Project: "Serious" Notepad

A colleague of mine asked me if I could make her a notepad like mine, so I decided to make a more "mature" version. And here it is!

The fact is that I had already made the brown leather like cardstock piece, so I wanted to incorprate it in my project. It is very easy to make it, I just used various distress inks in green and brown shades, dried it with a heatgun, then embossed it using a Cuttlebug embossing folder and then lightly brushed with my Versamarc ink pad, sprinkled some UTEE and used my heatgun to set it. Here 's the result:

Then I embellished with a colored Tilda and some handmade flowers for the corners, for the yellow stems I just cut a piece of adhesive tape, made it like a cord and dipped it in some yellow glitter. Then I adhered an acetate piece on the lot for more endurance.
I kept the inside very simple, I just made a pocket using some cardstock where I adhered a piece of a doily, I also added a few tiny flowers that I covered with stickles.

My colleague liked it so much that she gave it to her daughter, she told me it was too pretty to keep for herself! LOL!

Card Making: Happy Name Day!

I wanted to make a card for my friend's Eleni name day and I wanted to use this sweet Tilda, and I had the idea to place her outdoors. So I started by making the tree, I just made a tree trunk drawing, I cut it and colored it with my copics. For the folliage I just inked a piece of cardstock with green distress inks and then embossed it with a Cuttlebug embossing forlder.
After positioning the tree on the card, it seemed too bare to me so I made a picket fence out of beige cardstock with a ruler and a pencil, I also inked it with distress inks. Then I used some green cardstock and made the grass and on top I adhered the Tilda with foam squares.
Then I added more strips of grass in front of the Tilda, but that was not enough, so I also made a May wreath with green Flower Soft and Martha Stewart's  microbeads.
When I thought that it was done, I realized that I forgot to add a "happy name day", so I made two little rocks with cardstock and distress inks and wrote the wish on them (LOL!) and...ready!

Card Making: Wedding cards

I had totally forgotten that I had to go to two weddings, so when the actual days approached, I realized that I had to make two cards for my wishes, ASAP! So I used the same pattern and I just varied the color scheme based on the color of the invitations.
After cutting the cardstock for the card base, I colored it with Ranger's distress inks (Antique Linen and Broken China). Then I stamped on a piece of white paper with a very cute Crafty Secrets clear stamp and colored the images with my copics and then cut them using an oval nestabillities die. Then I used a slightly larger nestabillities die in order to make the scalloped frame that I adhered on the colored image with foam squares.
The finishing touch was the two hearts I added, the red ones are colored with a Copic marker.
Quick and easy, but aren't they cute too?

Beba Layouts: March 2010

For the March layout I chose a vibrant K and Company backround paper and I used the green and dark pink colors throughout the layout. After adhering the photos on green cardstock and positioning them in place, I
adhered two photos on a tag like cardstock piece and secured it in place with a photo corner because I didn't want to adhere it in place since I did some journaling on the back.
Then I started embellishing the page using color images that I had already mounted on dark pink cardstock for some contrast. Then I cut the Happy Easter and the date with the Cuttlebug "Harmony" alphabet and  then made some flowers using pink tulle, they're very easy to make, I just used a round scallop punch to cut them and then added one layer on top of the other and before positioning them on the page I twisted the bottom a bit and then added a pearl in the centre. Last step was to add the butterfly that I had already stamped on acetate and colored with my copics and some glitter and...ready!

Card Making: Easter Card #5

This time I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder after inking it with distress ink. Then I stamped with Stazon on a thin transparent plastic sheet and colored the butterflies with my copics.
For the card base, I covered it with a piece of tulle and then inked it with distress inks. Then I removed the tulle and stamped on the card base with the Hero Arts Old Letter stamp using the same distress ink.
Finally  I cut the colored image and adhered it on foam squares and then added the Happy Easter I did with my Dymo on a cardstock strip and...ready!

