Easter Greetings

Sending you heartfelt Easter Greetings this weekend with two of my Anna Griffin cards using the Vintage Bunny Diecuts, Frame Dies and Delicate Engravings Card Toppers as a background - enjoy! 

     

Lets Sail Away

Come Sail with Me

Hello everyone, I am so excited to announce that I have scheduled a "crafting paper arts" cruise through Cruise & Crop here in Florida - we will be sailing March 10-17, 2019 on Royal Caribbeans Oasis of the Seas from Port Canaveral, FL our Ports of Call are Nassau, St. Maarten and St. Thomas as well as three full days of classes.  Complete details are available on their site cruiseandcrop.com/kaympaperarts.  There are discounts and ship credits for early reservations, please call Cruise & Crop at 1-800-645-1481 for up to date details.  In order to work with and give individual attention to participants, I have only 50 CLASS seats, of course your family and friends are welcome to sail with us!  I am planning some wonderful classes for you and many surprises, I look forward to seeing you there!

Welcome Spring

Sweet Sentiments

Spring has sprung and Easter is almost here, so I am sharing a Graphic 45 "Sweet Sentiments" album originally published in a Somerset Magazine Gallery, but the instructions were not published. The size is a 8"x 8" (there are three of each double-sided printed page in this size G45 paper pad) and I used all three layers of the cover print, two layers of which are 3D fussy cutting.  All has been protected and encased in a shadow box top using "plastic paper" from Bazzill.  I hope you find this project timely and the opportunity to pull from your beautiful G45 stash to complete - most of all enjoy the process!

ALBUM BASE is a Graphic 45 kraftboard Easel Album 8"x 8" with six cardstock pages.  At the opening of the metal spiral binding, use needle nose pliers to carefully spread and remove the pages to set aside and decorate - see photo below.  Keep this spiral to replace and hold the album back together when complete.  NOTE, a handmade chipboard/cover cardstock book could also be made to fit this project, using a hinge/pocket spine for pages - adapt accordingly for your supplies.

Once separated, use a craft knife to cut down either side of the "easel folded bottom" to remove from the covers - see photo below.  Use a piece of washi tape on the raw cut edges to seal. Choose a complimentary acrylic paint color to paint the front & back covers AS WELL AS the edges of each of the six cardstock pages as shown, on both sides - is not necessary to completely paint, as the printed papers will cover most of the surface areas - dry. 

          

When the cover is dry, add a 8" piece of inked seam binding to both front and back, edges to be sealed under the cover papers - I knotted ends of both pieces to tie close the album NOTE today I would instead add pieces of 1" double-faced satin ribbon before applying papers - your choice.

COVER "construction" begins with one of the three cover prints applied flat on top of a painted cover piece, glue to the center area a inked white paper doily with the center cut away.  The two matching cover prints are then trimmed apart in sections, fussy cut, shaped and applied to the flat print using 1/4" sponge squares and in some cases, just plain paper glue. NOT ALL areas use all three prints, most have only two layers and I used the third print to cut the smallest flowers for additional "fill".  Look for ways to tuck some elements under others to appear 3D.  Allow any glued areas to dry, then apply a bit of Stickles Diamond to cupid image wings and butterflies, just for punch and fun!

Once you have completed the 3D layers, cut four strips of heavyweight chipboard 8"x 1/2" to fit the sides of cover print. Cover one 1/2" side of these chipboard pieces with paper strips on the inside, then glue "standing up" onto the cover to simulate a frame - NOTE - I glue these pieces on one at a time and hold until they set OR you could apply using a hot glue gun.  Once the frame is secured, glue on additional paper strips 8" x 1" to the outside of the frame and wrap upward, keeping at least 1/4" to fold over the top.

PLASTIC PAPER is 12"x 12" and sold by Bazzill, now owned by American Crafts - a wonderful lightweight clear top that I often use.  I did search and learn that it is still available, you might find it in your area at a independent craft store, or you may write/email them for purchasing information.  Measure and cut the plastic paper piece to fit into and on top of the chipboard strips - it should lay flat on them - after testing size, apply glue to the top edge of the chipboard frame and drop on the plastic paper - allow to dry.  Once the plastic top has dried in place, wrap the remaining paper strips over and onto the top, clip corners to form a frame closure, then use either a good glue or 1/4"ScorTape to secure.

