Tuesday 19 July 2011

Travel Pouch Grungeboard Extravaganza for Grungy Monday

Happy Grungy Monday everyone

I have been so excited as our lovely hostess Linda at Grungy Monday asked me to be a guest designer for this week and I have really thought hard as to what to make. This week we are focusing on a fabulous Tim Holtz product - Grungeboard or Grungepaper. You can use it in any way you like. Tim shows examples on his blog and there are videos on You Tube. Please go over and see the amazing contributions from both Linda and Dawn who is the other fab guest this week.

One of the things I have thought about making for a long while now is a travel pouch. It is an idea that has been mulling around in my head for a few years and what I mean is a small wallet that can hold postcards and journalling tabs for when I am visiting somewhere new or on my travels. Often when we go away to a new country I end up buying a small notebook to jot names of places and things we have seen, and end up keeping pictures and brochures etc. in the paper bags they were bought with.


So this is the sketch of the wallet I visualised with notes about it. I quite often start with a picture and ideas when embarking on a larger project. As you can see I wanted 2 pouches, a way to hold a pen or pencil, somewhere to keep some stamps (that got lost along the way), and some way to secure it.  I knew I was going to get the sewing machine out on this one as well as use the usual glues and eyelets or brads.


I made a paper one first and realised I needed to have gussets in the sides of the pouches to let them expand a bit so they would hold a reasonable amount if needed. I also found my own 'suggested' measurements needed adjusting too (hence the crossings out on my sketch). Once I had done all of that, I was off.

In making this I learnt that grungepaper shrinks when made wet and then heat dried so I lost some of the dimension - but everything still fits ok. I also learnt that this process buckles the paper too and I ended up ironing it with a damp cloth to get it flat(ish) again. My sewing machine found the double thickness difficult and also archival or stazon ink didn't like the finished surface. But saying all that this was an incredible project to make. At one or two points I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew but I am pleased with the end result.

I am not going to give a blow by blow account of how this was made but I hope the photos will give you a good idea.

The back of the travel pouch

A view showing the whole length of it.


A view of the front - you can see the fastener for the leather strap.

Inside - one pouch holds postcards, the other holds cut card for journalling.

A view inside - you can see the gussets and how much more room they give to the pouch.

I sewed on the little pieces to hold a pen.


A side on view again showing the gussets - they were very difficult to get sewn in.

The fastener is a leather strap and buckle from 7Gypsies. I bought a couple of these the last time I was in California - about 5 years ago and this is the first time I have used one and it worked a treat.

Main Products used
12 x 12 Grungepaper
Distress Inks - worn lipstick, fired brick, tumbled glass, vintage photo, black soot
Tim Holtz paper stash - shabby vintage
Distress staind - fired brick, vintage photo
Fresco paint - vintage lace
Tim Holtz stamps - the journey, lost and found
Dies - Tattered florals, Sizzix flower layers 8
I get most of my products on-line and and as I am DT member for the Stamp Man I tend to buy from their on-line shop.

 This feels so soft, I love holding it - just like sheep-skin leather.


We are so looking forward to seeing what you make with Tim's grungeboard or grungepaper. This is the only requirement for this challenge, anything else you use can be from your own stash. You might like to wander over to the All Things Tim discussion group at Yahoo. Gloria, the list mom, has a Grungy Monday file there where participants can upload their art for the group to admire. The address is:  groups.yahoo.com/group/allthingstim

Have a fabulous week.

Luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

Edit - Sorry folks just realised Mr Blogger scheduling didn't work as I was out at work yesterday and didn't get back in till 11.00pm last night. Oh well here we are now xoxox

27 comments:

Margreet said...

I'm totally speachless, Brenda...what a brilliant project...it looks like a leather pouch...I enjoyed admiring it...congrats on beging GD this week...have a fab day!
xxx Margreet

Kathyk said...

Don't you hate it when blogger does that? (or rather, when blogger doesn't do that!).

What a glorious success your project turned out to be. Sounds like you had a few hiccups too but you overcame them and this turned out BRILLIANTLY - well done Brenda, on another triumphant finish.

Happy Tuesday

Kathyk

Junibears said...

Brenda you have me speechless again!Your wonderful mind has come up with something useful, creative and just brilliant! Bravo! Hugs xx

Junibears said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
cheryl said...

oh brenda hun this is just brilliant what a great gift this would make hun just stunning work hugs cherylxxxxxx
oh well done on your GD spot hun too

Lisa Jane said...

Oh wow Brenda ... it looks fabulous .. i can just imagine Philleas Fogg having one of these in his pocket!

Its a fabulous idea .. and i love your planning sketches - i tend to just dive in without any planning!!
Lisa xx
ps yes my stars are distressed .. lol

Irene said...

Congrats on the GD Brenda, you leave me speechless, this has to be one of the best craft projects I have seen in a long time, all your hard work has really paid off, your travel pouch is awesome. I love it.
Hugs
Irene x

Neil said...

That is amazing Brenda, thanks for sharing all the detail it really works a treat!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous work my friend. love this it works fabulously
hugs June x

Gram's Treasures said...

Amazing project Brenda! I never knew that grunge board could be used like this. Now you are all ready for your next vacation, no?
Joyce xx

Juls said...

WOW WOW WOW!!!!! What an utterly amazing project! I love the fact that you showed your sketch so we can see how it started from an idea to such a gorgeous creative project!!! amazing and stunning work! LOVE IT!!!!! Hugs Juls

Netty said...

Congratulations on being a fab GD Brenda. Your project is beautiful. x

Sue West said...

This is fantastic Barbara, what a brilliant piece for your GD spot. LOve it.
Sue xxx

lily said...

sawasdee ka.

i come to visit naka.

lily.

Joan said...

what an amazing project Brenda,it would take me for ever to make something like that even if I had the imagination in the first place!
Love the idea of it, I bring home all kinds of bits from holidays and I'm afraid they mostly stay in the paper bags. Just love what you have made.

Anonymous said...

Wow Brenda, what a fantastic project ! Sue C x

Lucy Edmondson said...

So pleased to see the fruition of your wonderful ideas for this project. I can just imagine how tricky it was, and it can be frustrating to put ideas into practice but this has turned out superbly. It reallys shows the benefit of the flexibility of grungeboard,

Lucy x

Silvia(Barnie) said...

How cool, such a fantastic travel pouch, this looks really fab.

Terry said...

WooHoo! Congrats on being a GD for GM and what inspiration you are! Another wonderful work of art from such a talent! Love this!

Marjie Kemper said...

Amazing piece! Congrats on your GM guest spot - your project is so unique!

Unknown said...

What totally beautiful work hun ;0) glad you could found some grunge ;0)

Unknown said...

And so glad I got a clever GTD to play with me thanks for your lovely comment to xx

Gillian .... said...

Wonderful GD project Brenda, have a great week. x

Me! said...

Oh.my.word! Talk about clever!
I want to thank you for stopping by and your really sweet comment on my Everything T!m submission! You made my day! I love a good challenge! I'm going to be watching for them now! :)
But your project, here! I can't even tell you how wonderful I think it is! Do you believe that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? {Because I am totally going to copy you!} :) My husband and I are planning a trip soon, and I think I must have one! I am so excited for this inspiration! Thank you so much! . . . so very, very much! I love it!
~Debbi

Shirl said...

Wow we all want one of these Brenda such a neat idea for all the holiday trivia.
Hugs Shirley x x

michele said...

Fabulous project Brenda absolutely love it :) hugs x

Gerri Herbst said...

dear Brenda,
How did I miss that incredible find! Its amazing, love how you showed us yr sketch too. Brillant! take care, gerri