Halloween Book

Hello friends,

I hope you are ready for more Halloween! I know I am!

I created this book for the idea-ology Halloween Live last month and I thought I better share it since it is already Oct 15th! I have a hard time even believing that!

Palette Halloween fabric with the moths was absolutely perfect for the cover of the small book... and it was very easy to add to the cover using Collage Medium. 

This new gothic window is from the 2025 Halloween Baseboard Pack. I added paper and a spiderweb transparency to the background, with a Halloween Portrait sandwiched between the two. Kinda creepy!

The large moth and clipping sticker were also added and then the window was added to the cover.

The book itself was made using the Booklet Folio as the base. When you open the package, there is a cover, two signatures, some twill and some string. We are only using the two signatures, everything else can be discarded or put away for another time.

The two signatures will be combined in the center of the book. To do that, I placed the signatures next to each other like this. Cut 1" off each page (so the last page of signature 1 and the first page of signature 2). These two shortened pages will be combined into a pocket in the next step.

I decided to take this shot after the pages have the first layers of Collage Medium and Collage Paper and ink so you can really see the difference in the pages. You can see I did not add any embellishment to the center cut pages so they could be put together to create the pocket using Scor-tape.

Here is the center "shortened" page (that is really a pocket now).

I added a large card from the Layers pack as the insert for the pocket.

Now lets talk about the pages of the book. I started by stamping the Exquisite floral (CMS453) on some of the pages (starting on page 5).  Then I used Collage Medium to add the Collage Paper Halloween. I also used a stencil from the Multi Shifter Harlequin set (three sizes of harlequin stencils come in one pack) to add Distress Ink Gathered Twigs. 

It would be easier to add the stenciling before you add the Collage Paper since the Collage Medium (once dry) becomes a sealer and it will not allow the ink to become permanent on the page. So on the page below, the glue really dictated where I could add the stenciling (but it worked out really well).

Pages 1 and 2

Three Ephemera pieces + Cello Tape

I always add a layer of Collage Medium over Ephemera - once dry, I use Walnut Stain Crayon to build up the grunge around the tape.

On page two, I used Scor-tape to add the transparent web, then stapled the bug at the top.

Peeled Paint Distress Crayon was rubbed over all the faces in the book. I used a wet wipe to remove some the crayon to give them a spooky feel. I NEVER tint the eyes but I just couldn't help it with this guy.

Pages 3 and 4

Just some large numbers from the Layers Pack + Cello Tape.

This is a much bigger frame but I didn't want to cover the background so I just cut out the oval shape for the people to sit in.

Pages 5 and 6

There is that Stampers Anonymous Exquisite stamp in the background.

Gosh he is my favorite! The crazy coloring turned out so good. 

We've made it to the center.
I added a strip from the Sticker Book along the edge to emphasize that it's a pocket.

I also added an eyelet with a Loop Pin and metal tags to the insert card, along with the phrase "there are others" (Sticker Book).

Pages 7 and 8

On the other side of the pocket, I kept it very simple with just a piece of ephemera.

On page 8 I had this idea to add transparent moths - I thought, adding them on a string so they can move back and forth was fun. 

Again, the build up of distress Crayon over the tape at the top is my favorite detail. (there is collage medium underneath from adding the collage paper).

I also love using the Clipping Stickers to add the words at the bottom. Cello tape really makes it look old and haphazard.  

Pages 9 and 10

I had a left over piece of a transparency that I just has to use up. I decided to make it a flip up window of sorts. I used the black label at the lower edge (sticker book) as a tab to lift the window and reveal the rest of the skull.

On page 10 I just wanted to have some fun by adding a mother as a hat! The words are perfect here!

There is that Exquisite stamp again.

Page 11 and 12 (last one!)

I just added the card with a Mini Paper Clip and some Clipping Stickers on page 11.

Then on the last page I added a flap (because I could). I just cut it from Mixed Media Heavystock, scored one edge and added it to the back of the book (with Scor-tape) so that it folds over to the inside.

Here you can see it opened up to reveal the man that has lost the only thing he has ever loved (or at least that is what his sign says!).

I hope you liked this one. It sure was fun to make and the fabric cover was so easy at the end. Just glue and go!

Now carry on,

paula

Vintage Notes Pocket Folio

Hello friends,

I'm excited to be here today to tell you about a Pocket Folio I created using the Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit - Distressed Vintage Notes. Now why would anyone send me a card kit, when I don't make cards? Well the stipulation was that I NOT make a card. That worked perfectly for me, so I got started unpacking all the elements to the kit...a big stamp set, a cool embossing folder with hearts, and the Nocturne Ink pad which I absolutely love. The kit also comes with a pack of Palette Ephemera, which I am very familiar with, so all was good! I just needed a substrate, and that is where the idea-ology Pocket Folio came into play. 

Please note that the full step-out blog post I wrote for Simon Says Stamp can be accessed through this LINK. I hope you'll follow it to see the rest off the pages and make your own Pocket Folio. 

