Hello, Ribbon Lovers! It’s time for a brand new challenge over on the RRR Blog. I’ve created this lovely Lilac Whisper Shabby Chic Altered Notebook for this fun “anything goes with ribbon, lace or trim” challenge.
This notebook is another of my garage sale finds. It was very drab, but it had good bones, so I brought it home with me. You’d never guess now how dreary it was in its former life.
I dug through my ephemera file to find this darling vintage image of a little girl leading the birds in a sweet chorus of song. It was just the right size to fit inside the window on the front cover.
This is such a quick and easy upcycle project! You can adapt it for use with any sized notebook. I’m going to tuck this one into my “last minute gift” drawer, where I’m sure it will come in handy.
Now It’s YOUR Turn
You’re cordially invited to play along with us in this fun challenge. First, visit the RRR Blog where you’ll find loads of inspiration waiting for you from the rest of the team. Then, create a card, layout, multi media piece, tag, ATC, hair bow, you name it. Just be sure to use ribbon, lace or trim on your project.
Post your project on your blog or an online gallery (using code RRR168) and link it up over on the RRR BLOG before midnight, Wednesday, July 19th. You can find all the details HERE.
Lilac Whisper Thank You Card with Really Reasonable Ribbon
Hello, Ribbon Lovers! Have you seen the new July Ribbon Club Assortment yet? Oooh la la! If you love purple, you’re going to swoon! I’ve I paired these Perfectly Purple Ribbons up with gorgeous papers from Kaisercraft to make this Lilac Whisper Thank You Card with pockets and tag.
This is a standard sized 5″ x 7″ top fold card with a 1/4″ spine built in. I layered up my “leftover” Lilac Whisper papers with beautiful ribbons and flowers .
Ribbon does double duty here as both bow and border. This Quatrefoil Delphinium Print Satin adds pattern, texture, color and shine to the card design. Taffeta Ribbon ties into lovely, crisp bows like the luscious Hyacinth double bow I’ve added to the side of the card.
A touch of silver metallic string adds just the right amount of glam to the bow cluster. And, it serves to soften the edge of the cluster of white flowers.
Double pockets inside the card hold sweet surprises!
How about a sweet little gift card wallet and bookmark made with scraps?
Once again, I’ve used Delphinium Quatrefoil Print Satin to create stylish borders on this pretty bookmark/tag.
I think you’re really going to love this purplicious ribbon club assortment. You can see all NINE ribbons in the collection and sign up for the Ribbon Club HERE.
Lilac Whisper Celebration Folio Tutorial: 2017/18 Kaisercraft Design Team Application
Hello, Friends! Today I get to share a secret that has had me bursting at the seams. A couple of weeks ago, I was notified by the lovely folks at Kaisercraft that I had made it past the first round auditions for the 2017/18 Kaisercraft Design Team. I came home from my beach vacation to find a gorgeous box of Kaisercraft paper pretties waiting for me. Imagine my delight when I found the shabbylicious Lilac Whisper Collection lovingly tucked inside.! My assignment? Create anything I like using the product provided and write a detailed blog post. And that’s what today’s post is all about. I’m halfway home, my friends! Grab a cuppa and a snack and let’s get this party started!
Soft as Springtime: Lilac Whisper Celebration Folio
Lilacs have a special place in my heart because they played a big role in my childhood. They always bloomed in time for Memorial Day. Some of the lilac bushes in my native Vermont grew to be as large as trees, and the branches fairly groaned with the fragrant purple blossoms and heart shaped green leaves. I used to gather them by the armful, dripping with dew to make bouquets for my mother when I was a girl. I tried to capture all those special memories in this LIlac Whisper Celebration Folio.
This box style folio measures 5.25″ wide x 7.25 inches tall. It has a 1″ spine, and a second 1/4″ spine. Birthdays are something we have a lot of during the summer months, so I went with a birthday celebration theme. My thought behind the design was to create a special box with a hidden birthday card that would also serve as a place to preserve photos and souvenirs from the event. I designed the folio especially for this paper collection, and I can wait to share it with you. Before I share the video tutorial and tour with you, I’d like to share a few detail photos.
