Lizzie Slothouber

Sharing: Princess Katie's Journal

Aleisha needed a birthday present pronto for Katie - 13yo birthday party summer pool sleepover and I had not budgetted for this expense .. so I thought, " ... YES, let's make a FUN customised journal .."

So roughly I planned: 6" x 6" size, able to store a few CD's, decorative Vellum sheets, use that new Martha Stewart's CROWN punch, black elastic closure ... Aleisha chose the 2pces 12"x12" dark blue paper (looked like silken cloth) and that set the colours: Blue, Black, Silver with pink accents.

 

ok so started off by covering the covers - 2pces 6"x"6 chipboard, using double sided tape. See how I fold the corners down first, then using Bone Folder (or your longer fingernail) crease it carefully .. then upon folding the other sides in .. it's neat and sharp ..

Here the inside cover page is assembled ready to adhere down with double side tape however, this is like a sandwich - there is 3 layers here - can you see it?   Silver Shimmerz paper stock, decorative Vellum (TLC discontinued range) and the sentiments/quotation printed onto a sheet of OHP (OverHead Projection) transparency

 

To secure the 3 layers seamlessly - I used a Silver Split Pin - hard to see in this photo - but I think you get the drift... it holds all 3 layers down .. then I stuck that down onto the covered chipboard with double sided adhesive.  Front cover ready to rock and roll... * smiles *

 

Aleisha's current favourite quote - printed on the OHP transparency (I use a Black & White Laser printer) however, there are OHP's that can be printed using bubblejet printers ... be careful when selecting OHP's coz you normally buy them in a box of 100 sheets .. get the right one to match your printer and you're set coz I love them.. you can use them in sooo many ways ...

See on the right .. all the Silver shimmerz paper - that's offcuts from a bulk purchase I was involved in long long ago * waves to Sharon Gray * - punched each page with the CROWN punch .. could have done it more accurately lols ... 

 

I love this series of colour printed thick vellum 12"x12" sheets TLC used to sell (sshh not telling you who has a great stack hoarded away lols) ... I had quartered ONE sheet (carefully rationed out you know * grins * ) and it's scattered through out the journal ...

 

L: Front                                                                         R: Back

The CD envelopes needed a HANDLE on the side to safely punch into and hold within the wire binding .. so just folded scraps over and adhered it with double sided tape onto the CD Envelope.  Purchased the  CD/DVD ENVELOPES - Box of 100 from Officeworks (Perth's biggest stationery retailer) - they are CD/DVD Storage with clear plastic coated window for easy viewing.  I love their versatility and always have a box or two around the house.

 

Originally I had adhered the black sewing elastic under the inside sheet that covered the back cover.  However, as it was too tight.. it was lifting .. and it need more ROOM to move.. so ripped that out .. coz it didn't work well ...

 

Ended up cutting up another length of the sewing elastic and hand sewed it into a loop, using with matching thread - so it appears in the end like a large rubber band/elastic band to hold the ends of the journal together.  I prefer the Guttermann's thread which quilters use ... won't rip easy ... you will see on the right of that silver paper - I carefully used the Coluzzle alphabet templates to cut out Katie's name.

Somewhere in my travels - I had picked up this small sheet of stickers PRINCESS theme for A$2.00 ... Bargain!  so as Katie's nickname on FaceBook is: PRINCESS_KATIE ... I chose that as the name of the journal ... garnishing it with short lengths from my ribbon collection & couple of diamantes .. here's the finished item !!  

 

Note: Apologies if the instructions aren't as step-by-step .. here I assume you have some basic knowledge of how to fold edges/corners and the such.. if you have any challenges.. drop me an email or a note here and we'll sort it out :) 

Next time I will make better journals.. learn a lot with that first practise run using the Bind-It-All ...

hugs.. lizzieS & Aleisha Slothouber  xxx

Inspiration: Sharon Skipworth

I'd like to introduce you to SHARON SKIPWORTH, Ellenbrook, Western Australia - a young lady who has inspired me for a long while .. though I should have told her * grins * but didn't want her to get a big head lols...  we met via her gorgeous sister: Tracy who's a Creative Memories consultant, in Safety Bay, Western Australia (won't hold that against her, right? lol).  Sharon also has her own blog - please go check it out Skippy's Place heaps more inspiration there ... 

