The Stamp Spot

Embossing Folders... lots of possibilities

 

Dear Lizzy embossing folder with pastel inks

 

 

 

Some new stock arrived this week, actually a LOT of stock arrived this week.

That's where I have been, behind said screen and keyboard entering stock into my online store ...

The Stamp Spot.

Amongst the many gorgeous products I kept picking up and looking at the new Project Life range Embossing Folders. One in each collection for Amy Tangerines Plus One (cameras) , Maggie Holmes Styleboard (doilies) and Dear Lizzy Daydreamer (banners).

                                                      

 

I do love a good embossing folder.

Cardstock/paper/vellum + Big Shot + Embossing Folder = awesome.

And whilst that often gives a lift to plain cardstock/paper/vellum, I was pondering the possibilities of how pastel inks plus embossing folders could help me out with a particular Unfinished Project I am keen to make some real progress with... and soon.

For this project I need pastel shades of cardstock, namely lemon, blue and green. I have lemon, powder blue and mint cardstock but they are all too solid to keep appearing in this project.

I considered purchasing paler shades of cardstock but I would prefer to utilise my stash.

I have a lot of American Crafts White textured cardstock......

I have these shades of ink.......

 

Let the experimenting begin!

Colorbox was my first choice of inkpad. White. White on dark cardstock should look good.

Wrong.

Wrong ink.

I tried Distress Inks, they worked but it wasn't quite the look I was going for. The inks dried blotchy (for want of a better word).

I then pulled out Memento Luxe, Brilliance and Avery Elle.

 

Bingo!

Pigment inks for the win!

My inkpad of choice on this occasion (if I could only choose one) would be Avery Elle. I am sure other inkpads would give a similar result but these are what I have in my stash to choose from.

Each side of the embossing folder has either a raised image or a recessed image (positive or negative/embossed or debossed). When cardstock is placed inside and sandwiched into a Big Shot (or similar) the cardstock or paper is pushed up or down to create the images.

Swiping ink on one of those sides .....

 

Then placing cardstock/paper/vellum over, closing the folder and running through the Big Shot....

 

 

made for some very interesting images and effects. The recessed (debossed) areas get inked leaving the raised (embossed) images plain cardstock. The possibilities are endless given the combinations of different coloured inks with different coloured cardstocks.

Top right orange/paprika coloured card is actually core'dinations cardstock. I have lightly sanded the raised (embossed) image to reveal the 'core' coloured cardstock. Top middle is vellum (coloured cardstock underneath to show) and bottom right (blue) are plain embossed.

The rest have been ink embossed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following was created by dry embossing first, then swiping the ink pad over the raised (embossed) images.

I am all for stretching my supplies, and there is more yet that can be done with embossing folders and cardstock. I shall share some other ideas in a later post.

 

Clearly the experimenting took on a life of its own. Different coloured cardstocks, different coloured inks .....  all cardstock featured in the above images were pulled from 'kits' I have designed for various Project Life albums I have in progress.

Most of them are in my Unfinished Projects posts shared previously. All inspiration to tackle these comes from Ali Edwards, Ali is tackling her own unfinished projects in 2014.

Perhaps they will be recognised when I share images in the future.




   

Project Life : Getting Started

So you have decided to give Project Life a go...

 

Project Life is a memory-keeping system created by Becky Higgins. Hundreds of thousands of women (and men) around the world are using this concept to document their everyday life.

And not just the everyday.

New arrivals, weddings, special birthdays, travel adventures, sporting achievements and then some.

 

 

An album, some page protectors, a pen, a core kit and your photos is touted as the most streamlined list of supplies you need (and will ever need). And if you like the rounded corner look then you can purchase and get started the second you get home.

 

But....

 

What if you are like me and really dont like the rounded corner look of the cards found in Becky Higgins Project Life kits?????

 

I have tried, really tried to work with, and to learn to like rounded corner cards.

 I DON'T

* I don't like the finished look

* I don't want to spend time rounding corners of photos

* I don't like the mixed look of rounded cards and squared photos

* I don't believe I will ever use an entire core kit - 616 cards is a lot of cards - on average I use 1-2 4x6 cards and 4-6 3x4 cards per double page spread. This equates to 50-100 weeks of 4x6 and 86-129 weeks of 3x4 cards per core kit. I know for certain I will be sick of the sight of a core kit by then.

