'Professor' Tinkham for Mini Album Makers

Hello Friends

A new month means a new challenge at Mini Album Makers!  My very dear and generous friend Kath Stewart gave me lots of the new Tim Holtz stamps and I have incorporated two of those stamp sets into my journal, plus one older set.

A little story - Kath has always called Tim Holtz her 'adorable Professor' and Tim designed this 'Professor' stamp set and credited Kath with the name, how lovely is that!

The Professor in my case is an explorer and adventurer....

I am including a tutorial today, as I have recently joined Eileen Hull's Educator Group and Eileen is our generous Sponsor this month at Mini Album Makers, so the two go hand in hand quite nicely.  This is a picture heavy post!

I started with some cream Calico fabric and some of Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements Transportation Ticket fabric (a gift from my lovely friend Zoe Hillman).  I used Pebeo Matt Gel to attach both fabrics, one to each side of a sheet of mat board (mount board), gel is less tacky than glue.

Using Eileen Hull's Wrapped Journal die, I die cut the journal.  I felt the cover was a bit too 'light' and I dry brushed some Gathered Twigs Distress Paint over the cover and then used the same colour to dab through a Tim Holtz Burlap stencil quite randomly.

I used three stamp sets by Tim Holtz, Ledger Script, Distinguished and The Professor.

Here is a view with all the stamping added.  I also added some rough machine stitching all around the edges (I keep a separate needle for stitching card/paper)  and I cut out a couple of tickets from the left over material and used Matt Gel to affix them.  I also added some colouring to a few of the elements just to make them 'pop' more.  I used watercolour paints that are permanent once dry.

I created four signatures, using the same method for each.  I used 12" wide cardstock by Tim Holtz, cutting four pieces 12" x 5".  Scoring at 2.1/2", 6" and 9.1/2", fold on each score line.  You can glue each end flap in place completely or create two pockets by just attaching the flaps at the top and bottom.  Making your signatures this way gives the covers more stability.

I usually attach the inserts to my signatures using a simple pamphlet stitch.  As you can see I also added some more stamping to my signature covers.  I also added some Tim Holtz Idea-ology tabs to each of the signatures for added interest.

I always like to add a pocket in my journals and here is how I did it...

Using more Tim Holtz cardstock I cut one piece of card  to 4.7/8" x 5.1/4" and scored as shown above, at 1/4", 3/4", 4.1/8" and 4.5/8" and I scored at 4.5/8" across the bottom.  Fold the sides in an accordion style to give some depth to the pocket.

For the fold over top cut a piece to 3.3/8" x 2.1/2" and score at 7/8" and 1.1/8".  Cut and shape as shown above.

 I attached some closures (punched circles attached with eyelets) and then added the envelope to the middle part of the journal (glue the top part in first and then add the pocket element last so that you can 'fit' it properly to the journal).  At this point I added the elastic holders for the signatures and also the band to close the journal, all with 1.5mm black elastic, tying both off neatly.

I decided to add a ticket pocket to the inside front cover (a Tim Holtz die).  The tickets were made using another TH die and Tim stamps and coloured with Distress Inks.

Here is a final view of the back of the journal.

Our Sponsor this month is Eileen Hull who is offering a $35 Gift Voucher for her Etsy Shop to one lucky winner over at Mini Album Makers.

Website: http://www.eileenhull.com/

Blog: http://www.eileenhull.com/blog

Facebook Live: http://www.eileenhull.com/video-tutorials

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Shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/EileenHull?ref=pr_shop_more

We do hope you will join us at Mini Album Makers this month, we would love to
have you join in.  The rules are very simple and are outlined in detail on the blog.

Thanks for your visit, I hope to see you again soon!

Hugs, Anne xxx

A Zombie Halloween ...

Hello Everyone

A quick post from me, if you don't like Zombies then look away now!  

When Tim brought out his three new monster dies, there was only one for me - the Zombie.  During my blog break last month I took the opportunity to make some Halloween cards for friends and family (well, the ones who appreciate the darker side of Halloween anyway - lol), 

I was thrilled when Tim's October tag featured the Zombie die, but I haven't got round to creating mine yet, but thought I would share a couple of cards.

I decided to stick to black and white.  I cut some of the elements in white and some in black, the die pieces are small but they are scored and incredibly easy to put together.  The card is bound together with Regions Beyond Design Tape.

I also used Tim's cabinet card dies and the new cobweb embossing folder.  Once embossed I highlighted the embossing with a white pigment ink.

The second card is very similar, just a different background and I used Tim's Idea-ology spider charms.  The bodies have been covered with  Distress Glitter, an idea I picked up from a project that Zoe Hillman (igirlzoe) did here, A simple but effective way to give the spiders a lovely 'glow'.  I hate spiders in real life though ...

I hope I haven't frightened you too much with my spooky makes...  DH had to stop me from buying a life sized plastic skeleton at the weekend.... yes, really...

Thanks for looking, hope to see you soon 

Hugs, Anne xx