Really admired Sharon's extreme focus on her CARDMAKING hobby ... a very bright lady who has been always very quick on the up take.. you just have to show her something and she's bouncing off everywhere with alternatives or how you can incorporate it with this to get that etc etc

The fact that she lives down the road and around the corner to me, invites me all the time to craft with her (talk about a dream come true) .. you'd think I'd be a permanent fixture huh?  no  * sad face * .. but that will soon change now that I'm on the up and up * smiles *

Sharon has a enviable collection of CRICUT and the amazing amount of different software (about 80% of the entire collection that Cricut made) and various die cutting systems not to mention, the to-die-for collection of cardmaking idea books which can be utilised in scrapbooking too - coz it's the LAYOUT CONCEPTS that are inspirational ...

June 2007  we attended Tracy's Space Camp, Baldivis (gives you space to do your stuff) and we weren't only limited to CM stuff either - so I felt comfy to bring my contraband (my non CM stuff to do) and was thrilled that Sharon brought her cardmaking stuff ...  Sharon had heard little Riley had fallen over and hurt himself - being a mom of 2 with an extremely active son .. she empathised and this is the card she made for him ... we all signed it :) ... note the cuttlebug embossed raised image on the silver Shimmerz cardstock that spells RILEY's name - to replicate the LEGO blocks pattern ...

 

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We all took turns sharing a tip, demo or idea .. and I loved Sharon's " simple " Butterfly embellishment ... but it wasn't that simple to me.. ended up taking pics of how to make it coz I haven't STILL gotten around to making it them ... this is the card that moved me to beg her to show HOW TO  make the butterfly to us all ... stunning eh?? again note the Cuttlebug embossed circular pattern on the number 2 that's accented with white ink pad (or was it white chalk... ) to make it stand out

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anyways.. pretend you're with us at that camp.. this is what went down lols ... hehehehehehe

 

Sharon didn't bring in her whole collection of other cards that I managed to get some snapshots of to further inspire me (and you * grins* ) are as follows .. hope you like them ... she makes them to sell (too cheap I reckon * rolls eyes * ) to fund her addiction of craft technology .. lols.. and if you want to contact her - you can do so here  email   - (not going to tell how how inspirational she is lols )

        

Recently found out that Sharon also has the Bind-It-All binder, uses Stamping  Up products and oohhh I can't wait to get Odette over coz all 3 of us will be able to brainstorm on how to use the BIA in conjunction with the Sizzix, Coluzzle, Cricut, Cuttlebug with Stamping Up products too .. woohoooo

lols...aahh I love my friends... get so much fun out of bouncing back and forth ... life is so great now that I'm out of the DEPRESSION & ANXIETY tunnel ...

warm hugs to all ... lizzieS xx

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side note: you just gotta meet Gina - cook extrodinaire !!

  

      

 

... went from blue to pink!! but the improvements .. wow!

well talking about GOALS ... this was one I had my heart set on for a long time ...  it's the Bind-It-All Binder v.2  .. belated Xmas gift from my Dad ... and this one is going to be a real keeper ...

OOohhh so excited .. will be doing stuff soon .. can't wait to play .. but have to create magic in the kitchen for dinner first * grins * ...

watch this space ... * giggles *

hugs.. lizzieS xx

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Keeping info here for those who are also doing Australian price comparison research

Purchased it at Spotlight, Midland - after hearing Odette got hers there * grins * ok not being crass here - but chose to list the prices I purchased the Bind-it-all + accessories here - coz someone else may be doing research too on it.

Was reminded that Spotlight's prices were very decent and we have to keep in mind they have BUYING POWER as they're are Singapore and all around Australia too...  www.spotlight.com.au

Reminder - you can buy over the phone and they will pack up the items you want and send to you for very reasonable flat rate ... that's GOOD ... and smart of them ... great for those who are geographically challenged or just can't get out of home for whatever reason ... 

These are Spotlight's normal prices on Bind-It-All (BIA)- have limited range so be smart :) and note - having their VIP card doesn't give you any extra discount .. I tried lols ...