NB: I appreciate that much can be done with Core Kit cards not just PL. These views are my own and apply to my personal style of Project Life Memory Keeping. Should a squared Core Kit ever be manufactured I may well be the first in line to purchase one.

 

I DO

* I do like the look of squared cards and squared photos

* I do like being able to pick and choose from thousands of papers available in the papercrafting world, the colours I prefer, the patterns I like, the colours I like to combine

* I do like the freedom this option brings me

* I do like that I don't get sick of the sight of anything

* I do like that I don't waste any cards whatsoever

* I do know that I could simply go digital, buy the BH PL digital files for a core kit and get started. However.... but... well....

I love paper too much. I love the creative process too much. I love diecutting and punching and stamping and embossing too much.

 

Occasionally I have totally loved the colour scheme and patterns of a core kit.

Like this BH PL Strawberry core kit:

 

My solution is to simply buy the 12x12 Designer Paper Packs and cut them up.

 

Any leftovers or any patterns I don't absolutely love get used for embellishing. I die cut them, I silhouette cut them, I punch shapes from them, I use strips to add to plain cardstock, I back photos with them. No wastage. Ever. Zip. Zero. Zilch.

 

It takes me about 30 minutes to cut a whole pack of Becky Higgins Project Life 12x12 papers.

 

 

Each 12x12 is cut at 4" and 8" (horizontally or vertically depending on the direction of patterns and/or words). Then one 4x12" strip is cut in half to create 2 4x6 cards. The remaining 2 strips of 4x12" are cut into quarters - each strip yielding 4 3x4" cards, 2 strips yield a total of 8.

 

Each Becky Higgins Designer Paper 12x12 pack has 24 double sided sheets.

A pack yields 48 - 4x6" cards (enough for 24 to 48 weeks)  and 192 - 3x4" cards. (enough for 32 to 48 weeks) . These are all patterned paper cards therefore they may possibly last longer.

 

I then add complimentary sheets (usually 6) of American Crafts Cardstock - again cutting them in the same configuration. These 6 sheets yield 12 - 4x6" cards and 48 - 3x4" cards.

 

 

 

I now have 60 - 4x6" cards and 240 - 3x4" cards in total.

Clearly this is more than 52 weeks supply in total. If I were using this kit for a year in our everyday life Project Life style I would reduce the total amount.

As this is for a Childhood Album spanning birth to most likely 18 perhaps 21, I am simply guessing at this stage what I will need. For now I feel comfortable ensuring I wont run short of cards.

 

THE LOWDOWN ON COSTINGS:

Average price of BH PL Core kits - $32.95

+ 1 pack of BH PL Matching cardstock 4x6 pack $8.95

+ BH PL Matching cardstock 3x4 pack $6.95

= $48.85 (most likely an excess supply of everything).

 

Approx price of Michelle Hunters kit (that's me) - $20.95 (Strawberry's current price instore)

+ 6 sheets AC cardstock $6.60  (listed in store soon under this category)

= $27.55

My handmade kits are smaller and therefore cheaper. When I factor in what I would waste in a BH PL Core Kit (either because there are too many cards in total, too many repeat cards or just plain got sick of the colour scheme/look) ....

I am more than happy to spend 30-40 minutes cutting up 12x12 papers and cardstock to get exactly what I want....

and probably more than I need as well.

 

My suggestion:

First decide what look you prefer/like/can live with - rounded vs non rounded vs mixed.

 

And go from there.

 

Here is the kit I have put together for my daughters childhood album, it is on my list of Unfinished Projects, see this post for details and some updates.

 

Bottom right is a pile of cut up 3x4" or 3x4.5" with the tab Designer Dividers.

Pop by again soon when I will share my process for cutting these up to make 3x4" inserts, including my preferred look of squared.

 

 

 

Unfinished Projects : The list is growing....

I have added another Project to my Unfinished Projects list.

 

My own childhood memories.

 

PL Style.

 Totally inspired by Ali Edwards. Ali is tackling Unfinished Projects in 2014 and has written a blog post on her plans.

Whilst sorting photos for my childrens albums I have been flicking over my own childhood photos to get to theirs.

Seems crazy to just keep flicking them over.

I now have 5 designated 'spots' to accumulate the relevant photos, memorabilia etc.

1. My Dads (Dad passed away 15 years ago)

2. My own

3-5. Each of my 3 childrens.

 

I have the albums sorted, a bunch of page protectors, the 'kits' I am using - apart from my Dads which I settled on Kraft,  have all been put together by yours truly.

