Sherlock's Travel Journal

a Meg's Garden Design Team Project

I have found I really love doing stitched binding for my journals.  This time I'm using the Daisy Loop Chain which I found on YouTube from Pocket Full of Vintage.  This creates a really strong binding method.  I also used Tyvek between the two layers of decorative paper for the journal cover.  Adding a layer or two of Collage Podge from Aleene's really strengthens the cover which is what you need if you're going to be stitching.

The letters were cut from a sheet of paper I had in my stash, covered with Glossy Accents and then sprayed with Lindy's which really gave them that old world look. I cut strips from cardstock, inked them with Distress inks, strengthened them with Collage Podge and then bound the outer edges, I really like the look.

Adding corner edges also adds support to the cover and the distressed paper edges continue along with the old look.  This Collection kit can either be purchased in paper or downloaded in Digital, both options are available in the store.

The closure is a white piece of crocheted lace which I used Aged Mahogany and Gathered Twigs inks to match the papers and the binding strips. The lace is glued to the back of the book with Beacon's Fabri-Tac and loops around this funky closure (from Meg's store) on the front.  Depending on which loop you use will depend on how wide the book can become. 

Each two page spread of pages allows for lots of photo spots and journaling to save and share all those memories.  See how I incorporated just a torn piece of cardboard packing material to form the pocket on the right?

I hope you'll come join me on the video where I'll walk you through each page, share my assembly techniques and offer many more photos to inspire you to create your own Sherlock Travel Journal.  

Please visit Meg's Garden at

Shop - http://megsgarden.com/  

Blog -  http://megsgardenblog.blogspot.com/

Tutorials for Binding:
Pocket Full of Vintage - Daisy Stitch
Sea Lemon - How to do the Binding 

The Sherlock Book Kit by Watson Brown Dodo Vine Wire Temptations in cream, camel, copper & brown Vintaj Brass The Gentlemen Collection Game Spinners Dark Brown Raffia Solids Paper String by Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad Aged Mahogany Tim Holtz Distress Ink Gathered Twigs Crystal Lacquer Needle Top ScrapFusion

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Paula's Triple Flip Mini

Viewer's Project

I think one of the most enjoyable things I get out of creating and sharing with all of you is having one of you share something you've made inspired by something I've made.  If you follow my blog and YouTube channel you know I shared a series on how to create a Triple Flip Mini Album including step by step instructions across several videos.  I had a lot of very positive feedback from that, it makes all the struggles of trying to get what I'm thinking into verbal info you can understand worthwhile.

Paula sent me an email while we were away visiting with my family in Washington state. Well you know how that is, you're in a rush rush situation trying to cram half a year into a couple of weeks. I had great intentions of posting this as soon as we got back, but (hanging head in shame) I forgot.  BUT, I have found the older I get the more lists I'm making and I did have it on a list of to do's so not all is lost.

So without further chit chat from me I'd like to share what Paula made, it's such a darling darling album and will certainly give you food for thought of how changing up the pattern line will certainly change up the look of a mini!

Fabtabulous don't you think????  Paula doesn't have an active blog or YouTube so if you'd care to leave your comments here I'll be sure and share them with her.  (We all  might giv her encouragement to start blogging and posting again!!!!!) If you would like to see my original blog post and photos, my Triple Flip Mini is here.  

Thank you Paula for sharing your creativity with me and allowing me to share it with others. To all my other crafty friends on the other side of this screen thank you for sharing your emails, comments and for spending time away from your busy lives watching and commenting on what I do.  I appreciate it more than you could ever imagine!

Angels of Lace

The Piece by Piece, Design Team Project

As I'm sure most of you know that are familiar with Beverly Ybarra and The Piece by Piece she and her family are relocating to a new home and she is closing her brick and mortar store in Niles District of Fremont California and her Etsy store.  There's still time to pick up some fantastic bargains at either store, I'll leave links and the discount code below.

I have so many gorgeous pieces of lace from Bev's store and was inspired by a blogpost by designer Bigirt at Rapport fran ett skrivbord when she posted this darling angel card. Instantly I thought of this lace Bev had sent to me.  When it had arrived a few months ago in my DT package I thought at the time this makes me think of angels.  Well my angels have arrived!

I made six variations of the same card, changing up the wings, the flatback pearl rhinestone heads, the papers, and the snow.

My Angels came alive as I added bits and pieces of lace and wings.  I love this one against the red background papers (the papers are from an old paper stack from Fancy Pants).

I found I could change up the Angel by switching out the wings with a variety of threads, anything from the heavier Tim Holtz twines to a light weight strand of pulled burlap.

I hope you'll join me on the video as I show you the cards, take you on a speedy trip to make one and inspire you with a few more photos.

