Journal 2013 - part 1

We are not discussing the snow! I had to wfh yesterday, which is nice and a pain all at once. Today seems better but they are now running a reduced service on the trains...

Anyway, yesterday I told you about my new project - a Journal for 2013. I wondered if I could make a journal without having to purchase anything new? Also this year is a big one for me, with the move to NYC and turning 40, so a journal seems like a good idea.

So I thought I would share how I am putting mine together. Basically I don't want to embellish all of the pages. I want to try and do that closer to the month of the page, so that I can think about complimenting the photos and things that are going on the page.

The main photo today is of the papers I am using to create my pages. I've used the pretty set by American Crafts - I've been using it a lot :) I cut the papers to size, x2 of each from each paper (x4 of one kind) and round the corners. I haven't been too accurate with my cutting to size..

I realised that I would need to plan how to use the 20 pages of my album, so I did a little drawing..

As you can see I have dedicated 6 pages to Sept, which is my birthday month...I am anticipating an action packed lead up to my 40th..

The album is one of 3 that I bought at Michael's in Las Vegas in 2011 and I've had no idea what to do with them.

Album - closed

Album - open

I also cut out shapes for writing on and arrows for the month - I used a mixture of papers for these.

Framelits arrow die, used for 'Month'

Shapes and index cards for 'Text'

I wanted to show you a pre-planned page (for July), so you could see how all the elements plus embellishments will come together. Notice the bicycle that was on my desk on WOYWW 189..

A July page

Below is the finished spread.

July pages finished

You can see I've stamped the month onto the arrows, added some Candi's to the bicycle, added another tag/embellishment, but there is plenty of space for photos, notes, tickets, whatever!

Tomorrow is WOYWW so I'll be back on Thurs to show you what the album looks like now all the pages are in (some finished, some in planning..)

Cx

WOYWW - 189 - Belated Christmas...

Yay! It's that time of the week again, when us crafters from all over the world join Julia over at Stamping Ground for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday.

Last week's one was fun and I found some new craft blog friends...I've seen some awesome stuff.

I take my photo on a Tuesday evening and this week, I was most excited to get home and try out my Christmas gifts to myself...

Basically, as I missed the WOYWW after Christmas when everyone got to show off their awesome Christmas gifts, I thought I would show you what I bought myself. Fortunately, I went a bit crazy in the Sizzix mega sale and on my desk are the things I bought that I tried out.

New embossing folders (you get x4, an owl, a pear, a flower and an A6 floral one), a Reindeer die - couldn't resist him, so gorgeous, finally some Framelits - I have been covering these for quite a while now..I also bought a letterpress plate for the Big Shot - it is awesome, it will require some mastering though.

Also on my desk are my glasses, some tape (for using with the Framelits), my glasses, a 1 inch square punch that I use to make flag banners, 2 interesting flower punches - I can't describe the technique :( - so go here and check them out. My fave Woodware scalloped heart punch (you'll see what I've been up to tomorrow) and the rest is pretty much on my desk every week..

Oh and before I wish you Happy WOYWW, check out my post about the cards that were on my desk last week, lots of you commented on them and I thought you'd enjoy seeing the finished result.

Happy WOYWW everyone!!

Cx