Monday 4 November 2013

Love what you do, do what you love!

Hello lovely visitors and thank you so much for dropping in here.
It's been a bit quieter here than usual, that's because life has been rather busy as far as my day job is concerned and that made me reflect on the title of this post. I do love my day job, but if I don't get the time to create, life goes out of balance for me, so I knew I had to make time to do something just for me. What I love more than anything is to create little books and that is what I want to share today.
It's like a little mini journal, for me to reflect on all the things I am grateful for....
The whole little book is made out of 1 sheet of 12 by 12 thin card and I'll start with a very brief explanation of how I made it:
1. Score your piece at 6", turn 90 degrees and score again at 4 and 8"
2. Cut between panel 1 and 4 and 3 and 6 as shown
3. Start folding your piece into a booklet: Fold panel 1 down to 2, then fold those two behind 3, fold 3 up       to 4, 4 behind 5 and finally 5 down to 6.
4.  You will now have a fat little packet of 4 by 6" pieces all attached because of the folds.
    Piece 1 and 6 are single end pieces, and 2 and 3 as well as 4 and 5 are double. They can either be glued       together, or attached just at the top or bottom to form pockets, which I did for this booklet.

I cut two separate pieces of Kraft card to 4 1/4 by 6 1/4" for the cover, plus a 2 by 6" piece for the spine.
Here is how I finished the cover:
The main stamps are by The Crafts Meow, I also did a lot of background stamping, but they kind of disappeared in the process. The dies are all Tim Holtz. The flower is from Prima I think.
Here is the first page, I recently bought this stamp second hand, and I just had to use it, can't tell you who made it, but the sentiment is from Donna Downey Empowered Words set by Unity Stamps. As you can see the background is more inky play with book pages, background stamping and stencilling thrown into the mix.

On the left, the inside cover was just covered with some Tim Holtz paper, a bit more stencilling and the sentiment that really informed my whole thinking about this booklet, "Let what you love be what you do"....


Another second hand stamp with a further quotation from the Donna Downey set.
The facing page, this one includes some scraps from paper serviettes and some Prima stamps designed by Finnabair.
Below you can see both facing pages together
And finally the last page, again using similar techniques:

The back cover end piece was kept simple again, Tim Holtz paper with just some stencilling with one of his masks.
And finally the outside  back cover
I used a Sizzix Tim Holtz texture fade for this.

Now because I had made the inside pages into pockets, I really wanted to make some tags to go inside. The backs of the tags were covered with more paper and then left blank for journaling.

This one was created with the help Distress Inks, paper serviette scraps, stencilling and La Blanche and Tim Holtz stamps.
For this one I stamped the beautiful Leonardo drawing (had this stamp for so long, I can't remember where it is from), in Sepia Archival, I then masked it, inked around it with Distress Inks and did further back ground stamping. For the ticket I combined a Tim Holtz Ticket stamp  and a Whimsy Stamps sentiment stamp.


Well there you have it, a rather long post, I'm sorry. Hope you like my little booklet, and like always thank you so much for visiting. Hope you will make some creative time for your self, you will feel all the better for it, trust me!!

58 comments:

Stamps and Paper said...

Astrid I just love you little book what a lovely thing to make as a keepsake...your tags and embellishments are just fabulous...such a joy to visit yout blog...

ANne

Gitte said...

It is such a lovely booklet.

Maryann Laursen said...

WOUW Astrid, this is absolutely stunning like everything else you´ve ever done. Love the colors, you´ve used, it gives it such a warm feel to it.

Candy C said...

Astrid...absolutely gorgeous. Such a lovely little book. You are so talented. <3 Candy

Rita said...

Absolutely Stunning Astrid. I do have one made up, but as yet unfinished. Hugs Rita xxxx

peggy said...

Astrid, the little book is just gorgeous. I can't imagine how much time and thought went into it, but I can see why you would love doing it.

Aquarius said...

You are so right about needing time to create and how it makes you feel good. Love this beautiful book, wo much interesting detail and thanks for showing how it was constructed.

Aquarius said...

I hope you spotted your name amongst tim's tag winners for October - congratulations

Unknown said...

