“A Rat Pack Journal”

Hi Friends,

Welcome to June and Winter in Australia. It is the Queens Birthday long Weekend here and it has been lovely having a the weekend off!!

I was checking out Youtube last night and found anew Tutorial from Nik the Booksmith on creating what she called a “Rat Pack Journal” this looked like fun so I thought I would give it a go!  Her Video is “HERE” if you would like to pop over and have a look.

 

I decided to make my journal cover, from some cardboard packaging that I rec a book in. It was sturdy enough that I thought I wouldn’t bother strengthening the covers like  I normally would with extra cardboard. I thought a soft, squishy cover, would be nice for a change and  I measured it roughly 8.5×8.25″ (17×16.5″)  I then mesured out where the spine would be and how wide I wanted it. I just eyeballed it with a pen and ruler as it was too big to place in my trimmer.

I nearly always use book tape which I find at Bunnings, to add a bit of strength to the spine as it takes the load of the signature (lots of papers). and binding.  I decided this journal didn’t need it.

I had some of this nice fabric left that I found ages ago and thought it was lovely, so I used a bit more of it on this journal. I just placed the covers on the fabric and cut around it. I then cut a way a bit of the excesses fabric and cut a few notches so it would fold over the edges properly.

I used some thin double sided tape on it just to hold it, while I machines around the edges with a zig zag stitch. I am pretty happy with how the cover came out.

For the inside covers I used some retired SU DSP that I thought was a good match, of course its Blue!!.  I just adhered it with tape and some strong clear glue.

 

 This was the ‘RAT PACK” part of this journal, as I had been saving these lined scrapbook pages and my coffee stained note paper. ………………. I just cut them down to a good size and sew a few pagers together. I made 3 signatures. Of course you don’t need to sew them together as they will stay in the book once you do your binding.

I made this one into a pocket just by sewing three sides together and punching a spot at the top so I can get bit and bobs out of it.

To bind the signatures in I just used some seam binding and wrapped it around the spine a few times and tied it off on the front of the spine. This is an easy way for beginners also with no sewing.

This is the Easy Twine Binding Method that I use for most of my journals. I like being able to add and subtract pages if they don’t work or suit my project!

As I used fabric for the cover and seam ribbon for the binding I thought a fabric name plate was in order.  I layered it up with some book paper, pattern paper, old curtain and some gauze.  I am very happy with it.

This is my finished little journal ready for me to jot down notes and things when I am watching a tutorial or thinking of ideas for my next creation!!!

I hope I may have inspired you to have a go at making your own journal. The are fun to make and use.

Have a great afternoon, I am off to spend some time with my boys!!

Hugz

Kerri x

“Faux Travellers Notebook”

Hi Friends,

I hope you are all going well in this weird time. I’m home from work and now enjoying my weekend!! It is very wet and cold here now so a great day to be indoors and crafting!

Lately, I have had a few projects on the go all at the same time. Nothing like keeping busy!! I got the urge to make another “Faux Travellers Notebook”, to use as an Art Journal.

 A Traveler’s Notebook ... In short, it is a refillable notebook, which are used by travellers to plan and document their travels. Also, to keep your important documents, contacts etc in, ………….But really, at its core, it is simply a leather book-like cover that holds multiple notebooks or inserts with elastic bands.  This really handy as you can keep the cover and just replace the inserts (notebooks) with new ones. 

They have so many more uses now as they have grown in popularity as a journal…………

Below are a few ideas of what you can use them for…………………

As A Travel Journal

Keeping track of Projects

Wedding or Party Guestbooks

Doodling and Art Journaling

Memory Keeping

Collecting Quotes

Habit and Weightloss Tracking

A Daily Journal

Commonplace Journal

For Planning

Of course, you can buy them, already made and in lots of different sizes, but why not make your own for the fraction of the cost to your needs……………………………….

My Version of this is a “Faux” one that I make mainly out of foam, covered with pattern papers or placemats. Yes, the humble placemat is great for making the soft covers. If you can’t find any, you can make to measure pattern papers, then laminating them.  I made a few last year and gave them away as presents. You can find them in cheap shops and probably home decor shops too. They usually aren’t too expensive and you could also use plastic mats, or the clear chopping mats would work also.

I really liked this tulip one, I found even though I am not a big red fan.  I cut it roughly down to 7.5×10″, but you can make it to suit your needs. I wanted the width so I could make it chunky with the inserts that I made.

 I cut the placemat to the size, I wanted with the image placed nicely on the front. I found the middle and made some small holes using a punch to thread the elastic through. This will allow you to move them around and remove to add new inserts as required.  The thinner elastic is nice to use as it gives a bit to move the pages.

