Saturday, November 17, 2012

Handmade Holidays Blog Hop (with lots Prizes!!)

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!! 




Calling all crafters! We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. This 3 day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all of the thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could create for the holidays, all in one place, during our second annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!
Almost exactly a year ago (wow has it really been that long?!), I bought a Smash book and converted it into a planner. I love how free-form and fun it is. I sectioned it off to create room for all my scrap stuff and my calendars and lists. I am still using it and loving it, but it's running out of pages. I thought about buying another one, but there are a few things that I don't love about it. There aren't enough pages and while I love the pretty patterned papers, they aren't really practical for making lists and writing notes. I wanted something pretty and free form, without lines, that I could section off for myself. So, I came up with the idea to make one and since it's such a fun easy and useful project, it makes a great gift at this time of year!

Who wouldn't love a planner/art journal/etc that they can customize to fit their own needs?



I love the size of the Smash book - big enough to be useful and have room for everything, but not so big as to be unwieldy to carry around every day. So, I designed this book to be the same size. I used black chipboard for the covers and cut them to 10.5x7.5 inches

I bought a cheap sketch book with 50lb paper in it and used that for my pages because I like the thicker pages, but didn't want to add too much bulk or cost with REALLY thick cardstock pages. 

I printed 14 blank calendar pages and interleaved them with one blank page, so that I have a lot of space for my monthly notes and lists.

Click HERE to download the pdf of the calendar pages so you can print your own.

Then I made 5 more sections of about 25 sheets each.

I cut all the pages (blank and calendar) to 10x7 inches. Then I used some Bazzill Cardstock for my divider pages and cut those to 10x7.25 inches - so they would be just a little bit wider than the pages and stick out to make them easy to find.

Here's what my blank pages and calendar pages and covers looked like when I was finished with that.

Now to add some pizzazz! 

Let's start with the divider pages! I chose 6 different colors of Stephanie Barnard Dye ink that loosely coordinate with the Authentique papers that I planned to use. Then I grabbed my rollograph and used it to create some brightly patterned papers. 


The finishing touches include inking the edges liberally and one more rollograph application of the children playing in black chalk ink on the lighter colored pages.

If you don't have 6 different colors of ink, you could use 2 or 3 and alternate them. Also, if you don't have a bunch of different rollograph cartridges, you could use the same one in different colors, or even use regular stamps. I like the rollograph for a project like this because it's just so easy! The dye ink dries almost instantly, so I just flipped the pages over and did the same thing on the other side.


For the cover, I wanted to keep it flat so that it can stand up to daily use without suffering too much. Since I started with black chipboard, I decided to capitalize on that and emboss right on it instead of covering it with paper first. I used mostly Graphic 45 Hampton Art stamps with a few 7 Gypsies Hampton Art stamps. I arranged the stamps on my block in a pattern, so that I didn't have to stamp each one individually, then I inked them up with Top Boss embossing ink. Then I heat embossed with the Donna Salazar mixd media inx embossing powder in Leather. I just love how this powder turns out with a little sheen too it!



I finished the cover up with some Authentique paper and Bo Bunny cardstock that was punched with some Fiskars border punches - including the new-to-me interchangeable cartridge one that is SO MUCH FUN! I also used an Authentique die cut tag and stickers for the year. I inked the edges of the papers with some color box pigment ink in sapphire silk.

For just a little bit more fun, I inked the edges of the stacks of paper with the colors that correspond to the dividers. Note: DAB the ink pad on the edges of the paper stack, don't run it along. Learn from my mistake and don't ruin your ink pad! In my haste to ink the edges faster, I ended up taking a chunk out of my ink pad. Oops! Dabbing the ink pad onto the paper edge works just fine though.

I also added a few pages from my old Smash book that were unused. Feel free to throw in a few patterned papers for fun.

I also added some envelopes. They are just plain invitation sized envelopes that happened to be almost exactly 7.25 inches wide. After punching them with my bind it all, I trimmed the punched edge of the flap, so that the flap doesn't get bound, and will still open.


