Just a hint of Spring - Matted Wrap Journal

Hi, Crafty Friends!!

Spring is here... It has been playing mean tricks on people but it's here!! Well, at least in my area it's here! And my lawn is growing like crazy and my backyard is in need of some major trimming!! But with all this growth comes all the beautiful wildflowers. I love wildflowers so that's a major plus!

Speaking of plus... I've been meaning to make another matted journal! I didn't forget, I promise just ridiculously busy! Who would've known that the creative life could be so busy??!!

So, here it is, finally!! And it's a WRAP AROUND JOURNAL TOO!!

Supplies Used

Eileen Hull Wrap Journal (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Passport Die (Sizzix)

Mat Board (Sizzix)

Creative Station Lite w/ Permanent Adhesive Refill (Xyron)

Plastic Table Mat

Black Chalkboard Paint (Prima Marketing)

Tangerine Berry Blossom (PrimaMarketing)

Beads & Chains (Prima Marketing)

Metal Flower Embellishment (Momenta)

Acrylic Heart Charms

Magnetic Discs

2 mm Black Elastic Cord

110 lb White Cardstock

I started with die-cutting a piece of Sizzix Mat Board using Eileen Hull's Wrap Journal and a Big Shot machine. This is an XL die, so you'll need extended cutting plates. The cutting area is also VERY LONG! It cuts the mat board from end to end! 

I did not die cut my plastic mat. Instead, I cut it into segmented panels. The only piece I cut to exact size was the center panel. I wanted the texture of the mat to completely cover that center piece. But the two end flaps I just made sure that scalloped edge was incorporated onto that area with a  bit of a gap to the edge.

Then, I ran the table mat through my Xyron Creative Station Lite. Then gave it a good burnishing with a bone folder before peeling it off and applying them to my mat board. 

Once it was applied to the matboard, I trimmed off any overhang with a pair of non-stick scissors.

Next, I cut my inserts and pages. I found that Eileen Hull's Passport Die's pages fit PERFECTLY!  And because it's a steel rule die, I was able to cut multiple pages at a time.  I cut a combination of white, black, cream, and patterned papers to make my inserts.

I strung them together with just a little bit of twine tied into a basic knot. Then set them aside.

I covered the front of wrap journal cover with black chalkboard paint. I heat set it to speed up the drying then flipped it over and painted the back (inside) of the cover.

Using my finger as an applicator, I rubbed Pebeo Guilding wax over top. it really made all textured details pop!

I string elastic through the spine of the journal cover. These are to hold the inserts in place. I didn't do anything fancy, no fancy weaving in and out, just a single strand through each pair of holes tied together with a basic knot.

I trimmed the excess off and slid an insert under each elastic band.

I tied some beaded charms down the spine. I used a jump ring to anchor them to the two center holes. 

Then, added a double magnet closure. This will ensure that the wrap journal stay closed and secure.

Here's a little peek at the inside of my journal.

I didn't want to take away from all the beautiful texture so I" kept the embellishment to a minimum with a just a small leaf, budded stem, and metal flower. 

And here is my finished Wrap Journal.

Mother nature is playing games this year and can't seem to make up her mind. A lot of my friends still have snowfall. That is just insane!! And the weather here,...we'll have sunshine and 80 degree temps one day and severe thunderstorms and flash flood warnings in effect for the next. Seriously, with screwy weather and temps fluctuating 40 degrees day by day (sometimes on the same day) no wonder people get sick!

This journal reminds me of this years Spring... kind of dark but a little glimpse of green! I'm hoping Spring will be here soon for EVERYONE! I love snow but there's a time when all good things come to an end. Besides, flowers are better than snowflakes any day!! Hahaha!

Hope you all enjoyed this tutorial!

Happy Spring

& HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsyana

Shabby Chic Love Journal

Hello, Crafty Friends! I'm back again for my LAST post of the term for Team Xyron. It has been a incredible year. One that I won't soon forget. As our term comes to an end, we were asked to make our last post about our FAVORITE Xyron product. And let me tell you, it was not an easy decision.

It was extremely hard to choose... why? Because Xyron makes tons of awesome products. Many of which I use on a daily basis and all of which are my "go-tos". So, I had to approach this question from a different angle... Which of my favorites had the most versatility, which one could do more? Because if it can do a lot more than the rest then surely it would reign supreme.

