Got Junk? Then Journal...

Junk Journaling is a thing, and can be a massive undertaking,

but sometimes we just need a little project to fulfill our crafting "NEED"

For my CRAFTING FROM THE HEART DT project this month

I chose to play with a single sheet of double-sided scrapbook paper

from Graphics45 called "Ephemera Queen"

and created this "mini" journal

First I took the 12x12 sheet of playing cards and 

cut it into 3 horizontal strips

leaving tabs on the ends to connect them with,

before folding in a concertina fashion.

Next I "closed up" and glued the folds together to 

make "pages", adding an outer strip of paper to 

form a re-enforcing spine.

Now I had a mini book waiting for the addition

of scraps and more.

I chose some free papers from 

Free Junk Journal Printables

and added randomly... 

Some pages needed more than others.

After this I added some lovely lacey rub-ons from

Creative Expressions "Sam Poole Collection"

The beauty of rub-ons and junk journaling is that there is no

worry about imperfections 

I hope my post might take away some of the fear often

felt when attempting a journaling project,

and I would love to see your more unusual crafty projects

 over at

 CRAFTING FROM THE HEART

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share this make with the following Challenges:

CREATIVE CREASES #60 Anything Goes With a Fun Fold

CREATIVE FINGERS CHALLENGE #257 Anything Goes

ELLEBELLE'S CRAFTY WEDNESDAY CHALLENGE #JUNE Anything Goes

PAPER FUNDAY CHALLENGE #54 Anything Goes

ALLSORTS CHALLENGE #WEEK 734 Anything Goes 

LIL PATCH OF CRAFTY FRIENDS #208 Anything Goes

 

 

Classic Card

My February project for

CRATYHAZELNUT'S 

PATTERNED PAPER CHALLENGE

Haven't made a card since Christmas lol

So for my "very grown up" 8 year old niece

(who is an avid Harry Potter fan) , I wanted

to make something classically Magical :D

 Graphics 45 "Enchanted Forest" collection are the 

perfect papers for that "ethereal" feel...

and the addition of micro beads gives just 

enough "bling" for a classic look . 

(Close up of the yumminess that is Graphic 45)

Inside I made a pocket with another topper

to put money in....

I know it seems a little young for cash, but

here only request was to go to the Harry Potter

shop in a nearby city.

Gotta love a girl who knows exactly what she wants :D

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share this card in the following challenges;

Through The Craft Room Door # wk 29th January~Anything Goes

Always Fun Challenges # 95 Anything Goes

Fab n Funky Challenge # 425 Fantasy Figure

A Bit More Time to Craft # 85 Anything Goes

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge # 415 Anything Goes

Don't let Life get in your way...

As ever, Life has been throwing wobblers my way,

BUT 

I am stronger, so managed to kick it all into shape

and get some Christmas cards made AND mailed lol

In keeping with the "brown paper" movement I chose to use 

Kraft card bases...

For my special Princesses,

 Graphics 45 "Nut Cracker Suite" papers

 then 2 different stamped images.

The 1st "Snow Forest" from Spellbinders...

 the 2nd "Robins" from Craft UK Rubber Stamping.

Both are stamped with permanent black ink, on 

backgrounds made with watercolour paper treated 

with watery inks/watercolour paint/white gesso.

A little Diamond Stickles for a frosty sparkle :D

I would like to share these cards in the following challenges;

Sweet Stampers Challenge #27 Anything Goes 

Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge #415 

Shopping Our Stash # 384 - Tis the Season

Crafty Creations Challenge # 380 Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown # 421 Anything Goes

Time for a tidy up....

I don't like housework,

 but I do like to try and keep my work areas tidy.

*which isn't easy when you have as many different projects on the go as I tend to*

So this month I am investing in "storage".

Plastic boxes are great, but not inspiring in noticeable areas like table tops.

This is when mdf flat pack comes into it's own.

 I know have a lovely clear sewing table

 with storage to match my home decor :D

The unit is from Stamps Away and went together in 5 minutes...

yes it was that easy, just a spot or two of pva glue on the crate edges

to hold them in place while I painted them. 

