Friday 6 March 2015

Birthday Celebrations at AVJ - Anything Tim

Today sees us celebrating our first birthday or anniversary at A Vintage Journey and we are celebrating in style. There are prizes galore, changes to our schedule and a new Creative Guide joining us - what more could we want? Well of course we would love you to join us too.

For my CG sample I have made a Correspondence book using Tim's new papers. Now you may well have seen the book I posted on Sunday for CVC, that was made from the off-cuts of this one and yesterdays journal pages uses up the last scraps.
This is a hard bound, hard spined book which will be one of the types I am teaching at my next workshop on the 30th March (details in my sidebar).


I'll show you some of the steps to preparing the boards.

Cut boards from mountboard and cover with tissue wrap. Put under heavy weighted books/box for a few hours or overnight to dry and flatten.


Daub with picket fence distress paint – heat dry.
Dab and spritz fired brick distress stain and spray a little gathered twigs distress spray stain, spritz with water and push the two boards together to distribute the colours on both. Heat dry.
Repeat with faded jeans distress spray stain and heat dry. The dampening and heat drying causes the boards to buckle a bit so put them back under heavy weights to flatten again.


Use picket fence distress stain and some white linen dylusions spray to mist over the colours and tone them down and blend them together more.


Sew pages together.
Adhere front and back end papers. Tear the front edges of the papers and ink them all round.


Put cover boards together with a spine and tape (I often use DIY gaffa type tapes.) 
On this occasion I used brown packing tape.


Glue pages in.


Cover the spine with tissue tapes and note a small piece of elastic added to the top of the spine.


I added a book plate tied to the arrow with rusty wire ........


..... a stamped postbox using the Classics #13 set ......


........ bits of idea-ology findings and ephemera .......


......... charms hanging down the spine. 
All the metal pieces were daubed with some antique linen distress paint and treasure copper rubbed over them.


Do you know - I might just make this into a Birthday book so I can keep a reminder of when I need to send cards out each month. Mmmmm birthday, correspondence, celebrations, wow what a day.

Because we are going monthly on our AVJ challenges there will be a monthly £20 voucher donated by our fabulous sponsors Country View Crafts and for today there are some very special birthday prizes to win as well. So please accept this invite to the party, we would love to see you there.

Have a wonderful weekend and here's a quote for you.

Don't just count your years, make your years count.
George Meredith

hugs Brenda xxx

32 comments:

Terry said...

Brenda, my dear friend, I am also looking forward to seeing you really soon. I love your idea about using this wonderful book as a "Birthday Reminder" All the details and inky goodness are fabulous as always! Thrilled to be starting year #2 with AVJ. Big Hugs!

massofhair said...

Congratulations on your first Blogaversary with AVJ, beautiful book, thank you for the step by step. Not sure on some parts as book binding/making is not something i have tried so slightly confused but i adore your beautiful book:-) xxx

Julia Aston said...

What a wonderful book Brenda! I can see that I will have to get me some of these correspondence papers - they are perfect for a project like this - love the charms hanging off your binding - the bits of metal - especially that frame and arrow!

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Brenda,
This is a gorgeous.
Smiles:)
Sue

Inkypinkycraft said...

congrats on your success, thanks for having me back! A gorgeous piece, love all those soft colours and a fab make x trace x

Jane said...

What a gorgeous book Brenda, it would make a perfect book for birthdays. Thanks for making AVJ such a success and sharing so much talent there. I have learnt so much over the last year and your input has been a large part of that. You are one hugely talented lady and so generous, thanks my friend xx

Redanne said...

You always make your fabulous creations look so easy Brenda! I love your Birthday Book, it is gorgeous with all the Correspondence papers and your wonderful embellishments - I so wish I lived nearer so that I could come to your class!

It has been a wonderful 12 months working alongside you at AVJ, a real privilege ! Hugs, Anne xx

Jenny Marples said...

This is most definitely on the CHIC side of shabby chic Brenda! LOVE the mottled colours toned down by the Picket Fence and the way you've altered all the trinkets and metal to blend in perfectly. Everyone attending your workshop is going to be in for a real treat! Happy Birthday! Jenny x

Sam & Poppy said...

Amazing Brenda :)xx

Pamellia said...

Wow, just amazing Brenda!! So many wonderful bits and baubs! Love the arrow attached to the little frame, might have to borrow that one!! A beautiful make from top to bottom! hugs :)

Paper Profusion said...

Absolutely beautiful Brenda! Congratulations for AVJ 1st birthday. Enjoy your weekend. Nicola x

Sue said...

This is fabulous Brenda, so much work but I can tell that you loved making it, and you now have a unique piece of art. Have a fab weekend, Sue xx

Astrid Maclean said...

Brenda, I think you know just how much I love books, this one is put together brilliantly! Every little corner of it looks just fantastic and I really adore how you have worked with those great papers. A fantastic project!!
Last but not least, it's been great to work together and alongside you on AVJ!! Thank you sooo much for all that you do in the background too, I have just loved to work on this team!

crafty creations said...

