laugh over when we attended Ranger University a couple of years ago now that brought us together - we both love a good spreadsheet - ha! ha! I love a wonderful sense of humor and to mix it up with sheer artistic talent... you have described Paula to a "t"! I am very lucky to be able to have Paula as a friend.

You can find Paula at the blog she shares with Debbie (who is also amazingly talented and a very special lady!) titled "One Lucky Day." Their blog is filled with shabby, vintage beauties --- you will be able to spend hours going over the beautiful projects they share there. Paula can currently be found as the Creative Coordinator for Tim Holtz Brands and teaching here in the U.S. and abroad. If you ever have an opportunity to take one of Paula's classes you must! You will learn so much and laugh - a wonderful combination! I would appreciate if you would head over to Paula's blog now and help us thank her for sharing her talents with us here in the CLASSroom today. Please leave your comment on her post about being a guest here. As our way of thanking you for taking the time to do so you will have a chance to win some of the fabulous products she used in this post! You know you are in the right place if you see the following picture.

Thank you Paula for sharing your chic album with us here in the CLASSroom today! -Ellen

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Envelopes

Cut out 5 envelopes using the Sizzix Alterations Pocket Envelope die and Manila Cardstock from Ranger.  Do not fold.

Use Distress Stain Tumbled Glass and Mustard Seed to color the envelopes by squeezing Distress Stain onto a craft mat (use more blue than yellow).  Spritz with water from a Mini mister.

Swipe envelope into the stain. Dry with heat tool.
Swipe again, dry again.  Repeat as necessary.

Shake Brushed Pewter Distress stain to mix, then squeeze out a small amount onto craft sheet.  Repeat pervious steps until each envelope has a bit of metallic shimmer. 

Using Archival Ink in Aquamarine, stamp random text onto envelopes.  No acrylic block needed!

Stamp Butterflies with Archival Ink in Sap Green.

Cut out the Sizzix Alterations Inside Out Alphabet.  Create one word for each of the 5 envelopes and adhere with Collage Glue stick.
Add Vial Labels and chitchat words to describe each main word.  Stitch to the envelope if desired.

Adhere 1/8” Wonder Tape to the bottom and side of envelope.

Close envelope so both flaps are out.  The bottom of the envelope should be sealed just above the small flap.

Set finished envelopes aside while we make the cover.

Cover

Cut two pieces of Sticky Back Canvas 3 x 11”. 
Color the canvas with Tumbled Glass Distress Stain in the same method used previously.  Dry with Heat Tool.

Peel off the backing and stick the two pieces back to back. 
Stitch around the canvas with sewing machine.

Repeat butterflies on one side of canvas with Sap Green Archival Ink.

Stitching the book

Line up the first envelope at the left end of the canvas piece.  Stitch to canvas along the small flap.

Repeat stitching the envelopes onto the canvas cover about 1/8” apart. 

Trim away threads.

View of album spine.

Cut 30” of Crinkle Ribbon.
Color the Crinkle Ribbon with Distress Stains Frayed Burlap, Tumbled Glass and Mustard Seed.
Spritz with mini mister, then pounce the 3 colors at random onto ribbon.  Spray again to make the colors bleed then dry with Heat Tool.

Once dry, wrap ribbon around the book and secure to the TOP of the cover with Glossy Accents.
NOTE: make sure Glossy Accents is UNDER the Ornate Plate.

Cut a piece of paper from an old book.
Add Chitchat words and secure to the Ornate plate.

Add Ornate Plate over ribbon on cover.  Secure with brads.

Create small journaling cards for each envelope from manila cardstock. 
Round corners.
Stamp with butterflies and Aquamarine Archival Ink.
Add to each envelope.

Completed mini album cover!

