Notebook & Beaded Pen from the New Stuff

After I made and posted the 3" x 6" card last night I was still in awe over the beautiful colors of the "Outlaw" decorative papers from Stampin' Up! I have a few odd size notebooks sitting around here waiting for something to be done with them and this was just that "something" they were waiting for!!!

I used Close to Cocoa for the main part of the notebook (front and back). I added a layer of Blue Bayou. I'm REALLY loving that color! And the Outlaw paper just popped when it was set on top of that blue! I took a scrap of Blue Bayou and punched it out with a Giga scalloped punch. Then I did the same with darker piece of decorative paper from the same pack.

For the letter I used the "Headline Alphabet" set by Stampin' Up! I used a scrap piece of Groovy Guava and sponged a little Creamy Caramel and Close to Cocoa on it to "dirty" it up a bit. I didn't want it as bright, bold or clean looking as it was. I used my VersaMark pad and stamped the letter then I embossed it in clear embossing powder. I cut the letter out and tied an organza bow to it. I couldn't get any other ribbon to tie that nicely. It's too bad Stampin' Up! retired those.

I added a couple of Primas that I also "dirtied" up with sponging. I added a tiny blue rhinestone to the center of it. I set the Blue Bayou piece down first and then added the darker one on top, moving it over just a little to expose less than 1/4" of it. I added the letter with Dimensionals and glued the flower in place. I tied a ribbon on the decorative paper.

The little silver oval was something I found at Joann's. It has 4 prongs on the back of it. I found it a bit difficult to work with. I printed the words on my computer and used a small enough font so the words fit within it. I printed one out on white copier paper and then I taped a piece of the decorative paper to the copier paper over the space where the words were. I ran it through the printer again and now I have the words on my decorative paper. I used the foam part of my Mat Pack and pressed the words and oval together. It was easy enough to line up. I wanted to add Crystal Effects to the oval but I wasn't sure if the printer ink would run or not so I just left it. I'll save that experiment for another time. Though I thought it would give it an Epoxy look. I put the whole thing on top of my mat (minus the notebook) and pressed the prongs in place. Then I turned it over and bent the prongs so the oval would be secure. I attached that final layer to the notebook and it was done!!

For the pen I put a piece of a double sided sticky sheet to it. I precut the sheet and I also precut the decorative paper. I removed the protective layer from the sticky sheet and added the decorative paper. Then I added another piece of sticky sheet and removed the protective layer and rolled the pen in the micro beads. I like these pens but I've found the beads don't always like to stay on so I used the Crystal Effects and put a light layer over the beads . I pushed the tip of the pen in a piece of Styrofoam and let it dry. Now if you're going to try this on your pen, have your Styrofoam ready before hand. And use a soft bristle brush. Only go over the area once or the brush (no matter how soft it is) will pick the beads right up off the pen. You don't want that. Just give it a quick brush across the beaded area, turn and repeat until it's covered and then let it dry. I don't know the drying time for this. I let mine set overnight only because it was my last project for the night and I was off to bed. Most things with Crystal Effects take about 20 minutes to dry so I'd say for this check it after about a half hour. Lightly touch it.

I now have a fun gift ready to send to someone who took some time out of her busy to day to help me out. It was truly appreciated. For a closer view just click on the photo. I belive this feature works with all the photos I post!

Thank you for stopping by,
Wanda