by Linda | Nov 22, 2011 | DIY printables
After posting my printable journaling cards, I realized that I needed horizontal variations! I happen to have a stack of clear pockets in that format, so I went back into Illustrator and created a new set of journaling cards. These cards are specifically designed to be horizontal in format. A mix of designs to help you record those daily thoughts and notes…
Download Horizontal Journaling Cards ZIP
You can actually use these in your digital scrapbooking layouts, as with all my digital products. However, I also love to print out digital designs to use them in crafting projects as well as traditional scrapbooking. Enjoy and let me know what you think.
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by Linda | Nov 1, 2011 | DIY printables
Need some journaling cards for your digital and/or paper projects? Lately, I’ve really been obsessed with journaling cards of all kinds. So I’ve been drooling over various products out there and creating some of my own as well. I’m not sure if the idea came from Becky Higgins Project Life, but it sure gained a lot of momentum from her products, I think. Cathy Zielske and Paislee Press has posts about printing them and many other designs who have digital journaling cards as a product.
I like to have a whole bunch on hand, so that I can jot down my thoughts in the moment – or at least as close to the moment as possible. I don’t want to lose my immediate thoughts on a memory or event. It’s so much more vivid and true when I can write down my thoughts immediately, rather than reflecting on it. Having that journaling card also spurs me to go ahead and get it scrapped as well. Win-win situation I think.
So I dug up some of my own paper designs and created a few journal cards. Feel free to download for your personal use below.
Download Journal Cards Freebie ZIP
They can certainly work for those that use the Project Life system, but a journal card can also go on any layout (digital or paper). One thing I’ve realized is that variety is the spice of life for me… I want to have lots available, so I can grab the one that fits the mood. Then everything seems to flow after that. Hope you enjoy!
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by Linda | Oct 3, 2011 | DIY printables
I know that toothpick flags have been around for a while now and it’s no wonder how popular they are in scrapbooking and cardmaking. Toothpick flags are just so darn cute!
The supplies I like use are often difficult to find here in Italy. So I’ve decided to create my own through trial and error. Toothpick flags seem pretty straightforward to tackle. A simple idea, but you can create unique variations and combinations the DIY way!
Step 1 – Find some toothpicks!
I only have the plain jane ones. However, I’ve seen examples with little fork shapes and decorative tops as well. You might consider coloring them or using variations to create different types of flags.
Step 2 – Choose the material for your flags.
I’ve seen the flags made with patterned paper, ribbon and decorative tape (those washi tapes are all the rage). But I’m sure there are other materials that can be used. I’ve actually created my own designs and printed them on regular paper at home. Feel free to download the designs your own personal use below.
Download Toothpick Flag designs ZIP file
Step 3 – Cut and Fold Flags
Although you technically only have to create one side of the flag for a flat layout, I like creating the real thing for the full effect. This also gives you the freedom of flipping the flag around when using it in your projects. You can see from my designs that there are a variety of flag shapes as well. Experiment with the design, shape, size and length of your flags.
Step 4 – Glue Flags to Toothpicks
That pretty much finished the job. Tah-dah! I’ve found liquid glue to be stronger for this type of embellishment, but it really depends on your flag material. Just get those toothpicks to stick to the flag and you’re all set.
When using your toothpick flags, I’ve found that tucking the flag behind photos or journaling blocks helps to hide the adhesive used to attach the toothpick in place. However, sometimes I just put adhesive under the flag part and show the entire flag and toothpick. I’ve also seen ribbons and embellishments tied around the toothpick part as well.
Some more ideas
Once you’ve got the basic process of creating the flags down, you can start thinking about embellishments and fancying things up! Consider using fancy borders for your flag shapes as well as adding 3D embellishments onto the finished piece. The possibilities are really endless and even better, you can always use scraps of leftover paper to create a matching flag embellishment for your projects – pretty cool!
Let me know if you have any other tips, tricks or ideas regarding toothpick flags. I would be happy to try them out. For now I’ve created quite a collection for my papercrafting needs and having a lot of fun incorporating them into my work. Have fun!
by Linda | Jul 13, 2011 | DIY printables
Download this free printable to do list with a cute lady illustration saying “Check it Baby!” because we love to check off our lists!
Lots on my mind these days and so much to do! Of course, I had to stop and stall a bit by designing my own to-do list printable. There’s nothing like a little bit of cuteness to get me back on track and motivated to get all the tasks done.
I hope this free printable will give you some inspiration and energy to get through the day and check off all your tasks. We can be productive in style, right? So check it baby!
Download the free printable to do list images below:
Click on each image below to open a window with the full-sized version. Then you can save it to your computer at full size – both colored or black and white version. I hope these will help you get productive and checking off your to-do’s.
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by Linda | Jun 21, 2011 | DIY printables, my creative journal
If you would like to learn about the Notes to Myself project from the beginning, check out the introduction post here. There’s also a freebie download below!
So the first step to creating my minibook was to decide on the structure. I’m not huge on planning when it comes to these types of projects, because it’s supposed to be fun and go-with-the-flow style. However, I did want to establish a few things for my foundation to make the process more approachable. Here are some elements to consider before starting your minibook…
Size and Format
I decided to create a minibook because it’s handy for display, fun to create and fits my love for hybrid creations. I decided early on to use binding rings, as I plan to keep adding pages to this book as time goes on. Binding rings make it easy to manage something that is ongoing rather than a finite number of pages. The format will depend on what you want to create, how many pages, etc.
