Blog — homemade

This junk journal spread was SO fun to make! It came together quickly with inexpensive (free) supplies that most people already have. The secret is making it in a master board format, so every square gets decorated quickly and easily.  I used the decorated squares to list my favorite books That took some time. But you could use the decorated squares as is and they still look great. Want proof? If you look closely at the spread above, there are 12 squares without any book titles. I just used them as is after the decorating. (I know I'm going to think...

I have been having a blast making mini file folders for my junk journals and paper crafting projects. I've turned them into pockets and notebooks and all kinds of fun little projects. There's a link to my Freebies Page at the end of this article, so you can download a free template and make some of your own. The template is one page and has a template for a left tab, a middle tab, and a right tab. Below are some ideas of things you can create.   This mini file folder is made from kraft cardstock. Then I added...

Want some free envelope templates? Links are below. I've been experimenting with envelopes in my junk journals, and I've come up with some fun new ways to make them and use them. I also came up with some new ways to use those ubiquitous junk mail envelopes. Make Envelopes Horizontal Envelopes This template makes adorable horizontal envelopes in two sizes: About 1 1/2" x 2 1/4" and 3" x 4 1/4". They look great made out of kraft paper, vellum, wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, book pages, sheet music, magazine pages, anything! All you do is cut out the shape and...

I have been having a blast with my nature journal. I am investigating all of the plants and creatures in my yard and documenting what I find out. I'm also adding some fun pop-up elements. I will link to the YouTube videos I made of each mechanism. That  way, if you want to try it yourself, you have the instructions, You can always ask me any questions, too. Sunflower with Butterfly Pop-Up Mechanism This pretty sunflower spread has a secret. If you pull down the leaf . . . a butterfly pops up from behind the sunflower. Here's a close...

For the past few weeks, I have been doing a deep dive into corrugated cardboard. I've figured out how to work with it and what I can make from it and I have to say I am so glad I did. I came up with a ton of ideas and I'm going to share them with you. Separating Corrugated Cardboard Layers Once you learn how to separate the cardboard elements, you will start to understand how incredibly versatile it is: Take a sheet of cardboard and hold it under hot water with the spray hitting the corrugation as shown above. With...