Journal Die Archives - Page 5 of 5

How to Assemble the Sizzix Journal

24 Apr

Just a quick post to show how to assemble the Sizzix Journal die and create inserts. There has been so much interest and chat about this versatile die, I thought it might be good to do a post and keep all of the resources in one spot. Thanks so much for your interest!

Here’s what the Journal die packaging looks like:

The Journal is a ScoreBoards die, designed to cut and score thick material like matboard and chipboard, forming a rigid cover for your book! Matboard is the perfect blank canvas- add paint, ink, stamps, sprays, texture paste, stencils, buttons, beads, and more. You can also cut it from paper, fabric, felt, paper leather, metal or combinations of these materials. You can run the matboard through embossing folders too, creating a rich dimensional cover.

One of the things I love about this die is that it’s so easy to put together. And once you make one… well, you’ll see- they are addicting! There are so many ways to use this die- make art journals, planners, for a special occasion, photos, baby book, guest book, wedding journal, junk journals, and traveler’s notebook. It’s your Journal- decorate it as you’d like in the colors, style and materials you’d like!

In this Facebook Live video, I show how to assemble the Sizzix Journal, after looking at some amazing samples from the Inspiration Team. Please watch and see how easy it is! Skip ahead to about minute 30:- for actual assembly.

The Journal measures 8 3/4″ x 4 1/2″ when assembled. Three to four inserts may be added to the book. Watch here to see how to make Journal inserts and how to thread the elastic though the spine to keep the inserts in place:

NOTE- I admit I am not an expert book maker. Here’s a quick tutorial from my friend Pam Keravuori.

Signatures

The story I’ve heard suggests that the sections, or “signatures”, which are the sets of pages sewn into a book, supposedly got their name from monks. When monks finished hand-writing their section of a book, they signed it and that section became known as a signature. Now it means sheets of paper, or “folios”, stacked and folded in half. A signature may be one folio, or one sheet of paper folded in half to make four pages, but generally it is two or more sheets/folios (and sometimes more folds).

The Pamphlet Stitch

The pamphlet stitch is probably the simplest and most popular binding technique for notebook inserts like ours, because you can stitch the pages and the cover of the signature at the same time. You can use 3 or more holes along the fold, but the trick is to start and finish on the same side (whether inside or outside) and have both ends of the twine end up together at the same hole to tie off. Usually this means having one long stitch go over (rather than through) the center hole.

So, for a 3-hole pamphlet stitch, your needle would go through the center hole from inside to outside (or reverse), then through one end hole from outside to inside, then across the center hole to the other end hole, going through from inside to outside, then back through the center hole from outside to inside. Both ends of your thread would now be on the inside at the center hole, ready to tie around and secure the long stitch that crossed over the center hole.

Alternatively, if you stitch with a back stitch and wind up with one thread end inside and one thread end outside, you can make a loop knot to anchor the thread around the earlier stitch at the hole before going through to join the other thread end. This is called a saddle stitch binding.

I usually use 5+ holes for my pamphlet stitch because I think it makes the spine sturdier and puts less pressure on each hole (to avoid tearing). More holes also help keep smaller sized papers in place, so they don’t slant or settle to the bottom. As I start stitching, I leave a thread tail long enough to reach near the bottom of the signature, where I hold onto it against the paper until the 2nd or 3rd stitch, when it becomes secure (without a knot until the tying off). General advice is to always pull your thread parallel to the spine in the direction you’re stitching, since pulling the thread straight out from the spine tends to tear the holes.

Please follow me on Facebook at Eileen Hull Designs and watch for extra LIVE shows in honor of this new Heartfelt Sizzix release! I hope you have enjoyed seeing how to assemble the Sizzix Journal and will consider getting one for yourself!

If you would like to purchase a die, there are a few left in my Etsy shop!

Even More HeARTfelt Journal Ideas

20 Apr

Hey there, hope you’re all having a good week so far. The Inspiration Team is back again with more HeARTfelt Journal Ideas! The Journal die from my new Sizzix Collection Heartfelt is quickly becoming a favorite. There’s no question as to why folks fancy it so much if we’re judging by all of the AMAZING journal ideas we’ve seen thus far. Let’s take a look at some of the journaling techniques, tricks and all around awesome journals the team has for you this week.

More HeARTfelt Journal Ideas

Nicole Wright has a delightful Travel Journal filled with adventure and lots of techniques! Tags, tabs, diecuts, stamping and BEARS…Oh MY! Nicole’s journal is chock full of adventurous creativity that you won’t want to miss!

Take a trip to Nicole’s Blog for more details!

Mitsyana Wright shares a gorgeous couple’s journal perfect for recording memories with your sweetie for a honeymoon, anniversary or any trip or endeavor you embark on together.