Inside Pages

Sizzix, Tim Holtz, Movers & Shapers Magnetic L Die, Pocket Envelope	Sizzix, Tim Holtz, Sizzlits Deco Strip AlphaDie, Inside Out	Tim Holtz, Attic Treasures	Tim Holtz, Going Somewhere
Metallic Distress Stain, Brushed Pewter	Distress Stain, Tumbled Glass	Distress Stain, Mustard Seed	Distress Stain, Frayed Burlap
Aquamarine Archival Ink by Ranger	Viridian Archival Ink By Ranger	Tim Holtz, Ornate Book Plates & Fasteners	Tim Holtz, Vial Labels
Tim Holtz, Chitchat Stickers	Inkssentials Surfaces, 12x12 Manila	Studio Sticky Back Canvas, 8.5" x 11"	Tim Holtz, Crinkle Ribbon
Collage Glue Stick	Wonder Tape, 1/8"	Mini Mister, Individual	Non-Stick Craft Sheet
Heat It Craft Tool

InLinkz.com

Learn With Me! by Kim Kesti

It is always such a huge honor when our invited guests agree to teach here in the CLASSroom! Today we would like to give an ENORMOUS welcome to Kim Kesti as she shares her creative ideas here in the CLASSroom. Kim is constantly inspiring her readers on her blog think fast, as well you will find her work as a Paper Crafts Go-to Gal on the Moxie Fab and Paper Crafts Connections blogs.

Once again we have a special "something" for those who take the time to visit Kim over on her blog - so head over to think fast and leave a comment for Kim! We will be doing a random drawing and announcing the winner together with Kim on Monday, April 18th, so don't delay - read her post here and then head over to her blog and be inspired!

Kim is a VERY busy designer and mom and to have her take the time to share with us here... all I can say is a simple and huge THANK YOU Kim! -Ellen

 

LEARN WITH ME! by Kim Kesti

I’m so excited to be here with you in the Ellen Hutson CLASSroom. I am a huge fan of all the teachers here and hope I can bring a little bit of my own experience and personality to share with you today.

My name is Kim Kesti and I’ve been paper crafting for about five years. I currently work with Paper Crafts magazine as a Go-to Gal, it’s the best job in the world! I love trying new techniques and even after five years, there are so many things I want to learn. Won’t you learn with me? (I kind of sounded like Mr. Rogers there, didn’t I?)

My main “style” of paper crafting is pretty bold and graphic. I tend to like simple patterns and straight lines. But, I was recently introduced to the Tim Holtz Distress Inks and I think I am in love. Although the project I am showing you today is clean and simple in nature, I adore how the Distress Ink just gives it that little touch of vintage. Plus, I think the look perfectly suits these Hero Arts stamps, don’t you?

 

First, I stamped my image in my favorite Memento Tuxedo Black. 

Then I grabbed my Ink Blending Tool from Ranger and my Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I used the blending tool to add ink to the edges of all my stamped images. I learned the trick to making the ink smooth is to work from the outside edge toward the center, always moving your blending tool in a circular motion.

  

This technique gives such a pretty, soft edge to your images. It works exactly the same way on patterned paper, too. I was so happy with my stamped images that I decided to create a little set of blank note cards as a gift.

 

This Cosmo Cricket Social Club paper could have been made with these stamps in mind, don’t you think? Love them together.

  

Here’s a close up of how the ink just softened those edges a wee bit. Really nice.

  

Of course, every card set needs a little tag, right?

I created a simple tag with the Memory Box Eggshell cardstock, a piece of the Social Club Ready, Set, Chip  and a sweet little scrap of 7Gypsies Paper Tape. I tied the set together with some twine and an old button. Fun!

Would you like to see one more coordinating project? (I know, I’m on a roll now). It’s basically the same format I used on my cards, but I made this little guy into a mini notebook.

  

I think it was this camera image that inspired the idea. That stamp is so awesome. To make the notebook, I adhered the cardstock panel to a piece of Craft-a-Board. Oh my – love the Craft-a-Board! It’s my first time using it and I already know I need another pack! Hee, hee.

One tip on using the Bind It All: pre measure your finished size to make sure the holes are spaced properly. I’ve learned the hard way to always double check the size first. It’s such a shame to punch your finished project and find out one of the holes is half way off the edge, right?

  

You can see in the photo that my notebook is sized to fit six punched holes across just about perfectly. Sweet.

