Tag Archives: Nature Sketchbook

Graphic 45 Nature Sketchbook Correspondence Kit

3×3 Challenge: Graphic 45 Nature Sketchbook Correspondence Kit

Hello, G45’ers! Graphic 45’s Nature Sketchbook has become one of my all time favorite paper collections. Today, I’ve used it to create this Nature Sketchbook Correspondence Kit for the 3×3 challenge at Graphic 45.

What’s the 3×3 Challenge?

Let me explain. As a fun new twist for all you fabulous G45’ers, Graphic 45 calls out 3 Brand Ambassadors each month. We are assigned the same 3 crafty items to work with and told to create something to inspire your creativity. So I’m up on the G45 Blog today along with fellow Brand Ambassadors Alexandra and Nico.

We were asked to create with our choice of 8×8 papers, Staples Stamped Metal Brad s and a Standard Black Book Box. A few “extra” supplies from our stash can be added to the basic 3 items, but the idea is to keep the supply list as short as possible. I found it to be surprisingly liberating to work with a more limited supply list, as it forced me to dig deep and be extra creative.

Nature Sketchbook Correspondence Kit

Did you know that handwritten notes are making a big comeback? Right smack dab in the middle of the age of technology, the handwritten note is a rising trend. Do a quick Google search, and you’ll find that both individuals and businesses are rediscovering the value of personalized, handwritten notes, This is great news for those of us who have always loved pretty stationery!

With this trend in mind, I set out to create an elegant boxed correspondence kit for the G45 3×3 July Challenge.

TIP: Coat the exterior of the box with a sealant to protect the patterned papers from spills or smears of jelly toast. I used Ranger Distress Collage Medium as it dries very quickly. The paper may bubble when the medium is first applied, but it will lay flat again if you leave it to dry overnight.

The Ribbon Closure: Tips and Tricks

After I covered the book box with Plant Kingdom and Verdant Woodlands paper, I needed to create a closure. Ribbon adds wonderful texture and pattern, so I decided to go in that direction.

First, measure to find the middle of the book box cover. Place one line of 1/2 Scor Tape all the way around the front cover, spine and back cover at this middle point. Repeat with another line above and below this first one.
Cut a 30″ long strip of 1.5″ Antique Gold Netting. Fold the ribbon to find the center.
Remove the liner from the Scor-tape.
Place the center point of the ribbon on the center point of the spine. Then press the ribbon in place. You’ll use the long tails to tie the bow.
Place another strip of 1/2 Scor-Tape above and below the netting. Then add two strips of 1/2″ Moss Green/Cream Plaid Ribbon.

TIP: To keep cut ribbon ends from fraying, add a very small dot of Art Institute Dries Clear adhesive to the cut ends. Tap in with your fingers. The glue dries clear and will not discolor the ribbon, but will keep the ends from fraying.

Now that your ribbon closure is finished, you can go ahead and add fussy cut elements to the cover. This is the fun part!

TIP: Mat images on black cardstock to really make them pop!

TIP: Add foam dimensionals or waste chipboard between the layers to create depth and dimension.

Decorating the Spine

I dug into my stash of retired Staples Metals to find these lovely metal butterflies. First, I ran them through an embossing folder to add texture and design. Then I tapped them with Distress Paints in colors that complemented Nature Sketchbook. The bottom layer is flat, the middle layer has shaped wings and the top layer is made with one of the small butterflies. Layers are connected with a Staples Stamped Metal Brad, which fits perfectly through the opening in the center of the butterfly body.

Decorating the inside of The Nature Sketchbook Correspondence Kit

After covering the interior of the box with more beautiful 8″ x 8″ papers, I got to work on creating the correspondence kit. Lined envelopes, note cards and a handy address book are housed within.

Store chic lined envelopes inside this improvised pocket page. First, score an 8″ x 8″ piece of Nature Sketchbook to fit the cover liner. Then, fold the extra piece of paper to form a sort of pocket. Next, secure black and white houndstooth ribbon to the back side of this mechanism. Finally, wrap the loose ends around the mechanism and tie a bow to create the closure.

TIP: To create elegant lined envelopes, trim designer paper about ⅛” less than the width of the opening. Then slide the cut paper into the envelope to make sure it fits well and adjust if necessary. Next, round the top corners with a ¼” corner rounder. Finally, with the paper inserted in the envelope, mark the fold line, score, and glue in place.

