Mini Album Makers August Challenge

Hello Friends

It is time for a new challenge at Mini Album Makers and, as always we would love to have you join in the challenge.

Our Rules are very straightforward : Any Handmade Book goes.  Enter any form of handmade mini album, scrapbook, journal or book art.  Our focus is on completed works, so no layouts or journal spreads that are not part of a complete handmade book project. 

Since Eileen Hull is our Sponsor for this month, I have used her new Wrapped Journal die, along my my favourite Tim Holtz fabric to create a journal.

 I used Eileen's new die (Sizzix 662816) and Tim Holtz fabric from his Correspondence range from a year or so ago (which Eileen has just reminded me (thank you!), was picked up when she took me to a fabulous Joann's shop in Phoenix, Arizona, earlier this year!).  I also used a piece of Tim's Idea-ology range for the closure.

I attached the fabric to one side of  heavyweight card with Multi Matte Medium, left it to dry overnight and die cut it. Below is a view of the outside.

A view from the inside.  I attached the inside fabric separately, again with Multi Matte Medium and left this overnight to dry and then machine stitched all around the edges, with straight and zig zag stitches.  The glue works well but if the journal is going to get lots of use, the stitching holds the fabric in place quite securely.

I die cut Tim Holtz's Stitched Slots for the inside front cover.  I also stamped Tim's ticket stamps and die cut them with the matching dies.  I added an Idea-ology tag to finish it off.  I also made an envelope for the back of the journal with Tim's Correspondence papers.  I love that he has matching fabrics and papers.  I used 1mm red elastic to string the journal, ready for the signatures.

I created two signatures by covering card with more of the fabric, for the covers, stitching around the edges and attaching the inserts to the covers using a simple pamphlet stitch. The covers measure 6.3/4" x 4.7/8 and the insert pages are just slightly smaller.

I often make pocketed wallet inserts for my journals.  Again, I covered the card with fabric, before creating the wallet.  There is a plan below should you wish to create one of these.

To make the wallet, start by cutting heavyweight card to 11.1/2" x 5.1/4".  Score at 2.1/2", 5.3/4" and 9.1/4".  Score on the long side at 1/2" - this creates the fold up pieces which form the lower edge of the wallet insert.

I like to trim the two side edges by rounding them as shown below.  However, if you prefer the pockets to be straight you can just leave them as is.  Your trimmed piece should look like the sample below.  Fold the sides in and then glue the small tabs, at the bottom, to the outside of the folded in edges, as shown above.

As I mentioned earlier, Eileen Hull is our wonderful Sponsor this month and she is offering one of her new dies - Journaling Cards - Hearts (Sizzix 662812)  to one lucky winner.

Eileen Hull

Website - http://www.eileenhull.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/eileenhulldesigns/
Eileen Hull Facebook Fan Club - https://www.facebook.com/groups/278232919290545/
Shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/EileenHull?ref=pr_shop_more

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I hope you can pay a visit to Mini Album Makers blog to see what my talented team mates have made, you will not be disappointed. Of course, we would love to see you join in the challenge too!

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

Hugs,  Anne  xx

Guest Designer at Stamps and Stencils!

Hello Friends

A quickie post today.

I was so honoured to have won the Let's Fake it Challenge over at Stamps and Stencils recently and they kindly asked me to be Guest Designer today HERE.

Stamps and Stencils is a wonderful challenge blog and I am a huge fan of the Design Team members, they are all so talented!

I am sharing some of my favourite projects over there, if you would like to see them!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend, I am doing something very special....

Big hugs,  Anne xxx

Book Club 2 - Eileen Hull - Wrapped Journal 2

Hello Friends

I have shared a couple of Wrapped Journals using Eileen Hull's fabulous new die, this one is my second offering for this month as the Inspiration Team are sharing Journals all this month, and also using Eileen's Color Box Blend inks by Clearsnap.  You will be able to see lots of inspiration all month on Eileen's blog HERE.

I wanted to make a 'manly' style Journal, after seeing my super talented Teamie, Mitsyana's make a while back, I wanted to see if I could recreate the 'look' of faux metal that she created but just using matboard as my base.

For the Journal cover I used Eileen's Wrapped Journal (Sizzix 662816) and a stencil by Autour de Mwa of AALLandCreate - Stencil #28.  Additional supplies were Eileen's Color Box Blends in Ebony, Texture Paste, Pebeo Gilding Wax in Silver and PaperArtsy paint in Snowflake.

