Tea bag album - Part 2

 Mainly photos this week crafters, to show you my example....but don't be limited....let your imagination flow and do whatever inspires you.

I made some diagonal pockets, and allowed an extra 1cm (gusset) to attach to my album.  I also used border punches to edge them.

This is a close up in the finished album.  You will notice I also finished off with punched borders, where the pages met the outer cover.

 I made some belly bands, matting a strip of complimentary patterned paper onto a wider panel of card that had been edged either side.  Belly bands are attached to your work at the two outer edges to allow you to slot things under them, that they will hold in place.

I also punched some circles and halved them, just to add to the effect.  Like I said....do whatever inspires you.

 Here's a close up.

 I made some journal cards, adding interest with a corner punch and matted them on the same brown card I had decided to use as my accent colour.









Some I tucked in the pockets....still plenty of space to add photos.....














....and some, under the belly bands.

.

I used an envelope punch (if you don't have one you could simply fold paper to make small envelopes)  I also punched additional ones and cut down to create a lining as I was using single sided paper.









I stamped letters onto small tags, a few words onto strips of cards, and also to go inside the mini envelopes, inking around all the edges.

Don't be defeated with finding 'words'.  you will be surprised at what you will find among your stamp stash.  For instance, you may find an inspirational word within a verse stamp - mask off words that you don't wish to use.

You will need to make your covers slightly bigger than your final 6" folded project (or 4" if starting with 8x8" papers).  I used thin grey board, but strong card would work.  Make two, wrapping a complimentary sheet of paper around each so that all edges are covered.

 Loosely wrap a length of ribbon around, which will allow you to be able to fasten into a bow.  Fix on the front cover only, with a piece of double sided tape.

Make a complimentary decorated mat to cover this tape.  In my example, this is for a 50th birthday, but you could add any decorative design or even a photo.

This is the finished (except for the photos) design.....you can tell I like symmetry !!!

 And a few close ups.



So come on...what are you waiting for.  And don't forget to send me a photo of your finished project so I can add them to the inspiration page of my website.
Email: divinecrafting@btinternet.com

Enjoy !!
Christine

Tea bag album - Part 1

I have used 3 sheets of 12 x 12" paper, but you could use any size, providing they are square.  They don't have to be double sided, but it will give you more scope to use the back of the album.  To make it easier for you to follow these instructions, I have used single sided paper so you can clearly see the white backing.

So let's get going.....

With the pattern side up, begin by folding a sheet on paper in half vertically.  Open out and fold in half horizontally.  Open out again, and flip over so the pattern side is now facing down.  Now fold the paper in half diagonally.  MAKE ONLY ONE DIAGONAL FOLD.  Open back out, flip over, and using these creased lines, you should be able to manipulate your paper in, thus creating a quarter of the original size (see photo to the left).

Repeat with another sheet, BUT with your third sheet you will need to do all the folds with the opposite sides facing.  This will create your centre panel.

If you look at the final photo this week, you see I have opened out all the pieces, and attached the centre one, on top of the two outer pieces, fastening together on the complete quarter squares that do not contain a diagonal score line.

So come on...get  busy and be ready to start decorating it next week. 
Christine

Bleach Beauty

This is an easy and fabulous technique, that can create some stunning effects, and can be for any occasion.  I have in the past, made sympathy cards as well as thank you and birthday cards, using this simple technique.

The main consideration is the card stock you use, and you may have to test lots of different cards before you find one that the bleach will react with. 
The card must be uncoated. Unfortunately many manufacturers now appear to coat the card (I am told by a friend in the business that the technical term is laminate - totally different to what we crafters believe lamination to be).  I also find mid to dark colours work better in order to see a contrast.  The colour activation when bleached will also vary, as each final card colour can be made up of a variety of colours in the dyeing process.
 
I used a specific bleach pad called Castaway, but you could fold some kitchen tissue, place in a plastic container large enough to allow your stamp to be inserted, and carefully pour on some household bleach until the kitchen tissue is thoroughly damp...thus making your own bleaching pad.  When you've stamped your image onto your card stock, allow it to dry for 5 minutes.  In the meantime, thoroughly clean all the bleach from your stamp so it does not rot the rubber.  I should also have said, that a stamp that is fairly deeply etched works better.

After 5 minutes, cover with a piece of clean copier paper and place a hot (highest setting), dry iron over to activate the bleach on the card.  as you can see from this example, the red card turned a yellowy orange.  I then used the same stamp to stamp the image at either side, using an embossing ink, and heat setting gold embossing powder.  The bleached images creates a depth in the perspective of your design.  Don't be afraid to stamp off the edges, and don't get hung up about everything being in line either - particularly with floral themed stamps, they would naturally occur free and easy !!  All that's left to do is mount onto card, I like to use a metallic colour that matches whatever embossing powder I have used.  Add a greeting is you wish, depending on the purpose of the card, and a few gemstones for a delightful accent.  When you've tried this, you'll find it so quick and easy (providing you can source enough card), that you could get a production line going.  What about snowflakes, or a Christmas tree and get ahead - you know you'll run out of time if you don't start making those Christmas cards soon :)

Have fun !!

Christine

Make your own stencils .... continued

As a continuation from last week , I wanted to extend the theme.
 

I began with a strip of card from an A4 sheet, approximately 20 cms in length.  I used a medium square punch, but this time punched out three, one at each end and one in the middle.



 
I used low tack tape again to anchor the stencil in place. This time I applied one colour to the top right corner, to about half way, diagonally.  I used brushes, but foam is fine to apply your colour.



 





I added a contrasting colour to the bottom left corner, lightly blending together where the colours meet.




I used foam to apply more colour, to 'frame' the edge with the darker of the two colours.







Again, carefully remove your stencil.

Stamp images over your stencilled area.  Don't be afraid to do multiples of the image, extending them if necessary.

Stamp a sentiment and cut mats, then mount onto your card.  Another quick card that creates a fabulous effect.  You could also tie some ribbon around the spine, if you wish.  Don't forget to send me some photos of your creations.

Christine

Make Your Own Stencil

It is so easy to make your own stencils using your punches.  So let's start off with a basic shape.

I used a large circle punch on a lightweight card and then taped it to my base card using low tack tape.

 









I roughly tore a scrap of copier paper and held it in place whilst I added my first colour of ink.  I used Cut n Dry foam to apply the ink, swirling it lightly.










You can see that an edge forms where you ink to the torn edge.  

  

  I moved the paper down to apply another colour, and continued to the bottom.  As I was creating a mini scene, in my mind, I started with blue (for the sky), yellow (for the sunshine/daylight), green (for the grass) and brown (for the earth below).  Whilst I had this 'vision' in my mind, you could use three or four random colours, and it would still create a fabulous effect.  It is important to lighlty blend where two colours meet, but take care not to contaminate your blending foam.  When I applied the final colour, which was slightly darker than all the rest, I also lightly continued that colour (brown) around the whole edge, to frame it.

Carefully lift your stencil away, but still leaving one edge attached, so you can put it back in place if you wish to add more colour.

Add your image and voila !!!  You can either stamp directly onto your card front, or onto a mat and then mount on a complimentary mat and add to your card.

I bet you are itching to have a go.
Ta ta for now,
Christine