Hooray! We are settled into our new home! Just 6 days ago, we were wall to wall boxes, and the studio looked like a disaster area. I’ll be sharing a post soon so you can see the transformation. But, while we were buried under all those boxes, the good folks at Canvas Corp brands published a step out tutorial I put together for this 7 Gypsies Birthday card. I made it with the new Ordre du Jour papers and I think you will fall in love with them just as much as I did. Here’s a little sneaky peek to whet your appetite:
This little beauty is filled with fun interactive elements like this library card pocket.
So if you have a minute and would like to be inspired, I hope you’ll pop on over to The Creative Studio and take a look around. You can find this 7 Gypsies Ordre du Jour Birthday Card post HERE.
I’ll be back soon with a tour of my new studio and photos of the journey it took to get here. I’ve missed y’all!
Wanderlust Junque Journal for 7 Gypsies: Opportunity Knocks!
Hello, Friends! Are you familiar with Junque Journals? They are all the rage in the papercrafting world. Junque Journals are kind of hybrid between traditional journals and scrapbooks or mini albums. These mixed media creations combine fabric, different kinds of paper, found items and small souvenirs to capture memories in a fun and playful way. 7 Gyspies has recently released a fabulous new collection called Wanderlust that is tailor made for this kind of memory keeping. I spent a glorious day of crafting with their Wanderlust Junque Journal and ended up with a really funky, fun, mixed media book that oozes with vintage goodness. Take a peek:
The great thing about this Wanderlust Junque Journal is that half the work has been done for you. 7 Gypsies thoughtfully stitched up a gorgeous base album with beautifully vintage cover art and 6 machine stitched pages made from cardstock, burlap, kraft paper, canvas and corrugate. All I had to do was add the fun.
I did make a video of this project so you could really get a feel for the flow and all the various elements. But for those of you who prefer “still” shots, I have loads of them below. Before we get started, you might want to go get a snack and a beverage…there’s a LOT to look at!
I cut out the cover focal image with my craft knife, then stitched it onto some brown faux leather paper. I love the dimension this adds to the cover and the custom feel it gives the journal. The little metal hasp was on an old medicine cabinet that I found at a local yard sale. I added a fussy cut suitcase handle from Pack Your Bags to give the focal the look of a vintage suitcase. I fussy cut other elements and added them to the cover with foam tape. Can you spot the “luggage tag” I made with the faux leather? I love the little post card charm!
The inside pages are so much fun to build up. I fussy cut various elements from papers found in the 12×12 Mixed Media Kit and layered them up until I was happy with the way they looked. On the left hand page I tucked a Gypsy Moments tag into a tiny kraft bag. You could add small photos, journaling, or small souvenirs in the bag as well.
I built hidden pockets and fold outs throughout the Wanderlust Junque Journal because I wanted to have that feeling you get when you are out on a really great junkin’ trip with your best buddy. The top of this fold out was left open so that I could tuck a Postcard and photo mount in behind it. (All my photo mounts and tags were created with Heartfelt Creations Cut, Mat, Create dies.)The focal image was cut from the “Stay Focused” 12×12 paper and then “hinged” with washi tape to create a door.
When you open it, there’s room to mount some photos, or to journal in white ink.
This two page spread displays the corrugate and burlap pages. I love the texture you get from these. There’s a pull out pocket behind the doors on the left, and another pocket above the photo mount on the right.
I used my craft knife to split the doors on the image and backed it with another image from the
“Stay Focused” paper. I spattered on some TA Chalkboard mist to add to the artsy feel of this wonderful paper.
This double paged spread is on burlap and kraft papers. I cut out tags and images from “Open New Doors” and layered them in. So quick and easy! The page on the right has a pocket/photo mount filled to the brim with tags, mini file folders and other goodies.
