Simple Wrapped Journal

     This is based around the Eileen Hull Sizzix die for a Wrapped Journal, with a few adjustments to suit my stash. As this project is built from scratch it makes an ideal item for Altered Eclectics, where all things altered, recycled and mixed media are welcome, anything but cards and ATC's really.

 
     The base was cut from greyboard using the die, it's a Bigz die so it will cut through most materials.
     For the papers I found an A4 booklet of double sided papers in my stash. Using PVA I covered both sides of the greyboard, but when I folded the board the paper split. Now this I think was partly the papers are not all that thick and partly I was too impatient to let the glue dry completely so the paper was still damp, a silly mistake. I did not want to start again so out came the washi tape, a strip of this over all the joins and all was well.
   

     A little ink along the edges to add to the distressed look made quite a difference too.
     To close the book I chose to use a ribbon tie but it needed to be fixed to the journal, I didn't want a hole in the spine to pass it through so I die cut a label to go over it.
     The ribbon was stuck to the cover with red line tape, then the label was stuck over it also with red line tape, this is the strongest thing I could think of to hold the ribbon firmly in place.

     The cover die cuts holes for you to thread cord through to hold booklets, but this one wasn't having those so I had to make a spine to stick my pages to. I planned for four pages in this book, two flat and two with pockets.
     The spine was glued in place with a very strong PVA and left to dry thoroughly.
     I cut and folded my pages using the same paper pack, for the flat pages I also cut labels to stick on for somewhere to write. These labels were inked around the edges to soften them, allowing them to blend into the page.   

     A panel added to the front cover matted on a die cut label finished off the outside. Another panel added to the inside front cover and a die cut ticket slot pouch on the inside back cover, complete with tags finished off the inside.
     There were topper panels in the pack so I cut some of these out and added them to tags, these also have inked edges and a tiny organza ribbon coloured pink with an alcohol marker.
     The pages are alternated pouch, flat, pouch, flat and there is enough space between pages to stick a few items on and still be able to close the journal.
     These would make ideal little keepsake gifts you could theme to special events. This has been a learning experience so hopefully as I make more of these they will continue to improve.
     Don't forget to come over to Altered Eclectics and show us your creations, we would love to see them.

I would like to enter this project in the following challenges:

Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Crafting From The Heart - Anything Goes

Creative Fingers - Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes optional More Than One Fold

Purple Christmas

     This is for the new challenge at Christmas At Sweet Stampin', to use a non traditional colour palette.
     I don't have any assembly pictures for this one, it's just the same gorgeous holly wreath die cut three times, a very simple but effective card.
     The holly was cut in lilac, purple and silver holographic card, i did lay it all up a few times before settling on the lilac at the bottom, then the purple, finally topped off with the silver. To make the purple pop I used the same card for the mat layer.
     A simple greeting in the centre looked alright, but looked much better when raised on foam pads. I don't have a stamp or die small enough (yet) so I used a peel off coloured with a purple alcohol pen.
     This would look effective in almost any colour combination but non traditional colours are what we are looking for at Christmas At Sweet Stampin', so please pop over and join us with your festive makes.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Garland, Leaves, Flowers

CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - Anything Christmas

The Holly and Ivy - Anything Christmas

Crimbo Crackers - Anything Christmas

Four Tiers and A Tattered Rose

     A new month, a new challenge at Altered Eclectics, the home of altered art, mixed media and recycling.

      We needed a fake wedding cake for display in the shop so when somebody kindly donated a set of stacking boxes the ideas started to bake.
       All the bases were stuck to the lids of the boxes below each other with hot glue. I found some crochet lace in a bargain bin, the only problem was it was blue.

      I tried several types of paint but found the only one to really cover well was some cream emulsion, two coates later and the blue lace was cream.
      The flowers were die cut from music score and coloured with Distress Ink, then attached to the cake with more hot glue.
   

      The lids will come off but they're a tight fit, good thing it's just a display item. If you are working on a recycling project, altered art or mixed media please pop over to Altered Eclectics and show us.

I would like to enter this project in the following challenges:

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes #391

Fab 'n' Funky - Recycling #442

Little Red Wagon - Recycle #499

Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes 

Classic Design Team Challenge - Anything Goes
Not Just Cards - Anything Goes

Another Snowflake In May

     Another snowflake for May's challenge at Christmas At Sweet Stampin', the challenge is anything seasonal with the optional twist of snowflakes. 
     I wanted to make some more of these in different colours, the last one was teal, but I've only managed to get this one done.....so far.
     Things have been quiet on here for a week or two, my apologies. We all have many things to juggle and I'm happy to say I have just increased mine in a good way. I'm unable to share just now but things will begin to appear soon as it's all starting to take shape.
      Meanwhile the peas are in, the new redcurrant bush is in, the beans are coming up and the courgettes go in tomorrow, weather permitting. I love growing our own food, I'm sure it tastes better. Let's hope it doesn't snow for real!
     

