Monday, August 25, 2014

Prima's Time Traveler Mini Album

Prima's Time Traveler Mini Album Cover
Morning Friends,

This is the final post in a series of four posts featuring items I created for a 10 item, secret sister Goodie Bag Swap being hosted by Martica at scrapbook.com.  I know who my secret sister is so this has been a very fun swap for me to play along. 

To create this mini I used a 4 x 6 pad (48 sheets) of Prima's Time Traveler paper collection.  The size is perfect for 3.5" x 5" photos and its so easy to create pages.  Just adhere two pages back to back and embellish as desired.  I made pockets and created journaling cards by cutting the 4 x 6 in half, adding a eyelet and some jute sting to finish off the tag.  I inked all the tags and pages with Vintage Photo ink from Ranger by Tim Holtz. 

Here are close ups of each of the pages.  I hope you enjoy this fun and easy project:

Prima's Time Traveler Front Cover

First a little bit about the front cover.  I used Prima  flowers and one of their ornate frames, a few chipboard pieces and a metal button and pocket watch from Metal Works at Michaels.  I added a Tim Holtz clasp and crystal hanging charm, tied two types of ribbon and some jute sting at the closure rings and a few Tim Holtz clips throughout the pages. I finished off the bumper flowers and open fretwork leaves with some Diamond Stickles to sparkle things up a bit.  I used Prima's  Wired Thread in their Dusty color to make a few curly sprigs for the flower clusters.  The vintage bridal picture is compliments of my sweet friend Linny, who forever keeps me laughing and giggling.  :)

Prima's Time Traveler Cover Close Up
I colored the frame using the black then silver Wink of Luna metallic pens, then sprayed it with Prima's Color Blooms in Worn Leather to antique it a bit.  Came out lovely don't you think?  Lastly I finished off the cover with a pretty stick pin and hung the crystal charm.   
Prima's Time Traveler Cover Close Up
Since all the inside pages are expected to be used directly as photo mats, I limited embellishments to fairly flat items.  On the pocket pages, I made a few tags per pocket and added a small cluster of embellishments. I distressed all the pages, tags and chipboard with Vintage Photo ink from Tim Holtz. 

Let's have a closer look at the inside pages:

Page 1 and 2
Page 3 and 4

Page 5 and 6
Page 7 and 8
Page 9 and 10
Page 11 and 12

Page 13 and 14
Page 15 and 16

Pages 17 and 18
Back Cover of Prima's Time Traveler Mini Album
This was such an easy mini to make even crafters with beginning skill levels will be successful making this project!  And, did I mention how much fun it is to do something so easy?  :)

Well friends that's it for me this morning.  I hope you enjoyed this project and if you have a minute to leave a comment, I always love hearing from you.   There are more fun projects on the way, so feel free to 'follow' along or sign up for emails so you won't miss anything.   

Thank you for dropping by and wishing you all a perfectly wonderful day!    Big Hugs ~ Dawna



Sunday, August 24, 2014

"FRIENDS" Altered Home Decor Blocks

Hi Friends,

I'm sharing my next installment in a series of posts featuring items I created for a Goodie Bag Swap being hosted by Martica at scrapbook.com.   Please refer to the post titled  "Life Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Wonderful" Tag for complete swap details.   
This is a 10 item secret sister swap, which is not only a large swap, but was a lot of fun for me since I already know my secret sister!  These "FRIENDS" altered home decor blocks are for item #8 the something to be displayed category. 

These blocks were so fun and simple to make anyone could  try their hand at this project.  They came out so charming and the display possibilities are simply endless.  I'm sure my secret sister is going to love  them!    

