How to, Paper Crafts, Handmade, DIY, Recycle, Diecuts, Crafting on a Dime

Oh so Cold! Altered Envelope Journal

January 31, 2023

Hi everyone! I’m back today with an altered envelope that I turned into a junk journal. For the base (cover) I used a business size #10 envelope and some dies, thinlits and embossing folders by Eileen Hull. Let’s get started!

I gathered all the scraps of cardstock, embellishments and bits and pieces to make this journal. As I have said in past blog posts this is a great way to use up what you have laying around from other projects.

The first thing I did was seal the flap of the envelope and then fold in half to create the cover. I cut a piece of cardstock and an old dictionary page to fit inside. I also added a fussy cut polar bear printable as the third page. I folded all together, punched two holes into the spine of the cover and all inside pages. I threaded a needle with ribbon and sewed and tied all together into a nice little bow on the spine.

I adhered patterned cardstock to the inside and outside of the cover. I layered more patterned cardstock and glued to the cover but I left the top open so I could add tags to the pocket. I fussy cut one the little girls that I printed from the Let it Snow Art Dolls Printables. I had actually printed this out for a Christmas project but they didn’t print correctly. I couldn’t throw out the printable and I figured since this was a junk journal why not use it? I adhered the girl image onto the “pocket”, cut and glued two snowflakes together from the Wreath and Snowflake Thinlits and cut a label from the Library Pocket ATC and Tabs Thinlits and glued onto the snowflake. I put together the word “Journal” from alphabet stickers and placed onto the label.

I cut a pocket from the Frame Pocket Journal Diecut and embossed with the 3D Tablecloth Embossing Folder, folded the flaps and adhered to the inside cover. I dug out a paper snowflake, glued to the pocket and added a button to the center of it. I added tags to the pocket. One of the tags I added one of the fussy cut girl, plus a tab which I cut from the Library Pocket ATC and Tabs Thinlits and a chipboard snowflake to the tab. The opposite page I decorated with lace, bits of velvet ribbon and a scrap of patterned cardstock.

The next pages I added scraps of cardstock, Ric Rac and a stamped snowman image to the page. The opposite page I cut and distressed a piece of patterned cardstock and adhered to the page. I cut the larger snowflake from Tim Holtz’s 3D Snowflake Impresslits (retired), placed onto the page along with a strip of patterned cardstock and a sequin which I glued to the center of the snowflake.

The next set of pages I glued a strip of patterned cardstock to the top of the page, placed the chipboard “winter” sentiment on the strip along with scraps of cardstock, vellum and a small snowflake from Doodle Christmas Thinlits. The other page I cut and distressed a piece of patterned cardstock, glued to the page, placed a chipboard “oh so cold!” sentiment onto the patterned cardstock along with another small snowflake. I didn’t add any embellishments to the back side of the polar bear printable.

The next set of pages I placed a small penguin behind a specimen slide that I had in my stash and glued onto the page. I finished by adding the “snow fun!” sentiment, mini snowflake and chipboard snowflakes. The opposite page I added various laces, sheer fabric and Ric Rac to the page.

The last page I adhered scraps of patterned cardstock to the top and a smaller snowflake from the 3D Snowflake Impresslits and a sequin to the center of the snowflake.

I applied Stickles to the girls bonnets and small black gems to the coat of the taller girl to finish.

If you haven’t been by Eileen’s blog lately you can find the latest post HERE.

Supplies

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Frame Pocket Journal Diecut

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: 3D Tablecloth Embossing Folder

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Wreath and Snowflake Thinlits

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Library Pocket ATC and Tabs Thinlits

Sizzix/Tim Holtz: 3D Snowflake Impresslits (retired)

Sizzix/Olivia Rose: Doodle Christmas Thinlits

Let it Snow Art Dolls Printables

Diecut Machine

Various Plain, Patterned Cardstocks and Vintage Page

Scissors

Gems, Lace, Ric Rac, Button

Stickles

Needle and Ribbon

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, Scrapbook.com and A Cherry on Top Crafts Products.

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

How to Alter a Jumbo Wintery Themed Paper Clip

December 4, 2022

Hi everyone! Have you ever wondered what to do with those jumbo paper clips that you see in the office and craft sections in store? I will show you how I altered this paper clip, using a good portion of leftovers from other projects that was on my desk, into a book mark or as a closure to a bag/gift. Let’s get started!

