Getting Ahead For Christmas

“Stop the year I wanna get off!!”…… just kidding! Seriously though, does it feel like being on a very long slide with Christmas at the bottom and you just keep on getting faster? Maybe it’s just me or maybe it’s because of the insanely gorgeous Autumn weather we’ve been having that it became difficult to visualize Christmas.  Or maybe it’s the crazy routine in publishing when you’re planning December in July and by November it’s already Spring! 

Anyway, this was a discussion of sorts way back in July with my fellow teammates from Paper Pen and Plan. We were wondering why we never get to finish up our December Journals/planners even though at the beginning we always seem to be so focused. We came to the conclusion that if we planned things earlier and in a more organized way it should make the rest fall into place. So we’ve each taken a topic and week to showcase what we’re using and how we’re using it. I was up last week and I was talking about Inserts.

I decided to make myself a felt notebook cover in a standard size and of course I made my own inserts to go with it using a Simple Stories collection called Cozy Christmas which you can find at Paper Pen and Plan on Etsy.

To go with my theme I made a little video tutorial which you can find below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhkXI8gS1Vc

If you want to join us then head over to Facebook and join the Paperpenandplan group where we’ll be more than happy to help inspire you. I’ll be showing inside my planner and memory book as I add to it and I’d love to hear if you make one of your own or have your own ideas for December planning.

Have a good weekend

Jaine xx

An Update From The Studio

Good morning from a the sunny Dutch coast where we’re taking a few days break to recharge and rest. It’s the first time taking the dog too so his reaction to the sea will be priceless.

This week it was my turn to post on the WOW blog and the theme for the month is Embossing Glitter. I’m really embracing my glittery side and find myself adding some to almost everything these days. I never thought I’d say that.

I have this awsome stamp set from Jane Davenport which I used on this card and thought it reminded me of Asian art which inspired me to go for this Asian design.

Continue reading An Update From The Studio

Friday In The Studio – Tissue Paper Flower Clip

Look at this little clip, isn’t it cute? Even if I do say so myself I think I had a flash of  real inspiration here.

The clip came as part of the June Sweet Treat box from Paper Pen and Plan and Clare set us a challenge to create something using it so that’s just what we did.  The idea hit me when I saw the jumbo sized tissue paper circle confetti which Clare has started putting in the boxes as part of the packaging. I had the thought to make tissue paper flowers and glue them all onto the clip but sadly the confetti was just a bit too small. However the box packaging was full of lovely tissue paper which I could cut circles from as much as I wanted.

The process couldn’t be simpler. You just need a hole making tool, a brad to hold the layers of tissue together, a circle of card a bit smaller than the tissue and a little felt bobbly ball for the centre which conveniently came in the Sweet Treat box too.

With about 8 or 9 layers of tissue, I made a hole and pushed the brad through to just hold them together while I snipped all the way around not quite into the centre.

Taking each layer individually I scrunched them up into the centre to create the ruffled effect. I glued the card circle onto the back along with the top of the clip and a second card circle.

I ended up making two and thought it would look much better if I glued them back to back to make a pompom flower.

Much better. If you want to see what the other designers did with their clips you can go to the Paperpenandplan facebook group

To buy a Sweet Treat Box of your own or a subscription go to Paper Pen and Plan.

Stay around as later on there’s a very special post coming up.

Jaine x

Friday In The Studio – A Look At The March Projects

March has been a funny month so far. The beginning of the month was super cold, then the sun came out and we had a brief taste of Spring and then the snow and cold temperatures returned just to keep us on our toes and after another hint of sunshine the rain has returned to make us feel miserable again.

Meanwile in the studio there have been lots of projects on the go.

This card made using WOW embossing powders and glitter along with the fabulous quote stamp went up on the WOW blog a couple of weeks ago.

The theme for the month of March is Sparkles and the quote was the inspiration behind the card. It was a brilliant opportunity to go over the top with glitter, something which normally makes me nervous but it gave me great pleasure this time around. I only wish my photo would have captured how much the die cuts do sparkle, it’s amazing.

The beginning of March I did something a bit different and contributed to a new online magazine called the Creative Planner by submitting a coloring page for their self care challenge. If you’d like to download and use my colouring page or indeed read the whole magazine you’ll find it here. The Creative Planner are on Facebook and Instagram if you want to follow them too.

For a while now I’ve been sewing notebook covers in felt which have been very successful with orders coming in for custom sizes and applique designs on the front. I’ll continue to make these notebook covers which you can find here on my Etsy store at basementsixtyfive along with pen holders also in felt but I’ve also been making covers in canvas which brings other possibilities like being able to paint on it too. This little A6 version was made using canvas from Canvas Corp and I created a blog tutorial showing how to get the design on the canvas fabric.  I have a feeling you’ll be seeing more of this and others in the future. The design is of course my stamped houses which looks just so cool here on the front.

I’m still experimenting with different bullet journal layouts but the one thing I’m sticking with for now is my hand drawn style and the watercolour paints. I know this one is far from perfect but it’s definitely the style I want to continue with. The mini stickers come from Paper Pen and Plan on Etsy   They’re just the perfect size too.

Have a good weekend everyone and I’ll catch up next week.

Jaine x