Leather Mini Gelli Journal

Hey, Froggers. Whoo-wee! It's been a busy time. 

I'm sorry for the delay for the Part II of "Clean Your Craft Mat With Skin Peelings." Part I can be found here, and I promise to try to get Part II written within the next few days. However, it did turn out really COOL!

I've been wanting to try my hand at sewing a simple binding on a journal, and I came up with this little Gelli Print journal. 

I had a leather sample that was the perfect size- about 5x7". 

I made a signature of 4 pieces of mixed media paper of Gelli prints that I had printed a few weeks ago.

Two pieces were smaller than the other two, but I was OK with that. I just put them in the center.

There was no rhyme or reason to my patterns. I mainly just used colors that I liked and my stencils that can be found in my Etsy shop here. If you haven't visited my shop, I encourage you to look at some of the very cool designs that I have created, especially the mask medallions that I made especially for the plate. Here's a sample:

I wanted to do a very simple stitch since this was my first stitched journal. The one I ended up doing is called a 5-hole pamphlet stitch. I found some instructions here. This is absolutely the simplest stitch. I didn't have linen thread, so I used waxed thread that I bought in the jewelry section of my local crack craft store.

Since the mixed media paper is quite sturdy, the book doesn't stay closed on its own, so I tucked a long piece of hand-dyed crinkle ribbon into one of the loops to secure it. That way, I can tie the book closed.

Because there was a big grommet in the front (after all, it WAS a sample), I covered it up with a die cut leather flower, added a vintage button, and swiped it with a little bit of white gesso. Of course, I just HAD to stamp it with a hand carved stamp. This one is my key logo for my shop. 

So, what would YOU put in this little journal? I'm thinking a few fave scriptures with a little bit of embellishing, drawing, or doodling, perhaps about God's promises, or things He is teaching me about myself. Hmmm?

Thanks again for stopping by!

Fondly, Tami

Getting My December Daily Challenge ON!

Hey again, Peeps. Whew! The holidays sure are ramping up, but I'm excited to participate in the December Daily because it keeps me focused on what is REALLY important- spending time in the Craft Room!!!

So, here are my first two pages. The first one was a white on white "suggestion". Since I love white on white, it wasn't a problem at all.

It's always hard for me to start a new journal. I have to get over several things:
1. That it has to be perfect.
2. That there has to be a cohesive theme.
3. That it has to be perfect.

So, with this journal, I'm embracing imperfection. I have several things I want to journal about, and if one doesn't jive with the other, that's OK. This is my PLAY time.

I've gone through some revelations lately, so I'm going to include them this month. I've had to re-define some boundaries concerning some relationships, so I'm going to write about that, as well as celebrating every-day life. I'm also including some materials from this month's Brave Girls Club Soul School, which is a fabulous course. So. Many. Good. Things.

So, in keeping with my new-found love of hand-carved stamps (see blog post here), I wanted to have a lined area for my journaling, so I made a stamp.

So, here is my first page in the journal. Pretty self-explanatory.

Ha! I did end up covering up some mistakes. Kinda ironic.

I often over-think my work. I think it's because since I'm in the business of designing and selling my crafts, that I think everything has to be perfect (like I endeavor to do for my customers). However, sometimes I need to just sit back and have fun.

And here's the page for Dec. 2. I included some interactive journaling cards that open up. This might become a trend.

Here are the cards.

And inside, I wrote about places where I'm peaceful.

Card 2

And inside, how I can seek peace:

And, here is the layout. I've never really liked my handwriting, but it's all a part of who I am, so I'm going to write more instead of relying on a cute font from my printer.

Of course, I had to do a little painting and doodling.

And I included the cute pin that came with my Brave Girls Soul School subscription.

And, I even sat at the sewing machine, which isn't my fave thing to do, but I love the effect. A few pearl embellies later, and I was done. I do have to remember to punch my holes in my pages before I start adding junque, so that I don't cover over those areas. After all, it DOES need to be somewhat functional and put together, not unlike me.

Thanks for looking! Stay tuned for the next few days' layouts!

Fondly, Tami

Join Me in the December Daily Journal Challenge!

Hey, Peeps! It's been a while. 

I've discovered since my Dr. has helped me with my chronic pain, I've been on the GO! I've loved it, but I've also discovered that I'm on my computer less and less. I think that's a good thing!

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I'm participating in a December Daily challenge, making a book to journal during December. Sue Hiles is heading it up, and she's a hoot. Her YouTube channel can be found here, and the challenge is open to anyone that wants to join. You can join the Facebook group here. Sue is a great leader, and the challenge is reasonable and fun. It has already caused me to spend more time creating in my craft room, so that's a good thing!

I thought I'd share the beginnings of my journal with you. I started with an old book that I slaughtered. I took the covers off, covered them with gesso, and then decorated the front (the back will be done later). 

Here's the gesso covered cover. Wooooo.

I stamped a dried tea bag with one of my hand-carved stamps, some of which are available in my Etsy shop here.

I decoupaged a hymnal carol, an old post card, and the stamped tea bag. Then, I spattered it with metallic silver alcohol ink and added some rubons.

Add a stamp of bubble wrap covered with gesso...

...and using my hand-carved snowflake stamp (stay tuned for a blog post about how to turn your stencils into stamps)...

 I embossed some snowflakes. I didn't want that much "chatter" (the lines that you see on a hand-carved stamp), so I rubbed some of the powder away before I heat embossed it.

Before the cover got too "junked up", I punched two holes to put my binder rings through. I just eyeballed it.

Then I layered lots of "stuff". I had some fabric remnants, so I ran them through my Big Shot using a steel rule poinsettia dye.

A close-up of the "stuff". 

Embossed snowflake and some burlap.

Of course, I need the date.

Doodles.

And, today, Sue issued a "flash challenge". We had 24 hours to make a tag. I decided to make a tag from a Coldwater Creek (may it rest in peace) tag from an article of clothing. I covered it with gesso.

I decided to emboss "to the world" from my Joy to the World Tag Stencil. 

I masked off the area I didn't want to include with paper tape.

I inked the area up using the embossing resist reinker and then I embossed it with aged ochre embossing enamel.

A little stamping, some embellies, and a bow later, it's a cute little tag that I will use later in the book. The words turned out a little gloppy (because I was a little "generous" with the embossing reinker), but I liked the look.

Stay tuned for the next December Daily challenge.

Thanks again for checking this out! 

Fondly, Tami

New Junk Journal

Hey again, Peeps. Here's a new journal that I made for my Etsy shop. This is becoming a new addiction. I truly love creating these for my customers. 

Junk Journal Cover

Many fun elements

Fabric Flower, Wooden Key, Enamel Heart with Stamped Image

I'm addicted to fabric flowers.

Vintage lace webbing.

Crinkle Bow

Adorned with vintage beads, ribbon, and charms.

Gesso, Stamping, Vintage Lace, Creative Doodling.

Hand Painted Pages

Embossing glitter.



Pan Pastel Heart with Creative Doodling.

And, here is my latest vinyl design.

Thanks for looking.
Fondly, Tami

I'm linking to :
Feathered Nest Friday
Jennifer Rizzo
Funky Junk Interiors
Stringtown Home