First, I cut to size a scrap piece of bluish cardstock from the Making Essentials Cardstock Pack to fit the paper clip. I placed one end of the cardstock into the Crochet Mandala 3D Embossing Folder and run through the Diecut Machine.

I lightly inked over the raised embossed areas, folded the non embossed area of the cardstock and slid the cardstock through the paper clip.

I added adhesive to the lower half of the non embossed flap and glued to the back of the embossed cardstock. Side note…you want the “banner” to still move freely on the paper clip so don’t glue directly to the paper clip.

I cut two small strips of glittered tulle, gathered together and staples in the middle. Side note…glue would have been a lot messier. Also I don’t think I will ever buy glitter tulle again. I left a glitter trail everywhere I moved. YIKES!

I had a leftover strip of cardstock that I embossed with a Polka Dot Embossing Folder (retired), adhered the tulle to the backside of that and then glued to the banner.

I had two leftover banners that I had cut from the Geometric Box Diecut so I decided to cut the top off of each and adhered both to the top of the banner. Another side note (apparently I’m full of them today) I had used the those shapes to created a cool little treat box for Eileen Hull’s Comfort and Joy 2022 Kickoff Event (only $20). It’s over 8 hours of different designers sharing projects to make. If you are interested you can find the link HERE to purchase. Also I cut two Snowflakes from the Wreath and Snowflake Thinlits and glued those on top of each other before adding to the banner.

I cut two snowflakes from the 3D Impresslits Snowflake Diecut (retired). The smaller snowflake I lightly inked over the raised edges of the die, added a Foam Pop Dot to the back before placing on top of the larger snowflake. I also added a sequin and gems to the center of the snowflake, glued a bow to the side and added lace to geometric shaped banner.

The larger snowflake I did the same steps as with the smaller snowflake but glued directly to the banner. While I was cleaning up my craft room I came across this half sheet of snowmen that I had stamped out multiple times. I decided to fussy cut all out and use as needed. I have no idea who made the stamp and if I find out I will update my supply list. I added a foam pop dots to the back of the snowman before placing onto the lower half of the banner. I also glued a cord bow underneath the snowman to finish.

I think it turned out pretty good considering I was, for the most part, using what I had laying on my desk. I tried it out on a book and I think it look great. I also think you could use this to keep a Christmas bag closed to give as a gift.

Supplies

Jumbo Paper Clip

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Crochet Mandala 3D Embossing Folder

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Geometric Box Diecut

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Wreath and Snowflake Thinlits

Sizzix/Tim Holtz: 3D Impresslits Snowflake Diecut (retired)

Sizzix: Making Essentials Cardstock Pack

Diecut Machine

Polka Dot Embossing Folder (retired)

Glitter Tulle

Foam Pop Dots

Lace, Cording, Sequins and Gems

Scissors

Paper Cutter

Beacon Adhesives: Zip Dry Adhesive

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

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

Jolly Old St. Nicholas Notepad

December 2, 2022

Hi everyone! I’m back with a quick project I created for Eileen Hull using the Ornament Box Diecut, Woven Leather 3D Embossing Folder and leaf sprigs from the Wreath and Snowflake Thinlits. This would make a great gift along with a pretty ink pen for the person who likes to take notes or make lists. Anyways, let’s get started!

First, I measured the notepad to get the dimensions, my notepad measures 5″x8″ but I added around another 2 inches onto the 8 inch side before cutting a piece of Red Cardstock for the cover.

Next, I folded and glued the flap onto the back of the notepad. I had a strip of patterned cardstock leftover from another project that I added to the flap to dress it up.

For the cover I cut from a Mint Green Cardstock one Skinny Mini Elements Thinlit along with a piece patterned cardstock slightly larger than the die and adhered both to the cover. I punched a three inch circle from patterned cardstock and cut a circle from the Ornament Box Diecut and then embossed with the Woven Leather 3D Embossing Folder. I lightly sanded over the raised edges of the embossed edges.

Before gluing both circles to the flap I added two strips of cardstock, as banners down the side of the Skinny Mini Elements die.

I fussy cut a Santa from a piece of scrapbook paper and added him to the side of the embossed circle. A patterned piece of cardstock and the “Jolly Old St. Nicholas” sentiment (that I cut from scrapbook paper) I glued across the embossed circle.

