 
Hi there friends! I think I mentioned that two weeks ago I went to the west coast to attend the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) show in Anaheim, California. While I was there I had an opportunity to splurge and take a private class to make this vintage book from silver serving trays. I do all sorts of crafts, papercrafting is my heart but I jump at an opportunity to craft outside the box. This wasn’t as involved as making jewelry but quite a bit more involved than making a card and well worth the effort.
This wonderful creation is the brainchild of Michelle Hurtt of Vintage Bloom Studios. She walked us through a day long, stress-free class where I still can’t believe I actually put this together (nuts, bolts and eyelets, glued on flowers and bling, punched holes and even cut back metal plate). Michelle provided all the necessary tools as well as the kits with the metals, hinges, paper and ribbon while I provided the front decoration. I loved that there was ample time to get everything done without rushing. Michelle is such a soothing and empowering coach; she firmly planted the idea with us all that we could do this! It was the inspiration I needed to be on the other side of the table. I love learning and since I tend to be intimidated by power tools, chalk one up to my new years goal of living bravely. This keepsake is a piece I’ll treasure and I had a wonderful time making it, just thought I’d share. It was truly a wonderful trip to California and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to get together with two of my dear friends Tosha Leyendekker and Linda Duke as well as get in some actual crafting time.
Other Happenings:
Yes, prize winners – prize winnings won on my blog are on their way to you – I even had an international winner!
This week and until February 2nd, JustRite Papercraft is having a 30% off sale on JustRite Dies and this includes dies I designed for them earlier this year ;-) you can see them HERE.
That sums it up for me today! I hope you don’t mind me sharing something different. Thanks so much for stopping by!! By the way if you have any questions about this project/class (other than the size – which is 4-3/4″ tall x 5-1/2″ wide by 1″ thick) pop over and leave Michelle a comment on her blog. Since it is her process and she makes/sells custom books as well as teaches this class, she is most definitely the expert :-)
Sweet friends, I promise that I’m going to set aside this die after this card goes out. After a week of using Spellbinders Gate Element, I can’t tell you how many times I cut that one die. When I was finished with the series, I probably had 30 diecuts left over. It just so happens that after going to CHA, I have a number of Thank You cards to get into the mail. I know myself too well and if I hold out and make unique cards, it will take me forever. If I go ahead and make similar cards, I can get it done pretty quickly. With the leftover diecuts from this week I started playing around and came up with this design that is very similar to the Victorian Fans I’ve made over the years and the latest I made HERE and the folded flower I made back in 2010, HERE. They were my inspiration for a simple two diecut thank you card using eight of the die cut leftovers. Each die cut was folded in the center the each side folded to the center again – essentially into quarters. I stapled the end of each piece then hot glued them to a small circle in the center. For the tag I used Spellbinders Back to Basic Tags.
The card measures 5″ x 7″ and is being sent in the clear box so I won’t have to worry about the filigree getting crushed. I have a several more to make, and to keep things easy, they will all be a variation of this design. No worries about the clear box, HERE is the last card I sent that way and it arrived in pristine condition!
| CRAFT SUPPLIES I USED |
Stamps: Wordsworth – Everyday Greetings
Craft Paper: Neenah Classic Crest – Natural White – Smooth, PTI – Sweet Blush, Digital Paper from my stash
Ink: Hampton Arts – Pink
Accessories: Spellbinders Gate Element, Spellbinders Back to Basic Tags, The Paper Source Cream Satin Ribbon, Lace, button |
Thanks for your never ending encouragement this week. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting crafty and hope that if you found anything useful in my work this week, that you’ll put it to good use. Sending you blessings, as always!
Question Parking Lot:
Many of you asked where I get my clear boxes. The answer is I have a large steel rule die that cuts those boxes and I buy the acetate in bulk – I have had it for years and years and made that purchase because my bulk use of the boxes made it make sense. The clear plastic I’m using is quite heavy .02″ in thickness. Here are two options that are much more cost effective than the acetate I’ve been using:
Amazon.com – minimum quantity is 10 – these are clear top only but will give the same result
Clearbags.com – minimum quantity is 25 – these all clear
I’ve heard people use the latter for sending through USPS with no problem, but in all honestly I’ve not used this brand myself. Hold on tight though, I’ll message clearbags and ask for a sample and will let you know the result. I’ve seen their brand on many of the Papercrafting/Stamping Online stores.
