Butterfly Napkin Coptic Stitch Journal

Ok, this is the last handbound book I'll post for awhile (at least a few day, anyway), promise. ;) But, I saved my favorite for last.

This journal is bound exactly the same way as my Blue Paisley Journal. The differences in this one are in the materials used. I used a paper napkin for the front cover, gluing just the single, thin, patterned layer to a piece of white 65# cardstock. Because the napkin wasn't quite big enough for the project, and because the butterfly pattern wasn't exactly continuous when the napkin was unfolded, I didn't glue it flat, but instead tore it into large pieces first, then placed them randomly, letting them overlap and wrinkle for lots of texture. I pressed the prepared napkin between two sheets of wax paper, under heavy weights (large books and divers lead shot weights) until it was dry. This assured that it would dry perfectly flat. Napkins have a nice soft feel to them, but they are extremely fragile, so, once it was completely dry, to protect it, I coated it with a layer of Mod Podge. If you attempt this, let me warn you, as soon as the napkin gets wet from the Mod Podge, it will try to pull apart from the cardstock and tear. Be gentle and take your time! The back cover was covered in a piece of fern patterned paper that paired nicely with the ferns on the napkin. I used a deep yellow 18/3 Irish Linen Thread for the Coptic Stitching.

Here's a look at the inside cover. I love paper with any kind of text on it. I used it on the inside front and back covers. The patterned paper on the right is just one of 10 different patterns I used to wrap each of the 10 signatures.

The fern patterned paper was perfect for the back cover, don't you think?

A major difference in this book and my previous books is the paper I used inside. As you can see from this photo, the pages are brown. They are made of 70# textweight, recycled, acid-free brown bag text paper. And, yes, they feel exactly like a paper bag from the grocery store. Do they even have paper bags in stores anymore? They were always so handy to have around for crafting, and, of course, a necessity at the beginning of every school year when we had to cover all our school books. ;~D  Because this paper is much thicker than 24# paper, I used fewer sheets per signature, giving this book 160 pages. It measures 4-1/8" x 5-1/2" x 1-1/4". I love the rough texture and rich brown color of the writing pages, and while they might seem unusual for a journal, they are a perfect match for the nature-inspired covers.

I hope you have enjoyed my latest bookbinding projects. I'm studying Keith A. Smith's Non-Adhesive Binding Book Series right now, so I hope to be able to share several other bindings with you soon!

~Hugs,

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Blue Paisley Coptic Stitch Blank Journal

I'm back with another hand bound journal, and while this one is very similar to the one I posted yesterday, there are a few differences besides just the aesthetics.

This book is made with a slightly thicker, standard book board, rather than Davey Board. I was able to find the board locally at Paper Source to save on the otherwise high shipping cost. The book measures the same as yesterday's book: 4-1/8" x 5-1/2". It has 240 white pages (Neenah Classic Linen 24#), not including the patterned pages, in 10 signatures, and is covered in a fun blue and purple paisley cotton fabric. It is sewn together with ivory 18/3 Irish Linen Thread. Did you catch that the covers are attached a little differently than the book from yesterday? Rather than sewing straight through the cover so that the thread wraps around the outside edge, on this book the thread goes though the edge of the board. This puts less strain on the thread.

I didn't have a photo of the inside of my book yesterday, but the inside of the cover was covered in a bright orange patterned paper. With this book, I covered a piece of 65# cardstock with a purple patterned cotton fabric for the cover lining. The first page of patterned paper is one of the designs I used to wrap the signatures.

These are two more of the patterned papers I wrapped around the signatures. One of the things I really like about Coptic stitch binding is that the book will lie completely flat when opened. It makes journal writing much easier, whether you are right or left handed.

Hope you are having a wonderful day! I'll have one more book to share before the today is over.

~Hugs,

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Blue Bird Coptic Stitch Blank Journal

Anybody else out there dislike editing blog photos as much as me? I think that may be my least favorite part of blogging! But, I finally sat myself down to get my new Coptic stitch book photos edited so I can share them with you. Here is the first one. 8~D

This book measures 4-1/8" x 5-1/2" x 1-1/4", has 240 pages, not including the patterned pages, and the covers are Davey Board wrapped in a bright cotton fabric, which I first backed with Kozo paper. The writing pages are 24# medium teal blue. Since the spine is exposed, I wanted a little more interest than all blue, so I wrapped each of the 10 signatures in patterned paper to match the blue, orange, and green in the fabric. The book is stitched together with Coptic Stitch using black 18/3 Irish Linen Thread. I got most of my supplies on-line at Talas.