Follow a Recipe!

Use the same “recipe” when making a set of note cards:

First, create four 4.25″ x 5.5″ kraft cardstock bases.
Next, cut four pieces of ladybug paper to measure 4″ x 5.25″.
Cut four pieces of black cardstock to measure 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″.
Now mat the ladybug print on the black cardstock.
Trim four strips of Wildflower Bouquet to measure 2.25″ x 5 1/8″ .
Now cut four mats from black cardstock, and mat Wildflower Bouquet
Next, cut four strips of Plant Kingdom to measure 1.5″tall x 4 1/8″ long.
Then cut four 4″ strips of Olive Burlap Woven Ribbon.
Now cut focals from Beautiful World. Mat on Black cardstock.
Assemble card as follows
- Card base
- Black Mat
- Ladybug (Diary of a Botanist)
- Wildflower Bouquet
- Plant Kingdom Belly Band
- Olive Burlap Woven Ribbon
- Staples Stamped Brad
- Matted Card Focal

Using this assembly line method, you should have all 4 cards finished in about an hour.

Nature Sketchbook Correspondence Kit: Address Book with Stamp and Address Label Storage

First, I created a simple ring bound book cover with chipboard and “O” rings.

I altered this envelope with designer papers and Tropical Travelogue Alpha Stamps.

These address book pages have been in my stash forever. I designed the book cover to fit them.

This envelope is altered to hold address labels. The small policy envelope on the inside back cover provides a little extra storage spot. It also flips down. This way, you can add a small photo to the inside cover.

I had a blast creating this Nature Sketchbook Correspondence Kit for this month’s 3×3 Challenge at Graphic 45. I hope I’ve shared some tips and tricks 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

Nature Sketchbook Honeybee Shaker Card with pockets

Frilly & Funkie Challenge: Nature Sketchbook Honeybee Shaker Card with Pockets

Hello, Friends! It’s time for another fun challenge over on the Frilly and Funkie Blog. Our hostess this go round is the one and only Sara Emily. She’s chosen the theme “Read Any Good Books Lately.” With that theme in mind, I’ve created this Nature Sketchbook Honeybee Shaker card, It’s loaded up with pockets and other sweet surprises inside. Before we take a look at the card, here are Sara Emily’s guidelines for this challenge.

Challenge Theme: Read Any Good Books Lately?

Reading a good book on the beach or on the porch is a simple summer pleasure. For this challenge, please create a vintage or shabby chic project that depicts a favorite book or use book pages on your project,. Alter a book or even make a journal or journal page! Just be sure it’s in the vintage or shabby chic style that we are looking for!

After thinking about the theme for a while, I decided to create this bee themed card with Graphic 45’s Nature Sketchbook collection. The images in the collection are based on pages from vintage nature study books. To further reinforce the challenge theme, I used pages from a 1935 Handbook of Nature that I picked up at a yard sale. The book pages are used in the banner flags, the center of the Tim Holtz Cameo Charm and on the Tim Holtz Scroll pieces.

Creating the shaker element for Nature Sketchbook Honeybee Shaker Card

First, create the 5″ x 7″ card base. I added a 1/4″ spine to the card base to accomodate the inner pockets.

Next, cut and mat your chosen papers. I love the bold contrast between the black and yellow Nature Sketchbook papers.

Then stitch around the card layers to add a little extra texture.

Now cut a piece of clear cardstock that is the same size as the layer of bee paper.

Fussy cut the bee book image from the 12×12 Nature Sketchbook paper. Glue a piece of waste cardboard to the back side. Then glue the image to the bee paper.

Next add foam tape to the edges of the bee panel. I used a product called Kool-Tak Clear Foam that I found on Amazon. Don’t remove the top liner piece until after you have filled the cavity.

Next, fill the cavity will seed beads, sequins, round chipboard pieces from the collection, gold glitter…whatever you like. Keep in mind that you need to be able to top the cavity with clear acetate cardstock, so don’t over fill!

Once you’ve filled the cavity, remove the liner tape.

Now, cut a piece of clear cardstock the same size as the bee paper. Carefully press the clear card in place over the Kool-Tak Clear foam.

I used 1/4″ Scor-tape to attach gingham ribbon over the shaker element. This helped to hide the foam edge and added a sort of frame to my focal image.