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Hi Becca,
what a beautiful book you have created – it’s a privilege to have you share it with us. And keep living bravely, it’s paying dividends.
I just love that book.
Hugs from a snowy and dismal Chester, UK.
Rose
That is SO gorgeous, Becca! How fun it must have been to take that class.
Oh my goodness Becca, this is sooo beautiful. I´m totally amazed with how beautiful thisis. Does she sell these classes or kits or maybe just the tutorials for them? It´s really really amazing, that´s for sure. You sure did an outstanding job on this book and the decoration is fabulous and looks simply stunning hun. I really think, I´m in love here.
Stunning!
love it – quite unique me thinks – hope you haven’t had lots of snow where you are – we are having a little at the mo in the UK nothing like the tv pics in the US though.
What a lovely, lovely book you created Becca, I think this would make a wonderful Wedding gift. Simply amazing, all the details are beautiful, thank you for sharing.
Becca, this is gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing. We love hearing and seeing what you are doing.
Oh my gosh, what a beautiful piece Becca. I understand why it took the whole day to make it, it would probably take me much longer.
Hello Becca,
Oh my word, this is wonderful. I have been so pleased with myself because I’ve made (off my own bat) a chipboard book for my 8 year old granddaughter which has been gessoed, embellished and mica sprayed to within an inch of it’s life!!! BUT after seeing this, I think I’ll have to do something more up-market for my 11 year old granddaughter. However, we all have to start somewhere.
I’m off to a craft shop to get more embellishments!!
Love xx
So beautifully vintage! Fabulous!
OH My! This is stunning Becca.
Are you kidding? I LOVE FORWARD to your ABC projects! What your brain thinks up is amazing, along with today’s project~ :)
LOOK FORWARD – sheesh
What a beautiful book! This is the most spectacular book I have ever seen. It is amazing to see the different mediums used on this project. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful book. I went to Michelle’s website and she has lovely photos of projects. My problem is that I really can’t read her descriptions because the blue type blends in with the green leafy background of the page. Maybe it is just my eyes though (cataracts). Others might not have a problem reading it.
what a beautiful work of art!! All the better because you made it yourself. Thanks so much for sharing it with us
Wow! That is just beautiful. Off to check out the blog (and hopefully buy a kit). Thanks for sharing. I made the most beautiful card yesterday inspired by one of yours (the fluttering butterfly youtube video), and put it in a clearbags.ca clear box to give to my sister-in-law for her birthday today, it was just gorgeous. Thank you for making me look so talented!
This is so beautiful. Would you open it to show what the inside looks like? Thanks for sharing.
Oh Wow that is gorgeous, how neat to be able to take a class, you did a wonderful job!
Hello Becca
A true crafter indeed ……I think we have a go at everything….. its in our makeup and we can’t help ourselves…. everything is a challenge!
This is outstanding Becca!
On C/Craft today Cathryn Hurrocks is using Polymer Clay, and I so NEED to have a go! lol .
No snow in Bristol yet ….but its forecast ,I hope its not like the poor people in New York!
Take care
Love Marg
What a cool project! It certainly reflects your usual beauty and elegance!! Glad you got to have a fun day creating something so special!!!
Hi Becca. Congratulations on making a beautiful book and on mastering power tools etc : ) It’s always good to see anything that you have made, no matter what. Take care.
This book is simply awesome! In a larger version i’d like to see it for my daughter’s wedding book. In this size, I”d like one for me!!!!! I really think this is awesome.. great job!
Gorgeous book!!! Your creativity is overflowing, all of your “art” is impeccable. Every morning I can hardly wait to get to my computer to see what you have created. You are the BOMB!
