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Botanical Bird Themed Junk Journal

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Spellbinders Cathe Holden Vintage Flea Market Finds Junk Journal Kathy Clement Kathy by Design

Bird Themed Botanical Junk Journal with Spellbinders Cathe Holden Vintage Flea Market Finds

Hello, Friends!  It’s the first day of Spring, and I have a sunshiny Bird Themed Botanical Junk Journal to share with you on this Make & Take Tuesday.  If you are a fan of bird themed projects, vibrant florals and a vintage vibe, then this easy to make junk journal is going to make you smile.  It features some fun elements from Cathe Holden’s new Vintage Flea Market Finds release over at Spellbinders.

Songbirds and Sunshine

Here’s how I built the base of this simple 5×7 Junk Journal folio:

  • First, cut (2) 11″ x 7″ panels of extra heavy (110#) kraft cardstock.
  • Next, place 1/4″ Scor-Tape on a 7″ edge of one panel.
  • Now remove the tape liner and using the inner edge of the tape as a guide, overlap one panel over the other to form one long strip of cardstock that is 7″ tall.
  • Then place the long panel on your scoring tool and score at 5″, 5 1/2″ and 10 1/2″.  Fold on the 10 1/2″ score line, and continue to score two more 5″ panels.
  • You will have a short 1 1/2″ panel all the way on the right.  This will be a little side pocket.
  • Now, fold the 5″ and 5 1/2″ score lines to form a front and back cover.
  • Finally, accordion fold the remaining panels so that the side pocket panel winds up on top.

You’ll see how the folio folds in the project share video below.

The Spine and Elastic Band Closure

Line the spine of your junk journal with a bit of crochet lace.  I had this pretty 1 1/2″ wide yellow lace in my stash.  Brush the spine and 1/2″ of the front and back cover with gel medium or Dries Clear Adhesive to attach the lace. Then punch a hole in the center of the spine for the elastic closure.  Here’s how to make the elastic closure:

  • Thread a button with elastic thread (available at most fabric stores) and leave the tails long.
  • Next, run the tails through the hole in the center of the spine so that the button is on the inside. (Make sure the button is not wider than the spine!)
  • Now wrap the thread around the middle of the journal.  You want it to be a little bit snug, but not too tight.  Tie the ends together with another square knot, but leave room to thread another button.
  • Run the tails behind the knot through another button and tie another square knot.  Now you have a cute elastic/button closure for your Junk Journal.
A Peek Inside

Accordion fold journals are the easiest to make.  This photo shows how the journal folds into itself and the small side  pocket page that sits at the front of the journal.  All the papers and ephemera bits are from the Vintage Flea Market Finds release.

Here’s a look at the 3 inside panels.  I opted to go with a pocket/insert format because it allowed me to use up scraps of designer paper on tags and pockets.   You’ll get a full tour of in the video below.

Botanical Bird Themed Junk Journal Tour on You Tube

If you’d like to see all the inner workings and interactive elements in this sweet springtime journal, please enjoy this video project share on my YouTube channel.

 

I hope you feel inspired to give this simple junk journal design a try.  You can find a linked supply list below.

Happy Spring, my friends!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Graphic 45 Flower Market April Folio Tutorial

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Graphic 45 Flower Market April Folio Tutorial Guest Starring Kaisercraft Flower Shoppe

Hello, Friends!  Is it really time for our Graphic 45 Flower Market April Folio?  Well, the calendar says it is, so here we come with the next folio in this year-long Make & Take Tuesday series.  This April Folio features daisies, one of the most cheerful flowers of the field.  The cheerful/joyful theme of this month’s folio is perfect for springtime.

Graphic 45 Flower Market April Folio Tutorial Kathy Clement Kathy by Design

We will follow the same basic construction format that we’ve used in the January–March folios. But  you know me…I don’t like to do the same thing over and over again, so there are a few subtle changes in this month’s folio.  I’m always looking for ways to improve the basic design.

A Peek Inside

This month’s “guest star” is a selection of papers and ephemera from Kaisercraft Flower Shoppe collection.  What a lovely surprise to see how well these two collections work together!  If you don’t have Flower Shoppe in your stash, just substitute another collection!  I do talk a bit in the video tutorial about my process for picking papers from other collections to go with the G45 papers.

See how well everything flows together?  I’ll share a full walk through in the video tutorial.

Graphic 45 Flower Market April Folio Tutorial on YouTube

Instead of breaking the tutorial into two parts, I decided to publish it as one BIG video.  So grab a cuppa and a snack, grab a notebook and a pencil and let’s get this week’s Make & Take Tuesday rolling!

