Capture Memories By Helen Pigott

 Hello!

I am here again to show you my latest project.

I have made a small travel journal for a friend 

who is off to Italy for a long weekend.

What I did:

I started by cutting one sheet of greyboard to fit the rice paper Travel Cards by Ciao Bella, these I used for the front and back covers. The rice paper needs to be cut with care, I used a new blade in my craft knife. The left over greyboard will be used later for a belly band.

Once I mixed the paint (Quinacridone Gold & Diarylide Yellow) I painted both sides of the greyboard.

 Taking a stamp I edged both sides of each cover.

I wanted to have torn edges around my travel cards; as the rice paper has fibres that run in all directions this can be tricky. To make it easier I used a water pen and ran it down one edge at a time and then gently pulled away (not tore) the damp paper. This allows much more control and avoids big chunks being pulled out. 

This I did on each of the 3 panels I used. I then glued the images for the front and back covers on. The third image was glued onto Kraft Card that had been cut to the same size as the inner pages (a quarter of an inch smaller than the covers) For the pages I used a smooth white card.

I mimicked the string bow on the travel card with actual string and glue it in place, this added a bit more interest to the cover.

Using Distress Oxides and mini stencils I decorated the pages. I used a combination of Tea Dye and Spiced Marmalade. I edged the pages in the same colour.

On the inside front cover I made a belly band with the left over greyboard. I added a sticker by 13 Arts. I used a sticky foam pad to attach the band to the cover allowing a little gap for a tag to fit through.

I used parts from the small greyboard cog sheet and long fastenings (brads) and glued them onto the belly band (see below), then I added a tag.

On one side of the Kraft card page I glued a travel card and on the reverse I made a pocket for tags.

I cut some calico to fit the front of the pocket and stencilled a border design from StencilGirl on the top and bottom using Quinacridone Gold paint.

 Using double sided tape I stuck the calico onto the pocket and added two tags.

The Idea-ology pen nibs are perfect for a journal, I rubbed white paint over the tip of the nib and the embossed word and rubbed it back. This allowed the word to stand out and gave the Quinacridone Gold (used on the tip) something to 'grip' onto to create a used weathered effect.

Taking one of the stickers from the Aqua-flora range stickers, I mounted it onto a left over piece of Kraft card, inked around the edges and stuck it in place using sticky foam pads. I glued the nib in place to complete the cover.

 Below are a few of the finished pages of the journal.

I used a Crop-A-Dile to punch the holes and put the journal together with book rings.

What I used:

That's Crafty! Surfaces Greyboard Panels 10" x 8"

That's Crafty! Surfaces Bits & Pieces Greyboard Sheet - Small Cogs

That's Crafty! Mini Stencil - Bubbles - MS021

That's Crafty Mini Stencil - Stars MS022

That's Crafty! Multi Surface Paint - Black

That's Crafty! Multi Surface Paint - White

That's Crafty! Surfaces Mixed Media Paper/Card Kit

Ciao Bella Rice Paper - Travel Ephemera Cards CBR003

StencilGirl Stencil - Scalloped Border Small Mask S644

13 Arts A5 Stickers - Aqua Flora

PaperArtsy Cling Mounted Stamp Set - Elenazinski Art - ZA30

PaperArtsy Smooth White Stamping Card - 240 gsm

Ranger Inkssentials Surfaces Kraft Cardstock

Ranger Archival Ink Pad - Sepia

Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Long Fasteners

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Pen Nibs

Ranger Distress Oxides Full Range

Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad - Tea Dye

Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad - Spiced Marmalade

DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics - Full Range

DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic Paint - Quinacridone Gold

DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylic Paint - Diarylide Yellow

We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile Punch Kit

I hope I have inspired you to have a go at making a travel journal, starting with a small one doesn't make the project as daunting as going straight for a larger one.

I will be back next week with another exciting project.