This is what the top looks like after the edges of the paper were inked. Isn't that pretty?!

I also added some Authentique details to the envelopes for a little more fun.





Clearsnap Supplies
Cat's Eye Pigment ink in Sapphire Silk
Stephanie Barnard Dye ink in Banana, Cornflower, Plum, Grape, Artichoke, and Fairy Pink
Color Box chalk ink in blackbird
Donna Salazar mixd media inx embossing powder in Leather
Top Boss embossing ink
Rollagraph Jumbo stamp wheel in Crackle, Doll Faces, Wordswords

Blog Hop Participant supplies
TomBow Adhesives
Fiskars Punches
Authentique papers, die cuts and stickers
Graphic 45 Hampton Art stamps

Other Supplies
50lb paper
Black chipboard
Zutter Bind it all and wire


Below is the line-up for today. You should have arrived here from Gretchen's blog. If not, you might want to go back and start from the beginning so you don't miss any inspiration or chances for prizes! Also, if you missed yesterday be sure to check out those posts also, which you can find on the Clearsnap blog post from yesterday. Now, it's on to Tania Willis!!!

But don't miss my GIVEAWAY below

Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com/
Hampton Art - 
http://blog.hamptonart.com/
Graphic45 – 
http://g45papers.typepad.com/
Fiskateers - 
www.fiskateers.com/blog
Donna Salazar Designs – 
http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/
Tombow USA – 
http://blog.tombowusa.com/
Authentique Paper 
http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/
The Twinery - 
http://www.thetwineryblog.com/
Eileen Hull for Sizzix 
http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/
Globecraft Memories – 
http://globecraftmemories.blogspot.com/
Diana Gonzalez – Clearsnap – http:// 
www.arteypoemas.com
Monika Wright – The Twinery - 
http://www.iloveitallwithmonikawright.com/
Gretchen McElveen - Hampton Art - 
http://gretchenmac.blogspot.com/
Megan Aaron – Clearsnap- 
http://thoughtsoftraveling.blogspot.com/  YOU ARE HERE
Tania Willis – Fiskateers- 
http://throughtrialsiambeingpurified.blogspot.com/
Gloria Stengel – Graphic 45 - 
http://www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com/
Suzanne Austin – Clearsnap - 
http://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com/
Shellye McDaniel – Authentique Paper - 
http://paperedcottage.blogspot.com/
Natasha Naranjo Aguirre – Donna Salazar Designs - 
http://www.moments-of-tranquility.com/
Jen Carter – The Twinery - 
http://jensinkspot.blogspot.com/
Laura Denison – Graphic 45 - 
www.lauradenisondesigns.com
Candy Spiegel – Globecraft Memories - 
http://candyspiegel.wordpress.com/


To sweeten the Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors! Use the Rafflecopter widget on the Clearsnap blog to gain extra entries each day: http://clearsnap.blogspot.com
Visit the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov 27, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST. Each day we will be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!


Here's the Clearsnap prize pack---that's over $100 worth of swag!!!



And here is my own 


Giveaway!!! 
Today I am giving away a $10 Gift Certificate to

All you have to do to enter is 
1. Become a follower (or already be one)
2. Leave me a comment
3. Make sure to leave your email address in your comment, or have it in your blogger profile so I can contact you, and/or come back next week to see if you've won!

92 comments:

Sue Lui said...

That's one cute personalized Smash album. :)

TracyM #6773 said...

Fabulous journal - you have put so much thought and planning into it, making it so practical!!!
Love your cover - great idea to have the embossing so that it will safely last all year while it is being filled :)

Marilyn said...

Great project!! Thanks for sharing

mimicaro9650 at you dot com
http://www.whodatscrapper.blogspot.com

Tracey said...

What a fabulous journal! That would make a lovely gift!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful journal!

Lisa Torres said...

Love who you beautified the journal. Love the colors especially the cover with the embossing. What a great gift this will make.

Wendy said...

I love your planner!! I always make one for me and my daughter. now that we have a huge vacation coming up, I need a planner and a journal for both of us. Thanks for sharing your idea!! I'm a new follower now!

