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

SUPPLY LIST

• Little Birdie Crafts Classic Gentleman 12×12 paper pad
• 4×6 Classic Gentleman Journal Cards
• Flim Strip Thin Die
• Cogs and Wheels Thin Dies
• Timekeeper Thin Dies
• Dream Cut Die Cutting Machine
• Flat Braided Trim
• Primed Chipboard Keys
• Metallic Wax
  • Glimmer Moss
  • Silver Glitz
  • Antique Gold