Stop by Mitsyana’s blog for more lovely details on how to create this couple’s journal to record your own memories with the one you love!

Julia Aston has more HeARTfelt Journal Ideas than you can shake a stick at. Her latest, lovely journal creation is this gorgeous felt garden journal. Covered in fine felt flowers from the Heartfelt Sizzix collection, lace trim and lush gray felt.

Don’t miss Julia’s detailed tutorial and a peek inside her garden HERE.

Tonya Trantham’s Journal offering is an absolute delight! This “Tidbits” journal is full of color, texture and fun and I just love it to tidbits! The mix of papers, doilies and that darling winged gentleman makes me want to dig through my stash and create my own Tidbits Journal.

Take a trip over to Tonya’s Blog for more Tidbits on how she created this journal.

Donna Budzynski has a real show stopper to share with you today! There’s simply too many techniques to mention but I’ll name a few…paper stitching, Eileen Hull Blends Ink techniques, and a nifty technique for creating wider pages!

Stop by Donna’s Blog for more details on this Technique filled Travel Journal.

That’s all for this week stay tuned next week for more HeARTfelt journal ideas!

Eileen

HeARTfelt Handmade Journal Ideas

13 Apr

Hey everyone! The Inspiration Team is back with another round of HeARTfelt Handmade Journal Ideas. The team is sharing the creative ways they’ve used the Journal die from my new collection Heartfelt all month long. You’ll see all the amazing ways you can use this innovative die with a variety of techniques and materials.

HeARTfelt Handmade Journal Ideas

Diana Hetherington used the Journal die to create a place for weekly inspirations. This 2017 Weekly Journal is inspired indeed! Each page is filled with creative techniques.

Visit Diana’s Blog for more detailed photos and a video!

Anne Redfern has TWO HeARTfelt Handmade Journal Ideas to share with you today. First, we have an exquisite under the sea themed Journal featuring DecoArt Media, my Clearsnap Blends Inks and Ocean themed Sizzix Die cuts.

Next, Anne shares how to create a handsome fabric journal with plenty or pages and pockets for all of your journaling needs.

Don’t miss these two amazing HeARTfelt Journals at Anne’s Blog

Karen Bearse shares a gorgeous garden journal featuring a lovely color pallet. Karen achieved this look with a mixture of Clearsnap Blends inks, glimmer mists and embossing with Eileen Hull Textured Impressions folders.

Stop by Karen’s Blog for more details on how she created her technique filled garden journal.

Mitsyana Wright is giving us the royal treatment with her elegant Faux-Dori Journal Design. Absolutely gorgeous inside and out Mitsyana’s Journal features pretty papers from DCWV’s Mariposa stack. Her cover is expertly adorned with gilded prima flowers and glittering rhinestones.

Add a touch of elegance to your journaling techniques by visiting Mitsyana’s Blog for an in depth look at her creative process.

Michelle Zerull has an adorable Journal project that will take you back in time at the same time it allows you to record moments from the present! Michelle’s journal features a cheerful background created with my Clearsnap Blends and carefully collected vintage images.

You’ll find more whimsical images from the days of yore throughout the pages of Michelle’s Journal and tons of tips and techniques on how to create your own HERE.

Tonya Trantham rounds out this weeks Journal inspiration with an adorable felt Dori Journal! Simple and sweet Tonya’s Journal proves that a few key elements can have a BIG impact! That darling doily really packs a punch don’t you think?

Head to Tonya’s blog for all the details on her fab felt doily dori journal (whew! say that ten times fast!!).

Hope you’ve enjoyed this weeks roundup of HeARTfelt Handmade Journal Ideas…stay tuned for there are many more to come! You can check out last weeks HeARTfelt journal projects HERE.

Eileen

Check out these Heartfelt Sizzix Project Ideas

22 Mar

Hello everyone! The Inspiration team is bursting with Heartfelt Sizzix Project ideas this month. The team has projects galore to inspire you to create with my new Sizzix collection. No matter what type of crafter you are there is something for everyone in the Heartfelt collection. You’ll find journals, cards, fabric crafts, 3-d paper crafts and more as we explore my latest Sizzix collection with the Inspiration Team.

Let’s check out what the team has in store for you today…

Heartfelt Sizzix Project Ideas

Julia Aston starts us off with an adorable Happy Birthday Basket project! Who needs a card when you can deliver a basket full of Birthday fun!?!? Julia’s design features my Basket Die, Stitchlits Flowers Die, DCWV papers and basket handles created with my Twist and Style Tool.

Visit Julia’s blog for a full tutorial on how to create your own Birthday Basket.

Anne Redfern shares a lovely Journal featuring Starburst embossed Sizzix Paper Leather covers and a macrame style closure created with the Twist and Style Tool.

