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Hand Bound Journal for Maddy

Hand Bound Journal for Maddy
Journal for Maddy.....ignore the dodgy stamped name!  That can be removed and replaced with something else.  I just added it as an example
Well folks, hows she cuttin' as they say in my neck of the woods?  I'm sure it originally comes from some sort of farming term...but in plain good ole English, that basically means "How are you"?

Well I had a wonderful day at the Creative Crafts Show at the King's Hall in Belfast today.  And as my wee sister T is now dabbling in the wonderful Crafting World, there was little pleading needed when I asked her to come with me.  Let's face it.......I need someone to watch over me in case I get up to no good and misbehave!  Now I'm not saying I need a babysitter but......okay who am I kidding, my 21 year old sister needed to babysit her very badly behaved mischievous 32 year old sister! I even needed reinforcements called in so we met up with my bezzie buddy, Maddy from Izzwizz Creations here in Blogland.  Please do pop along to Maddy's blog, she's an amazing crafter and artist and this month she was asked by Penny Black and more's blog to be one of their featured artists.  So please run along and have a nosey at her beautiful birdcage book.

Anyway, I was looking at all these Crafty ladies milling about the Kings Hall and all the while I was wondering did I know any of them from Blogland.  It was really starting to bug me and at one stage I really wanted to shout out at the top of my lungs "Oi YOU LOT........I'M CRAFTY LOOPS IN BLOGLAND.  DO ANY OF YOU KNOW ME OR DO I KNOW YOU?"  And as much as I would have loved to have done that, I would have run the risk of Tara and Maddy grabbing their bags (with T probably grabbing my purse in the process!) and then swiftly running off down one of the crowded aisles in an attempt to ditch me!!  So I didnt shout anything, which was me totally fighting against my nature.....believe me!

In fact.......the sensible thing to do would have been for me to have come on here on Wednesday night and put up a post saying "NOTICE TO ALL BLOGLAND CRAFTERS GOING TO THE KINGS HALL TOMORROW!!!  If you want to know who Crafty Loops is and wanna say hello.........just look out for the 5ft 9", 21 year old skinny runt with bright VIOLET hair........and Crafty Loops is the one trying to pretend not to be with her."  Yes thats right, I picked my sister up this morning and she got into my car with BRIGHT VIOLET HAIR!!!!  And I swear it wasnt that colour a few days ago!  And to top it all off, she got more compliments from people at the craft fair about how lovely her hair colour was that I was actually starting to think that I must be colour blind and seeing some other daft colour from everyone else!
So anyway, a great day was had by all.  Way too much money was spend, my cheeks were sore from laughing so much and I feel like I have been tackled by the whole Irish Rugby Team (well, that may be a bit of wishing thinking on my part, heehee), but I had a fantastic day.

On to my project.  I wanted to have a wee pressie for Maddy for when we met up today and this project has been in my head for a couple of weeks now.  So I decided to make her a journal.  As you all probably know by now......I bookbind, so this journal is made from scratch.  Im afraid the photos may be a bit higglety pigglety but blogger is playing funny blighters again.  Grrrrrr to the new blogger interface.  They really need to iron out the severe kinks in their system.  I had to use IE to upload the photos as I couldnt do it in Opera!!  Anyway.....Enjoy.

All the stamps I used on this book are Crafty Individuals Stamps except the butterfly stamp which is a Particraft stamp.  I will give the stamp numbers and links as and when I can.  This Journal was made completely from scratch as always.  I promise my book binding tutorials are coming soon!  She says for the millionth time!
I always like to add detachable charms to my books, so they are part of the book decoration but can be removed and added to your handbag, phones, purse or even accessorize a belt or add it to a necklace etc.   The flowers and beaded charms are made by me and then some beads and charms from my stash were added.  I love using different colours pearls when making charms and most definitely glass pearls are my preferred type to use.  I tried to keep the colours of the charm relevant to the book colours.
Side view of the book with the charm. When I was binding the book, before I added the pages to the covers I used my Big Bite to add a hole and eyelet to the top of the spine. I added 2 large jump rings and then the charm has a lobster claw attachment so it can be taken off the book itself when in use.
This is a freebie stamp I was given with an order I got from Crafty Individuals but if you want it yourself, its in the set numbered CI-341.  I decided to do the Embossing Resist Technique on the book.  So I used my versamark ink and white cosmic shimmers embossing powder and stamped various stamps all over the books cover then heat set the embossing powder.  I love the not quite perfectly smooth look to the embossing.  Makes it look vintage.
This heart was another freebie stamp from Crafty Individuals but Im so sorry, I can't find the code for it!  The butterfly that you can partially see is from Butterfly Set 2 from Particraft.  Once I embossed the cover with all the various stamps, I sprayed the entire book with a combination of Cosmic Shimmer Sprays and Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist.  I stuck to blues, purples, reds and pinks for this book.  I know Maddy loves bold colours so hopefully she likes these colours.

This stamp is my favourite sentiment stamp - its says Amo Ergo Sum, I Love Therefore I Am. Its a Crafty Individual stamp but I couldnt find its number......sorry! The other sentiment I used was another Crafty Individuals stamp and it said "Live, Laugh, Love", you will see it better on the back of the book.