 

I also wanted to show you how easy it is to figure out where to cut the coil. I place my coil right on to my project, then snip right where the punched piece ends. (Use the instructions that are included with the Bind It All to finish the notebook).

  

Well, there you go. A cute little set of cards and one notebook to match. I think this would make a great gift, don’t you? 

Thanks for trying something new with me! I hope to be back someday to share again.

Kim Kesti

 
stamps: Hero Arts Vintage Stamps

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Ink Vintage Photo

paper: Cosmo Cricket 6” Mini Deck Social Club, Cosmo Cricket Ready Set Cup Social Club,  Memory Box Eggshell, Lagoon, Squash and Persimmon Cardstock

accessories: 7 Gypsies Paper Tape Christmas Wrap, Zutter OWire ½” Antique Brass

October Calendar by Sharon Harnist

 
 
I know October is a third over already, but I'm just now finding time on this school and Columbus Day holiday to finish my October calendar!  So I thought I would share that with you all today.  You may remember when I introduced you to my 2010 calendar for this year, here.  It's a mini-book style, made out of 4-inch square pieces of Ellen's fabulous Craft-A-Board!  You could prep one of these calendar books for next year to give as a gift, leaving space for the recepient to add photos of their own as the year goes along, if you wish!

I started by cutting two pieces of Craft-A-Board 4-inches square and then round the corners with Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper:

 

Next, I chose papers from Cosmo Cricket's Matilda Mini Deck and covered the Craft-a-Board with them, using a glue stick.  Then I stamped Karen Lockhart's sweet new Basket of Leaves with Memento Rich Cocoa ink onto Copic's new X-Press It Blending Card.  I noticed Ellen has several affordable package options of this fabulous new cardstock available now -- you can find them here!  Your Copic markers will blend wonderfully on this new cardstock and you won't see any feathering of marker color or stamped lines like you might on other cardstocks. 

Here's a quick step-out of the Copic markers I used on the basket image, chosen to match the Matilda papers (click on any photo for a larger view):

 
L - E31 on the basket, YR21 on the basket cross weaves and leaves, pumpkin & apples.  R - E33 & E35 on the basket and fruit stems.

 
L - YR16 on some leaves and pumpkin.  R - YR18 to deepen the pumpking and some leaves.

G82 & G85 on leaves and one apple.

Sorry I didn't get a photo of the last few steps:

R24 on last apple.
E31 & E33 on what I decided would be pods or nuts in the basket and to finish the basket rim, some E37.
YR16 & YR18 on the flowers on each side of the basket.
W1 & W3 to shade under the basket and for the blowing leaf trails.
Gold Atyou Spica Glitter Pen accents everything.

I cut out the image and popped it up on foam tape.  Now, take a look at my finished colored image next to the papers I chose:

 

I love the bright white of the Copic X-Press It Blending Card -- it produces very crisp and vivid colors.  But notice how different it is (bright white) than the ivory of the patterned papers and Neenah Natural White cardstock that I printed my computer-generated calendar on?  Now this may not bother some people, but it bothers the perfectionist in me, LOL!  So what to do?  Here's where your hand-dandy Copic E50 Egg Shell comes to the rescue!

 

I used it to color any of the remaining white areas of the basket image.  In the photo above, I started on the right side of the image, up to where the tip of the marker is pointing -- the left side of the image still remains white, so you can see the difference the Egg Shell marker makes!

And here's a close-up of the finished image -- hopefully you can see the nice sparkle the glitter pen adds (click for a larger view):

 

I used Martha Stewart's Picket Fence Edger Punch and Maple Leaf Punch to punch more Matilda paper for accents on this page.  The leaves were edged with Copic E35, crumpled and added with Mini Glue Dots.

For the right side of my calendar, I cut the Cosmo Cricket Matilda pumpkin background paper a little smaller than the 4-inch Craft-a-Board and colored the edges of the Craft-a-Board with Copic G85 marker.  Next, I die cut my computer-generated calendar with a Spellbinders Labels Four die and sponged the edges with Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink.  It is popped up on foam tape.  