I made these inserts from mixed media paper, as I want to Art Journal in this one. I cut my papers down to approx 6×9″ and I can comfortably put 6 signatures in this with the slightly bigger cover. I haven’t as yet added any pockets etc to the inside of the overs.

As you can see for the pages, I used 5-6 sheets ad used my stapler to put them together, but you could sew them if you wanted to.

I measured the middle, then left a gap between the other two holes. There is enough room from the bottom of the journal for the paper to fit nicely in. I just used my hole punch and I will go back and add some small eyelets for strength.

 I mainly eyeball when making things like this, as I am not a perfectionist and I like things looking rustic and handmade!

The journal looks lovely and as it is a placemat, I can wipe it down with no worries about damaging the cover. I will probably add my name or an art quote to the front to finish it off.

I hope I may have given you some inspiration to try one for yourself!!

Have a lovely crafty weekend

Kerri x

“Some Messy fun!”

Hi Everyone,

It is cold and wet here in Victoria and a great day to #stayathome. I am keeping pretty busy with work and being pretty tired I haven’t done much craft this last week. We have just had one case of COVID-19 detected here so work has ramped up our PPE measure to protect our clients, family and ourselves……………

I am walking the May 50k for MS, but the weather has turned horrible. I will make it up, over the next few days when the weather clears 🙂

I bought a mixed media pad and I am using it, for my art journal pages. I Gessoed over this page first, so it is more stable and would take the wet media. With a couple of Dylusions Inks, I sprayed onto the page and let it run, with the help of some water in a mister.

I then stamped the focal point from part of a large Studio Light stamp, straight on to the paper. I then repeated the process, cut part of it out and coloured it lightly.  I gave the image some depth by using dimensional tape and placing it over the top, of the first stamped image. I finished it off with some washi tape, inked edges of the paper and a quote 🙂

I am trying to get a bit of Art Journaling done in my #stayathome journal, and I managed to finally finish this page. I am not sure what I want to do with it. I think I will fold it and put it on my wall for a bit, then add it to my journal!!

I hope you are staying safe, where ever you are and having some craft time 🙂

Look after you

Hugz K xx

“#stayathome Journal”

Hi Friends

I hope you have all had a lovely Easter Break. A few shifts for me, but not too bad and spending time with my boys. It was my oldest son Cody’s 28th Birthday on the 13/4/20. It was a bit low key with not being able to go out for lunch and shopping in Geelong. I am sure we will make up for it later on!!!   I don’t know where that time has gone!!

During the week I joined a lovely group of girls on FB in an Art Journaling Group. We have all made our selves a Journal to use over this mad time of Isolation and Social distancing. I decided to go a different way with mine and use a binder. Art Journaling (playing) is good for stress and just a creative outlet…………… I am still, an Essential Worker in Disability and we are out there every day. My sons are also Essential workers so I think this is a good thing to have for me to use this creative outlet.

I may use it to collage in, do some mixed media, journal, or scrap. I just want to record this crazy time we are having, so when its all over, we can look back and see how far we have all come and how we overcome these changes!!!! We have to look after our mental health as well as our physical…………

 

I am using one of my 6×8 scrap binders and I have collaged some tissue paper and then the napkin on the bottom. I just need to finish off the inside and cut the mixed media paper for it to use. It measures approx 7.5 and 8.5 which is s good size for me.

On the inside, I glued down some of the tissue paper backings, then I gave it a coat of the Kaiser paint.  I found some of these fairy pictures at a book fair I went to last year. I thought a couple on the inside covers might look ok. I went around the edges and a little on the starkness of the white paper to blend them a little.

For the front cover, I decided to use a heart that I made from some cardboard.  First I painted the cardboard with Gesso, then when dry I used some texture paste through a stencil. I added some wood and metal embellishments, then gessoed over the whole thing. Once dry I sprayed it with some mists.

I used few die cuts on the top left with a quote that says “every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day”  On the bottom right I layered a few bits and put the title of my journal on with the date.

Now all I need to do is add some mixed media paper and it will be ready to use. The great thing about a binder is that you can take a page out and work on it without getting a mess over your journal. I have really enjoyed making this journal to document what is going on in our lives at the moment and the changes going on…………………

Thanks for stopping by and having a peek at my art journal and now to start creating in it.  I hope your week is wonderful and you are #stayingathome as much as possible.

Look after yourselves,

Hugz

Kerri x

“Easy No-Sew Journal”

Hi Friends,

I hope you are having a lovely weekend. In between being an Essential worker here in Aus, I am staying at home. #stayathome

I was watching Johana Clough  “HERE”  on her YouTube channel and she made a fun Journal. I thought that would be perfect for a Cookbook for myself to use in the kitchen. It’s not too big and I can have separate recipe categories.

