Mixed Media Art Journal - Made From Scratch

* A Lot of Pictures Alert!

 Front of Book - Closed With Metal Clasp

I have been wanting to work more with collage and mixed media using fabrics and papers.  It occurred to me that one of the best ways for me to learn How to do this, was to Do this.  So I decided to make a book out of fabric and chipboard and go from there. 

Back of Book

Today's post is about the construction of the book.  This is a long post with lots of pictures. The inside of the book will be posted at a later date. The cover and all of the pages are made from 10 oz. winter white denim. I used transfer artist paper on the cover for the fleur de lis and then embroidered the butterfly over part of it.

Transfer Artist Paper Used for Sepia Petal's Fleur De Lis Image from OESD/Bernina

The back cover wraps around the front and stays closed with a clasp purchased in the button department at Joanns. The embroidery designs are from OESD's Sepia Petals. The stabilizer is large enough to be completely hooped, the fabric is hooped on the sides.
The book is about 9 1/2" wide by about 11" tall finished.

Machine Embroidered Tree On Front Cover

After embroidering the outside cover, I sewed the inside cover to the front on three sides.  The clasp was sewn to the back (wrap-around) cover using elastic sewn into the seam.  Initially, I serged the three sides, thinking that I was going to do a raw/serged outer seam.  As I continued working on it, I decided to sew rights sides together and turn it out.  I knew the bottom edge would be serged once the chipboard pieces were in place. The somewhat rough edge that the serging makes is the look I wanted for the bottom.  All of the pages of the book are also serged around the edges.

Ready for Chipboard

I hand sewed the other part of the clasp to the front and then calculated where the chipboard inserts should go. To make slots for the chipboard I sewed straight lines down the length of the book wherever seemed like it would make sense to have the book bend.  The pages of the book were to be sewn in After assembling the cover.

Inside of Book Cover with Chipboard Inserts

Once all the pieces of the chipboard were in place, I serged the bottom of the book.  I worked on the inside cover prior to assembling the other pages.  Because it was to be embroidered, it was easier to do it this way. The interior of this art journal is still a work in progress and not quite done yet.  

Front Cover With Back Cover Pulled Open

Copic Colored Fastener 

The clasp was a pewter color which did not match the embroidery threads at all.  I colored it with an alcohol based marker and it looks much better.

After the outside was finished, I sewed the pages into the book on either side of the chipboard-stabilized spine.

Please come back to see some of the pages as I complete them.  I experimented with different ways to adhere paper to the fabric, used different image transfer techniques and stamped, inked, painted, and spritzed fabric and paper as I layered and collaged it together. It has been a fun learning experience!

Thank you for visiting today!

Beverly

A New Bike - A Few Years Ago

Two Page 12 x 12 Layout

My dd loves assembling things with dh.  All the better if it is something for her.  She needed a new, taller bicycle because she had a bit of a growth spurt. They put together the bike and she was ready to ride.

I have been having fun with spritzes and mists lately.  All of the paper used on this layout is plain cardstock.  The diecuts are from my stash of retired texture cardstock from CTMH.

The butterfly was printed on linen and colored with watercolor pencils.  This image was free on the internet.  I believe it was from Graphics Fairy. The foam letters for the title are from American Crafts Amy Tangerine Thickers collection.

Thank you for visiting!
Beverly

A Note For You Card With SEI 6 x 6 Paper Stack

Fiskars Threading Water and EK Success Scrolls and Dots Edge Punches Add Detail

Maybe I should call this "Edge Punch Week" as everyday, so far, the cards have been made using different punches!  This is a simple card with baker's twine and another piece of fiber to offer some additional texture.  There is a scrap of linen behind the sentiment, which is from CTMH's Just For You set.

I love the embossed telephone/chair paper in this stack from SEI.  The striped paper came from the same pad.  It is from the Promise Me collection.

