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

Topflight Stamps 6th Annual Birthday Blog Hop

Hi everyone and welcome. It's Topflight Stamps 6th birthday and to celebrate, they’ve teamed up with some great designers to showcase celebratory projects using the unique products available at Topflight Stamps. Please hop along with us and see all the beautiful talent from this group of amazing designers! (List of Hop Stops available at the end of this post and on the Topflight Stamps blog HERE). They are also Hopping on Instagram! You can start at the Topflight Stamps account @topflightstamps

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Of course, it wouldn’t be a birthday celebration without prizes! Topflight Stamps is giving four lucky winners $50 Gift Certificates to the store. Two winners will be chosen from commenters on the blog hop and two will be chosen from commenters on the IG hop. For a chance to win, make sure to visit the stops on the hop and leave a comment by April 1st. Winners will be announced on the Topflight Stamps blog on Monday, April 3rd. U.S.A winners only due to shipping issues. Good Luck!

For my project I decided to keep it simple and made a card, opting to leave it open enough to celebrate a birthday but also maybe to celebrate a special person just because.

I've used gel plate prints to create the background, the PaperArtsy stamp set EKC64 by Kay Carley to stamp the flowers and sentiment on top, and PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints in Vanilla, Pumpkin Soup, Amethyst, and Granny Smith to add colour to the flowers. The new PaperArtsy Mini stencil PM023 has been used to add perforation dots to the background with Snowflake PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint and I've used the Vanilla colour to paint the layer beneath the main panel. 

Don't miss the sale also going on over at Topflight Stamps! There is a wide selection of fab stamps and products sourced from all over the world. And make sure to enter the giveaway to be in with a chance to win!

For now thanks for visiting,

Jenny

Blop Hop Stops;

Kathi Rerek
Dina Kowal
Esther Asbury
Annette Allen
Rachel Kleinman
Connie Mercer
Lisa Hoel
Jenny Marples
Cornelia Wenokor
Ericka Strange
Melina Dahl
Autumn Clark
Maria Willis
Angela Myhre
Gwen Lafleur
Natasha Vacca
Colleen Balija
Alanna Moses

Wordsoup, Tags & Pockets for Eileen Hull Designs

Hi everyone and welcome. This month “Wordsoup, Tags & Pockets” is the new March theme for Eileen Hull's teams. Words and letters are being used in projects that also combine the new Chapter 1 and older dies of Eileen’s. I've created a collection of tags, cards and pockets that will go inside something that will be revealed in all its glory next month!

There's lots of texture included on all of these interactive elements; I've done a lot of stencilling through a die cut panel using Eileen's Sizzix Thinlits 'Skinny Mini Elements' Die.

The pocket panel, the page tabs and some of the little ATC cards have been die cut using Eileen's Sizzix Thinlits 'Library Pocket, ATC Card & Tab' Die Set.

The tags were die cut using the medium size tag from Eileen's Sizzix Thinlits 'Card, Waterfall & Tags' Die Set.

Of course the words were made from Eileen's Sizzix Thinlits 'Tiled Alphanumeric' Die.

Throughout the pages I've also included lots of hand stitching, in particular using some of Eileen's long since retired die designs (proof as if it were needed that Eileen's dies will last you a lifetime of creativity!)

I'm looking forward to sharing the completed project with you next month as part of the upcoming Chapter 2 release party. In the meantime thank you for joining me today and 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

'Love of Home' Frame Pocket Journal for Eileen Hull Designs

Hi everyone and welcome. This month Eileen's teams are sharing their love of journals and using her latest dies and embossing folder from Sizzix in combination with her previously released dies, embossing folders, stamps and more.

I love the process of making journals and books so this theme was right up my street, and immediately thoughts turned to incorporating another love (architecture/buildings) by celebrating the 'Love of Home'. Based on Eileen's new Sizzix Scoreboards Plus Die 'Frame Pocket Journal'. You may want to grab a cup of something as there's lots to see!!!

The wrap around cover includes lace, beading, hand-dyed fabric, stencilling, stitching and a hand painted French doorway.

Diving inside there is a mix of textures and treatments to each page; below you'll see fabric collage and painted backgrounds featuring a label from Eileen's Maker Forte 'Making Plans' Rubber Stamp Set.

