You & Me "Couple's" Travel Journal

Hello Crafty Friends!!

Today I'm so excited to be able to share with you all another project featuring the long anticipated Journal die from Sizzix by Eileen Hull!

I created this "Couple's" Travel Journal. This is kind of like a scrapbook/ art journal all-in-one to take on the go when you and your significant other get a chance to "get away". You can jot down eateries or favorite hot spots, snap pics or sketch, slip in memorabilia all in one convenient little book.

Supplies Used

Eileen Hull's XL Journal Die (Sizzix)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

3" Sticker Maker (Xyron)

Linen Closet Stack (DCWV)

Chipboard

Traveler's Journal Blank Inserts

Thin Black Elastic

Tan Headband Elastic

Cream Crinkle Ribbon

Heart Lock Metal Embellishments (Michael's)

These journals are incredibly easy to make, you will not believe it!

First, I started by cutting out two pieces of the journal covers out of chipboard using the Journal die from Eileen Hull's new Heartfelt collection.

I also cut two pieces of patterned paper from DCWV's Linen Closet Stack, to cover the outside and the inside of the book covers.

I inked the edges of all 4 pieces using Jumbo Java Chalk ink and a sponge dauber. 

Then ran all 4 pieces through my Xyron Creative Station Lite and attached to my chipboard pieces.

I overlapped the spine and glued them together, lining up the middle holes.

When dried, I threaded a strand of elastic through each set of holes, for a total of 3 sets.

I wrapped a thicker elastic around the journal for a closure, looped a heart lock charm, and tied it off through the center hole. 

For the inside, I slipped in 3 plain Kraft inserts with plain white blank pages but added a few minor touches...

I adhered pockets, journaling tags, and cutouts to dress up the insides.

Then added crinkled ribbon and another heart charm to the spine.

And here is my finished journal...

Christmas Cookies Canister

Hello Crafty Friends!! It's December already! Where has the year gone?! I think we just fast forwarded to Winter and totally skipped over fall! Seriously, I just put away my Halloween decorations!

Oh well, it's CHRISTMAS time!! WEEEEEE!!! 

Time to break out the Christmas trees, garland, and wreaths!! And also let's not forget the tiny details that make holiday decorating complete...

Like this gorgeous Christmas Cookie Canister!!

Supplies Used

Cranberry Christmas Stack (DCWV)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

3" Sticker Maker (Xyron)

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Kitchen Canisters (Eileen Hull/ Sizzix)

Stitched Circles Dies (Pink and Main)

Frosty Snowflake

Paper Trimmer

Drill Punch

Black Chipboard

Craft Foam 

White Cardstock

Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Door Pull/knob (Michael's)

Idea-ology- Foundations (Tim Holtz)

Holiday Lights Metal Charms (Blue Moon Beads)

Crinkle Ribbon

Eyelash Yarn

Mini Clothespins (Optional)

I started by trimming my patterned papers and chipboard down to workable 6"x 12" pieces. The opening of my die cut machine is only 6" wide and I need my material small enough to fit through that opening to die-cut them.

I placed my patterned paper faced down onto the die (facing toward the blade) and layered my chipboard onto it. Then ran both together through my die-cutting machine.

The results are perfectly creased chipboard cut-outs and segmented paper pieces. 

My patterned paper wasn't completely detached and that's just the way I like it. I ran them through my Creative Station Lite being careful that I didn't separate the pieces.

This way I know which order they go in.

Then one by one I removed the pieces and attached them onto the coordinating chipboard pieces.

After attaching the patterned paper, I folded along the crease lines.

I purposely did not attach patterned paper to the flaps that will be glued. This make it easier to spot and remember which pieces need to be tucked and folded under.

I attached my flaps using clear adhesive, then used mini clothespins to hold in place till the glue set. 

For the bottom piece, I added glue to all four flaps then slid them through the box sides and tucked them all in at the same time.

Once the adhesive dried I used a drill punch to make a hole. I attached my drawer pull/ knob through hole and secured with a washer and bolt that came included with it.

Next, I attached my foundations. You can attach them with brads, but I've found a generous amount of glue works just as well. 

I die cut circles out of the same patterned paper I used for the lid and craft foam, then ran them through my 3" Xyron Sticker Maker.

I also die cut a snowflake white cardstock and out of more foam. Then ran them through my sticker maker.

I layered the pieces onto the front of my canister.

I wrapped eyelash thread around the knob topper. Then added a multi looped bow and metal snowflake charm.

And here is my finished canister...

This would be great for wrapping homemade cookies as gifts or for a fancy way of setting out special cookies for Santa!! 

