Welcome to the September 2018 edition of Mini Album Makers Challenge Blog. This month I'm using one of our sponsors fabulous dies: Eileen Hull's Wrap Journal. Here's a You Tube video with Eileen showing all the possibilities with the wrap journal:
For my wrap journal, I used a material called Kraft-Tex. It's paper but feels and acts like leather.
To begin, you'll need a piece of paper that is longer than 12". This die measures 13.75" long X 6" wide. The Sizzix die is a steel rule die so will cut paper, cardstock, chipboard, leather and the Kraft-Tex that I used.After putting the Kraft-Tex through the die, you can see that the die punches the holes and scores the material. The height of the cut book is 5-1/8" tall.
Next, I'll cut the inside pages.
Unfortunately, I don't have Eileen Hull's Passport die yet. If I did, I could die cut the pages that fit the inside of this wrap journal. But since I don't have it (yet), I've cut my own papers to fit:
I wanted 2 papers per signature (set) and as you can see, I'll need 4 sets (one set per hole). I'm using dark brown cardstock. Because I want to use signatures, I'm cutting the cardstock twice as wide as I need + 4.25" tall.
I'm using 4 pieces 8.5 X 11 papers: Cutting 7" X 4.25" = 8 papers total. With the 7" side up against the top of the scoreboard, I'm scoring at 3.5" (or in half).
Next, it's time to ink up the Kraft-Tex. I am using Distress Ink:
- Vintage Photo all over
- then Walnut Stain on the edges
- followed by Espresso on the corners.
You can see the scored lines better once it's inked. Love that the die scores the wrap journal for you!
Next you can choose to either add the pages into the journal or decorate the pages first. After you've decorated your pages, you can add them to the journal. You can add the pages with several different ties including wax linen thread, ribbon or elastic. I'm choosing wax linen thread for my book.
No matter which you choose, you will need 4 pieces that are approximately 12" long each piece or enough for each piece to go around the book + tie in a knot.
Thread the ribbon or wax linen thread from the outside of the journal to the inside of the journal, leaving equal amounts of thread in the center. NOTE: The 1st hole at the top of the book matches the 1st hole at the bottom of the book and so on.
Using the two ends, stretch the thread as taut as possible and tie a double knot at the center inside.
Next, take one signature (two pieces of the cardstock sandwiched together) and insert under the thread.
Continue this for each hole in the spine and each two page signature until all 4 holes have tied thread and one signature per thread.
As you can see in the photo below (and instructions above), I chose to tie my threads on the inside of my journal. You can, of course, tie your threads on the outside spine.
I'm going to leave for a while to decorate my pages, cover, etc. Then I'll be back to show you how I chose to close my Wrap Journal.
And by magic . . . seconds later . . . magnets are in place. M = Magnets The magnets are hidden under the decorative paper.
Here's a PDF on how I use magnets in any project: How to Use Magnets for Closures
After adding a charm to the binding, the Wrap Journal is complete:
Thanks for visiting today.
We're celebrating the
Mini Album Makers Blogaversary.
"To celebrate our Blogaversary, we've organized a blog hop this month.
We're giving away a $25 gift certificate to Blitsy.com to one lucky reader
whose name will be chosen at random from all of the comments on the Design Team blogs.
In addition, Lindy's Stamp Gang will give a $25 gift certificate to one lucky participant in our challenge."
SO . . . Leave a comment below and you could be a lucky winner!
Or join our challenge for a chance to win a gift certificate from Lindy's Stamp Gang
Then visit the other Mini Album Makers Team Members for more chances to win.
Mini Album Makers Challenge Blog
Thanks again for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment below!
I do love how Kraft card can instantly age a project, the perfect combination with your frayed fabric and Wrap journal topper. So many possibilities with this wonderful creation Nancy. I love it. Thank you for sharing and Happy Blogaversary.
Creative wishes Tracey x
Posted by: Tracey | September 01, 2018 at 02:28 AM
Nancy, what a clever idea to use Kraft-tex, it looks like leather! I love how you decorated the cover and thanks so much for the tips on using magnets too! Hugs, Anne xx
Posted by: Anne R | September 01, 2018 at 02:28 AM
Oh Wow, that paper really does look like leather and is perfect for this wrap around journal.