Lets take a closer look at this adorable FRIENDS set:


First thing I decided to do was use Graphic 45's "Little Darlings" designer paper collection for this project.  My secret sister loves peach and these papers have the perfect color palette for her.   It also incorporates my current favorite color aqua so that makes me happy too! 
Every other block is taller than its neighbor beginning with a tall one and ending with a tall one (about 4 1/2").  The ones in between are about an 1 1/2" shorter making decorating them evenly impossible.  However with 7 letters,  4 tall and 3 short, height wise everything worked out evenly.  I decided to make the letters all the same size (2 1/2/") and drop them down from the top of the block the same distance (about 1/2") to allow extra room at the bottom of the tall blocks for flower clusters.  
To keep the design balanced I decided to decorate the large blocks more elaborately than the small blocks which I wanted to keep simple.   I decided to use the simple gingham print for the large blocks with flowers, lace, printed leaves, curly sprigs and a fussy cut rose behind the letter.  I dabbed ink on the lace and flowers here and there using Prima's Color Blooms in light teal.  I repeated this process for all 4 tall blocks.  
For the smaller blocks I used the baby face patterned paper and stenciled them using Prima's "Art Is" stencil which is a beautifully worded description of the creative process.  You can see the wonderful texture the molding paste leaves in the picture above.  The aqua butterflies were fussy cut and layered to add dimension.  The butterflies were finished off with an aqua pearl. 
All the FRIENDS letters were cut from the Cricut using the Storybook font at 2 1/2."  A "handmade with love" ribbon banner was added to the small 'E" and it was adhered and shaped using molding paste then lightly inked with light teal. 
All the large blocks have a single large Prima red and white "Gallery Rose" except for this "N" which uses the three smaller roses to create a large flower cluster.  Again, I used the printed leaves, curly sprigs, and a fussy cut rose behind the letter. 
All of the letters are finished off with 3 medium sized (8mm) peach pearls.  
Well friends, that's it for this post.  If you enjoyed this project and have a minute to leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you.   If you are new to my blog, feel free to 'follow' along or sign up for emails to see what's next.  
Thank you so much for dropping by today.  Wishing you all a perfectly wonderful day!  Remember to create from the heart and live your life inspired!   Big Hugs ~ Dawna

"Vintage Dress Form Mirror for Goodie Bag Swap


Hi Friends,

This is the next post I'm making to share all the pretties I created and collected for a Goodie Bag Swap that Martica is hosting at scrapbook.com.   Please refer to the "Life Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Wonderful" Tag Post for complete swap details.  

This is a 10 item secret sister swap, which is not only a large swap, but lots of fun since I already know my secret sister! This mirror is for category #7 the vintage altered item.

My secret sister loves shabby chic, vintage and in particular dress forms.  So I thought she might enjoy a mirror that she can display wherever her heart desires.  The vintage shabby chic frame holder is part of this gift, so she has the option of setting it on a table top or she can hang it. 

Here's a  few close up pictures I hope you enjoy:
Upper Corner Flower Cluster
The flowers are handmade using pearlized hot pink cardstock and Donna Salazar's Tattered Flower and Leaf Dies.  The hip rose buds are from Wild Orchards and the ornate corner chipboard is from Dusty Attic.  I Gessoed the chipboard so its a simple white matte finish.  The pearl brads are from Michael's. The background paper is from Teresa Collins "Sweet Afternoon" designer paper collection.  
Vintage Pearl Chandelier Close Up
This vintage chipboard chandelier is also from Dusty Attic.  I used Gesso as a base-coat, then finished it off with Liquid Pearls in White and Ruby Red.  I added a matching satin bow and hung a few small strings of iridescent pearls.  

Vintage Dress Form
This beautiful vintage dress form comes from Blue Fern Studio's and really dresses up this simple mirror.  I used the same media process for this as I did for the chandelier with the only difference being that I backed it using a basic pink cardstock so it wouldn't get lost in the patterned paper. 

Lower Corner Flower Cluster
This flower cluster is the same as the one described above.   I used green patterned paper from Graphic 45's Country French paper collection to create all the leaves and love the embossed effect (even though it doesn't show in these pictures). 

