Custom Handbound Address Book

If you saw my last post, and actually made it to the end, you know that I have been working on a project for myself--a new address book. I almost gave up on it before I ever got to the binding part because getting the pages printed right was so difficult, but I persevered, and here it is! (Lots of photos!)

Most of my books are approximately 4" x 5", but this one is larger--5" x 7".  It is bound very similar to my journal from Monday, with a groove for the elastic band and Coptic and French Link Stitches over tapes, but I added Long Stitches with weaving, also.

Since this book has a longer spine, I was able to use wider ribbon for the French Link stitches, and I had a fairly large area for the long stitches. 

Here's a better view of the spine, especially the weaving. Weaving like this is simple, but given that I had 2" of Long Stitches to cover, and the thread was not very thick, it took awhile. And, since I don't have a lying press, I had to hold the book between my knees and sit all scrunched up while I worked on it, which did not make my neck happy at all! What a relief when I finally got to the last row!

I covered the inside covers with a calm, dark green paper. I like pink, but can only take so much of it at once. You can also see the first divider. I used white 65 lb. cardstock and added die cut tabs. The text on the tabs was made with a label maker. The black and white strip is Washi tape. I love how it looks, but I mainly used it to cover the part of the tabs that is glued to the divider. It didn't look too good sitting there all naked. ;D 

The best part of making your own address book is getting to put anything you want in it and leaving out things you don't need. These are the sections in my book. There are 15 in all, and I divided them by wrapping every other section with a cardstock folio. In all, each section has 12 pages--a total of 180, not including the dividers. You might be wondering if I'll ever get around to showing you the actual pages, right?

This is my title page. The pretty floral paper is a digital paper by Juliana Kneipp, called Old Sweet Times. Unfortunately, she no longer makes or sells digi paper, so I don't think it is available anymore. I used this particular image because it was only a border. Since I was printing this on my printer, I didn't want something that was going to drink up all my ink.

The entire book was created in Word, using tables. Here's my Personal Information page. I used that same floral image on every page in the book, adding a text box over it for the tables I made for the information. 

One of the things I really wanted in this book was a place to put things like the paint colors we've used, and major appliance information. I don't need to access it very often, but when I do need it, I can never find it. On the facing page, there is room for favorite babysitters, restaurants, theaters, parks, and libraries. 

The actual address section has 6 pages per letter, with room for 4 addresses on each page, except for a couple of combined sections (t,u,v and x,y,z). I can't imagine ever having more than 24 addresses under one letter of the alphabet, so I think I'll be able to use this book for a long time.

The last section is just a place for notes. All the pages in this section are set up the same, but 4 of them have a blank writing area, 4 have a lined writing area, and 4 have a grid writing area. You never know what you'll need to write in there. It probably looks like the text on every page in this book is printed in a different color. It's not. I can never get photos with lots of white to turn out right--especially when there is a lot of red in the photo, too. 

I see pics of handmade books with the pages fanned like this. Why? I have no idea. But, I figured I'd do it, too. :D

And, this is my favorite shot of a handbound book with an exposed spine. One that shows both covers and the spine at the same time.

After working on this for several weeks, now I need to fill it with information. I hope I can bring myself to actually write in it! I might need to work on my penmanship first. ;~/

Hope you are having a stellar week! Thanks for stopping by!

I'm entering this book in the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create #148: Anything Goes
Color Throwdown #367 (CTD#367)
Craft Your Passion Challenge #286: Always Anything Goes

~Hugs,

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Paper Sweeties March Inspiration Challenge #29 - 'Waiting For Spring'

It's the first of the month, time for the Paper Sweeties Inspiration Challenge, and I'm SO excited to share my first post as a member of the Paper Sweeties Design Team! This month's challenge is "Waiting for Spring."

I used Paper Sweeties' newest stamp releases, Pretty Posies and Garden Time for my card.

