I'm trying to get back on the ball this week. My goal is to finish the Patriotic journal in the next couple of weeks then finish the Bee journal I started three years ago. Just needs a bit of sewing.
This tall tag was created using a Dear Julie Julie digital - American Hydrangeas The flag is from a bag of cupcake picks from $Tree, the word is cut from the paper pad I'm using. The button is part of a Stampin' Up! collection and the paper clip from my stash. The paper clip will be used to attach the tag to the side of a page.
This tag and pocket were made from the Friday Freebie video where I showed a napkin tip. The tag and pocket were cut from the napkin-covered cardstock.
The embellishments are from hte Stars & Stripes Junk Journal Kit from the PochandPothosStudio on Etsy.
I will be back tomorrow for WOYWW. I hated missing last week but trying to stay on top of things.
Making a quick stop to join in with my friends at WOYWW. I've not visited in a very long time and have missed them.
So here's my desk this week:
I just filmed the video for my monthly challenge. Everything else around the outside is leftovers from the January challenge make. I hope to totally clear the desk off this week and prep for new organization in that area.
If you want to jump in on the February Challenge (#KCDFebJJ23), then check out the details in the video:
Bob is still home. Sections of the roads in Missouri he needs to travel are still ice/snow covered. With no precipitation today, hopefully they can get that cleared and he can head out tomorrow.
While I'm not 'finishing' a project, today seemed like the best time to showcase a project in progress.
I follow LineDotArrow (Natalie) on YouTube and joined her facebook group last summer. But with the whole 'can't promote other creatives while I'm selling SU' thing, I couldn't play and share what I was doing with Natalie's beautiful digitals.
When she offered up a January challenge, highlighting a Vintage Slim Journal kit, I had to jump in. Vintage and shabby chic are my creative jam.
I don't have pictures yet but will link you to my video today. All the links for Natalie's channels/ etsy/ ko-fi are in the description box of the video. I hope you'll check out her pretties and subscribe to her channel.
I owe you a Wednesday post so I'll post both Week 3 & Week 4 of the #kcdjanjj23 NEXT Wednesday. But you can always go to my YouTube channel and catch up at your leisure.
We're shining the spotlight on Gayle Agostinelli. Remember, she will be our first guest of 2023 Next Thursday! I'm so excited to share with you.
Here's the video for today, making Triple Belly Bands for a single page:
Another buzzy day in the studio. I've added specific items to the journals this week using the three different patterned bee fabrics I had pulled for the kit.
FABRIC
I made three fabric flips for each journal:
FLIPS
I've edged each one with a different Stampin' Up! ribbon and there is a different sentiment under each one:
Bee Happy (from the Cardmakers set)
You are positively the greatest(from SU Cottage Rose)
Cut in half, I have six page edges. I've added a button to three of them (yellow button not shown) and each button is centered with $Tree bling or SU - Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels.
Here's today's video showing these in my journal pages:
I had a play yesterday. I knew I wanted to add a shaker element to the bee journals but didn't want the traditional tag. Then I had an idea.... Shaker Hidden Paper Clip! Say what?!
I used a bag that Stampin' Blends come in and cut it down to 3" - using the bottom section for the pocket.
I've been using the Heart and Home suite for the bee journals. I cut a piece 2" x 2-1/4" for the inside. This provides a background for the contents and hides the black printing on the back of the bag.
The darker piece of the topper is cut to 1-7/8" x 2-1/2"... score the 2-1/2" side at 1-1/4" then fold.
The green piece is 1-7/8". You'll see in the video I chose to tear the green paper. I believe I bought the lace from Spectrum Art Creations. One of the gals in group suggested trimming the individual piece to look like a mask for Tim Holtz paper dolls so I bought a yard. The lace is no longer available there but you could use any lace trim. You may even find this one at Hobby Lobby. I chose the lace because I thought it resembled bee's wings.
I made three - two in advance then constructed the third one on the video below.