I think this might be my favorite page. The tag pulls out from behind the wonderful “Open New Doors” image. The lined kraft paper behind has been spattered with ink to give it a great grungy feel. But the image on the right is so artsy and fun. I painted the canvas page with ink. Then I “painted” around the focal image with a water brush to make it easy to tear out from the “Be Free” 12×12 paper. This gives you great control but you still end up with that wonderful torn edge look. A little more inking, a torn paper layer that looks like a grassy knoll and a vintage label fussy cut from the paper and this page is done.
Here’s another photo mount pocket filled with tags and mini file folder. The background paper came from a Junque Pack that I had in my stash. I also opened up a Gypsy Moments file folder and used it as a photo mat. All I had to do was add a little hand journaling and another focal image/pocket and this page was done.
I love the vibrancy this red burlap page adds to the Wanderlust Junque Journal. I created a journaling spot on the left with a Gypsy Moments ATC Printed Folder. The little die cuts were in my stash, and they fit in with this so well that I couldn’t resist using them. The corner of the typewriter to hold the folder closed. The inside could house journaling, or small photos. Interactive elements in a journal make me super happy.
This door image is from the “Be Free” 12×12 paper. It reminds me of Dublin, and memories of Dublin make my heart sing. I’ve used another file folder as a mat on this page. Think outside the box when you are using your supplies…a postcard or a file folder can be a mat, or a pocket!
This page is the inside back cover. I fussy cut some keys, turned an image into a pocket and then added a file folder behind it. This took maybe 10 minutes to do…because fussy cutting the keys was a little bit “worky”. But you get the idea. You can build a fabulous album like this in less than a day because the basics have all been done for you.
I tied some burlap twine around the spine and then added on these fun wine charms I bought at a thrift store. Treasure is everywhere….you just have to open your eyes and look for it!
This Wanderlust Junque Journal was so much fun to create. I think it would be a fantastic activity for a bridal shower weekend, a girls’ retreat, a family trip. The album is already about half done…you just add the fun details and your memories and you’ve got a great keepsake that captures a special event or time in your life.
My Gypsy Soul is so happy right now, I can hardly stand it!
Vintage Varsity Masculine Birthday Card with RRR February Ribbon Club Assortment
Hello, Ribbon Lovers! Do you struggle when it comes to making a great masculine birthday card? If you’d like to find out some of my tips and tricks for making a great masculine birthday card, then read on! This Vintage Varsity Masculine Birthday card uses ribbons from the Really Reasonable Ribbon February Ribbon Club assortment along with 7 Gypsies Vintage Varsity papers and ephemera.
You’ll notice that I created the card on a kraft cardstock base. This automatically makes it feel more masculine. Then, to add even more macho goodness, I inked and distressed all the edges of the paper layers.
I cut some ticket ephemera in half and tucked part of it behind my paper layers. The other half was cut into a fishtail banner, wrapped in natural burlap string and embellished with a pewter star brad. The star theme was carried out further with the star button on top of the bow, and in the novelty button. I added another punch of color by placing a strip of crosshatch emerald satin ribbon down the left hand side of my focal image. This naturally draws the eye to that handsome rugby player…and there is nothing girly about him, am I right?
To keep my detail photo and novelty button from being overlooked, I encircled them with a strand of natural burlap string. The natural fibers add great texture to the composition of the card, and the circle element is fun, too. And here’s another star reference to unify the theme of the card. See, this is not so hard, right?
The inside of the card contains more layered papers along with a computer journaled sentiment that I inked and stamped. Add a short greeting and badda bing, badda boom, this card is ready for your favorite guy!
What are some of your favorite tips for making a masculine birthday card? I’d love to hear them in the comment section below.
Hello, Friends! Yes, I ‘m still cranking out Christmas cards at a furious rate! I’ve got to beat that clock! So many of us give gift cards or cash gifts at this time of year, that I thought it would be fun to design another type of pocket card. This Santa’s Journey Pocket card uses papers from 7 Gypsies and a bunch of fun embellies so that you can present your holiday gift cards with style.
