Happy Brithday Card

Morning Friends,

Sharing a simple birthday card I made for my dear sweet friend Patti.   I used Graphic 45's beautiful Botanical Tea paper collection.  I've made a few projects from this collection and just love working with these feminine images and beautiful soft colors.   

To create this card, measure and cut your pink polka dot paper to fit your card base then distress and chalk the edges.  I used A7 or 5x7 card base.  Cut the 3"x5" wild rose card and distress it.  Then cut two small blue butterflies and one 4" doily in half.  Add one small pearl to the your butterflies.  Even though your pearls already have an adhesive backing, always add glue to them otherwise they maybe easily knocked off especially if they are mailed.  Next cut the "Hello Friend" sentiment from the boarder paper and gather up 6 baby blue pearls (2 ea of 3 graduating sizes).  If you don't have this color, you can use a Sharpie or Copics marker to color white pearls any color you'd like. 

To assemble the front, adhere your distressed pink polka dot paper first, then dry fit your doily halves under the wild rose card so the cut edges don't show.  Once your happy with its position, mark their places and glue down your doily halves.  Center and adhere your wild rose card using 3D pop-up foam tape.  Now your ready to add your flower cluster. 

 

Here's are a few close ups to see some of the smaller details:

Flower Cluster Close Up

To create the flower cluster, use Prima wired thread and wrap it several times around a slender ink pen to create these great green flower curlycues.   Make three of them about and 1.25" long.  Then you'll need one piece of Prima's lovely floral lace.   Cut the 5 pointed flower in half creating a 3 piece section and a 2 piece section.  Use these as the foundation for your flower cluster.  Tuck them under the top and bottom of the pink Petaloo Botanica flower just so the lace tips peek out.  Add glue to the wire and tuck your curlycue sprigs under the flower along with a few die cut leaves.  Do not glue down your leaf near the "Hello Friend" sentiment until you have it securely in place.  You'll need to add foam tape to the end of the sentiment tag to keep it even with the rose wild card.  Once your sentiment is secure, glue your last leaf just over the beginning of the sentiment.  Finely, add a couple of bumper mini roses to each side of large flower and finish off the cluster by adhering your butterfly and pearl.   Finely, add your second butterfly and both lines of your graduating baby blue pearls as shown in the picture above.  

Now you can move along to the inside of your card.  Your welcome to leave the inside blank so you can use the card for whatever you'd like when the time comes to use it but I like decorating the insides also. They just feel more 'finished' to me. So let's continue with this close-up:

Inside Detail

Here I've done a bit of fussy cutting to get the background papers, these pretty roses, leaves and a blue bird.  I've grounded the flowers with half doilies and added a little punched blue cardstock trim to compliment the bluebird.  Before I adhere anything down, I cut two adjoining bird stamp images and folded them in half.  I adhered one side between the card base and pink polka dot background paper so I could use it as a closure tab to hide the magnet.  If you do it this way, there won't be anything on the backside of your card leaving it nice and clean.  Finely I distressed and chalked the edges,  popped up the roses for a little dimension and finished it off by stamping a sweet "Happy Birthday" sentiment. 

Simple Hidden Magnet Closure

Adding all these layers adds some weight making your card nice and sturdy, much more like a gift all by itself rather than just a card.  As a finishing touch I like to add a nice closure when I can.  These little magnets hide perfectly under the little "birdy stamp" and are the perfect finishing touch to keeping heavy cards neatly closed. 

Well friends, that's it for me today.  Thank you so much for dropping by.  If you enjoyed this little bit of inspiration I'd love to hear from you!  Wishing you all a happy and healthy creative day!   Hugs  ~ Dawna

"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 ***

Vintage Travel Journal

Morning Friends,

Today I'm happy to bring you a vintage travel journal covered in distressed subway art designer travel papers from Teressa Collins.

This journal measures 7.5" wide x 10" tall and is 100 pages long which makes it easy to stow away and very portable for documenting your travel notes or daily thoughts.  It is standard ruled which is easy to use for those of us with large script handwriting instead of the thin college ruled paper. 

This vintage travel journal has been embellished with black printed flowers with center gems by Prima, cream colored Petaloo and red colored Spare Parts mulberry flowers; a Prima vintage typewriter chipboard; a large black embossed metal flower with rhinestone center.   Swirl chipboard pieces finish off the outer corners and a slim black satin ribbon is used for a tie closure.

I hope you enjoy the finished project:

Front Cover Close Up

Inside Cover with Framed Inscription Mat

Distressed Vintage Red Inside Back Cover

Vintage Damask Printed Back with Travel Tags on Binding

 If you enjoyed this project, please sign up for emails or join my blog to see whats next.  This travel journal is available for purchase in my Etsy store.

Thank you for dropping by my blog today.  Your comments are always welcome and appreciated.   Until next time, create something beautiful and live life inspired! ~ Dawna