Here elements from Eileen's new Sizzix Thinlits 'Library Pocket ATC Card & Tabs' Die Set have been combined with the smaller card from the Sizzix Scoreboards Plus Die 'Frame Pocket Journal' to create an interactive pocket. Notice that the tab on the side has been cut from fabric and I've included a snippet bundle that features a stamped label from Eileen's Maker Forte 'Snail Mail Postage' Rubber Stamp Set.

Throughout the journal I've used a mix of die cut lettering and words/phrases stamped from the PaperArtsy EAB15 'House and Home' Stamp Set compiled by Alison Bomber. So from a simple collage page we turn to one that includes a stamped background using Eileen's Maker Forte 'Wonderful World of Flowers' Stamp Set, and die cuts from her Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 'Snail Mail' and Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 'Shadowbox Elements'.

Hand painted panels have been embellished with hand stitching and die cut flora using elements from Eileen's Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 'Shadowbox Frames #1' and Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 'Shadowbox Elements'. On the opposite page I've chosen to cut up into panels an embossed metal sheet that has been over-inked with verdigris colours. The pattern has been created with Eileen's Sizzix 3D Embossing Folder 'Tablecloth'.

I love to use Eileen's die cuts as stencils through which to apply texture paste. On the first page below this has been done with Eileen's Sizzix Thinlits Die 'Mandala' over which I've applied thin layers of paint. In complete contrast the red panel has been created by embossing some Grafix Duralar with Eileen's Sizzix 3D Embossing Folder 'Crochet Mandala' which I have coloured on the reverse with some red permanent ink to make the design pop. On top is another Alison Bomber phrase enhanced with die cut lettering from Eileen's new Sizzix Thinlits Die 'Tile Alphanumeric'.

The next few pages follow on from some of those seen earlier with a mix of paint, fabric, stitching and die cuts from Eileen's Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 'Shadowbox Elements' included.

The next interactive feature was inspired after seeing something similar on Jennie Atkinson's recent projects; taking the frame pocket element from Eileen's new Sizzix Scoreboards Plus Die 'Frame Pocket Journal' I added a translucent window so that the Alison Bomber words on tag inside were just visible.

Earlier processes were repeated for the next couple of pages, with the embossed panel this time featuring Eileen's Sizzix 3D Embossing Folder 'Sweater' and more of the new Sizzix Thinlits Die 'Tile Alphanumeric' lettering. Opposite again the floral background was stamped using Eileen's Maker Forte 'Wonderful World of Flowers' Stamp Set and the die cuts on top come from her Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 'Snail Mail'.

Another of those painterly stencilled pages, this time using Eileen's Sizzix Thinlits Die 'Skinny Mini Elements' whilst the fabric pages in the centre have a hand stitched house (following a template from one of Eileen's much older die sets). On the opposite page another of the die enhanced painted panels.

The next page makes dramatic use of Eileen's Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 'Snail Mail' in combination with a dark painted background and some old French text. The sentiment is more of the Sizzix Thinlits Die 'Tile Alphanumeric' lettering combined with smaller lettering from Eileen's Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 'Shadowbox Elements'. Elements from this die set are also included on the painted and fabric collage pages which follow it.

The small folded house page which wraps around the centre signature is from one of Eileen's older dies, the Sizzix Scoreboards Bigz L Die 'House Ornament'. You'll see throughout the journal I've made use of many of her earlier designs because they all work so well together.

The next pocket and little card inside also come from Eileen's new Sizzix Scoreboards Plus Die 'Frame Pocket Journal' and include more lettering from her new Sizzix Thinlits Die 'Tile Alphanumeric' set.

Remember how I used Eileen's Sizzix Thinlits Die 'Skinny Mini Elements' as a stencil through which to apply texture paste to a page - well it's too good to waste when you are finished. Sand off any excess paste and cut up the die cut for use in collage pages! You'll see opposite this one I've used a cut from Eileen's Sizzix Thinlits Die 'Heart Mandala' as another stencil, following it with another hand painted panel.

The stamping on this next background has been done using Eileen's Maker Forte 'Vintage Damask' Stamp, and again I've layered her Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 'Snail Mail' stamp shapes over the top.

The hearts you'll have seen scattered throughout this journal come from a discontinued Eileen die set called 'Journalling Cards, Heart' - the card itself has been popped into a fabric pocket attached to a background stamped using Eileen's Maker Forte 'Wonderful World of Flowers' Stamp Set. Following on, another embossed background has been created with Eileen's Sizzix 3D Embossing Folder 'Woven Leather', and the journal is finished with some final painted and fabric collage pages.

Phew! We've reached the end of the flip through my latest journal. Thank you for joining me today and 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