Category Archives: Land Sea

Stamperia Sea Land Travelers Notebook

Stamperia Sea Land Travelers Notebook with Eileen Hull Journal Die

Hello, Friends!  August was birthday month in the Clement household, and I stayed very busy in the studio creating cards and gifts for my loved ones.  This Stamperia Sea Land Travelers Notebook made with Eileen Hull’s Journal Die was my gift to our dear daughter Liz.  Her job requires her to travel and she loves the beach, so I thought this would be a practical gift for her.

Stamperia Sea Land Travelers Notebook: The Earth is Flat

Well, maybe not the earth….but the cover of this journal  is very flat compared to what usually

comes out of my studio. Because I designed this for Liz to tuck into her carry on bag, I kept the embellishments to a minimum.  But that does not mean boring, or one layer.  I found lots of ways to add texture and visual interest to the composition of this “flat” journal.

I’ve made loads of these travelers notebooks (see some HERE and HERE) now, and each time I create one, it seems I learn something new.  This time, I used torn and layered papers to create a collage cover.  Since I was working with only a partial pad of Stamperia Sea Land (see other Sea Land projects HERE) I had to really stretch  my papers.  Here are some helpful tips in case you every have to do the same:

  • Group your paper scraps by color families.  This will make for a more uniform appearance when it comes time to layer.
  • Fussy cut large elements (compass and postcard) and layer in to cover gaps.
  • Use small elements (like the sentiments) as embellishments layers
  • Torn edges look amazing when inked and layered in.
  • Ink edges.  I used Gathered Twigs Distress Ink on all my torn and fussy cut layers.  It’s  amazing how this simple technique creates a feeling of depth on a project!
Stamperia Sea Land Travelers Notebook: Mixed Media Touches

Use a stencil and Crackle Texture Paste to add some ocean “bubbles” and “seaweed) to your cover.  This is a Stamperia Music Stencil but it worked great for this beachy project!

I have an ancient Cuttlebug strip die that I used to cut out the seahorse, sand dollar and starfish from grunge paper…also ancient!  Run these through an embossing folder to create a little texture, then heat emboss with Seth Apter Baked Textures for amazing results.  (Products linked below).  While these elements are not technically flat, they are very thin.  Since they are securely adhered to the surface of the journal, they should hold up just fine during travel.

Stamperia Sea Land Travelers Notebook:  The Spine

You can get a really good look at the the torn paper layers on the back of the journal in this shot.  And you can also see the canvas spine that I created.  The canvas really makes the finished journal feel authentically beachy!  Here’s how I did it

  • First, cut a 3″ x 24″ piece of natural canvas.
  • Next, stitch along the edges with a contrasting, but complementary thread.  I used my sewing machine, but you could hand stitch if you desired to do so.
  • Now, wrap the strip around the journal spine to figure out the placement.  I opted to have the solid piece inside the spine, and the overlapped piece on the outside of the spine.
  • When you are happy with the placement, mark the inside edge of the canvas with a pencil, so you can remember where the top and bottom should lie.  Then adhere Scor-Tape or Red Line tape from edge to edge all along the back side of the canvas piece.
  • Line up your pencil marks with the top and bottom of the spine.
  • Remove the liner and burnish the inside of the spine to secure it to the cover.
  • Sew buttons onto the canvas spine.  Then place Scor-Tape to the back side and adhere to the album spine, burnishing well.

Wrap the spine with strands of waxed linen thread.  Dress it up with a few charms to finish.

Stamperia Sea Land Travelers Notebook: A Peek Inside

I had picked up some Momenta Journal inserts on clearance at Tuesday Morning a while back, so I used those for the signatures in this journal.  Again, I finished the covers with torn papers.  The center of each signature slips under a strand of the waxed linen thread.

Each signature is held shut with some vintage bulldog clips from ButterBee Scraps.

I added little phrases to the signatures using some Tim stickers.

For the closure, I punched a hole in the back cover and inserted a knotted elastic band.  The band hooks over the button on the front of the journal.

This was a quick project to put together and a great way to use up bits and pieces of a well loved paper collection.

I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and techniques that you can use in your own crafty adventures.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Stamperia Old Lace Feminine Flip Folio Tutorial

Stamperia Old Lace Feminine Flip Folio Tutorial for Frilly and Funkie “Layers of Lace” Challenge

Hello, Friends!  Is there anything more romantic and feminine than lace?  Today I have a shabby romantic Stamperia Old Lace Feminine Flip Folio Tutorial to share with you.  I’ve made it for the “Layers of Lace” Challenge over on the Frilly and Funkie Blog.  Before we take a look at the project, let’s see what Autumn, our lovely challenge hostess, has to say about the challenge theme.