I stamped the flowers three times for each flower and fussy cut them so I could shape them into 3D flowers, added Diamond Stickles to the edges of each layer, and sequins, from the Sweetheart Mix, to the centers, finally putting a dot of Stickles in the center of each sequin. I stamped the flower pot onto designer paper and drew vertical lines from the curly border to the bottom, then added shading with a gray Copic. For more dimension, I also creased the flower pot along each of those vertical lines, which curved the pot. 3D glue is helping the pot retain it's shape. 

I stamped the flower on the inside of the card, too, and added just a little bit of Copic coloring to the flower and leaves. Magenta Stickles is in the center of the flower.

All that sparkle is for a reason...Paper Sweeties is helping Cupcake Inspirations celebrate their 300th challenge, and the first day's challenge is a Sparkle Challenge. It's hard to see in the photo, but I've not only added sparkle to the flowers, but also to the background. Every single raised dot on the white embossed background sparkles, too! Congratulations Cupcake Inspiration!

Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team for more Spring Inspiration:

Cheryl Lea (you are here)

Debbie Marcinkiewicz
Jill Norwood 
Julie Tucker-Wolek
Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett 
Lysa Rohrer
Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen
Nancy Penir 
Tammy Hobbs 

February Guest Designer:  Donna Baes

Thanks for stopping by, and have a sparkly week!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations 300th Challenge Celebration: Sparkle Inspiration
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create Challenge #113: Anything Goes
Color Throwdown #331
The Paper Players - Laurie's Theme Challenge PP234: Think Spring

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

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Watercolor Daisy

If you've seen many of my cards, you know they tend to have a lot going on--layers, colors, embellies, texture. More is better, as far as I'm concerned. ;) But, a CAS card can stop me in my tracks! So, every now and then, I give CAS a try. This is about as CAS as I can get. :)

The card base and oval are kraft cs, the rest are from my scrap pile. I stamped the Watercolor Daisy image with Staz-On ink, then, using daubers and Distress Ink, I loosely colored it. The dragonfly and grassy images are stamped with Distress Ink. I used a white gel pen to draw a few highlights on the daisy and dragonfly wings. I wanted an oval that was bigger than any die I have, so I cut it by hand, which didn't look so hot, so I distressed it. That's one of the reasons I love distressing so much. Besides being beautiful to look at, it can also cover up all kinds of boo-boos. ;) A little sewing, a piece of twine, a couple of buttons, a punched border, and I was done. 

On the inside, I used linen paper and tore the edges with a deckle ruler, then stamped the sentiment with Distress Ink. Well, at least the inside is CAS, right?

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the rest of the week!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Color Throwdown #243
Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge: Favorite Ink (Distress Ink, of course!)

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: Watercolor Daisy (Hampton Art); Delicate Leaf Clusters (Hero Arts); Little Things (Our Daily Bread)
Ink: Distress Ink; Staz-On, white gel pen
Accessories: Scallop Diamond Edge Punch (EK Success); twine (The Twinery); buttons; Stickles; sewing thread; deckle ruler
Size: A6 (4.5" x 6.25")

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You Glow Girl

Happy Friday! Are you ready for the weekend? I sure am! We've got a big 25th anniversary celebration going on at church tonight, and my daughter is having a skating birthday party on Saturday (her birthday is actually July 5, but it's almost impossible for her to have a party in the middle of the summer with everyone on vacation, so we're celebrating early this year.) On top of that, school is out for the summer this coming Wednesday, so everybody is happy around my house! :)

My DD had a fantastic 3rd grade year, breaking the school record again in Accelerated Reader points, and exceeding expectations in every area on the standardized tests given at the end of the year. We are always so proud of her, and I made this card to give to her after Awards Day next week. She likes all my cards, but she especially likes the colorful ones, so this one should be perfect.

The sunflower was stamped in a light tan color so I could try my hand at no-line coloring with my Copics. I've attempted this kind of coloring before, without much success, but I did okay with this one. For the center of the flower, I added teeny little black pearls with a Pearl Pen. After I fussy cut the sunflower, I adhered it to the green circle, lifting up the top edge with layers of crimped cs. The sentiment is heat embossed.