BIA machine - Pink v2.0 A$ 79.95
BIA Tote (carry bag) $ 29.95
Heavy Duty Corner Rounder $ 39.95
Owire Cutter (pink) in pouche $ 13.99
Owire Space Bar Small $ 7.99
Wire Pk6 Black 12.55mm/0.5 inch $ 5.99
Wire Pk6 Red 15.62mm/5.8 inch $ 7.99
Wire Pk6 Silver 18.75mm/0.75inch $ 7.99

The Wire items and Owire items are sold under the Zutter brand name (company which makes BIA) also www.ZutterProducts.com

What I'd like to know is can you use other brand wire coils in the BIA binder ... anyone know???

Share: I'll show you mine if you show me yours ...

I love seeing what makes other people's mind tick ... so please join me for this fun, easy activity ... 

Email me here  with the 5 top things or layouts that you have saved to inspire you for a future layout ...  I will compile and put them up and we can all be inspired.  If you don't mind ... a little blurb why that particular item called out to you ...  For me ... these are what appealed to me - (sorry I don't have all the credits for the creator - I just save the image and stick it into my inspiration file) ... 

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This layout was featured in Creating Keepsakes Oct 2006 issue ... it appealed to me coz I've never done a layout like this with my family ... so many issues lols, basicly too hard and yeah.. maybe one day * grins *

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My gorgeous nephew Hamish turned 2 recently .. love the colours in here.. they just all WORK... not done a nice simple layout like this esp with a boy * grins * ... yup yup... I sure have enough Die cut alphabet chipboards around the place... a few too many indeed (I can hear the lovely Ms.M chuckling at me) ...

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When I saw Heidi Swapp's jeans I thought ... YES!!!   I have so many jeans which would really look good embellished this way ... * grins * .. just gotta go get that Fabric paint :)) ... 

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Layout by: Ali Edwards ... always said I'd like to try securing the embellishments using OHP transparencies and the trustly sewing machine :) plus the BOLD statement background colour ...

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From Jan 2009 Creating Keepsakes issue ... love miniature embellishments - esp ones that you make from scrap leftovers, sprinkle on some embellishments you've hoarded for years and voila! a present in the making all the  year through ... ready to be bagged up and given as a gift when called upon .. hand made originals.. no 2 the same :))

Can't wait to see what moves you, email me here ... we will learn so much ... warm hugs... lizzieS xxx 

argghh ... what are MEN really good for???

 

... I have known Kim & Glen Grant even before I met up with Tertius - what was it? 1987? * warm smiles * ... our friendship has weathered all sorts so it was only natural to ask them to be Aleisha's godparents.  Much to my gorgeous MIL's (mother-in-law) disgust .. I still say Tert & Glen are more alike than Tert and his paternal twin: Ingmar.... both the elder of twins (Glen's twin passed away just after birth though), both in the building trade, both of equal physique: slim and with a sickeningly fast metabolic rate. both over 6'2", both great with their hands, both have 2 children, both children born 6 months apart of each other, both wives Asian and into scrapbooking lols ....  ya get the drift :)

Tert has been Four Wheel Driving with Glen since I can't remember when .. and when I did these layouts about their passion for 4WD's .. all who knew them - simply understood.

 

Glen's layout was a gift for his birthday - Kim & I were at the Northside Scrappers monthly crop and the retailer there just so happened to have metal alphabets ... did the job nicely .. as during that period - Glen's vehicle was a Land Rover: Discovery :)

It was frustrating doing these layouts - coz all the boys do is keep taking photos of their vehicles: birds eye view, up, down, around this side, what about that side, oh that elevation, how low did let your tyres down, oh come get a photo of the suspension Liz .... * rolls eyes * ... oohh yeah .. really exciting ...

Therefore the focal photo - ensure it's the best one (focus, colour, presentation, light angle) ... enlarge it - that's why I said make sure it's good coz if not, every flaw will be magnified ... then using the other photos.. select complimentary pics which complete the story line ... ensure accents are relevant and adhere to the KISS rule :-

KEEP IT SIMPLE SCRAPPER !!

(all things in moderation, too much of something and you've OVERCOOKED it ... ) 

I like to complete the layout .. leave it on display all day, maybe overnight even.. then look at it again fresh in the morning .. and you'll see what is missing or needs to be removed... 