I'll have two more Coptic stitch books ready to post sometime tomorrow. Until then....

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Practical and Pretty: A Handbound Checkbook Register

I've got something a little more practical than normal to share with you today. I needed a new checkbook cover, but kept forgetting to go to the bank to pick it up, when it occurred to me that a check register is nothing more than a small book, and I'm perfectly capable of making one of those. So, that's what I did.

Now, you know I would never make something plain and boring like a typical checkbook cover. I wanted one that was pretty. So I found a beautiful, bright floral print cardstock for the cover and stitched the pages in with a longstitch binding, gathering up the stitches in the center for a little pizzazz. And, for a change, I think I actually got the colors right in a photo. It really is as vivid as the photo.

Since I was going to make a book anyway, I figured I'd go ahead and really make it worth my time, so before making the book, I designed my own check register sheets in Word. Pink and Orange are the first two sections. They have basically the same information that a standard register does, but I gave myself a little more room to write, put more lines on a page, and made them in several bright colors. Based on how many entries we normally have in our checkbook, this one should last me about 5 years. Each year can be written in a different colored section, as there are five in all. The book ended up measuring about 5-1/2" x 6-1/2" x 1/2".

The third section is green. I sewed the book together with a deep yellow linen thread. You can see the stitching here, but somehow I lost the color in editing. Notice that the book lies completely flat. That's one of the things I love about handbound books. They are very writer-friendly.

The last two sections are a teal blue and purple. In between the sections, because of the style of binding, you can see the back side of the cover, which has a small floral pattern on it. I pasted two sheets of cardstock together in order to make the cover sturdier. If I'm going to use it for five years, I don't want it falling apart on me.

Here's a look at the pattern on the inside of the cover, and you can see the pocket I made to hold a book of checks. This is the one thing that I will do differently in my next book like this. I bound the pocket into the spine in the back of the book, at the same time I sewed the sections together, which makes for a nice place to hold the checkbook, however, when I actually used the register, I realized that it makes a big lump under the pages, so I have to pull the checkbook out even if I'm not actually writing checks. Next time, I plan to make a flap on the back cover with a pocket so that, when I'm writing in the book, all I have to do is flip the flap out and the book is flat for writing. Whew, that was a lot of "fl's!"

Here is a better look at the longstitch binding I used. I LOVE how it turned out! If you are interested in making one of these yourself, I have a link to the book I referenced below.

And, finally, here is a look at the book completely opened. Isn't that a happy cover? Nobody ever said that bill paying has to be dull, right? 

I've always enjoyed bookbinding, but now that I've got my MONSTER paper trimmer, I'm loving it more than ever, and I've been busy making books, but I haven't had time to edit the pics yet. I hope to have at least 3 new blank journals posted by next weekend!

In the meantime, thanks for visiting, and have a happy week!

I'm entering this project in the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create Challenge #146: Anything Goes

Paper Issues Link Party Challenge: Fan-atics

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

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Paper Sweeties October Release Rewind!

Time for a Paper Sweeties Rewind, where we mix new release stamps and dies with older ones. Abigail and Jake stamps and dies were perfect, paired with the Do You See What I See and Reason for the Season stamps sets.

I used a mix of Dylusions Ink Sprays and Distress Ink to create the background on a Manila tag. Then, I heat embossed the sentiment, first with a gold mirror embossing powder, then again, offset slightly, with a light brown ep. Jake, Abigail, and baby Jesus were colored with Copic markers, and the outfits were paper pieced. Abigail is popped up slightly, but I wanted to keep the tag as flat as possible in case it ended up being used as a bookmark. The edges of the tag were heat embossed with two different Fran-tage embossing powders, and I finished the tag off with several Paper Sweeties seam bindings and baker's twines.

Be sure to visit my teamies' blogs, too!

Angel Johns 
Cheryl Lea

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties
Emily Frasier 
Jill Norwood 

Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett
Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir

You still have time to enter this month's Inspiration Challenge!

And, be sure to check out the October Kit of the Month, too.