PAPER CUTS: PAGES of printed papers are cut 7 1/2"x 8" to allow for wire binding,
POCKETS are 8" x 4 1/2" border punched, NOT folded under but applied straight to page edges,
TAGS are solid cardstocks 6 1/2"x 4" with a mat of 3"x 5" + inked reinforcements
PHOTO panels 6"x 6 1/2" ad 4 1/2"x 6 1/2" - some with sized solid mats,
COVER panels inside front and back 6"x 6" border punched,
EMBELLISHMENTS are cut from a pre-printed paper in pad, some with decorative edge scissors,
SEAM BINDING tag ties are six at 4", inked, dried, and knotted on ends,
then all of these pieces are inked with combinations of  inks.

Use the photos below (shown as two page spreads, front to back in album) to guide placement and completion of the six page inserts:

When pages are completed, line them up, reinsert the wire spiral binding, then using the needle nose pliers, recoil and close the gap back to original size so the pages will not fall out.

SUPPLIES - project specific:
Graphic 45 "Sweet Sentiments" 8"x 8" paper collection pad
Graphic 45 Staple - 8"x 8" Easel Album with six spiral-bound cardstock pages
Solid cardstock - two 12"x 12" pieces each - robins egg blue, lavender, spring green, pink
Heavyweight Chipboard - four pieces 8"x 1/2" for album top frame
Ranger Distress Inks - Tattered Rose, Brushed Corduroy, Shaded Lilac and Peeled Paint. 
Ranger Stickles - Diamond

White paper doily - 3 1/2" round

Acrylic Paint - color to coordinate with papers (I used green) + sponge applicator (to throw away)

Decorative Edge Scissors - small stamp and small scallop

White seam binding - 2 yards

Washi Tape - use a neutral color to be painted over

Needle Nose Pliers

Matte Reinforcements - to ink for tag tops

Border punches - vary from your personal stash - 

BASIC SUPPLIES:
12" paper trimmer, craft scissors, fussy cutting scissors, craft knife, adhesives, 1/8" ScorTape

St. Patricks Day

We still have a few days before St. Patrick's - here are two of my newest shaker cards for Anna Griffin - wishing you a happy one!

By the Sea Folio

I recently posted a handmade box on the Graphics 45 Facebook page, using the By the Sea papers that came out several years ago - it has since re-surged with the recent addition of the Sun Kissed collection, another beautiful ocean inspired edition, so if you stashed it away, its time to create.
The base of this album is a small Tim Holtz idea-ology Collection Folio with cascading tabs, approx. closed measurements are 7 1/2"x 9".  Additional supplies are listed below.   When I taught this as a class project, I realized each of these are hand made and the papers should be measured and cut individually to fit your album.  The following photo tour of the album will show you details and guide you through its process.  I hope it will inspire your creativity and that you enjoy!

First I choose the papers to use on the outside folio cover (left photo below) and inside of the folio cover (right photo below).  Align the prints appropriately to cut, then corner round the outside edges to match the folio.  I did not ink the cover until these papers were glued into place, however, all other papers for pages, embellishments and reinforcements were inked before insertion.  Next, I identify the paper to be cut into "cards & embellishments" and determine what papers will be used through the folio and cut them accordingly - saving scraps as I go, in fact, the smaller pages can be made from scraps as well as page tabs and paper strips.
A pocket of scrap has been made for the inside cover 6"x 3", border punch, score 1/2" on three sides, trim, turn under and ink.

NOTE - holes must be re-punched in cover papers (after they dry) and inked reinforcements added before reinserting the elastic closure band.

          

INKING - I vary my ink colors to match the papers (see photos below), we will also ink and stencil the two manila tags (left photo below), then clear stamp + embossing powders to heat emboss the images, both have inked reinforcements (matte finish so ink will stick) and crochet cotton string that has also been inked and tied.  Punch and ink two tabs for every pages, glue them on the pages back-to-back for strength.

