Tag: diy

Dutch Door Journal Spread & Prescription Journal

Prescription Journal:

I have decided I need a medication journal in alphabetical order to keep track of all the medications I’ve taken in the past as well as ones I’m currently taking. I’m keeping track of side effects and allergies, so that going forward, if a doctor asks me if I’ve taken a medication, I know that I’ve taken them as well as side effects so I don’t take them if I can’t tolerate them.

I had an old, kind of beat up journal in my stash. It should be comparable to these from Dollar Tree. https://tinyurl.com/yx26j6e4 . My journal had more pages than this, so I’m modifying my design to accommodate 120 pages like the DT journal. You’ll want to glue a piece of colored cardstock cut to 8 1/4″ tall by 6″ wide. You’ll need to trim the 6″ side so you have a 1/2″ tall tab by punching your tab first, then cutting the rest of the paper down to the bottom of your tab. Your first tab should be on the left top edge 6″ of the paper, your second tab should be however far to the right of your first tab that you want it, and so on. If you have a tab punch, you can make each of your punches with this. You’ll want to stamp an A, B, C on your tabs. You’ll glue your first page over the first page in the journal, then leave one page for the A, then paste your B tab over the third page in your journal and so on.

Journal with Dutch Doors:

The other journal I’m using to prepare for the femur surgery March 18th. I bought a journal on Temu link: https://tinyurl.com/3rnymjw7. I made dutch doors for six pages, by starting on the left side of the first pages using book PET tape link: https://tinyurl.com/5n7f7rfb. I ran the book tape on the left edge of the first page from top to bottom then went to the right side of page 2. I ran yellow washi tape https://tinyurl.com/3jvsvx5k matching the dresses about halfway in the page from top to bottom, then added three ladies stickers https://tinyurl.com/4r8kvwrz from top to bottom with the ladies being laid on the left side of the washi tape and having their skirts cover the tape. The center sticker’s skirt was too wide and I had to cut it out and find a matching sticker for the back of the page. I recommend you not going past the washi tape as it’s not easy finding a sticker whose skirt is the same but on the left side of the dress. To finish this page, cut the right side of the yellow washi from top to bottom, making sure to cut out the outline of the center dress.

You’ll add washi tape to page 3 of the spread from top to bottom on the left edge of the paper, then add matching ladies over the washi and then page 4 you’ll start your washi tape so it shows when the first page is laid over it. I think I cut an inch or so off the right side of this paper. This time although I did the same as before, I made sure not to have any skirts to the right of the washi so I could cut a straight line on the right edge of the colored washi. Do page 5 matching page 3 then lay a line of the book washi on the right side of pg 6 from top to bottom.

DIY Midori Cahier Size Travelers Notebook

Faux leather sampler: https://tinyurl.com/yc6bh3eh

elastic cord: https://tinyurl.com/3z22tmn5

cahier size traveler size notebook inserts: https://tinyurl.com/4nvasj65

Beacon 3 in 1 glue: https://tinyurl.com/jk2cfzfx

Crop a dile big bite hole punch: https://tinyurl.com/msh4bdcp

To make your cover, you’ll need to measure your notepad inserts, and you’ll need to measure the back spine of how thick the spine will be when all three notepads. My notebooks are 5 1/4″ tall by 7 1/2″ wide with a 1/2″ wide spine for 3 of them….I added 1/2″ to the measurements so you will make your cover 8 1/2″ (I made mine 8″ wide but I recommend making it 8 1/2″ instead) wide as this takes the spine into consideration and 5 3/4″ tall . Use your paper trimmer to cut your faux leather.

Fold your leather in half on the 8 1/2″ length and make sure you can see the fold. Then about 1/4″ from the top center, punch a hole with your Crop a dile Big Bite or a similar long reaching hole punch, then drop down another 1/4″ and make another hole, then make a hole in the center and then make a hole 1/4″ from the bottom center and then another hole 1/4″ above that hole.

You’ll take your elastic (don’t cut it off the roll) and push it from the inside second hole from the top out and then in through the top hole then out through the very bottom and in through the second hole. You’ll want the elastic to be tight enough that the journal folds in on itself a little bit. Make a double knot then cut off the excess elastic making sure you leave enough when you cut it to fix it if you made it too short and it won’t stretch enough to allow for the journals. You might also want one of your elastics to act as a bookmark or a charm holder so leave your top length longer as well after it’s knotted. Put one of your notebooks in your cover by opening it in the center and sliding the center through the elastic.