After die cutting the Journal I applied Texture Paste through the stencil and left this to dry naturally.  Once dry I applied the Ebony Colour Box Blends with a paint brush (these inks work just like paint) and left it to dry.  I mixed Ebony ink and Snowflake paint together until a lovely gray colour was achieved and this was painted onto the inside of the Journal.

To create the faux metal appearance I used my finger to apply the Gilding Wax and once dry I buffed it up with a soft cloth.

I selected my embellishments, one of Tim Holtz's small pocket watches, one of his skull and cross bones charm, a word band, a hitch fastener and a couple of brads.  The chain, hitch fastener and brads were coloured with silver Alcohol Ink and the word 'salvaged' was coloured with Distress Crayon before silver Alcohol Ink was applied to 'age' it.

Here is a close up of the embellishments once attached.

For the inside of the journal I created four signatures and also added some pockets and tags, using Eileen Hull's new Framelit dies - Credit Card Sleeve & Tags (Sizzix 662810) and some Tim Holtz design papers.

A close up of one of the tags inside a Credit Card sleeve.

Finally, a view of the completed Journal, I am really pleased with the way this one turned out! Huge thanks to Mitsyana for the inspiration!

As I said earlier, all month long Eileen's Inspiration Team will be sharing projects HERE, where you will find lots of inspiration, as well as on Eileen's Fan Club page on Facebook.  There are nearly 3,000 fans in the Club, all sharing projects, hints and tips.  Eileen offers wonderful prizes once key milestones are reached and 3,000 is the next milestone..... just saying!!

Thanks so much for your visit, I hope to see you again soon.  I have some fabulous news to share with you in August....

Hugs, Anne  xx

NB.  I put some links in for the UK where Eileen's

and AALL products can be purchased.  I do not receive any commission 

from any of the companies named, I simply share the details to assist 

you in finding them.

Mini Album Makers July Challenge

Hello Friends

July sees a new challenge over at Mini Album Makers and we would love to have you join in!

Our Rules are very straightforward : Any Handmade Book goes.  Enter any form of handmade mini album, scrapbook, journal or book art.  Our focus is on completed works, so no layouts or journal spreads that are not part of a complete handmade book project. 

This month and I made a journal, using a new Wrapped Journal die by one of our Sponsors, Eileen Hull, along with some of my favourite paints, stamps and stencils.

I started by painting some A3 sized card, using Dina Wakley Heavy Body paints in Ruby and Turquoise and applied this with a brayer.  I added some white Gesso at the end to tone down the colours.

Next, I stamped onto the painted card, using Archival ink and Stamp Sets #63 (Olga Heldwein) and #33 (Tracy Evans) by AALLandCreate.  I wanted to have some real contrast so I stamped #63 again on plain painted card and cut the circles out.  These were glued on top of the stamped circles on the base card, as shown below.

 I glued one piece of this to some mount board and die cut a Wrapped Journal.  The rest was used to create signatures.  The die cut journal is shown below.  I added some splatters to the journal using the same colours of paint and added a few die cut numbers.

  To create the signatures I used the other piece of painted card, added some stencilling using Stencil #6 (Autour de Mwa) by AALLandCreate.  I mixed Eileen Hull's Color Box Blend ink in 'Stop' with some 13Arts 'Magic Powder' to create texture paste.

The paste was applied randomly through the stencil.

I used another of Eileen's new dies - Credit Card Sleeve & Tags (Sizzix 662810) to create a pocket on the inside cover.

A close up of the sleeve and stencilling.

I used the rest of the card to make further signatures and added more stencilling, using the same stencil as previously.

The photo below shows the back of the finished journal.  I added elastic for a closure and some die cut numbers.

I added some trinkets to the side of the journal.

A final look at the completed journal.

Our Sponsor for July is:

who are offering a $25 voucher to one lucky winner.

Website - https://www.lindysgang.com/
Blog - https://lindysgang.blog/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/lindysgang/
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I hope you will be able to join in with us at Mini Album Makers this month, we would love to see you there.  The Design Team have provided some wonderful inspiration!

Thank you for your visit, I hope to see you again soon.

Hugs, Anne xx

Blogger Comment Issue Solved!