        

Front of Page One as you open the folio - note pages and tabs shown as they flow through the book:

Back of Page 1 (left photo below) and Front of Page 2 (right photo below):

Back of Page 2 (left photo below) and Front of Page 3 (right photo below):

Back of Page 3 (left photo below) and Front of Page 4 (right photo below):

Back of Page 4 (left photo below) and Front of Page 6 (right photo below) - the back of page 6 is the folded cardstock with tab and the inside back of the folio with photo mat(s):

Close up of inside cover pocket (left photo below) and fussy cut paper shells from scraps.  Cover (right photo below) shows more fussy cut shells applied with foam squares to elevate - embellish all, including pages to your hearts content.
     

SUPPLIES:
Graphics 45 12"x 12" By the Sea paper collection pad with matching stamps and ephemera stickers
Solid medium blue, red and cream cardstock for backing pages and photo mats
Tim Holtz Collection Folio with cascading tabs - 7 1/2"x 9"
Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Inks - Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire and Barn Door & Clear Embossing
Ranger Ink Applicator with sponges
Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous Layering Stencil - Rays and Burlap
Tim Holtz Embossing Powders - Faded Jeans, Barn Door
Tim Holtz/Ranger Matte Medium for gluing papers
Two manila tags - 3"x 6"
Matte reinforcements for standard 1/4" hole
Border Punch - your choice, I used Martha Stewart
Tab Punch - We R Memory
Crochet Cotton OR seam binding OR ribbon for tags - two pieces 10"

BASIC SUPPLIES - 12" paper trimmer, 12" scoring board, standard corner rounder, "fussy cutting" scissors, craft scissors or knife, 1/4" foam squares, heat gun

Cowboy Country - a CCC Design Team project

Soooooooo, February flew by and here we are in March, looking forward to Spring and getting albums ready for upcoming visits and vacations.  Personally, I LOVE the West and was delighted that Country Craft Creations asked me to work with these wonderful new papers, Cowboy Country by Carta Bella, currently available in their store countrycraftcreations.com for you to rustle up and have some fun!

          

Finished size of album is 10 1/2"x 8 1/2" x 1 1/2" using 19 pieces of double-sided papers, matching ephemera pack, designer clear stamps and element stickers along with 14 pieces of the CCC Artisan Linen Cardstock in Brown and 4 in Ivory for photo/journaling mats.  I used a simple hinge on which to "mount" four large pocket pages - there are many variations of this method on YouTube, I particularly favor those from Tamra Kilgore-Merrill and hope you will look them up as well.  Two of the Echo Park clear Page Pockets have also been added, a detail of their cutting and insertion is explained in instructions.

CUTTING HEAVY WEIGHT CHIPBOARD for album cover:

COVERS front and back - two pieces 8 1/2"x 10 1/2"

Front FLAP to close - one piece 8 1/2"x 2 1/2"

Spine Sides - two pieces 8 1/2"x 1 1/2"

CUTTING SOLID LINEN CARD STOCK - BROWN for album cover and hinged insert to hold pages, cut your largest pieces first, then use the smaller "scrap" pieces for flip out pages, photo mats, journaling cards or other embellishments:

Covers front - one piece 9 1/2"x 11" and back - one piece 9 1/2"x 10 1/2"

Front Flap to close album - one piece 9 1/2"x 3"

Spine Sides - outside, two pieces 9 1/2"x 2 1/2" and inside two pieces 8 1/2"x 3"

Pages - four pieces 10"x 9" and four pieces 10"x 7 3/4"

Spine Hinge inside to hold pages - 7 3/4"x 8"

Waterfall backing - one piece 8 1/2"x 7"

Waterfall panel hinges - five pieces 1"x 8"

Flip Page panels can be cut to include the wording on paper side which will be scored to fold under and never show - two pieces 7 7/8"x 4 3/4" and two pieces 10"x 6"

Photo Mats - at least two pieces 4"x 6", more per personal preference

CUTTING SOLID LINEN CARD STOCK - IVORY - cut into four 3 1/2"x 5"; two 3 1/2"x 6"; one 4"x 6"; two 4 1/4"x 5 1/4" and two 5"x 5 1/4" panels to ink and stamp for journaling cards.