I hope you enjoyed this project for today!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsy

Christmas Tea Cup

Hello, Crafty Friends!! This Month DCWV & Eileen Hull Designs are proud to bring you a month long of creative and inspirational projects with our Winter Wonderland Blog Hop!! Join Team Eileen Hull (every Tuesday) and Team DCWV (every Friday) throughout the month of November.

Family traditions are always memorable. Many family traditions help us shape who we are and sometime who we will be. Growing up surrounded by my huge family, I remember many nights of late night cooking and sleepovers with my cousins. Followed by huge family gatherings where we stuffed our faces till we passed out on someone's living room floor.

Those days are long gone since I moved to Texas.

But often, new environments give way for new experiences, which in turn give way for new traditions. Now, we have fewer traditions. That doesn't mean that they are any less special but it does mean my holidays are less hectic... which I'm OK with! Hey, this busy mommy will take any break she can get!!

One holiday tradition I have grown to love is (this is on my hubby's side of the family) all the matrons/ aunts makes handmade gifts to share. Each makes a certain crafty projects,duplicates it in bulk, then gifts it to each family. Being the crafty nut that I am, I thought this tradition was FABULOUS!! Crafts can be as elaborate or as simple as you choose... again, FABULOUS! Because, let's face it, sometimes we just get too tired or too busy to come up with an extravagant gift each and every year!!

This year I'm thinking of meeting somewhere in the middle...

So, today I'm sharing this Christmas Tea Cup Party Favors!

Supplies Used

Cranberry Christmas Stack (DCWV)

Gilded Gray Stack (DCWV)

Eileen Hull Designs XL Tea Cup 3-D Die (Sizzix)

Twist and Style Craft Tool (Sizzix)

Mat Board (Sizzix)

Holiday Lights Christmas Metal Charms (Blue Moon Beads)

Holiday Lights Twine X-mas Multi (Blue Moon Beads)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Budding Branch

Glossy Accents (Ranger)

White Opaque Gel Pen (Sakura)

Glitter Gel Pen (Sakura)

Paper Flowers(Michaels)

Paper Leaves (Prima)

Stamens (Wilton)

Eyelash Yarn

I used DCWV's Cranberry Christmas for the majority of this project.

This stack is absolutely gorgeous and  includes many "foiled" designs!

I used Sizzix Matboard as my base. These come in a pack of 6 - 6''x13" sheets.

I started by cutting my tea cup pieces out of mat board using Eileen Hull's  3-D Tea Cup. I made sure to cut out an extra tea cup, one for the front of the box and one for the back... this was the only shape on the die I had to cut twice.

Then, I used the same die to cut the same pieces out of patterned paper. 

To get the reverse/ flipped version of the tea cup, simply flip your paper over and cut on the opposite or underside.

Here are my die-cut pieces cut from matboard. I needed the amount shown above (left)... a saucer(base), tag, 2 tea cups (mirrored images of itself), and the box.

I didn't need the flaps to the patterned paper box cut outs so I discarded them, then cut down that die-cut into segments where they are creased.

Next, I ran my patterned paper pieces into my Xyron Creative Station machine. Attached them onto their match mat board pieces, folded and creased the boxes' flaps (and set aside). Then sanded down the edges.

I die cut another more paper with a contrasting pattern. This time just the top half of the die cuts were cut out. Then I attached them over the existing pieces.

Then I adhered the pieces together with glossy accents. You can use hot glue if you prefer.

I embellished with flowers, leaves, stamen, and eyelash yarn.

 I embellished the cute little mat board tag with leftover paper I had used on the tea cup and added a cute leaping reindeer charm from Blue Moon Beads. I also cut out a snowflake from one of the sheets from the Cranberry Christmas stack.

I needed something to tie my bag off with. I really love the look of baker's twine but wanted something a little more bulkier, kind of like the rope around Santa's gift sack... I was able to replicate that by using Eileen hull's Twist and Style Tool.

I simply used 3 strands of bakers twine, knotted them on both ends, pull taunt, then cranked!! 

Eileen gives a wonderful demonstration on how easy this tool is HERE.

I love how thick and lovely my twine rope turned out!! It made the great finishing touch on my Christmas Tea Cups!! 

And here is the finished favor box... 

I can't believe something as simple as candy canes can look so rich and elegant!

I hope you enjoyed my project for today!!

For MORE inspiration from BOTH teams please visit their blogs at

DCWV Inc.

and 

Eileen Hull Designs

I hope you will go and start your own holiday traditions...

***WINK, WINK***Crafty ones are pretty awesome!!

HUGS to you all!!

~Mitsy