A Peek Inside

I added a small ephemera card to the front of a Tim Holtz glassine bag. This makes a great gift card or tea bag holder.

The pocket on the bottom holds a large postcard and a small folio, both made with Nature Sketchbook Ephemera cards.

This accordion style folio is held shut with a Tim Holtz hinge clip.

And the interior is decorated with more vintage Nature Handbook pages. you can fit 10 photos inside this little folio.

Now It’s Your Turn

You’re cordially invited to play along in this fun challenge. Simply create your own vintage or shabby chic project that reflects the challenge theme. Upload it to the Frilly and Funkie Blog before midnight EDT on Tuesday, August 1st. You can find all the challenge rules HERE.

At the end of the challenge the team will choose our top four picks. Our first place winner will be invited to join us for a Guest Designer spot at Frilly and Funkie. Three additional talented participants will receive badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and adheres to the challenge guidelines will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique!

Be sure to visit the F&F blog today as there’s loads of inspiration from the team to get you started on your way.

I can’t wait to see what you make!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Nature Sketchbook Honeybee Shaker Card Supplies from Funkie Junkie Boutique

Nature Sketchbook Natural Beauty Double Layout

Graphic 45 Double Layout Challenge: Nature Sketchbook Natural Beauty Double Layout

Hello, G45’ers! I’m a bit excited about today’s post, as I’m sharing something I’ve never done before. As you probably know, May is National Scrapbooking Month. To help celebrate the occasion, Graphic 45 issued the #G45Layout Challenge with a $100 prize pack up for grabs. You can read all about it HERE. A double dare was issued to each member of the G45 Design Team: create a DOUBLE layout. So that’s how this Nature Sketchbook Natural Beauty Double Layout came into being.

A Walk in the Woods

My dear daughter Liz occasionally kidnaps me and carries me away for a few days of R&R. One of our favorite destinations is at the Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina. While the house is magnificent, what we really love is the gardens and the wonderful walking trails. We escaped here last October and enjoyed a full day of rambling along the gorgeous paths that meander all through the grounds. We were blessed with near perfect fall weather, and had loads of fun taking photos along the way.

Double the Natural Beauty: A Few Tips and Tricks

The surroundings and the company were both Natural Beauties! Can you believe I snapped this photo with my I-Phone? Technology certainly has come a long way!

Nature Sketchbook was the perfect collection to capture these memories. For my background paper, I chose to use a monochromatic print from the 12×12 Patterns and Solids. I knew I was going to add a lot of flowers and other embellishments, so I wanted to keep the background simple.

First, I prepared the background by adding a honeycomb design with stencils and gold texture paste. As the paste dried, it caused my paper to warp, so I knew I was going to have to mat the pages onto a solid surface. I painted a 1/2 black border around two pieces of heavyweight chipboard with Black Soot Distress paint. Then I used a Nature Sketchbook stamp to add white stamped text all the way around the border to add some interest and another layer of dimension. Now my pages lay flat, and as a bonus, they can stand up all on their own!

Clusters of Flowers for Natural Beauty Double Layout

We could not have asked for a more perfect day. I managed to snap this photo of the fall foliage and the bright October blue sky captured in the still waters of the Bass Pond at Biltmore. To draw attention to the photo, I created a cluster of Nature Sketchbook Flowers, altered chipboard pieces, fussy cut butterflies and Petaloo Flowers.

I ran out of the Nature Sketchbook die cut flowers, but no worries! I simply used the empty flower sheet as a template and traced the outline of the flowers onto 12×12 Patterns and Solids Paper. Then I cut them out and shaped them. Perfect match!

To give chipboard elements extra depth and texture I like to paint them with Distress Paints. While paint is still wet, I sprinkle with embossing powders and heat set. Once the embossing powder cooled on the ferns in this layout, I went back and stamped over the tops with Jet Black Archival Ink and a Nature Sketchbook script stamp. I have a Snapguide Tutorial from an older project that outlines this process for you.

Meet Me in the Middle of this Natural Beauty Double Layout

One of the biggest challenges in designing this Natural Beauty Double Page Layout was creating a good flow between the two pages. Create a “bridge” by using a large image that spans both pages. First, I fussy cut the large image from the signature page of Nature Sketchbook. Then I flipped the pages face down and pushed them together side by side so there was barely a gap. Next I hinged the pages together with strips of washi tape. Then I flipped the pages face up, and used a ruler and craft knife to carefully cut the two pages apart. It worked like a charm!