This is a masculine Christmas card, and the Santa’s Journey papers and ephemera worked perfectly for my design plan. The bold stripes on the Comfort and Joy paper were paired up with some festive dots paper from Gypsy Christmas, Dots and stripes always seem to work well on a masculine card.
I fussy cut some of the images from the ephemera pack, treated them with UTEE and then used foam tape to attach them to my cherry red pocket..which really opens and is just the right size for a gift card or cash gift…or individually wrapped chocolate, or tickets to a sporting event…you get the idea! I framed this with some custom striped seam binding that I topped with rusty jingle bells. The little “no peeking” tag is from the 12 Days of Christmas tag set. As you can see, Santa has his bags all packed and since his sleigh is in the shop, he’s traveling in this great vintage truck!
Masculine card or no, I like to add a little sparkle, so I layered in a glittery snowflake (thank you Dollar Store!) and a beautiful Tim Holtz reindeer charm that I found in my stash. This helps to brighten the color palette a little and adds some great texture and visual interest to the card as well.
Inside, I layered more of the Santa’s Journey papers and ephemera with a Farmhouse Christmas stocking tag. There’s plenty of room to add a personal note.
This Santa’s Journey Pocket card was quick to make and lots of fun. Adding layers of texture is always fun! Now, I’ve got to get back to work! Tick Tock!
Hello Friends! It’s time for another inspiring Hoarders Blog Hop! You should be coming here from the one and only Wendi’s blog: Scrappy Day in Paradise. If so, you are right on track. But just in case you have no idea where you are or what you are doing (like me on most days!) here are the links to all the Hoarders who are participating in the hop this month:
This month, I have a super sweet baby project to share with you. I used a 7 Gypsies Solo Tray and Graphic 45 papers (Sweet Sentiments/Little Darlings) and some die cuts to create this little altered baby tray for a friend.
The solo tray measures 6″ square with a 4″ x 6″ opening and 3 2″ square openings. I dug deep into the Closet of Shame and came up with some fun embellies like the sweet Baby Animal Print Ribbon, White Iridescent Metallic String, Cosmos Daisies and Magnolia Blossoms. Oh, and I added a few White Spiral Stamens into my flower/ribbon cluster. I also inked the edges of the flower petals with Chalk ink, and dry brushed some Tattered Rose Distress Paint onto the sides of the tray.
This baby’s nursery is done in pink and lilac, so that dictated the color palette. To be true to the Hoarders Pledge (“Keep everything you have, but use everything you keep,”and yes…I just totally made that up!) I pulled out an ancient Spellbinder’s Lace Border Die to use along the top of the tray.
I layered the lilac papers from Sweet Sentiments, adding foam tape between layers to add more direction. A large photo of the new family can be mounted here. . The sides of the tray were covered in paper and then wrapped with crocheted lace, but I didn’t get a good photo of that, which was very silly of me!
The little dress, bloomers, teddy bear and shoes are die cut with dies that I dug out of my crafty stash. I inked the edges lightly with Tea Dye Distress Ink…and I have to admit…I super love the way these die cuts turned out.
Baby things are so much fun to make and give! And speaking of giving, I have a little bit of blog candy to give away this month. I have a huge stash of 6″ x 6″ papers that I almost never use. So I thought I would share. These are assorted collections from Webster’s Pages and they need a new home. I’ll toss in some other goodies, too…as much as I can fit into the package.
To win, you just need to do one of the following:
Become a follower of my blog if you are not already. You can subscribe by e-mail by using the form in the upper right hand corner of this page.
You don’t have to do all of the above…but if you do, it will make my day! I’ll pick a random winner on Monday November 9th and announce it on my Facebook page that day.
Now hop on over and see what KAREN has cooked up for you!
This little beauty is filled with fun interactive elements like this library card pocket.
So if you have a minute and would like to be inspired, I hope you’ll pop on over to The Creative Studio and take a look around. You can find this 7 Gypsies Ordre du Jour Birthday Card post HERE.