Thanks so much for your visit, and enjoy your weekend!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

TCP Tuesday Challenge TCPTUES301: Anything Goes
Penny Black October Challenge: Warm Autumn Colours
House of Cards October Challenge: Add Texture &/or Color Inspiration

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

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Paper Sweeties October Release Party!

Paper Sweeties Release Party is here, which means that all the new Paper Sweeties October stamp sets are available in the Boutique starting right now!  And, here's another Christmas card created with the newest Sweet Cuts die set, Stitched Tags #2.

After painting corrugated cardboard with white acrylic paint, I die cut the tree in the center. For the colorful tree inside, I happened to have some 12x12 patterned paper with large Christmas trees on it, so I just cut the tree from that. For the shaker, I used my Fuse tool to create a shaker pouch from a sheet protector and filled it with Frosting and Sugar Sprinkles sequins and Fran-tage Shaved Ice. I like the way acetate sheets look for shakers, but I have to tell you, using a plastic pouch is much easier because you can fill it before putting it in the card, and to attach it, I just die cut a tree from a second piece of cardboard, then sandwiched the edges of the pouch between the two cardboard layers. After adhering those layers to a red and white dotted background paper, I made a green bow with Green Apple Seam Binding and Peppermint Baker's Twine, both available at Paper Sweeties, and added a few Strawberry sequins around the card, filled with White Opal Liquid Pearls. Finally the star tree topper was cut with the star die in the Trim the Tree Sweet Cuts set, and Diamond Stickles gave it plenty of sparkle.

On the inside of the card, I stamped a sentiment from the new Do You See What I See stamp set, colored the heart with a Copic marker, and used a paint pen for the highlight. The distressed cardboard Christmas tree is the die cut from the front of the card.

The Paper Sweeties DT has more inspiration for you. Just click on each of the names to see what they've been busy doing lately.

Angel Johns 
Cheryl Lea - That's Me!

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties
Emily Frasier 
Jill Norwood 

Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett
Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir

Release Week always ends with a Rewind day. Check back tomorrow for Rewind Day, to see one last project featuring the newest releases from Paper Sweeties.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create Challenge #145: Anything Goes
House of Cards October Challenge: Add Texture &/or Color Inspiration
Craft Your Passion Challenge #283: Always Anything Goes
TCP Tuesday TCPTUES301: Anything Goes Challenge

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

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Paper Sweeties October Release Countdown!

Day 2 of Paper Sweeties' October New Releases is here, and I've got a bright and cheery Christmas card to share with you. 

This card was so easy to make, and unlike most of my cards, it has no coloring (except for tiny hearts inside). The mitten tags were die cut from the new Stitched Tags #2 Sweet Cuts die set, and I added black faux stitches with a Sharpie marker, and some Strawberry and Green Apple Seam Binding. The sentiment is from the O' Christmas Tree stamp set, and was heat embossed with white ep. A few Sugar Sprinkles Sequins add the requisite sparkle.

I love the simple Peace Love Joy sentiment with those sweet little hearts that I colored with a red Copic marker. It's out of the new Stand Add On: Manger stamp set.

All the new October new release stamps and dies will be available in the Paper Sweeties boutique beginning tomorrow!

My Paper Sweeties teamies have more inspiration waiting for you on each of their blogs:

Angel Johns 
Cheryl Lea - That's Me!

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties
Emily Frasier 
Jill Norwood 

Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett
Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir

Have you entered this month's Inspiration Challenge yet? There's still time!

And, be sure to check out the October Kit of the Month. Aren't these cards adorable!

I'll have another Christmas card tomorrow. Hope to see you again, then.

Until tomorrow,

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create #145: Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion Challenge #283: Always Anything Goes
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Clean & Simple Christmas

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

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Paper Sweeties October Release Sneak Peeks!

Hello all my crafty friends! I hope you had a fun, long holiday weekend. We topped ours off with a trip to a local farm with our homeschool group and had an amazing day! 

And, now, since it's mid-month, it's time for Release Week at Paper Sweeties! Yay! Here we go....