Baby Layout: January 2010

In this layout I used two papers from the My Mind's Eye "Wonderful Winter" paper pack, I absolutely love this paper pack, gorgeous colours, all glittered, beautiful designs, and 54 pages, stunning collection. I used the Cuttlebug "You're not the boss of me" alphabet dies for the title, then I stamped the images (using Dovecraft victorian christmas stamps) and colored them with my copics, then I punched them with a round punch and adhered them on my page using foam dots, and finally I covered them with Ranger's Glossy Accents. For the journaling I just cut pieces of white paper and colored them with distress inks. I didn't feel like adding anything else, so...ready!

Baby Layout: August 2009

Once more I used my favorite color combo, pink and green. The backround paper is K & Company and used cardstock mats in order to enhance the focus on the large photos. The creative element that I like the most in this layout is the journaling spot I made: after positioning the photos, I took a piece of patterned paper and a ruler and drew the shape and rounded the corners with a corner punch. Then I used a Tim Holtz mini mask and distress inks and last step I added the white faux stitch around it.Then I added the date using the Cuttlebug "Harmony" alphabet and the green flower (Prima from the "Whispers" collection). The little button on the flower was clear and I colored it with a Copic marker.

Card Making: Ties Galore!

No time for JYC today, just a quick post about a card I made on Sunday: it is a card for a friend who has an addiction to ties (LOL), so I sketched and colored with my copics a funny card for him in order to wish him happy name day (Nikos). I used foam dots to adhere the guy, it really made the difference, but unfortunately this is a poor photo. The floor is a paper from the "Nutmeg" Basic Grey paper pad. Finally I used the Cuttlebug "Baby Face" alphabet for the title.

Baby Layout: July 2009

In this layout I incorporated the pink see-through ribbon that was originally used on my niece's birthday cake!
I punched the pink cardstock with Fiskar's ribbon edge punch, glued in place the pink wide ribbon and then weaved the dark pink through the slots. On top I added some stickles.

The flowers were cut on foam using Cuttlebug dies and the title was cut with Cuttlebug "Baby Face" alphabet and added some faux stitching with the white Sakura Souflle pen.

Also, as you can see, I sprinkled lots of stickles all over the place!!!

Baby Layout: May 2009

Another layout with flowers!
I used a K & Company patterned paper, added my photos, made some doodling in the two corners using Sakura Soufle in green, then added the journaling spots and the flowers.
The flowers were cut with the Sizzix "Build a flower" die, before assembling them I used distress in on the edges.
The tiny flowers are Prima, I used some Sakura Stardust pen on them (I love Sakura Stardust pens!).
For the title I used the Cuttlebug "You're not the Boss of Me" alphabet.
Fresh and in full bloom!

Layouts: September Rain

I kept this layout low key because I wanted to focus on the drawing, I had been trying to sketch a girl with an umbrella and finally I did it! I had some trouble coloring the umbrella, but the result is ok. I also used Ranger "Glossy Accents" for the boots, and the handle of the umbrella.
Then I colored a stripe of a cardstock sheet with distress ink, added the "rain" with white Sakura Souffle pen and adhered the drawing on it.
For the backround I just stamped with distress ink and a Hero Arts backround stamp on a grey cardstock sheet and finally I added the journaling on white cardstock that I cut with my nesties.
I really like the result, it's like a soft September rain.

Project: my first mini album!

I had accidentally printed the photos of my niece's first vacation on BW and I didn't want to throw them, so I used them to make my first mini album!
I used K & Company papers from the "Sea Glass" paper pack and 1,5 mm chipboard for the covers.
I adhered the photos on opposite sides but then I thought that I didn't want them to touch each other (when the album is closed) so I made covering flaps. Then I realized that I didn't want to cover them completely so I used my CB and nestabillities to make the round "windows". I really liked the result.
Then, I saw that the flaps would not stay in place when I held the album vertically, so I made the little "I dont' know how to call them!" and fastened them on top with brads. In order to make them I used a chipboard piece of this shape as a template and traced it on plain chipboard where I had glued patterned paper and cut the shape, then I used "Broken China" distress ink on the edges, then stamped the tiny sea horse, then added some stickles and finally embossed them with UTEE. Really cute!
For the last two pages I made some pockets and put in them white cardstock so that her parents will add a little something, some journaling or another photo, etc.
Finally I used the Cuttlebug "Baby Face" alphabet for the titiles, and afted adhering the letters on each page I covered them with "Glossy Accents", it gave them a nice 3d effect.