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

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Nautical Themed Wedding Favor Boxes Tutorial

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Nautical Wedding Boxes Tutorial by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 01

Nautical Themed Wedding Favor Boxes Tutorial for Throwback Thursday and Wedding Recap

Hello, Friends!  The long-anticipated wedding is past, bags are unpacked, and now I can finally share this Nautical Themed Wedding Favor Boxes Tutorial with you.  I’m still trying to get caught up on all the things that didn’t get done here on the home front prior to the big day.  And I’m still basking in the happiness of what could only be called a perfect day!

Wedding Photos

I thought you might like to see a few photos of that perfect day.  You can find more on my Kathy by Design Facebook page. But I’ll share a few here before we get into the tutorial for the boxes.

Here’s our gorgeous daughter and her new husband…and yes…Liz and Chris DID wear their wedding finery out into the surf after the reception was over.  This photo sums up their adventurous, fun-loving relationship perfectly!

And here’s Liz with my sweet husband Dale.  The only thing trickier than walking in the sand was making it down that long, steep flight of stairs to the beach! Liz is wearing my mom’s pearl necklace.

And this is our new family!  All three of the grandgirls were in the wedding party, along with our daughter Kimberly (back row left).  Chris’ brother is a Navy chaplain, (front row, second from left) and he performed the ceremony, which made it extra special.  I fell in love with his wife, Lisa (front row first left). Our son Peter is in the cowboy hat and his wife Mindy is beside him.  Chris’ mom is in front of them.  Our youngest son Joel is beside me and his beautiful wife Melody is beside him.  Sophie is in the front right and the Littles are in front of Liz and Chris.  We did not know that the groom and the groomsmen would be wearing blue suits when Dale and I chose our blue outfits, but isn’t it nice how that all worked out?

Peter made the gorgeous cake plate with the copper hoop.  Instead of a big cake, they opted for a 6″ version with cupcakes and donuts for the guests.  It was a good decision!

Nautical Themed Wedding Favor Box Tutorial:  Assembly Line Method

Nautical Wedding Favor Boxes Tutorial by kathy Clement kathy by Design Photo 01

When you have to make 82 table favors, you have to have a plan.  I chose to use an assembly line method that I developed back when I was making souvenir menus for BMW corporate banquets.  It really helps to have a designated box or storage spot when you are making in bulk.  Keep all your tools, papers, paint, dies, embossing folders, etc. in that box.  That way you don’t have them scattered all over the house.

Here’s how I tackle this sort of task:

  • First, cut all the box bases.  Box tops measured 5 3/8″ square while box tops measured 5 1/2″ square.
  • Next, emboss all the box tops.  I did these 10-20 at a time, as I found a moment here and there.
  • Then, dry brush all the box tops and set aside to dry.
  • While the box tops are drying, score, fold, cut and assemble the box bottoms.
  • Now, score, fold, cut and assemble the box tops.
  • Next, cut the liner sheets for the box bottoms.
  • Then adhere all the liner sheets for the box bottoms.
  • Stamp the shell image once, scan into your computer and size to fit the project. Then you can copy/paste and print out a whole page of stamped images instead of stamping the same image 82 times!
  • Compose and size the message in the same way, then print on vellum.

Once you have all the pieces prepared, the assembly goes pretty quickly.  Muscle memory allows you to go faster and faster when you repeat the same task over and over.

Nautical Themed Wedding Favor Boxes Tutorial on YouTube

The tutorial for the box we are making today is a bit more elegant than the ones I made for the wedding, and takes just a bit more time.  I decided to create a box with an interior folded edge for two reasons.  One: it looks better, and two: it’s sturdier.  I wish I had thought of this before the wedding, but it actually dawned on me at the wedding reception.  Next time I’ll do better!

Of course, you can use any color cardstock for your box base.  If you don’t want to emboss, you can just cover the box with pretty paper, or leave it plain and dress it up with ribbon, flowers and a little tag.  The possibilities are endless!

Well, my dryer just buzzed, so I’d best go get another load of laundry going.  At least I am never bored!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Flirty Feminine Floral Card with Treat Pocket

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Carta Bella Homemade-Really Reasonable Ribbon-Kathy Clement-Kathy by Design-handmade card-01

Flirty Feminine Floral Card with Treat Pocket: Carta Bella Homemade & RRR

Hello, Friends!  Don’t you just love a truly flirty, feminine floral card?  I know I do, especially if it involves pink gingham ribbon and patterned papers!  Today I’m showcasing another card made with Coral Rose Mini Check  my favorite Really Reasonable Ribbon and the Carta Bella Homemade collection.

