My Junk Journal Part #2 - Envelopes and Paper Clips

Hello my  dear friends!  

Welcome, and thank you for stopping by my blog today.

I am on a very specific creative journey at the moment.  I am in the process of  making some Junk Journals.  Yes, I do realise it's not terrible momentous but, for me, it has become quite a Journey!  I have been working on these for some months now.  'What??'  You say!! .. 'Why is it taking so long??'  Well, firstly, I only work on them once in a while and secondly, I keep changing my mind about things I've done previously.  Consequently it is becoming quite a saga!!  LOL!!  But, I must say, it is a saga I am thoroughly enjoying!!

If you missed Part 1 of this Journey, and you'd like to take a peek, HERE is the link.

In that first Post I mentioned that I would show a few of the envelopes I had made in more detail and might also share how I altered my paper clips and, as a few people showed interest, I am here to show you exactly that.  So, here goes!!

Firstly, the envelopes.
 

In my stash I found some paper that I had already diecut with a Tim Holtz MM die.

 It wasn't a very big piece and I don't actually remember what I had intended to use it for so, after thinking about it, I decided I would create the front of an envelope with it.

 So I cut a piece of card for the back and then created the pocket and the flap with the diecut paper.  Really love how it turned out.

 Used it to hold some journaling cards.

This second envelope was created for the other Journal I am doing.  For this book, I wanted a couple of larger envelopes, but I wanted them to be a stand alone feature.  I didn't want them attached to another page. 

 I used two of my tea stained papers and created a double ended envelope ..

.. and added it to my paper stack.  To add the ribbon closure, I simply cut a small slit in the centre and inserted two strips of torn fabric and also added a strip of washi tape to the fold for some extra strength.
Here's how it looks in the book ..

.. and here it is open and ready for some journaling cards or memorabillia.

Now, onto the paper clips.
Firstly, you need to cut some paper or cardstock to create the base to attach your clips to.  You will need two for each clip.  I decided to use paper because I found cardstock was a bit bulky but you can use whatever you like.  Also, it doesn't have to be circles.  They can be any shape you like.  I found it easier to simply punch out the circles for my clips.

 Then you simply slide one of the paper shapes onto your paper clips.  Make sure the shortest part of the clip sits on the wrong side of the paper and that you slide it over far enough so that the end of the clip sits close to the edge.  The long side of your clip needs to be left free so the assembly can slide over the edge of your page.

 On the side with the short end of the clip, add glue to the paper making sure you cover the clip as well and then attach the corresponding paper piece over the top, wrong sides of the paper together.  I used my hot glue gun but you can use any glue as long as it's fairly strong.
This becomes the base for your embellishments.

And, of course, this is the side that slides onto your page.

 That's it!!  That's all there is to it!! 
With this base you can build up any kind of small collage with which to decorate your page and it also becomes a tuck spot for tags, etc.
Here are a few of the ones I have made.

 This is the back.  I found you can really use any size paper clip and any size paper shape for small or larger embellies.  It really doesn't matter all that much.  Both will hold onto the page but, when I want to make larger, heavier ones, I do prefer to make the base a bit bigger.

Below, you can see that I used a smaller circle for one of my larger pieces.  It works alright but I would have been happier if I had used a bigger  base.
Because I added small bits of lace around the edge, it does looks a little untidy.  I could have covered it with some pretty paper but didn't bother because, once you slide it onto your page, you don't see it anyway.

Here is how they look once they are in a book.

 Here's a very simple one with some tags tucked in underneath.  I've also attached a small piece of ribbon through the end of the clip as well.  Just for a bit of extra shabby chic decoration!

It really is a very simple process and I hope I haven't made it confusing.  I really enjoy making these.  Easy peasy and a lot of fun!! Have made quite a few more of them too!  LOL!!

Thank you so much for visiting.  I hope I have given you some inspiration and that you will come back to see more  about my Junk Journal Journey!! 

Have yourselves a lovely day!!
Take care and God Bless.

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #210 - Birthdays

Hello lovely visitors and welcome!!  So happy that you stopped by!

Well, it's time for a new Challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers.  Lin is our host for this one and the Theme is Birthdays!!!  As always, you may create whatever you like as long as it follows the Theme.

I created another card for this Challenge.  With the Theme being Birthdays, this was the easiest option and I am really into easy at the moment.  LOL!!

I raided my stash for these papers.  They are from an older Prima Collection called Rondelle.  I was looking for something with black in it and, when I came across these papers, well, they were just  perfect!

There is a piece of gauze and some upholstery thread under the flowers for texture and I added a few die cuts as well.

This die is called Threads and Edges and is made by Altenew.  It is available at Megs Garden.
I must point out that, although I do not design for them very often any more, I am still a Guest Designer at Megs Garden and have received free items from the store as compensation in the past.   These dies were actually paid for and besides, I would not recommend anything I did not also love and use.

I've had these flowers for a while.  They are also available from Megs Garden.  If you wish to take a look, the larger one is the Burgundy/Cream open paper rose and the smaller white one is the Puffy Paper Flower.  

The Cameo Frame by Tim Holtz is a recent purchase.  I love the fact that you get the metal frame and they also include the resin sticker to fit inside it so you can make up your own Cameo using whatever paper matches your creation.  Brilliant!!

Added a strip of floral lace along one of the torn edges.

The greeting was computer generated, trimmed and then edged with a Sharpie.

Voila!!

I do hope you will take the time to pop over to the Crafty Cardmakers blog and check out the fabulous inspiration from my Teamies!   You might even be persuaded to join in!!  LOL!!

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 210 - Birthdays

Thank you so much for stopping by and special thanks to those of you who left such lovely comments on my last post.  I really appreciate your kind words.

Have a wonderful day!!
Take care and God Bless.
oxox Marg

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge - #185 Spring into Spring

Hello sweet crafty friends!  Welcome to my blog.
So pleased you dropped by.

As you can see, I'm back from my holiday.  Hubby and I had a wonderful time even though the weather was not good.  We just made the most out of what we had and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!  Might show you a few piccies in the next few days.

The new challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers is hosted by Peggy and the theme is Spring into Spring!!
Yes, I know, here in Australia we are well into Autumn (although going by the temperatures we've had lately you wouldn't think so) but in the UK where this challenge originates it is Spring.  So, we are celebrating that lovely season of new growth, new births, warmer temps  and sunshine and we would love to see your Spring creations.
As usual, anything you care to make is fine.  A card, layout, mixed media piece, home decor .. as long as it has a lovely Spring theme.
We would love for you to join in.
Just please read the rules and remember our 15 challenge limit.

So, my contribution is this card made with 'Spring' flowers and some beautiful Maja papers.

The papers were torn and then the top layer was crumpled a bit as well so that the flower ribbon could peek out from underneath.  This ribbon is available at Megs Garden.  It has those tiny flowers on both edges and I actually cut it in half so I could slide it easily in between the layers.

 

 

Some  strands of satin ribbon (also available at Megs Garden as part of the Bundles of Goodies) and, of course, I had to add some prills as well. 

Aren't those papers stunning!!  Love the faded script .. beautiful!

My favest flowers in the cluster (yes, they are also from Megs Garden) ..

.. and I popped some sisal underneath for a bit of soft texture.

The tiny leaf branches are an EK Success punch.  Sorry, but I don't have the name of it.

So, I do hope I have inspired you to join in with the Challenge.
The Challenge ends on the 9th April and we would love to see your beautiful 'Spring into Spring' creations.

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #185 - Spring into Spring

Thank you so much for visiting and taking a look at my little makes.

Have yourselves a wonderful day.
Take care and God Bless.

xoxo  Marg