I can tell how much you enjoyed working on this charming little book. It's beautiful and filled with beautiful sayings and your artwork!

Zuzu's Blog said...

really beautiful astrid. I have those stamps you got (2nd hand) too. i may have to give this version of a mini book from folded card, a bit of a go. i need to try and fill my time.

Maryanne said...

Your little book is so lovely. I love the way it was put together and I love the tags you made to put into the pockets. As always, your embellishments and textures are fantastic, Astrid. I agree about needing to create to keep life in balance. Have a lovely week.

rachel said...

brilliant work Astrid - really amazing - thanks for showing us how you made it and all the details are just fabulous - such an amazing set of images - wonderful xx

Laura Turner said...

This is most exquisite, Astrid. Thank you for sharing the method and the reason. I am right there with you. I have to find time for creating or I just become blah. The quotations you used were particularly empowering. Have a great week.

Laura

Laura Turner said...

This is most exquisite, Astrid. Thank you for sharing the method and the reason. I am right there with you. I have to find time for creating or I just become blah. The quotations you used were particularly empowering. Have a great week.

Laura

Sarah said...

I have a weakness for little books and this one is wonderful!
Congrats on your Tim win.

Marianne said...

A stunning booklet!!
This is so beautiful.
Thanks for sharing!
xxx Marianne

BLockHEad said...

Beautiful as always, Astrid x

Jenny Marples said...

Superb book Astrid. This is definitely a thing of beauty and I love the images you've chosen. Hope you get more crafting time very soon. Jenny x

Regina said...

Astrid..what a beautiful book!! Thank you for the How To on the paper inside too. I want to make my older nieces journals for Christmas and this will so help me. YOU have been my muse for the day. ^_^

Hugs,
Regi

May said...

Gorgeous little book Astrid, Love the pages & tags ..the stamps & images are so beautiful..Thank you for the tutorial it's fantastic.... Hugs May x x x

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful project Astrid, very inspiring!
Alison xxx

Dorthe said...

Dear Astrid,
Your fall booklet will alwayes give you joy ,when waiting for a new fall to arrive- with it in your hands you can see all the glory and beauty that is awaiting you. How wonderful you have decorated it, I love you used all the paper serviets ,and those amazing tags. Your second hand stamp is a beauty!!
Hugs, Dorthe

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Wow, Astrid, this is gorgeous! You always use the perfect blend of colors, images, and stamps in your pieces. It's very inspirational. Thanks for sharing how you created it.

Robin said...

Astrid - your mini journal is wonderful. What a wonderful fall journal. Quite inspiring!

sharon said...

Oh, so detailed and beautiful and I especially love those inky stenciled and wordy backgrounds! These colors are luscious too!

Jennie Atkinson said...

A gorgeous little book Astrid and I love the decoration, colours and the sentiments you have chosen.

Claire said...

Hi Astrid, I love your little book - it's beautiful. Such a good idea creating it from one sheet of 12x12 and then all the decoration and tags too - so lovely! Claire x

Meggymay said...

Absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for showing how you made it. I love little books as well.
Yvonne

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Astrid
I can see why you love making these little books, this one looks so rich and interesting and oh so tactile, how I would love to hold it in my hands and just feel it for 5mins then turn each page and drool..... it is a thing of beauty to be admired by many who appreciate a unique Art form.
Smiles:)
Sue

Anonymous said...

A beautiful way to disply so many sentiments, nestled inside a stunning handmade book.
What a gorgeous collection of stamps - lovely to see stamps that are not commonly seen on our travels in Blogland.
Wishes
Lynne

Words and Pictures said...

So gorgeous, Astrid - and so happy you found time to create something which would give you pleasure - certainly gives me joy too to see it! Glowing autumnal colours, amazing stamps and all done with your exquisite skill and eye for composition.

Completely agree about little books - there's just something so satisfying about them...
Alison xx

Norma Gomez said...

Gorgeous project and I really love the quotes you used :D

Marisa Job said...

This is amazing! Love every page!!

Brenda Brown said...