The size of my books are just regular pieces of paper folded in half. I don’t like to waste paper by cutting it down to a different size for no apparent reason…so my size is usually determined already by default. I am using thick cardstock for the pages, multi-colors even though in some cases they are entirely covered up by other pages that I glue on. I just like to have the cardstock as my base. Chipboard would definitely be more sturdy, but it depends how many pages you plan to have, might actually get too bulky. There are many options, so take a look and see what will work for you:
– use an existing chipboard minibook
– scrap regular layouts as you normally would
– digiscrap regular layouts and/or assuming you might want to print it out as a photobook at some point
– art journal pages randomly in your existing sketchbooks
– use a new journal for collage/journaling/drawing on this particular subject
It’s up to you how you want to approach this project, but deciding on a size and format gives you a foundation to start with and some boundaries to stay within. Without them I usually find myself changing my mind and getting lost in all the possibilities!
Templates
Once you have decided on the size and format, you might want to consider using certain templates. I’m using a super simple template for my journaling, so that it is consistent throughout. Really simple, spaced out text that I can print and cut to include directly into my book. I’ve chosen to journal on the computer, because handwriting would take forever – I know, everyone says they hate their handwriting! Even though I want to practice handwriting and get over it already, if it becomes an obstacle, then just type it and move on.
Think about how you might want to approach your pages, if you like consistency and want to formulate a template to stick to. Others might find this too constricting and choose to go for a free for all instead. However, you might still want to create a template for certain elements. Any photos you might use or the same set of journaling cards or a particular line of paper. It’s nice to decide on using something consistently, because that will make your pages look like they go together.
In my case, I’ve decided to cut little strips of patterned paper (from the DCWV Mi Casa line) to anchor all my text pages. It’s super simple, but adds foundation to the structure as well as color and embellishment, so it’s not so texty. I find this an especially nice trick to use for really heavy text pages, especially in minibooks that have less room to add much else. Adding a strip of pattern paper on the sides or the bottom gives that extra little umph needed. You can see that I’ve prepared a whole bunch of strips, ready to be added in.
In addition, I’ve decided to use a lined paper design for the background of certain pages…it’s something I designed digitally and printed directly on some kraft paper. Later you will see I use it for my cover, so it’s something that will be consistent on my pages, even though I’m just using it as a background, not actually to journal on. You can download the design for your own personal use as well – I made it 12×12 to work for digiscrappers. There’s the aged version to make it look like old distressed paper or use the lines only version to print onto your own kraft paper or cardstock! Enjoy!
So think about what you would want a template for and set it up now. This will create consistency for your entire book and make it a smoother process. Things to consider include:
– template for the page layout
– template for journaling blocks/styles
– template size for photos or a few different grid formats to use
– consistent style of paper, elements, date embellishments, etc that you might want to consider using throughout
– or go free for all if that’s your style!
The Cover
Many times I create the cover of a book last. However, for this project I already had something in mind and since it’s an ongoing project – I won’t know when the last page will be done! So I went ahead and created my cover first. To make the front and back cover stronger, I just folded a piece of cardstock in half and used it doubled-up as one piece, since I don’t have any chipboard handy. You can see on the back cover that I simply wrapped one side with kraft paper, folded over the edges, then lined the inside with cardstock to clean it up. I know some folks are intimidated by any kind of bookmaking process, but it is really easy to cover up cardboard or chipboard with patterned paper. Many scrapbookers just cut patterned paper to size and glue it directly on chipboard, then paint or ink up the side edges. I like the wrapping method instead, but both methods work to add strength and color to your covers.
For my front cover, I’ve used the lined paper design I mentioned previously. Then I decided to group a bunch of elements together to create the title. You can see there is a die-cut circular transparency in the back, with punch out black letters spelling “notes.” Then I cut a tag to a smaller size, used letter stickers to mask off an area then painted with green on top. That’s how I created the word “myself.” I usually don’t get too dimensional with my projects, but on the covers I can add little things here and there without worrying about embellishments digging into other pages. Still pretty minimal though – I realize some folks love to add lots of embellishments. Definitely go with your style!
Of course, nothing ever has to be finished…at some point I might add something else if I feel like it…but for now that’s the cover!
Book Introduction
When I create a themed book, I like to include an introduction of sorts to explain what the book is all about or what my motivations are. Since I’ve blogged about this project, it was even easier to just copy paste what I’ve written into my text page template and print it out to include as an introduction. Totally simple, full text pages to explain what I’m creating…and you can see I’ve added my foundation strips of patterned paper to the bottom.
In addition, I’ve added in an embellishment here with the “xo.” Whenever there is an open space, I can fill it in with embellishment. Having the element overlap the foundation strip keeps it grounded, rather than just throwing something that floats in open space. It’s simple, but effective! Of course, you don’t have to include an introduction at all…or perhaps you might want to create something a bit more artsy. It’s up to you to decide on the approach that matches your style and what you might have to say. This project is about notes to myself, to help me remember wise words of wisdom. So I wanted to explain that in the beginning of the book.
Now that I have my book ready, I can begin to put the various pages together. I will be presenting one page at a time or actually a spread or two at a time for each “note to myself.” Now is a good time to jot down some notes to yourself, so you have a list to go by…and start journaling about them. Getting the story down on words will help you to decide on including photos or not, what colors you might use, which embellishments… everything really. Here are some of my notes…
– Enjoy The Ride
– Just Breathe
– Time Will Heal
– Laugh Everyday
– Put a Smile on Your Face
– Chase Your Dreams
– Patience is a Virtue
– If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again
– It’s okay to cry
– Celebrate success
You can find lots of beautiful quotes to use as well at ThinkExist… and of course, I think for scrappers it will be easy to capture phrases that blossom out into a story for you. It can be a very personal thing, that might not mean much to those who don’t know the story. Like if I had a title, “mucho…” as a note to myself…it’s sort of cryptic, but means a lot to me. I think at times it’s the title of many scrapbook pages. So let’s do some brainstorming and I’ll be back to share each of my pages…
If you have any questions at all, please comment away – thanks for joining me on this journey!