 One coat of matt emulsion covered the mdf easily.

Now to decorate the draw fronts...

my fav Graphic 45 papers and distress inks...

       

 to create basic panels. 

I like "aged" so I scuffed all paper edges before inking.

*make-up blender sponges are brilliant for inking*

I didn't glue anything in place until I had all my pieces ready

and used scraps of the same papers to test ideas out 

before making final marks.

The stitching is done with my Joanna Sheen Haberdashery stamps.

Now to add some interest.

I wanted something slightly raised...

 and settled on these "inchies" I made years ago.

 One for each draw, mounted on coordinating card stock,

accompanied by toppers from my Graphic 45 paper pad.

 *trying out arrangements before gluing*

 Simple, tidy...and I still get to stroke my fav papers :D

Coming soon...

Ribbon storage unit!!!!

Enjoy XXX

Enchanted Birthday

Actualy got round to making a Birthday card

 in time to mail to my niece this year.

I think children really appreciate a mailed card,

 even if your going to visit them anyway lol

She will be 7...*going on 17*

I knew I wanted to use this Graphics 45 paper, which makes a wonderful card front

 TPS challenge 276 is to add Ribbon and/or Lace 

and it just so happens one of my bargain buys over Christmas 

was a collection of ribbons,

  including some yummy coloured mesh ribbon

 I layered the mesh over a plain satin ribbon using double-sided tape.

This meant I could add glitter or mica powder for added shimmer.

 I chose this lovely image from TPS called "Cozy Winter Wishes"

 Coloured her with promarkers and cut her out,

Shopping Our Stash #285 is "Stickle Me Elmo" so I

added "waterfall" blue Stickles to her hat and scarf.

I  also highlighted areas of the background paper

with "diamond" Stickles

 and some golden yellow gems to the corners

for Passion For Promarkers #377 (add some bling)

Finally a big sparkly 7 for 

Fab n Funky #333 Birthday with a number.

I am also working on several dt projects that are not cards

courtesy of a Poundland clearance shelf...

all 25p each!!!

Enjoy :D XXX

Xmas break...

not really lol

just needed to do something other than Christmas cards.

So The Paper Shelter 6th Birthday Blog Hop

proved a welcome distraction.

After visiting all the DT's marvellous creation I thought

I'd make a "fussy" birthday card :D

 I am sparing you the step by step as we are all a bit busy.

I used "Witching Hour" from TPS

which works beautifully *in my opinion*

with Graphics 45 Enchanted Forest papers.

I love torn edges, especially when layering....

and I just had to treat myself to the Tattered Lace "Torn edge" dies this week

as they were all 4 sets for £25!!!!!*usually £25 each*

Pretty sure Santa will let me off. 

If not Krampus will be proud of me lol

Enjoy XXX

Entering;

The Paper Shelter # 6th Birthday blog hop

Colour Crazy Craft Challenge # 28 Anything Goes

Sweet Stampers Challenge # 2 Anything Goes

Kismet Cait!

Welcome to

  Crafting When We Can challenge

# 131 Sketch

Supplied by my fellow DT member Sandra :D

and sponsored by the fabulous

Nikki Burnette

and I chose to use "Rayne"

She was just perfect for the extravagance of these papers,

and just naughty enough for Halloween :D

 I have been dying to use my new Graphics 45 

Enchanted Forest paper pad, and this multi-layered sketch 

was the perfect inspiration. So I made 2 lol.

 With so many layers and shapes it was so much easier knowing

 all the papers would go together well...

 just a bit of plain black card to emphasis the main image.

 I decided to use an image from one of our sponsors for a later challenge

"Kyliee" from Devil Cait Designs on my second card.

Kyliee's Celtic charm was an equally perfect focal point for these yummy

medieval papers :D

Entering for the following challenges;

Dream Valley Challenges # 143 One for the Girls

Paper Shelter # 270 Pearls 

Fab n Funky # 324 Celebrate Halloween