Thanks for the info on how you made it.
Neet x
Posted by: Anita Hickson | September 01, 2018 at 05:43 AM
That Kraft-Tex looks like amazing stuff must try some out. I love the stamped strip addition and the quirky cover art. The whole worn leather look is so effective its a great journal. Thank you for passing on all the instructions and happy blogaversary! x
Posted by: paperwishesbyamanda | September 01, 2018 at 05:49 AM
Love your leather look cover and how the beautiful soft greens of your chosen papers look against the earthy brown. Lovely design and immaculate execution, as always.
Alison x
Posted by: butterfly | September 01, 2018 at 06:07 AM
Thank you for the great step by step. Love the leather look you have shared. Such a fun bloghop with such great variety of mini albums. I've enjoyed the inspiration so much.
Posted by: Sylvia/LittleTreasures | September 01, 2018 at 08:12 AM
What a lovely project! And thanks for your interesting idea!
Posted by: Natalie Pukish | September 01, 2018 at 08:51 AM
What a unique creation! Simply stunning!
Posted by: Elena Martynova | September 01, 2018 at 11:10 AM
Never heard of that paper that looks like leather - will have to check that out and the die cut as well [makes life easy] your work is stunning! TFS
Posted by: Gail Scott | September 01, 2018 at 12:49 PM
A fantastic album Nancy, and such a super and clear tutorial!! I adore how you have decorated the front, and oh that moon embellishment, I love it!!
As I have resigned from the team, maybe you should remove my name from the bloghop list, as I am not actually part of the hop, though people are of course welcome to visit me :o)
xxx Happy September!
Posted by: Astrid Maclean | September 01, 2018 at 02:23 PM
Love the inking on your faux leather journal cover - it looks so soft and supple - just like leather! Wonderful decorating inside and out with your images and pretty papers!
Posted by: Julia Aston | September 01, 2018 at 03:58 PM
This is very unique and yes, it does look like leather! I've actually thought of using leather for my journal covers! Thank you for the step by steps on the magnets... they always intimidate me!
Posted by: Marilyn McLeod | September 01, 2018 at 04:05 PM
I loved seeing how you made this journal, Nancy. A beautiful cover. I especially love the kraft that you used for the base.
Kate
Posted by: Kate Yetter | September 01, 2018 at 07:46 PM
Great album! thank you so much for the tips on using magnets. I've been wondering how to use them for the last two weeks :-)
Posted by: Magda Mirabelka | September 02, 2018 at 03:14 PM
Thanks for the tutorial, this kraft seems to be fabulous!
Posted by: Lys | September 02, 2018 at 03:36 PM
Great journal cover - beautiful! - and step-by-step in photos, thank you Nancy!
Corinne x
Posted by: Cocofolies | September 02, 2018 at 04:00 PM
Nancy, congratulations on the mini album makers blogaversary, so many awesome tutorials and projects! I love the look of this kraft-tex, it is something new to me that I will definitely be checking out. Very nice step by step for this wonderful wrap journal. Thanks!
Posted by: ann b | September 03, 2018 at 07:31 AM
So fun. I love Kraftex!! One of my favorite things to use for flexible covers, or straps on covers. 👍🏻
Posted by: Jen | September 03, 2018 at 07:36 PM
What a fabulous wrapped journal. This die is on my wishlist, and you have shown me another reason why it’s a “must have”. Also, while I had heard of Kraft Tex, I didn’t know exactly what it was. Thanks for introducing me to this product and for providing wonderful inspiration for the wrapped journal die. Hugs from Kentucky!
Posted by: Katie Baird | September 04, 2018 at 12:11 AM
Wow this is gorgeousness! I so love you final cover and your seam binding is awesome!
Your attention to detail shows and make your journal that much more pleasing Nancy!
TFS!
Jackie xo
Posted by: Jackie P Neal | September 04, 2018 at 04:46 AM