And the answer to my questions was a no-brainer... 

The Creative Station!!!

So, for my project today, I using the "Big Daddy" of Xyron Adhesive Machines, the Xyron Creative Station, to create another fave of mine... a journal!! A romantic, shabby chic, "Love" Journal to be more precise!

Supplies Used

Xyron Creative Station w/ 9" & 5" Permanent Refill

Eileen Hull Journal Die (Sizzix) 

Eileen  Hull Trinket Box & Frame Die (Sizzix)

Meet Me In Paris Stack (DCWV)

Chipboard

Embossed Felt (Kunin)

Rose Buds-Cream (Little Birdie Crafts)

Flower Clippings (Prima Marketing)

Paper Leaves (Recollection)

Mechanicals- Tin Hearts, Grungy Butterflies, & Vintage Trinket Flowers (Prima)

Tim Holtz- Word Bands (Advantus Corp)

Guilding Wax (Pebeo)

Tim Holtz Acyrlic Stamps 

Distress Inks- Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain (Ranger)

I start off with cutting my materials down to die-cuttable widths (6"x12"). Then I run my paper through my Creative Station and adhere it to the chipboard on both sides. I just created a double-sided patterned chipboard. I repeat that step on a second chipboard piece. Then I die-cut both these newly covered panels using Eileen Hull's Journal Die and set them aside.

Ok, so the BIG work was taken care of. I still need my adhesive machine but I don't need larger sheets of adhesive... what to do, what to do... easy, I convert it!! I switch out my Large 9" cartridge for a smaller 5" one. It's soo easy-peasy.

Simply push in the top latch to release the lid, grip the 9" cartridge and pull straight up. Next, lift the little green partition, then slide in the 5" inch cartridge. Make sure your adhesive sheet is in between your two rollers, and close your lide till it clicks. BOOM, DONE!!

 Now, this bad boy is ready to go! I can run smaller object through with less waste. Becasue let's face it... our adhesive is like gold!! And we don't wan to waste gold!

But just because it smaller or less wide, doesn't mean that this puppy can do less... Nope... not at all!

The Creative Station can create self-adhesive Chipboard (YAY, Chipboard Stickers)! It can turn cut out journaling cards into homemade stickers!! Do you know how much embellishments like these cost in store? Too much if you ask me... I can just make them at home for a few cents!

Look how gorgeous they are decorating this journal insert!!

I'm not even close to coming to an end of the list of things this "magical" mchine can do... yes, I said magical... because how else can you also add adhesive to FELT and CHEESE CLOTH?? YESSSS, you heard me right... I ran both through my Creative Station!!

I've made my own self adhesive chipboard sticker, self adhesive felt, and self adhesive cheesecloth!!

All of these thing make my journal making a breeze!! I don't have to sit around to wait for massive amounts of glue to dry! Just BAM, BAM, BAM!!

Felt on... Check!

Cheease cloth on... Check!

Chipboard Frame on... Checkity check check!!!

The only wet glue I used was for my flowers and if those were'nt stacked so high I'd probably try to run those through too! The Xyron Creative Station can take widths up to 1/4" (think the width of a nickel). But shhh, I'm going to tell you a little secret of mine... pop the lid open, just let it rest closed and don not click it  shut. This gives you just a little more "breathing room". And instead a cranking your item through, give the adhesive film a gentle pull from behind the machine. 

**Disclaimer** 

This is my personal method and is not advised or recommended by Xyron. Use this technique at your own risk and discretion.

Hahahaha... just had  to let you all know that!

And here is my finshed Journal...

I hope you loved this project as much as I did!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsyana

***Disclaimer***

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.

Mixed Media - Awaken the Soul - Journal

Hi, Crafty Friends!! 

I'm back again with another Mixed Media Journal Project today. Since discovering that I can dramatically shorten the length of time I can put these bad boys together I have been even more addicted to making them!

I can't get enough of Eileen Hull's Journal Die! Journals are so on trend but tend to get very pricey when buying pre-made ones. But with Eileen's Heartfelt Journal die from Sizzix I can make as many as I want whenever I want and customize and personalize each one, making them as extravagant or as minimalistic as I want.

