Tag: Acrylic Paint

Step-by-Step Guide to an Embossed Glue Book Using Keys Folder

July 18, 2025

Hi everyone! I’m back with my first project of the month for Eileen Hull. The theme this month is anything embossed. I’ve had this book in my stash of unfinished projects which I started over two years ago. I’ve been plugging along on the inside pages and hopefully be finished soon. But I thought I could at least show how I completed the cover. I used the Notepad Diecut which is retired. The Keys 3D Embossing Folder I used to emboss the cover. This embossing folder can be found in Eileen Hull’s Etsy Shop. Anyways, let’s get started!

A decorated journal cover featuring an embossed teal background, with a butterfly embellishment and a key in the center, surrounded by a glittery frame.

First I cut two covers of the Notepad Diecut (retired) from Mat Board.

Two covers made from mat board for a notepad, one white and one a cream color, with visible score lines for folding.

I embossed both covers with the Keys 3D Embossing Folder.

Three embossed covers featuring intricate key designs, with a Sizzix packaging in the background.

I painted both sides of each cover with an acrylic paint. I have no idea of the color of the paint I used.

Two green book covers embossed with a key pattern, showcasing different angles of the embossed design.

I glued the covers together at the spine. I cut and adhered cardstock to the inside covers. I punched a total of four hole in each of the spine with a Crop-A-Dile.

Opened journal cover with metallic gold and teal pages showcasing an artistic embossed design.

I set eyelets in each of the holes. I also cut elastic and strung through the holes and tied off on the inside of the spine. I applied Rose Gold Luster Wax over the embossed areas of the cover.

A completed book cover featuring a teal embossed design of keys, secured with pink eyelets.

I have blank journals that I had bought at Target several years ago. I cut two down to fit the inside.

Open blank journal with patterned cover and white pages.

I opened the journals up to the center where it is stapled and slide under the elastic cording.

Side note, I know I have shared about making glue books in the past but would like revisit that thought. A glue book is similar to a junk journal. Anything can be added to them. You can include mail, book pages, clothing tags, etc to the pages. In my case, I like using up the scraps of cardstock I have laying around after finishing up a project. Like the title suggests you use glue to adhere everything to the pages. I hope this explanation helps.

Open journal page featuring a bright turquoise background adorned with white snowflake-like designs.

Now back to the project, I pulled from my stash a butterfly chipboard piece, frame and key. I lightly applied Rose Gold Luster Wax to the frame.

A butterfly chipboard piece, a vintage key, and a jar of Sizzix Rose Gold Luster Wax displayed on a white paper towel with a decorative gold frame.

I adhered the frame and butterfly to the cover. I glued the key to the center of the butterfly to finish. I hope to share the inside of the glue book later with a blog post and a flip through.

A decorated journal cover featuring a turquoise embossed design, with a butterfly embellishment and a key positioned at the center of a glittery frame.

If you haven’t been by Eileen Hull’s blog lately you can find the latest posts HERE and HERE. Also if you have any questions or comments please leave them below.

A decorative journal with a turquoise embossed cover, featuring a butterfly embellishment in the center and colorful eyelets on the spine.

Supplies

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Keys 3D Embossing Folder

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Notepad Diecut (retired)

Rose Gold Luster Wax

Diecut Machine

Mat Board

Acrylic Paint

Various Plain and Patterned Cardstocks

Butterfly, Key and Frame Embellishments

Eyelets

Crop-A-Dile

Elastic Cording

Blank Journals

Paper Cutter

Scissors

Beacon Adhesives: Zip Dry Adhesive

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites, and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements. I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, or quote should be checked with each manufacturer. Verify other representations about a product or service with the provider or party in question.This blog contains affiliate links. Clicking these links helps to support Tonya Trantham Designs – Creative Paper Addiction. It’s at no additional cost to you. Today’s features are Sizzix, Eileen Hull and Scrapbook.com Products. 

A brightly colored teal journal cover featuring a butterfly embellishment with intricate details and a vintage key accent, surrounded by a golden decorative frame.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope your Friday is wonderful and enjoy creating!

A vintage-style graphic featuring a bird amidst colorful flowers with the name 'Tonya' displayed in an elegant font.

No One Just Like You

April 14, 2022

Hi everyone! I’m back with a quirky little piece I created using Eileen Hull’s Phone Stand Diecut. This diecut is perfect for freeing up your hands if you want to watch videos from your cell phone and work on a project but I chose to create a fun inspirational piece.

If you remember a couple of months ago Eileen and Gel Press had done a collab (you can find my post HERE) and this happened to be an “extra project” from when I was playing with the Gel Press Printing Plate, Brayer and an assortment of acrylic paints.

