An Art Journal Fit for a Seamstress with Canvas Corp

Hi everyone!  Barbara here today on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog, and this month, we are cross-promoting with Canvas Corp, and look at all the goodies they sent.

And I thought these products would make a fantastic sewing-themed mini book.  Apologies in advance as this is a very photo heavy, long post, but I hope you enjoy it.

So, I am using the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Art Journal as my base.  As you can see, there are lots of chipboard pages to use, never mind how many sheets of double-sided paper you may or may not choose to add.  The possibilities are endless.

I pulled threads and frayed two edges (top and left in the photo below) to find the "square" edge so that I could use the book to measure where to cut the canvas (the bottom edge in the photo below).  Lay the covers on your canvas, one at a time, aligning the side with the holes along the selvage edge (right side in photo below) of the canvas.

Cut the canvas along the bottom edge, leaving approximately 1/4" edge to fray.  I like to pull a thread to get a straight line to cut along.

Lay book covers onto  Gypsy Seamstress Collection: Spools paper and trace around them, as shown.

Glue the canvas pieces to the outside of each cover.

Then glue the print papers to the inside front and back covers.

I had enough canvas material left, so while I was at it, I cut two more pieces the same size to add as canvas pages.  I used my crop-a-dile tool to punch holes and add eyelets to strengthen the holes.

Cut 8 sheets of the French General print paper measuring 5" x 7" for the inside chipboard pages.  These papers are all double sided, so you will have more choices as to which side or sides to use.

Cover both sides of chipboard pages, as shown below.  (TIP: Use chipboard to mark binding holes and punch or cut out holes before covering each page.  I used a 3/8" hole punch I had in my stash).

Cut 8 sheets of the French General paper measuring 6" x 7-1/4" for the inside tabbed chipboard pages.

Cover both sides of each tabbed chipboard page and trim away excess paper, as shown below. 

Cut 4 sheets of the French General paper measuring 1-5/8" x 7-1/4" for the inside book mark chipboard pages.

Cover both sides of each chipboard bookmark and trim away excess paper, as shown below. 

Cut 4 more sheets of the French General paper measuring 5" x 7" for the back side only of the corrugated chipboard pages.

Cover only the smooth side of each corrugated chipboard page, as shown below. 

The pretty red and blue ticking pieces from Canvas Corp matched my papers perfectly, and so I wanted to cut and fray the edges of each color to make additional fabric pages for my art-journal-turned-mini-album.  I punched holes and added eyelets to each page the same as I did for my canvas pages.  I found a couple of pieces of ephemera in the French General collection and stitched them to each page, as shown.

You can make pockets to any size you wish to fit onto your page(s), whether larger or smaller.  The measurements I used for my pocket, shown below, are 4"H x 6"W.  The top was punched with a decorative edge punch.  The remaining sides and bottom were scored 1/2" in on each side, folded, and corners were mitered for a clean corner.  

I added score-tape along the folded edges, as shown, and then these can be added to any page you chose.   Just adjust your measurements for whatever size you want or need, such as journaling cards or other ephemera you want to store.

Heat emboss Flourished Frame Karen with Oil Rubbed Bronze embossing powder.

Use packaging from 7Gypsies Architectures Treasures, and trace around frame with pencil.  Cut out middle section and glue to back of frame.

Glue framed piece to front cover.

Computer generate a title for your book to fit onto one of the Stackable Labels Shape Set labels.  I chose "Needles and Pins" for my title.  Glue to top piece of label and distress with brown ink.  Heat emboss bottom piece of label with Charred Gold embossing powder.  Glue both together and glue to front cover.  (See photo of finished cover)

Heat emboss stand portion of dress form with Weathered Wood embossing powder.

(TIP:  I added brown archival ink over the embossing to give it a deeper brown color).  Cover body portion with self adhesive print fabric from the French General collection.  This will be glued to front cover (see photo of finished cover).