This and my last journal are quite detailed. But just because they're detailed doesn't necessarily mean difficult. Let me show you how I made this journal using unexpected materials.

Supplies Used

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Heartfelt Journal Die (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Book & Pages, Trinket Box & Frame (Sizzix)- COMING SOON

Mat Board (Sizzix)

Brick Wall Stencil (Little Birdie Crafts)

Chipboard

Natural Burlap Stack (DCWV)

Corrugated Cardstock (DCWV)

Cheesecloth/ Gauze

Creative Station (Xyron)

Whipped Spackle (Faber-Castell)

Black Chalkboard Paint (Prima Marketing)

Art Alchemy AcrylicPaint - Emerald Green (Prima Marketing)

Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint-Opal Magic Blue Pink (Prima Marketing)

Mechanicals Tin Hearts (Prima Marketing)

Art Ingredients Mélange Art Pebbles (Prima Marketing)

Gilded Life Large Heart Bezel (Spellbinders)

Pebeo Gilding Wax- Silver (Crafter's Companion)

Pebeo Gilding Wax- Empire Gold (Crafter's Companion)

Pebeo Gilding Wax- Renaissance Gold (Crafter's Companion)

Pegasus Pony (Dollar Store/ King Dollar)

Mixed Media Glue (Beacon)

I started by cutting my chipboard, burlap sheet, and corrugated cardstock into 6"x 9" pieces.

Then I ran the CHIPBOARD pieces through my Xyron Creative Station. Once I ran it through I flipped it over and ran it through one more time. This way I have adhesive on both sides. I repeated this for both pieces of chipboard.

Once both pieces of chipboard were covered in adhesive, I peeled back the protective film and attached a burlap sheet to one side and a corrugated sheet to the other. I repeated those steps for the second piece of chipboard as well. These will be my covers.

I ran my covered chipboard through my Sizzix Big Shot using my Eileen 

Hull Journal Die (Corrugated side FACE DOWN, against the blade).

Then added Mixed Media Glue to the spine and adhered them together, Lining them up using the pre-cut holes. Then clipped the ends together with a clip and set a heavy object on top till the glue set.

 While that was drying, I ran pieces of cheesecloth and burlap I randomly cut up through my Xyron Creative Station.

Then applied the burlap and cheesecloth onto the front of my cover.

I die cut a frame from Eileen's NEW Book & Pages, Trinket Box & Frame from white Mat Board. 

I used Little Birdie's Brick wall spackle with some Whipped Spackle to stencil on some texture.

 Once the paste was dry, I ran the frame through my Creative Station, Peeled off the protective film and applied it onto the front cover over the cheesecloth. 

Then added a little fleur de lis metal embellishment to the top of the frame.

Here's a little something unexpected... Just like my last journal, I used plastic toys to build my mixed media piece. I found the plastic pegasus pony at my local King Dollar Store. I love her hot pink color but she's not the prettiest looking pony... but upon further inspection, her wings are absolutely GORGEOUS!! So much detail and texture just in her wings... I just had to take her home and sacrifice her for a greater cause.

Yes, I killed a pony. I'm not a bad person (I promise) but I have to say... I most definitely would and WILL do it again. Sorry kids... Just look away!!

I yanked out her wings... which surprisingly were easy to dismember from her body. Then trimmed off the stumpy plugs off the ends.

WOOT WOOT!! A huge pair of pretty WINGS for a little over $1!! WIN!!

Then, I used mixed media glue to attach the wings to the center of my frame.

And glued a metal heart bezel over top using more mixed media glue. There was quite a bit of a gap so I used some craft foam to fill that uneven space under the bezel.

I used more foam under the tin metal heart and glued it onto the top of the bezel.

While the glue was setting I placed an ink pad between my cover flaps to keep it level so the embellishments don't slide before they set.

Then I added these clear art pebbles for added interest.

Once the glue set, I painted the entire cover and embellishments with black chalkboard paint.

I dry brushed on emerald green and opal magic blue pink acrylic paint over the wings, burlap, pebbles, and bezel.

I ended up repainting the center of the heart and the frame black. I didn't like the grout of my brick green and I wanted the gilding wax to stand out. It really stands out and does best over black.

