Saturday, July 16, 2016

Christmas in July Blog Hop

Hi all! Welcome to the StencilGirl and Imagine Crafts Christmas in July Blog Hop! :)



I have had an amazing time with making my project for this fun hop. I have never participated in a Christmas in July project, so it was bit of a learning curve. But can it get any better? I get to play with my favorite stencils (from StencilGirl, of course!!) and some great products by Imagine Crafts! I am so excited to show you what I've made. 


Three things:

1. I love gelliprinting.
2. I love creating handmade books.
3. I have attempted a December Daily journal but I overthink my design every time, and so I don't get one ever finished during December, as it is a busy month!

So....this blog hop gave me the opportunity to pre-make one, and that's what I've done.

So the first pic is how my book looked originally. Then I got more ideas. And more ideas. So, it looks different now. I created more contrast and added some additional funky texture. Read on. :)




Step 1: Gelliprinted 15 sheets of white cardstock, BOTH sides. For this step, I did not spend much time thinking about the design of each print, I just got lovely textures, patterns and colours down.

 I used many different stencils (You will see them listed below.), using various colours of Golden paints including: Golden brand Primary Magenta, Teal and Turquois (Phthalo) and at least three crafts paints: Americana Bahama Blue, Americana Neon and Apple Barrel Fushia, plus white paint.


Decorative Folk Screen stencil by Gwen LaFleur.








Many more stencils and pages of course. 



Step 2: With metallic thread, I messily stitched each edge, somewhat along the paint lines on the edges of each print. (The 8"x10" Gelliplate is slightly smaller than the cardstock.)


Step 3: I folded each gelliprint in half, making signatures. Signatures are usually made up of several sheets of paper, but I pretended that each single sheet was one signature.



Step 3:Using the coptic stitch method, I stitched all the pages together with teal metallic thread. 



Now it is ready for my December Daily entries and the decorating!

You already saw the cover:



I added more detail to the initial gelliprint with paint and white gel pen. My favorite part: the puffy shapes you see!! THAT, my friends, was made with this fabulous magic puffy stuff called Amplify Neon by Imagine Crafts! I made a little video to show you how it works. See 

HERE. 

You doodle with it like you would a normal small-tipped bottle, and then you apply a heat gun to it until it puffs up. You stop heating it when it doesn't move anymore. So cool and so fun! See the product here: 


When cool, I added golden metallic paint to it. Yummy!

After finishing the cover, I was fully into Christmas themed mixed media and had to actually work on the inside of my book. 

I have always loved white Christmas trees with pink and turquoise decorations, but hubby prefers Charlie Brown trees, so that's what we always have. So why not use pink and turquoise to my heart's content on my journaling pages? I say YES!! So here are some in process pages:



See the yummy puff balls? That's the Amplify product. 

Well, I had more pages and photos to show you, but my phone is being glitchy tonight! I will blog more about this project soon.

Thanks for visiting and do not forget to enter the giveaway! ;) :)


Blog Hop Order

July 9:

July 16:

July 23:

What would a Blog Hop be without a GIVEAWAY??!!!

We'll be picking one lucky winner
to receive $100 in Gift Certificates – a $50 Gift Certificate for StencilGirl Products and
a $50 Gift Certificate for Imagine Crafts!
Take your time and visit each blog showcased July 9, 16, & 23 and leave your comments.
The more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have to WIN!
One comment per blog please.

You will have until Saturday, July 30th at 11:59PM Central Time to leave your comments.
The winner will be notified by email and announced on
StencilGirl's Facebook page on Sunday, July 31st.

Best of luck, faithful followers and new visitors! 

♥♥♥  Anna  ♥♥♥


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83 comments:

  1. MelodyJuly 16, 2016 at 2:30 AM

    What a sweet holidsy journal. I like that it's mixed media.

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 18, 2016 at 9:00 AM

      Hi, Melody! It's my first December Daily journal using mixed media, and it is a nice change up.:)

      Delete
  2. Teresa DoyleJuly 16, 2016 at 7:21 AM

    Oh my goodness Anna, I have never tried gelliprinting but I DO love to make handmade books, THIS is beautiful! So fun! NOW your book IS ready for December! LOL Great job and a fantastic tutorial!

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 18, 2016 at 9:03 AM

      Teresa, thanks so much! :) Once you start gelliprinting, you will not want to stop. LOL! I love how it is a great jumping off point when you're staring at a blank page. Often I feel like creating something, but don't know where to start. A print usually does the trick for me. :)

      Delete
  3. Art Joy of Sharing with Peg and ShelJuly 16, 2016 at 8:24 AM

    Beautiful book Anna

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  4. Sandy WardJuly 16, 2016 at 9:28 AM

    I really like how you left the folded edges of the papers exposed on the spine. Very colorful and makes you want to look inside right away! I've not seen this technique before!