You’ll want to make two free standing elastics to hold journals in your book…Cut about 12″ long and knot it at around 10″ and take a second notebook and lay it side by side with the one you already have in your cover and open both books to their center and slide the elastic over both to hold them in place in your book, then make another elastic and do the same with your third notebook. I slid my pocket page inside behind the other notebooks.

To make the pocket insert for the travelers notebook, I cut two pieces of scrapbook paper from my stash. I initially made the insert too tall so I’m changing the height here so yours will fit in your cover. Cut one piece of designed paper to 11″ wide by 5 1/4″ tall (not 6 1/4″ like I say in the video). Score on the 11″ length at 2″, 5 1/2″, and 9″. Cut a second matching paper (my designs on the 11″ length are in the opposite direction of the other paper), so if you want both papers to face the same direction make sure they lie on top of each other with the pattern facing the same direction. The second paper is 5 1/4″ tall by 7″ wide scored on the 7″ length at 3 1/2′ . Put a bead of glue the length of the 5 1/2″ score line of the 11″ long paper. Then lay the 7″ wide paper on top making sure the center 3 1/2″ score line lays directly on top of the center of the 11″ wide paper. The longer 11″ wide paper has scores on either end, fold them toward the middle so they create a pocket on either end, then put glue from the center folds on both the top and bottom until you’ve got a bead of glue from the center stopping at those score lines. Put clips on them to make sure the glue closes them. Once the glue is dry, remove the clips and your pocket insert is done.

Cut a 10″ elastic cord and string whatever beads you’d like on it and thread both ends in it through the outside center hole of your cover then knot it inside, making sure it’s long enough for you to wrap it around the cover with a little room to grow, but not short so you can’t flatten it out. Make a double knot and check it again to make sure it wraps around correctly, Mine kept coming through the hole, so if this happens you can either make another knot, or you can untie your knot, put a 2 hole button on the inside of the cover threading the two ends through the button and then knotting it in place.

To make the journal cover stronger, you can cut 2 more pieces of leather 5 3/4″ tall by 2″ wide and use Beacon 3 in 1 glue, open your cover and lay one one of these new pieces on the left edge of the front of the journal gluing it along the top, bottom and left edge, then clip it down so the pieces hold, then do the same to the back cover by gluing the top, bottom and right edge down with the new leather. This will make an insert for your notebook covers to hold them more securely, as well as act like a pocket on both the front and back covers.

Small Button Notebooks, Three Ways, Great for Craft Fairs

I thought it would be fun to make tiny notebooks to carry in a purse. They turned out so cute!

Products you’ll need

Two 2″ wood decorated buttons: https://tinyurl.com/ycxeevj3 or two pieces of thicker cardboard cut to 2″ circle and a sharp object like an awl to poke holes for your button holes.

You’ll need four pieces of decorated cardstock to cover both sides of the cardboard pieces

2″ scallop circle punch or 2″ circle punch or 2″ circle die

Matching embroidery floss: 36 colors at Joanns full price $5.49 use coupons available, usually at least 40% so it would be less than $3 for the set. https://tinyurl.com/zwrzkp88

Tacky Glue: https://tinyurl.com/yev5yzds You can also get a smaller bottle at Dollar Tree…use any kind of glue that dries clear.

Decorative paper scraps

Three options:

1. Using two 2″ decorated wood buttons

2. Using two 2″ plain wood buttons and covering them with decorative paper

3. Use thicker cardboard cut into two 2″ circles then using a sharp object like an awl, poking holes for the button holes.

Directions for all three options: These are the same for all three options. Take a piece of cardstock, (you could also use copy paper,) and punch as many 2″ scallop circles as possible out of one piece of paper.