Then I applied gilding wax over all the metal embellishments and random raised areas along the cover. Rubbers lightly over the grooves in the corrugate, mesh, and burlap... and also tips of the wings and over the brick of the frame.

 I brushed on black chalkboard paint over my Tim Holtz Word Band then rubbed off the excess. I just wanted the paint in the recessed areas in the words. then attached it to the front cover under the frame.

 Then I painted over the back flap and insides with more chalkboard paint and set it aside to dry.

After my journal was dried, I threaded elastic strands through the pre-cut holes and tied the ends into a knot. Then inserted black page inserts I had made earlier... to see how I made my journal inserts, please visit my previous journal making post.

I personally think plain white pages in dark journals look awkward but black pages look amazing!! 

But you can use whatever inserts you like.

And here is my finished journal...

Close Ups

I really enjoyed making this journal! I've been meaning to try more Mixed Media art and I'm so glad I have!! 

I hope you enjoyed to this project and it inspires you to give mixed media a try!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsy

***Disclaimer***

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.

Victorian Inspired Cantilever Jewelry Box

Hello, Crafty Friends!! Happy Thursday! 

I'm super excited to be back with Team Xyron today. We have partnered up with Paper House all week to bring you fantastic projects all week! 

And today, I made this Victorian Inspired Cantilever Jewelry Box.

I absolutely love brooches and pins. My mother is a fanatic. She wears a brooch on almost every outfit she has on. She was the one who started me on my brooch loving journey. She has given me some over the years and a few I still have till this day. Some were old and passed on to me, and some were brand spakin' sparkly, shiny, and new. 

Even though I love the bling and the shine of the new, I love the older ones more. They have a history. They tell a story of the people who have handed it down. And now their story become my story. Because my family and their history is a big part of who I am.

And even though I love these little shiny badges of pride. They all have one thing in common, a need for space. I hate when the get jumbled up on one another. I don't have a ton of brooches so a massive jewelry box didn't seem appropriate. So instead, I made this little jewelry box to store and house them neatly.

Supplies Used

One Big Happy Family Paper Crafting Kit(Paper House)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

3" Sticker Maker (Xyron)

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Cantilever Sewing Box (Sizzix)

Memory Hardware - Montagnac Antique Cord Chain - Copper (Prima Marketing Inc.)

Vintage Mechanicals - Flowers Large (Prima Marketing Inc.)

Chipboard

Brads

Hot Gue Gun

Rubberband

Scissors

I started by cutting 6 pieces of chipboard to 5"x 6". 

I also cut 3 pieces each of the Grandparents Tags (Blue Floral) and One Big Happy Family (Burnt Orange Print) down to 5"x 6" pieces.

Then, ran the patterned paper through my Creative Station Lite. Once through I gave them a good burnishing with a bone folder to ensure maximum adhesion.

I peeled back the protective film and attached a sheet of each patterned paper to each chipboard piece.

Now that the chipboard is double sided, I die cut 6 drawer boxes using a Cantilever Box Die (making sure to place the chipboard piece only over the drawer box section of the die and placing blue floral side down).

Then, I folded up the drawer walls along the crease lines.

While the sided are folded up, secure walls by wrapping a rubber band around them. Then add hot glue to all 4 corners.

Repeat for all 6 drawer boxes.

Next, Hot glue two boxes together along its shorter walls. This is will be your bottom base drawers.

 I repeated the same step above for the lever pieces using the Love Lives Here paper. These pieces measured 2-3/4" x 6"(before die cutting).

I fastened the levers with brads, arranging them diagonally and then attaching with brads.

 I die cut the 2 feet and the 2 lids and hot glued them in place.

I cut a metal embellishment in half (one for each side) and adhere to tops. Then I topped with a flower (only glue down to one of the drawers).

At the last minute, I added these copper chains by just taking out the brads and inserting the prongs in between the links before inserting back into the holes.

And here is my finished jewelry box for my pins!!

I absolutely love it!!

I hope you enjoyed today's project! If you would like to see more creative inspiration please stop by Facebook and visit the Xyron and Paper House pages.

And as a special treat, Xyron is giving away a prize package! YAY!!

All you have to do is visit their page and comment on any of the Xyron/Paper House projects posted during the week! Easy Peasy!

