Destination Inspiration at A Vintage Journey

Hello friends!

Today I have a Destination Inspiration post over at A Vintage Journey, here is a sneak peek at what I made:

I hope, if you have the time, you will go over to see my project!

Hugs, Anne xx

Eileen Hull - Book Club Part 2 - and News!

Hello Friends

You may remember that I shared one of Eileen Hull's latest Book Club dies HERE, well I am back today with another idea for using the latest Stamp and Photo Storage Box die.  I just love how Eileen creates dies that can be used in so many different ways!

My first bit of exciting news is that I am on Eileen Hull's Inspiration Team again this year, I am so thrilled to be part of this amazing team!  I have added a photo at the end if you are interested in seeing who else is part of the team.

I created a Field Note and Map holder for someone who loves to walk in the countryside.

Rather than bombard you with dozens of photos I have created a couple of collages to explain the process I used to bring this project together, with a brief explanation of the steps.

I used the same method for the cover and the map holder inside.  The covers were painted with various DecoArt paints, using a brayer.

I used a fabulous stencil by AALL&Create to apply Ranger crackle texture paste to the cover and the map holder.  I then applied two quite thick coats of Ranger Distress Collage Medium (matte) to all sides to give some water resistant protection.  The inside of the cover was painted in plain blue.

I created a single signature and a small pocket for the inside using Maja Design papers.

To create the maps, I photocopied some favourite walks from a book, laminated them and added some cord so that they can be worn around the neck for ease of reference.

To finish off I added a compass which is attached by a Tim Holtz Idea-ology clip.  I always add a charm of some sort to my journals and this one is a TH Idea-ology Monocle with rub-ons that say 'best day ever'.  I wasn't until I loaded up the photo that I saw that the monocle is showing the wrong side - oops!

To finish off, I die cut the words 'Explore', 'Maps' and 'Field Notes' from plain white card, using the Tim Holtz Mixed Media #3 set of dies, I love the quirky font!  In this photo you can also see the lovely textures that are created by using the brayer technique to apply the paint.

All month long Eileen's Inspiration Team will be sharing lots of creations using Eileen's latest release of dies, HERE.  If you do have the time I hope you will pop over to have a look!

My second piece of exciting news is that I am attending Creativation (CHA) this year!!  I am so very excited as I will get to see so many of my Crafty Heroes in real life!!!  My travelling companion is none other than the uber talented Jenny (Buttons) - we are going to do our best to have a brilliant time and we will also be lobbying to try to get more of Eileen Hull's dies here in the UK.  Wish us luck!

Thanks so much for your visit, I really appreciate you taking the time.  See you soon.

Hugs,  Anne  xxx

Eileen Hull's Inspiration Team 2018

Mini Album Makers January Challenge

Happy New Year Friends!

Since it is the first day of the month, not to mention a new year, it is time for a new challenge at Mini Album Makers.  As always, it is an anything goes challenge as long as you make a complete album, book  or journal.

I decided to make a mini album this month.

As another new year begins, my thoughts turned to Valentine's Day and I made a 4" square mini album from two sheets of 12" x 12" paper and some fabulous Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts... (all of the Gypsy Soul products I used are listed at the end of this post).

1.  Score a 12" x 12" piece of heavyweight paper at 4" and 8" on two sides
2.  Cut so that you have three single folded pages and one page with an extra flap (see above)
3.  Punch a half circle in the flap element, and use strong tape or glue on three sides to form a pocket - this would form the inside back page of the album.
4.  Glue all four of the page pieces back to back to form a 'booklet' style album

I chose this beautiful Gypsy Soul frame for my front cover and embossed it with Wendy Vecchi Embossing Powder in Red Geranium.  I gave it two coats so that it is beautifully glossy.

I glued the frame to the front cover of the album. At this stage I was undecided about decoration for the cover.

Since I had Valentine's Day in mind I opted for two hearts and embossed them with the same red embossing powder.  Whilst the EP was still hot I stamped into each heart with a script stamp to add some texture.

I dyed a piece of vintage seam binding with Festive Berries Distress Stain, attached it with a staple on the front and then glued the hearts on top as shown above.

To decorate the inside pages I chose a 12" x 12" piece of Maja Design double sided paper and cut this into 4" squares.  I trimmed five pieces, used Festive Berries Distress Ink to finish the edges and attached them to the inside pages.  For the remaining pages (including the pocketed back page)  I cut a half circle in the top and added glue to three sides to create further pockets.

I decorated one side of each pair of pages with some more beautiful Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts, each of which I embossed with the same embossing powder as before.

I used the remaining square of patterned paper to cover the back of the mini album.

There is plenty of space on the pages to add photos and/or memorabilia.  This is such a quick and easy design to create and I think it would make a wonderful substitute for a Valentine's card - it would be lovely filled up with personal messages and sentiments.....

So, I do hope you will join in at Mini Album Makers this month!

Our Sponsor this month is the wonderful Lindy's Stamp Gang who are offering a $25 Gift Voucher to one lucky winner.

Website - https://www.lindysgang.com/
Blog - https://lindysgang.blog/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/lindysgang/

As always, thanks so much for your visit and I hope to see you again soon!

Hugs,  Anne  xxx

Products used from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts

Flourished Frame Valerie Square

Doodle Frame Square

Doodles Set 1