Cathe Holden Archives - 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

SUPPLY LIST

Spellbinders Cathe Holden Vintage Flea Market Finds
110# kraft cardstock/several sheets
bits and bobs from my stash

Spellbinders Cathe Holden Christmas Flea Market Finds: A Bowl Full of Crafty Goodness!

Hello, Friends! I made this vintage style stitched bowl with Spellbinders Cathe Holden Christmas Flea Market Finds goodies. I remember making bowls like this from old Christmas cards when I was just a kid. Did any of you make similar Christmas crafts?

Christmas Flea Market Finds was released in July. As soon as I saw this collection, I knew I wanted to add it to my stash. It was so popular that Spellbinders ran out of inventory, so I had to wait for my order to come in. Can I just say, it was worth the wait? There is so much vintage crafty goodness in this mix of dies, papers, stamps and ephemera! Once I got started creating, the ideas started flowing, and I couldn’t seem to stop!

I have many different projects to share with you today, plus a video tour. You might want to go grab a cuppa and a snack to sustain you as we discover the possibilities in this charming collection.

Christmas Treat Containers

Once I finished making the large Christmas bowl, I decided to tackle the 3 square base boxes. This time I paired the dies up with 110# kraft cardstock. The dies cut through this extra heavy paper like butter!

Instead of covering these bowls with designer paper as I did with the large bowl, I decided to have a little mixed media fun.

First, I embossed the die cut panels with the Floral Swag 3-D Embossing folder. If you mist both sides of your heavy cardstock lightly with water before you emboss, you get a very detailed dramatic finish! This little basket is the perfect size to hold miniature candy canes and 6 packages of individually wrapped Biscoff cookies.

Next, dry brush each die cut and embossed panel with ivory chalk paint. This frosty finish almost looks like stone in real life. And how cute is this little box filled with tea bags and honey sticks? Wouldn’t it make a darling Secret Santa gift?

Now you can stitch the base to the sides of your panels. It took me a minute to remember how to do this, but my hands finally remembered the process. This bowl is the perfect size to hold a short stack of homemade cookies or even a cupcake. Lace the top holes with gold metallic thread, then tie with a bow to create this fun shape.

What would you put in these boxes? Inquiring minds want to know!

Botanical Songbird

Once I finished making the boxes, I was having so much fun that I decided to make a few Christmas cards. Each card in this series is built on a Spellbinders 5×7 card base. The Floral Swag 3D Embossing Folder worked beautifully with the patterned papers from the collection.

First, lightly mist the paper with water.
Next, place it patterned side up in the embossing folder.
Now run it through your machine following the manufacturer’s directions.
Then gently heat dry the paper. This stiffens the embossing so it is less likely to get crushed as you work.
Finally, brush the raised area with a little Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. You can also lightly brush on some Gold Metallic Wax with your fingers, if desired.

Decorate the inside with scraps of designer paper. Then create a pocket and dress it up with an ephemera card. Stamp on a sentiment panel and tuck it in the pocket along with a wooden star ornament. Now you have a gift!

Sweet Christmas Love Birds Card

I loved the look of this embossed panel so much that I tried it with a panel of the burgundy designer paper. Instead of inking the raised portions, try using just the gold metallic wax. The result is quite dramatic!

Here’s a peek at the inside of this card.

Vintage Christmas Tree Card

This vintage Christmas Tree , Merry Christmas title, and the vintage book cover come from the ephemera pack. Layer these elements over another embossed panel of designer paper. But this time, brush the raised areas with Pine Needles Distress Ink.

Try embossing a plain sheet of white cardstock and WOW! Now you have a gorgeous sentiment panel to tuck into the card pocket.

The Old Christmas Homestead

This is probably my favorite image from the whole collection. It takes me right back to the New England winters of my childhood. I added a few special touches to the image, but mostly I wanted to let it take center stage.

Layer a small ephemera image with a cigar band ephemera bit to add a sense of dimension to the card front.

Make your own embellishment with a small wood slice, bird image, itty bitty post card, key and lock. This also gives a sense of depth to the overall design.
Wrap the top of the panel with twine, then tie a bow. Red flowers and rustic jingle bells make a very nice accent.

Create a tuck spot by adhering just the top and bottom of the bookmark ephemera to the inside of the card. Then slip your own handmade bookmark behind it.

Cathe Holden Christmas Flea Market Finds Video Tour on YouTube

If you’d like to take a closer look at the dies, papers, stamps and ephemera I used to create these projects, then I hope you’ll enjoy this short project share video on my YouTube channel.