I had used the piece of cardboard packing that had came with the diecut and cut out the phone stand. I didn’t want to mess up a piece of mat board in case the project didn’t turn out the way I had envisioned in my head. But the color combos and the piece of mesh that I used like a stencil turned out perfectly.

I put the stand together according to the direction on the packaging. Or if you are a member of Eileen Hull’s Fan Club on Facebook ( If you aren’t a member fill out the questionnaire to join) you can go back and look at past videos on how to put this and other diecuts together. Also Eileen does lives every Tuesday and Thursday.

I fussy cut one of the boys, frog and butterflies from the Steampunk Fairy Boys Printable by itKuPiLLiimaginarium out. I adhered the larger butterfly wings to the back of the boy and frog in hand before adding Foam Pop Dots to the back and placing onto the stand.

I added a sticker from my stash that I thought was appropriate for my little guy and the smaller butterfly to the “lip” of the stand. I finished by applying Stickles to the wings, both the boy’s and smaller butterfly. I also added small black gems to the coat of the boy.

If you haven’t been to Eileen Hull’s blog in a bit and need some inspiration or to see her newest set of diecuts or stamps you can find her blog HERE.

Supplies

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Phone Stand Diecut

Gel Press Printing Plate

Brayer

Assortment of Acrylic Paints

Cardboard

itKuPiLLiimaginarium: Steampunk Fairy Boys Printable

Foam Pop Dots

Stickles

Diecut Machine

Scissors

Sentiment Sticker

Black Gems

Paper Cutter

Beacon Adhesives: Zip Dry Adhesive

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites, and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements. I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.This blog contains affiliate links, clicking and shopping through these links helps to support and run Tonya Trantham Designs – Creative Paper Addiction at no additional cost to you. Today’s features are Sizzix, Eileen Hull and Scrapbook.com Products. 

Thanks for stopping by, hope your day is great and enjoy creating!

Field Notes Journal

January 19, 2022

Hi everyone! After I short break from the holidays I’m back with a project I created for the collaborating between Eileen Hull’s teams and GelPress! This collab has been going on the whole month of January and at the end of this post I will share links for those posts.

I chose to use a cut out I had laying around from the Notebook Diecut-663635(retired).

I gathered up some stencils, acrylic paints along with the Gel Press Printing Plate and Brayer. I’m looking forward to trying the plate and the brayer since this will be the first time using these. So let’s get started!

First I applied dollops of paint to the plate and with the brayer covered the plate with the paint.

I placed the notebook diecut (cover side down), placed a piece of cardstock over the diecut and plate and with the brayer rolled over the diecut and plate. The photo below is just paint that’s been applied to the plate with no stencils. It’s kind of cool how the paint separated on the plate and left negative areas on the notebook diecut.

I applied more paint to the plate and used two stencils, Petal Stencil and Handcut Blossom 12″x12″ Stencil (discontinued), to add texture and a design to the cover.

I had a leftover label from another project from the Full Size Journal Diecut which I applied paint with the plate and brayer. I also used the Field Notes Stamp from the Field Notes Nature Stamp Set (discontinued) and stamped the label. I strung two pieces of elastic cording through the ends of the label and tied.

I slipped the label and elastic around the spine of the notebook and placed two store bought notebooks under the elastic.

From my stash of fussy cut printables I adhered a floral bulb to the cover to complete.

If you would like to know more about GelPress you can find them HERE for more inspiration. Also if you haven’t seen the latest projects by Eileen’s Inspiration and Educator Teams you can find those posts HERE and HERE.

Supplies

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Notebook Diecut-663635(retired)

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Full Size Journal Diecut

GelPress: Gel Press Printing Plate

GelPress: Brayer

Acrylic Paints

TCW: Petal Stencil

TCW: Handcut Blossom 12″x12″ Stencil (discontinued)

Field Notes Nature Stamp Set (discontinued)

Elastic Cording

Diecut Machine

Mat Board

MISTI Stamping Tool

Brown Ink

Floral Printable

Scissors

Beacon Adhesive: Zip Dry Adhesive

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites, and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements. I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.This blog contains affiliate links, clicking and shopping through these links helps to support and run Tonya Trantham Designs – Creative Paper Addiction at no additional cost to you. Today’s features are Sizzix, Eileen Hull, GelPress and Scrapbook.com Products. 

Thanks for stopping by, hope your Wednesday is wonderful and enjoy creating!

Canvas and Ribbon Pumpkin Wall Hanging

August 24, 2021

Hi everyone! I’m back with day two with a wall hanging I created for the Gwen Studios Design Team call! Yesterday I shared a wedding frame and if you would to see that project you can find it HERE.