I had eight spare notebooks that I didn’t use awhile ago for a project so I got them out and adhered them all together, one on top of the other. I glued two at a time, then all together with white PVA glue. I then did, as Johanna had and used some fabric to bind them together. I just made sure I had plenty of glue on the spine and under the fabric when I attached it.

I put a couple of heavy books on to of my journal so it would stay together while the glue dried. You can see the covers of the exercise books buckled a bit but that doesn’t worry me as they will be covered up. I also added washi tape to each side of the books to give the spine a bit more strength.

Today I have made some sections using pattern papers from the collections, to divide them up in my journal. I covered each of the joining covers with some pattern paper and that made dividers. This is the first pages inside. I made a pocket on the left with some spare journaling cards and a bit of embellishment, with the first Catagory for Notes.

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As you can see above in the slide show I have made the other dividers the same but with a different mix of the two collections. I used stickers and die cuts to embellish them.

On the backs of a few of the dividers, I adhered a clear 6×8 page protector. These are to hold recipes that I cut from magazines until I get a min to put them in their section. I also have some of mums handwritten ones I want to include.

Above, you can see what you can create from something that looked pretty ordinary into your own personal Journal. You could do this project for anything you want to record. This probably cost me about $10 to make with what I already used from my stash and the few papers etc I used from the kit I bought.  It is made to have our family favourite recipes and to the way, I wanted to keep them together for my boys 🙂

This is a look at the tabs I made for it.

I hope you like this project and you hop on over to Johanna’s Channel and have a go at making something for your self.

My next project is a fun journal for me to play and create in with a lovely group on FB called “Isolation Days Journal” Just some fun ladies getting together and creating while they #stayathome  I am also playing along with a new Scrapbooking group created by the lovely Fiona Kenward to get some scrapping done!!

Stay Tuned and thanks for stopping by x

Kerri x

“Craft Desk and Storage Ideas”

Hello Friends,

I hope you are having a lovely weekend. It is my rostered one-off, but as we have had a couple of girls away I am filling in the mornings!

I hope you are all going well and coping with the changes that are happening atm. My sons and I are still working. As a carer, I need to look after myself, to be able to look after our clients.  Jayden has an Easter Break coming up and Cody is still working at the Bakery. All our employers are doing as much as hey can to look after us also.

……….THIS POST IS A LITTLE LONG, SO READ ON IF YOU ARE GAME…….

I have been keeping busy de-cluttering my craft space and upcycling two shelf units. I also found a bargain corner desk that fits my space perfectly!!  I have the post about the shelves “HERE” if you would like a peek.

 

This is one of the shelves that I have set up next to my desk. I have been able to get rid of some old storage containers and declutter some junk!

The first three shelves I have wooden stamps on the top, some mixed media stuff, my stamp blocks and small stamps. The tins hold things like clips, flair, small alpha stamps, buttons, staples etc.

The next shelves hold my Stampin’ Up! Punches and stamps. I have my trusty baby wipes which are handy for cleaning up my mess, a few other punches, plus my large stapler and border tear rulers.

Above is my small guillotine, some stickers, washi tape, watercolour supplies and a basket with organza ribbons which I use a lot on my cards!

Under the desk, there was room for a cube storage unit. In the hat boxes, there are some JJ supplies and trims. I have my 6×8 albums, scrap paper, (to use) 6×8 cardstock, paper and page protectors on the bottom, plus some more JJ bits and pieces.

Here you can see it is in the corner of the lounge, near the front door. I have added some of my scrap layouts and canvases for decoration on the walls. The desk itself is a great size and my custom unit is sitting on it.

Even though I am in the corner, we have a huge front window which gives me great light during the day and I have this great lamp for night time crafting 🙂 I have plenty of space to make a mess!! The long wooden box, made from a couple of old fence pailings, makes nice storage. I have my smaller scissors, pens and some of my Tim Holtz goodies that I love! On the left is my photo printer, and trimmer on the other side.

This final photo shows my retired SU embellishment storage on the top which has small items like brads, buttons, eyelets, clips, sequins, pearls and charms.  I have jars of ribbons and trims, as I like to see supplies to use them. I have my Alcohol markers on the end, in a cosmetic case, I think I pinched from my sister!

On the second shelf, I have my small Memento inks, bigger tools like my roller stamp, crop-o-dile and scissors. I love my Rolodex of small stamps, watercolour pencils, photo supplies and my SU stamp positioner.