CUTTING PRINTED PAPERS - I generally start by picking out the papers I want on the cover and lining the inside of the album, and any other special prints I want to emphasize on a page or those to be cut and included in the clear page pockets.  Please refer to the photos at the end of instructions to see exactly what I used where NOTE - not all of the paper corners are rounded, be sure before inking & assembly or change per your personal preferences.

Covers outside and inside, front and back - four pieces 8"x 10"

Front Flap to close album, outside (continuation of map) - one piece 8"x 2" and inside 8"x 2"

Spine Sides - outside, two pieces 8"x 2" and inside one pieces 8"x 1 1/4"

Pages - front and back, eight pieces 9 1/2"x 7 1/2"

Pocket Insert Pages - four pieces 9 1/2"x 7 1/2"

Use your printed SCRAP from the cuts above to make flip page panels, journaling cards as well as,

five Waterfall pieces 8"x 4 1/2"

Pocket on inside back cover - one piece 9"x 4"
1 1/2" circle punch four pieces of printed scrap for tabs on the insert pages AND a 1/2 circle on center front side on each of the four page front paper panels, as shown below - trim if necessary.

EDGE INK ALL the cut printed paper pieces, ephemera and Ivory cardstock panels with Distress Oxide Vintage Photo.  Stamp the clear stamp images onto Ivory cardstock with Distress Oxide Walnut Stain.  Ink the brown cardstock album AFTER ASSEMBLY with Distress Oxide Black Soot.

COVER CONSTRUCTION - this album has two spine sections so a flap can overlap the top to close - I have several other albums on previous blog posts detailing construction methods that could be used as well.  NOTE - laid out flat, the album was too wide to get into one photo, so for these steps, I have taken two photos & placed them side-by-side so you can see both sides.

Line up chipboard pieces on cardstock, shown below - some pieces are flush with the cardstock edge:

             

Add 1/2" wide ScorTape to edges of chipboard pieces as shown, then add Art Glitter Glue to the rest of the overall piece - FLIP OVER onto cardstock and smooth into place.  NOTE - chipboard goes to the edge of the solid cardstock on several pieces so the spine can be secured in subsequent steps.

              

Next, add 3/8" ScorTape around the edges of the chipboard, as shown below AND 1/2" ScorTape to the cardstock edges around the spine pieces (seen at right). First peel tape backing away from sides of the chipboard spine pieces and place the larger chipboard pieces approx. 1/8" apart - VERY IMPORTANT NOTE - do not place these pieces too close together, otherwise, when they are bent at the crease to fold, the cardstock will crack and tear - the MINIMUM is ONE EIGHT INCH.  A second piece of cardstock is then added down the middle of the spine piece (third photo below), and the 1/8" "gully" between the chipboard pieces is GENTLY pushed together with bone folder to secure - this is the fold of the album.  Next, peel away ScorTape backing on the outside edge of the cardstock and fold over corners (left photo below), then onto the chipboard sides, using a bone folder to smooth down and secure:

             

                              

MAGNETS - to close the album, I used three large round magnet sets from Country Craft Creations.  In the left photo below, you will see that I measured and marked the inside center of the front flap and two additional side marks closer to the ends.  I placed 1/2" ScorTape onto the marks (shown in pink), peeled off the tape backing and placed the magnet set (keep both sides together) on top of the ScorTape, added a second piece of ScorTape to the back side of the magnet (still attached to the front side), peeled the backing away and gently eased the flap over - lining up the sides of the album cover and pressing the magnets onto the front of the album! Voila - they should be in the right place and lined up correctly.  NOTE -  this has to be done before gluing on printed papers.
          

When outside of album is covered and magnets secured, I find it easier to adhere the prepared cover papers - as shown below - this is especially important if a inside hinge is being used, because the album will not sit flat to smooth out the papers when the hinge is done - just saying!    For added interest, I have cut a small oval into the back cover paper to sign and date after finishing (using a permanent metallic pen), if using as a gift, I will also write the recipients name.