Since Autumn is right around the corner I decided I wanted to create a pumpkin wall hanging.

I had a banner that I had created a few years ago for a booth at Creativation and doesn’t really go with the decor in my home so I decided I would up-cycle one of the canvas banners and create a pumpkin out of it. This is what it looked like after I pulled off all the decorations.

But I’ll be using the backside of the banner for my project.

I started by mixing a little white acrylic paint to some orange acrylic paint and painting the whole banner.

Once dry I placed and taped the Handcut Blossom Stencil to the banner and applied Extra Heavy Gel over the stenciled area.

I removed the stencil and let the banner dry.

Next I cut approximately 2 inches off of a shim (you can find these at a hardware store) to create a stem for the pumpkin. You can also use a popsicle stick or whatever you have on hand.

I applied a stain to the stem and let dry. You can also speed up the process by using a Heat Gun if you have one handy.

While that was drying I cut three 5 inches of each 7/8″ Faux Cow Print Leather Ribbon and 3/8″ Gray Faux Leather Snake Skin Ribbon. I also cut seven 5 inches and one 20 inches of the of the 3/8″ Black Ribbon.

I laid all of the ribbons on top of one of the black ribbons.

I forgot to mention that I cut a “v” in the larger ribbon and the rest I cut at a angle after I tied all together to create a bow.

I adhered the wooden stem, the 20 inches of black ribbon to the pumpkin and lightly inked over the stenciled image with chalk ink.

I glued the bow to the top of the pumpkin to finish off the hanging. As always if you have any questions about this project please let me know.

Supplies

Gwen Studios: 7/8″ Faux Cow Print Leather Ribbon

Gwen Studios: 3/8″ Gray Faux Leather Snake Skin Ribbon

Gwen Studios: 3/8″ Black Ribbon

Canvas Banner

Orange and White Acrylic Paints

Wood Shim or Popsicle Stick

Chalk Ink

Sponge Brush

Handcut Blossom Stencil

Extra Heavy Gel

Spatula

Scissors

Zip Dry Adhesive

Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites, and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements. I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.This blog contains affiliate links, clicking and shopping through these links helps to support and run Tonya Trantham Designs – Creative Paper Addiction at no additional cost to you. Today’s features are Gwen Studios and Scrapbook.com Products. 

Thanks for stopping by, hope your Tuesday is great and enjoy creating!

i-crafter: Grow Mini Canvas

May 6, 2020
Hi everyone! Today over on the on i-crafter’s blog I share how I created this quick and easy mini canvas! You can find the complete blog post HERE.

GRW6

Supplies

i-crafter: Carly Alphabet Diecuts
i-crafter: i-Stik Adhesive
Diecut Machine
Paper Cutter
Scissors
Beacon Adhesive: Zip Dry Adhesive
Sequin and Gem
Various Patterned Cardstocks
Diecuts
Mini Canvas
Acrylic Paint
Paint Brush
Chalk Ink
Lace
Cheese Cloth

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites, and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements. I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.This blog contains affiliate links, clicking and shopping through these links helps to support and run Tonya Trantham Designs – Creative Addiction to Paper Blog at no additional cost to you. Today’s features are i-crafter and Scrapbook.com Products. 

GRW1

Thanks for stopping by, hope your Wednesday is wonderful and enjoy creating!

Snowflake Egg Carton

December 30, 2016

Hi there! How was  everyone’s Christmas? I had a nice time. My son and daughter in law came in and we exchanged presents on Christmas Eve. Then on Christmas Day we went to my mother in law’s at 10:00AM did the gift exchange with her and my step daughters and their husbands and then at 12:30 ran to my parents to do the same thing again plus we had dinner. As I said it was nice but after two days of nonstop “partying” I was ready to get back into my normal routine and get back to crafting.                
Well, anyway, I wanted to share the second half of a project for a swap I was in. The first half of the swap I altered a paper bag and you can find that post HERE.

I painted a six count egg carton that I had purchased at Hobby Lobby in Folk Art Faded Jade acrylic paint and sealed with Antique Mod Podge. I cut a snowflake patterned cardstock from the Prima Sweet Peppermint collection which I adhered to the top of the lid. Next I cut a Snowflake Rosette from Merry & Bright Collection and put together according to the direction. I added a gold circle, a small snowflake ornament, sequin and Dew Drop to the center of the snowflake diecut. 

I adhered seam binding and ribbon above the “clasp” to dress it up.

 The inside I cut a piece of patterned cardstock to fit the inside of the lid and the fun part…filling it with GOODIES!!!