 

Cosmo Cricket's Tiny Type Brown sticker letters make the 'october' word on top of my calendar.  Using Spellbinders Nested Maple Leaf die, I die cut & embossed green plaid Matilda paper, sanded the edges, and then machine stitched it.  Strands of ribbon make "hinges" to hold the two calendar pieces together like a book!

Thanks for joining us today -- Happy Columbus Day!  ~ Sharon

 
Stamps: Lockhart Basket of Leaves
Paper: Cosmo Cricket Matilda Mini Deck & Tiny Type Brown letter stickers, Copic X-Press It Blending Card
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink
Copic markers: YR21, YR16, YR18, R24, E31, E33, E35, E37, E50, G82, G85, W1; Gold Atyou Spica Glitter Pen
Accessories: Essentials by Ellen Craft-a-Board, Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper, Spellbinders Labels Four & Nested Maple Leaf die sets, Martha Stewart Picket Fence Edger Punch & Maple Leaf Punch, Sanding Block, Mini Glue Dots

Envelope Mini-Album by Becky Olsen

We are going to be making a mini-album from some super cute Hero Arts envelopes, paper and stamps. The Hero Arts envelopes are in Grass, Mandarin, and Grenadine. The "Spring Blossom" patterned paper is what we will be using to add some beautiful color to our mini-album and it will provide a common thread that will tie the whole album together.

For the page inserts we will be using some "Manila" Basics from Basic Grey.

Start by trimming off the top flap shape and set aside for the inset piece that we will be making with it.

Trim the next part of the envelope down to where the top of the envelope is.

Adhere the piece that we trimmed off of the envelope onto a 4" x 5 1/2" piece of the Manila paper that has the dots.

Run a little adhesive along the bottom, and the adhesive that was already on the top shaped part (yup, I licked it!), leaving a little room at the top for the shape.

Now trim along the envelope edge to keep that fun bracket shape of the original envelope.

Now use a circle punch to add a little dimension and an easy place to open the envelope to put the insert in.

Stamp the large flower from the "Big Flower Pattern" with Distress embossing ink and then sprinkle and heat White Embossing powder. Repeat this whole process to make as many pages as you would like in your album, this one has nine, three of each color.

The next step is to punch the holes for binding it all together. I used the Zutter Bind-it-All for this task. Place the setting on "B" or the continuous setting and put a few of the envelopes closed edge down into the machine.

Apply pressure on the lever to punch the holes.

Next line the holes up using the guide on the top of the machine and the little black knob on the back of the guide to hold the envelopes in place and then punch again.

I wanted the holes to be even so I flipped my envelopes around and punched an extra hole in the top of the album by lining everything up and punching one last time.

This is what it looked like when I was done punching it.

Lay your wire coil down next to the holes and makes sure that each hole has a wire to go into it and then snip the remainder off. I used a White 5/8" wire for this project.

Put your back page on top of the front page and then clamp the wires together using the sizing set in the machine.

The wires will be all closed, and very neat looking!

To hide the binding seam, flip the back page around to the back.

Now the mini-album is ready to decorate and make your own with pictures, journaling in the inserts and plenty of room for the little extras that make it special!

The final project is one that is fun to make as a brag book for yourself, or as a special gift for teachers, family or change it up and use some masculine products and make one for that fantastic dad in your life!

Happy memory keeping!!

B-

"Super" Dad card by Kim Hughes

I only say "super" because this card is more than an ordinary card.  It's an accordion shape which means that it's technically a mini album or brag book.  But this little nugget can be carried proudly around in a wallet as well.  Well, maybe if Dad empties everything in it, but none the less, he can carry it around with ease if he likes.

Supplies:

Arturo Cards and Envelopes, White

Jenni Bowlin: Journaling Cards, Homespun, Mini Die Cut Circle Label Papers

Tim Holtz, Grungeboard, Minis 5"x8" Sheets 7/Pkg

Cosmo Cricket 6" Mini Deck Paper Pad, The Boyfriend, Cosmo Cricket 6" Mini Deck Paper Pad, Garden Variety, Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type Stickers, Black

COPIC Sketch Marker R27, Cadmium Red

Basic Grey Buttons, Eerie

You will need 3 Arturo envelopes for this project.  One to make the accordion shape and another to use as a template and frame.

