Folded Surprise

The surprise starts by folding card stock into three, and reverse folding both ends giving a winged effect.

The left-hand wing has pale green damask paper from A Lady's Diary collection as the base, and layers of delicate lace and ribbon over top. Then, a delightfully whimsical image of two ladies in all their finery over the top of the lace. 

Finished with vellum overlay and framed in crystal bling with sprays of toning paper flowers.

The right-hand wing was similarly done but used a pearl/crystal frame effect. 

Inside the surprise, features the finely hand-drawn image of Paris, with the "marvellous Paris" sentiment. Topped with a stunning metal filigree embellishment and silver diamonte bling, plus doily, complete the centre panel.

The reverse of the side wings again uses the beautiful pale green damask as the base, with cream heavily embroidered edging, topped with cream ribbon and again silver diamonte bling. 

Finally, a length of gossamer ribbon adhered to the back of the card, long enough to be tied at the front to hold the card closed for presentation and the perfect surprise gift. 

Julia

Floral Plaque

Sprays of the most stunning velvet flowers and leaves from Meg's Garden inspired this unusual piece.

Simple, but effective. 

Finished with pink shimmering ribbon and bow, perfect to now hang from a door handle or on the wall. 

A crystal head hat pin spiked through a Love sentiment embellishes, whilst also holding the sentiment in place.

For added drama, the lower corner features a paper doily and gold cherub.

For the most exquisite embellishments and paper collections, stroll through Meg's Garden for endless possibilities. 

Julia 

Beaded Beauty

From A Lady's Diary collection, I wanted to not only showcase the beautiful paper range with this card, but also the exquisite embellishments available from Meg's Garden.

I started with pink muted damask paper for the background, and inked the edges. 

Next I placed lustrous cream ribbon to the left of the card. Using the same ribbon, I made a bow and attached two gorgeous velvet pink flowers to the centre. 

My favourite piece, the absolutely beautiful cream beaded and embroidered edging. This is placed over teased muslin and held in place with a crystal head hat pin.

Finishing with a simple sentiment.

Spend our days of indoors creatively, and take a stroll through Meg's Garden for inspiration.

Julia

A Vintage Journal

Today, I have another take on a 'junk journal'. 

With so many uses - practical or decorative, Meg's Garden papers make it beautiful. 

It can be closed and tied and opened like a book. Or as a decorative piece, splayed out forming a star. Perfect for a table decoration or stationary piece. 

Each half section has a vellum pocket, creased and inked to highlight the distressed detail. They hold either a handmade card or Art Tag. All using the wonderful imagery pieces from Meg's Garden. 

The pockets can hold just about anything. Papers, stamps and envelopes for correspondence or as I have done, the go-to place for handmade cards. 

Metal embellishments, paper and ribbon decorations and interactive elements feature in each segment. 

There are endless possibilities for this star junk journal. 

Take care, and have a stroll through Meg's Garden for all your creative needs!

Julia

Vintage Simplicity

Another new Meg's Garden collection, and oh so much inspiration!

Today I am sharing three cards made from the Vintage Journal Collection, using the incredibly detailed papers and Cut & Create images.

When designing cards, I always look for coordination and colours to guide my creation. 

This is made so much more pleasurable using Meg's Garden papers. For my three cards, I took inspiration from the images already printed and made them "pop" off the page using the same imagery from the Cut & Create sheets.

Placing the Cut & Create images slightly off centre, I layered each with a variety of elements - muslin, ribbons and metal embellishments..all available from Meg's Garden. 

And all add to the Vintage feel.

For another textural and decorative layer, I embossed the ever versatile Art Tags from a previous collection, still coordinating perfectly. The more layers, the more detail, the more I enjoy creating with Meg's papers.

As finishing touches, I distressed and inked over raised edges. Tassels finish off each card for an element of interaction, and because everyone loves tassels!

Enjoy Meg's Garden new collection, Vintage Journal. Perfect for all your papercraft needs.

Julia

Chapter Three: Loss

From Letters, to Love.. and now to Loss.