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Well this is Tert's double page layout - which he loves ... simply LOVES lols ... featuring  his Nissan PATROL 2.6 vehicle which we have since upgraded to a Nissan RODEO ... (since we don't have many male layouts * grins *) I'm going to leave them in two formats:

a) Side by side  - so you get the affect

b) individually so you can see the detail ... the number plate is a Sticker set that comes from a company in USA (can't remember the name) but you can customise it - very handy :)

This trip was along the HOLLAND TRACK between Wave Rock and Kalgoorlie, Western Australia ... went as a family ... it was an amazing trip... and Tert being the frugal man he is - made his own FLAG POLE which is extremely important when you're up and down sand dunes ... and the difference between another vehicle coming the other way to avoid smashing into you is sometimes that little wavy pole & red flag ... he used a conduit flex pipe which costs a fraction of the similar item at the 4WD shops BUT it kept getting caught in the branches, being pulled off and the time we wasted retrieving it .. grrrr but what do I know.. I'm just the wife ... LOLs...

Hope you've enjoyed this little ramble along ... do leave a comment like what items you're interested in to see, I might just have a layout hiding around that will do the trick :)

hugs.. lizzieS xxx 

.... it weighed in at about 1.5kg (3.3lbs) ...

in amongst the reorganisation efforts - I stumbled across a few long lost CD's of images ... a much loved project which brought back many fond memories.   I really enjoyed working for Donna House, then the Marketing Director of Swan TAFE in Perth, Western Australia .. having recomposed myself after the tears upon hearing she was moving on  ... I planned a scrapbooked gift that would reflect how her colleagues felt about her ... 

Birds eye view of the project opened up in it's full glory :)   aahhh Deslie has reminded me this TECHNIQUE is called: STAR ALBUM instructions  lols ... but allow me to share it with you ... it measures 6" x 6" square, mainly in Brown then Pink and white accents. 

 

Decorative paper: Greenhill by 7gypsies, Cardstock: Bazzill Linen Cardstock

SOooo disappointed that image of the dedication opening page featuring the 3 Personal Assistants in the Executive Division is soooo out of focus :(  ...  that's my handwriting on the left page - using white Uniball 1.0mm Signo rollerball pen < coz I'm soo fussy with white pens :)

Note: where photos of the staff were not available - I left a pencilled in spot saying " Photo To Come " .. coz this whole thing was sooo rushed ...

The ribbons which poke up above the right pages - conceals a pull out double page TAG with a handwritten message from that person ... approx 3" H x 2" w, the little tag punch in the front (white) is made by PaperShapers (EK Success, USA)

 

Corner Punch: SouthWestern by Carl Punches, Australia

This is a selection of some of the 16 contributors whom were assigned a double page ... composing of their INITIAL ALPHABET of their name as the main decorative accent (cut out using the Coluzzle Alphabet template), I matched up quotations which reflected their personality, printing them off on clear OHP - Overhead Projector Transparencies using a lazer printer.  They are affixed either using brads, rivets or split pins. If the cardstock behind was dark - I made the quotation stand out by roughly smearing on white acrylic paint but if the background was light ... I've adhered some decorative element eg acrylic flower petal, stamped image etc ... 

Glen, was then the Facilities Director - is an Architect - hence the stamped image ... I enjoy personalising their pages .. its fun being able to match some image in your collection or a quotation you have hoarded, bookmarked or typed up after changing the font selection over 30 times lols... all in the journey ...

Ten thousand apologies coz the digital images aren't sharp enough ...  all the photos were taken in such a rush which I know is no excuse :(    ... plus I should have reshot them when we attended Donna's Farewell party at home - where it was placed on a coffee table as the centrepiece, in pride of place.

I hope you have enjoyed this jaunt down memory lane with me .. as I have enjoyed sharing it with you .. 

hugs.. lizzieS xxx

ok who bombed my STUDIO? c'mon fess up !!!