I'll be back tomorrow for Scrapbook Saturday. Since we're doing Christmas all this month, I have a special Christmas memory to share.
Sorry about the incomplete post. I will move that to tomorrow or Thursday. I've not done the pictures yet.
In the mean time, here's what I am working on:
In hopes of finally getting my personal BEE journal done, I jumped in to Cara's June challenge to mass make items for future journals.
This week was all about Pockets & Tucks but I made a boo boo. Not realizing we were to make 'bases only' and that we'd be adding the embellishments in Week 3, I made 10 COMPLETED bases:
Once I realized my mistake, I made 10 BLANK pockets/ tucks:
Since I do everything in threes. I had to make an odd one. The blue using 'waves of the ocean' dsp will go into either my sea or sailing journals. I want to make a sailing journal for a gentleman on YouTube dealing with Lewy Body Dementia. You can check out their channel HERE.
I've posted a video this morning walking you through both sets of challenge items:
I'll try to be back tomorrow with the Magazine Stamp photos.
I have a simple triple-fold pocket today from one 12x12 piece of paper. You can use this technique on a smaller piece - as was the original pattern I had in my stash. I'll give you the dimensions for both of those.
Here is the finished product:
Here is the diagram:
The measurements for the video example:
A - No Fold
B - Make tick mark at 3-1/2"
C - Make tick mark at 4"
D - Make tick mark at 3"
Follow the steps in the video:
Use the same letters and fold measurements as in diagram one but with a smaller piece of paper.
Cut paper to -10" x 12". This makes the pocket more elongated where as the 12x12 is square
SUPPLIES:
NOTE: Please note that items with RETIRING next to them will not be available after tomorrow (4/3) the other items have their RETIRING date next to them WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
Today, I'm kicking off an 8-week series creating a Bee journal using several items from the January - June mini catalog.
I have a list of what I'll be using in THIS POST. I've added to the list since the original posting!
This also starts a new presentation on my YouTube channel. I will be posting the Friday videos as PREMIERES. What does that mean? That means, the video will be playing but there will be a LIVE CHAT so you can watch, visit and ask any questions while I'm there to answer on the spot!
Bob left Tuesday and I'm trying to get on track. My work days are long but I'm making sure I shut down in the evenings and take me time. Self-care is important when you have your fingers in as many things as I do. LOL
I learned how to make the Hidden Gatefold Card from fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Wendy Cranford. You can see her video HERE.
When I saw the card, I thought of 'double doors' rather than a gate. You'll see in her video - and mine below - how simple this is to make.
Here's one of my cards:
Here's the other one:
RECIPE:
1 sheet of 8.5 x 11 cardstock of your color choice for base
1 12x12 sheet of Designer Series Paper (DSP) You'll want to use the front & back
CUTTING:
Watch Video for the cutting directions. These are just the dimensions.
I'm using the colors for the 1st card.
Basic White - (cut 1) - 4-1/8" x 5-3/8"
Mango Melody - (cut 1) - 4" x 5-1/4"
Designer Series Paper - (cut 1) 3-3/4" x 5" (cut 2) 2" x 5-3/8"
Evening Evergreen Ribbon (card 1) - 3-3/4"
Crinkle Seam Binding (card 2) - 4-3/4" plus an additional 3" piece to tie
If you don't already own them, I recommend the Stampin' Blocks!LOVE them and so glad I invested. I used hostess credits for the larger ones as well as the case and purchased the less expensive. Great Investment! The link is for the bundle - saving 10%
I am way later than I wanted to be with today's post. I'm still trying to get scheduling in place. I'll be more effective with that after Bob leaves on Tuesday.
Bob has decided to semi-retire in October, which means I have six months to make this an active day job with a routine we can work with. Wish me luck! LOL
I chose to make a tip in pocket with coordinating tag. I gotta tell you, this project drove me nuts! I put the prototype together in about 10 minutes but every time I tried to film a walk-through I messed everything up - 4 times! LOL
I am so ready for the July Junk Journal Challenge with Dearjuliejulie. Julie has several of her own unfinished journals so (after MONTHS of us asking) she has decided July will be the month we try to finish journals we've been working on.