Heat emboss stand portion of dress form with Charred Gold embossing powder.  Cover body portion with self adhesive print fabric from the French General collection.  Set aside for use on inside pages.

Heat emboss stand portion of dress form with Hammered Metal embossing powder.  Cover body portion with self adhesive print fabric from the French General collection.  Set aside for use on inside pages.

On the back of a tag, use the Architextures Parchment Rub-On - Inspire to add the quote and whatever image you like.  This is just one example of many I used throughout the book.  They are really fun and easy to use, and they add a real vintage feel to your project.

The rest of the pictures are of those pages I "finished", at least for now.  This is not all of the pages inside this book.  A journal of this size will be a work in progress for me for quite some time.  Even when I think I have finished, I will continue to collect, save, and add more to my pages as time goes on.  But in the meantime, I wanted to show you the pages as they are "finished" at this time.  If you are using this as a photo album, then some of the pages are perfectly suited to the addition of family photos.  Just simply mat your photo with coordinating solid paper and slap it in there.  LOL

Front Cover

Inside Front Cover
Canvas Corp 7Gypsies Architexture Treasures - Vintage Sewing Machine

Page with tags and cards 

Page with tags and cards removed
Reverse of tag shows Canvas Corp rub-on added

Page with Canvas Corp parchment rub-on (dress form)

Corrugated page with tags and cards 

Corrugated page with tags and cards removed
Reverse of tag shows Canvas Corp rub-on added

Page with fussy cut spools from 7Gypsies paper with tags and cards

Page with fussy cut spools from 7Gypsies paper with tags and cards removed

Page with GSL dress form shape
Canvas Corp 7Gypsies Architecture Junque Pack (hanging lamp)

Page with tag inserted in pocket
GSL Dressforms 2 Shape Set

Page with tag removed from pocket
Reverse of tag shows Canvas Corp rub-on added

Corrugated page with handmade flowers
Canvas Natural burlap piece holding small stick pin

Two pages made from Canvas Corp Ticking (red and blue)
Tags sewn onto each piece of fabric

Inside back cover
Canvas Corp 7 Gypsies Architexture Treasures - Old Scissors

Outside Back Cover
Canvas Corp Natural Canvas covering

Supplies Used:

GSL Art Journal
GSL Stackable Labels Shape Set
GSL Dressforms 2 Shape Set
GSL Flourished Frame Karen
Canvas Corp
   Natural canvas fabric
   Ivory burlap fabric
   Ticking fabric (red, blue)
   Colored Burlap (aqua, ivory)
   7Gypsies 12x12 paper - Gypsy Seamstress Collection:  Spools
   7Gypsies 12x12 paper - Gypsy Seamstress Collection:  Buttons
   7Gypsies Architecture Treasures - Vintage Sewing Machine
   7Gypsies Architecture Treasures - Old Scissors
   7Gypsies Architxtures Junque Pack - Library
   7Gypsies Architextures Parchment Rub-On - Inspire
French General paper collection (Jolee's Boutique by EK Success)
French General embellishments and ephemera
Floral edge punch (Martha Stewart)
Buttons punch (EK Success)
Scor-tape (or any adhesive you have on hand)
Embossing Powders (Emerald Creek)
Lace, metal embellishments, gem stickers, etc. (from my stash)

If you are reading this, then I thank you for sticking with me.  I will continue to work in this book, adding to and decorating each page, which is the most enjoyable part for me.  I don't like to rush this part, but I enjoy the "hunt" for more items to add.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by, and have wonderful, creative day!

Barbara
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Shabby Sewing Heart with Canvas Corp Brands

Hi folks, Cherry here today at the GSLC Blog!   Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts had a fun product match up this month with Canvas Corp Brands.

  What fun it was using both companies products together.  Kinda a match made in heaven.   I created this fun shabby heart with a sewing theme.  Perfect little decor for a sewing or craft room.

 I started with these fun mini display tray hearts  as my base and decided to spray paint them with ballerina pink spray paint. 