Challenge Theme: Layers of Lace
Lace, oh so lovely lace!  Whether you add delicate layers of fine lace, or tattered and torn crocheted lace, we’d love to see you add dimension and depth to your vintage or shabby chic project with lace.  Perhaps you have a favorite lace stamp or will choose to lace something up, we’d love to see your creations inspired by this topic.
Stamperia Old Lace Feminine Flip Folio: A Two Story Design

Stamperia Old Lace Feminine Flip Folio by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Once again, I’ve pulled my Mixed Media Boots out of the Closet of Shame for this challenge.  And once again, I’ve created a new style of folio, which is always really fun to do!  I’m calling this a “two story” folio with a 4.25″ x 7.5″ folio layered over a standard 5″ x 7″ top fold base with a 1/2″ spine.

This makes for a really fun, dimensional look, as well as lots of fun spots to stash goodies. I would love to make you think that I’m totally brilliant, but the truth of the matter is that this design came about by accident.  When I had finished putting the individual folio components together, which is my usual work process, I realized that the “tag” I had made to fit inside the folio was too tall!  So I had to think quickly…and this design is the result.  See?  No crafting catastrophes allowed!  Just crafting opportunities!

Stamperia Old Lace Feminine Flip Folio: Cover Art

I love the look of Distress Oxide Inks over kraft paper.  If you look in the top right corner, you can see it…topped with some stenciling, a little random stamping and very light heat embossing with ultra fine gold embossing powder.

The flower is actually cut from the paper collection, spritzed with water, shaped with a stylus and then inked and painted.  Use an awl to poke a hole in the flower center, then add some stamens.

And I personally love the contrast of distressed edges, burlap and crocheted lace.  It just works for me!

Open the top story of this folio to find more lace, torn paper layers, some inked, stamped, distressed paper and a handwritten sentiment.   Make the little tea bag holder by scoring a Graphic 45 Regular Ivory Tag and lining it with designer paper. Wrap the base with more lace, just for fun!

Stamperia Old Lace Feminine Flip Folio: The Ground Floor

Here’s a photo of the “ground floor” or the base for this flip folio.  Here’s how I made it.

  • Create a 5″ x 7″ card base with a top fold and 1/2″ spine.
    • First, cut an 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of kraft cardstock into two 5″ x 8 1/2″ panels.
    • Place 1/2″ Scor-tape or other adhesive along the bottom edge of one panel.
    • Next, line the second panel up over the Scor-tape and press firmly to adhere.
    • Place the long side on a scoring tool and score at 7″ and again at 7 1/2″.  This forms the 1/2″ spine
    • Finally, crease along the score lines and trim away the excess paper at the bottom.

Once you have the base built, you will need to add your flaps.

  • For the gatefold flaps on the top half of the card do as follows
    • Cut two 4″ x 6″ rectangles of kraft  cardstock.
    • Place the short side on your scoring tool and score at 1/2″ on one panel.  This forms the left hand gate.
    • Repeat with the second panel, scoring at 3 1/2″ to form the right hand gate.
    • Adhere each flap to the folio base, then cover with your designer paper.
  • For the side flap cut a 5″ x 4″ panel of kraft cardstock.  Score a 1/2″ flap on the right hand side and adhere to the right hand side of card base.
Stamperia Old Lace Feminine Flip Folio: A Peek Inside

This is what my folio looks like on the inside.  I paired the Stamperia Old Lace papers up with Prima Love Story.  The combination of pink and brown really works for me.

Gatefold flaps open to reveal a pair of kraft glassine pockets on either side of the larger center panel.  By gluing just 3 sides of this postcard from the Old Lace Collection, I was able to create a nifty pocket in about 2 seconds!

Each glassine pocket folds down to reveal a photo mount and a hidden journaling spot on a card hidden inside the envelope.

Stamperia Old Lace Feminine Flip Folio Tutorial: More Flaps!

Just look at the gorgeous paper on this flap feature!

Open the flap to find more interactive elements.  The back side of the flap features a pull out page with a hidden journaling spot.

This 4″ x 5 1/2″ mini folio fits neatly in the large pocket on the bottom of the base.  I’ve added some stenciled polka dots and painted edges to shabby things up even more.  But wait…there’s more!

The folio is actually a lovely little envelope.  I can’t take any credit for this at all, doggone it!  It’s part of the Old Lace paper collection.  All I did was cut it out, score and fold.  How lovely is that?  And what’s inside the envelope?

A sweet little vintage button card with real vintage buttons and a little chocolate treat.

Stamperia Old Lace Feminine Flip Folio Tutorial Tour on YouTube

If you’d like to see all these interactive features in action, then grab a cuppa, click play and relax for 10 minutes.

Layers of Lace: Now it’s YOUR turn!

I hope you’re feeling inspired to play along in this lovely “Layers of Lace” Challenge.  Just create a lacy shabby chic or vintage project of your choice..  Then link up on the Frilly and Funkie Blog before 11:59PM EDT on Tuesday, June 5th.

The team will pick four favorite project entries for this challenge.  The top winner will be invited to join us in a Guest Designer spot on the Frilly and Funkie Blog.  The next three will receive badges to display proudly on their blogs.  And everyone who enters and follows the challenge rules will be eligible to win a $25 shopping spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

You can find all the challenge rules and details HERE.

I can’t wait to see what you make!

I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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