Lilac Whisper Cover Details
To begin, I cut apart several images from the Well Wishes paper. Then I distressed the edges and inked them with Pumice Stone Distress Ink or Dusty Concord Distress paint. Next, I matted them onto Kaisercraft Weave Cardstock. The base layer is machine stitched onto cardstock. Then I painted a piece of Kaisercraft corrugated cardboard with Dusty Concord, Milled Lavender and Shaded Lilac Distress Paints. I tapped Kaisercraft paper flowers with these same paints to add a distressed, shabby chic feel to the design.
Next, I layered all the separate parts onto the album cover, using foam spacers to add depth and dimension to the design. Shaded Lilac Collectables and Mini Wood Flourishes add texture, visual interest and beauty to the cover. Finally, I added Kaisercraft flat back pearls, ribbon, and a burlap string bow to complete the design.
A Peek Inside
The folio opens just like a top fold card would. But inside, there are treasures galore!
First, I decorated the inside cover with designer paper, floral stickers and a sweet little pocket . To make the pocket, fussy cut the florals from the designer paper. Then, Ink the edges with Pumice Stone Distress Ink. Next, glue just the flat bottom edge to the base of the page. Now, you can tuck little paper pretties into the pocket.
Keeping it Together
After some careful thought, I decided that a belly band was the best option for holding this gatefold folio closed. After cutting a 2″ strip of designer paper, I distressed and inked the edges. Then I cut a slightly wider piece of Kaisercraft Lavendar Weaves Cardstock. Next, I glued the designer paper to the cardstock. Then I added the pretty floral sticker border, a matted Collectables and a lovely lilac butterfly to complete the belly band.
Open the Gates
Gatefold designs like this one add so much drama and excitement to a design. I always feel as though I’m watching the curtain rise on a stage production as each part unfolds to reveal even more beauty.
Flaps and Fold Out Features
Once the gatefold is open, you find this pretty little fold down flap. It makes me think of a drawbridge, for it folds down to reveal the hidden birthday card inside the folio.
Here’s a sweet little pocket filled with tags!
Paper scraps make great tags! Use a corner punch to round the bottom edge. Then use another corner punch to shape the top. Punch a 1/4″ hole, thread ribbon through it, and decorate with little bits and pieces of paper. Every scrap of this collection is beautiful, so you will want to use it all. And, there’s room in the pocket to add a gift card, movie tickets or small wrapped chocolate as an extra surprise.
At the Center of it All
At the very center of this Shaded Lilac Celebration Folio, you’ll find a secret pocket.
The pocket holds a beautiful birthday card…
…with a hidden tag pocket on the front. I used the Blossom Mini Designer Template to add texture paste to the upper right hand corner of the card.
Here’s a peek inside the card.
How to Make a Pocket
To create this pocket page, follow these easy steps.
First, cut a 5 x 7 rectangle from Mist Designer paper. Mat it on a slightly larger piece of Sage Weaves Cardstock.
Then, cut a 6″ wide x 3.5″ tall rectangle from Elephant Ears Weaves Cardstock. Score 1/2″ on the bottom and on both sides. Burnish to crease, then miter the corners with your scissors, as seen here.
Now, add a bit of adhesive where the corners meet.
Next, cut a 4 7/8″ wide x 3″ tall rectangle from Mist designer paper. Glue to the front of the pocket.
Then use a 1 3/8″ circle punch to add the thumb hole to the center of the pocket.
Next, glue the pocket to the base of the 5×7 panel. Then decorate the pocket with border stickers, a matted sentiment, painted Mini Wood Flourishes and a Mini Paper Rose.
Finally, center the entire panel and glue in place. Adding these pockets to a card, folio or album is such a quick process and it really amps up the fun factor. Everyone loves to pull something pretty from a pocket!
Lilac Whisper Celebration Folio Video Tutorial on YouTube
Would you like to make your very own Lilac Whisper Celebration Folio? This YouTube Video tutorial will guide you through the process of building the base. I also share lots of tips and tricks that will help you along in your own crafty adventures during the video tour of the folio. I hope you enjoy!
You’ll find a complete supply list with product links below. Thanks so much for joining me here today. And huge thanks to Kaisercraft for considering my application for the 2017/18 Kaisercraft Design Team. Wish me luck!
This notebook is another of my garage sale finds. It was very drab, but it had good bones, so I brought it home with me. You’d never guess now how dreary it was in its former life.