Hello Friends

Just a quick post today.  If you have been having problems getting your Blogger comments via email, there is a solution which is working for me and many others too!  My dear friend Darnell posted the solution on her blog and I am sharing it here:

* Go to your dashboard

* Click on Settings

* Click on Email

* Delete your email address and click on 'Save Settings' in upper right

* Re-enter your email address and click on 'Save Settings' again

* You will then receive an email in your inbox from Blogger confirming that you want to subscribe

* Click on the underlined word 'Subscribe' in the email

Please share if you have other friends/Design Teams where this issue has been a problem.

Have a lovely weekend!

Hugs, Anne xx 

Book Club 2 - Eileen Hull - Wrapped Journal

Hello Friends

Eileen Hull's long awaited Wrapped Journal (Sizzix 662816) is about to be released and I, for one, cannot wait to get my hands on the new die (the Inspiration Team only had access to the prototype up to now).

Eileen's Inspiration Team were given die cuts to make samples for Creativation and this project is one of the first ones I made.  As some of you know, I love leather and felt and this one is made from 3mm pure wool felt.... it is very tactile...

Starting with the die cut and some beautiful 3mm felt, acrylic paint, strong glue and a piece of lace, cut the felt to fit the die cut.  Felt can be cut very easily with this Bigz XL die, this felt is quite thick and I used a Premium Crease Pad to prevent the score lines from cutting right through.  This is not necessary, it is just my preference when using thick felt (or leather).

The lace was added to the felt first, it was stitched and glued in place.  A few French knots were added, as an accent, using red embroidery thread.

Paint the inside of the die cut before gluing this onto the felt die cut and leave overnight to dry.  Attach the closure string (made with Eileen's Twist & Style Tool) by gluing it between the felt and the journal die cut.  A heart shaped button was added to the front for the closure string to fasten to.  String the journal with elastic to hold four signatures.  

There is a lot of room in this journal and you can make quite large signatures.  Signature covers can be cut from Eileen's Passport die, they fit beautifully in this Wrapped Journal.

For this Journal I created three signatures and one pocket insert.

Here is a view of the back of the finished Journal.

This whole journal goes together like a dream, it is a lovely shape, it can be made thick or thin depending on the thickness of the signatures and it is such a handy size to fit in a purse/handbag.  

I hope you enjoyed seeing my first Wrapped Journal, there are more to come!  Thanks so much for your visit and I hope to see you again soon!

Hugs, Anne xx

AALL and CREATE weekend...

Hello Friends!

Firstly, I must apologies if I have not visited you, I have had two very busy and wonderful crafty weekends away, lucky me!

This weekend I visited That's Crafty in London for the first leg of  AALL & Create's World Tour and what a fabulous weekend it was too!  I just wish I could have continued on to day 3 too!  It was worth the seven hour journey there....

Out of respect to the individual designers I cannot share any of the details with you but I hope you enjoy seeing the creations we made.

My first class was with the hugely talented Tracy Evans who taught us some amazing techniques (with her own wonderful range of stamps and stencils)  to create a beautiful textured tag.   I am totally in love with this tag!  Tracy's enthusiasm is very infectious!

The afternoon class, also with Tracy saw us using beautiful bold colours to make two different styles of accordion cards.  Lots of inky, painty and stamping goodness!

Day two was spent with Aida Domisiewicz (also the owner of 13Arts) using lots of Aida's exclusive 13Arts products and Aida's AALL&Create stamps and stencils.  I was totally out of my comfort zone making this beautiful project but I loved every minute of it!

As well as meeting up again with the adorable Autour De Mwa (Abs), it was so lovely to meet more of the AALLandCreate Designers, Aida, Olga Heldwein and Fiona Paltridge and of course my dear friend Tracy Evans.  I felt like I was in the presence of Crafting Royalty - thank you to each and every one of them for making the weekend lots of fun, I have not laughed so much for ages!!  

Along with learning new techniques, meeting up with crafty idols, it was incredible to meet wonderful new friends too - Gayna Hurst, Donna (Ragdoll), Tina Thompson-Theis and so many others.  Laura Holland and Graham ensured that the whole weekend ran smoothly and of course the shop was a huge temptation!  Huge thanks to Laura and Graham!

AALLandCreate stamps and stencils are available worldwide, you can see a full list of stockists HERE.

I am adding project 1 to The Mixed Media Monthly challenge (sadly it is their last one).  Project 1 has thread wrapped around the butterfly and string wrapped around the wire at the top.


Thanks so much for your visit, I hope to see you again soon with a new
Eileen Hull project!

Hugs, Anne xx