May Technique Class - Travel/Father's Day Journal

Our May technique class is scheduled for this evening, May 21, at 7:00 PM.  We still have room, email me right away to join us.  Plus, those who have been to previous classes will get to see our new laminate floors!  A sneak peek is in the photo on the right.  They turned out great.  Next, we tackle the family room carpet. 

We will be using the new Briefcase Board Books to create a fun squash book.  These books are great for either a travel journal or Father's Day gift.  For detailed squash book directions, visit Splitcoast Stampers.  For this project, you will need:

• Stamp Sets:  In a Word, Sentimental Journey, and Totally Tool (if you prefer a Father's Day theme for your book)
• Designers Series Papers:  Travel Journal
• Card Stock:  Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green
• Stampin Pad:  Night of Navy, Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie 
• Accessories:  Circle Designer Brads
• Tools:  Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sanding Blocks, Sponge Daubers, Bone Folder
• Other:  Velcro

As I mentioned, Splitcoast offers a tutorial for squash books that will help with the paper folds, just follow the link if you need additional details.  Start by embellishing the outside cover of the book, the briefcase board book.  You will use two "pages" from the board book for each squash book you make.  The briefcase board books replace the coasters in the Splitcoast tutorial.  I traced punched out the book covers and then traced them on the Night of Navy and pieces of the Travel Journal Designer Series Paper.  Cut to size and make sure each properly covers the book. It may be necessary to use a stencil knife to cut out the opening around the handle.  Before adhering to the board book, use a sponge dauber to add Night of Navy to the edges.  You can heat set with your embossing gun or air dry.  Once dry, cover the book with the card stock and designer series paper.  In my photo, you'll notice that I punched the holes in the paper.  This is not necessary and should not be done for this book since you do not need to bind the book using the holes.  I wanted to create a suede look for outside of my suitcase so I brushed the card stock with my sanding block in one direction and then in the opposite direction.  This makes it feel like suede.

Now for the "squash" part.  Cut three pieces of Bashful Blue card stock to 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 inch square.  Score each piece at 3 1/4" vertically and horizontally, creating four equal squares.  Then score on just one diagonal.  Fold on the score lines with the 3 1/4" scores folded in the same direction and then fold the diagonal in the opposite direction.  Repeat for each piece of Bashful Blue.  Stamp the background as desired.

Place one piece with the diagonal fold pointing down, facing you like a diamond.  Add Sticky Strip to the two complete diamonds to the left and right of center.  With the diagonal fold pointing up, adhere a second piece to the first (lining up the two side diamonds.  Repeat with the third cardstock.  This is steps 10-12 of the Splitcoast Tutorial.  Then fold the inside pages of the book; squash so that it is a square. 

Apply Sticky Strip to both sides of the book.  Adhere the front and back covers to the pages.  Embellish pages with designer series papers, stamps and add your photos.  Cut a 1 x 12 inch strip of Chocolate Chip.  Add a brad to one end and wrap around the closed book through the handles.  Close with velcro.  You can also add a luggage tag with a sentiment inside.

Father's Day Variation:  Use the Totally Tools stamp set and make the case look more like a tool box. 

Remember, there is still time to join us!  Email if you'd like to come!  The cost is $10 for supplies.

God Bless and Happy Stampin!
Charity