Un Paris PAPILLON

I created this journal a few months ago, but was inspired by this weeks challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show to finally get my rear in gear and share it! (Plus, I've never posted anything through Simon Says Stamp, but I've been wanting to for awhile). I think I've been a bit hesitant because I was unable to really capture the beautiful shimmer of this project and didn't feel the photographs did it proper justice. (If anyone has some tips on photographing shimmer/shine on projects, I would love to hear from you)! Anyway, the challenge was to "stamp and show" something "London, Paris or New York." So here it is... my Paris Butterfly Journal!

The front and back pages are very similar, but the front has the addition of the butterflies. I used two stamps- both from the Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz Papillon Set. I worked on Kraft paper which is probably my most favorite medium to work with at the moment. You can't really see it in the first two photos, but there is a gorgeous shimmer which I created using the Ranger Perfect Pearls Mists in Heirloom Gold and Turquoise.

You can see some of the shimmer here, but not the intensity of the color- it especially looks beautiful over the black ink.

I used plain black cardstock for the inside covers and again utilized the Perfect Pearls Mists to add this lovely shimmer and touch of color. It actually shows up pretty beautifully in this following photograph.

The pages of the journal are also Kraft and I bound my project using my beloved BIA (Bind-It-All)! This is hands down my favorite handmade journal so far and I haven't decided yet whether I am going to allow myself to part with it or not. Yes... selfish, selfish, selfish! (grin)

I hope you've enjoyed this project! If you have any questions about supplies used or comments, you know I always love to hear 'em!

As always

Angela

Fun With My New Distrezz It All

Today has been a GREAT day! Why? Because this morning Mr. FedEx arrived with my recent amazon.com order which included my new Distrezz It All and my one inch Antique Brass owires. Fifteen minutes later Mr. UPS arrived with my recent joann.com order which was loaded with chipboard, 7 Gypsies book boards and some round paper punches (I wanted better nesting options for various projects)! So yes... a wonderful day indeed! And of course I was ready to get playing with my new "toy"... I had already cut my paper to the right size for my new book boards so I whipped out my new distrezzer and.... HOLY TOLEDO!! That thing has some serious kick! I about had a heart attack with the way that thing grabbed onto my first set of papers. After that though, it was super easy and I am soooooo, soooooo deeply in love with it!! So here's my first project utilizing the Distrezz It All, a long with the Bind It All and my new 7 Gypsies book boards... Enjoy!

I filled the book with 30 pages of Kraft card stock. Doesn't it just look so lush and wonderful?

I really love the character the Distrezz It All adds. It really pulls together the vintage inspired aesthetic. Plus, it distresses at a rapid speed. I couldn't believe how quickly I finished this project. So yeah... I am in love with Zutter products... the soul mate kind of love.

As always

Angela

Have Bind-It-All... Will Create!

I finally received my Bind It All order in the mail! (I hate waiting for online orders... bleh). It came yesterday and I was so excited to rip into, but once I had it open I sort of had a creative freeze. For the past couple of weeks all I've been able to do is think of ALLLL the amazing things I would make with my BIA, but there it was- right in my hands- and I was terrified! All I could think of was messing up everything I tried to make. My BIA sat on my work surface all day long... garnering passing glances from me. I felt we were sort of sizing eachother up. By the time my evening freedom (known as putting the kids to bed) rolled around I was ready to give show my BIA who's boss. So here it is... my very first BIA project! And wonder of all wonders... I didn't mess up a single time! Perhaps it was a case of beginners luck, but I'm not here to split hairs.

I created this to be an Envelope Ephemera Book (for holding ephemera and various paper bits) for someone on swapbot who is currently organzing her craft space. The cover image is what I am most proud of because she likes images of animals holding umbrellas and I had this from a card I had received and just cut off the front to use on something in the future. I knew it would be perfect for her!

The only thing I wasn't 100% pleased with was my binding job... it was just ever-so-slightly wonky. I'm sure it's just a matter of practicing!

I placed a total of 6 envelopes inside. I figured that would be enough space for breaking down ephemera into cattegories if she wants.

So there you have it! I don't mean to toot my own horn (ok, yes I do...), but I'm really happy with how it turned out. I hope it will make the recipient very happy!

As always

Angela