The last two shelves, hold my most used supplies, tools, inks, 6×6 paper, daubers, other stamps etc.

It has taken me a week do all this and one huge mess, but I am glad I did it. I have one more cupboard to clean out and my craft space should be pretty organised! hahahahahah!!!

I have a lovely cosy space now to inspire me to get some creating done!!!

Stay tuned for a post in the next few days about a Jouranrl that I am making. This not going out is good in one way, We find ways to amuse ourselves………….

Please stay safe and do the right thing by staying home if you don’t need to work or get groceries etc.

Have a great evening

Hugz Kerri x

 

“How Do You Print Photos?”

Hello, my lovely friends and followers,

I have had the day off and only a settle shift tonite. I am printing out photos for the album that I have created for my mums’ bestie and I thought you might like to see what I use……

I am not getting paid or any other benefit from this post. It is just the best printer I have ever used!!!!!!

I used to print from places like Big W and K Mart but as our closest one is Geelong it was a pain.  My boys bought me my first Canon Selphy Printer in 2002. It was a new 900 model then and I printed it to death!!!

For Xmas 2018 my awesome boys bought me the new 1200 model and it is still my favourite way of printing photos. For this printer, your ink and paper come together. I always buy the bulk 100 pack from INK DEPOT here in Australia. It is very user-friendly and easy to navigate.  The printer prints once for each colour (pink, yellow and blue) then the fourth time it puts a protective coating over your pic. They are 100 years archival safe. I have never had any pics go yellow or discolour.

As you can see above there are a few different printing options to get the most out of your paper and ink.

Top left – 2- 4x 6″ bordered prints, 2 -3×4 bordered prints, Borderless 4×6 which I cropped.

Bottom Left – 4×6 bordered print and a mixed 4×6 print which is an awesome option to have particularly for me when I scrap in my journal and smaller 6×8 layout size pages. you can also trim them to size for use on your projects.

Above are a few 8.5 x 11 layouts that I have made using the different size photos. This gives you an idea of how versatile the Selphy is. I hope this may have helped you if anyone is looking for a printing alternative and I highly recommend this wonderful printer!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great night!!

Happy Printing!!

Kerri xx

“A New Project”

Hi Friends, I hope your week is great so far………….Busy here as usual!

I don’t know if any of you are like me, but I like working on a few different projects at the same time. I feel more productive and it gives me variety in my craft. At the moment I am working on my prompt journal which I am really enjoying and trying out a bit of Art Journaling. Just a bit of messy fun!!!

I have decided…….. I want to make a few 6×8 page size scrapbook journals, but using the page protectors.  As much as I like using my journals for scrapping, I am very particular about how my work is stored.  I want it to be archival and safe to pass down to my children, grandchildren one day.  I am not using any more large albums and I want to stick to my journal type size.

  So with that in mind, I am using some pocket pages that I already have and I am going to make my own covers from chipboard and use binder rings to keep them together.  I have different sized protectors also, that I can add extra photos if needed.  I am also cutting down my 12×12 paper and cardstock to sort through what I will actually use and I will donate the rest to my nieces after school care program. I am only using my stash for this project apart from a few extra page protectors I have purchased.

I have gone through my cardstock and pattern paper and I have cut them down to 6×8 ready to use. I have sorted them into my categories of Floral, Journal, Grunge, Patterns, Vintage, and Speciality.

I decided to use the top tier of my Raskog cart to store my cardstock and pattern paper as it easy to get to and holds everything neatly. I added a box of the middle tier to keep my scrap paper in view so I would use it.

  As you can see it all sits organised and easy to access. Better than on a shelf where it would most likely fall off. To make the dividers I just recycled some backs off old 6×6 paper pads. I made the tabs using my trusty retired SU Tab Punch.  I will have an album for Our Family Year, Sisters, About me, Our pets and probably one each for my two boys.

I have been using my OLW “Inspiration” as I have been creating. This is another way for me to find inspiration and create more this year!! I hope I may have inspired you to try scrapbooking a different size layout or even to try making a journal to use.  Pop in later in the week as I hope to start some pages over my weekend off!!

I hope the rest of the week is great for you and thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting

Kerri xx

 

 

 

“Prompt 7-10 – Junk Journal”

Hi Friends,

I am feeling a lot better today than I have the last week or so. I started back to work this morning which was nice, as my client said he missed me 🙂  Yesterday, I went for a drive with my son and it was great to get outside.

I have completed a few more prompts on the JJ I am following along with Linda Israels January challenge on Youtube and in her FB group.

PROMPT 7 – Find a Poem that inspires you and create a page with inspiration from the poem you found. Journal about why the poem inspires you.