               

INSIDE HINGE to secure cardstock "pocket" pages: I have prepared for you a "second hinge" in a lighter color, just so you can better see the details and measurements - if I am working out a design and not sure what my measurements will be, I prepare a "mock up hinge" before I cut into the good cardstock - practice makes perfect!  The brown cardstock, however, showed up better placement of ScorTape - forgive any confusion - the results are the same.
The paper piece is 8" high to fit the inside spine of the album and 7 3/4" wide to accommodate the number of hinges I needed, and enough paper on each side to secure into the album.  Score vertically - first at 1 1/2", then 1/2", another 1/2" and then 1/8" - continue with 1/2", 1/2", 1/8" - etc. as shown in left below.  The 1/2" sections will fold over leaving the 1/8" sections exposed.  ScorTape 3/8" wide is used down one side of a 1/2" sections to fold together (see brown cardstock example below).  

             

Below photo shows the finished piece with four "hinges" needed to secure and support the cardstock pocket pages, and sides wide enough to glue into album:

Once all is scored and folded, add 3/8" ScorTape to one side of the 1/2" paper fold, and around the edges of the sides - see below.  ONE SECTION AT A TIME, peel away ScorTape from the 1/2" hinge sections, and join the two sides together - continue until all are done (right photo below):

          

Next, add a 1" piece of ScorTape down the middle back of the hinge section, peel and place into the album - on the spine.  NOTE - because I am adding waterfall pages to the inside front of this album, I chose to "offset" the hinged section into the album, as shown in the photo below.  Another option would be to add additional pages, as there is ample room to do so - your choice.  You can also see from the photo looking down into the album, the paper on each side of the hinge secured onto the chipboard covers, which will be covered up with printed papers shortly.  Take a breath and let it rest.

Now you can glue in all the prepared inside cover papers as shown below:

CARD STOCK Pocket Pages - are made with two pieces and OPEN BOTH ENDS, the front panel is 10"x 9", scored 1/2" on both top and bottom, and half punched on one 9" side with 1/1/2" circle punch to pull out inserted papers. The back panel is 10"x 7 3/4" with no scoring or punching - plain.
"Flip panels" (left photo below) are another great album addition, I used scrap cardstock pieces with the name edge still on, because it will be scored and turned under for no one to see.  The right photo below shows a side flip panel and the third photo below shows a top (or bottom) flip panel - corner round and adhere flip panels onto cardstock pages BEFORE gluing the page sides together!

          

CLEAR POCKET PAGES - another addition to any size album is adding clear pocket pages.  Many paper collections have printed "card" panels that can be cut apart and used for photo mats or journaling and fit perfectly into these pockets.  I start with a Echo Park clear pocket page, overall size is 6"x 8", then I cut off the "stitched" plastic strip on outside edge of side, then to fit this smaller album, I cut apart the two pockets just below the top "stitch" line (left photo below). I then add 1/2" ScorTape to both sides of the spine side, just outside remaining side "stitch" line (right photo below).

          

To secure clear pocket into the cardstock page, peel off one side of ScorTape and place onto either top or bottom of the page side, as photo below shows. (This is easier to do before the pages are glued together and papers are glued on, I forgot to take the photo then). NOTE - it is important that the side "stitch" line of the clear pocket NOT be behind the cardstock edge, but rather beside, to press down flat when folded (right photo below).  The second piece of Scor Tape will be peeled when the pages are secured onto the hinge of the album.

Once all the flips and clear card pockets are in place on the cardstock page pieces, glue and/or otherwise adhere the two page panels, for each of the four pages - lining up the plain back panel to the scored sides of the front panel.  At this point, you have four separate cardstock pocket pages (not glued into the album yet), and I found it easier to now glue on all of the papers, ephemera and embellishments. Use the photos below as a guide and add or change to your hearts content. 

ADDING PAGES to ALBUM - I found using ScorTape to put the pages into album could be a bit tricky if you had to "re-adjust placement", so I used Art Glitter Glue.  FIRST, trim the top and bottom ends of the hinges at a SMALL angle so the pages will slide on easier.  There is already ScorTape on the clear card pockets, so I separate the page panels by inserting my hand down into them, peel off tape backing, add glue to the hinge in the album, and slide the page sides down onto the hinge. Wipe off any excess glue if needed, then smooth the page sides against the hinge to secure. NOTE - the glued pages usually stand straight up in the air to dry and that is OK - you may have to turn the album on its side for a few minutes - this is the difference in using ScorTape which you would just smooth on and be done with - your choice.  Adhere all four pages into place - ONE AT A TIME.