The Piece by Piece

Etsy Store -  YouTube - Facebook -

Use the discount code 30OFF to receive 30% off your purchase (of in-stock items) until the stores close)

A Soul's Heartbeat

My Blog - 

http://asoulsheartbeat.blogspot.com/

My Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/asoulsheartbeat

My Favorite Nut!

a Cut at Home Design Team Project

Here I am stuck again on making a masculine card when out of the crafty world appears Heartfelt Creations new collection called All Geared Up.  You could probably hear me at your house I was so excited.  I just love it when manufactures come out with grungy, manly papers!

This is the card I made for my friends birthday, I think it will be perfect since he's a real do it yourselfer.  I used a scrap from an old cardboard box to cut the gears from and love that look.  When you add a little Distress ink (I used Gathered Twigs and Evergreen Bough) it makes them look even more rusty and old.  Perfect!

Come and join me on the video, I'll share more ideas of how I created this card, fast forward so you can see it put together and end with a few more photos to inspire you to make some cards for those guys in your life today.

Heartfelt Creations All Geared Up 12x12 Paper Collection Heartfelt Creations Nuts And Bolts Stamps Heartfelt Creations Tarnished Gears Stamps Heartfelt Creations All Geared Up dies Prima Marketing Junkyard Findings Metal Trinkets Tim Holtz Distress Ink Gathered Twigs Aleene's Paper Glaze 12" x 12" Kraft Paper Sizzix Big Shot Machine Spellbinders Tool 'n One 3M Scotch ATG GUN 700 Aleene's Original Tacky Glue

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Retro Moments

a SaCrafters Guest Design Team Project

This project had been put on hold while we took a short vacation to visit my family but I've been dying to get my hands into it ever since I saw it previewed in Sa's shop!  I LOVE this Retro TV and knew immediately I had to make it for my middle child, Angi. She and her husband Luke would have been perfectly happy living in the 50's!  This past year they had a family photo shoot done at their house all with a retro theme!  Perfect for this project.  So while home I told her I wanted a copy of all the photos so I could play with them!  This is the result - 

Seldom do I have the pleasure of playing with photos and actually finishing up and album I've made.  This was super fun for me. I hope you'll enjoy following along.

I moved outside on the patio to paint the inside and out of the tv after I'd glued it together. I used a black Krylon paint for the outside and Martha Stewarts acrylic in red for the inside.  I wasn't happy with the black, I'd use something else next time.

Next step was to Mod Podge the box, inside and out and then adhere my paper and cut outs (from Crafty Secrets).  See I really am a 'messy Marvin' when I craft :-)

I die cut from the papers I'd be using to make flowers, at this point I wasn't sure whether they'd be going on the box or the mini but I knew I'd use them somewhere, I've moved to the living room so I can watch tv and make my flowers at the same time.

I found that if I used my magnetic mat and ruler I could line up the chipboard across the bottom to create a straight end as I put the cardstock to the chipboard.

Last step before the fun stuff was to add several coats of Collage Podge (from Aleene's) to the outside of the cover.  This is the first time I've done it before folding to the inside and gluing down.  It worked great and anytime you can accomplish something with the paper lying flat it's a lot easier!

Since I wanted the box to retain it's 'TV' look I shied away from too much bling and left the flowers for the book.  The 50's look always had pearls and I'm sorry how can you make a project with out stickles??????

This sentiment arrow from Sa's store was perfect.  I painted it red, masked off on both sides of the arrow with some washi tape and then painted the arrow black.

A couple of fussy cut aprons from Crafty Secrets, a wooden message and flatback pearls from Sa's store and the back is done!

These Retro people and sayings were just too cute, I had to add a couple to the inside of the top of the box!

And here's the mini front, I added the key and the date (thank you Bunny Bow) and the Heart that says Made With Love (thank you Kathie) on a Tim Holtz chain, tucked in an oval framed photo and used my flowers I'd made earlier to adorn the front cover.

The mini measures 5" x 7" outside dimensions so some spots can house 4' x 6" photos. There are seven pages and each has a side pocket with a mat that tucks in.  I'm sure I could get every photo from their shoot in this little book!

To add interest and appeal I fussy cut the shapes of several of the photos, this one creates a pocket to put photos behind.

So this is my Retro TV filled with a book of memories.  Such a super fun project to make, thank you Sa for allowing me to play with your fun products.  Please check out Sa's store today and come join me on the video for a more in depth view of TV and mini.

Please visit Sa Crafters
Store -  www.sacrafters.com
YouTube -  https://www.youtube.com/user/SaCrafters
Blog -  http://sacrafters.blogspot.com/
Facebook -   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sa-crafters

In addition to these products I also used Krylon Black spray paint, black cardstock and chipboard, Mod Retro and Lady Coutour Papers from DCWV, Martha Stewarts acrylic paint in red and cut outs from Crafty Secrets.

Wood TV box Flat back pearls trims Arrow Sentiments Ranger Inkssentials GLOSSY ACCENTS Collage Pauge Instant Decoupage Matte

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