SSS February Card Kit - Distressed Vintage Notes

includes:

• Simon Says Stamp Distressed Vintage Love Notes 6x8 inch clear stamp set
• Simon Says Stamp Pinnacle Hearts embossing folder
• idea-ology Palette ephemera pack 
• Nocturne Black Versafine Clair ink pad
• Distress Collage Matte medium bottle
• 3 Distress Watercolor Pencils (colors will vary)
• A2 Schoolhouse Red pre-scored cards 10-pack
• foam squares adhesive sheet (size and color will vary)
• Watercolor cardstock sheet
• Cotton Candy cardstock sheet
• A2 Cotton Candy envelope

The kit comes with three random Distress Watercolor Pencils. Lucky for me, I got Saltwater Taffy, Shabby Shutters and Stormy Sky. Three colors that go perfectly together! 

I was able to create three wonderful stamped cards for the folio using the provided Watercolor cardstock, Love Notes stamp set, and the Watercolor Pencils. I love coloring so this was part was so relaxing.

You can see from the last photo how cool that Pinnacle Hearts embossing folder is. Super fun to use to cover a pocket!

I better stop now or I will give the whole thing away! Oh, and here is the LINK again!

Now carry on,
paula

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Nature Inspired Folio

Hello friends,

I'm grateful to be here today sharing the nature filled journal I made using the newest and last Distress color, Scorched Timber! I didn't want to make a completely brown journal cover so I started with what you might guess was a peach color (but you would be wrong)...I started with Kitsch Flamingo, spraying then wiping away the spray pattern. I dried it, then added added Antique Linen.  Back and forth I went, until the cover was covered.  NOTE: Because the Accordion Folio is made with Mixed Media paper, it has a bit of yellow in it, so the pink turns a bit peach. 

Once the cover was dry, I used a stamp set that was intended for Halloween called, The Obscure. I loved the sorta of weedy plant that is part of that set. I used the Scorched Timber Oxide pad to ink the stamp, then lightly spritzed the stamp with water before stamping the cover.  I repeated the stamping process until the cover was covered with the image.

The Obscure

*I did not use the root end of the stamp, just the weedy branches

Here you can see the Folio flipped over (cover is on the right in this photo) so you can see all the stamping. When I stamped the flap, I masked off the center portion of the book so the image did not go onto the back cover.  *Remember the flap flips up into the book, so you have to stamp up-side down.

The wrap/closure was made with a piece of vintage lace - it just ties closed and you can slip it up and off the Folio without untying it, if you don't want to.

When you open the Folio, there is a pocket on the left side with three cards.

To create the three cards to go in the pocket, cut three Distress Mixed Media Heavystock pieces (3.25 x 5.5").  I chose a background stamp from the set, 'Tiny Prints', to stamp the ditsy print with Scorched Timber Oxide ink. 

Once the ink was dry, I added the sayings I created on my computer. I printed the sayings on vintage typing paper (onion skin) so you can see the print behind the words. As you can see, I stitched the paper to secure it to each card so no glue was needed.

Little snippets of ephemera were added to each with a staple, glue or a Mini Paper Clip.

I used paper from Backdrops 4 (the neutral pack) to cover the inside of the Folio. It a challenge to decide each time the best way to cover the 'gusset' - the narrow portion on either side of the center.  This time I decided to use 'Sticky Back Canvas' tape from Dina Wakley.  The tape comes in a solid white, so sprayed it with Antique Linen Distress Spray, dried it with a heat tool, then stamped it with the Tiny Prints image (Scorched Timber Oxide ink). I believe the tape is 1 1/2" wide on the roll, so I just cut it to size to fit the gussets. Worked like a charm.

The center of the Folio has a flip up portion. I kept it very simple with more stamping and a little bit of ephemera stapled on. 

I like that from this view you are given just a glimpse of whats to unfold before you. It shows a little bit of everything.

The faux stitching on the card at the bottom (meaning I stitched only the card, then glued it to the flap) balances out the ephemera on the left. I left the strings long because that just makes me happy.

All the inking on ephemera has been done by pressing Gathered Twigs Distress ink onto my glass mat, then spritzing the ink with water to create a puddle. I wipe a thin layer of collage medium over the ephemera then dip the ephemera into the ink. I go back and forth between the ink puddle and drying with the heat tool until I am satisfied.  

The ephemera used in the Folio is from the Organic Layers pack. So many great flowers, birds, and leaves to choose from!

Stamping was done using Scorched Timber Oxide ink + the stamps, Distress Damask on the right and Media Marks 1 on the left and backside (don't you just love that loop-d-loop? It was a stamp image I had never used before).

Label from Field Notes Ephemera Pack and the Snippets pack Curator, that has about a million darling little labels like this blue one here.

The circle was drawn with a Stabilo pencil and then tapped with water to make the pencil lines wick out.

The palette background paper is from the Backdrops 4 pack.  Combined with the dragonfly from the Organic Layers pack, some vintage netting, Clipping Stickers and some stitching...well. thats just magical.

And the last section of the accordion is the bird and nest.  Repeating themes, but with similar elements makes for a cohesive message throughout. I love how the bold stamping in the background really adds to the overall look.  Layers, layers, layers...thats the key.

The last pocket I created on the right side has more of the palette paper from the Backdrops 4 pack. It fit perfectly so I had to use it! Stitching added.

I added some vintage lace that you can see when the cards are pulled.

And a few more elements to add to the pocket.

I dyed the string with Scorched Timber too!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the walk-through of my Folio. I love the nature theme of the folio which came together so easily because of the Organic Layers pack.

Thanks for stopping by today!
Now carry on,
paula