Natures Field Guide by Sue Smyth

Natures Field Guide 

By Sue Smyth 

Nothing inspires me more than nature, so the awesome 

Butterflies and Natures Wonders Stamp collection

available on Megs Garden website was an instant

spark for me.

I have combined the stamps with the Butterflies

and Natures Wonders paper kit to make this

Field guide to Natures Wonders.

And this time I really wanted to do a hand stitched binding

so be sure to look below for a mini tutorial on 

how to bind a book.

The gorgeous butterflies have been glued to white cardstock

then fussy cut, spray with spray glitter and adhere 

by the centres only so the wings

can be curved upwards in flight.

I have stamped the title onto white cardstock and overlayed 

it onto a fancy metallic frame.

Add lots of paper flowers from Meg's Garden to 

create a focal point at the top of the cover.

Handy Hint

Dry brush the centres of paper flowers 

with a darker pink ink for a

more realistic look.

You just need a small stiff brush

I have used old twigs covered in lichen

from the garden to 

create a frame. 

My new favorite tool is a mini 

hacksaw!

I have cut a panel from the paper kit 

to insert inside with 3 D foam tape.

And adhered the lot onto a panel

of cardstock with a hand stitched edges.

Add trinket bee's and metal corners, some fibres

and there you have a cover.

It can be used as an journal or mini album

I have left the inside pages rather

plain so that photo's or ephemera 

can be placed over top.

Here are some of my pages, I have simply

used the papers as a collage and 

incorporated stamps when ever I wanted. 

Back Cover 

First cut chipboard to 11 x 14 cms to form covers and cover with 

Butterfly garden papers.

Cut as many pages as you like, mine measure 14 x 22 cm

 and I have 8 panels. 

Perforate the centre with a metal piercing tool.

Stamp and ink randomly around the sides with sepia

ink and a script stamp. 

Now sew centres with brown floss and a sturdy needle.

This takes some time but is worth it!

Stitch all sides with a back stitch so it show on the spine

and the middle of the folded page.

Hold together with a bull dog clip so they

are placed neatly and will not move.

Now over sew at 7 points on the spine with floss, making

sure to catch every folded edge.

When you are happy with the stitching,over stitch with green for

a contrast and adhere covers to first and last page.

Add stained seam binding under covers or as 

I have over them and cover with decoration.

Materials

 Butterflies and Natures Garden paper kit

Butterflies and Natures Wonders Rubber Stamps

Butterfly Garden at Night paper

Meg's Garden Small paper roses

Meg's Garden bee trinket

Meg's Garden corner trinkets

Meg's Garden Hardware trinkets

Happy Crafting all

Sue