Beautiful book Astrid, I love the theme and all the wonderful colours and imagery, each page is a masterpiece in itself. Funnily enough I am just prepping the 12x12 booklet for a workshop I am doing soon.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Margaret Mifsud said...

Wow!! Astrid this is gobsmacking gorgeous!!!!! I so love it when you create this type of project ... the colouring, the stamping, everything is just out of this world!! I agree with making time for some creative therapy just for yourself ... it is a necessity of life. I am pinning this for future reference ... gotta have a go!! oxox

chrissie said...

The little book is stunning with so many wonders inside and outside. Thank you for the template--you are so kind

Love Chrissie x

Heather Jacob said...

thanks so much for sharing your magnificent work with us Astrid, always inspiring x

Paper Profusion said...

An absolute joy Astrid. Beautiful artwork and immensely inspirational. Congratulations too on being one of Tim's Tags. Nicola x

Clare said...

This is just gorgeous and I can't tell you how excited I was to see you use the Autumn Borders stamp set!! Beautiful colours and textures, love it!

Art From The heart said...

Love the book. Thank you for sharing. Hugs

trisha too said...

Absolutely beautiful.

:)

Caroline said...

Astrid - this is a beautiful, rich, part whimsey, part grunge, inspirational book!! Your work is always truly stunning & this is no exception. It is funny as I am having a stressful day (actually quite a few), I haven't had opportunity to create & I know this is adding to 'as you put it' imbalance. My outlet was naturally to seek out someone else's creativity. Yours by chance & perhaps meant to be. Thank you for helping! Caroline :))

Daniella said...

I just talked about November being "Thankful" month on my fb fan page!! I made a little journal about it last year and intend to do it this year too!
But your book is so beautiful, I have no words!! I love everything about it!
I am going to say I am thankful for having friends like you today!
xxDaniella

Terry said...

For a plain piece of paper to an incredible mini book! Astrid, This is stunning and all the layers of inks, stenciling and stamping so beautifully combined. The little book and the tags are breathtaking! Love this! Hugs!

Joanna Wiśniewska said...

Beautiful mini.

Dianne said...

Okay Miss Astrid, this is BRILLIANT,how you can take a piece of paper and create this gorgeous piece of art is AMAZING, those gorgeoussssss tags, you are the BOMB,anything made with love is the best, it's singing on the pages. I too get hornery when I can't create.and there is never too many photo's it's a perfect post, thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day..

suziqu's thread works said...

Dear Astrid
Your Autumnal book of love and gratitude is full of some beautiful works, techniques, papers and blended colours. It is simply gorgeous! I made a similar one a little while ago using handmade paper, serviettes and stamps also.
Thank you so much for your kindness in commenting recently on my sad journey with Andrea.
Sending warm hugs and sunshine,
Suzy

Rossella said...

This is so gorgeous I am speechless
Rosie x

Netty said...

Loving your beautiful little book, so full of wonderful details, truly is a labour of love, Annette x

Unknown said...

Wouah, c'est magnifique!
Est-ce que tu me permets de prendre ton tuto pour me faire un book moi-aussi et je mettrai le lien vers ton blog?
Bravo, j'aime vraiment tout ce que tu fais.

Bye
Annick

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

The tags are my favorites Astrid...and especially the one with the woman on it...wow...stunning creations!!!

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Dear Atsrid, that booklet, the tags are breathtaking as all your art works!
Admiring greetings, Anja

Ros Crawford said...

I almost missed this post ... what a beautiful book ... so much detail!

Vivian said...

beautiful pages and tags, astrid! each one rich with stunning stamping and lovely distress. tfs the folding booklet tutorial - really clear and something i will do! - VIvian

Bärbel said...

Das Buch und die Tags dazu sind wunderschön gestaltet, ein großartiges Projekt, liebe Astrid!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Such a gorgeous idea, it's a breathtaking project.

Yovavi said...

Lovely, beautiful, tasteful, gogeous! Thanks for sharing :-)

Shirley said...

You and me too Astrid, I love making albums but haven't made one in ages. You have just inspired me to make this so a huge thanks for the tutorial. Everything looks so elegant and amazing.

Can't wait to start see you soon.

Crafty hugs from Shirl x x

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