Well friends that's it for this post.  Thank you so much for dropping by and may I hope you're enjoying a perfectly wonderful day!   Big Hugs ~ Dawna

"Life Doesn't Have to be Perfect ... To Be Wonderful" Tag

Morning Friends,

Today I'm sharing some creations I made for my secret sister in Goodie Bag Swap being hosted by Martica at scrapbook.com.   We were challenged to create the following items for this swap and I highlighted the items that are pictured in this post:

Here are the categories and I've highlighted what I did for each category: 

1. Funny (could be a funny card, mask etc.)/   Bookmark
2. Shabby chic (could be a card, album, box etc.)/ 2" Beautiful Embroidered Lace
3. Something to be used for crafting (anything scrapbook related, etc.)/ "Handmade with Love" and Vintage Cream Ribbon
4. Something to wear (could be a piece of jewelry, scarf etc.)/  Long Vintage Birdcage Necklace
5. Inspirational (could be a book, home decor, tag, bookmark
etc.)/ Tag
6. Unique (well its up to you)/ Silver Swirl Goodie Bag
7. Something Vintage (anything altered)/ See "Vintage Dress Form Mirror" Post
8. Something to be displayed (like a frame, canvas, hanger, bottle any size)/ See "FRIENDS" Altered Blocks Post
9. Misc. item your choice/ See "Traveler Mini Album" Post
10. Miniature/ Tibetan Silver Scissors  


With a list of 10 items, this is one of the biggest challenges I've participated in, but I know my secret sister so that made it especially fun and easy for me to play along. 

Let's start things off with my "Inspirational" item which I decided to do as a tag.  I created this using Teresa Collins new Nine & Company paper collection.  I love the inspirational sentiment which reads:  "Life Doesn't Have to be Perfect to be Wonderful."  Oh so true!!!    

I love how charming this tag came out and I'm sure my secret sister will like it too.  Here's a few close ups that I hope you enjoy:

Top Flower Cluster Close Up
Sentiment Close Up
Bottom Flower Cluster Close Up
I just love Prima's new fretwork leaf dies, they are so pretty!  And they are easy to shape too.  For the flower clusters, I  used Prima's "Something Blue" wedding flower collection.   I love this color combination, it's so fresh and summery.  You can also see the little curlies made from Prima's wired thread shown here in "Dusty."  

To finish the tag off, I added a little rose ribbon and used my new favorite Martha Stewart punch set called "scalloped teardrop" to edge the sentiment mat and tag.   Isn't this punch set pretty too?  

I put an aqua pearl in the center of the five butterflies that are scattered around and used some stickles to give them some sparkle.  I also sparkled up the edges of the pretty fretwork leaves too.  Then I added an aqua satin bow and ribbon hanger.  

Lastly, I included a clip just in case my secret sister wanted to clip it up somewhere.  And, although there isn't a picture of the back side, I created a gift tag pocket just in case she decided to gift it to someone or tuck a note in it.  

Here's a picture of the other little goodies I included for my secret sister:  


Well friends, that's it for this post.  There are three more posts for items 7, 8 and 9 to go with this challenge so stay tuned for more goodness!  Thank you so much for dropping by and I hope you have a perfectly wonderful day!   Big Hugs ~ Dawna

Monday, August 18, 2014

Frienship Canvses from Susie

Sometime ago I posted a Mad Hatter Printer Tray I created for my friend Susie (aka scrapsmart) at scrapbook.com for a friendship swap we did earlier this summer.  I received these earlier this summer, but between vacation and other commitments,  I'm FINELY getting a chance to share the beautiful canvases she created for me.  I just love and adore them!  I absolutely love soft feminine styles, like shabby and vintage and aqua is my favorite color palette so Susie totally knocked this one out of the park!   Here's a couple more close ups that I hope you enjoy:

Well friends that's it for me today.