In this project I used for the first time my brand new Bind it All, I really like it for the following reasons:

- it is sturdy and well manufactured
- it can be used to make from tiny miny albums up to 12 inches albums
- the punching procedure is really easy and I got accurate results with no fuss even though it was the first time I used it (of course I practised beforehands on some scrap paper)
- it punched the 1,5 mm chipboard like butter
- it can come handy in many projects, not only mini albums
- it is pink!

The only thing that didn't go so well in this first project is the binding because I didn't pay too much attention, but after repeating the "squeeze" two times, it was almost ok. They don't say "practise makes better" for nothing!

So my first impression is that it is a good and reliable tool and I 'm really pleased I bought it.

Baby Layout: November 2008

In this layout I kept it simple, the highlight is the way I did the date: I wanted something that comes with winter and I thought of apples. So I decided to make little apples:
I cut them with the Cuttlebug die "Tiny Tags" and then colored them with Copic markers. Unfortynately I used white cardstock and not the Gina K's Pure Luxury paper, but ok, it didn't come out as smooth as Gina K but on the other hand it didn't come out bad.
On every apple I wrote a letter with Sakura Souffle pen, added the green stem and glued it in place with Glossy Accents.
Then I didn't know how to put them on the page and I thought there is not a better place than a crate! So I just used strips of brown cardstock to make it.
Finally I added the year sign.
For the labels I used a chipboard label as a template, traced around it with a pencil and then cut the shape. Then I embossed them with UTEE and place them on my page.
Finally, I added the green stripes (it is a die from the Cuttlebug "Baby Face" alphabet) and stamped some leaves.
Theese apples are good enough to eat!!!

Project: turn Cuttlebug "Harmony" alphabet into a greek alphabet!

When I wanted to write a title in greek in the September 2008 layout, I used the Cuttlebug "Harmony" alphabet and the letters were fine.
So I thought to make a guide for future reference and to share it with you:
The purple letters are the letters without any alterations.
The green are the greek letters that came out after alterations, for example in order to make a "Γ" I used a "T" and cut off the upper left end and so on.
The letter that was the most difficult to figure out is the "Σ" where I used two "z".
Finally, because in some cases I use letters in reverse, i.e. the "β" is the B reversed, I have to keep it in mind when I'll use patterned paper that I must have the pattern I 'm using facing not the die but the other way.
Not the easiest way to make greek letters, but still it is a way!

Baby Layout: October 2008

It 's a fact: I 'm addicted to flowers! After positioning the photos on my page (the paper is K & Company) I used the nesties and distress inks to make the scalloped "petals" and the Sizzix "Build a flower" die for the flowers. The fun part is the buds, I used the same die but after adhering the three layers one on top of the other, I cut the flower in the middle and then folded this half in the middle with one end overlaping the other and glued them together. Then I added the tiny green "sepal" and the journaling spots. Finally I added the swirls with my Sakura Souffle, on some of them I added on top a layer of Glossy Accents, the result is very nice and almost 3d. Flowers flowers flowers EVERYWHERE!!!

Baby Layout: September 2008

I made 3 pages for my niece's christening , the coolest thing that happened is that I made greek letters with the Cuttlebug "Harmony" alphabet!
It has caracters that resemble the greek letters and for the rest I improvised: in order to make an "φ" I used the number 8 and the letter J: I cut in half the 8 and added the J and I had an "φ"! For the "σ" I cut an E and then I turned it upside down. Finally for the "ν" I just used the V!
I'm so glad I bought this, it was really cheap on ebay, just $33 ($23 + $10 for shipping) sealed in package!