There are more fun techniques to see inside Anne’s gorgeous Journal plus a bonus Journal project that will have you yearning for a trip to London town. Head to Anne’s Blog for all the details.

Tonya Trantham shares another unique Journal idea. Tonya used foam to create the cover of her Sizzix journal. A most durable choice indeed! In true Tonya fashion she has embellished her journal beautifully with all sorts of lovely trims and treasures.

She’s even included some Felt Clips created with the Birds and Butterflies die!

Visit Tonya’s Blog for more gorgeous details and photos of her fabulous Foam Journal.

Lisa Hoel presents the perfect “Heartfelt” gift for the sewing enthusiast. How cute is this Pincushion Basket? Lisa used several dies from the Heartfelt Sizzix collection to create this darling basket to display or give as a gift.

Don’t miss Lisa’s Tutorial on how to create your own Pincushion Basket and more Heartfelt Sizzix Project ideas!

Nicole Wright ends todays round of Heartfelt Sizzix Project ideas with a beautiful Watercolor Butterfly card! Nicole’s technique makes it easy to create beautiful cards using embossing folders and Sizzix die cuts.

Do. Not. MISS. Nicole’s detailed tutorial on how to create this gorgeous Watercolor Blooms and Butterflies Card!

Well, I sure hope you enjoyed this round of inspiration featuring my new Heartfelt Collection. If you are just stopping by you can catch up on all of the Heartfelt Sizzix Project Ideas shared thus far by clicking the links below.

Heartfelt Sizzix Project Ideas 1

Heartfelt Sizzix Project Ideas 2

See you soon!

Eileen

Introducing the Heartfelt Sizzix Collection

8 Mar

Hey everyone! It’s a new month and time for a new Sizzix collection. Today I would like to introduce you to my new Heartfelt Sizzix Collection! My new collection debuted at Creativation back in January and will be shipping to stores in April. All month long the Inspiration Team will be sharing their amazing projects created with the Heartfelt Collection.

I think you will really enjoy Heartfelt as it has something for everyone. There are Stitchlits, dies, floral dies, an adorable house and pocket die, plus a brand new Journal die. Let’s have a look at my new Heartfelt Sizzix Collection.

Heartfelt Sizzix Collection

Tracy Evans has a L-O-V-Ely Mixed-Media Journal to share featuring my new Journal die and the Word Stitchlits. Tracy’s composition on this journal is STUNNING!

Visit Tracy’s Blog for all her tips, tricks and techniques featured in this Journal creation.

Pam Bray shares how to create a cute felt wallet using the House Pocket and Stitchy Flowers and Leaf dies. How fun would this be to create for yourself or give as a gift?

Head on over to Pam’s Blog for all the creative details on this Heartfelt project.

Tonya Trantham has a gorgeous Glimmer Misted Flower Basket to share. Tonya used my new Basket die along with Glimmer Mists to give it that gorgeous golden sheen. The addition of lace trim around the edge and Stitchy Flowers die cuts complete the look.

Head to Tonya’s Blog for a full tutorial on how to create this Flower Basket.

Diana Hetherington used several dies from my Heartfelt Sizzix Collection including the Word Stitchlits, Stitchy Flowers and Leaf and the Journal Die. Diana’s “Your Are My Sunshine” Journal is a absolute delight! Just wait till you see how she bound her journal with the Twist and Style Tool,

Check out Diana’s blog for more on how to create a journal of your own.

Julia Aston also used the new Journal die to create her fabulous Junk Journal! Loads of Idea-ology papers, trims, and embellishments are featured in Julia’s creation plus a pretty cool binding technique you won’t want to miss!

Visit Julia’s Blog to get the scoop on how to assemble this lovely junk journal for yourself!

Nicole Wright has an adorable Heartfelt Basket project to share. Easter is right around the corner and Nicole’s Bunny Basket is the perfect project to add to your spring holiday decor!

Hop on over to Nicole’s Blog for a closer look at her darling Bunny Basket.

Lisa Hoel ends our Heartfel Sizzix Collection preview with at BANG with this bright and beautiful Journal! Lisa used the Journal die along with some other new and old favorites. You won’t want to miss her detailed tutorial on how she created this custom look with Prima and DecoArt Media.

Stop by Lisa’s Blog for more details on this Colorful Mixed Media Sizzix Journal

WOW! Can you believe these amazing projects? There’s lots more to see in the coming weeks so stay tuned for more of my Heartfelt Sizzix Collection. You can preview the entire collection plus more of my Sizzix dies HERE.

If you missed our Make it Monthly March Technique Tutorial you can check out this Months technique from Julia Aston HERE.

Make it Monthly: Faux Gilded Sizzix Flowers with 3-D Vase Tutorial by Julia Aston

Make it Monthly: Faux Gilded Sizzix Flowers with 3-D Vase by Julia Aston

See you soon!

Eileen