There is a little bitty ladybug stamp in the Sunflowers stamp set, and I couldn't resist using it. I stamped it onto red cs, cut it out, then coated it with Glossy Accents. It almost looks like a real ladybug on the card.

Here's a look at the layers of the card, including the partially popped up flower.

I love this quote, and it seems so fitting for the occasion. ;)

Well, that's it for me for a few days. Thanks for stopping by, and go have yourself a fantastic weekend!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Viva la Verve May 2013 Week 1 Sketch Challenge (VLVMay2013)
Color Throwdown #242
Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge: A Little Paper
Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Flower Power

~Hugs,

Stamps: Sunflowers (Flourishes); Follow Your Heart (Impression Obsession)
Paper: Hello Summer (Echo Park); Journeys (Kathy Davis)
Ink: Copics; Distress; Memento; Versamark
Dies: Classic Rectangles Lg & Sm, Std. Circles Lg, Classic Scalloped Circles Lg
Accessories: Daisy edge punch (Martha Stewart); Zigzag Chain edge punch (EK Success); Glossy Accents); embossing powder (Ranger); pearls (Prima); Pearl Pen; sewing thread
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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It's Your Day, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day! In honor of Mother's Day, I've got a Mom card to share with you.

I did some heavy distressing with my Distrezz-It-All, sandpaper, a rasp, ink, and water. I love distressing!!! All the dp, including the smaller rectangle with the text on it, came from an old K&Co. paper pad. I was following Color Throwdown's current color challenge and needed a rose color, and didn't have anything that was just right, so I went with the closest color, embossed it, sanded over that, then inked over it. The main sentiment is a Flourishes' stamp. The black matting behind it is a Splendid Circles die cut. I love that with the circle die cut inside and the black edges crimped up, it looks like a bottle cap. Neat! ;)

On the inside, I stamped one of the rose images from Flourishes Sweet Nature stamp set, by stamping off once first. I didn't worry about getting all the excess ink off, as I think the darker areas add to the distressed look. I decided not to put a sentiment inside yet, as I think would work for several "Mom" occasions.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a crafty week!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Mojo Monday #292 (MOJO 292)
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #219 (Black Accents--I used black & white twine, black matting, and a black flag)
Color Throwdown #241 (CTD241)

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: Sweet Nature, Tiny Flowers & Tags (Flourishes)
Paper: Life's Journey (K&Co)
Ink: Distress; Versafine; Versamark; Copics
Dies: Splendid Circles, Labels 14, Std. Circles Lg (Spellbinders); Banner Stacklets 1 (Taylored Expressions)
Accessories: Parisian Edger (EKSuccess); Corner Chomper; Decorative Tile embossing folder (Cuttlebug); sandpaper for distressing; embossing powder (Ranger & Adirondack); twine (The Twinery); pearls; brads; sewing thread; Distrezz-It-All; mini staples
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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Serve the Lord

Hi there! My friend, Lori, gave me some beautiful napkins a few weeks ago, and I used one of them to make this card. It's sealed with Sparkle Mod Podge. It was a lot easier than I thought, and I love the look.

The blue pearls on the left side were made with a Pearl Pen.

The color is more accurate in this pic, and the big jewel is much more sparkly in real life. :) See all that sparkle on the napkin!

A lot is going on on the front of the card, so I left the inside simple.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge #152 (ODBDSLC152): Needle It! (Piercing)--   [UPDATE: ODBD Shining the Light Challenge Award Winner!]
Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Happy Mail (a "just because" card)
Really Reasonable Ribbon #71 (RRR71): Sparkle, Bling, and Ribbon
Tuesday Morning Sketches #196 (TMS196)
Color Throwdown #240 (CTD240)

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: Serve the Lord (Our Daily Bread)
Paper: Paper Napkin
Ink: Memento; Distress
Dies: Classic Rectangles Lg, Labels 25 (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Textile Texture embossing folder, Decorative Tile embossing folder (Cuttlebug); sparkle jewel; Pearl Pen; paper piercing tool; Mod Podge; Sparkle Mod Podge

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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A Father's Direction

I'm still coloring up a storm since my Copic classes, and haven't stopped to make too many cards, lately,. :) but I did finally use one of the images for a Father's Day card.