Knowing how much rounded corners bother me with square photos, I will probably change my Dads from a split kit of Kraft to a range that is similar but that I can cut up the papers etc.

 

Here is what I have decided on for my own album:

 

Date Night by Chickaniddy.

Chosen for the colour scheme - has my beloved Mint, with complimentary colours to the colours I noticed a lot in my childhood photos - navy and white - these were my Primary School uniform colours. Navy is not my go to colour, even if it is on trend at the moment.

This just works and is so easy on the eye.

 

All of this came from 1 yes 1! 6x6 paper pad. The papers are double sided which is an absolute bonus for maximum use of every sheet. There are cut apart sheets and there are words to cut apart also.

Chickaniddy sure nailed it!

To ensure I don't run out (though all I would need is one more 6x6 paper pad) I have added complimentary cardstock colours - all are American Crafts.

 

6 in total but I could easily add more and think that white will run out first. The lighter coloured cardstock sheets will be used for journaling, the darker for feature inserts and to back photos if need be.

It hasn't photographed that well but that very dark cardstock (looks black in the photo) is a dark navy.

L to R: Storm, Nickel, White, Shamrock, Apricot and Honeycomb.

Cantaloupe and Cricket were my next choices, I shall see how the other colours go and revisit this if I need to.

Some more shots of my kit:

 

I have a lot of Mint extras in my stash already as my Project Life 2014 colour scheme is Mint and Coral.

Items like ink pads - Mint Julep, Peach & Soft Cantaloupe (Hero Arts), Mint to be and Sapphire (Avery Elle), Morrocco and Toffee Crunch (Memento Luxe), White (Colorbox) also embossing powders, twine, buttons, embroidery floss - will all help to add personal touches.

And....

fill my ever increasing need to stitch something on every page - yes every album every page will probably get a stitching element.

I have mentioned in previous posts but for those who may not have read those, I am honouring my stitched/sewing/thread upbringing - my Mother a professional seamstress still sews to supplement her income at age 72.

Fabric and sewing machines and thread was the backdrop of my childhood.

 

I took for granted her incredible skills and ability - not just sewing which she does to perfection, but her vision for the finished garment, her pattern making skills, her organisation skills (which was reserved for sewing only lol our house was often untidy - more because of the time spent getting orders out) and her dedication to making things properly - no short cuts... ever.

Do it properly or don't do it at all.

I feel I have the time and space and environment to appreciate handmade.

In the form of handmade embellishments, additions or altered home decor.

Sewing of clothes has come in fits and fads throughout my life, my Mother has been a very hard act to follow in the world of sewing.

I have found my own expression.

Finally.

 

Unfinished Projects : Progress on 1. Eldest sons album

Progress!

 

Yes!

 

Thanks Ali!

(Ali Edwards posted recently about how she intends to tackle unfinished Projects and has inspired many crafters to brainstorm a plan to tackle their own, me included).

 

Number 1 on my list was my eldest sons childhood album. He will 25 on February 25th so it's been a long time unfinished project. In some ways I am super glad I didn't do this years ago as I believe I would want to redo that album Project Life style.

 

Whilst gathering photos and baby albums, the kind you slipped in the photo and had a few lines in the margin to write, I found 2.

Almost identical. Even in colour. That's them there in the photo - the blue ones.

The 2nd album was actually an album I gave to my parents. It covered in briefer detail, the first 15 months of Steven's  life.

 

Score!

 

Sad also. Sad that I should have it. My mother must have included it in a bunch of stuff she bought down last year that she no longer wanted/needed/had room for. Understandable in that her health is deteriorating and I envisage she will need to move from her 3 bedroom home to perhaps a unit of some sort in the next few years. I also believe it was her way of ensuring that I indeed ended up with lots of things including this album.

 

Hence.... lots of duplicates. That's where the SCORE! comes into play. I have enough, actually far more than enough photos to put together a mini album especially for my son, now.... without having to scan and reprint any photos at all of (at least) his first year of life.

 

Enter a Project Life mini album in Sunflower.

I chose Sunflower because a. I had it on hand and b. it matches the Azure kit (that I made up myself so I can have square cards not rounded) beautifully.

 

 

This was the logical place to begin as far less photos will go in this album and only a few photos of any occasion will make the album. Real estate in these albums is precious so only the most relevant and special will make the cut.