I used the new stamp set, Stand Add On: Manger to create this Christmas card, and used kraft cardstock, in keeping with Paper Sweeties October Inspiration Challenge, which you still have time to enter. I stamped the images, including the star from the new Do You See What I See stamp set, onto kraft cs, then colored them with Prismacolor pencils, adding Stickles to the halo. The star was heat embossed with glitter ep. For the background, I cut a kraft distressed rectangle, then inked up a woodgrain embossing folder with Fossilized Amber on one side and Walnut Stain on the other, spritzed them with water, then sandwiched the kraft cs, and embossed it. I used Paper Sweeties Tea Seam Binding and Cookie Dough Baker's Twine for the bow, and added Gold and Frosting sequins for a starry night sparkle. The vellum banner, from the Hello Friend stamp set, was heat embossed with clear ep, and the sentiment was heat embossed with black ep. I used the Be Happy Sweet Cuts die set to die cut the banner. 

The inside sentiment panel was sponged with Fossilized Amber and I did a little masking to stamp two straw images together. The sentiment, from the new Do You See What I See stamp set, was stamped, then I colored in the "Christmas" text with a Garnet Spica pen. I hand-doodled the brown border with a fine-tip Sharpie marker.

Now, prepare yourself to be wowed by the rest of the Paper Sweeties team!

Angel Johns 
Cheryl Lea - That's Me!

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties
Emily Frasier 
Jill Norwood 

Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett
Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir

As I mentioned earlier, there is still time to enter this month's Inspiration Challenge.

And, be sure to check out the October Kit of the Month. Aren't these cards adorable!

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you'll come back tomorrow for another sneak peek. Here's a little teaser for ya...

Until then,

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create #145: Anything Goes
Penny Black October Challenge: Warm Autumn Colours
Craft Your Passion Challenge #283: Always Anything Goes
House of Cards October Challenge: Add Texture &/or Color Inspiration

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

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Paper Sweeties October 2015 Inspiration Challenge

It's Inspiration Challenge time at Paper Sweeties, and I love the color palette for this one. Being October, there are always so many orange/green/purple/black challenges out there, but Debbie has given us a more subdued palette to work with, and I just loved using it to create a cute monochromatic Halloween card.

This was a super simple card to put together, but the stamping and masking for the Halloween scene took a bit of effort. And, it was totally worth it! To create this scene, I first stamped all the images I wanted to use (from 4 different sets, all listed in my card recipe at the end of the post) onto a piece of scrap copy paper, and fussy cut each one of them. Then, I mapped out the scene to determine how to layer the masks. When you have layered images, especially this many images, you have to keep perspective in mind, and the images have to be stamped and masked in order from the "closest" image all the way to the last image in the background. For example, this scene required that I stamp the images in this order: hat, puppy, pumpkin, dog bowl and bones, dog house, broom, weather vane, ground, and tree. After each stamp, I put repositionable tape on the back of it's mask and masked the image. It can get a little tricky once you have several masks because all the images are fully stamped, so the masks start looking like a jumbled mess, but when you are finished and remove all the masks, and the final complete scene is revealed, it is fascinating to see! 

I colored the image with Copics in several shades of brown and gray, then added white highlights with a paint pen. You might notice a lot of highlights on the dog bowl. My pen blobbed and, since I can't remove white paint from a colored image without totally messing it up, I tried to correct it by incorporating it into the scene. Not a great job there, but I can live with it. ;) I added a few Paper Sweeties Gold flower sequins for shine and filled them with a black Pearl Pen dot.

On the inside of the card, I used scraps from the black flag that is on the front for a couple of small flags, as well as the same embossed design for the background. The punny sentiment and broom are both from the Best Witches stamp set.

I hope you'll join us in this month's challenge! There is a Paper Sweeties' Boutique Gift Certificate up for grabs!!!

Before you get crafty, be sure to check out the rest of the Paper Sweeties' DT blogs, as well as the talented Lisa Bzibziak, our October Guest Designer. Their creations this month are UH-MA-ZING!!!

Angel Johns - COMING SOON!
Annette Witherspoon

Cheryl Lea - That's Me!

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties

 Emily Frasier

Jill Norwood

Julie Tucker-Wolek

Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett

Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir
October Guest Designer:  Lisa Bzibziak

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Viva la Verve September 2015 Week 3 Sketch Challenge
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create Challenge #143: Anything Goes
Corrosive Challenge #234: Halloween Bingo (Black/Free/Witch)
Freshly Brewed Challenge Sept 30-Oct 6: The Great Outdoors
Oddball Art Stamps Challenge: Fall is in the Air
Robyn's Fetish Challenge #283: Square of Rectangle Cards--Your Choice
Sugar Pea Designs Challenge SPD20: Falling for Fall

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

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