I used the Viva la Verve April 2013 Week 1 sketch, Color Throwdown #238 color palette, and Simon Says Stamp theme of "Travel," for this card. After coloring the image, I used a cloud stencil to create clouds, and some Copic Opaque White and a toothpick to create the ocean spray. The burlap started out as a creamy white, but I changed that with my Copic Air Brush System by spraying it yellow, then toned that down a little bit with brown. I like the aged look. I layered several die cuts, did some sewing, and lifted the image panel and mats with layers of crimped cs--all of this on a yellow card base.

For the brads, which were bright yellow brass, I colored them with a dark brown Copic marker, and randomly added a few spots of black. Since the dye won't absorb into metal, it was sticky afterward, so I just sprayed it with a light coat of clear sealant, which fixed it right up. :)

I didn't have much of the argyle dp left, but wanted to use it on the inside, too, so I cut thin strips and created a simple frame for the navy cs square. The sentiment layer die cut is the same design that is layered behind the black pinstripe layer on the front. I stamped the sentiments, glued the die cut to the navy cs, and added Distress Stickles around the perimeter. I don't use Distress Stickles very often, but they are perfect for a masculine or distressed card.

That's it for the card, but I have one more fun thing to share with you...

A couple of weeks ago I made a blue fabric-covered box, and it was so much fun to make, I just had to make another one. This one is for my DD. I love all the bright, fun colors, and she does, too. It matches her room perfectly! I went a little crazy in the fat quarter department of the fabric store last week, and now I'm all set to make several more of these. :)  They are really sturdy, and make great gift boxes! A link to the tutorial I used is on my Blue Box post.


Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

I'm entering the Father's Day card in the following challenges:
Viva la Verve April 2013 Week 1 Sketch Challenge (VLVApr2013)
Simon Says Stamp: Travel/Cityscapes
Color Throwdown #238 (CTD238)

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: A Guiding Light, Seaside Life (Flourishes); Simply You (Ali Edwards)
Paper: Little Black Dress (Basic Grey); Hattie Papers (My Mind's Eye); Flourishes Classic White (Flourishes)
Ink: Copics; Copic Opaque White; Spica Pen; Memento; Distress Ink; Stampabilities
Dies: Std Circles Lg, Classic Ovals Sm, Splendid Circles, Labels 18 (Spellbinders)
Accessories: Cloud Stencil (Inky Antices); burlap; Copic Airbrush; brads; Distress Stickles; sewing thread; foam dots
Size: 4.75" sq.

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Thanks Dad

Hi Friends! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I'm just getting home from a weekend filled with Copics! I was finally able to take the Copic Certification classes, and it was awesome!!! I highly recommend the class if it comes anywhere near your area. I'm still trying to process everything I learned, but I am eager to get my markers out and practice, practice, practice. Right now, though, I have to wait. I've just gotten home from my weekend excursion and now it's time for church, so, quickly, here's a card I made before I left for the weekend.

Here's a look at the inside.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week!

I'll be entering this card in the following challenges:

Mojo Monday #287 (MOJO287)

Color Throwdown #236 (CTD236)

Simon Says Stamp & Show: Anything Goes

~Hugs,

 

Stamps: Lucky Guy, Best Mom, Banner (Studio G); Distressing (Glitz)
Paper: So Sophie (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Colorbox; Memento; Distress
Dies: Classic Scalloped Ovals Lg (Spellbinders); Die-namics Sunflower (MFT Stamps)
Accessories: Dashes Embossing Plate (Sizzix); ribbon; pearls; Pearl Pen; sewing thread
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

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