 

This is how the two envelopes will be adhered to one another.  One one side there are 3 pockets and on the reverse side, there are 3 solid sides.
 

Cut the third envelope in half and cut a frame from it.  Cut down clear plastic the same size to create a photo frame.
 

stitch along the sides and bottom, leaving the top open to slip a photo in and out.  Then you can adhere both folded envelopes together
 

Take the second half of the envelope and cut off the "pocket" piece and use it as a template.

trace it onto patterned paper and add it to the posket sides of the album

 

Insert polka dot papers onto the back sides of the album, behind the pockets.
 

To create the cute embellishments, simple color grungeboard shapes with a Copic marker
 

I added a punched circle to the larger star to help bring the color around to the inside of the project.
 

Here is the reverse side.  I added papers to the left panel...the center is the photo frame panel that I created with the envelope frame and clear sheet.  I used a Jenni Bowlin journal spot for the cover.  I wanted a little more "personality" in the focal square, so I cut down a circle paper
 

I added a "dad" sentiment along with some accent buttons

wrap it in a ribbon and tie a knot in front.  It's much easier than you may think.  Just in time for Father's Day!  I included a Starbuck's gift card in the center pocket, but you can replace that with more photos or maybe a little note from your kids to Dad?  That left panel that has paper on it can be a photo mat...you may have more than 2 children like me...or possibly include a photo of you or your pet?

Inchie Gift Book by Lisa Strahl

It's Monday.  Who's ready?  Need coffee.  Lots of coffee. 

I am going to jump right in this morning and tell you that I love, lovey, love Graphic 45.  It's just easy for me to work with.  I don't have to think.  A happy place.  The project I created for you today is a fold out, Artist Trading Card sized, inchie'ish type book that I plan to give to a friend because she can appreciate an "art for art's sake" project.

I wanted to cover my ATC sized container as quickly and easily as possible, so measured the length of the case with my design ruler and cut an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of Be Creative Tape to size on my trimmer.  The advantage of the sheets as opposed to the roll is that you have backing on both sides of the tape, which means you can die cut it or cut it on a trimmer.

 

Pull off the brown backing a little at a time and simply apply around the surface of the case.  Easy peasy.  Remove the white and blue backing and adhere paper which has been cut to the same size.

 

Paint the top of the case with Pitch Black Adirondack Paint Dabber using one of the many handy brushes in the Studio Line Brush set.  It dries completely within a few minutes.  You can heat set it if you are impatient!

I made a little bouquet of Gypso flowers that have been lightly inked with Sepia Archival ink.  I love to make arrangements and couldn't help but sticking this vintage Jenni Bowlin pin into the center.  Once again I am using those Tiny Type stickers, just can't get enough.  I want to say what I want to say and they allow me to do that.

I also added a thin strip of paper that is the "b" side of Botantical News and embellished it with a row of black pearls.

 

I used a little brown ribbon to hold my fold out book closed inside the container.  The inchie square on the front cover is embellished with layered brass flowers by Vintaj.  I used Black Inchie Squares which were sanded after adhering the paper to give the effect of a worn tile.

A close up of each page is shown below.  Please scroll to the end of this port to see a full supply list.

Each Black Inchie Square has been covered with an image from the Botanticabella Tag sheet, sanded, coated with a layer of quick drying clear nail polish (to ensure the colors do not bleed), adorned with a Tiny Type sticker, embellished with a Clear Spica Glitter Pen and then covered in Glossy Accents and allowed to dry overnight.

 

 

My hope is that this little booklet could be display on a shelf or mantle and then tucked away for safe keeping in it's case.

Thanks so much for joining us today in the CLASSroom.