I dug into my stash of Christmas embellishments and found pre-cut poinsettias. I cut out four leaf sprigs from the Wreath and Snowflake Thinlits, shaped with a Stylus and adhered around the side of the embossed circle along with the poinsettia which I added a gem to the center to finish off this project.

Hopefully this project will give you ideas not only for Christmas but for other occasions too.

Supplies

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Ornament Box Diecut

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Woven Leather 3D Embossing Folder

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Skinny Mini Elements Thinlit

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Wreath and Snowflake Thinlits

Diecut Machine

Stylus

Red Cardstock

Mint Green Cardstock

Notepad

3 inch Circle Punch

Various Patterned and Plain Cardstocks

Various Christmas Embellishments

Paper Cutter

Scissors

Beacon Adhesives: Zip Dry Adhesive

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

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

Eileen Hull Ch 2 Reveal and a Little Sneak Peek

April 5, 2022

Hi everyone! It’s that time again for another release from Eileen Hull and Sizzix! Are you as excited as I am? I am only sharing a sneak peek of my project that I created with a full reveal later in the month. I had A LOT of fun with these new Thinlits and several other diecuts by Eileen! What doing you think? I can’t wait to share this project!

Have you noticed something different? There are no ScoreBoards dies in this collection! This Release includes two Shadowbox Frames Thinlits sets that also include some decorative flowers and shapes. The pieces may be used interchangeably to create square and rectangular frames. The Shadowbox Elements Thinlits set contains more decorative pieces to embellish your fames with but they may also be used on cards, tags and journals! Topping it off is the Crochet Mandala 3D Embossing Folder that you will just have to have- the detail is absolutely incredible!

This set of dies is very versatile since all of the components coordinate and work together so you can create endless combinations of projects in multiple sizes and shapes. The embossing folder creates a beautiful background for all of the scenes you might want to make, in addition to all the other uses you will find for it.

Thanks for being open to new ways of creating!

GIVEAWAY: Comment on each participating designers blogs and during the live on Tuesday and let us know what you would create with these dies and you will be entered to win one of the items in the Chapter 2 release!

Supplies

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Shadow Box Frames Set 2 Thinlits

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Shadow Box Elements Thinlits

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: 3D Crochet Mandala Embossing Folder

Diecut Machine

Paper Cutter

Scissors

Sizzix: Making Essentials Cardstock Sheets

Adhesive Sheets

Various Patterned Cardstocks

Beacon Adhesives: Zip Dry Adhesive

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

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

Nothing but Treats Little Bat Jar

October 31, 2021

Hi everyone! I wanted to hop on and share a fun little bat project I created to give to my grandson.

Since I love Yoplait Oui Yogurt and I seem to have a endless supply of empty glass jars I decided I would try my hand at turn one into a little bat.

First, I removed the labels and cleaned thoroughly and gessoed the inside and outside of the jar. Once dry I spray painted black inside and out. I had half a can on hand but you can use black acrylic paint.

Next I cut a circle diecut from the Ornament Box Diecut, folded the circle in half and cut two wings out (I cut free hand style). I inked the edges of the wings with a purple chalk ink.

I folded back each end of the wings to create a “tab” and adhered to each side of the jar.

I tied a bow are the top of the jar and attached the boo and pumpkin dies from my stash.

I finished by gluing googlie eyes to the front of the jar and adding candy.

Supplies

Empty Oui Jar

Google Eyes

Sponge Brush

Gesso

Black Spray Paint

Black Cardstock

Black Cording

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Ornament Box Diecut

Diecut Machine

Scissors

Beacon Adhesives: Zip Dry Adhesive

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

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

All Things Old are New Again Wedding Frame

August 23, 2021

Hi everyone! I want to share a project I created for an upcoming design team call for Gwen Studios.

Truth be told I started this project about four years ago…yep I pulled this from the pile of unfinished projects that I have pushed off to the side in my craft room. In the photo below this is where I had stopped with this frame. I had used a mat board frame that I covered with patterned cardstock, created a shallow shadow box with the Make It 3D Diecut (retired), add Medallion Diecuts (retired), the photo and trim.

Since my son and daughter in law’s wedding anniversary is coming up I thought this would be a great time to finish this and give it to them as a gift. I did cut out the Mr and Mrs sentiment and the Mandala Thinlit and add to the side of the frame.

I used the 3/8″ Black Satin Ribbon by Gwen Studios to create two bows.