WATERFALL - I added a paper waterfall element to the inside front of the album using cardstock as a backing mat.  I used cut printed paper scraps for this, added a 1/2" hinge to the top back, then glued them in place onto the mat, however, you could also cut larger paper pieces, score them 1/2" at the top, fold over and glue onto the mat - either way works.  

The special part of this waterfall is the ribbon closure (1 yard each, two colors of seam binding), which has been "threaded" into the backing mat.  After the mat has been cut and one side corner rounded, turn to the back, measure and mark the center top and bottom, then glue on another small 1"x 1 1/2" square of cardstock to the edge (left photo below) - allow to dry.  Now use a craft knife to cut a horizontal 1" slit into the reinforced cardstock approx. 1/4" from the edge, so the ribbon can feed through to the front (right photo below).  Secure the ribbon in place on the back with tape.  Turn back to the front and adhere the waterfall papers into place, tie the ribbon and you are done.

          

INSIDE FRONT of album with ribbon seam binding) tied Waterfall panels:

To view details of each, here are the 4 page pockets, photographed flat front to back, before insertion into album.  FRONT of Page One - when you open the album, with clear pocket insert and card.

FRONT of Page One showing back of the clear pocket insert with stamped journal/photo mat:

BACK of Page One showing built in flip panel on right side with stamped journal mat & ephemera:

BACK of Page One with flap panel open to show paper and embellishment cut from scrap:

FRONT of Page Two showing top flip panel with paper strips: 

FRONT of Page Two showing attached top panel flipped up with embellishment & journal mat:

BACK of Page Two showing clear pocket insert with card on right and photo mat:

BACK of Page Two showing back of the clear pocket insert with stamped journal/photo mat:

FRONT of Page Three showing added panel on left side with journal mat and ephemera:

FRONT of Page Three showing open flip panel with cut scrap embellishments and ephemera:

BACK of Page Three showing embellishment and clear pocket insert with card on right:

BACK of Page Three showing added scrap, ephemera & clear pocket insert back with stamped mat:

FRONT of Page Four with bottom flip panel, stamped journal mat and scrap embellishment:

FRONT of Page Four with bottom flip panel open to show paper embellishment:

BACK of Page Four showing clear pocket insert with card & ephemera on right:

BACK of Page Four showing clear pocket insert with stamped journal mat:

PANEL INSERTS for the four cardstock pages, with tab front detail, front and back:

          

INSIDE BACK of album with pocket and "scrap" card inserts, detailed below:

Back pocket insert cards, front and backs with stamped images:

          

COVER detail - I used inked, printed paper scraps, Indian head fussy cut from card then sliced to go above & below buffalo strip, Ephemera and a small silver buckle with embroidered arrows (I found at Jo-Anns).  The left side buffalo paper strip was glued to a 1/8" black foam sheet, cut out and glued on album, the matching right side buffalo piece and other papers were glued on flat.  The embroidered arrows were cut apart, one arrow tail was threaded through the buckle and hot glued on, the others cut to fit and also hot glued.

SUPPLIES - available from Country Craft Creations store:

Carta Bella "Cowboy Country" paper collection, matching Ephemera Pack, Designer clear Stamps and Element Stickers

CCC Artisan Linen Cardstock - Brown and Ivory

Heavyweight Chipboard - three 12"x 12" pieces

Large Magnet Sets for closure

Seam Binding for ribbons - 1 yard each of dark brown and cream

Echo Park Pocket Pages for 4"x 6" cards (overall size is 6"x 8")

Scor Tape - 3/8", 1/2" 1"

Art Glitter Glue

Ranger Distress Oxide Inks - Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain and Black Soot

Other supplies used:

Ranger Ink applicators and sponges

Foam Adhesive Sheet - black 1/8" thick

Small silver tone buckle and embroidered arrows (cover embellishments) from JoAnn's

Basic crafting supplies and tools needed: 12" paper trimmer, 12" score board, ruler, decoupage (fussy cutting) scissors, craft scissors, large and small corner rounders, glue gun, clear stamping block, 1 1/2" circle punch