I hope you were inspired and 

HAVE A SUPER CRAFTY DAY!!

~Mitsy

**DISCLAIMER**

This was a sponsored post. I did receive product to endorse prior to making this fabulous project. However, the designs, ideas, and opinions on this blog are 100% my own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the companies above.

Encourage Your Hopes

Hello, Crafty Friends! 

I'm back again with Team Xyron... and this week we partnered with the wonderful people at DCWV to bring you tons of inspirational projects!

This week I had the privilege to play with one of DCWV's newest paper stacks called Meet Me In Paris...

I was beyond excited because I had instantly fallen in love with it when first saw it at Creativation this past winter. This stack is GORGEOUS!! Oh, how I wish I could take it home me (that and many of their other stacks as well). 

Fast forward to the present and I couldn't be happier that it made its way home to me! If you are looking for papers that are utterly and romanticly charming, then this is the stack for you! 

So I used these beautiful papers to make this stunning encouragement card.

Supplies Used

Meet Me In Paris Stack (DCWV)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Eileen Hull Stitchy Flowers & Leaf Dies (Sizzix)

Chalkboard Paint (Prima Marketing Inc.)

Finnabair Art Ingredients- Texture Powder, White  (Prima Marketing Inc.)

Opal Magic- Rose Gold Acrylic Paint (Prima Marketing Inc.)

Finnabair Mechanicals - Grungy (Prima Marketing Inc.)

Finnabair Mechanicals - Vintage Trinkets (Prima Marketing Inc.)

Tim Holtz Idea-ology- Word Bands (Advantus)

Tim Holtz Distress Oxide - Peeled Paint, Worn Lipstick (Ranger)

Tim Holtz Distress Ink- Walnut Stain (Ranger)

Flourish Frames Evie (Gypsie Soul Laser Cuts)

Fabri-Tac

Brads

Self Adhesive Rhinestones

Crinkle Ribbon

 I started by cutting my paper down to 4.25" x 11". Then folded it in half to create a standard A2 sized card base. I also trimmed down a piece of patterned paper down to 4"x 5.25" creating a card mat.

I cut 2" and 3" squares from coordinating papers. Using Eileen Hull's Stitchy Flowers & Leaf dies, I die cut flowers 3 large flowers, 4 6pt flowers, and 3 of the small 4 pt flowers. I also die cut 3 Large and 2 small stamens but ultimately decided against using those smaller stamens.

 With a scissor, I made cuts toward the center of the flowers creating longer petals.

Then, I inked the edges of all the flower petals using Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

 To make the small rose I used 4 - 6 petaled flowers and dampened them using a water brush. I shaped and curled the petals. Then layered them inside of each other and secured it together with liquid adhesive.

 For the larger flower bloom, I used the 3 large flowers that I made incisions into and again used my water brush to dampen and shape my flowers. To speed up the drying time and make the flowers firmer I heat set the flowers.

I layered the flowers and secured with more adhesive. Then repeated the same steps on the stamens.

Then. I attached a rhinestone cabochon to the sender.

The flower ended up being a little too brown for me so I decided to brush on a little Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide ink onto the flower petals.

 This flourished frame from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts was so pretty but seemed so flat... So I added texture by brushing on a mixture I made by mixing black chalkboard paint and texture powder.

Then dry brushed Rose Gold Opal Magic Acrylic Paint over the raised texture.

 I die cut 3 leaves (also from the Stitchy Flowers & Leaf die set). Then inked them with peeled paint distress oxide ink and heat set it.

I folded and cresed my leaves. Then inked Walnut Stain Distress Inks over the creased edges.

 Next, I inked around the edges of the card mat with more Walnut Stain ink.

I centered and attached the card mat to the front of the card base using my Xyron Mega Runner.

Then, attached the frame to the front of the card using more Mega Runner adhesive. The dot matrix system ensures that the adhesive sticks only where I need it to.

Then using a strong liquid adhesive I attached my metal leaves and bow to the frame. Then attached the leaves and flowers over top. 

Lastly attaching the metal butterfly and word band sentiment across the frame.

And here is my finished card...

I hope you enjoyed my project for the day and even more so I really hope you enjoyed Wrapping up our fantastic week with DCWV!!

Please come back and visit soon! 

But until then, 

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~ Mitsy