Alternatives: Use a 2″ circle punch or a 2″ circle or scallop circle die. The circles fit inside the buttons better as you can’t see the edges like you can with the scallop circle. Next, take your glue and put a drop on two side by side scallops near the edge and then lay another scallop circle on top, making sure to line them up perfectly with the one beneath. Make sure your glue is always on the same two scallops so the paper pad is glued on one side only. If you use circles, make a 2″ circle template where you make a pencil mark where you want two spots of glue about 1/8″ from each other then line up the first circle beside your template and put the spots of glue where your marks are on your template, then lay your first circle with glue so it is facing the same direction as your template and continue gluing two spots and laying the circles directly on top of each other until all are glued together. Once you’ve glued them all together, put a clothespin on the glue spot to make sure they are well adhered then let them dry.

Option 1, cut out two 2″ pieces of decorator paper

Option 2 and 3 cut out four 2″ pieces of decorator paper. Glue decorator paper to one side of both of your buttons.

Option 3: Once the glue is dry, use an awl and poke two holes near the center of the button where you’d normally find button holes. All three options: Take about 10″ of embroidery floss using all strands and starting on the underside (where there’s no decorator paper on option 2 & 3) and either side of option 1 and pull the thread up through the underside then down through the other hole, then back up through the first hole, and down through the second…do this at least one more time or until the thread is thick enough for your taste. (While doing this process, hold the one end of the floss tight so you don’t end up entangling your floss strands.) Then double knot the floss on the underside and cut off one length to about 1/4″ and put glue all over that side of the button and pulling the other floss straight, glue decorator paper over that side. Use clothespins to hold the paper in place until it’s dry. Take your other button and repeat the process above with the embroidery floss and gluing the decorative paper over the floss making sure to pull your floss tight. Clothespin the edges to make sure the paper stays in place.

I put some glue between my fingers and run it the length of the floss to keep all of the strands together.

Take one of your buttons and put glue on the top and bottom of your stack of cardstock in the same spot as where you glued them originally then lay the button on top of the pile with the floss strands opposite from the glue spots. Take your other button and lay it the reverse side of the first button and again making sure the floss is in the same spot as the first button. Use clothespins to hold it together until the glue has dried.

Travel Journal DIY Embellishment Charms, Pt. 1 Cover

We’re going on a two week cruise to celebrate me walking again and I wanted to make a special travel journal to commemorate the trip. I bought a Fuji Instant Camera that instantly produces small photos that will fit perfectly in this journal, here’s a link to one. https://tinyurl.com/2v2rbhxz. As always, I’m not affiliated with any companies and only provide links to products so you know exactly what I bought in case you are interested in buying it.

Products used:

Graphic 45 journal and 3 notebooks: https://tinyurl.com/4sny7hxm

DCWV World Map 12 x 12″ paper link: https://tinyurl.com/mr3pjf4w

Temu:

Large silver paper clips: https://tinyurl.com/mtxmbp83

Silver ship charms: https://tinyurl.com/mwfn8p3x

Travel charms (Eifel tower, Big Ben etc) https://tinyurl.com/bdv65r9t

Pin for side of album: https://tinyurl.com/3curudbb

Key chain for dangle: https://tinyurl.com/4nyps3a6

Stickers of London and Paris landmarks: https://tinyurl.com/yckake7t

Stickers of old stamps: https://tinyurl.com/yckae9h8

Metal brass looking corners for journal: https://tinyurl.com/26zfkvh4

Before I covered the journal, I put each of the charms I bought on their own paper clips so when we spend a day in Paris, I can put the Eifel Tower charm paper clip on the page where I discuss that day. I bought the ship charms for the 6 days we’re at sea so we can put a ship charm on each day’s page for the days at sea.

To cover the outside journal cover, I cut the bottom of the world map page off at 10 1/2″ and left the 12″ width. I scored the paper on the 12″ length at 5 1/8, 5 1/4″ and 6 3/4 and 6 7/8″. I poked holes for the pin on the spine by using my pokey tool, and poked two holes in the center of the spine to accommodate the pin. I had to make them a lot bigger so I could push the pin through the holes.