 

Card Making: Gone Fishing!

I had to make a card for a male friend of mine who enjoys outdoor activities, so I came up with a fishing theme.
First I made the backround with copic markers and then colored the boy drawing on a seperate paper (Gina K's pure luxury white cardstock).
Then I added the tree (I used scallop circle punch and a cuttlebug embossing folder, then I added red on the "apples".
I adhered the boy and the tree on the backround and then I cut by hand the grass stripe and added it on the card.
Last step was to adhere the fishing rod (I cut it from plain chipboard and then colored it brown).
I used green cardstock to make the frame, I wanted it to be like a 3-dimensional frame so I gave depth to it by adhering the card not directly under the frame but on double foam pads and then folded over the cardstock so that the foam pads were not visible.
Finally I drew and adhered the fish, I put Ranger's "Glossy Accents" on top to give them a little shine (I had an accident though with the pink fish) and added the title (I drew lines with blue and green copic on green cardstock and then used the Cutlebug's "Baby Face" alphabet.

I had lots of  fun making this card, I hope my friend wiil like it!

Baby Layout: August 2008

For this layout I wanted a light and airy effect, so I used a low key yellow - ochre background paper (K & Co). When I positioned the photos on the page I came up with idea to incorporate arrows, so I used the leftovers from a paper (Earth Love collection by Cosmo Cricket) an cut the arrow shapes.
Then I made the flowers: I cut them with my sizzix "Build a flower" die but used cutouts of the same size, used yellow and orange distress ink and a Sakura Glaze orange pen. Then I added a clear button on top.
For the title, I glued green cardstock on plain chipboard and the used the "You're not the boss of me" cuttlebug alphabet.
Finally I added the journaling using a HOTP journaling template and the page was ready!

Baby Layout: July 2008

July 2008, first vacation for my niece, sea, sun and lots of fun!
I wanted a two page layout and at first I tried to use two different background papers, but then I thought to use this paper on both pages (from the K & Co "Sea glass" collection.
I positioned the photos and then I wanted something to accent the smaller ones, so I made some frames with mt nesties. Then they seemed too flat, so I added the yellow lines (Sakura Glaze) and then I covered them with Ranger's "Glossy Accents". It takes a while to dry but the results are shiny and it adds volume if you spread it in a thick layer.
For the rest of the photos I just used white Sakura Souffle and draw the faux stitches.
I used my American Crafts "Giggles" white thickers (I have a stash of them, bought them on ebay really cheap) and colored them with my copics, perfect results!
At this point the pages were almost complete, but I wanted to add something like a base, so I cut by hand white cardstock and used yellow distress ink (I'm a distress addict, it's a fact!).
For the finishing touches I stamped and colored the boat and the lighthouse (Inkadinkado) and then covered them with the Glossy Accents. Finally I used the Fiskars "Threading Water" border punch and added the blue string.

At this point I thought to leave it as it was, I liked it this way because it is not too loaded, I just added the date with the "Baby Face" cuttlebug alphabet.

They look like a summer breeze in my album!


 

Baby Layout: May 2008

For this layout I used K & Company paper because there was a lot of pink in the photos and I like the pink-green combination.
I positioned the pictures and I order to accent the central photo I used green cardstock to make a mat and embellished it this way: I used the Fiskars "Threading Water" border punch, then used pink string and finally I added the flowers.
Next step I colored with my copics the flower fairy (free coloring template from Dover Publications) and then used UTEE to make it like a shiny sticker. When I positioned it on the page, it was like floating on air, so I stamped the flowers and leaves (from a Gina K stamp set) right on the page, colored them and then positioned the fairy on top. Then I added the journaling using HOTP journaling template. The title and the date was foam sheet cut in my cuttlebug with the cuttlebug "Baby Face" alphabet set. The butterflies on the left is an Inkadinkado stamp. Finally, the flower on top is Prima, from the "Whispers" collection, I love them because they're semi-transparent, I also stamped underneath it leaves, I didn't color them after stamping becase I wanted only the outlines.