Category Archives: Classic Gentleman

Little Birdie Classic Gentleman Mixed Media Card

Little Birdie Proper Gentleman Mixed Media Card

Hello,  Friends!  I made this Little Birdie Classic Gentleman Mixed Media Card for our son’s birthday.  It was such a fun process that I decided to share the how-to’s with you here on the blog.  I know that masculine cards can be hard to cook up sometimes.  But with a few simple tricks in your crafty toolbox, you’ll find this card is very easy to make!

Scrappy Backgrouund

Little Birdie Crafts Classic Gentleman Mixed Media Card by Kathy Clement Photo 01

First, gather up all  your little scrappy bits of Classic Gentleman.  They don’t have to  match.  Nor do they have to be the same size.  I love making this kind of mixed media background because it allows you to use up all those odd little bits and bobs of designer paper.

Now, cut a 5″ x 7″ panel of scrap cardstock.  Again, the color doesn’t matter one bit.  Whatever you have on hand will work.  Begin to glue down all the random pieces of designer paper.  You will have pieces that hang over the edge and you may have to overlap some pieces slightly to make them fit.

When the surface of the 5″ x 7″ panel is completely covered, trim it to measure 4 3/4″ x 6 3/4″.  Now the real fun begins!

Paint, Emboss, Repeat

Paint the entire surface of your patchwork creation with a coat of Tawny Metallic Paint.  Then heat dry it.  Next, ink the flat side of an embossing folder with Espresso Distress Oxide Ink.  Spritz the front of the painted panel lightly with water and place in the folder over the raised edge side.  Now close the folder and run it through your die cutting machine following the directions.

Then lightly dry brush the raised portions of the embossed design with Caribbean Blue Metallic Paint. Heat dry.  Now immediately brush a light layer of the Tawny paint over the surface again and wipe it back with a paper towel.  Finally, run the panel through the embossing folder again to achieve a deep impression.

Alter a key with paint and metallic wax glaze.  This makes a striking masculine embellishment for the card.

You can dilute Patina Glaze Metallic Wax with a little water and spatter it over the surface of the embossed panel.

Finish by glazing the chipboard word phrase with more of the metallic wax.  Then wrap the bottom of the panel with braided hemp.  Tie a knot, fray the edges and add a button and you’re done!

A Peek Inside

Finish the inside of the card with altered chipboard cogs and more designer papers.

If you don’t have this wonderful collection in your stash, I highly recommend it!

I hope I shared some tips and ideas you can use today!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Little Birdie Classic Gentleman Steampunk Folio Tutorial

Little Birdie Classic Gentleman Steampunk Folio Tutorial by Kathy Clement PHoto 01

Little Birdie Classic Gentleman Steampunk Folio Tutorial

Hello, Friends! Today is all about the guys with this Little Birdie Classic Gentleman Steampunk Folio Tutorial.  Back in January, I shared a Classic Gentleman Notebook Tutorial with you.  So I had lots of panels and pieces of this collection in my stash.  Rather than let them keep gathering dust, I decided to create a project that we could use for Father’s Day, Graduation, Retirement or birthdays.  Even though it  has some unique interactive elements, I think you’re  going to like how simple it is to put together.

Got Gears?

Little Birdie Classic Gentleman Steampunk Folio Tutorial by Kathy Clement PHoto 01

When it comes to masculine projects, steampunk is always a great choice.  All those gears and trains and mechanical drawings lend themselves to a project most men will enjoy.  The Little Birdie Primed Chipboard Gears on the cover of this album took a trip to the grunge factory to make them stand out on this folio cover.

  • First, tap the chipboard with VersaMark Embossing Ink.
  • Next, place the gears in a funnel tray or on a sheet of printer paper.
  • Now shake a jar of Seth Apter Chunky Rust Embossing Powder and sprinkle it liberally over the inked up gears.
  • Let the excess embossing powder slide off the gears.  Don’t tap or flick!  Just pick the chipboard up and let the extra powder slide off into the tray or onto the sheet of paper.

TIP: A word to the wise:  Always take a moment to pour the powder back into the jar.  Then make sure you cover the jar and move it to a safe place (i.e. away from the area where you will be using your heat gun.) BEFORE you start heat embossing.  If  you, like me, have ever ended up with a spilled jar of powder, or a jar that has been ruined by being exposed to heat, you are nodding your head right now.

  • Now heat emboss the chipboard.  Keep the tip of your heat gun moving around the surface so that you don’t accidentally burn the powder.  Heat until all the powder is melted.  This can take a few minutes depending on how hot your embossing gun is.
  • Once the first layer has cooled, randomly tap the surface with more VersaMark.  Then sprinkle random areas with Patina Oxide Embossing Enamel.  Heat emboss, cool and repeat until you are happy with the finish on your gears.
  • Adhere small metal gears over the centers of the chipboard gears for extra dimension and texture.
A Peek Inside

The inside of the folio  is pretty simple.  There are two flap pages: one inside the front cover and another inside the back cover.

Learn how to create a spine in the center of the album.  Then attach these fun flip pockets.

What’s behind the flap pages?  A kinetic waterfall on one side and a large photo mat with a journal card on the other.