I have this Natural Beauty Double Layout on display in my dining room, and every time I see it, I remember this glorious adventure and smile. What a beautiful world we live in!

I hope I’ve shared some tips and tricks that you can use in your own crafty adventures. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below. And I hope you’ll share take part in this fun #G45Layout Challenge and share your projects with us on the Graphic 45 Facebook page.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Nature Sketchbook Natural Beauty Double Layout Supply List

Graphic 45 Nature Sketchbook 12×12 Papers
- Nature Sketchbook
- Seasonal Splendor
- Patterns and Solids
- Flowers
- Decorative Chipboard
- Tags and Pockets
- Stamps One and Three
Other Products
- Distress Paint: Peeled Paint, Broken China, Black Soot, Twisted Citron, Shaded Lilac
- Gold Crackle Texture Paste (Prima)
- Color Box Frost White Pigment Ink
- Stampendous Shabby White Embossing Enamel
- Distress Embossing Powder: Scattered Straw, Shabby Shutters
- Emerald Creek Burnt Copper Embossing Powder
- Pumice Stone Distress Ink
- Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts: Fern Fronds , Queen Anne’s Lace,
- Petaloo Red Vintage Velvet Pansies
- Chicken wire stencil
- Jet Black Archival Ink

Bee Yourself Honeybee Greeting Card

BEE Yourself Honeybee Greeting Card with Petaloo Posies and G45 Nature Sketchbook

Hello, Friends! I have such a fun, cheery card to share with you today! This Bee Yourself Honeybee Greeting card just bursts with happy colors, beautiful papers and bodacious blooms.

I’m in love with Petaloo International’s gorgeous Botanica Blooms. They look so lifelike you can almost smell their sweet bouquet when you use them on a project. Combine these beautiful blooms with Graphic 45 Nature Sketchbook paper and a digital image from Polly’s Paper Studio, and you can color me happy, happy, happy!

This is my standard 5″ x 7″ top fold card made on a kraft cardstock base. To deepen the color of the Botanica Blooms I gave them a couple spritzes of Sunflower Sparkle Perfect Pearls Mist. I did the same with the sweet little Ivory Canvas Sunflower on top of my ribbon cluster.

Inside, I’ve added all sorts of wonderful goodies.

Herbal Tea and a Honeystick go perfectly with this themed card.

And why not tuck in a sweet tag and fun little tags to complete the ensemble?

I hope this BEE Yourself Honeybee Greeting card added some sunshine to your day. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Wishing you a honey of a day!

Cheerio,

kathy

Graphic 45 Nature Sketchbook Upcycled Butterfly Notepad Tutorial

Hello, G 45’ers! I’m back again today with a project that is both pretty and practical. Follow this Graphic 45 Nature Sketchbook Upcycled Butterfly Notepad Tutorial and you will see that it is quite easy to make, uses very few supplies and makes a wonderful gift for mom, teacher or friend.

We all love Graphic 45 Metal Staples, don’t we? Even the packaging is gorgeous! Those sturdy chipboard tags with the graceful shaped edges and vintage style grommets are too pretty to toss in the recycle bin! Why not upcycle them into a stylish and practical notepad instead?

That’s exactly what I did and I love the fact that not only is this Nature Sketchbook Beautiful Botanical notepad attractive, it is also sturdy. I can find my notepad on my desk because of the bright colors that Nature Sketchbook lends. As an added bonus, the design means that the notepad can be refilled with a new sticky note pad once the current one is used up.

I just love the Nature Sketchbook die cut flowers! You can shape the layers, ink the edges and stack them together to create a custom embellishment for your project.

Cut the images from the 8×8 “Diary of a Botanist” paper to decorate the cover. I just matted them on black cardstock and clustered them together to make a real visual impact. And since we are upcycling, why not use waste chipboard or corrugate to elevate the layers. I cut up all my Priority Mail boxes and use them instead of foam dimensionals. It saves me money and is good for the planet, too!

The inside of this notepad is as pretty as the outside.

I created a “hinge” from paper so that this ATC Policy Envelope folds down to reveal a hidden journal tag that’s perfect for writing down phone numbers!