I set out both albums and went through photo by photo, page by page, to make my selections - only focusing on the mini album still. I tried to do both at the same time but it was just too confusing. Also I needed to be sure I jotted the details about each photo - ie how many days old? weight? context of the photo?

Thankfully, almost 25 years ago, I had the foresight to write in those margins!

As I had already made up my kit - Azure from 12x12 papers - see this post for the details - I started slipping photos into pockets and allocating either 3x4 or 4x6 papers.

Due to the size of the photos that were considered standard back then, I had to back each one with paper. I chose to keep each  row of each page the same papers - helped with being easier on the eye. In real life the album looks wider.

 

Here is a cross section of what I have achieved so far:

Photo selection, paper selection to match photos, adhering photos to papers and slotting in notes took a few hours. I thought it would take longer.

Project Life Azure is an easy kit to work with.

No baby themed papers here.

This is an album that a 25 year old guy will look through for the first time at 25+.

The + is because Steven is currently on a working holiday in Canada and isn't signalling a return home any time soon.

It will be awesome to see him after a few (then again it could be many) years, celebrate and hand him this album. Made with love. By his mother. For him.

 

This mini album has been a great place to start.

It has prompted many memories.

I have jotted them down as they came to mind. I will include these stories and memories in the full size Project Life album. Mine for now, Steven's one day.

 

So that I can maximise any available time that can be dedicated to Unfinished Projects, I have organised a spot (a square basket from IKEA that slots into furniture from IKEA - yes we are indeed an IKEA house!) where all the supplies can be kept together. Easily accessible too.

 

 

 

For now the very basics are in this basket - the Azure kit I cut myself - 3x4 & 4x6 cards from the Azure 12x12 Designer Paper pack, the albums, photos/old photo albums, adhesive, a notebook & pen. That's it.

I plan to journal using my typewriter.

I hope to have the odd available spare pocket page to add some handstitching - along these lines...

I recently handstitched these hearts directly onto the page protectors.

 

I am enjoying this process.

I am enjoying this progress.

A long way to go for sure, but if you enjoy the journey it doesn't seem so long.

Does it?
 

 

Unfinished Projects

I have some unfinished projects.

I have some unstarted projects.

I only recently decided to make some things into projects.

They are all memory keeping projects.

 

These include:

Project Life style albums for my 3 kids -

1. My eldest - S who will turn  25 in 1 weeks time

I have baby albums and memorabilia and keepsakes and cards to and from him. He decided at age 9 he wanted to live with his Dad, his father and I separated and subsequently divorced when he was 5 years old. Therefore I dont have a lot from age 9 on, I will include what I have.

 

2. My second - N (and my only daughter) who will turn 23 in May

I have the same but as she stayed with me I have more from all of her years. Nicole was 3 when her father and I separated.

 

3. My youngest - C who will turn 14 in July.

I was much more in tune with taking and keeping photos. And he was around 11 when I discovered Project Life. I have done his birth to first birthday Project Life style already.

I recently purchased the 12x12 Designer Edition paper packs for Project Life Azure and Strawberry Editions. I have cut the Strawberry paper down to 3x4 and 4x6.

I have the albums needed on hand. I have the page protectors on hand.

 

A Project Life mini album recording my Dads life - he passed away in 1998 aged 60.

 

I have the mini album - Cinnamon Edition. I have 90% of the photos printed and have gathered all relevant photos that were given to me around July last year by my Mother. I have photographed his personal effects that I have in my possession, these need to be edited and printed. I have gone to do this a few times and find it extremely difficult. His wallet and the photographs of us his family that was contained within, his watch, his driver license, his sunglasses, his awards and medals, his armed services licenses and awards etc all photographed.

I intend to use Project Life Kraft Core kit cards for my Dads albums. The colours blend well with the mix of colour, black and white and sepia photos.

 

 

I need to make a 'what next' list. I will finalise this tonight and share with you soon, I will be filing my posts on Unfinished Projects under exactly that so you can easily follow my progress.

And I will share photos of my organisation process. I will be handling it similar to Ali and almost identical to how I successfully kept up to date and completed 4 December Daily albums.

 

I would love to see your process, hear your plans and cheer you on as we journey toward finished.

Please leave a comment linking your blog and I, and hopefully others, will follow your link and come visit you.

 

I was inspired to write this post as I appear to be in sync with Ali Edwards, read up on Ali's unfinished projects and allow this Memory Keeping mentor to inspire you also.

Thanks again Ali, you inspire, mentor, motivate and celebrate almost every day of my life.