I added tear tape and wet glue. Tombow Mono Aqua glue, to the journal cover, then centered the paper on the spine and attached the paper making sure I had enough paper on the bottom and top. On one side, I didn’t have extra paper, but I’m going to use metal covers for the corners and will use paper on the inside to the edges. The excess paper at the top and bottom of the journal, I glued to the inside, but the paper that covers the spine needs to be trimmed so it doesn’t cover the elastic strings inside, so I snipped at my score lines up to the journal and then trimmed off the excess and laid tear tape beneath the eyelets that the elastic comes through, then lay the paper over the tear tape and make sure it’s well adhered. You’ll do this at the top and bottom of the spine. Then you’ll want to glue down the paper that overlaps the sides, top and bottom, and at each corner, trim off on an angle the excess paper so when you fold both pieces down, there isn’t a lot of paper you don’t need. If you cut off too much like I did, add a little piece of paper under the two papers and glue it in place underneath.

I took the elastic strap out of the front of the journal, you definitely need to do this, and if I didn’t mention it in this video, you’ll want to poke a hole through the paper in that hole once you’ve covered the front, but BEFORE you cover the inside of the journal with paper, otherwise you’ll lose track of where that hole is.

I’ll be putting up the rest of the videos this week.

If you want to make your own journals here are some options for you that don’t require sewing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqU50Z6zSyY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yju82AwTb_M

Travel journal signature inserts premade: https://tinyurl.com/ykv727y7

Making your own travel journal signature inserts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJiCT9E6Ofc

Globleland Dies, Tag Punch & Wax Seal Stamp, I FINALLY Figured Out the Best Way To Melt Wax!

The nice people at Globleland.com sent me these products to try and I’m truly grateful. As always, I’m not affiliated with Globleland, but they were kind enough to send me some products to try and gave me discounts for my viewers, which is what I always ask for when trying out new products…

Globleland homepage link: https://globleland.com/?s=sandy10

Coupon code: sandy10

Globleland product links:

Layered die sets: https://globleland.com/products/cutting-dies-diy-wh0309-778?s=sandy10

Tag Punch: https://globleland.com/products/tools-ajew-wh0188-06?s=sandy10

Cat & Mouse wax stamp: https://globleland.com/products/stamp-collection-wax-stamps-ajew-wh0183-1080?s=sandy10

To make the card, I took the largest die with circles cut into it and cut a piece of striped paper with this die. I used a green card base that is 8 1/2″ long by 5 1/2″ wide, scored on the 8 1/2′ length at 4 1/4″ creating an A2 sized card. I put glue on the back of the die cut striped paper and laid it on the card base. Then I took a navy blue scrap that was 1 1/2″ wide so fits the narrowest setting for the tag punch. I used a sentiment from a magazine that says “with sympathy” and stamped it with Versamark ink on the navy blue paper. I used a small container of Nuvo embossing powder in a yellow color and then heat set the sentiment. I punched one end of the strip then cut the scrap so it’s 5 1/4″ and then punched the other end to turn it from a tag into more of a banner…not sure what I’d call that shape, sorry.

I used beige grosgrain ribbon and looped it in half and pushed it through one of the holes and pushed the ends of the ribbon through the loop and pulled them tight, then did the same to the other end. I added tear tape to the back and laid the ends of the ribbon in the tear tape. I used some thin foam tape strips I bought on Amazon, link: http://tinyurl.com/5bf4z3n5 I added a butterfly I bought at the Dollar Tree link: http://tinyurl.com/mryrk8uz

I FINALLY figured out how to melt wax melts and it’s so much simpler than the candle system. I used my heat tool instead and held the little spoon without having it get too hot (which was surprising) and figured out how to scrape the wax out of the spoon with a silicone tool I bought on Temu, link: http://tinyurl.com/4ptk4cwa

I used 5-7 of the little wax melts to create the perfect circle. I used a marble scrap to pour the wax onto and stamped with the cat and mouse stamp. I show a mold I bought to create the perfect wax seal circle, but I think it’s too big and I didn’t show using it as it took too many wax melts to fill and then the stamp got buried in the wax. Just so you know, the mold was a big disappointment. I did use it for the heart seal that is in this video so you can see just how large the seal becomes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqBdgRIkkUI. I probably won’t be using it again unless I figure out what else I can do with it besides using it for wax melts.

Buy Xmas Balls Cheap Now or Use Old Ones! Get Started on 2024

Right before Christmas, Rich and I were in a store called Family Dollar and they had big boxes of red and gold plastic ornaments in different shapes and finishes. They were 75% off, so I got them, as well as two Ho Ho Ho ornaments, and was on my way. Before going home, we stopped at Dollar Tree and bought another tube of red and gold small ornaments and the wreath frame I needed. If you have Christmas (non-glass) ornaments you’re sick of, this is a great way to give them new life. Since you probably can’t find clearance ornaments now, going through the things you’ve recently stored, might be the answer, although I was just at a thrift store and saw a great big container of ornaments similar to the ones I used on this wreath.