Than I traced my inside heart with this sweet sewing paper from 7 Gypsies .

I added a double layer of lace to the inside.

I wrapped the heart with seam binding diagonally.

From here I layered the tray heart on top and started adding all my embellishments including this Ironwork frame.  I spray painted it as well.  I also highlighted areas of frame with some white acrylic paint to shabby it up a bit.

           I used some awesome Architexture embellishments including this cool sewing machine and those sweet little girl Mary Jane shoes.  

I added some pretty velvet blooms, vintage measuring tape, and a metal bobbin to complete my project. 

 I adore those little patent leather Mary Janes!

 Thanks for stopping by the Gypsy Soul Laser Cut blog today!  Cherry Nelson

Gypsy Soul Laser Cut Supplies-

mini Display tray-heart

Ironwork frame 

Canvas Corp Brands Supplies-

Architexture treasures sewing machine

Trinkets Mary Janes

7 Gypsies Seamstress Patterns paper

7 Gypsies Seamstress Bias Tape pattern paper 

RESIST Shrine Grotto by Susan Killam

Hello creative friends!  Today on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog I'm sharing a mixed media art project borne of current news topics as well as individual experiences many of us have endured.  This is a personal piece for me.

Moving right along, allow me to gush about the Shrine Grotto.  It really is a stellar design!

The grotto is 10 inches x 4 inches x 4 inches.  The material is a very thick chipboard which allowed me to use wood screws for the top handle and the dress form.  This a solid piece that will not come apart! I'm looking forward to more projects using this grotto.

To begin, I chose papers that would help illustrate the juxtaposition of outer calm and inner rage.  In the end, I used black instead of the orange paper.

This was a pretty easy assembly since I wanted to wrap the grotto instead of cutting individual panels.  Here I laid out all three walls and marked where the paper needed to be cut on both papers, even though the inner paper is only shown.

I also made small pencil marks where I needed to score the paper for the inner corners.

Once scored I did a dry run for fit, then glued the paper on, one chipboard panel at a time.

With each new panel I tested the scoring and fit, and reinforced the grotto with drafting tape while the  glue dried.

I used a small self-healing mat to cut out the extra flaps.  This was a little fiddly but I persevered.  I could have measured the paper for the short notch, but I wasn't sure how the inside edges would be finished and I didn't want chipboard to show at the top and bottom joints.

I used white glue and a brayer to adhere the papers to the chipboard.

Here the outer floral paper is attached, as is the top chipboard.  (Despite how it looks, the top outer black is just taped on, not glued.)  I've already added the gold foil Dresden and thought, "hey, why not screw the top handle in instead of [whatever it was I was thinking...]?"  Heh.  Out came the Crop-A-Dile!

I also made a hole in the bottom piece before covering with black card stock.  I added the front and all the black Dresden foil trim.  I sealed the outside with a couple coats of varnish, then finished with the top knob, dress form, and feet.  No photos of this... I was on a roll!

The scored corners look especially nice on the outside.  Since the Shrine Grotto is 12 inches from front edge to opposite front edge, scoring makes a 12x12 sheet a wee bit short.  I covered the deficit with the strips of black Dresden running down each outer edge.

Thank you for visiting today!  Each day here you'll find a new inspiration project from the GSL Cuts Education Team!

Cheers,
Susan

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used
Shrine Grotto D179G

Other Supplies Used
S.E.I. paper
Dresden foil trim
Black card stock
Found wood dress form
Vintage tissue paper torn to cover dress form
Ranger Glue 'n Seal to adhere tissue and printed phrases
Printed phrases collected from current events and friends
Wood knob, feet
Black acrylic paint
Gold acrylic paint
Liquitex matte varnish
A healthy dose of resistance

Fall straw wreath by Lynne

Hello friends and happy Fall! I decided that this week it was time to take down my spring/summer wreath with the soft lavender florals and create something just right for this time of year, and the Fall Shapes Set provided me with exactly what I needed.