I die cut a Timmy Holtz Bookplate from Cardstock and then embossed that baby with Debbi Moore Metallic Copper Embossing Powder (link to shop no longer available).  I added two wee maroon coloured brads to the bookplate holes.  Now the stamping of Maddy's name was done with the wee wooden alphabet stamps that you can buy in the likes of Dunelm for £1.99.  My stamping is in no way perfect or straight for that matter. Its hard to stamp those wee alphas straight......thats my excuse and Im sticking to it.  But Maddy can remove it and add whatever she wants to the bookplate.  I stuck the bookplace down with 2mm foam and only added it to the bottom half of the bookplate so the name section can be removed and replaced. 
This is the main image of the book.  Again it is a Crafty Individual Stamp and its number is CI-132.  NOW.....I am not a master colourer like all you wonderful ladies.  I am useless at colouring, I cannot shade, I cannot blend.....in fact, if I stay within the lines I see that as a Masterpiece, lol.  I used both Promarkers and Copics to colour the image and used some Dovecraft Glitter Glue to bling up her wings.  I then used my scissors to roughen up the cardstock edges and used a combination of Distress Inks on the cardstock, Victorian Velvet, Vintage Photo and Dusty Concorde.  The image was stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and I must say, it is the best ink I have found to use with the Crafty Individuals Stamps.  Their stamps are so beautifully detailed and Memento ink in my opinion seems to be the best ink to stamp all that stunning detail with.

I decided to go for a lace closure on the book, so the lace was hot glued around the front and back of the covers and brought together at the opening of the book to tie in a bow.

Here is a view of the inside of the book. once open.  I left the inside covered completely white and blank so Maddy could splash them with her wonderful creativity.
Here is a view of the lace closure with the bow untied.
This is the front and back covers complete with the charm in place on the spine.  You can clearly see how I added the lace over both covers to create the closure for the Journal.  Other stamps used was a script stamp, the number is CI-214 plus there was a wee bee stamp which is part of number CI-302


And thats it for this post folks.  I hope you like this book.  I won't tell you about the fiasco I had with the Cosmic Shimmer Sprays!!  But anyone who has Cosmic Shimmer Sprays will know that even if you are using a brand new unused bottle, sometimes the spray part of the bottle either doesnt work at all, works perfectly OR decides that spraying straight where you want it to spray is so ordinary and boring.  Sometimes a certain spray bottle decides its too cool for school and wants to spray in whichever direction IT wants.  So there may have been an incident involving me pointing the purple Cosmic Shimmer Spray directly at the book, but said colour decided it wanted to spray sideways!  I may now have a revolving carousel for my craft tools that used to be white, but now has a great big purple spray line of cosmic shimmers ALL down the front of it hitting every tool along the way. AND.....purple would not be one of my favourite colours!  Grrrrr! 

Toodles Noodles.........Lee aka Crafty Loops xx
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Comments

  1. Wow Lee this is fantastic you are so clever. Glad you had a great time at the craft show. Have a good weekend. Alison xxx

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  2. What a stunning project! I'm sure Maddy loved it. Sounds like you had a fun day out. xx

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  3. I love making books too watch out next month for one of mine. This is gorgeous Lee, love the stamping and colours and what a great gift for a friend.
    Glad you enjoyed the craft show.
    Have a great weekend.
    hugs {brenda} xox

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  4. Hi Lee, OMG what a beautiful, gorgeous book, your attention to details is amazing as always, I bet Maddy will treasure it. Love those charms :) Your sister's hair sounds fab! Hugs, Teresa x

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  5. Just gorgeous hun...love all the details and the charms look so pretty too :o)

    hope you have a lovely weekend..big hugs Vicky xx

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  6. WOW......... another fantastic book with so much detail, Maddy will love it, pleased you had a good day out at the show and little T's hair sounds brilliant, wish I was young enough!!!

    Tilly

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  7. This book is fantastic! I love the colours you used, and all your details are amazing! I love the white stamps.

    Tags xx

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  8. hiyaaaaaaaaa!!!! you know for one second there I nearly thought you had made a card loops!! i nearly fell off my chair hehe... then on closer inspection i found...nope it wasnt a card after all... so you havent tarnished your reputation of 'I cant make cards for toffee!!'.. your reputation is safe for now!

    saying that - the journal is abfab!! (izzwiz im so jealous hehehe) xx sounds like you had a fabby day bud! if you ever feel like visiting old blighty you know where i live xxxx

    huggles from ya bud redrottie x

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  9. Absolutely gorgeous Lee, so many fab details and love the pretty charms...enjoy the weekend.
    Wendy xx

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  10. H Lee,
    This is gorgeous!
    Glad to hear you had a good time
    Have a fab weekend :) x

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  11. WOW!! This is awesome and such a thoughtful gift, beautifully detailed and the charms are the perfect touch.

    Glad you had a fab day out..craft shopping is so much fun!

