Glitter Lace Notebook

This glitter notebook is made from a mini composition pad of paper — the perfect size to keep in your purse so you always have paper on hand.

I created it using the lace technique created by Barbara Trombley, the owner of Art Glitter.

I love this technique because although it looks difficult, it is super easy! For a visual demonstration, click here …

First, adhere a piece of cardstock to cover the back cover of the book. I use a corner rounder to trim the right edge.

Now, to the fun part … Adhere a piece of Sticky Paper (with the protective cover to the sticky side up) to the front of the book and corner round the edges. Peel off the backing and position a piece of lace to the Sticky Paper. I used Lace Pattern 2.

Apply the background color (I used Crystal Ultrafine Transparent 85).

Carefully remove the lace and apply the second color (I used True Red Ultrafine Opaque 1)

Place a sheet of scrap paper over the top and gently run a brayer across the top to make sure the glitter is set well. Tap the book on a table to shake off the excess.

And now the finishing touches:

Cut the bookplate with a Tim Holtz Die out of cardstock and then painted it with Adirondack Dabber in Gold.

Stamp the quote (from Tim Holtz) in the center of the bookplate with Archival Black Ink and lightly color the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Adhere it with Designer Dries Clear Adhesive. Attach the bookplate with brads.

Using Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive and the Ultrafine Metal Tip, designate places for the beads (Pearlies Glass Beads 817) including a very thin ring around the inside of the bookplate. Add the beads and let sit for a few minutes. Then, very gently, push the beads into the glue and shake off the excess.

For a final step, fill the bookplate with a bit of Glossy Accents and let dry.

(I received Art Glitter products in exchange for this post).

Altering a Notebook

I found this little notebook in my scrapbooking room. It’s cute, but it’s not really my style. So, I decided to alter it to my own tastes.

This is what I came up with …

Not wanting to mess with the spiral binding, I decided to leave a bit of the original cover and incorporate it in my design.

I started by applying paper that didn’t quite go to the edge of the notebook. I used papers by My Mind’s Eye and a bit of Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

Then, I added the flock paper, also by My Mind’s Eye, this time going all the way to edge on the right side, but off center on the left. I used Glue Lines to attach the papers since I wanted the adhesive to be near the edges.

Then, I added the blue ribbon (My Mind’s Eye) with a few more Glue Lines.

Next I added the flower. It is from Prima, but it was white. I sprayed it with Adirondack Color Wash and then, when dry, added a bit of Gold Adirondack Paint Dabber to the tips of the petals. I attached it with a Craft Glue Dot.

Next, I attached the gems (also from Prima).

The frame is from Tim Holtz, as is the stamped saying. I selected pink cardstock to help tie in the background color and stamped with Ranger Archival Ink. I used a Craft Glue Dot to hold the cardstock in place. The frame is attached with brads.

Then, I wrapped a sheer ribbon (from May Arts) around the inside of the cover and tied it on the front. I used a Craft Glue Dot discretely hidden under the knot to hold it in place. Be careful not to pull too tight or you will bend the cover. And, don’t leave it too loose or it will shift around.

As a final touch, I added a tassel, pin and button onto the knot. All three are from Tim Holtz. For the button, I cut off the shank and used a couple of Craft Glue Dots to hold it in place.

Now the notebook is covered in flocked paper and trimmed in a bit of bling, metal and elegance. What do you think?

At the beach …

During my recent vacation, I inadvertently discovered the most beautiful beach on Lake Michigan (or so I thought when I was there …)

On our way to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, I asked my husband if we could track down a couple of lighthouses on the way. I “collect” lighthouses — I visit as many as I can, take a picture or two and then scrapbook them in a special 8×8 album that I started after our honeymoon. So, naturally, he was willing to take a short detour to Frankfort, the next stop on my map of Michigan lighthouses.

What we discovered was an adorable town and a beautiful beach, not to mention a great view of the lighthouse.

This is the page I created about the beach …

I used paper, a journaling tag, a glittered border sticker and some fabric embellishments from Little Yellow Bicycle’s new Sweet Summertime line — I love the bright colors!

I attached all of the photos with Ultra Thin Glue Dots, which are perfect because they do not add any bulk to the page.

Next, I stamped the poem — from Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous — on a sheet of white cardstock with Ranger Archival Ink and then used Distress Ink to add a bit of color. I attached the poem with Glue Dots and then applied a few brads to the top.

For the banner, I started with the mini chipboard banners from Maya Road and painted them with Adirondack Paint Dabbers. TIP: Use Removable Glue Dots to hold the chipboard in place while you paint.

I cut out letters with QuicKutz dies and used Micro Glue Dots to attach them to the banner. Then, I covered each piece with Diamond Glaze to give it a shiny, epoxy-like finish. Again, use the Removable Glue Dots to hold them in place.

Then, I cut a piece of We R Memory Keepers twine to use behind my banner flags. I used Craft Glue Dots to attach these since they hold so well. I made sure some of the twine ran through the Craft Glue Dots in places to secure two parts at one time.

Finally, I used Craft Glue Dots to attach a few of the shells I took from the beach.

Here is a close up of the banner … click on the image for a larger view.