TIP: Adhere just the bottom edge of the car image to the page.  Then tuck the journal card in behind in.  Now you can place a really large 5″ x 7″ photo on the page and journal or add a smaller photo behind the card.

I think you are going to love how easy it is to create the pocket and pull out page.  It’s so easy, I can’t believe I didn’t do it this way earlier!

TIP: Trim 4″ x 6″ journal cards to fit the cover of the pull out page.

The inside back cover is a mirror image of the front.  This really makes it easy to design pages!

Classic Gentleman Steampunk Folio Tutorial on YouTube

If you’d like to  learn how to make this folio base, please enjoy this 20 minute video tutorial.  In it, we will learn how to create the folio cover and spine.  Then I’ll show you how to make the flap pages, pocket flaps and hidden pocket.  A tour of the finished folio has tips and tricks that you might find helpful.

You’ll find a linked supply list below this post.

If you’d like to leave a comment, please click on the REPLIES button below the title at the top of this post.  I love hearing from you!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Classic Gentleman Valentine Notebook Folio

Little Birdie Classic Gentleman Collection Little Birdie Craft Dies Masculine Valentine Notebook Gift by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 01

Classic Gentleman Valentine Notebook for Little Birdie Crafts

Hello, Friends! How about we make a Classic Gentleman Valentine Notebook with some of my new Little Birdie Crafts goodies today?  It’s a little bit vintage, a little bit steampunk, and a quick and easy project for your favorite fella.  I’m thrilled to be a Little Birdie Crafts Guest Designer again this term. This is my first project, and I hope you will have fun making it, too!

 

I don’t want to rush the season, but we will blink twice and Valentine’s Day will be upon us.  We all love frilly, frou-frou, pink Valentines.  But most guys don’t!  So this is the design I came up with for my sweet husband.  (Did you know he composes, arranges and performs all the music on my YouTube channel?)  He’s such a great guy, and I just really wanted to bless him with something special on Valentine’s Day.  Dale loves to write things down in notebooks, so I designed this 5 1/2″ x 8″ folio especially for him.  Since he’s a generous soul, I don’t think he will mind if I share it here with you.

Getting Started

 

  • Begin by cutting 4 sheets of 12×12 Classic Gentleman papers to measure 12″ x 8″.
  • Score the text collage sheet at  5 1/2″ and 6 1/2″.  Then fold along the scored lines to form  a 5 1/2″ x 8″ notebook or folio.
  • Next, cut the dapper gents patterned paper to 5 1/2″ x 8″  Ink all the edges with Ground Espresso Distress Ink.
  • Now use the Little Birdie Filmstrip Die to cut a frame from your scraps.  Adhere as seen in the photo.
  • Then, fussy cut the walking stick silhouette man, top hat, and playing cards from the cut apart page of the paper collection. Then use the Cogs and Wheels die to cut a bunch of gears from your scraps.
Little Details

  • Next, trim the 4″ x 6″ Clock and Gears Journal Card to measure 4″ square.  TIP:  if you just cut the bottom off the card, then glue the 4″ x 2″ scrap back behind the 4″ square, you can keep the framed edge all the way around the card.
  • Then trim the clocks from the second 4″ x 6″ card.  Place foam adhesive or other dimensionals on the back and adhere over the clocks on the 4×4 card.
  • Cut the Primed Chipboard Vintage Keys apart and ink them with Ground Espresso. Then apply Little Birdie Metallic Wax in Gold, Silver and Green to create a worn, vintage finish.
  • Adhere the 4″ x 4″ clock panel to the notebook base.  Then embellish with the keys, fussy cuts and die cut pieces using the photos as a guide.
The Spine

Since most men are not crazy about ribbons and bows, you need to find a good alternative for adding texture.  Little Birdie Flat Braided Twine looks (to me) like a watch fob, which makes it perfect for this project!  Simply punch holes at the top and bottom of the spine, then run the braided twine through and tie in a knot or shoestring bow.

A Peek Inside

Create a box pocket on the left hand side of the notebook.  I tucked in one of my hubby’s favorite chocolate bars and a nice gel pen.  The inside panel is lined with a 5 3/8″ x 8″ panel of the designer paper.

On the right, I decided to make a flip page.  Here’s how to do that:

  • First, cut an 11 1/2″ x 8″ panel from a 12×12 sheet of Classic Gentleman.
  • Now score it at 5 1/2″ and 6″.  Fold along the scored lines so that the patterned paper is on the inside and the blank white side is on top.  You will have a 1/2″ spine on the right of this flap.
  • Cover the blank flap page with a 5 3/8″ x 8″ panel of designer paper.  Decorate with a 4×6 journal card and the Die Cut Time Pieces.

Now you have the perfect spot to adhere a junior legal pad in the center of the notebook.  The flap cover will protect the pages from getting all wrinkled.  It also provides a great spot for a slash pocket to hold receipts and other “stuff.”

Classic Gentleman Valentine Notebook Tour on YouTube

To help you get a feel for the function and flow of this little project, I’ve prepared a short video walk through with tips and tricks.

You’ll find a linked supply list below this post.

Also, I have a little unboxing video and giveaway of the Little Birdie Dies used in this project HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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