Snowflakes in May

     Where is this year going?! It's May already. It really is time to get those Christmas cards made and we have lots of inspiration for you over at Christmas At Sweet Stampin'.

      Snowflakes are one of my favourite images to use. They are great for masculine, general seasonal and traditional projects.
      Using Sizzix die Ice Flake I cut a shape from snowy acetate, then used alcohol inks to add a little colour to it. Another Ice Flake was cut from white glitter card.
      Sizzix Layered Snowflake was used to cut a shape from mirri card, then embossed with the  folder that comes in the pack.

      All three layers were then put together using Glossy Accents to glue them. I also put a brad through the middle just incase the glue gave out. I didn't have any snowflake brads so I used a silver flower and put a gem in the centre, coloured with an alcohol marker.
      I wanted a mat layer that matched the mirri card but was a little more subtle, so out came the Distress Inks. I have found I can match my layer colours to my project more easily by cutting a white mat and using the inks or pens used in the image to colour the edge that will show.
     The layer directly under the flake has been embossed with snowflakes to add more texture. The main snowflake has been stuck down with red line tape just to make sure it's stuck fast. Only the centre is stuck down, allowing the snowflake to look like it's just resting on the card.
      Please pop over to Christmas At Sweet Stampin' to see all the wonderful snowflake ideas we have for you, you don't have to use a snowflake to join our challenge but it would be fun if you did.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

The 12 Months Of Christmas - #53 Anything Goes, Option-Creature Feature
CraftyHazelnut's Christmas - #436 Anything Goes, Option-Bells
The Holly and Ivy - #49 Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Mondays - Add Something Metallic

Seascape Inktin

     What do you do with an old, dried out ink pad that's not worth trying to revive? Well maybe nothing with the pad, but the tin is a different story. This project is for Altered Eclectics challenge blog as we love anything altered, recycled or mixed media.

   
     It took a bit of brute force to get the pad off the base, only to discover that the base wasn't really going to be of much use, so that went in the metal recycle bin.
     The lid has many possibilities as it's a nice silver tray about half an inch deep. After peeling the label off the lid I used some Sticky Stuff Remover to get all the glue off, leaving it nice and clean.
     To be able to pop it on the fridge I added a strip of Stix2 self adhesive magnetic tape on the outside.

      To decorate the inside I used Alcohol Inks in shades of blue, ready for my seascape.
      The weed and creatures are all made with hot glue in a silicone mould, this means they are slightly flexible which is very handy when sticking them on a curve.
      The shapes were painted with a mix of acrylic and pearl paints, then stuck into the tin with hot glue. The addition of a few shells collected on various outings completed the tin.
      If you have anything altered, recycled or mixed media then please come over to Altered Eclectics and join us, we would love to see what you've made.

Monochrome Bauble

   Welcome to my second card for Christmas At Sweet Stampin', our optional twist this month is monochrome but you can join us with any Christmas themed creation.

     This card started with some white card, a bauble stencil and Distress Ink. Using masking tape I secured the stencil to the card and my craft mat, then with an Inkylicious dusting brush I coloured the bauble shape with blue Distress Ink, trying to get it a little darker at the top than the bottom.
     I decided to stamp my image before removing the stencil, I've been a bit clumsy lately so thought this would protect the clean white card a bit longer and I'm happy to say it worked.
     This could just as easily be done in a stamp press, it's just that I was so keen to get it started I forgot until I got to the stamping stage!

     The image was stamped with Versafine Clair Medieval Blue, which is a very dark blue. I wanted to add some tiny stars to the night sky so I used a silver glitter gel pen. As the main star was stamped in blue I chose to add a tiny clear gem to the centre to make it stand out and shine.
     I wanted to keep it simple so I tried to find blue card to match my image, easier said than done, you would think with all the card and paper I have that I would have some the right shade?...no.  So I found an alcohol marker that did match almost perfectly, I cut a white mat layer and coloured the edge with the pen, let it dry and then matted my image panel.
     Once the panel was on a white card blank it needed a big greeting, a die cut would work well as it would sit across the layers happily. I cut one in white and coloured it with the same pen as the mat but it was too dull, so a quick rummage through the mirri card draw and a nice dark blue mirri greeting was ready. I saw somebody showing a tip for adding glue to a thin die cut, but sadly I don't remember who. Put some PVA on the back of your hand and dab the die cut over it to pick up a light coating before putting it on the card, it saves glue splodges oozing out when you press it down.
     A simple monochrome card suitable for a man and thin enough for posting. Making one card a month for is not going to get my stash built up very quickly, so starting next month I will try to make a batch of cards for each challenge to be blogged throughout the month.
     Please come and join us at Christmas At Sweet Stampin' with your seasonal creations, if you haven't seen all the DT inspiration then pop over and take a look.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

ABC Christmas - Hang It Up/Intricate

The 12 Month's Of Christmas - Anything Goes/optional Fairies

The Holly and Ivy - Anything Goes