Just a quick post today.  I hope you are having a fabulous day!
Thank you for visiting!
Beverly

Everything You Can Imagine Card

Patterned papers are from the Prima Pixie Glen 6 x 6 Paper Stack

The rest of the quote from Pablo Picasso:
"Everything you can imagine is real"

He had such an imagination and artistic vision.  Who can argue with that thought?  When I saw the pretty Prima papers, I knew that I wanted to use this CTMH stamp with them.  I threw on a little lace to sort of make it look like a window.  And of course, any time I can add some pearls, I do! Three of the layers - across the bottom of the papers - were all cut using the EK Success Bracket Punch.

Thank you for visiting!
Beverly

Sympathy Cards

 First, let me say "Thank You" to all of the past and present members of our military and to their families for your service to our country.  Memorial Day is tomorrow, but I think of your sacrifices everyday.  Many years ago, I had the honor of teaching elementary school in a district that had a large military population.  It was a learning opportunity for me because I had not known any military families before then. It was humbling to see, first hand, the commitment and dedication these brave women and men exhibited before, during and after September 11, 2001. Thank you for keeping freedom, free.

On this weekend, I thought I would share some sympathy cards.  I prefer to have some of these made up before they are needed because I do not much feel like creating them when the time comes to send one.

Martha Stewart Double Arches Punch Around the Page Layers

 This card is a 6" square.  Both layers of paper on top of the base were cut with MS punches.  The top white cardstock layer was spritzed with Cappuccino Perfect Pearls and stamped with a CTMH stamp.  The cameo is a button from Joann's.  I decided to frame the inside layer with the black May Arts ribbon because it seemed very 'busy' without it.

Personal Stamp Exchange Lily Stamp

 The second card was stamped and embossed in green ink.  I love PSX stamps because of their fine detail.  Unfortunately, they went out of business a few years ago. The card is layered on a dark green base and embellished with CTMH pearls and a piece of lace from my stash.

Masculine Sympathy Card

 The last card is layers of linen and cardstock.  On top of the textured cardstock base I adhered a piece of linen fabric wrapped with a piece of baker's twine. I wanted to keep this card very simple and only added a few black pearls to the focal point sentiment.  The embossed piece of white cardstock made a nice backdrop for the linen with the stamped image. This was done on a piece cut with a Spellbinders die and inked around the edges.

Lots of Texture 

Thank you for stopping by today.  I wish you a peaceful holiday weekend.  Please thank a Veteran when you can.

Beverly

Frosted Designs Card Sketch Challenge #19

 Happy Card Sketch Challenge Day from Frosted Designs!  Today I am using a digital castle stamp image from our prize sponsor, Stitchybear Digital Designs.  I flipped the sketch around and placed the text box at the top.

Sketch By Ann Bacon For Frosted Designs

Ann has been doing such an awesome job of providing us with great sketches to follow.  Please check out the other designers' work at FrostedDesigns.blogspot.com and then link up your card using the sketch.

I popped the clouds off the page to add a little dimension. The lace trim is from my stash.  Underneath the lace is an adhesive glittery strip from Michael's brand, Recollections.  To continue the sparkly-ness on the card, I used CTMH Sparkles Clear Gems.

Copic Colors Used On This Card

Thank you so much for visiting today! Have an awesome day!
Beverly

A Couple of Masculine Cards With Tags

Masculine Thank You Card

 I have not quite decided what constitutes a 'masculine card'.  If it has Tim Holtz Gears/Sprockets on it than it seems it should immediately qualify as a masculine card, if one wants it to.  The top card has one of them on there.  And the card is brown.  That automatically places it in the running for a masculine card.  This card has lots of layers using different manufacturers' papers, but they all work together nicely. The top tag is a fussy cut from Bo Bunny. The ruler and 'this belongs to' tag were fussy cut from a CTMH B & T paper.  The next layer is also from Bo Bunny, from their Timepiece Noteworthy collection.  The bottom paper, which is adhered to a plain white cardstock base, is a long retired SU! designer paper.  I colored the metal tag with a couple of Copics and wrote the letter "C" on it.  I sanded it a bit to rough it up.  There is a bit of sewing on the card, also. If you click on the picture, you can see it a bit better.

