Ink Up: December 2015

Gold Floral Casebound Book with Flat Spine

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Merry Christmas! I hope you have been enjoying the holiday season! It is difficult for us to get everyone together at once, so we always celebrate Christmas several times before the New Year rings in, but the main event is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This year will be a little different, though, as it's the first year that my daughter is in on the big Santa secret. It should be interesting.

In the meantime, there are those who have Christmas birthdays, who still need to be celebrated, and that's what this casebound book is for.

This book was a first for me. It has a hard flat spine, and it seemed much more difficult than a rounded spine because I had issues with getting the text block attached to the case in such a way that actually allowed the book to open! I ended up having to cut the first text block out of the case and make another, thicker text block. There is a lot of trial and error when you are a self-taught bookbinder. ;)

Size: 4.5" x 5.5"

# of Sections: 19, with 4 folios each

# of Pages: 304

Stitches: Kettle, Coptic, French Link over Tapes

Cover Material: Canvas Spine, Chinese Pattern Paper, Cotton Lace

Ribbon Marker: Satin

Thread: Linen (textblock); Silk (headbands)

I made handsewn headbands on the text block using silk thread in red and white, and added an ivory satin bookmark.

Because of all the setbacks on this book, it will be a couple of days late for my friend's birthday, but I think she'll forgive me. She's sweet like that! Thanks for stopping by, and have a Merry, Merry Christmas!

~Hugs,

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

A Fabulous Crazy Bird

Here's the last card of the Crazy Bird set.

Again, I colored the bird with Copics, and I added Stickles to his wings, and around the rest of the card, since sparkly glitter makes everything so fabulous. He has Glossy Accent eyes. After stamping the sentiment, I used a blue gel pen to scribble around the words. The card design is a Sugar Pea Design sketch, turned sideways.

And, here is a look at the entire set. I'll probably be coloring up some more Crazy Birds soon. This was fun!

Thanks for visiting!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sugar Sketch Challenge #34
Simon Says Wednesday: Make it Sparkle

~Hugs,

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

People Will Stare: Another Crazy Bird Card

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

I recently got the Technique Junkies sentiment stamp that I used on this card, and couldn't wait to pair it up with this particular Crazy Bird!

I colored this bird with Copics, adding some detail and dimension to the face. You can't see it in the pic, but the red scallops on the wings and tail were colored with a red Spica pen so they have a nice sparkle. I used a white Sharpie paint pen to make the white dots on the bird's body, and gave him some Glossy Accent eyes. After stamping the sentiment, I colored in some of the words with a Copic marker, then sprinkled a few shiny sequins around the card.

Just one more card to post!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Wednesday: Make it Sparkle
613 Avenue Create Challenge #155: Anything Goes
Penny Black and More December Challenge: Anything Goes with a Stamp

~Hugs,

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

You're Weird: A Crazy Bird Card

Here's the second of four Crazy Bird cards I made this week. I used the current Your Next Stamp sketch for the card design.

The bird is colored with Copics, and I used a little gesso in the upper left corner before heat embossing the sentiment. The texture behind the bird is pink Frantage Embossing Enamel, and I also used some silver embossing powder over that and in the opposite corner, over the sentiment. Silver Paper Sweeties sequins filled with blue Pearl Pen gel add sparkle. As with the earlier Fluffy Bird, I used Glossy Accents on the eyes, but on this one, I first used a dot of black Pearl Pen, let that dry, then added a smaller dot of white paint pen, let that dry, then filled the rest of the eye with Glossy Accents.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Your Next Stamp Sketch Challenge #29
Simon Says Wednesday: Make it Sparkle
613 Avenue Create Challenge #155: Anything Goes
Penny Black and More December Challenge: Anything Goes with a Stamp

~Hugs,

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

Fluffy Crazy Bird Card

A friend specifically requested a Crazy Bird card with this sentiment, so I made it and 3 other Crazy Bird cards as a set for her. I'll post the other cards as I get the pics edited.

I've had the stamps for awhile, and recently got the dies for them, too. I love that the dies cut right along the line of the image, with very little white border showing. I made rub-ons with a transparency for the sentiment. The eyes are dimensional with Glossy Accents, the cute sequins are from Paper Sweeties, and I used a sketch from Sugar Pea Designs.

I'll be back with the rest of the set soon.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Sugar Sketch Challenge #33
Simon Says Wednesday: Make it Sparkle
613 Avenue Create Challenge #155: Anything Goes
Penny Black and More December Challenge: Anything Goes with a Stamp

~Hugs,

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

Black & Blue Paisley Corduroy Journal

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

I am a very tactile person, especially when it comes to crafting. So covering a book in corduroy fabric was quite a treat for me.

Size: 4" x 5.25"

# of Sections: 15, with 4 folios each

# of Pages: 240

Stitches: Kettle, Coptic, French Link over Tapes

Closure: 1/4" Elastic

Cover Material: Corduroy Fabric

Thread: Linen

It is bound with Coptic and French Link Stitches over grosgrain ribbon. I'm not sure I've mentioned it before, but I always wax my thread before stitching with it. It keeps it from tangling as easy, and helps the stitches, and especially the knots, to stay put.