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 18, 2016 at 9:11 AM

      That's why I love the coptic stitch! I tried it the first time with my DLP journal in 2014. https://artfulstories.blogspot.ca/2014/12/my-coptic-stitch-bound-dlp-journal.html :) Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  5. AnonymousJuly 16, 2016 at 10:33 AM

    Beautiful! I like the colors!

    (Annie)

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  6. DianeJuly 16, 2016 at 10:48 AM

    I love this idea and planning one now and having fun with the gelli plate sounds terrific right now.
    Thanks for sharing this beautiful book

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 18, 2016 at 9:14 AM

      Thanks, Diane! I would love to see yours! Feel free to show me! I love seeing how others are inspired! :)

      Delete
  7. Gwen LafleurJuly 16, 2016 at 11:27 AM

    What a gorgeous book Anna - love all the gelli printing, and than you so much for using some of my stencils! Love what you did with them!

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 18, 2016 at 9:15 AM

      Thank you, Gwen! It's never hard coming up with something pretty with such spectacular stencils. You're amazing. ♥♥♥

      Delete
  8. CandyJuly 16, 2016 at 11:28 AM

    I love your yummy puff balls. What will you put inside your new artsy book?

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 18, 2016 at 9:21 AM

      That stuff is so fun to use! I want every colour now. :) I will art journal, perhaps add photos, inside. See my new blog post and videos of how I've been decorating some of the pages. :) https://artfulstories.blogspot.ca/2016/07/december-daily-album-part-2.html

      Delete
  9. P BeattyJuly 16, 2016 at 12:07 PM

    Great ideas for gelli printing!

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 18, 2016 at 9:22 AM

      Thanks, Pam! I'm always looking for reasons to gelliprint. LOL!

      Delete
  10. UnknownJuly 16, 2016 at 12:25 PM

    Totally love this, and those lucious colors too!! :)

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  11. BibliofilJuly 16, 2016 at 12:28 PM

    Really nice project and I love the gelli prints you made!

    Evadotgronroosatcrickdotacdottuk

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 18, 2016 at 10:15 PM

      Thanks so much! Making books can be addicting!

      Delete
  12. CatherineJuly 16, 2016 at 12:33 PM

    I love the gelli-print pages and the way you sewed them together to make the journal!

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 28, 2016 at 4:22 PM

      Thank you, Catherine! Using up gelliprints are rewarding. I have such a huge stack of them (and growing!), so it's nice to use some up! :)

      Delete
  13. UnknownJuly 16, 2016 at 12:42 PM

    I love the colors in your gelli prints.

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  14. CeciliaJuly 16, 2016 at 2:32 PM

    You tackled a difficult project and came thru with flying colors (pun intended!)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Rita MontgomeryJuly 16, 2016 at 2:57 PM

    Love this so much. Your color combo is stunning. I did not see how you attached your covers...or did I just skip over that part? Thanks for sharing your beautiful ideas.

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 28, 2016 at 4:31 PM

      Hi, Rita! I thought I had answered your question already, but scrolling down, it appears there was a glitch. See my newer blog post https://artfulstories.blogspot.ca/2016/07/december-daily-album-part-2.html?m=1 where I have linked to the video tutorials on book binding I gleaned from. :) Thanks so much for leaving a comment! It is super nice to know that someone has visited. An encouragement to me!:)

      Delete
  16. Rachel alexanderJuly 16, 2016 at 3:30 PM

    Wow, this book is beautiful - you always seem to add your own twist to your artwork, I love it

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 28, 2016 at 4:31 PM

      Rachel, that is an amazing comment! Thank you! :)

      Delete
  17. Carol wJuly 16, 2016 at 3:33 PM

    Beautiful journal.....love the colors and the stitching around the pages.

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 28, 2016 at 4:32 PM

      I love the texture stitching brings to a project! Thanks! :)

      Delete
  18. Heather LynnJuly 16, 2016 at 4:54 PM

    Wow! That is awesome and so beautiful! Love it !!

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  19. De WilliamsJuly 16, 2016 at 5:00 PM

    Looks like a lot of fun!

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  20. Connie Livingston-DunnJuly 16, 2016 at 6:08 PM

    I really like the book and the color scheme too.

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  21. Tarnished RoseJuly 16, 2016 at 6:21 PM

    Great journal!
    Marilyn

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 28, 2016 at 4:34 PM

      Hi Marilyn! I had fun with it. Thank you. :)

      Delete
  22. Roxanne July 16, 2016 at 6:41 PM

    I'm really into journaling and will have to create a new journal with your idea!

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  23. AnonymousJuly 16, 2016 at 7:14 PM

    Very nice! I am wanting to try this.

    Judy Neubert

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 28, 2016 at 4:35 PM

      Thanks Judy! The best of luck to you in the giveaway! :)

      Delete
  24. Jill McDowellJuly 16, 2016 at 7:15 PM

    I love you book. You and I have the same taste in stencils - I have Gwen and ateaci's too. Love how you made them pop.