Stampin2day said...

Love Love Love the album! I am a follower of your blog :o).

Sarah said...

Wow you put a lot of work into that and it shows. Great Job, I love all the stamping.

Unknown said...

Love the colors and especially the embossed cover gives it a personal touch. Awesome!

Sandy said...

Great ideas for a journal. Hope I win!

B said...

Great idea!! I HAVE to do this...awesome!!

Mare said...

Awesome project!

Jessica Strider said...

What a lucky person who's going to get this under the tree. Looks fantastic. I love the stamps you used to emboss the cover.

Tammy Wilson said...

Love your journal Megan!!

WandaH said...

Really nice Journal. Thank you for sharing

Sue D said...

I love the pizzazz you added!!
I am a follower.
slrdowney at hotmail dot com

PamSpradlin said...

I am printing my calendar pages as I write. This is an awesome project and I have to make one. I have you bookmarked for further reference in case I get stuck. I just love this idea.
I am now a follower also.

mspradlin@cox.net

Nina Yang said...

Amazing Megan! Have a wonderful holiday season!

Teresa said...

what a great note book love the cover anfd the face page /following you / tjigo at apex dot net

Kathy W said...

This is way cool. Thanks for sharing the how-to, too.

Unknown said...

I love your Smash book, especially the Wizard of Oz stamping you did on the front...love it. I am new follower chikenla@yahoo.com. Thanks for sharing!!

Tkat said...

love your projects! great papers and great looking pages. i'm a follower of your blog now. thanks for the chance :)

jenscreationstation said...

Great Project - thanks for sharing!

Gloria Stengel said...

Oh, I love me a journal! This is fab!

{Jennie} said...

Great project!

JPScraps said...

I love this! The book is so fabulous!

Romy said...

Such a fabulous journal album!

Joan Shanks said...

cute project.
joanshanks@eastlink.ca
Joan

Joan Shanks said...

cute project.
joanshanks@eastlink.ca
Joan

Unknown said...

That is one gorgeous journal.

Dee said...

I haven't delved into the realm of Smash Books yet - still working my way through basic scrapbooking - lol! But I love your patterns and color choices! Thanks much for sharing your creativity!

Judith said...

Wow, that is so cool!!! I am now a follower. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

such a cute journal! Love that you could create all your own papers with everyday supplies! Thanks!

lynda said...

What really grabbed my attention in your planner were the Rollagraph stamps. I really liked the one with the child's face & the other of the children playing. Thanks for your personal giveaway too! I already am a follower.

Lisa said...

What a gorgeous journal!! I love the beautiful design!! Thanks so much for the inspiration!! I'm happy to be a new follower :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Leslie said...

Cute journal! Thanks for sharing!

Beth Hillier said...

Oh my gosh, great journal! Lots of work went into that I am sure!

Bethannrh@gmail.com

My Studio Voice said...

I'm always impressed when someone not only starts but actually finishes journals and such. Thank you for sharing.

Amy Martin said...

This is really neat. Love your ideas.

Katie R. said...

I love the smash book ideas. I will try some of these for sure.

Beatrice Lawson said...

Seriously adorable. I love the mix of various papers and stamps, looks awesome!

Veronica said...

I am sooo impressed with this! You've inspired my next project :)

Unknown said...

I'm all smiley thinking about how to make one of these for myself now... Thanks!!

Mulberry Mindy said...

This journal/planner is so beautiful! I really like your design, and it will make a great gift for year-round, including the holidays. Thanks for sharing.

Lisa's Creative Niche said...

I love the idea of making a crafting journal! Fantastic!

Kim H said...

wonderful journal, love how you created the different pages, and the cover is awesome with the embossing. thank you for sharing.

Nat Laney said...

Wonderful journal. Never made one but want to.

Pat N. said...

Wow your personalized planner is fantastic! Love how you made your divider pages and embossed the front cover. Just a fabulous job!!

JLJ Designs said...

Gorgeous journal!

Jen
jljdesigns@cox.net

Rozy said...