SEI, American Crafts and CTMH Papers and Embellishments

 Masculine doesn't have to be macho.  Some men like flowers and butterflies. My dear grandfather loved to garden.  Ok, so maybe this one is not AS masculine as the first.  But there are pieces of wood on it.  It could go either way, I guess.
I fussy cut the jar from the American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan paper.  The SEI butterfly and flowers are from their Die Cut Accents - Field Notes and Desert Springs. The wooden dragonfly and the small flower are from CTMH.  I stamped the cute wooden tag with Stazon ink using a stamp from the JustRite Fleur De Lis Labels Twenty set.  The tag was in the button department at Joann's. Six in a package for less than $3.00! The green background paper is a retired CTMH B & T.

Inside Card - Fussy Cut Label From CTMH

I know that I can not be the only one with paper older than my children, so I wanted to show how brand new (current) paper can be used with things from several years ago.
Thank you for visiting today!
Beverly

Missing Pictures Are Out For Publication

A friend of mine suggested that I submit some of my work for publication.  I finally got around to it and lo and behold several of my pieces are going to be published in the next edition of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.  The magazine comes out this evening.

Because these items have appeared on my blog in the past, I needed to remove them. They will be re-posted in about a month.  If you come across a post that says, "Out For Publication," that is why.  Thanks for understanding why some of the links to past posts are currently unavailable.

I hope you are having an amazing weekend.  I sure am!
Beverly

You Rock!

This card is all about grungy-ness and metal.  It is so much fun to take plain paper and make it into something with color and texture. The four layers are as follows:

The base layer is white card stock spritzed with Mister Huey's Classic Calico color mist.
Kraft cardstock is the next one up. There are three small round clips from CTMH in the corner.
The layer with all the metal studs (Durables - CTMH) is a piece from my stash.
The top layer is white cardstock inked with Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distressed Ink.  I then stamped it with three images from the You Rock stamp set (CTMH) with black ink (CTMH.)

I didn't like the silvery-ness of the Christmas braided ribbon on the left-hand side so I colored the silver parts with a black Sharpie marker. The chain thingie on the right is from a little screwdriver that has been in my desk drawer forever.  It is adhered with Judi-Kins Diamond Glaze. I also used the Diamond Glaze to glue down the round ribbon slide.

I hope your day is a great one and that you know that You Rock!
Beverly

Meeting a New Cousin in 1993

12 x 12 Layout

 My eldest sister gave birth to her daughter when my dd was a little over 3 years old.  These pictures are from our first visit to see dear Samantha. It was so fun to see my dd being so loving and gentle with her baby cousin. Even though we live so far apart, my sister worked hard to make sure that the two of them saw my dd every year as they were growing up.

I wanted this layout to be special even though the quality of the pictures is less than optimal.  This is an example where the memory that is being commemorated rely's on the event, rather than the photos. Everything on this layout is from my stash. The background papers are probably from 2003 or 2004.  Some are from SU! and some from CTMH.  I am not sure what the brand is for the colored vellum, but I liked using it for matting. The lace and ribbon are at least a decade old.

Thank you for stopping by today!
Beverly

Finished Some Fabric Projects - Chair Cushions and a Quillow

Cushion Covers For Patio Furniture

 Last week I finally started and finished some projects that have been on my 'to-do' list for a very long time.  Somehow, the cushions, for the chair pictured above, disappeared. It is a mystery as to where they went.  About three years ago I bought some outdoor fabric from JoAnn's to make new ones.  It has taken me this long to buy the foam and actually get this project finished.  I found a wonderful tutorial online that I used to get the basics of what needed to be done.  This tutorial shows how to cover small cushions with a handle. Mine do not have a handle and are much larger, but the idea is the same.

