January 11th, 2012
January is one of my favourite months of the year. Yes it’s a long winter month and one where we really tighten our belts to compensate for the excesses of the Holiday period. Yet I love looking forward, to the New Year to come – to making plans and declaring goals.
This is one of the reasons I ADORE this site! Jen is just a planning genius, isn’t she? I share her love of list-making and this year I’ve given myself a head start by creating a hybrid year planner. I call mine ‘My Creative Life Book’, in the hopes that these plans and goals that I commit to pen and paper will inspire me throughout the year.
For my planner I’ve used Jen’s Weekly Planner 2012 digital kit, a few of her fab organising freebies as well as a few supplies (I like to keep my hybrid projects quick an easy and ultimately STRESS FREE!).
Here’s what I used:
- Jen’s Weekly Planner 2012 Kit, available at Design House Digital. These files are editable pdfs that you can alter to suit your own needs (as I’ve done).
- Free files available here at TPG Blog: Perpetual Birthday Calendar & 2 Week Schedule
- One sheet of Jen’s Stella & Rose Patterned Cardstock (for my cover).
- My Binding machine (I bought a super cheap one from my local stationery store).
- A piece of recylced card for my back cover.
- Paper for printing (I used that best quality I could find).
- Some lined paper to add for my journaling and random lists (you can never have too many lists!).
This is an easy-peasy project. Simply decide what forms will work for you, print them out and bind using the binding of your choice. Alternatively, simply use a ring binder!
And there you have it – a creative start to what is certain to be a creative year!
Happy New Year Hugs to you all!
December 2nd, 2011
Hello dear readers it’s Angie Hinksman here and a very Happy Holiday Season to you! Today I’m going to share with you a little hybrid project, inspired by what is probably the most is talked about product this Christmas; the iPad2. I love the simplicity of the design of the iPad and I think that the included stand is pure GENIUS! Now, while my little Recipe Stand won’t help you surf the net, it’s certain to brighten up any kitchen table! You’ll need very few supplies (no need for specialist binding materials here, just paper, card and some basic crafting supplies.
To create the Recipe Stand and 6 recipe cards, you will need the following supplies:
- Recipe journaling templates – you can download the pdf file here
- Some plain co-ordinating paper or cardstock for printing the journaling cards. I’ve used some simple ’letterhead’ stationery for mine.
- Selection of 12 x 12 inch patterned scrapbook papers – I’ve used papers from Jen’s beautiful Stella & Rosecollection. You’ll need 2 for the stand and 1 sheet will 6 recipe cards. Cut your paper to the following measurements:
- 1 piece: 8.5 x 12 inches (just keep the off-cut handy, we’ll use this later)
- 1 piece: 6 x 12 inches (again we’ll use the off-cut later)
- 1 piece: cut out 6 at 4 x 6 inches
- Chipboard or very thick card. If you can’t get hold of plain chipboard, the back of an old note book will work perfectly! I’ve used the back of one of my scrap-pads. Cut your card to the following measurements;
- 2 pieces: 4.5 x 6.5 inches
- 1 piece: 2.5 x 6.5 inches
- 2 pieces: ¾ x 6.5 inches
- A ruler
- Cutting tools (such as a Stanley knife or rotary cutter and scissors)
- Adhesive (I’m using a glue stick and some double-sided tape)
- Cutting matt
- Rolling pin (this helps the glue stick well)
Instructions for the recipe cards:
Print your recipe journal pieces onto your paper and cut out. Glue these to the front and back of your 4 x 6 inch pieces of scrap paper. I’ve rounded the edges of mine, to keep with the iPad feel of the project!
Instructions for the Recipe Stand:
Place your 4.5 x 6.5 and 2.5 x 6.5 inch pieces of chipboard on your 8.5 x 12 inch scrap paper as illustrated. Align the top and bottom pieces with the edges of the paper. Place the middle pieces approx. ½ inch below the top piece. You want to have a bigger gap at the bottom (this will help your recipe stand close well). Use a pencil to mark where your placed this pieces, then glue them down. Use your rolling pin over the top then turn the whole thing over and use your rolling pin again. This will make sure your glue has good contact. Leave to dry for a few minutes then glue the sides down as shown.
Once dry, glue the 6 x 12 inch piece of scrap paper on top, as shown and leave to dry.
Glue the 2 ¾ x 6.5 inch pieces of card together as illustrated. Once dry, glue and cover with a piece of your left over scrap paper. Leave to dry. Once this is dry, glue to the bottom of the main piece(the bottom has the small piece of cardboard). Leave this whole piece to dry thoroughly (I left mine for about an hour).
On the inside of the stand, cut a piece of your left-over scrap papers in a strip: 2.5 inches x 12. Place this at the bottom of the stand so that it meets the edge of the ¾ inch piece. You’ll need to trim this down so it fits your stand. Using either a thin layer of glue or double-sided tape, glue this down. This will create pockets to keep your recipe cards in.