Thank you so much for these lovely gifts Susie, I'll cherish them for many, many, many years to come!   I am sorry for taking so long getting them up to share but believe me when I say your friendship brightens my day and warms my heart today and everyday!   Thank you for all your support, inspiration, kindness and encouragement.   I'm so glad you happened to me!   Big hugs and lots of love!  ~ Your Friend Always ~ Dawna

Be an Individual - Be Fearless Steampunk Shadow Box

Hi Friends,

The youngest of my grandson's just celebrated his 15th birthday last weekend and while I don't normally make my boys things (except cards), I decided this would be a great birthday to encourage him to be who he is, no matter what!

There's no better designer to help me express this sentiment than Time Holtz!  I love his "Be an Individual" stamp and it says what I want for all of my grandchildren perfectly!  I also included the idea that time fly's by incorporating Tim's weather clock and Red Rubber's Steampunk Sparrow stamp. 

For a complete list of everything I used to create this project, please visit my gallery, Dawna's Place at scrapbook.com.  Thank you for dropping by and I hope you enjoy a creative day!  ~ Big Hugs ~ Dawna

Botanical Tea Shabby Chic Clock

 Morning Friends,

Dawna here with a lovely clock I created for my very sweet and talented friend, Glenda (aka ILOVEPAPILLONS) at scrapbook.com.   Glenda adores shabby chic, which is still somewhat new to me, but I wanted to try my hand at something she would enjoy displaying in her new scraproom.  

I loved Graphic 45's Botanical Tea paper collection and when I saw Blue Fern's "Floral Clock," I knew right away I wanted to use them to make Glenda a shabby chic clock.  

As a base I used Dusty Attic's 8x8 shadow box from their 2013 CHA release.  And, I recently won a goodie bag from Martica at scrapbook.com in a recent Tag Challenge she hosted and received this lovely 4" long swirly white lace.  I knew it would be the perfect finishing touch for Glenda's project.  Thank you Martica! 

Glenda always has a kind word and is always encouraging others around her.  She is very creative and always inspires me with her beautiful creations.   I've really enjoyed getting to know Glenda better this past year and appreciate having her in my life very much.  Her family roots are in South Africa and she currently lives in beautiful sunny FL with her husband.  She's an empty nester, like me, so we spend time enjoying our family, friends and creating. 

Glenda loves her new clock and promises to find a perfect place to display it in her new scraproom.  Here's a few more close ups I hope you enjoy:



Well friends that's it for me this morning.  For a complete list of products used on this project, please feel free to visit my gallery, Dawna's Place on scrapbook.com.   Thank you for dropping by and may I wish you all a happy day!   Big Hugs ~ Dawna


 

Sunday, August 3, 2014

"Time for Love" - Wedding Day Album

"Time for Love" Wedding Day Album
Hi Friends,

Today I'm sharing a my first paper bag album.  I did this album for our wedding photos taken in Santa Barbara, CA on May 18, 1985.  Richard and I will be coming up on 30 years together next year and neither of us can believe its been that long!   We both realize what a blessing that is and how much that says about the life we've created and enjoy together.  Like any marriage, it isn't always easy, but we are so very grateful for all of our blessings. 

"Time for Love" Cover Close-Up
To celebrate this years anniversary we took our RV to one of our favorite beach spots just over the hill to South Carlsbad in San Diego, CA. While hubby was busy surfing, I was busy creating this beautiful keepsake of our special day.  
"Time for Love" Wedding  Day Album
I love the way it turned out in real life.  But, like a lot of projects, sometimes the pictures just don't do it justice.  I feel like that's the case with this project.  So, I'm hoping to do a video preview of it in the near future.  That way I can show you all of the albums nooks and cranny's and share a few tips and tricks too.  Until then, please take your time and enjoy these photos:
Pages 1, 2 and 3
Page 4, 5 and 8
Pages 5, 6 and 7
Pages 8 and 9
Pages 10 and 11
Pages 12, 13, 14 and 15
Pages 16, 17, 18 and 19
Pages 20, 21, 22 and 23
Page 24
Page 25
Page 26
Cherish, Heart, Believe and Journey Charm Chain
Well that's it for me today.  I hope you enjoyed my "Time for Love" Wedding Day Album.   I always love hearing from you, so if you have a moment to leave a comment it will be very much appreciated.  Wishing you all a wonderful day today and everyday!  