I spray painted my straw wreath gold, using this paint (although I'm sure any brand would work equally well)

The leaves were  run through my Cuttlebug in this embossing folder: , then painted with gold acrylic paint. I then lightly rubbed them  here and there with Art Alchemy Metallic Wax and a bit of copper acrylic paint.

The pumpkin was painted with the copper paint, but I wanted to add dimension, so I cut the shape out from patterned paper (7 Dots Thoughts Keeper), scored it, and rubbed over the scored lines with the metallic wax. It was then glued onto the chipboard pumpkin.

I coloured the metal embellishments and paper flowers with the same supplies as these pieces, but the banner pieces were simply painted with the 2 colours of acrylics, then I lightly brushed a bit of metallic wax on the outer edges. The pieces were glued together, then attached to a piece of twine.

The hanging metal acorns are bells that I found at a cute shop here in my town; I just added a little metallic paint and wax to soften the colours and help them coordinate better with everything else.

I have to confess that the bright oranges and rust colours that are often used in fall decor are not my favourites, so I was pleased with the effect of the metallics combine with natural elements like straw and twine, and I hope you like the finished look as well! Thanks so much for stopping by, and may you "fall" in love with creating all over again!!

GYPSY SOUL ITEMS USED
Fall Shape Set

OTHER ITEMS USED

Art Alchemy Metallic Wax-aged copper

Darice embossing folder

& Dots paper
Krylon gold spray paint
Gold and copper acrylic paints
assorted paper flowers

Spooky little Haunted House

Happy Sunday and thank you so much for stopping by on this beautiful fall day.  Today i have a fun project to share with all of you that is made with the Display Tray house with a little bit of a Halloween twist to it.

I started to get out my fall and halloween decorations this week and thought how fun it would be to make up a cute haunted house to put up in my entryway with a few of the other fun GSLC projects that i have made.  I had lots of fun little chippies to use to decorate it too and it really went together pretty quick.  Keep reading for quick directions on how i created it.

1. So to begin my project i cut out all the pieces that i thought i might use and layed them on my project and took a picture.  This way after i paint and all of that i know where to put them back just in case.

2. Then take the back of the house and trace it on the front of the paper and cut it out.  Glue it to the front and let dry.  Then sand around the edges.  Set it aside.

3. Take pieces of the pretty halloween papers and trace through the windows with a pencil.  Cut around the pencil lines about 1/4 inch more so that you can glue it behind the windows when you are done painting.  Set all of them aside.

4. Paint the whole front and sides with black paint and let it dry.

5.  Take out lots of pretty colors in chalk paint and ink that match your paper and ink your little halloween chippies and let them dry.  This goes really fast with chalk ink and you can shadow them if you want more depth on them.

6. Glue those pieces of printed paper to the back of your dry window tray.  Let it dry.  Then glue it down to the front of the back purple piece that you did in the beginning.  Take your little chippies and glue them down to the front of the house like you see below.  Add stickers and glitter on the chippies to make them sparkle.  Add a twine bow in the tree to finish it.

7. Try using other things in your stash to see what kind of fun effect you can get on your project.  I used stickles for the glitter and it came out really neat and a little bit more random verses thick pasty glitter.  The distress stickles came out even better on the pumpkins.  

All these little cuties came in the set called "Spooky Shape Set" and i have lots more to make up a few cards to send out to friends.  

Aren't these 2 pumpkins so adorable?

And that is all there is to make it.  You could even tuck in cute pictures int the squares from your trick or treating with the kids.  How fun would that be to keep up for the coming years ahead!!  

Here is a supply list just in case:

GSLC Display Tray House

GSLC Spooky Shape Set

GSLC Tree 1

GSLC Creepy Corners

GSLC Haunted House Oval

Papers by Doodlebug/ stickers

Paint: Americana Multi Surface Satin

Stickles in lime, orange and purple

Chalk inks

Adhesive

twine

Thanks so much for stopping by.....Teresa