Becca – This little book is totally awesome. Looks like it was alot of fun creating it. Thanks for sharing.
What a lovely project! Thank you so much for sharing it with us, Becca. I will definately hop over to Michelle’s blog and take a look and what she is doing.
Wow! What a gift to be able to take the class and make such a lovely book. I’ve done a little bookmaking and thoroughly enjoy it, but nothing so complex or beautiful as yours. Yay for living bravely beyond your comfort zone!
Stunning love the vintage look. thanks for sharing
That truly is a work of art. Clever You! Hugs x
What a beautiful book Becca. Absolutely stunning.
You are so incredibly talented, you must be so grateful every day for the gift that God has given you.
All that I am able to do is copy what others have made.
Becca, That is awesome!
This is such a beautiful book!
This is absolutely stunning! I would be in Heaven taking a class like this! TFS@
What a truly beautiful book and one to be treasured! How lovely that you were able to take a class with friends too. That must have made it even more special.
Snow in the air here, but we made it back to the UK from New York before the bad weather hit. With strong tail winds, the daytime flight time was phenomenal – 5 hours 50 minutes from wheels up to wheels down and the plane only 20% filled. Will never come home overnight again if I can help it! No jet lag!
Hugs
Anne (UK) x
Hi Becca, This book is stunning !!
Lots of love from Patricia xx
How beautiful Becca , something to treasure !
Thanks for sharing,
XxxRuth
Your silver tray book is beautiful, Becca. Glad that you got to something fun while at the show!
That is very pretty Becca!
Oh Wow. What an absolutely beautiful and stunning keepsake Becca
Hidden talents Ehh
Will have to check out Michells blog.
Take Care and hugs and blessings to you and yours Tx
So glad you enjoyed your trip to Ca. The book you created is elegant. Love your embellies. How do you plan to use this work of art?
Beautiful book Becca but unfortunately Michelle’s website is soooo hard to read and I have perfect vision. I agree with Theresa the green leafy background is so overpowering it is virtually impossible to read – it just takes over the whole page. Is there any way to get in touch with her ( couldn’t find/see where to contact) surely we are not the only ones that are having trouble looking at her page.
It is gorgeous and there was ribbon there so you would have felt happy about that lol
Hi Becca
I love the look of this little book. Well done it is beautiful.
June x
Hi Becca
I have just had a look at Michelle’s blog but like others I find it impossible to read. Its like the colour blindness test you take with lots of coloured dots and you have to spot the image.
June x
Love the book, the findings etc. absolutely make it My gate die arrived today, so I’m going to be scrolling back to remind myself what you did with it.! Still waiting for the labels die to arrive, but at least I can get started with the cutting.
Gorgeous book, the embellishments are so pretty.
Oh my gosh! Gorgeous! Stunning! Would love to take this class myself. How fun and the result is fantastic.
Simply Stunning!! Very Elegant!
This is so gorgeous! This is another project to add to my list. Yours is so beautiful.
Absolutely Stunning Becca, your flare for design is outstanding x x x
Simply beautiful!
WOW thank you for your generosity. My favorite above all tool is the 6″ Genesis paper cutter, what I would give to get another one. Carol
What an awesome book! I’d like to learn to make one!
What a beautiful card. I love the simplicity and elegance of the “Thinking of
You “card. Thank you.
Becca, as always, this card is just lovely! I really love its richness
With the elegant dies and beautiful ribbon, and yet it is simple in
design. You are so talented!
I would like to contact Michelle about making the vintage silver tray books, but she doesn’t list an email address. It’s almost impossible to leave her a comment/message.
Marie Sellers
There are so many things I love to work with, especially dies. I have so many I need to check to see exactly what I have. All your designs are so beautiful, I would like to have as many. Hope to win. Vivian
My goodness! This is absolutely stunning!!!! You did a beautiful job!
Marilyn
I saw this post on the day you posted it but did not get to leave a comment. So here is my comment. This is really out of the box and who would not love this. Great Job. Its more than awesome.
hugs
kay