6 x 6 Paper Series: # 20

Angled Pockets, Two Ways.

In our # 19 post, we used 8 1/2 x 11″ card stock as our backing.  We cut the card stock the width we wanted first and continued from there.  Well, I had cut several sheets of card stock in half, length-wise.  This gave me two of the same color, in the same size.  I decided I didn’t want two fold up pockets with the same card stock background color.  So I began playing around with the card stock and came up with two more:

Angled Pockets #1:

1. Fold your card stock into thirds, width wise.
2. Crease folds
3. Take the end piece and fold the top left corner in toward the fold, leaving about an eighth of an inch from the fold itself.
4. Crease
5. On the other end section, take the top right corner and fold inward as above.
6. Crease
7. Fold one forward over the middle section, the other behind the middle section. This gives you two angled pockets with the middle section the back side of both.
8. Glue both flaps down to the inside of each pocket.  This gives the edge of the pocket more strength.
9. Now cut pieces from your 6×6 papers to add to the middle section, on each side, and both of the fronts of the pockets.
10. Glue to each section.  I used coordinating papers for each side.
11. Now glue, or sew, your pockets.
12. Decorate as desired

This becomes a loose add-in double pocket. You can clip it to a page or slip it into tuck spots, belly bands or other pockets.  Decorate as desired.  The second pocket I discovered by accident, but remember seeing a tutorial by Shabbydabbydoodah.  In fact, now that I look, I see a few more of my 6×6 paper ideas on her mass-making series.  Please check out her videos.  Tina is delightful and I really have enjoyed her journals.  And I probably got my ideas from her.  I can’t remember, and I don’t want to take credit for coming up with stuff others have already done before.

In fact, let me just state:  it is highly unlikely I will invent/discover/come across a new way to do any type of art there is.  Artists know the same techniques, use the same supplies, take the same classes…But as far as art journaling goes-Yes, I’ve been doing this for years and years.  Yes, there was absolutely no one making art journals when I started.  But the trend has hit and there are thousands out there creating stunning journals using the same folded papers, techniques, materials and recycled items I am.  I was once totally unique and original, now I’m one of many.  Nevertheless, I think it’s important to share my knowledge with those just starting out and those with very limited budgets.  But I digress.  Let’s get back to creating!

Angled Pockets #2:

1. Take your 11″ strip of card stock and score it on both ends at the 2 3/4″ mark.
2. Score in the center at the 5 1/2″ mark
3. You now have four sections that fold up like an accordion.
4. On the two end sections, take the top outer corner and fold it inward.
5. Crease and glue down.  You have two angled pockets.
6. Open the creased paper to lay flat.
7. In the two center sections on both sides, front and back, add paper.  I like to coordinate them with what I’m adding to the front of the pockets.
8. Now add more pieces of your 6×6 paper to the front each pocket.
9. Glue the pockets to their back piece.
10. Now you have a “book” with two angled pockets for a cover.
11. Decorate as desired

Add paper to the inside of the book, make the inside a place for hidden journaling, add images-whatever you want.  Then clip the double pocket book over the edge of a page in your journal.  It’s a floating element which can be moved wherever you want it.  I like floating add-ins.  They are very versatile and can fill in a blank spot in a journal quickly and easily. I plan to make several of both of these pocket add-ins.  Having a stash of stuff on hand is the best thing I’ve done for my art journaling. It truly has changed my whole creative experience.  I can’t recommend building a stash of elements highly enough.

29 Gifts

Are scheduled to arrive today.  More coming later.  I’ve decided to set up my wrapping station on the kitchen table, and wrap them as they arrive.  Scott says that’ll work great until they back a delivery truck up and empty it on our porch…

That could be overwhelming, I admit.  But I’m determined to get the wrapping finished today.  Then we can load the car and drop them off at my parents house.  Out of here!  No baby or dogs getting into them.

That’s my plan, anyway.

UPDATE:  All wrapped, save the three arriving tomorrow.  I will need to make a run for more wrapping paper and tape, otherwise Christmas is nearly “in the can.”  (Which is a theatre phrase meaning we’re finished with everything.)

