Love Letters: Daily Diary Heart of Gold 'A Tutorial'

Hello everyone!

Today I am going to take a different spin on my post this week.

I thought I would show one off one of my favourite tools to use with  you all, considering this week is all about "love letters". 

It was the perfect fit for the story I wanted to tell.

I love how each Daily Diary kit comes with at least 1 12x12 sheet.  It is awesome to have the option to use this in it's entirety, or cut up since most of them can be trimmed on their one side into adorable pocket cards.

So this week, because it is all about "love letters" I wanted to use this double sided paper from this kit and transform it into a super cute envelope to place inside my planner using my favourite tool...the We R Memory Keeper Envelope Punch Board!

This board is SO easy to use...and makes SO many different sizes of envelopes. How awesome right?!? It is the perfect way to create extra storage for your projects or a great way to create super cute envelopes from our overflowing paper stashes...I know we all have em! ;)

Ok...so let's get down to how this little beauty works.

When you purchase your board it comes with a full sheet of easy step by step directions....as well as photo directions so you cannot go wrong!

I will give you a basic low down...and if you are still unsure, you can always check out amazing video demos on you tube showing this fabulous tool in action.

So, to begin. 

Decide on what size of envelope you are wishing to create by reviewing all of the possible sizes listed on the board.  When you choose your size, it will also tell you what dimensions your paper needs to be in order to create that envelope.

So next step, trim your 12x12 sheet of paper down according to the size you require.

Next, when you chose your desired size of envelope...it also stated not only the paper dimensions in correspondence with that, but it also showed the designated "score line".

This is important because the edge of your paper will always have to line up with that number when you are scoring and punching to create your score lines.

So here you can see I am aligning my paper along the designated score line.

Once I have it lined up, I can go ahead and push this blue knob down.  It will punch my paper to begin creating the envelope template.

Then, once I am done punching...take the scoring tool and starting at the scoring edge, create a score line down your paper.

You will repeat these steps 4 times to achieve the envelope template as seen below.

You can see where the "punch" actually creates the little notches that will form our envelope and allow our score lines to fold.

Next apply adhesive to the two side flaps.

Fold up the bottom portion and secure in place.

Fold over the top half and voila!

You have a gorgeous custom DIY envelope ready to go!

So cute, right?!?

Now, to create my letter.

I simply typed it up in a word processor and then printed it onto the back of one of the 4x6 gold foiled cards from the kit.

I added a decorate edge onto the top from one of the 6x6 papers from the kit for a little extra!

I then slipped it inside of my envelope.

Added some holes to my envelope and included it in my planner this month.

I love how cute this paper is....and in envelope form?!? Even better!

Now I will always have my love letter safely tucked away and will carry it with me for the remainder of 2016.  I love having this envelope on board in that I can add even more notes inside or additional photos if I want.

The envelope punch board is such a great tool and I loved incorporating it with this months kit!
See you all next week. Hope you enjoyed the tutorial!

NoelMignon Show and Tell Stamping Tutorial

Hello! Michelle Zerull here, to share a stamping tutorial that allows you to use your stamps in a new way. It's like getting additional stamps for free!

The Cherish Stamp Set by Heidi Swapp is included in your Show and Tell Daily Diary Kit. The set includes a darling stamp that says "I love your__________." That's a fun stamp to use! Now let me show you how to turn it into an "I love you" sentiment that can be used year-round.

1.  Remove the "I love your ______" stamp from the sheet and place it on a clear acrylic block. Hint: If your don't have an acrylic block, you can place it on the bottom of a drinking glass or glass from a photo frame.) As long as the item is smooth and flat, your stamp will adhere.
2.  Cover the letter "R" and the blank line with washi tape. I used the washi from the August 2015 "Country Life" Daily Diary Kit. Masking Tape will also work, but the tape needs to be removeable. Now ink your stamp with the tape STILL ON the stamp.
3.  Carefully peel up the tape and dispose of it. The ink is now only on the "I love you" portion of the stamp.
4.  Stamp the stamp onto a clean, dry paper. I used one of the tags included in the kit.

Now you have a little love note for your perfect someone.

Happy Stamping!

Heart Flower Mixed Media Canvas Process Post!

How's that for a long post title? Ha! 

Good morning my friends! Today I have a heart themed - could be Valentine's, could just be for home decor - mixed media canvas, and I took pictures as I worked on it to share with you! 

(I try to do several canvasses like this at once, and just keep a "stock" of them for fun projects.) 

Take apart the Maya Road heart chipboard album from the Love Life kit, and cover it in mod podge. Adhere it to the backside of a paper.

Flip it over, cut it out, and adhere it to the canvas.

Cut some wonky scallops and tuck them behind part of the heart.

Add a stem and some leaves.

Layer a couple more paper hearts.

Using a red gelato, add some pretty watercolory red around the edge of one side of the heart.

Go back around all the edges and use a black Pitt pen and a fine tip pen to define the edges with black. Throw some rub ons on there too! 

Add some doily and bubble wrap stamping on the edges of the canvas, and then a handwritten phrase.

The final touches- some sparkle (using the Zazzle from the Love Life kit!) and glittery hearts.

All done! :) 

Step-by-step mixed media canvas with "Early Autumn" & Fancy Pants "True Friend"

Happy Friday! 

Today, I have a fun new project for you all... and a step by step in pictures of how I made this autumn themed mixed media canvas that I made this week! 

I used the Early Autumn kit and focused on the Fancy Pants "True Friend" line that is included in the kit, along with a few other things. Make sure to scroll down to see my process! 

Start by prepping your canvas with your favorite background material. I love the way book pages look peeking through paint, so that's my typical "go-to" material. I just mod podge it down. 

Add a blob of acrylic paint towards the top of the canvas.

"Scrape" it down using a thick card. I used the backing to an embellishment pack from the kit. I like to leave the edges of the canvas untouched. I really like how this technique picks up all the bumps and ridges in the paper.

Using a stencil, spray some mist on top of the paint. You can make your own stencils from thick cardstock, or even using something with a pattern from your house! 

I grabbed a piece of Fancy Pants "True Friend" paper and cut it with scissors into a tree trunk. This is just very freehand and whimsical looking! 

Then I cut out a whole bunch of random leaves from the same line of paper and placed them on the branches.

Once I figured out where I wanted them to go, I mod podged them down, and added some button embellishments.

To give the tree more definition and to help it stand out on the page, I use my favorite black Pitt pen around the edges. I do this in short lines and smudge it with my finger before it dries.

To continue adding dimension, I unscrew the lid to some spray inks and use a paint brush to go along and add shadowing along the trunk and branches.

I realized an autumn tree is not complete without some leaves scattered on the ground beneath it and then wanted to add a pumpkin. 

I used the same process to add detail to the pumpkins and leaves. I also added some white rub ons randomly on the tree as a fun little extra whimsy.

A few epoxy stars complete the canvas! 

If you decided to create a canvas based on this tutorial, please let me know! I'd love to see your creation! :)