On My Craft Table - Handmade Smashbook

Handmade Smashbook

So, I've had a pretty crafty week...not 'taking over the world' kind of crafty but, you know, the arts and crafts kind of crafty.

I thought I'd like to share what I've done...because why not, eh?

So I've participated in a Handmade smashbook/junk journal swap on swap-bot. The theme was 'All About Me'. Which I always find a bit difficult. How do you talk about yourself without coming across an utter self-obsessed attention seeker? 

I decided to do more of a smash book and 'smash' things that make me ME. 

For the covers I used a  Papermania chipboard album (although I took only two chipboard pieces from the pack), and glued Bo Bunny's 'Rose Cafe' 6''6 paper (isn't this paper just yummy?) with mod podge to them. I decorated it by using pieces from the 'Rose Cafe' noteworthy die-cut and journal pack. 


The papers I used inside were also from the  'Rose Cafe' collection, (I wanted to match...and well...have an excuse to use the papers...they're so pretty!!!), and papers from the Fancy Pants 'Me-ology' collection (since it kind of matched the theme...) I trimmed them to be about 5''5 inches to fit the chipboard covers and punched the edges with my Becky Higgins corner punch.

And then I embellished the crap out of it....

On My Craft Table - Handmade Envelope Flipbook

Handmade Envie Book

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So I thought I would do a tutorial on how to do one of these handmade envelope books. They were for a swap I was part of on Swap-Bot and I just love making them!

The idea is to decorate them and then stuff them with goodies for your recipient. I for one love to spoilt my swap partners! So I tend to make them pretty big!

So lets get to it shall we?

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I usually make my own envelopes from ephemera or scrapbook paper. In this particular one mostly used scrapbooking paper although I did make the smaller ‘pocket’ like pages from vintage ephemera as they fitted the theme nicely.

To make the envelopes I used the We R memory keepers envelope punch board. For making envelopes I totally recommend this! It’s so easy to use. If I can do, it anyone can!

After sticking the envelope together, (as I aimed to spolit my partner and stuff these envies like crazy I added washi tape to further secure the sides. It’s probably not needed but I like to for the interest as well), I took out my Crop-a-dile (another good tool to have in your crafty arsenal) and punched 2 holes for the books rings.

I more or less ‘eye-balled’ it but I did measure the holes from the side so they at least were in line with each other. With the other envies I placed the first envelope over the next envelope and drew or dotted inside the holes.

 I’m not to fussy with measurements so if some were a little out of place I didn’t really mind. You can’t tell with book rings anyway – well…unless you completely get it wrong and punch the middle or the envelope…but we are not that daft….are we?

Using the Crop-a-dile again I inserted the eyelets to make it look a bit more presentable and to keep the holes from tearing.

You can have envies of many sizes so long as you keep the holes in the same place.

Some of the envies I missed the measurements completely and they ended up a bit wonky but I managed to turn them into pocket-like envies : )

I also added premade envelopes that were the same pattern and sized and stuck them together to make a double sided envelope that you open up for extra surprises!

What it looks like undecorated…

And Here’s the fun part!

Then you decorate the crap out of them!

I used vintage ephemera, stickers, die-cuts, stamps, chipboard pieces, enamel dots, washi tape and loads of other embellishments. Just go mental! I LOVE the random ‘messy scrappy’ style. You don’t have to over think it.

To dress up the book rings I tied yarns and ribbons to them.

I tell you, I was so sad to give this away.

But I believe my partner liked it!