I added candy, handmade planner clips, bits and pieces of ribbons, buttons, etc. that my swap partner Lisa can eat while crafting. 😄

I also added a Santa pen that I found at the Target Dollar Spot to the package. Isn’t it so adorable? As always if you have questions about this project please let me know.
Well, there you have it…my last post of 2016. For the 2017 year I have written down some goals of what I want to accomplish (fingers crossed) 😊. This past year was a very crazy, sad, topsy turvy year to say the least and my crafting mojo went on vacation. So here’s to a better and more creative 2017!  

Thanks for stopping by, hope your Friday is awesome and enjoy creating!

Snowflake Noel Card

July 29, 2016

Hi everyone! I am back with another quick Christmas card. Like the last card I shared this past Monday I used the 6″x6″ Lost and Found Christmas Pad from My Mind’s Eye. I folded a piece of cardstock from the pad to create a 3″x6″ base for my card.

I cut a diecut from the Scalloped Rectangle from Spellbinders, painted a wooden snowflake and once dry adhered all to the front of the card.

I finished off the card with sequins and tiny flat back pearls. Very quick and easy! If you have any questions about this card please let me know.

Thanks for stopping by, hope your Friday is wonderful and enjoy creating!

Pretty in Pink Altered Cigar Box

January 7, 2016

Hi everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Ours was great even if we had massive amounts of rain it was still nice to be able to spend it with family. 🙂
After taking a tiny break from social media I am back to share a project I created for a swap I was in with my sweet friend Lisa on Swap-bot.

For this swap we agreed to alter a small cigar box and fill it with planner goodies.

Since one of Lisa’s favorite colors is pink I went with a dusty colored cardstock from My Mind’s Eye for the outside of the box. The image I found on Tammy Tutterow’s site. I sized it down, printed and fussy cut out. I used a combination of buttons, dew drops, store bought and handmade flowers to decorate the lid.

The inside of the box I used the rest of the My Mind”s Eye cardstock and the vintage print cardstock is from a discontinued line from Canvas Corp. Also I forgot to mention that I painted the edges of the box with a cream colored paint (no need to paint the whole box since you won’t be seeing that 🙂 ) and used Antique Mod Podge to adhere all cardstock to the box. Once dry I applied a coat over the whole box to seal it.

The fun part was adding all the goodies. I added journaling cards, sticky notes, shaped paper clips, washi tape and a 4″ book ring so she can add her favorite washi tapes to so she can keep those close at hand. 🙂

There you have it my first project of the year! 🙂 If you have any questions please let me know.

Thanks for stopping by, hope your Thursday is wonderful and enjoy creating!

Welcome Little Star

February 11, 2015

Hi everyone!  I created this baby card for a magazine call but it wasn’t selected so I thought why not share. 🙂 I folded a piece of mint green cardstock to create a 4″x5 1/2″ card base. I added  some scraps of patterned scrapbook paper to the base.

The chipboard stars I painted in white, yellow and mint green. Let dry and then applied Mod Podge and sprinkled glitter to the each of those. The sentiment is from the Little Star set from Fancy Pants which I stamped onto a piece of patterned scrapbook paper. I finished off the card with two little pearl dew drops. Easy peasy card if I do say so myself. 🙂 If you have any questions please let me know.
Also I am submitting this card for the following challenge: Word Art Wednesday: Challenge #170.

Thanks for stopping by, hope your Wednesday is wonderful and enjoy creating!

What is in your stocking?

December 15, 2014

Hi everyone! I’m here to share an ornament I had actually started last Christmas but with all the craziness and such that normally goes on around this time of year I didn’t finish it. Well I did get a complete of photos of me starting the process though. 🙂

The stocking ornament is from SmoothFoam which I had received last year for a blog hop that the Robin’s Nest and SmoothFoam was hosting together. 
I started by lightly sanding and applying a coat of gesso which once dry I painted the stocking with red acrylic paint. I cut the cuff of the stocking from White on White Classic Glitter Swirl Cardstock. I  applied antique Mod Podge to the stocking and then sprinkled glitter all over. Once dry I painted one of the packages, added some lace around the cuff and I put it away for the year.
I dug it out and this is how I finished it off. I used some Prima poinsettias and added a sequin and dew drop to the center for an elegant look.

I added a mini bottle brush tree, along with bells, pearl sprays and miniature Christmas lights.

I finished off with a little gold trim and a holly leaf.

Don’t you think it looks lovely on my four foot tinsel tree I got for 66% off at Hobby Lobby last year. It was a floor model and pre-lit. It reminds me of my great grandmother’s tinsel tree but hers had a color wheel with it. I remember sitting at her house at Christmas time watching the tree turn different colors…such great memories. 🙂

If you have any questions about this project please let me know.

Thanks for stopping by, hope your Monday is awesome and enjoy creating!