Wow Brenda this is amazing - love those papers and your wonderful step by step - wish I lived near enough to join your workshops but I don't so shall stalk your blog and learn that way :):)I may give this book a go and , obviously, link back

Nikki Acton said...

Absolutely awesome - from the technical to the artistic this is right out of the top drawer! Nikki xx

Vintagehandmade said...

Brenda, this book is amazing! I love all the embellishments you used and love this Correspondence collection! Can't wait to get mine to play with!
Hugs :)
Branka xxx

S@ndy Diller said...

Brenda, This is a wonderful book full of great ideas and fantastic presentation. I love the entire thing. Lucky students to be able to take a class from you. Great way to celebrate our first year.

Juliz Design Post said...

Am I so pleased my Correspondence Papers arrived today after seeing this stunning book Brenda. Love the addition of your charms. So beautifully made.
I'm so pleased you created A Vintage Journey a year ago. Its been great watching it grow in strength and I feel truly blessed being part of your team.
Have a lovely weekend, Julie x

experiments in paper said...

Wow - I love all the wonderful ink techniques, and details galore here, Brenda! Absolutely yummy! And the construction - I am so delighted with all the pictures and descriptions of the process - thank you!!! xx Lynn

Unknown said...

First Off, Brenda--Thank You Soooo Much for inviting me to be a part of the AVJ team as a CG! You have been so wonderful to me and I couldn't be more happy to be among sooo many Amazingly Creative Women! I'm in creative awe and hope I don't end up suffering from crafters-block due to fear!! LOL :) :)
And your gorgeous, layered hardback book is AWESOME! I just love your layers! I think it's time I stop hoarding all of my Tim papers and start putting them to use!! What a Fun class this will be! I envy the students who'll be learning how to make this from you!! Love every single detail!! Congrats on managing this wonderfully creative and inspiring challenge blog! I'm sooo happy to be a part of AVJ's journey in this 2nd year! XOXO-Shari

Margreet said...

Really awesome, Brenda...have a wonderful weekend!
xxx Margreet

Unknown said...

Stunningly stupendous Brenda. I just love everything about it. Happy 1st Birthday xx

sarascloset said...

Brenda, I feel a long comment coming, but I'm so short on time. First I would like to thank you for all the work you do to make A vintage Journey come together, and on a personal note, for your help with my own blog. I also appreciate everyone of your supportive comments. Second, congrats on running such an inspiring, successful blog--it is truly my favorite! And last, but certainly not least this is one awesome book! Your backgrounds just leave me in awe! I love the new postal series and how you put it all together here. Pinning this for many more looks! Hugs!

Annie said...

Happy Blogaversary wishes Brenda .....I love your celebratory project. These papers look fantastic and as I have the stamps I now need those papers. Huge thank you to you forll all of the support that you offer to us and for the time and effort in making this such a great challenge blog. I am truly honoured to be part of it x

Huge hugs and have a wonderful weekend

Annie x

Juls said...

Stunning project!! Xx

Deb said...

Gorgeous correspondence book Brenda and a fitting project to celebrate AVJ's 1st blogaversary! So thankful to have found your blog and A Vintage Journey, I have learned so much and know the journey has just begun.

Jennie Atkinson said...

Wow this is AMAZING Brenda! The papers look fantastic and I just love how you created the wonderful background on the covers. I love the way you just say "flick a bit here" !!!! A stunning effect! and a wonderful finished piece.

Thank you for all you do for us all at A Vintage Journey - the organisation, the support, the ideas …… It is a great honour to be part of this AVJ journey with you and the rest of the team.

Jennie xxx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Wow this is AMAZING Brenda! The papers look fantastic and I just love how you created the wonderful background on the covers. I love the way you just say "flick a bit here" !!!! A stunning effect! and a wonderful finished piece.

Thank you for all you do for us all at A Vintage Journey - the organisation, the support, the ideas …… It is a great honour to be part of this AVJ journey with you and the rest of the team.

Jennie xxx

Words and Pictures said...

What a glorious showcase for all those fabulous Correspondence goodies, Brenda - the extra distressing you've added to the papers is so cool, and I love the altered metal pieces. Scrumptious! Sorry for my late visit - but so happy finally to be catching up with the birthday creations.
Alison xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

This will be an excellent class! LOVE all the pages, and I am sure the techniques will be fabulous! Gorgeous!

barbarayaya62 said...

As always your projects are extra-ordinary! This is wonderful, I love the way you've created this book, new Tim's paper that you used and the way you mixed them to create beautiful details! BARbarayaya

Deb said...

Brenda, that is absolutely gorgeous! What a wonderful use of Tim's new correspondence papers and all your ideaology bits and bobs complement it perfectly. How I wish I lived closer so I could take a class with you, you are so talented! A wonderful book to celebrate AVJ's first birthday and fitting that you will turn this lovely piece into your birthday reminder book!