6 x 6 Paper Series: #19

Fold-up Pockets.  I have another stash of paper I haven’t used in over 20 years.  It’s plain, colored card stock.  It’s 8 1/2 x 11″ size.  This is the perfect use for both my 6 x 6 paper stash and the card stock stash too.  Double stash busting in one!  It’s also a great bulk making project.  Here’s how:

1. Cut your card stock to the width you want your pocket.  If you cut 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper in half at the 4 1/4″ mark, you’ll have two equal sized pocket backings.  But this isn’t necessary.  I’ve cut mine into various widths, and used the leftovers for smaller pockets.
2. Now that you have your paper’s width, take two coordinating papers which look good on your background paper, and cut them 1/4″ smaller than the width of your base card stock. (If your base is 4 1/4″, cut your 6×6 paper to 4″)
3. Attach one of the two papers to the base, at the top section of your rectangle card stock piece, leaving an equal border around the edges.
4. You will have a 5″ piece below your attached patterned paper.
5. This you fold up, to whatever size you want, as long as it covers the bottom of the paper you just attached.
6. Now cut the second coordinating 6 x 6 paper you trimmed earlier, to fit the front of folded piece. Leave an equal border around it.
7. At this point I ink around the edges of the 6 x 6 papers I added.  This softens the card stock color and eases the transition from the patterned paper to the plain card stock.  I think it just makes everything look more united, but if you don’t care for inking, don’t do it.
8. I like to stitch all around the outside edge of the entire piece.  This gives a nice detail.  But you can glue or use double sided tape to stick the small, folded pocket to the back part.
9. Once your pocket is complete, decorate as desired.

Glue to you page on three sides for an additional pocket, two sides for a tuck spot.  Paperclip onto your page as a floating element.  Then use the backside of the pocket as journaling space.  Or make hinges to fold up several together to make a pocket booklet.

If you’re using washi tape to connect the pockets together, make sure it’s wide enough to secure well to the paper, leave a slight gap between the pockets for easy folding, and add glue to the washi tape, so it remains secure.  You could use a different color on the front  and the back of the washi tape hinge, if desired, or the same for both.  But you need to have tape on both sides to make the hinge.

This has turned into one of my favorite uses for 6 x 6 paper.  I’ve made several of these pockets, in all different sizes and colors, to add to my journaling stash.  I’m not adding any decoration to the pockets at this time.  I’m just gluing everything, inking edges and maybe sewing around the edges of some.  And because I don’t know exactly which journal I’ll be using them in, I’m sticking with colors I know I use often.

After an hour of this I have 10 complete, with several more ready to go.  I’ve just shortened the process considerably by assembly lining it.  I have been pulling coordinating papers I like together, then choosing the card stock to put with them.  Once I have a large stack, I’ll do all the cutting first. Next, all the gluing.  Then all the inking and, finally, the sewing.  Then I’ll store them in my 6 x 6 paper series box.  Which is getting quite full from all these projects.

My hope is you’re having fun using up your paper stash, as well as building another add-in stash which you can use in your art journaling.  And remember, even if you don’t care for the papers your using, you can give them a bit of gesso and work right over top of the unloved paper.  You’ll be amazed by the transformations you can make to paper you thought was only good to start a fire.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In the midst of family, friends, food and football let’s remember to be thankful for the blessings in our lives.  No matter our challenges, there is always something we can be thankful for.  (Yes, some with serious challenges may have to look harder, but there is always something.)  I have tremendous blessings in my life:  a wonderful husband, our kids and three precious grandchildren, my parents, a roof over my head and food to eat.  I live in a country where I’m free to worship my God, where I have the privilege and responsibility to vote for my countries leaders, in a country where adults can love another adult of their choice, where equality (though a work in progress) is strived for, where diversity is a good thing and where the voices of all can be heard.

Our country is far from perfect.  But if we work together, and respect each other’s different opinions and perspectives, our country can once again be united in common goals which reflect our values and ideals.

Blessings to you and yours on this day of Thanksgiving.

6 x 6 Paper Series: # 18

Journal Spots with Tab Closures. 

1. Cut 2 1/2″ strips from your 6 x 6 papers.
2. Score at the 1 1/2″ and 4″ mark.
3. Fold those inward and crease.
4. Open and use corner rounder on the corners.  Fold closed and round corners at the folds too.
5. Ink around edges, both inside and out.
6. Cut or punch a circle 1″ in diameter.  I used coffee dyed card stock for these circles because they are heavier weight than my patterned 6 x 6 papers.
7. This circle is your tab closure.  Ink around edges, both inside and out.
8. Fold the side flaps in.
9. Position circle tab in the center, with half on the bottom flap and half over the top flap.
10. Check placement of your tab.  Make sure the top flap lies flat before you glue your tab in place.
11. Glue half the circle to the under flap.  Let dry well before sliding the opposite flap beneath it.
12. I’ve added flat backed gems, stickers, magazine images, stamped images and doodles to my tabs for extra interest. I found I prefer the flatter stuff better.  My journals are really chunky, so I limit bulk where I can.