For me, I'm starting with last month and work my way backward. My PLAN is to get one a week at least 'finished within challenge guidelines'.
So this week, I'm starting with last month's challenge. With the exception of 1 paper pad and dearjuliejulie digitals, everything else was to be JUST JUNK. The only other caveat to the challenge was if we did the mini challenge each week, some of those items would be allowed into our kit. I'm sharing videos to the first two mini challenges I did, showcasing what I could add to my supplies. I still need to do mini challenge #3 & #4. I plan to do those tomorrow then have the rest of the week to put the actual journal together.
Here are a couple of pictures of what I'm working with:
Box of packaging
Table top of all the other miscellaneous supplies
Here's the videos from mini challenges #1 & #2
MINI #1
MINI #2
As you can see, I plan to be creating this week. Getting this journal worked up and leftover supplies pitched is step one in the Organization Process. Remember... new video coming Saturday.
My, I've not seen many of you in so very long. I do apologize. Way too much going on. Let's have a peek at the current desk situation...
Not bad, but give me a few hours and the space will look like a tornado blew through lol
To the left front you'll see a stack of 3 signatures for the $tree junk journal challenge.
Above the signatures is a stack of patterned paper and the sizzix die cut to make a couple of cards. to the right of that is the stack of cards I made yesterday. Here's a pic of them:
In front of the stack of cards is a basket holding all of the tickets I died in various colors while I had the Easter egg dyes going for the papers for the $Tree journal. Here's the papers (as well as the tickets) that went into the journal:
Making the most of the dye, I chose a 10" square of linen fabric, a cotton strip and a couple of laces (one for the $ Tree journal):
Lots of miscellaneous items until you drop back to the far right front and see the index cards I dyed and turned into tags for the journal.
I'm super busy this week. I'm part of a #7dayssummerdigi2021 Collab with my design team leader, Dearjuliejulie and with CaraBrandonCreations. We will be posting every day from May 27-June 2nd. If you'd like to see what we're playing with, you can search that hashtag on social media for lots of inspiration with the girls' digitals designed for this collab.
Bob is gone for another 9 or 10 days so I'll have time to work and to visit y'all.
That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here? When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you. Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.
Wow - an entire month plus since I was in here last. To say I've been busy is an understatement.
Shortly after my last blog post, Bob came home. His first week in I took the opportunity to travel to Iowa to see Kassie, Matt and the adorable 'grandbabies' I had yet to meet. Mia and Lena are absolutely adorable. While they are twins, I can tell them apart - for now hehe. Mia's face is a bit rounder. Lena also has a couple of beauty marks but one is covered with her clothes and the other you have to look really close to see. I took our retired recliners up to them. Matt has always wanted a recliner and in my honest opinon, EVERY man should have a recliner, especially when they work as hard as Matt does bouncing around in a field all day doing AG work. The chairs will be seven years old this fall but still in great shape. If the kids get another five years out of them to the point they can shop for their own, then that's a win in my book.
I also took them the end tables that Kassie grew up hiding her toys in. While they were almost twenty-five years old, there wasn't a thing wrong with them! I purchased them when I sold House of Lloyd eons ago. We take care of our things and they last seemingly forever. Kassie recognized them as soon as she saw them in the truck. Now Mia and Lena will have their own hiding places in a couple of years when they're toddling around.
I only stayed one night with the kids before heading home. I stopped in Muscatine IA for 4 days and did nothing but work on Book 2 in my series. Was great to not have anything to focus on except the story. I've been back since May 2nd and only managed to write one night - while Bob was at a lodge meeting.
He left Thursday morning, but on Wednesday I popped a muscle (as in I heard it POP) while pulling weeds in the garden. I've not done much of anything until today except take meds and sleep.
I have recorded a couple of videos having to do with collabs I'm in and the May journal challenge with Dear Julie Julie.