BEFORE PHOTOS of the Studio (room is 6m x 3m)

 

From where I sit my computer - this is my right wall and these are my much loved IKEA wall storage systems ... on the left the slide in drawer system (sold in the kids rooms section ... supposed to be for the kids called TROFAST ) and on the right .. I know it's hard to see but on the right it's the EXPEDIT and it's 5x5 squares and if you go to the links you'll see all their dimensions etc .. the 4th pic is one of the custom cabinets Tertius (darling hubby) built to specifically fit my plastic drawer systems :)

 
My computer central .. L-R: Daylite light with magnifying glass with heavy base, Canon Laser printer, dead roses from wedding anniversary Nov 09, wireless router, 24" Acer screen (don't laugh the 28" ViewSonic screen is awaiting to be fixed under warranty LOLs), HP desksjet 3820 for photo printing, Uniden cordless phone base with 3 hand units all now nearly VOIP connected and lastly collection of romance books to be sold soon on Ebay lols plus my A4 heavy duty Guillotine ( I have too many papercutters - 5 varities - don't ask how many each lols ...   ( NOTE: I'm listing all this pre-empting questions lols)

 

These are directly in front of my desk .. * shakes head * ... oh I know... 

These? They're around the corner and against the back wall ... so this is what my STUDIO has become (shakes head sadly) but I'm showing this to you so that you know you are not alone ... wow.. feel like a heavy weight is off my shoulders ... like I've been on OPRAH and confessed.. lols...

So if you know any scrappers or stampers who have issues with their messy craft rooms ... point them my way .. and see how bad it can become .. but follow this blog coz .. we're having WINDS OF CHANGE ... things are a moving and it will be fun to watch ... don't you just love BEFORE and AFTERS? .. I sure do :) esp if it comes with heaps of tips ...

ok ok .. less procrastinating ... more doing .. back to shifting stuff.. lols ... 

- OMG LizzieS is back???

   

Over the past 2 years, I went from successful and celebrated scrapbooking Director with the TopLineCreations organisation to a recluse hiding at home ... this was the 2nd time depression had hit me with a vengance.

I thought I could handle it ... reckon I did a good job lying to myself. Honestly don't know how Tertius, my darling husband managed to hold the marriage together... * rolls eyes * .. it was a helluva rough journey ... whoa. the storms ...

In hindsight, I should not have been sooo stubborn and should have sought medical intervention ... in the last year I've been on Effexor (originally on 75mg/day then it was raised to 150mg/day) and I'm not ashamed to admit that it has a positive affect on my daily life. Those closest to me can tell when I've forgotten my medication ... kinda Jekyll/Hyde like ...

 

It didn't help either that the dynamics of our extended family life had changed too - my parents: D:88yo & M:77yo had increasing needs for geriatric care as their health had deteriorated rather fast.

Our daughters: Aleisha is 12.5yo and Nicola is 9yo have increasing needs too ... its one thing to be warned about the Teens/Tweens stage but TOTALLY different when you really go through it yourself * lols *

Close friends were kind to support from a distance. I'm ashamed to say that I have lost contact with my most loved best friend ... however, she herself has been through a similar condition and I hope, she will forgive me in due time. Never does a day go by without my mind reaching for her and I still enjoy communicating with her internally ...

Recently I had reconnected with another inspirational friend: Deslie Gordon ... we are very similar in many ways - published craftisans, into digital and traditional scrapbooking & stamping, big into multi media stuff too ... our online friendship was very staggered until 2 days ago ... I can't remember what instigated the SEA OF CHANGE but it was very swift ...

Needless to say ... this is my first time having my own blog .. with immediate goals of reorganising and setting up my studio then later, heaps of sharing in the form of visual online lessons thanks to a digital camera, webcams, digicams lols.. we're oh so up with the technology .... NOT * giggles * but I'm sure we'll get there ...

I feel soooo alive and excited... amazing ... so yes .. eventually hope to also maybe sell a few handmade artistic blank journals - not for the mass market for for those who love the more special journals to be further enchanced into personalised gifts to be treasured forever ... (hint: Bind-It-All v2.0 www.binditall.com )

wow.. did I stop to take a breath there? * grins * ... I'll chatter again tomorrow... will share photos - so many BEFORE pics of the messy Studio ... going to have it in White, pink & apple green accents * smiles * ....

* so exciting *

hugs.. lizzieS xx