Big Hugs ~ Dawna

 ************ Step-by-Step Tutorial ************* 


If your interested in making one of these albums, the following is a list of the supplies (and their respective links) that I used to make mine.  I've also listed the step by step tutorials generously provided by Ginger at My Sisters Scrapper on YouTube.  I recommend that you watch the videos first as it goes though everything you'll need to gather and everything you'll need to do for this project.   Once you review the videos, collect your supplies and tools, you'll have no problem following along in real time. 

You are welcome to chose your own paper collection and embellishments or you can use the supplies listed.  Under each item listed, I've also noted brief directions too..  If you have questions, please feel free to leave me a comment and I'll be happy to respond to you. 

 "Time to Love" Wedding Day Album 
Supplies List

12 x 12 Medium Weight Chipboard Sheets
Used as the basis for your album cover, pages and large tags. 
Paper Bags:  Celebrate It -  3lb. Paper Sacks
Use as the basis for your album.
Prima Stationers Desk Collection - A4 Paper Pad
Used for covering your paper bag, its chipboard flaps, making pockets, large tags, and belly bands to hold your big tags.  This is a huge paper pad, so you will have quite a bit left over to play with!  
Prima Stationers Desk Collection - 3x4 Artist Trading Cards 
Used to make small tags.  
Prima Stationers Desk Chipboard Collection
Used to embellish as shown throughout the album. 
Prima Stationers Desk Collection - Wood Icons in a Box
Used to embellish your pages throughout the album. 
Prima Stationers Desk Collection - Tag Me - Ticket & Tag Set
To be placed inside your pockets for journaling spots.
Lawn Fawn Lawn Trimmings - Hemp Cord Spool - Natural
Thread through eyelets to use as ties on your handmade tags. 
We R Memory Keepers - Eyelets - Standard - Cool Metal
Create tie holes on all your handmade tags, make charm eyelet along binder edge, and to eyelet together the tassels to the black velvet tie ribbon. 
Prima Shabby Chic Treasures- Punk - Tassels
Use two burgundy ones at the end of the velvet ties.  Attach them with eyelets. 
Prima - Junkyard Findings Collection -  Garden Sinks
Use as the fountain on the front cover. 
Prima - Lace Trim - Medallion
After spray painting, use one behind the clock chipboard on the front cover.  
Prima Color Bloom Spray-Vintage Coal
Paint the lace medallion black then place it behind the clock.
Prima Color Bloom Spray - Worn Leather
Use over vintage coal on the resin frame for front cover.  
Prima Resin Embellishments Frame - Antique White - Two
Paint with Vintage Coal first, then with Worn Leather to give it a vintage antiqued frame look.  Pop-up frame on three sides so you can slip in a small photo from the open top.  
Wink of Luna Metallic Brush Pen, Black
Paint the white area on the fountain for a metal patina.   
Wink of Luna Metallic Brush Pen, Blue
Paint a water stream (over the metal patina) coming from the tap into the basin.   Add sparkle with Diamond Stickles.   Stickles by Ranger - Diamond
Use over water stream and on flowers to give them sparkle. 