I adhered the single bow to the top corner of the frame and added a flower, pearl sprig and a scrap of lace.

The larger bow I glued to the bottom corner of the frame and finished with flowers and pearl sprigs. Don’t you think the flowers “pops” against the black ribbon?

I think the frame will look perfect in my son and daughter in law’s house since it has a farmhouse vibe going on.

If you are looking for a different color of ribbon you can find that at Walmart.com along with patches and fabric. Also if you have any questions about this project please let me know.

Supplies

Gwen Studios: 3/8″ Black Satin Ribbon

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Mandala Thinlit

Scissors

Diecut Machine

Paper Cutter

Various Patterned Cardstocks, Paper Flowers, Pearl Sprigs and scraps of Lace

Mat Board Frame

Zip Dry Adhesive

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

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

Bird and Flowers Altered Bird House

August 24, 2019

Hi everyone! I am back with another project and this time I altered a birdhouse that I had bought at Target in the One Spot on clearance. It was a Halloween theme birdhouse but I had in mind to do something different with it and this is what I came up with.

I started by tracing the sides and roof onto a piece of paper, I cut out each piece to create a pattern. I then traced the patterns onto watercolor paper and cut each piece out.

I inked the glass tray with Papaya Cream Pigment Ink from the Mermaid Paintbox Collection, added water to the ink and painted all four Watercolor Paper walls and let dry.

I inked an Art Dauber with Papaya Cream Pigment Ink from the Mermaid Paintbox Collection and inked the edges of all the walls. I inked the Ornate Border Molding Mat with Berry Pigment Ink from the Mermaid Paintbox Collection and stamped each of the four walls and once dry adhered each wall to the wooden birdhouse.

I cut four pieces of watercolor paper to fit the roof. And with a scallop edge punch, I punched one side of the watercolor paper, cut another piece of watercolor paper and folded in half. Then I punched both sides with the scallop edge punch. I also punched a Circle from a scrap of watercolor paper. Next I inked a glass tray with Rose Gold Pigment Ink from the Mermaid Paintbox Collection and added water, placed all the roof and circle pieces into the ink mixture and once I got the desired effect I wanted I removed and let dry.

I inked the Simple Dot Rollagraph with Espresso Pigment Ink from the Taos Petal Point Collection and inked all roof pieces.

I adhered all roof pieces to the wooden birdhouse roof. I also added gems to each scalloped edge of roof and adhered the inked circle punch to front of the birdhouse. I added gems underneath the roof on the front of birdhouse, cut and adhered the lace to the front and back of the roof edge.

I placed the bird and wing diecuts from the Birds and Butterflies Diecuts on top of the Handwritten Creative Card and run through the diecut machine. I cut two of each out of the bird and wing. I reversed the Handwritten Creative Card so bird diecuts could be glued together.

Next I inked art daubers with Gulfstream and Coastal Pigment Inks from the Mermaid Paintbox Collection and inked the bird and both wings diecuts. I placed the wings to each side of bird and adhered the bird to roof. I finished by adhering the bow, pearl sprays, flowers and leaves to bird. As always if you have any questions about this project please let me know.

Supplies

ColorBox: Mermaid Paintbox Collection– Papaya Cream, Berry, Rose Gold, Gulfstream, Coastal and Ice Glacier Pigment Inks

ColorBox: Taos Petal Point Collection: Espresso Pigment Ink

ColorBox: Ornate Border Molding Mat

ColorBox: Art Daubers

ColorBox: Handwritten Creative Card

ColorBox: Simple Dots Rollagraph

ColorBox: Standard Rollagraph Design Wheel

Scissors

Diecut Machine

Wooden Birdhouse

Circle Punch

Scallop Edge Punch

Glass Tray

Paper Cutter

Beacon Adhesive: Zip Dry Adhesive

Watercolor Paper

Pencil

Paint Brush

Ribbon

Pearl Sprays

Paper Flowers and Leaves

Lace
Black Gem

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Birds and Butterflies Diecuts

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

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

Altered Flowers and Butterflies Pillow Gift Box

July 18, 2019

Hi everyone! I am back today with a project I created for Momenta.

I received a gift in this Plunder Design pillow box and I thought the floral pattern on the pillow box was pretty except for the logo. So I decided I would cover up the logo by altering the box.

First I double up a length of cording and tied a bow on the end of the pillow box.

I cut a stripe of blue and gold cardstock from the Metallic Ink Paper Pad and adhered around the center of the pillow box.

