Real World Print

Sometimes the most interesting elements on a project come from unexpected and practical places. Using real world print on a project tends to add that little bit of authenticity and sentimentality that puts a page over the top. There are so many places to find authentic print that it seems silly to buy fabricated versions. When was the last time anyone physically opened a dictionary or thesaurus, with the exception of school, to look up a word? Word processing programs and online resource leave many literary resources gathering dust on the bookshelf.

Not only are pages from books a great background or matte on a project, they can become a wonderful focal point too. By manipulating printed pages with die-cutters, punches stencils or fussy cutting, one can create a fantastic design element with little or no cost. From a title, to a flower, to a homemade journal spot, real world text can really add interest and sentiment to a project.

A Quick Word About Me by Liz Qualman

Supplies: Paper, Die Cuts: Jenni Bowlin Studio, Cardstock: Core’dinations, Bazzill Basics Paper, Alphabet: The Paper Studio, Martha Stewart Crafts, Flowers: Hero Arts, Petaloo International, Felt: Prima Marketing, Bling: Kaisercraft, Martha Stewart Crafts, Ink: Clearsnap, Pens: Sakura, Floss: Skein. Tools: Electronic Cutter, Cartridges: Cricut Expressions (Provocraft), Label Maker: Dymo.

Design Notes: Use a die cutting machine to cut letters out of old book pages. To make the pages sturdy, first adhere them to a piece of cardstock. Use pop dots to vary the heights of the letters for more interest in title. I used my Cricut to cut part of the title from an old thesaurus on my bookshelf. Each letter in “word” is cut from a word beginning with the same letter that says something about me. ‘O’ was cut from the word organize, which describes me in many respects.

Journaling: I’m a Virgo who thinks creativity is everything. Caffeine definitely adds to my mojo.

Home Sweet Home by Keely Yowler

Supplies: Paper: October Afternoon, My Little Shoebox, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Brads: BasicGrey, Ink: Tsukineko, Pens: Sakura, Other: dictionary pages, baker’s twine. Tools: Die Cut Machine: Big Shot (Sizzix), Dies: Spellbinders, Border Punches: Martha Stewart Crafts, Stamps: Kenner Road, Templates: Hand-drawn stem/leaves.

Design Notes: I've combined two of my favorites; stamping and die-cuts. I also love the look dictionary pages add to a project, so I used dictionary pages as layers on my die-cut flower.

Journaling: Home is where your heart is. I love you. May 2010

9 Months by Heather Leopard

Supplies: Paper, Flowers: October Afternoon, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Rub-Ons: 7 Gypsies, Buttons: The Girls’ Paperie, Borders, Brads: Pink Paislee, Bling: Imaginisce, Ink: Close to My Heart, Markers: Zig Writer, Thread: Guttermann. Tools: Gem Tool: i-Rock (Imaginisce), Masks: Tattered Angels.

Design Notes: If you look at the print elements, you can see that the defined words on one of the circles are expectant, expectant mother, and expectation of life and the words on the other circle are expand and expanded. I whipped out my new i-rock tool to add a little something extra to two of the patterned circles. Then I fussy cut three of the same red flowers from the patterned paper in various sizes according to the pattern and then rolled them to make a dimensional flower. I also used a Pink Paislee border to absorb the mist, which I then inked in red to add a bit more texture. What I love the most is all the symbolism in the layout - the measuring tape for the expanding belly, No. 2 for baby #2, picture of a girl since I was expecting a girl, 9 months of pregnancy and lastly the due date (but not the actual birth date) on the full body photo.

Journaling: To tell the story, I focused on the words "expectant", "expectant mother", and "expectation of life" on one circle and the words "expand" and "expanded" on the other circle.