I love the high contrast of the paisley designs with the black background.

The colored text paper matched the fabric design perfectly, and I already had it on-hand. That probably won't happen too often.

I usually sell all my handmade books, but this one might be a keeper, if only for the yummy covers!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a fabulous week!

~Hugs,

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

Puppy Paw Print Journal with Lined Pages

Thursday, December 3, 2015

I finally made a book without having to look up any instructions at all! I used Kettle, Coptic, and French Link stitches on this one, but instead of parallel Coptic stitches, I stitched them diagonally to create an "X" on either side of the French Link stitches. I learned to do that during my week-long bookbinding bookcamp that I went to this past spring. (If you are interested in going to the bootcamp, I believe there will be another one this coming April.)

Size: 4.75" x 7"

# of Sections: 10, with 4 folios each

# of Pages: 160

Stitches: Kettle, Coptic, French Link over Tapes

Closure: 1/4" Elastic

Cover Material: Cotton Fabric

Thread: Linen

This journal was commissioned by a friend. Her only request was that it have something dog-related on the cover. I found several fabrics with dogs on them, but the images all looked a little freaky, so I went with this cute puppy paw print fabric.

I considered using white or black ribbon for the French Link stitches, but this lime green polka dot ribbon was calling out to me, and I liked the contrast between the red thread and green ribbon. Adding ribbon to the spine, then having to inset it into the cover, up to now, has been a chore because I was cutting the slits with a ruler and blade. But, I invested in 3 different sized, very sharp chisels, and now it's super easy to do. A few taps with a hammer and I'm done. The slits are much neater and the ribbon and elastic are much more secure than they used to be. Sage Reynolds is my first go-to guy for bookbinding videos, and he has a great one on insetting ribbon.

I think most people prefer writing on lines rather than a blank page. The problem I've had with printing them myself, though, was getting the front and back of each sheet to match up so that when the paper is folded the margins are equal in the center of the folio. After many, many hours, I finally got all the settings just right and so this book has lined pages. To coordinate with the colors on the outside, I made the lines red, and put a little lime green paw print in the corner of each page.

I am NOT an expert on bookbinding, but I do have some advice for anyone who wants to give it a try. Don't give up if your books turn out differently than you envision. It takes a lot of practice to learn how to form stitches, how much tension to use, how to attach the covers so they aren't too loose (my biggest hurdle), how to punch the folios and covers, how to make bookcloth, and even how to cut bookboard and sections so that everything is square. I'm a competent bookbinder, but every single time I make a book, I learn something new and it is just a little bit easier than the book before it. Also, don't think that you have to run out and buy a bunch of equipment or tools. Except for my paper cutter (which I use every single day) and a diy book press (which I seldom use), all the tools I use to bind a book fit into a fairly small box that sits on my craft table. In my opinion, bookbinding is a relatively inexpensive craft, and if you have the urge to give it a try, do. It's quite enjoyable.

~Hugs,

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

Paper Sweeties December 2015 Inspiration Challenge

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Ready for one more Paper Sweeties challenge for 2015? This one is easy...it is a Christmas-y palette that is perfect for making at least one more Christmas card in time for mailing. I decided to go with a Vintage/Shabby Chic look for my card.

If you haven't seen the newest release at Paper Sweeties, you seriously need to check it out, and as a special treat, ALL of the December New Releases are available starting TODAY! That's right! You don't have to wait until the 15th! I especially like the new Dear Santa set because of the sweet little stocking stamps and matching Sweet Cuts dies. For this card, I die cut the stockings in patterned paper, then cut just the cuff portion in white felt, and finally stamped the goodies inside the stocking onto white cardstock, colored them with Copics, and did a little fussy cutting. After inking the edges of the stockings with Black Soot ink, I glued the felt to the goodies, then glued both to the stockings, and popped them up onto a white embossed rectangle with foam tape. Super easy to do, and I love the texture. The rest of the card went together easily. All the pieces, except the white panel have black ink sponged along the edges. The bow is made with Paper Sweeties Tea Seam Binding, and the bling are Paper Sweeties sequins in Black Cherry, Frosting, and Gold, with the centers filled with Lime Green Stickles.

Isn't the challenge graphic fabulous! It just gets you in the joyful Christmas spirit!

I had a lot of fun creating the inside of the card, using ornament designs from the Homespun Holidays Sweet Cuts Die set, and Paper Sweeties Licorice Baker's Twine. The stocking sentiment is from the Dear Santa stamp set and the Christmas Blessings sentiment is from the Homespun Holidays stamp set. Hmmm, I think I'm going to do this again but use it as the front of a card!

Swing by each of my teamies' blogs for some great inspiration, then create your own design for the challenge. The challenge runs for the entire month of December, and if you use Paper Sweeties products on your project, you get an extra vote. Wouldn't it be great to start the new year with a $20 Paper Sweeties Gift Certificate!

Angel Johns
Annette Witherspoon

Cheryl Lea - That's Me!

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties

Emily Frasier
Jeri Thomas

Michelle Bala
Michele Henderson
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir