"Summer Vibes" Yellowstone Vacation Journal with Eileen Hull

Here's part two of my Yellowstone vacation album! Eileen's Creative Team has the theme of "Summer Vibes" for July so I decided to finally make an album with all of the photos and ephemera from our 2019 trip. (See part one of this project here.)

I used Eileen's Full Size Journal Die for the journal base. (To maximize the number of pages I could include in the journal, I didn't overlap the spine pieces. I butted them up next to each other and glued on another piece of mat board I cut to make the spine. I used the Bookbinding & Label Die Set 665153 to create page attachment tabs on the spine. (Like I did for this Halloween journal.)) Following are photos of all the pages:

I used lots of flaps and tuck spots throughout to fit in all the "stuff".

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out what my fellow designers have made this month.

Get connected with Eileen:

Find it on the Sizzix Website - the Eileen Hull Hub! Besides inspiration, you will also find die assembly videos and exclusive content. Check it out today and watch it grow!

Are you a member of the Eileen Hull Fan Club? Join the 8700 other members to share ideas, inspiration, sources, challenges and make some fabulous friends. Above all, make sure to answer the questions so we know you are legit! Watch her Lives at Eileen Hull Designs Facebook or her YouTube on Tuesdays at 6:00 Eastern for project ideas, techniques, inspiration and creative community. Additionally, you can also find Eileen on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

"Summer Vibes" with Eileen Hull Designs

Summer is in full swing, that's for sure. Eileen's Creative Team has the theme of "Summer Vibes" for July. That opens up a lot of creative possibilities! We went on a summer vacation to Yellowstone National Park in 2019 and I've been sitting on the photos and collected ephemera since then. I figured it was past time to actually do something with it all! So here we have part one of this project – the cover:

I used Eileen's Full Size Journal Die to cut two cover pieces out of mat board. To maximize the number of pages I can include in the journal, I didn't overlap the spine pieces. I butted them up next to each other and glued on another piece of mat board I cut to make the spine.

I'll be using the Bookbinding & Label Die Set 665153 to create page attachment tabs on the spine. (Like I did for this Halloween journal.) So stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out what my fellow designers have making for the month.

Get connected with Eileen:

Find it on the Sizzix Website - the Eileen Hull Hub! Besides inspiration, you will also find die assembly videos and exclusive content. Check it out today and watch it grow!

Are you a member of the Eileen Hull Fan Club? Join the 8700 other members to share ideas, inspiration, sources, challenges and make some fabulous friends. Above all, make sure to answer the questions so we know you are legit! Watch her Lives at Eileen Hull Designs Facebook or her YouTube on Tuesdays at 6:00 Eastern for project ideas, techniques, inspiration and creative community. Additionally, you can also find Eileen on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Halloween Journal - the Final Tutorial!

Hello and happy Halloween! I've been working on a big Halloween journal project over the course of the past several weeks. It started with the creation of the cover using Eileen Hull's Sizzix Full Size Journal Die. Two subsequent posts centered on all the inside pages - find those posts with tutorials here and here. I really had a lot of fun first going back through all my Halloween family photos from years past and then getting out all my Tim Holtz Halloween dies, stamps and media and going to town!

Here's a video flip-through of the journal (my rookie attempt lol):

A last piece of the construction of the journal is how I made the binding and attached the pages. Let's take a look…

Step 1

Eileen Hull's Bookbinding & Label Die Set is perfect for making ---- bindings for journals. It is sized to fit perfectly in her Folio Journal Die but it can be easily adapted to other cover sizes. The die cuts and scores the spine pieces so you can quickly fold them up. (No laborious measuring and scoring!)

Step 2

Once the paper was folded, I put red-line tape in place to adhere the 'peaks' together. (The peak forms a tab that you then attach your page to.)

Step 3

I used a quick grab wet glue to adhere my tab pieces in place on the spine block. I wanted it to be really strong!

For the final page installation, I first glued each front/back set of pages together but DID NOT put glue on the edges that would fit over each spine tab. When all the page sets were dry, one set at a time, I added glue inside that 'spine edge' and slipped it over a tab. A couple of clothespins and my fingers held it in place for a moment while the glue set.

Thanks for reading and keep an eye on the Funkie Junkie Inspiration Ave blog for loads of creative projects and techniques shared. Happy Halloween!

Funkie Junkie Focus - New Sizzix Chapter 4 Dies!

Hello Funkie Junkie fans, we have a new product inspiration theme for you – a look at the Sizzix Chapter 4 release.  

For a past Saturday Showcase, I shared the cover (and how-to) of a Halloween journal project I was working on. I continuing the project with the Inky in October product focus by creating delightfully inky pages to go inside!  (See that post here.) This go round I have the rest of the journal pages that I made for it that feature Chapter 4 dies and embossing folders!

FYI, we will no longer be having bi-weekly challenges on the Funkie Junkie blog but there is still a chance to win a $25 gift certificate at the Funkie Junkie Boutique! Just create a project using the products from each product showcase cycle, share it on social media and tag us at #thefunkiejunkie. You can read all about it here.

Let's take a look at each page in detail. Get comfy, there is a lot to see!

Page 1

This is one of my favorite photos of my boys. This page features the new Eileen Hull Sunflower Die and a background monoprinted using a Dina Wakley stencil and seasonal Distress Mica Stains.

The lower flower flips open to reveal a photo!

The sunflowers are cut out of yellow cardstock that I sprayed with Harvest Moon Mica Stain. The centers are cut out of brown paper that I embossed using the Woven Leather 3-D Embossing Folder (great texture!)

Page 2

Another photo from the pumpkin patch! The photo is mounted on cardstock embossed with the new Tim Holtz Chapter 4 Tree Rings 3-D Embossing Folder (a new favorite!)

The detail in this folder is AMAZING! I started out with Mixed Media Heavystock paper colored with Distress Spray Stains. 

I used a favorite (and simple) technique for embossing the background. All you have to do is rub the front half of the folder with Archival ink and then emboss! The ink transfers from the folder to the debossed areas of the paper and really makes the embossing detail pop. 

Page 3

In 2014 we started a new tradition of watching a special 'Halloween movie' instead of going out trick or treating. Our first movie was Ghost Busters! It was a big hit. 

The new Tim Holtz Chapter 4 Framed Tags Die Set made a great page pull out tag and I tucked it into a holder made using the Postale Thinlits Die Set. You will also spy a slide mount made using the Specimen Set.

Outer flap has a layer embossed using the Industrious 3-D Embossing Folder. (love it!) Papers used are the Halloween Distress Woodgrain (cat die cut) and background papers are from the Graphic 45 Charmed collection.

I used the inking techniques shared by Tim Holtz to ink the colored border as I cut the tag.

Page 4

This page shows some fall views from around our new neighborhood in Idaho. There is real fall here! The Chapter 3 Acorns 3-D Embossing Folder pairs wonderfully with the new Tim Holtz Chapter 4 Christmas Cutouts Die Set (see, not just for Christmas!)

The houses are cut out of cardstock covered with foil tape,
painted with Distress Paint, and then sanded.

This page flips up to reveal more Halloween fun!

The Tim Holtz Chapter 4 die set Layered Plaid isn't just for Christmas either. You'll see it's great for this Halloween page.

I used regular and Halloween Distress Crayons (from 2021 and 2022) to add color to the embossed leaves and acorns. It blended beautifully and the pearl shimmer is awesome.

Page 5

A single layer of the Layered Plaid makes a nice accent too. Otis is up there in the corner looking fab as well. Don't forget the Mischievous Cats too!

Page 6

Last page! More Framed Tags and a little ghostie made using Retro Halloween Die Set.

Whew! You made it to the end! Thanks for reading and keep an eye on the Funkie Junkie Inspiration Ave blog for loads of eye candy and techniques.

Funky Junkie Challenge - Inky in October

Hello Funkie Junkie fans, we have a new product inspiration theme for you – Inky in October. Hope you aren't afraid of dirty fingers! Our hostess is Janna and here is what she has to say about the theme,

"Today I want to challenge you to get out your Distress Inks, Sprays, and Mediums. Create a vintage or shabby chic project featuring Distress products. Let’s have some creative fun and get our fingers inky this month, happy crafting!"