Your album is amazing. So much thought and detail. Great job.

Jean Bullock said...

What a fun project! Thank you!
Fiskateer Jean#8889

Camerageek said...

I just started sketching out doing my own address book. This tutorial helped soooo much. Great idea to add envelopes. Love the book.

CathyinMN said...

Wonderful planner! I'm a follower. Thanks for the chance to win!
tcsobotka at charter dot net

Katina said...

This is a fantastic little planner you made. I love all the details. It will be really fun to use all year! I'm a follower now!

craftylyn said...

Great album - love all the inked pages.I'm enjoying the hop so onwards I go.

Tona said...

You did a fabulous job on this book! Thanks for sharing.

texasgirl2 said...

great journal!

Pam said...

What a fantastic journal! Great cover.

Laura S Reading said...

Love your ideas. I am pinning and borrowing.

fozzieb713 said...

this is really nice. love it

Dawn Cox said...

love that journal! should i win my e mail should be in blogger, but if not, it's rdmmcox67@gmail.com

thanks for the chance to win and for sharing your awesome art!

remonstrance said...

groovy journal... <3 it

Holly said...

Love your journal!

Rebecca said...

I love, love, love journals--yours is adorable!

Wanda said...

love this!!!
wandagalloway@gmail.com

Christina Edmondson said...

I am more than happy to follow your BEAUTIFUL blog!! I just got my own Zutter and you have given me some great ideas!!!!

Suzi said...

Love journals! This one is top-notch! I especially love that leather embossing powder! Way cool!

Carol said...

Beautiful project! Thanks for the inspiring ideas!

Carol B
ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com

Nikki said...

This is just stunning love all the details you've done :)
thank you for sharing

Crafty Aunt Dee said...

Love your journal/smash album. thanks for sharing and great idea for making the front more useable with that wonderful embossing.

Sharon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sharon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sharon said...

I would love to surround myself with this album!~ What a beautiful piece of art. So nice to use as a planner and so easy to use. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas and talent with us.

Sharon F

mrs_fink@hotmail.com




Jingle said...

This is fabulous! I really love the stamped and embossed images on the cover!

Renee V said...

Journals like this are my fave since they're so customizable. LOVE your stamping work.. I've got to look into the stamp-roller thingy!

Julie Shearer said...

Beautiful journal . Would make a lovely gift . TFS .

Julie Shearer said...

I am a new follower . Thanks again for a chance to win .
julieshearer@sbcglobal.net

Miriam Prantner said...

Love all the stamped images you used on the cover and inside. This is one cute album! I'm already a follower :)

Trish Molnar said...

Fantastic calendar/ journal! What a great gift(even for yourself)!

Becky Dunham said...

I love this idea Megan! I have never done a smash book before, but I have a friend who wants me to make here a book like this with special photos in it and such. I never even though to use a smash book as a base or better yet a sketch pad! What a fabulous idea! I will be shopping today for one of those so I can get started! Thanks for the inspiration!

HELLO KITTY LOVES STAMPING said...

awesome job.. i love making books

Cindy Lou said...

Love journals, this one has everything one needs in it. Awesome detail and thought process, thanks for the file downloads :)

Sandy said...

Great job on that journal! The stamping is beautiful. TY for the calendar page. LOVE the Donna Salazar embossing powder!

Cahos' Chaos said...

Love how it becomes your own, personal. TFS

acpriess said...

I love how you can personalize this--I have never found a journal that entirely meets my needs. Thanks for sharing your creation with us.

Jan Hennings said...

Love your smash book!

Madame Doudou said...

I like stamping! They are a must for scrapbooking. Hugs, Susie.

VillaErikson said...

Hello Megan! This is such a beauty!!!
TFS!

Debbie said...

what a wonderful idea i would never have thought of this thanks
upnurse at aol dot com

spricetp said...

Great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

Ruth said...

I write down notes every day in my planner and this book is gorgeous. I like the thicker paper too, since my 11 month old keeps going into mommy's purse and playing with her planner, it has tape all over it.