Recipe for Success.

Carta Bella-Homemade-Treat Card-Really Reasonable Ribbon-Kathy Clement-Kathy by Design-01

This 5×7 top fold card was truly a joy to create!  Here’s the simple recipe for making it:

  • First, create a 5×7 top fold card from cream cardstock
  • Next, machine stitch a 4 7/8″ x 6 7/8″ panel of pink gingham check to a 5×7 blush cardstock panel.
  • Then, stitch a 4″ x 6″ panel of the cheery floral pattern to a slightly larger panel of blush cardstock.  Center and adhere over the gingham panel.
  • Now, use an oval die to cut out the sentiment from a 4×6 journal card.  Mat on a larger blush die cut oval, back with adhesive and adhere in the center of the card.
  • Add the chipboard banner as an accent in the corner.
  • Finally, die cut foliage, dry brush with ivory paint, top with pretty Prima flowers, add a Coral Rose Ribbon and a button.

A Peek Inside

Really Reasonable Ribbon-Carta Bella-Homemade Collection-Kathy Clement-Kathy by Design

Isn’t it fun to see how the same paper collection offers so many different color combinations?  I focused in on the pink/green hues instead of the yellow/orange hues I used in my Country Fresh Eggs & Sunshine card.

Create a cute envelope to hold the treats you might tuck into the card pocket.

Don’t faint!  I actually stamped and colored the images on the little tag.  One of my goals for 2023 is to develop/improve my stamping and coloring skills.  I hope you’ll bear with me!

I can hardly wait to pull this collection out for another play date. It’s just so full of happy!

Tomorrow, I’ll be back with the reveal of my Button Farm Club Kit for February.  I’m actually on the road today, coming home from our daughter’s wedding.  This  post was written and scheduled in advance of the big event.  I’ll fill y’all in on the details once I’ve caught my breath.

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

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Gingham Foundry Upcycled Waterfall Folio Tutorial

My Mind’s Eye Gingham Foundry Upcycled Waterfall Folio Tutorial with Reneabouquets

Hello, Friends!  It’s Throwback Thursday and I’m here to share this My Mind’s Eye Gingham Foundry Upcycled Waterfall Folio Tutorial with you.  Do you have a well-loved paper collection that is down to just a few small pieces and a pile of little scraps?  Well, this post has some great ideas to help you turn them into a really sweet waterfall folio.

My Mind's Eye Gingham Foundry Upcycled Mini Album Tutorial-Reneabouquets-Kathy Clement-Kathy by Design-Photo 01

I actually used the product packaging from the 6″ x 8 1/2″ paper pad to make the cover for this sweet creation.  It already had a scored 1/4″ spine, and the cardstock cover was really sturdy.  Rather than toss it in the recycle bin, I decided to give it a new life with pretty spring papers and a gorgeous Beautiful Board Parasol from Reneabouquets.

 

The twine-wrapped spine has a sweet dangle cluster with an umbrella charm, Reneabouquets Trinket Fairy Globe, and an enamel daisy charm.  The ribbon closure is Smoke Blue Taffeta ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  It is a perfect color match for the blue in the spine, but the camera makes it look bright blue.  It is not.

Simple Design with Sweet Surprises

I love the simple design of this folio.  The left hand side is a nice slash pocket with photo mats and a journaling card.  A lateral waterfall feature on the right has room for 16 photos.  Each section of the waterfall measures 4 1/4″ x 5 3/4″, so you can fit pretty good sized photos in there.  A magnetic closure keeps everything neat and tidy.

We had to get creative with our scraps, my friends!  So we used the bits and bobs to make our own designer paper!  Every other page in the waterfall is a simple gray mat dressed up with a little washi tape border.  You could easily put this folio together in an afternoon, so it’s a great design to have in your tool box for those occasions when you need a really quick gift.

Gingham Foundry Upcycled Waterfall Folio Tutorial on YouTube

Now let’s get down to the good stuff!  You can see the entire folio and learn how to make it over on my YouTube channel.  I hope you enjoy!

Now I need to go pack my suitcase and shift gears into Mother of the Bride mode!  I have a heart full of happy right now, and I will have lots of fun stuff to share with you when I get back.

You can find a linked supply list below this post.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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