Next I selected a Green 2″ Watercolor Doily and adhered over the stripe of cardstock.

I fussy cut a flower and leaves from the Peony Paper Pad and glued on top of the doily.

I had a piece of leftover diecut from the Intricate Floral Cutting Template which I inked the butterflies and flowers before adhering to the corner of the box.

I added several loops of green thread under the butterflies and it is finished! Be sure to hop on over to Momenta for more inspiration! You can find them HERE. As always if you have any questions about this project please let me know.

Supplies

Momenta: Peony Paper Pad

Momenta: Intricate Floral Cutting Template

Momenta: Metallic Ink Paper Pad

Momenta: 2″ Watercolor Doily

Pillow Box

Cording
Green Thread

Scissors

Diecut Machine

Paper Cutter

Beacon Adhesive: Zip Dry Adhesive

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

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

Father’s Day Mustache Container

June 14, 2019

Hi everyone! I am back again today with a quick and easy Father’s Day project that I created using Blends 2 Inks, rubber stamp and a art screen! All you need is an empty container of your choice.

I started by cleaning a container inside and out. I used an empty M and M container that I have received around Christmas. I also remove the labels on the outside and I used a little Goo Be Gone to get the sticky residue off. I placed Watercolor Paper on top of the Rectangle Border Diecut and placed in between cutting plates and run through the Diecut Machine. I cut out two diecuts to cover the front and back. I placed the lid from the container on top of watercolor paper and traced with a pencil onto the watercolor paper. Next I placed the Disco Art Screen 1 on top of rectangle diecut and loaded an Art Dauber with Beach Blends 2 Ink and applied over the art screen. I loaded another art dauber with Uniform Blends 2 Ink and apply lightly over screen. I completed the same steps for other rectangle diecut and lid and I inked around the edges of both diecuts and circle with Hydrangea Blends 2 Ink.

I adhered both diecuts to container and circle to the top of lid.

I inked the Mustaches Wood Stamp with Wicked Black Archival Dye Ink and stamped onto White Cardstock

I cut around the stamped image with a Paper Cutter and inked an art dauber with Uniform Blends 2 Ink and ink edges of mustache tag.

I adhered the stamped image to the corner edge of the diecut that is on the container. I made a bow from red seam binding and adhered to the diecut and mustache tag. And last but not least I filled it with yummy snack bars and candy. As always if you have questions about this project please let me know.

SUPPLIES

ColorBox/Eileen Hull: Hydrangea Blends 2 Ink

ColorBox/Eileen Hull: Beach Blends 2 Ink

ColorBox/Eileen Hull: Uniform Blends 2 Ink

ColorBox: Disco Art Screens Trio

ColorBox: Art Daubers

ColorBox: Wicked Black Archival Dye Ink

ColorBox: Mustaches Wood Stamp

Watercolor Paper

White Cardstock

Paper Cutter

Beacon Adhesive: Zip Dry Adhesive

Red Seam Binding

Empty Container

Momenta: Nested Rectangle Border Diecuts

Diecut Machine

Pencil

Scissors

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

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

Summer Floral Altered Jumbo Paperclip

June 13, 2019

Hi everyone! I’m back today with a project I created for Momenta! I created this easy bookmark with several bits and pieces I had leftover from my past Momenta projects.

I started by folding a 3 1/4″x8″ piece of lilac/purple and gold polka dot cardstock in half from the Watercolor Metallic Paper Pad and cutting a “v” in the end of both before sliding one end of the cardstock around a jumbo paperclip. I adhered both ends together and added a doily from the 2″ Watercolor Doily Collection.

I had several floral scraps leftover from the Peony Paper Pad and part of a diecut leftover from the Floral Cutting Template Diecut. I fussy cut a flower and several leaves out from the leftover scraps. I shaped the leaves before adhering to the backside of the flower. Before adhering the diecut to what I had cut out I inked the leaves with green ink.

I added foam pop dots to the back of the floral mix and placed on the bookmark. I glued sequins and gems to the flowers and leaves and I placed green thread and pearl sprays to the corner. Also from the same leftover diecut I cut out the butterfly and added pink ink to the wings before adhering to the bookmark.

This project was under an hour to complete and would be perfect to give as an add-on gift with a good book. If you need more inspiration go to Momenta which you can find HERE. Also if you have any questions about this project please let me know.