    Hugs Elaine xx

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  12. Lee, what a wonderful Journal! and i just love the chunky charm you made its gorgeous!
    I think you should of shouted out at the craft Show, if they didn't know before they sure would of known you then lol
    have a great weekend!
    Yvonne :)

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  13. What a cool journal - any child would love that! Thanks for joining us at FYI!

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  14. A stunning make Lee, love the gorgeous details. The charms are so beautiful. Ooh! I love it!

    Donna x

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  15. This is stunning and I love the lace that you used....

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  16. OMG this is so beautiful Lee, I love the beads on the chain and the bookplate looks like metal!
    I love the thought of you shouting at the craft fair - If I'd have been with you I'd have dared you!!
    Hugs Laurie xx

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  17. Gorgeous, truly gorgeous Lee, I bet she was so happy with this beautiful gift. Your skills amaze and inspire me hun! Have a lovely weekend Karen x

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  18. This is so wonderful sweetie I love the beads so introcate and beautiful! I wish I had seen you at a crafty event I would have sat and had a natter but I haven't been to anything on years! Bet Maddy loves this! Hugs rebekah xx

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  19. wow Lee, so much to look at and love the lace the shaping on the frame and the lovely dangly bits just fabulous
    Hugs Kate xx

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  20. Morning Lee,Glad you had a great yesterday at the craft fair with sis, Your book is gorgeous, love the stamping, and the bead charms, Have a good day..

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  21. wow this is just fabulous lee.love the stunning image and so much detail, especially love the detachable charm :D

    xx coops xx

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  22. Oh this is going to look soooooooo good on Maddy's desk Lee! You've paid so much attention to detail, used some of the finest stamps and those embellishments are superb!! Hugs, Ira x

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  23. ooo lee how marvellous this is amazing ... so much to look at and I love all those little extra embellies you have used ... glad you had a great day out .. .just doing a bir of blog hopping happy crafting and love sandy xx

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  24. What a real beauty! Wonderful colours, texture and details. The detachable charm is a work of art on it's own....I'm sure the journal will be cherished. Glad to hear you had a great day out and made a new convert! And....Thanks so much for joining in at Simon Says Stamp and Show. Sarah

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  25. Wowwwww Lee.... stunning creation.... love everything about it, particularly those charms!

    Glad you had a fab day out - despite your sister's violet colouring!! hehe

    Hugs
    Christine x

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  26. another stunning work of art loops,love it sue xx

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  27. Hi
    Beautiful attention to detail and it is lovely to see so many CI stamps incorporated into your book.
    Thank you for sharing with us at the CI Challenge.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  28. Lovely, lovely journal and amazed it was made from scratch. Thanks for joining in the CI Challenge. Jean

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  29. Oh I adore the hanging bling! I love that look~ great journal -- Thanks for joining in at FYI!

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  30. Hi Lee, it's me again to say ...Thanks for joining us at Divas by Design this week with your stunning creation.
    Wendy xx

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  31. Wow what an elegant journal Lee!!! You did a terrific job on this !!!! Wow !!!!

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  32. Hi Lee,

    Violet hair ? Dare I admit I did mine that colour a few years ago but the kids were non too keen so out came the good old Clairol mid brown again - you see I've been totally grey since I was 17. I cold let it just go grey but why comform to tradition, that's far too boring.

    So pleased you met up with Maddy, she needs our love right now.

    Nearly forget, super artwork on the journal, only just found the post by change, Blogger is on one of those moods this week and lots don't show up on my dashboard, so if I don't arrive you will know why.

    B x

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  33. Hi sweetie, this is absolutely stunning (as your projects always are) I love the colours and the white embossing looks amazing, gorgeous charms too, absolutely love it! I must admit I am also a person who enjoys brightly coloured hair from time to time (I do it much less these days and generally stick to red now but it my time have had just about every colour of the rainbow lol including illuminous orange not so sure that I could pull it off any more though hehe) It sounds like you had a lot of fun anyway
    Lindsay xx

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  34. What an a amazing gift - it's simply stunning!

    Thanks for joining us a CYDA for our Use Metal Challenge!

    Julie x

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  35. this is just stunning - love your stamping an the whole design is just gorgeous - I love crafty individuals
    thanks for playing along at Fab'n'Funky challenges this week and good luck hugs Judith x

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  36. As much as I love this journal, I now hate you for slagging my hair! I am boring and blonde now so quit yer moaning. Love you loads, sometimes, the odd time. xo

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  37. Beautiful journal. I love your journals and cannot wait for your tutorial on book binding. The charms are beautiful too. Karen xx

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  38. wow what an amazing journal love the charms x

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  39. This is just amazing! What gorgeous work! Thanks for playing at FYI!

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  40. Wow! This is an amazing piece of art! Well done, it's beautiful! Thanks for joining us at FYI!

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  41. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful friend. Lee, I love my journal. It is even more fabulous in real life! I had a great day at the craft fair with you and T and it was all true about T's fabulous violet hair! Thank you so much for being so good to me and I want everyone to know You are one in a million. Love maddy xxxx

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Helloooooo! Anybody out there??!! Hey....there you are! Thanks for leaving a comment and stopping by my Blog. Lee x