Cheers, Lisa
-----------------------

Supplies:

Botanicabella Collection:  Botanical News, Antiquity, Botanicabella Tags (Graphic 45)

Black Inchie Squares(Inchie Arts, LLC)

Brass Flower Stacks Fastenables (Vintaj)

Ivory Gypso Mini Flowers(Prima)

Tiny Type Stickers, Black and Brown (Cosmo Cricket)

Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Clear Spica Glitter Pen(Copic)

Cream Stick Pins(Jenni Bowlin)

Sepia Archival Ink (Ranger)

8.5 x 11 Tape Sheets (Be Creative)

Brown Crochet Ribbon, Classic Trim Collection (Webster's Pages)

Pitch Black Adirondack Paint Dabber (Ranger)

Studio Line Brush Set (Ranger)

Strip of Black Pearls(Kaisercraft)

Precision Sanding Kit (Basic Grey)

Cherish Accordion Mini Album

The accordion mini album was actually made a couple of years ago. It was back in the day that I thought I would be able to get it all together to put kits together and then share ideas using those kits. I would make the project and then finally order the pieces to complete that project, only to have the intended date for completion rocket past me. So rather than putting kits together you are seeing odds and ends, 12x12 cardstock and all sorts of various oddities showing up in our store as we find time to get them on-line. The collections are old, but they are still oh so wonderful to create with. What's old is "new again" - LOL!

This is an album idea that I thought would make a wonderful valentines or Mother's Day gift. I made it with the intent of giving it to my mom once I had finished putting the kit together. Hopefully it is not too late to share it now. This book was put together using 12" x 12" pieces of Blush paper that you can now find in our store - LOL! Start on this page and go to the next as well to find this collection.

 

It all begins with four pieces of 4"x6" Craft-a-board. This whole book was created based on the Folk Heart stamp. When Karen shared this image with me I totally fell in love with it. I stamped the image on Arturo paper and watercolored it with Lyra and Stampin' Up! watercolor crayons. I don't know how many of you remember the good old days when I actually had the time to hand watercolor every single thank you note I sent. Those must be collectors items by now - totally LOL! If you have one then this is the exact same coloring I used on that image. I covered a die cut letter C with coordinating paper and used my Snap Stamps to complete the word Cherish. Yep, those were the good old days - Snap Stamps - who would have thought they would disappear from existence. I still miss being able to use them. They were SO very flexible!

OK, enough reminiscing about those golden years Ü

To begin I covered each piece separately, beginning with the "back" sides as shown. I love the fact that Basic Grey's papers all coordinate so beautifully - it makes it a piece of cake to complete a project. Cut these pieces to 5"x7". Adhere them to the Craft-a-board back, miter the corners, wrap the paper around to the front side and then adhere the paper to the front side.

Next cut the brown "spines" to a size of 2" x 6". I attached the dark brown "spines" on the back side first and then wrapped them around attaching them also to the front side.

 

To create the sentiment tags I used Cuttlebug dies and the pink cardstock - yep, this was the day before Nestabilities and the awesome tags (thanks to Debbie for those!) we now have. If I remember correctly I believe the sentiments were A Muse, but I'm not certain if they still manufacture these.

I then cut four 4"x6" pieces from pink cardstock. Before attaching these I added the layers to them as follows:

• page 1 - 4"w x 2 1/2"h striped pocket. Insert brad with flowers before attaching to pink cardstock using staples. Create two polka dot tags 2 1/8"w x 4 1/4"h in size. Add a decorative accent to the top edge using scalloped decorative scissors and piercing.
• page 2 - cut right edge with scalloped decorative scissors. Put sentiment piece together and staple in place. Create decorative corners from coordinating paper.
• page 3 - attach 3/8" x 6" dotted paper to 1 3/4"w x 6"h brown cardstock strip. Embellish with staples. Attach to left edge. Create secret "pocket" from 2"w x 6 3/4"l damask paper. Embellish with pierced scalloped pink accent strip. Use small Basic Grey magnet to keep it closed.
• page 4 - Cut 3 1/4"w x 5"l heart paper. Attach sentiment tag embellishing with staples and a mini heart. Stamp Lock Heart on decorative paper centering on design. Color key to accent it.