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 28, 2016 at 4:36 PM

      Thanks, Jill! :)I definitely favour some over others. ;)

      Delete
  25. Neva ColeJuly 16, 2016 at 7:53 PM

    Just wow! You will enjoy using this in December, it is lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. annaJuly 28, 2016 at 4:36 PM

      Hi Neva! I hope I don't forget to use it, haha! Thanks!

      Delete
  26. BeaJuly 16, 2016 at 8:07 PM

    Love the colors. I'm looking up the puffy paint...b

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  27. SquiddyJuly 17, 2016 at 1:03 AM

    Soooo, puff paint is "IN" again. Lovely colourful pages.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Lisa Derby OdenJuly 17, 2016 at 5:46 AM

    This project has my fingers itching to jump in and do! I love the colors and books are my favorite thing. I've been intrigued by using stitching on the pages themselves - and this project adds to my desire to give it a try. Thank you!

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  29. Mary ThomaJuly 17, 2016 at 7:41 AM

    Absolute fantacy...what a wonderful contribution to the Christmas in July theme, your work on this project certainly shows what can be done. Wonderful. mrsjetjr at yahoo dot com

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 28, 2016 at 4:38 PM

      Mary, thank you!Good luck in the giveaway! :)

      Delete
  30. NancyJuly 17, 2016 at 9:32 AM

    Beautiful. I love the stencils and the colors.

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  31. Denise BryantJuly 17, 2016 at 9:57 AM

    Beautiful book with great colors and textures!

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  32. UnknownJuly 17, 2016 at 11:32 AM

    Amazing colors luv your journal so cool.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Carol BaxterJuly 17, 2016 at 3:20 PM

    Beautiful!! A fine book!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Mary HolshouserJuly 17, 2016 at 5:46 PM

    Thanks for the detailed instructions.
    It's always great to be ready for something
    before it happens.
    Merry Christmas
    thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Mary HolshouserJuly 17, 2016 at 5:52 PM

    Forgot my e-mail
    txmlhl(at)yahoo (dot com)

    ReplyDelete
  36. SmilynStefJuly 17, 2016 at 7:52 PM

    What a fun variety of designs ... so awesome for the holidays.

    ReplyDelete
  37. BethJuly 17, 2016 at 8:32 PM

    I know this was made for you to use for yourself to journal in December, I also think it would make a cool gift! Thanks for the beautiful idea. cbfigiel(at)gmail(dotcom)

    ReplyDelete
  38. UnknownJuly 17, 2016 at 9:55 PM

    I love your project! Such a great idea to use it for December, too! Great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  39. ChesleyJuly 17, 2016 at 11:07 PM

    Anna! It's wonderful to meet you! Seriously, we could be sisters...made from the 'nearly' same mold. Your art looks like my art and we both are Christians! Gelli printing? My favorite! I will be a regu
    lar on your blog girl...so happy we 'met'! (there are no accidents:-))
    susan.chesley(at)yahoo(dot com)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. annaJuly 23, 2016 at 11:38 PM

      Hi, Sue! Nice to meet you too! I will always welcome new sisters to my art tribe! :) Maybe we'll see more of each other! :) :)

      Delete
  40. Kathy E.July 18, 2016 at 1:42 AM

    This is simply (but not so simply to make) gorgeous! I'd like to make something like this for my journal cover which is currently plain ol' black. What a super gift this would make to encourage someone to doodle, journal or collect their lists. Amazing!

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    Replies
    1. annaJuly 23, 2016 at 11:36 PM

      I like what you're thinking, Kathy!! Thanks for visiting and good luck with the giveaway!! :) :)

      Delete
  41. AndreaJuly 18, 2016 at 7:55 AM

    Wow!

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  42. mcsuetxJuly 18, 2016 at 3:03 PM

    Your book is amazing. The colors are fabulous!! mcsuetexas(at)yahoo(dotcom)

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  43. UnknownJuly 18, 2016 at 8:20 PM

    Such a cool project! I can see making one for each Christmas to place mementos and photos in for later generations.

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  44. UnknownJuly 19, 2016 at 5:29 AM

    Great Job!!....your book it''s amazing, very beautiful stencils and colours.

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  45. McStamperJuly 23, 2016 at 1:27 PM

    What an awesome creation. Love your work.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Dee SpillaneJuly 23, 2016 at 11:12 PM

    I love making books, this is so cool!

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  47. Linda NJuly 24, 2016 at 6:07 PM

    I haven't used stencils very much but am feeling very inspired. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  48. BridgetJuly 25, 2016 at 5:24 PM

    What a great project BHaig3553(at)gmail(dotcom)

    ReplyDelete
  49. D.Ann CJuly 26, 2016 at 5:59 PM

    What a super cool book! The cover is fab... love Amplify!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Amy Davis KingJuly 29, 2016 at 2:35 PM

    What a beautiful journal. I love making books!

    ReplyDelete
  51. JanisJuly 29, 2016 at 6:37 PM

    Whoa......FABULOSSITY DELUXE!!! Love how you used your Gelli prints and stencils. What a wonderful and festive December Daily. LOVE this!!!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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