These are adorable little journal spots.  They tuck easily into small places and often add just that little extra a pocket needs.  You can use the remaining 3 1/2″ piece for the same add-in.  It’s just a bit larger, but equally cute.  Another make-in-bulk project which takes little time, but is really useful to have on hand when making a journal.

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a large amount of add-ins from this 6×6 series.  And once I start, I just can’t seem to stop!  My hope is you’re finding some ideas which will spark more of your own.  Just play around with your paper and see what you can come up with.  I began with 25 ideas for this series and ended up adding several others I hadn’t thought of before.  Just because I  was determined to use up as many of this huge stash of 6 x 6 papers as possible.

You-Tube Coppa Update

If you have a You-Tube channel, please check your analytics.  It will show just who your audience is.  I’ve heard there has been clarification from the FTC as well, but I have yet to see it.  The fines, should you receive one, will be based upon the income from your channel.  So, all in all, this seems to be a huge storm in a tiny teacup.

Not that there won’t be some channels effected by this.  Obviously there will be.  But the majority of art and craft channels won’t need to worry about it, because this content is clearly meant for adults.  Following extensive research, getting opinions from on-line attorneys, and determining most channels will be fine, I’ve decided to go ahead with mine.  Art on a Budget is clearly not going to be of interest to children, but may be very helpful for those beginning their art journey.

6×6 paper Series: #17

Triple Triangle Tucks.  Another quick and simple use for our papers.  Here’s how:

1. Choose three papers which coordinate or are the same pattern, whichever you prefer.
2. Cut a large, medium and small triangle.
3. The sizes are personal preference, but I like mine large enough to fill most of the page.
4. Lay your largest triangle in the bottom inside corner of the page.  Two edges, one at the bottom of page and one along the spine.
5. Place the mediun triangle above it, with the point under the large triangle’s edge which is across the page.
6. Place the smallest above the medium, again with the point under the top edge.
7. Mark where these end up on the page and remove.
8. Glue the two edges of the smallest triangle, leaving the top edge unglued.  Place at your marks.  This is tuck spot #1
9. Glue the medium triangle on two sides and place over point of the smallest, top edge open.  Tuck spot #2.
10. Do the same with the third.

You have three tuck spots, angled from the bottom inside corner toward the top exterior corner, crossing the journal page.  Slip tags, ephemera, journal cards, etc. into each.  This is a nice change from the usual tuck spots.  I like having them going across the page, rather than just in a corner.  It fills a page nicely without adding bulk.  You can decorate them as desired.

Again the explaination is more complicated than doing it.  I’ve made several sets, inked the edges and paperclipped them together for easy storage.  A bag of these are really easy to whip up and can build your stash quickly.

Easy Solution for Thin Images

And words. This is a duh! moment, guys.  I cut out a lot of magazine images and words to use in my journals.  These are thin and easily crumpled when I’m inking around the edges.  Yesterday I placed one on my scrap paper, which I was using for both gluing and inking stuff.  I inked around the flower, and it didn’t bend and crumple as usual. I tried to peal it off my scrap paper.  It was stuck down from the leftover glue from the image before it.

When it occured to me, Duh!  Glue the images and words to scrap paper with my glue stick.  This gives them added weight from the scrap paper. I can cut each out and ink them without the hassle of bending or crumpling because they’re no longer as thin.

Of course, I feel stupid for not doing this before.  But now I can glue all my cut out words and images down and leave them uncut on full sized paper until needed.  They store much easier this way too.  I can slip them into a file folder where they stay flat and ready to use.  If you want you could glue the images down in themes, for conveniently locating exactly what you need.

Wish I’d thought of this before.

 

6×6 Paper Series: #16

Easy Tag Booklet.  Fold double sided 6×6 paper in half.  Crease well.  Close and cut tag top from both.  Cute and easy booklet.

Fold paper at 2″ marks.  Crease well.  Now accordion fold the three sections and trim top into tag.  A three fold booklet.  Cut bottom off to desired length of tag.  Add ink around edges.  Decorate as desired.

6 x 6 Paper Series: # 15

Double-Sided Tags.  Since my papers are all one sided, I glued two together, back to back.  One side was a darker pattern, the other side lighter for journaling space.

3×6, 4×6, 3×5, 2×3, 1×2, 2×4, 2×6…Any size tags you want and use often can be made from these papers.  Another very easy-to-make add-in for your stash.  Decorate as you need them or ahead of time.  Whatever works best for you.