Once you have all pieces adhered together mark the location for the holes using a pencil . These were centered 1/2" from each edge. Use a Crop-a-dile to punch the holes and then insert the large eyelets. Add eyelets to the tags as well.

  

Place your pieces down on a flat surface and tie them together using ribbon. Tie the center two together with the knots on the interior. Flip and then tie the two end pieces in place. Add your photos, hardware and fibers.

As a side note I just have to tell you the story of my girls. As toddlers we played the "kissing game" with our girls. As they would climb up the stairs we would stop on each step and rub noses or give them a little kiss between each set of bars. With each new set of bars we would do it all over again until we would reach a point where we were standing on our tippy toes and could no longer reach them. We would then laugh and reach for their little noses with our finger with the final kiss from our fingertips. Needless to say they would always say, "Again! Again!" We are so blessed to have two beautiful, sweet, healthy girls who love one another. It just gives me warm fuzzies to look at these pictures once again and see the love shared between them. I'm one very lucky mom!

Day 7: Bind-it-All Mini Book - Reflections and Goals

Happy 2009 Everyone!!!

Over the years I have learned that just making "resolutions" always seemed to end in no results at all. For me I find that reflecting on the past year and setting new goals is useful. I have learned though that I must write my goals down. This year I decided to do something different and so yesterday I created this little book. Rather than having a slip of paper that could easily get lost I will now know where to find my thoughts and goals Ü

As a teacher I learned to outline what it is that I wanted to teach, then teach it and then recap it. No wonder my posts get incredibly LONG! So today's is yet another lengthy dialogue - LOL!

Today I actually have three goals for this post:

• share how to create a book that uses only one side of a die and each page is a different length,
• share how to create a "tissue-like" flower embellishment,
• and, share once again how to print on the twill tape that we carry in our store. (I taught this a long time ago on my Simple Dreams blog, but I believe by the comments, that we have a lot of new readers and so I thought this would be a good idea to review.)

 

I adore the Basic Grey Granola collection. Thanks to all of you we are completely sold out at this time and we will not need to count it Ü The reason I absolutely LOVE these collections is that they coordinate so perfectly - no need to worry about what "goes together." When I create something of this magnitude I typically use a combination of stamping and patterned paper to keep my work time manageable.

 

These next few steps are the most important in creating this book. I selected the largest Label One die to use for this project. To begin I cut five pieces of Craft-a-Board to the size of 3 5/8" x 9 1/2". This allows you to insert the craft-a-board underneath the cutting edge closest to your die cutting machine as shown above. The trick is to know when to stop rolling it through the machine. I have found that when I use the Big Shot it really helps me to "feel" this moment precisely. As soon as I catch that edge and feel it cut I reverse my cranking and send it back out of the machine the same direction as I began.

(For those of you who do not know what Craft-a-Board is you can read more about it in these posts. Essentially it is a material that is an appropriate thickness to be used with the low profile of the Spellbinder and Quickutz Dies. Sometimes you will need to snip remaining bits with your scissors, but typically if you cut and emboss the material it will leave you with a stiff enough surface to create beautiful projects.)

  

Next measure the length of each piece and mark your cut line with a pencil. For this book my smallest piece measures 5" in length. With each section I added an inch - thus making the remaining pages 6", 7", 8" with the back page being 9" in length.

 

Next I cut my decorative patterned "end pieces." This will make more sense when you view the completed pages below. These began as 3 5/8" x 3" pieces. I was able to cut two at a time. Once again I placed the paper pattern side up under the first die edge and then threaded it back up through the die. as shown above. Crank this through your machine only until it catches and then back it out again.

TIP: I found that the easiest method of getting these cuts on the end straight, was to insert the paper through the die and align it with the Big Shot grid I created. (you can find one here - print it out and place it beneath your clear cutting mat to help with alignment)

Align the right hand side of your decorative paper with one of the straight lines below it. Hold this paper firmly in place using only one finger. Then with my other hand I reposition the die, moving it ever so slightly beneath my firmly held paper and aligning it with the grid pattern. This method really helps ensure that I get precise, well aligned cuts. 

