Summer 1929
By Debbie Metti
Print out copies of vintage family photos using an inkjet printer onto ivory 100% cotton resume quality paper. This gives the appearance of an aged photo with none of the work! Cut out and glue the one you will feature in the center of the page to a piece of watercolor paper to add body to the photo. Select a page from a vintage book, or work directly in a book that you are altering. Paint the page with a mixture of Golden® Regular Gel (Matte) (5GO-3030) and turquoise fluid acrylic mixed together and thinned with water to a glaze consistency. Paint surface of paper, leaving brush strokes showing for textural interest. Apply some highlights using Golden® Quinacridone Gold Fluid Acrylic (5GO-2300) mixed with the Gel Medium. After this has dried, glue a piece cut from the Winter Transparency Sheet (5ARWINTER) to the lower corner using Diamond Glaze™ (5JK-DIAMOND2). Distress a ticket with Walnut Ink (5FF-WI03 - Discontinued) and let dry. Attach to top photo with a Brass Clipiola Italian Paper Clip (5CPCLIPG - Discontinued). Glue two of your photos to the page as shown. The BORDERLine™ Rectangular Glue Stick (5AT-BORDERLINE) is excellent for this project. Cut the fronts from Black Photo Corners (4PC005) and glue to photos as shown. Punch a hole using the Long Reach Micro Dot Punch (5EC-61002) in the lower corner of the photo you placed over the transparency, and secure with a brad to be certain it sticks. Punch 2 more holes in the lower corner of the transparency, spacing them to correspond with the holes on the Index Plate. Use wire to “sew” the Index Plate to the page, and secure with tape on the back. Type “July 1929” onto a piece if ivory paper and cut to fit Index Plate. Glue to secure. Slide one edge of photo that was mounted on watercolor paper into the top ring of a Wire Connector (5SG-8252). Slide the other ring of the Wire Connector over the Index Plate. Secure the photo to the page using pop dots. Punch “Summer Fun” from the Metal Type Collage Sheet (5ARTYPE) using the 1/2” Lever Circle Punch (5MU-LVCP40). Glue letters to page as shown.

The Secret of Her Smile
by Debbie MettiThis piece was inspired by the 7gypsies™ packaging. Be sure to read the text on the back of each package...it just may inspire you, too!

Print Mona Lisa image from Chic Bag Boutique CD-ROM (5VW314). Tear out “Mona” text from the back of the Easel Spirale (5SG-8118 - Discontinued) package, and age the edges with bronze ink. Tear out the piece of the front of the package that has the photo of the wonderful easel spirale. Cut out the photograph to make a frame for the Mona Lisa image, using the BACK of this piece, again aged with bronze ink. There is very faint text printed on the inside of each package, so it makes a great frame! Stamp The Notice (R3139) from the da Vinci Collection in black ink on brown cardstock. Glue the frame around Mona’s face, and attach to the card. Layer the text panel onto the card, and glue down. Punch holes in the center of each printed eyelet, and embellish with mini brads. Use the top 2 mini brads to attach Large Gold Photo Turns (5SG-8249), making sure you do not cover up the story. Use Copper Alphabet Tiles (5ST-AC917C) to spell out “poor Mona” and to cover the product number from the package. Highlight with a faux gem.

Clik here for a larger view.

Click here for a larger view.

Writer's Portfolio
by Linda BlinnRemove the handle and fastener from a Paper Mache Portfolio (5DCPORTFOLIO). Choose your favorite paper from your personal collection, or from our Decoupage Paper Collection. Wrap the paper around the portfolio to position the focal point, and cut to fit. Adhere the paper to the portfolio with Perfect Paper Adhesive or spray glue. Use a Gypsy Band for the handle by cutting it and inserting each end into one of the holes in the portfolio. Stretch another Gypsy Band around the portfolio to keep it securely closed.

Create coordinating file folders to organize your papers and works in progress. These are wonderful inside your Writer's Portfolio, or on your desk. Cut images from your favorite papers, and adhere to file folders. Be sure to choose a pretty paper to line the inside of the file folder, too. We've even used a Gypsy Band to secure the file folder and keep everything in place. These artistic touches add your personal style to your office or workspace and make organizing everything so much more fun.

Floral Journal
by Melissa from the Stamping Studio

All images are by The Stamping Studio. Stamp flower three times with red ink on a white panel. Stamp leaves repeatedly and stem three times with green ink on the panel. Tear the bottom edge of the panel. Sponge the edges of the panel with yellow ink. Measure yellow card stock to the dimensions of a spiral bound journal. Stamp daisy repeatedly with yellow ink on the yellow panel. Glue the yellow panel to the journal. Glue a torn-edge red panel and a green strip to the front of the journal. Glue the prepared white panel, a black-knotted ribbon, and three black buttons to the journal as shown. Punch four holes in the back panel of the journal. Slip the ends of two Black Elastics (5SG-8122 - Discontinued) into the holes. Slip the elastic cords over the front corners of the journal. Slip a pen under the cords as shown.