I’ve often admired the altered journals/composition books displayed in my ARTHaven group, but hadn’t tried to create one myself.  That is until my friend Robin’s mom was diagnosed with Cancer.  I knew immediately I wanted to create something for Bobbie and I recalled the wonderful love gifts my fellow artists had been creating and sharing. So, with lots of determination, a bit of trepidation, and a fair amount of 2nd guessing myself, I set out to create my first altered journal.  Robin said her mom was a fan of pastels, so I selected these gorgeous papers from Melissa Frances – they’ve been hiding in my stash – waiting for the “perfect” project. The solid cardstock is from my stash and happened to match my DP perfectly. The ribbon is also a stash find – just a bit of sparkle without being overwhelming.  I created the sentiment with Rub-ons, another tool waiting to be utilized.  The flower is one of Tiffany Doodle’s Doodle Blooms – from Volume VII.  I printed it several times with the intent of layering.  I painted each layer with Twinkling H20 watercolors – I wanted shimmer but not glitter that could flake off or be messy and then trimmed everything before pop-dotting – using thin glue dots to avoid being bulky. For the inside, I used Bazzill textured pink – I wanted a soft solid coordinating color since I knew I would be adding a pocket to the inside front cover. I have been lifting Robin and her family up in prayer and I had asked for guidance as to what verse to include – I wanted something that would bring inspiration and hope – God led me to Philippians 4:6 over and over and fortuitously, I had a wonderful Doodle Pantry Sentiment stamp with that verse.  I printed it out, then trimmed and matted it using my nestabilities and a Micron pen. I punched the holes in the paper using my Rubicoil but found out too late that my covers were too thick to fit inside my punch, so using one of the papers as a guide, I used my American Tag HomePro LR punch to manually add the holes to the front and back covers so that the spiral binding would fit (note to self – punch holes in covers and cover cardstock décor BEFORE adhering).

Recipe:

• Stamps: Tiffany Doodles Doodle Blooms Vol. VII; Doodle Pantry A Loving God
• Ink: HP LaserJet;  Twinkling H2O watercolors; Sakura Micron Pen
• Paper: Neenah White; Bazzill Pink; Melissa Frances Charlotte; SU Almost Amethyst
• Other: Tombow Mono Adhesive; Elmer’s Glue Dots; PVA Glue; Foam Brush; Foam Roller; Nestabilities; Composition Book; Rub-on Alphabet; Ribbon; Spiral Coil
• Tools: Fiskars Paper Trimmer; Scor-It Score Board; Bone Folder; Big Shot; Rubicoil Machine; HomePro LR; Scissors; Paint Brush; Photoshop

Well, there you have it – my 1st foray into the world of altered composition books! I do hope the family is able to use the journal and that each time they see it they know of the many many thoughts and prayers being said for them.

Have a wonderful week!

As we all know, the crafting world spans the globe, but we’re all an interconnected sort of family – our craft is our bond.  Right now one of our own is hurting – Katie Emerson Renz. Just before Christmas Katie, her husband Kevin, and their 3 boys received devastating news that has changed their lives forever.  Katie has been diagnosed with stage 4 Stomach Cancer.  Her only treatment option is Chemotherapy, which she has already started.  Katie is updating her blog with her experiences, if you want to check it out.

Jak Heath is a crafting friend of Katie’s and has organized this special digi benefit to help raise money for Katie’s Treatment and to give her lovely boys a treat too.   For a donation of 15 £ (~$23) you will be given a HUGE amount of digital stamps (a great value for an even greater Cause)… CHECK THEM OUT ON JAK’s BLOG HERE. ALL proceeds go to Katie and her family.

One of the contributing designers is Laurie Wilson of Doodle Pantry- her Bunny Friends digital stamp set is only available as part of Katie’s bundle.  I just love the Bunny holding her Teddy Bear, so I used her to make this card:

The Bunny is painted with Twinkling H2Os while her bear is coated with white Fun Flock – as my little one said – “Mommy, bears are supposed to be fuzzy”. I added rhinestone eyes and my little cuties were done! The sentiment is direct printed onto my card base and is included in the set.  A couple of diecuts, some embossing, and a border punch later – one lil bunny ready for a new home.

Recipe:

• Stamps: Doodle Pantry Bunny Friends – only available here
• Ink: HP LaserJet;  Twinkling H2O Paints; Brilliance Coral Pigment Ink
• Paper: Georgia Pacific White; DCWV Nana’s Nursery Girl and Flower Doodles
• Other: Tombow Mono Adhesive; Elmer’s Glue Dots; Ribbons; Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies; Cuttlebug Script Embossing Folder; Adhesive Pearls; i-Rock Rhinestones; EK Success Border Punch
• Tools: Fiskars Paper Trimmer; Shot; SU Scissors; Paint Brush; i-Rock tool; Photoshop

Have a Blessed week – and please, if you can, help Katie!

Breast cancer is a devastating disease impacting 1 in 8 women in the United States alone – with a new diagnosis every 3 minutes and a death every 13 minutes! The numbers are sobering – but with every research dollar raised, we are that much closer to a cure.  To help with this cause, MyGrafico designers Blackleaf Studios, Cheri Wenger, DigiDiva, Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff, ReviDevi, Sanqunetti Design,Tainted Sweets and  Zenware Designs have joined forces with Stitching for Pink to create an exclusive collaborative kit for you with ALL of the proceeds going directly to Stitching for Pink to fund Breast Cancer Research:

This collaborative effort features 12 adorable clip art designs, 4 pattern papers, a printable collage sheet and a printable craft  – your $5 donation supports Breast Cancer research.

Together we will find a cure!