Eileen Hull Designs Sizzix Chapter 2 Art Journal

Hi everyone and welcome. Throughout April Eileen Hull's teams are continuing to share projects made using the new Sizzix Chapter 2 collection. To recap, there are three dies in the set: the Card Case, Mini Slimline & Tickets and Journaling Card, Envelope & Windows.

At the beginning of the month Eileen hosted a Release Party during which I shared a peek at a new Art Journal created using all of the new dies (and more besides!) Today I'm back to show you more of the pages inside, but before all that a quick update on how they were bound together and inserted.

The covers of the Card Case open in a folio style so I decided to add the pages by stitching them together with Coptic Stitching before securing them inside each cover with fabric. Treat each side as though it is a separate book like this;

During Eileen's Live I was asked how I bound in the pages so here are some photos from an older tutorial of mine. I start by making holes in the centre of each folded page (or in the case of the envelopes in the centre of the main fold before they are glued together at the sides). Make an odd number of holes - more holes give more stability.

Next, complete the Coptic Stitching using a strong thread - there are loads of video tutorials on YouTube showing this which I highly recommend as the easiest way to learn.

Once stitched together add bookbinding glue or PVA glue over the edges of the stitched pages and stick onto a piece of thin fabric, taking care not to glue the sides of the end pages to the fabric. I support mine by using a peg to hold the open sides of the pages together as shown below.

Once completely dry, glue the two pieces of fabric to either side of the spine area. Take care to avoid adding glue to the actual spine; you want this to remain un-attached from the cover in order to allow the stitched pages to open properly when the book is completed.

With the fabric secure on either side of the spine you can either glue down the outer pages onto the covers or add an extra piece of folded paper/fabric on each side to stabilise the stitched signatures (these are called end pages). I repeated this process on both sides of the Card Case to attach both sets of pages.

Now it's time to take a proper look inside at some of the pages which feature Eileen's dies, stamps and embossing folders.

Here's the new Envelope and Journaling Card with a button from the Card Case die and lettering from the Tile Alphanumeric Die. The page opposite is embossed with the Tablecloth 3D embossing folder.

That button from the Card Case die is incredibly useful for adding to Eileen's button cards. The tabs on the edges of some of the pages come from the the Journaling Card, Envelope & Windows die set.

Die cut postage stamp shapes come from the Mini Slimline & Tickets die set; they can be left plain or emboss them with the 3D Vintage Buttons embossing folder.

Thank you for joining me for today's flip through and tutorial. Make sure to check out all the fantastic projects and tutorials from the rest of Eileen's team members - links to their posts can be found on Eileen's blog throughout the month.

For now thanks for visiting,
Jenny xxx

Eileen Hull Designs Sizzix Chapter 2 Release Party

Hi everyone and welcome. Thanks for joining the Eileen Hull Designs Chapter 2 2023 Release Party! This quarter the release will be special as Eileen will be broadcasting direct from the NAMTA trade show! Make sure to join her on the Eileen Hull Designs Facebook Page and YouTube channel to watch.

There's a giveaway too! Comment in the Facebook and YouTube livestreams and tell her which of Eileen's other dies would work well with this collection. You have until April 10 to post your comments. And of course watch Eileen's YouTube channel to see die assembly and project ideas.

The release this time is gorgeous and as always works beautifully with Eileen's previous releases so make sure you mix and match when playing! There are three dies in the set: the Card Case, Mini-Slimline & Tickets and Journaling Card, Envelope & Windows.

The Card Case is a Bigz XL ScoreBoards die. This die is specially designed to cut and score thick material up to 1/16" like matboard, chipboard, leather, felt and fabric so your finished project is nice and sturdy. The finished Card Case die measures 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" and has an adjustable spine that goes from 1/2" to 2 1/2". This is the perfect size journal to hold your 3" x 4" journaling cards, as well as other small items like wallet photos, ATCs and ephemera. There is a swing out flap on each side where you can add pockets or small insert books- you decide what combination you want to do. Make the spine thick or thin- your choice!

The Journaling Card, Envelope & Windows die has 6 pieces- an envelope, 3" x 4" Journaling Card, three window cutouts (use with envelope to remove and back with glassine like a window envelope) and a tab. The Envelope measures 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" and fits perfectly inside the Journal! Or use it by itself and add your favorite ephemera pieces.

The Mini-Slimline & Tickets die design is similar to the Snail Mail die, which was very popular for creating faux postage stamps. There are four dies in the set- one is the size of a mini slimline card and one is a mat that may be placed behind the perforated piece. The other two pieces are a row of tickers and mat that goes behind that. When you fold over each perforated piece and tear it, it creates individual faux postage stamps and tickets! Die cut the piece from patterned paper for an amazing background- just add a sentiment and let the paper do the work.

My first project with this collection is a big one, using all three of the new releases, some previous releases and a mix of textures and artwork to create an art journal celebrating one of my favourite places, travels in Venice, Italy. For now here's a look at the front cover;

The colours are soft pastel tones evocative of warm summer sunshine and Italian architecture. From the peek inside you'll see this is a double-sided folio style journal which wraps up together beautifully to make something that is easily transported in your bag or backpack. Imagine having a stash of plain watercolour paper inside all ready for you to draw, doodle, make notes and attach ephemera on you own travels!

I will be back to share more detail of the pages inside but in the meantime here's a video flip through;

I hope you've enjoyed seeing my first project using Eileen's latest die releases. Make sure to tune in to head on over to Eileen's website to see more from the rest of Eileen's team.

You can also blog hop on these stops;

Eileen Hull Designs
Pam Bray
Jennie Atkinson
Sarah Lizzie
Lisa Hoel
Susie Bentz
Tonya Trantham
Jenny Marples
Maggi Harding
Karen Bearse
Sue Eldred
Sharon Curtis
Teresita Arvelo
Madeline Arendt
Cheryl Bodkin-Waters

For now, thanks for visiting,

Jenny xxx