I'm really excited about this one:
A few things have changed since recording the video.
1 - in the mini challenge 5.2, Julie had us use a napkin then we could put the rest of it into our kit. With that new piece of information, I'm swapping out the napkin for something else (had it in my head as I was typing and it was gone by the time I got to that point in the sentence - LOL)
2 - The flowers are out and I have a package of multi-sizes of paper doilies from $Tree
3 - she's allowing us to bring in 1 more tool of choice. I'll know more about what that tool is over the weekend as I finally get to put my journal together.
Next week (hopefully Monday) I'll catch you up on the journal progress.
I'm a tad late getting in here today. I meant to write and schedule yesterday but just did not feel well all day. I determined it was all do to sinus'. The maple tree is starting to leaf out and that hits my allergies more than if I stuck my nose in a full floral bouquet.
So here I am with today's post.
The video below will give you all the details on the April All About That Base Junk Journal Challenge.
We'd love for you to come play along. All the details and the link to the facebook group is in the description box of the video on YouTube.
I'm hoping to start mine next week. We'll see. The garden needs planted, seeds need started and I only have two full weeks to get as much done as possible before Bob comes home.
In the mean time, here's a music video to get you moving...
Thank you for your patience while I spent time with Kassie and Matt. I've enjoyed getting to know the man she has chosen to have her children with, as well as his three from a previous marriage. As you read/ watch this today I am on my way back home. I'm stopping tonight to totally unwind and hopefully work on my writing. I stayed an extra day at Kassie's but I still want to be home by Sunday so that Bob and I can celebrate Thanksgiving before he heads back out on the boat Tuesday.
Today's video is all about how I have decided to organize the supplies for each current junk journal project. I'm using the ScrapRack tote that I bought over 15 years ago when I first met Tiffany Spalding and fell in love with The ScrapRack system.
Bob filmed the flip-through for me so that we could get the camera up high enough for you to see everything. I hope you enjoy and are inspired.
I know there's supposed to be a card today but I felt this video was more timely.
Julie has gained a lot of new members to the junk journal community. Many of them are coming into this month's challenge with questions. There's even some confusion amongst veteran members so I thought I'd do a video to help iron out some wrinkles so we can move forward with the challenge and have FUN!
If you're joining us, print out your Elements list - available in the monthly challenge FB group - a highlighter and let's get started playing!
Since I was sick all last week, not a lot of crafting got done. Seriously, I took four days to put (2) 100-light strings of lights on the Halloween tree for the Halloween Tree Challenge coming up on Friday.
Someone asked in one of Julie's morning videos chats about using fabric in our journals. I mentioned that my very first journal with Dear Julie Julie was the February Fabric Junk Journal Challenge. I had trouble uploading the flip-through video so never showed the final product. I thought this was a good time to do that.
If you were with me way back then (hehe) you may have seen THIS blog post. So give a quick read then enjoy the video.
Last spring I was invited to join Dear Julie Julie's design team. I was thrilled and up to the challenge, except that was about the time the studio was in major topsy turvey as I'd just moved everything out to begin the deep clean/ re-organization.
I'm finally in a place where I can get to projects using her beautiful kits. Today's video is a bit of an introduction about what is expected and what I'll be working on the rest of this month.
Bob left on Friday and I've had trouble picking up and getting moving. If determination is anything, I will knock a lot out this week.
I'm also taking part in One Book July- where we focus on using just 1 planner.... back to basics. For mine, I've set up a Slim Classic Happy Planner as my new editorial calendar for the 3rd quarter. I've mapped out all of the blog posts for the next three months. Now to implement.
For Mixed Media Monday, I've made the first of eleven elements for Julie's July Just Junk Journal Challenge. We were to make an envelope and an insert from calendar pages. As you'll hear in the video, I struggled with this one at first. Then one of our team mates, Marcy Davis, gave me an idea. I link her channel in the video description box.
Short post today if I'm to get into a groove. I hope you enjoy the video and are inspired to play with junk!