Sizzix - Tim Holtz - Tattered Pinecone Die
Use to create red rolled roses.  The rhinestone center bling I used is no longer available, but you can choose your own center to use.  Just remember to roll the flower loosely. 
Petaloo - Darjeeling Collection - Teastained Cream Flowers
Used the burgundy centered ones on the inside of the album. 
Deep Red, Black & Cream Mulberry Open Roses and leaves
Use to embellish the front cover as desired or shown.
White Pearlized Heart Stick Pins Use  a few through the flowers on the cover.  No red ones are available now. 
Tim Holtz Ideology - Metal Corners
Cinch onto the corners of the front and back covers.  
Blossom Bucket TOP HAT
Used under husbands picture on Page 3.  
Blossom Bucket LIPS Large 
Used on Under couples picture and large "Noted' tag.
Blossom Bucket NATURAL HEARTS Comparable item.  I actually found the hearts painted with red dots at The Stampin Post. 
Blossom Bucket FASHION GLASSED Small
I actually found the Large ones at The Stampin Post.  They may still have some in stock.  Used on Large tag. 
3/8" Black Velvet Ribbon
Use about 15" each (x2) for tie closure. The pearl rhinestones I used to cover the end of the ribbon and attach it to the album are no longer available (They came from Teresa Collins "Tell Your Story Rhinestone Medallion Collection).  You will need a substitute if you want to tie your journal together for a closure.  Buttons or 2 large self adhesive rhinestones would work fine.  Use glue on all self adhesive items to make sure they don't fall off later. 
Tim Holtz Muse Tokens
Used on Charm Chain
Time Holtz Keys 
Used on Charm Chain
Tim Holtz Clasps
Used on Charm Chain 
Tim Holtz Tim Holtz Chain
Used to make the Charm Chain
Tim Holtz Hinge Clips
Used to hold tickets and photos throughout the album. 
Say it in Crystals - Mini Swirls
Use throughout as bird, butterfly and dragon fly tail swirls.
Pop-Dots
Use under 'tickets' to create tag 'stops' that prevent tags from slipping off the end of the page. 
Paper to Paper Adhesive:  Aleene's Easy Flow Tacky Glue
I highly recommend this over using an adhesive tape gun as this will give you 30 seconds to get your work straight before it grabs and holds.  Permanent adhesive runners stay right where you put them or if you use repositional tape, it won't hold anything in your pockets, they will just fall apart.  
Metals, Chipboard, and Flowers to Paper Adhesive:  Helmar 450 - Works like a glue gun in a bottle, except it won't burn you! 
1/2" Double Sided Scor-Tape
Used to adhere your chipboard pages to the paper sacks. 


Other Tools

EK Success - Scalloped Punch 
Use to edge pockets, edge belly bands (1 1/2" to 2" wide bands that are glued down at the sides to allow tags to slip through them but hold them down in place, see the last page in the book called 'Noted' for same of belly band and pop-up ticket 'stop.') and binding paper edge for front cover. 
Crop-A-Dile II Big Bite Punch by We R Memory KeepersUsed to create holes and set eyelets for the charm chain, tags and secure tassels to velvet ribbon. 
Paper Cutter - Your choice

Precision Fussy Cutting Scissors - Your choice
Standard Paper Cutting Scissors - Your choice
Ruler - Your choice
Work Surface Mat - Your choice
 Other Products Used:
Michaels:  Various other metal embellishments (a flower, butterfly, and love birds) and rhinestone charms (hanging from charm chain). Chose a few that you like to decorate the cover and to personalize your charm chain. 
The Stampin Post:  All specialty ribbons (and some Blossom Bucket Studio 490 items) including:  Black Leather Open Scrolled Lace (On the cover along binding),  I Love You Black Ribbon, Happy Anniversary Cream Ribbon, Handmade with Love Cream Ribbon, Vintage Butterfly Ribbon (all shown on the tags) are all available at The Stampin Post by calling the shop.  Sorry they don't have an on-line store, but can take phone orders. 
Step by Step Tutorial

I followed Ginger's Vertical Paper Bag Album Tutorial Series from My Sisters Scrapper.  Here are the YouTube links for you to follow along:

1)  Getting Started  
2)  Building Pages (Part 1a)
3)  Building the Cover (Part 1b)
4)  Creating the Binding (Part 2)
5)  Creating Base Pages (Part 3)
6)  Creating Photo Mats (Part 4)
7)  Decorating the Cover (Part 5)

*** End of Tutorial ***