Prompt 7 video “HERE”

I used some watercolour paper and painted some ink on to it. I then added water droplets for some texture. I stamped the butterfly, with Stazon ink so it wouldn’t bleed, with my Stamparatas twice and cut one wing out, to use for the journaling. I attached it at the body so it would flip up. I added the poem and a smidge of embellishment.

PROMPT 8 – Write a compliment to yourself abut something you accomplished recently. Centre your journal page around that.

Prompt 8 Video “HERE”

 

I made a tag and covered it with a napkin. I just added a coffee dyed doily and a quote. I bit trim to finish it off.

This prompt was a little out of my comfort zone………..

I journaled that I do receive a few compliments from my friends usually about my hair or something I am wearing. To me, it feels a little funny and I think I get a bit anxious.

The compliment that I would make to my self would be…………….” that I am a good friend”   A couple of friends have been through rough patches and they were there for me when we lost mum and dad, plus my broken arm. It was nice to return the favour and be around for them to talk to if needed. I am pretty easy going and I feel most people can open up to me and feel at ease.

PROMPT 9 – Pick three colours for your journal age and only use them to create your page. Write about your favourite colour or why you picked these colours for your page.

Prompt 9 Video “HERE”

For this prompt, I picked the colours gree/pink/cream. I have been a blue girl all my life and I still love it but thought I would do something different as I  made a complete Blue Journal last year.

For this page, I wanted to make a flip out so I used some napkin with sealer over and under it to adhere it to a piece of cardstock. I then added a bit of lace trim when dry.

I then added taped to a small folded section on the left so it would open up to my journaling. I just added some pattern paper in those shabby chic colours that I liked. The paper under the journaling will stick out of the journal but that is just a fun element, like tabs you can use n your journal.

PROMPT 10 – Use an image from a book or magazine. Use it on your journal page and write about something that happened today that made you feel good………………

Prompt 10 Video “HERE”

I found this cute little kitty image in one of my Daphne’s Diary magazines and I thought he would look nice on the front of the little pocket I made for the journal tag. I just layered a few diff papers underneath and stamped the quote on the bottom. I journaled about the lovely day I had out with my son.

I hope you are enjoying the Prompts as much as I am. Hoping to get a few more done this week 🙂

Have a great Monday

Kerri x

 

 

 

“Prompt 4,5 & 6 – Junk Journal”

Hi, my friends,

“HAPPY VALENTINES DAY”……………………

Today, I am a still a bit under the weather, with some sort of buggy thing I have. Been back to the doc Wednesday and I have an infection.  I am off work the rest of the week and on Antibiotics and Ventolin. I haven’t been unwell for a long time and there goes my great record of no sickies in our house…………………..

Anyway…………… I thought I would post a couple more of the Prompts for my JJ I am following along with on Linda Israel on YouTube Channel and Facebook Group.

Prompt 4 –  To make a pocket and another tag/journal card to write about something you would like to change about yourself.

This Prompt is “HERE” for you to watch her video.

I had a denim jeans pocket from one of my kids’ jeans and I decided to use that for my pocket. I did a bit of hand stitching and added a few buttons. A doily and a bow in the middle to finish it off. I used the other tag I made, to journal about trying to change my fast-paced life and slow down and “enjoy the moments”  I am doing ok with this most of the time………….. to look after ME!!

Prompt 5 – Use a rubber stamp on your journal page, to your satisfaction. then on that page write about someone special in your life…………………. You can see the video “HERE”

For this prompt, I used a notecard from a paper pad and folded it in half. I used a leaf stamp and stamped off the page all around to create a border. I then used the notecard to journal about my sister Alison, who is a very special person in my life……………………

 I thought to hold it, I would make a belly band from a piece of pattern paper and slip it underneath to hold it in place. as it is personal I didn’t want it showing on the page. I used a piece of copy dyed paper and some washi tape to embellish it.

Prompt 6 – Paint some Junk mail and use in your journal as a background.  Journal about a Goal you want to achieve this year.  The video for this one is “HERE” 

I don’t as a rule get much junk mail, as I do most things now on line.

I had an older BHG magazine, so I tore the back cover of it and use half for my page background.   I used Gesso over the top to cover up the writing and pictures then I sprayed some mist through a stencil. when that dried I add some ink through another stencil to soften the look of it. I used a calendar card I had to journal on and just baked it with a piece of plain cardstock and inked the edges.

The Goal I journaled about, was about getting my mental and physical health back on track, exercising and I have even started running. I finished the page off with a couple of wood embellishments, twine and washi tape.

I hope you are enjoying these prompts if you are playing along with me, as I am.

Have a great ValentinesDay

Kerri xx