Flip the patterned paper and die over (shown above is a longer piece that I covered one of the interior pages with). Place your tan embossing mat over the top and once again only roll the end of your die in; then reverse it so that you emboss only the end of your paper.  

 

Next I set the gauge on my Bind-it-All so that I would be able to cut all pieces the same. You can read a tutorial I wrote regarding how to use your Pink Bind-it All here.

 

To create this flower I used the Flower Creations 3 die. My talented friend Susan Tierney Cockburn makes THE most gorgeous flowers with her punches. As she showed me how to create these little beauties, she shared a resource that most of us have readily available. I felt that this medium would make the ideal flower for the cover of my book. I'm guessing many of you have figured it out by looking at the picture above. Yes, simply use your coffee filters!

 

I used my Copic Markers to add color my using a a combination of different strokes, colors and airbrushing. Starting at the center of the flower I made sunburst like strokes to the edge. It takes a VERY light touch to complete this, being the paper is so absorbent. I then went around the edge with my primary color, B41. Then I lighly airbrushed the entire flower with E55 being I did not want the white to show through. Last, using the brush tip of my sketch marker to splatter in B39.

I topped it off by sewing the layers together using a button as the center. Beneath the flower I placed to felt leaves cut from an embossed camel color felt. These were all attached to my cover using Glue Dots.

 

I'm not certain how many of you remember how to print on the twill we now carry in our store. It is SO simple. Start by preparing the text you would like to use and printing it on regular paper. Then as you can see I added a strip of adhesive using my ATG gun.

 

I then use my light table to guide me in the placement of the twill.

 

Tape the very top edge down using removable Scotch Tape and simply send through your printer. Voila - custom message twill tape Ü

I am going to share a series of photos that I took of the inside of the album, with little tidbits regarding the items that I used to create each. I hope that this will help give you a few ideas for your own book creations. I chose to keep with a coordinated grouping for this album being it seems to define my personality. I will be experimenting with the more "collective" look of some of the mini-albums I have seen other's create in this new year, being I am excited about the possibilities of creating my own "funky" album. But for now I will stay all coordinated - LOL!

I have found that the We R Memory Keeper Pewter Hardware coordinates beautifully with the Antique Silver O-Wire. As you can see I created a little pocket on one end and inserted a tag in to that pocket. 

 

This next page uses the wonderful Golden Brown cardstock we carry. It coordinates beautifully with the Granola paper. The floral piece on the left side is free from the brown making the back side useable to write a message (I like to tuck my messages away out of sight sometimes Ü.) I also used some piercing to help add texture and interest.

 

A couple more tags, attached only at the base, on which to write thoughts and ideas.

 

A second little "booklet" attached with a clip is added on the left and more tags can be included on the right.

 

Finally the back of the album. Working with a 9" piece using 6" paper can be tricky, but being these all coordinate so beautifully it was easy to create the back cover as well.

I hope this project encourages you to reflect on your life over the past year and set some goals for this new year. There are so many things that I reflected upon as I created this book. Things that have occured over this past year - some that have brought a sense of happiness and peace, and others that have created great stress in my life. I once again thank YOU for the beautiful comments and compliments you have shared with me over the last few days as you leave answers to the questions. The questions I ask are because I am looking for ways to see what it is that I (we) do well and in so doing figure out what it is that we can improve upon. As I take on the full responsibility of running a retail business in this new year I want to be certain that I am treating those who help me operate this business and those who support us by shopping at our store with kindness, honor, respect and integrity. YOU have given me a renewed spirit - a renewed determination to continue to do my best in all that I do.

I cannot tell you how many times over the last couple of months I have felt that perhaps this isn't my destiny - perhaps I need to move on to doing something else with my life. Now I read through your comments and they have given me a new sense - perhaps I am doing what I it is that I was destined to do. For that I thank you!

I wish each and every one of you a year that brings you happiness, one in which you and your family stay healthy; a year in which you are able to manage the stress levels that life brings. I wish you a VERY happy new year!