I had a smaller foam wreath frame to make a wreath for my great nephew, Finn’s, bedroom door, so using very old Stampin’ Up grosgrain ribbon and hot glue, I covered the small wreath with the red and off white ribbon. I didn’t show wrapping the ribbon as I’ve done several videos showing this system and here’s one you can follow in detail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ax5oMWPwRE Once the wreath was wrapped, it was simply a matter of gluing the HoHoHo to it and it was finished. I really thought it turned out cute.

I apologize in advance for not having a photo of the finished ornament wreath, as I gave it to my girlfriend as soon as it was finished and then smacked myself on the head when I realized I hadn’t photographed it, but didn’t want to ask her to….but these things happen, you know me.

To make the ornament wreath, you definitely need a mix of colors, textures and sizes, which is why, if you have a ton of old plastic ornaments you’re tired of using on a tree, you can make a really pretty wreath with them. THEY MUST BE PLASTIC...that’s so important, as you don’t want to have any mishap that would mean having a bunch of very thin glass shattered all over your doorstep. I liked having some with glitter, some super shiny, some with a distinct embossing on them. It was also important to have what I’ll call “fillers.” You’ll find small gaps when making this wreath, and for me, using my stash came in really handy here. I had a bunch of small red and gold metal bells and those were so easy to jam in small holes where you could still see the wreath form.

I didn’t mention this earlier, but when we got the wreath from Dollar Tree, Rich lightly tossed it into my craft room and it broke…and then when we tried to glue it to hold in place, it broke in another spot, so I probably should have covered it with ribbon to hide those flaws, but decided the ornaments would cover the front and I wasn’t worried about what the back looked like, but in retrospect, probably should have thought that through..Oh well..

You will need a lot of hot glue sticks and even more ornaments. Lay your wreath flat on your working surface.. I covered mine with kid’s drawing paper from Dollar Tree, as I knew there would be glitter and hot glue covering it before I was done and wanted an easy way to clean up. Here’s the drawing pad link: https://www.dollartree.com/scribble-pads-9×12/819351 They’ve changed the size and design, so you can use newspaper instead.

Start on the outside of the wreath and use your largest balls (it will be easier for me to call them balls than ornaments so that’s what I’ll call them going forward.) Hot glue the hanging part of the ball to the top or side of the foam wreath, depending on the ball’s size. I found large balls worked best glued to the upper part of the curve, while the slightly smaller ones glued best to the side of the wreath.

Don’t worry if you end up having a spot where you can’t put a ball or if it messes up your pattern of colors, leave a gap and that’s where we’ll put the bow. Next for the very inside of the wreath, glue smaller balls here. Then you’ll glue a variety of sizes on the top, then it’s a matter of filling holes, making sure there isn’t one spot on the side of the wreath that’s missing the dimension of an additional ball. Just keep finding spots to fill and glue the balls together. The very top layer should be your smallest balls and bells.

Once you’re happy with the shape and coverage of balls on your wreath, it’s time for your bow. I bought gold and red wire trimmed ribbon and then immediately lost it. (When you aren’t walking, you lose things the minute you hand them off to be put away,) I hate the bow I ended up with, and plan on replacing it once I find my wired ribbon. You’ll need a pipe cleaner or floral wire, about 1 ft long. I made a loop of ribbon about 6-8″ long and made a lot of loops of ribbon. The more loops, the better the bow. Once you have enough loops to make a full bow, cut the end and using your wire or pipe cleaner, tie it around the center of your loop and make it as tight as possible. You’ll want the center to be scrunched. Then either twist the wire or tie it leaving the excess wire in place. To make the bow full, take the center most loop and pull the first one upward, the second one down, doing both the same, until you’re done. You’ll push one side of the leftover wire through the wreath and the other side of wire through the other side of the foam and then twist it tight in the back, then snip it off or hide it. I made another loop of ribbon and glued it to the back of the top of the wreath and the wreath was finished.