FYI, we will no longer be having bi-weekly challenges on the Funkie Junkie blog but there is still a chance to win a $25 gift certificate at the Funkie Junkie Boutique! Just create a project using the products from each product showcase cycle, share it on social media and tag us at #thefunkiejunkie. You can read all about it here.

For the last Saturday Showcase, I shared the cover (and how-to) of a Halloween journal project I am working on. I'm continuing the project with this new challenge and creating delightfully inky pages to go inside! I got out a huge pile of Distress sprays, ink pads and Halloween Mica Stains old and new to create backgrounds and inky parts for the pages. (Still more to go!)

Scroll on to see the pages and the supplies and techniques I used! There is a LOT to see so get comfy.

As a general note, I created a whole pile of inky backgrounds using Distress Sprays, inks, Mica Stains etc. before I began. That way I had a stash to draw from as I used them for page bases and for die cutting shapes out of. It streamlined the whole creative process and compartmentalized the mess ha ha. Media mess first and then die/stamp mess. ;-)

For this first page, I used the Moon Mask set to create the spooky moon within the inky background. Fun die cuts and embossing finished off the page.

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sooo long ago, lol

The new Distress Watercolor Pencils and a tried and true double stamping technique were perfect for this page. The stamp set used is the new The Scarecrow set.

Use a stamp platform and stamp your initial image with archival ink onto your paper. Paint or color in the image and then re-stamp over the top to bring back the details of the image. Easy peasy!

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Interactive flap so I could include more photos!

You'll see the Graphic 45 'Charmed' Collection Patterns & Solids paper pack used throughout the journal pages. The fold out flap on this page is from this pack. I love the vintage vibe and it blends well with all the Distress media and Tim Holtz designs.

I used the '22 Halloween Design Tape to form the hinge for the flap. I added a little Distress Collage Medium underneath for a more secure hold.

I used the new Leaf Prints 2 stamp set along with 'watercolor stamping' to cover the inside with leaves. Watercolor stamping works best using stamps without intricate detail. Ink the stamp with Distress Ink and spritz lightly once with water. Stamp, lift and let it dry naturally. You get a neat watercolored look.

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I also mixed in bits from the Graphic 45 'Charmed' Ephemera Pack.

On the plain background, I first used the Hocus Pocus Layering Stencil and Distress Texture Paste Opaque to add the stars to the background. Once it was dry I added all the sprays and stains. As a final step when everything was dry, I highlighted the stars with Sizzix Gold Luster Wax.

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Pumpkin Patch, Colorize die set

You will see throughout all the pages that I make use of the Specimen, Collector and Postale Die Sets to add dates and other fun details. Such handy dies to add that final touch!

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Behold the wonderful Specimen Die Set!

plus the Twisted Layering Stencil on the background

More pages, keep going, you can do it!

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Oldie but goodie technique - Distress paint works great on metal! I put metal foil tape onto a piece of cardstock and then cut it into the pennant shape. Then I embossed it. I recommend wiping the metal down with rubbing alcohol as well. It helps the paint go on more smoothly.

I painted the metal with Villainous Potion Distress Paint and let it dry slightly, then wiped off most of it with a paper towel. 

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Snarky Cat Halloween and Bold Frights stamp sets used here. 

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Last (for now) page! The page substrate is Distress Kraft Heavystock and I used a brayer to first lightly add patches of grey acrylic paint to the base. Then I used Crypt Grit Paste and the Linked Circles & Mechanical Element Stencils to add more texture to the background.

Once everything was dry, I added Distress sprays and Mica Stains (yum!)

I needed an orc for the page so I changed the vampire from the Costume Party die set into one.

Whew! You made it to the end! Believe it or not, I have more pages to share with you soon. I might even manage to film a flip through of the completed journal. We'll see how that goes ha ha. Keep your eyes on the Funkie Junkie blog for inspiration from the fabulous Design Team.