Quillow as a Pillow

 The fabric above also came from JoAnn's.  But it is even older than the outdoor fabric!  It was/is for a quillow for my nephew.  A quillow is a small quilt that folds into an attached pocket to make a pillow.

Unfolded Quillow Showing the Backside Pocket

 This is an easy project to make in an afternoon.  (I know!  What took me so long!)  There are two pieces of fabric and one piece of very thick poly batting 2 1/2 yds each.  Cut off a piece of each so that all the pieces are 2 yards long.  From each of the remnants, cut as large a square as you are able.  But all the same size. One of my fabrics shrank more than the other, so I ended up with about a 16" square.  Place the right sides together with the batting square on top.  Sew around the outside, leaving a section open in order to turn the sandwich inside out.  I used a 1/2" seam and trimmed the corners. I then topstitched around the edge, which closed up the open section.

Finished Quillow Measures Approximately 71" x 42"

 The process to make the quilt part is the same.  After the sandwich is completed, place the pillow sandwich on the backside of the quilt and position it in the lower center.  Sew around three sides leaving an opening at the top.  Use a walking foot and channel quilt the length of the quilt into thirds.  It makes it easier to fold the quillow if the quilting is aligned with the sewing lines that attach the pillow pocket.  Some people like to stick their feet into the pocket, which may help to explain the orientation of the opening of the pocket.

Folding the Quillow Into A Pillow

To fold the quilt so that it easily fits into it's pocket, fold it in thirds lengthwise.  Tuck it into the pocket and flip the inside of the pocket to the outside as you are stuffing the pocket.  Once you do it a couple of times, it isn't as confusing as it sounds.

It is so nice to be able to complete some of the things that I have needed to do!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Beverly

Graduation Projects

Each 7" x 6" Plain Chipboard Pennant Covered and Decorated

 Last weekend my older dd graduated from the University of Arizona.  I am so proud of her!  Younger dd and I made some things to decorate the entryway for when she came home after the commencement on Saturday.  The "Congratulations" banner looks much nicer in person, but I think you can see some of the detail in the first picture above.  I used a pre-cut chipboard base from CTMH.  Each of the letters was cut from very old paper from CTMH using the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge. The same paper packs were used to cover the pennants and make rosettes, etc.

Uses Two CTMH My Creations Chipboard Banner Packs

The letters were tied together with baker's twine.  It is nice that her school colors are so patriotic!  I will probably recycle some of the pieces for the Fourth of July. :-)

3 Giant Tissue Paper Flowers Made by 7 Year Old Daughter

 The "2012" on the tissue paper flowers was cut using the Silhouette Cameo and adhered with glue dots.  I think my younger dd did a great job making these big tissue paper flowers..  They are very easy to make.  Accordion fold the paper and tie a wire around the center.  A good fluffing and they are ready!

This note was hanging on the wall on the way to the kitchen.  It sums it all up!

I hope you have many fun things to celebrate this summer.

Thanks for stopping by.

Beverly

Frosted Designs Card Sketch Challenge #18 - Double Slider Card

Edited on 6/21/2012 - Reposted after having been removed for publication.

Slider Card

Happy Tuesday!  Welcome to another Frosted Designs Card Sketch Challenge!  Ann's sketch is posted below.  This week, I am making a masculine-ish card for Father's Day. I love to see how everyone's paper selection gives the card a particular kind of feel or theme. Please check out the other designers' cards at Frosted Designs.  You can link up your card there and be eligible for a prize!

Card Sketch by Ann Bacon for Frosted Designs

I thought it would be fun to make a slider card for the front middle square element.  This was easy to make and the only odd-ish thing that is used, which may not be in your craft supplies, is a piece of plastic.  This could be cut from a plastic shopping bag.