Once your stand is completely dry you will be able to fold it as shown. As you can see, the ¾ inch piece helps the Stand stay in place! Cut another little scrap of paper in a triangle shape to act as a photo corner to display your cards(mine is about an inch and half wide). Glue into place.
Finally place your finished cards in your pockets and enjoy! I think this would make a great gift andit is light and small enough to post to far-away family and friends. Why not invite some ‘recipe-loving’ friends over, give them each a recipe stand, filled with cards and have a recipe swap party. Now wouldn’t that be fun?
Have a great day 
October 17th, 2011
Are you like me and try to get the most out of your crafting supplies that you can? Karen from The Bald Dragonfly here to show you two quick extra ways to use the gorgeous Vintage Findings: All Hallow’s Eve digital kit available from Design House Digital.
First, how about giving your photos a unique finish by using the digital paper files as an overlay? Most photo editing programs have a layering option. Simply open up your original photo as well as your desired paper choice and then drop and drag. Adjust the layer style and opacity to achieve a new look!
Here’s a look at the unique photo finishes using Linen, Newsprint and Damask papers from the Vintage Findings: All Hallow’s Eve digital kit. (Gosh, aren’t those boys ca-hute? This technique works well with still objects too!)
So after you’ve had your fun adjusting the images, use your new photo on a layout! The image will coordinate perfectly with the other elements in the digital kit. I decided upon the Damask print to use in the following layout.
And if you aren’t really a layout person, digital kits are perfect for card makers too! For a quick and easy card, use a portion of the spec sheet provided with the digital kit as the main image in your card! Crop and print, then score lines and adhere to your card base. Embellish with a coordinating button and twine and you have a fabulous masculine card!
I’m really excited about these techniques and I think it will take my scrapbooking and cardmaking to a new level. I have a bunch of tips and tricks up my sleeve and I can’t wait to show them to you! Thanks!
October 12th, 2011
Well hello there! My name is Angie Hinksman and it’s my turn to share some crafty goodness here at The Project Girl’s Blog. Thank you so much Jen for having me ! For my first post I thought I’d share with you my ideas for creating a simple way of keeping track of those discount coupons and vouchers. I’ll show you how to make a two printable Coupon Organizers.
There are two ways you can create these Coupon Organizers. If you have either photoshop or photoshop elements and are experienced with working with layered templates, I have included layered psd files that you can use to clip your digi-papers into and print out. I have also included pdf versions that you can use as templates for your traditional scrapbooking papers; either by printing them onto white card and then using as traditional templates or you can print these straight onto your scrapbooking paper. You can download these templates here.
You will need the following supplies:
- Your printed Coupon Organizer Documents, printed onto white card – The larger organizer; 1 center/main part and 2 accordion sides. For the small organizer, just one all-in-one document. I’ve used Jen’s Nostalgia 2 papers, available at Design House Digital.
- For the large Organizer, 1 piece of 12×12 inch card stock (for the dividers and lining)
- For the small organizer 1 piece of card stock (I’ve used 1 piece of A4 white cardstock)
- Glue or double sided sticky tape
- Velcro or magnetic tape (to keep your organizers closed)
- Scissors, Craft knife or rotary cutter
- Rolling pin to help your glue stick good and tight!
- Embossing tool, Ruler or Blunt butter Knife (to score folded edges)
I have set up the psd files so that you can easily ‘clip’ your digi-paper straight into the. Once you have prepared your digi prints you can just print the finished documents onto white cardstock. Alternatively you can print the pdf versions onto traditional scrapbook paper by first trimming your paper to fit a standard A4 sized page.
Now you are ready to assemble your Coupon Organizer. First, cut out all of your pieces. Using the center, patterned piece as a guide, cut out another center piece from your cardstock. This will be the lining of your organizer. Cut the remaining card stock into 3 6 x 3 ¼ inch pieces. These will be the ‘dividers’.
Next fold the ‘accordion sides’ as illustrated in the images below. I’ve included a ‘Black & White’ version to help illustrate this.
Next, glue the sides of 2 accordion pieces to the sides of the main piece as shown below. Leave this to dry and then glue the lining to the other side.
Once the whole thing is completely dry (I’d give it an hour or so), fold up your organizer as shown and add the either your Velcro or magnetic tape, as shown. Finally add your dividers. You can secure the sides with a little glue at the accordion edges if you like but it’s really not necessary!
The smaller organizer is even quicker. Simply printout the all-in-on sheet, assemble in a similar way to the large organizer (folding at the dotted lines). Cut out 3 5×2 ¾ inch rectangles from your white cardstock. No need to line this one just fold, glue, insert your dividers and your good to go!
And there you have two easy ways to keep track of those oh-so-useful vouchers and coupons!
Have a great day !