Double Slider Card "Pull" Tab

I checked out a couple of tutorials online and none of them are exactly the way I made mine.  There are so many ways to do things.  It seems that I do better with figuring things out on my own, but then it isn't always easy to explain how to do it!  This video tutorial that I found, by doing a Google search, is a good one to watch to get an idea as to how the slider works.  Lesley Oman (from the video) made an entire card as the slider base and it is so cute!  She used a ribbon as the "pull" for her friend.  With my dh, I need to have the actual word "Pull" on the card or he won't know that it is an interactive element.

Double Slider Panel in the Open/Pulled Position

Supplies:

Paper: Cardstock is from CTMH, Patterned Paper is from SEI

Stamps: CTMH

Ink: CTMH

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Beverly

The Check It Off My To-Do List Challenge

The Photo is from 2005 

 I have lots of to-do lists.  Do you?  Every time I scrapbook something from a long time ago, it makes me feel good about whittling away at my long list of projects to complete.  Yesterday, I sponsored a Frosted Designs Challenge on Facebook entitled "The Check It Off My To-Do List Challenge". Not a very catchy name.  But I am more of a practical nature than a literary one. :-)  It would be so fabulous to have you play along and complete one of your "to-do" projects!  It can be a layout, a card or some other type of papercrafting project. To join the challenge just post a picture of your completed artwork to Frosted Designs Facebook page by Midnight Central time.  To check out the prize and to enter the challenge go to the Facebook page here.

Flower and Bling Cluster On CTMH's Lucy B & T Papers

Thank you for stopping by today!

Frosted Designs Facebook Challenge National Scrapbooking Weekend!

Edited on 6/21/2012 - Reposted after having been removed for publication.  

12 x 12 Two Page Layout

At 3:00 P.M. (Central Time) today I am hosting the Frosted Designs Facebook Challenge.  It would be so much fun if you would play along!  Plus, you could win a prize!

Graphic 45 and CTMH Embellishment Cluster

I am posting the layout I did for the challenge early so you might guess what the challenge is going to be.  Hint - It does not have anything to do with Christmas.

"Love This Smile" Rub-on from CTMH Lucy Complements Glittery Rub-ons

The photo of the prize will be posted on Frosted Designs Facebook page at 3:00 CDT.  It is a great prize that both card makers and scrapbookers can use!

My Dear Daughter at One Year Old in 1990

The challenge is open to anyone and can be any type of papercrafting (card, layout, project) as long as it meets the challenge theme.  You will have until midnight (CDT), Monday, May 7, 2012 to post your photo on the Facebook page to be eligible for the prize.

The Frosted Designs team have been posting challenges since Friday night so there are lots of different kinds of challenges with which to participate!  The challenges on the blog are separate from the Facebook challenges so check out both places to see what awesome goodies you could win for participating in the other challenges.
Here are the links to the blog and Facebook.  Please follow us and join in the fun!

Have a wonderful day!  Hope to see you on Frosted Designs Facebook page later today.
Beverly

You Are Truly Amazing!

This cheery card took about 8 minutes to make.  Sometimes you just need a fast card and do not want to spend a lot of time thinking about the process.  But you do not want it to look like you were in a hurry! I am giving this to my daughter before her Convocation next week in Tucson.  It is truly how every mom feels about their children... and I could send it to her 'just because' but I am in a hurry and then I'd have to make another card for next week! lol

I am still trying to figure out what her actual graduation card will look like.  It needs to be extra special because she is so special to me.  Hug all the special people in your lives when you see them next time. Or give them a card and a hug. :-)

Supplies:
Everything is from CTMH.
Paper: Dotty For You, Colonial White and Lagoon Cardstock
Stamps: April Stamp of the Month set
Ink: Lagoon, Hollyhock (on butterfly shape) and Sunkiss Yellow
Embellishments: Sparkles and Flutter Paper Shapes
Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge and corner rounder punch

Have an amazing day!
Beverly