The storytelling that evolved through using Meg's Garden Cut & Create images while creating my journal, concludes in this final chapter.

The third and final section in my junk journal starts on a sombre tone. Dark colours feature heavily, and a Vintage Journal Card image that evokes sadness to the viewer.  

Meg's Garden Junk Journal papers again form the cover pages of the chapter, perfect for making your own journals or mini albums.  

The section opens with an interactive element to begin the story.

She is sad and downcast, and the single word "thinking" leaves you with a sense of what is to come.

Opening the right reveals wedding rings. 

The left, a message, if he shouldn't make it home.

Another pocket, embellished with a spilled envelope of postage stamps. She has tried to reach her soldier without success. Inside the pocket holds her card to him, dated so long ago.

The individual sections throughout are textured - crumpled vellum, ripped and torn paper, to convey anger and sadness, as well as time and being worn from handling. 

A rose patterned paper from a previous Meg's Garden collection was the perfect piece to use with the sentiment, which I made pop out as the card is opened. Both the envelope and card are embellished using Cut & Create imagery, die cuts and lace.

He kept her photo close, as well as a stamped message - wish you were here. 

Inside his jacket, a pocket with the rings - he was to propose when returning from the front.

Pockets feature heavily in this section, holding the personal effects of her soldier. 

Using more masculine Cut & Create images, I selected items he would have on him and his clothing, matches and a letter from her, all returned to his pen pal, the only address he had.

A torn envelope holds the official documents and paperwork sent to her. Removable from the envelope, however she keeps them tucked inside. 

Each piece, including the envelope, is heavily distressed and inked. Bundling together the imagery with twine for texture, also gives the suggestion of formality and finality.

The reverse of the envelope is a rose, this time from my garden, I pressed and framed for the journal. 

My rose is now her rose, given to her from him during their time in Paris. 

She now keeps it close.

Words are minimal in this section, letting the Cut & Create imagery speak. However, here I embellished with a simple word - love. An old charm.

The distressed vellum and doily add to the layers and to the sence of loss. 

The final pocket holds Cut & Create tags - his war tags, embellished and strung together on a chain with his key.

The metal embellishments complement the masculine Vintage Journal Card, which I have used as his service photo and documentation.     

The back cover is a simple sentiment, one that sums up the journal and the journey within, decorated with a beautiful bloom of colour and joy.

It is amazing the stories that can grow from a sheet of paper. 

Video Link:  https://youtu.be/mwoWv5IIw2c

Julia

Chapter Two: Love

Chapter one ended with a passport and tickets. 

Chapter two begins with new love, adventures, excitement, and happiness - our girl is in France!

The story continues..

I used a toned-down pinks and browns colour scheme for the middle segment in the journal, for a more mature and romantic feel. The covers of the section are from Meg's Junk Journal collections and Cut & Create elements are used throughout to tell the story. 

Arriving in Paris, she receives a letter. 

She doesn't need to wonder who it may be from! Inside, two tickets, a photo, and a letter - 

'meet me at the dance tonight, don't be late!'

The envelope and inclusions are another interactive elements, which the Cut & Create images are perfect for.

Upon meeting, they discover their mutual love for dancing and music. They dance through their time together, all over Paris. 

He buys her beautiful Parisian gowns and she learns to sing.

Meg's Cut & Create imagery sings this song so well and paints the picture perfectly.

She keeps all memorabilia and many gifts. He takes photos of her, as many as he can. Time is precious.

Junk Journals are a perfect way to experiment with different paper mediums. Handmade paper, doilies, embossed vellum and stunning papers from Meg's Garden all coordinate and compliment, making for not only a visual delight - but also textural.

I created pockets using different mediums and hand-sewn elements. Each pocket contains a trinket or keepsake. Here, a decorated Art Tag peeks out, embellished with stamps, ribbons and charms and more Cut & Create images. Metal charms give extra texture, plus add to the vintage feel.

A pop-out sentiment features in between the middle pages. Not only is it the fitting sentiment for our lovers, but it continues their story. Meg's theme from a previous collection inspired me to include dance as part of the story.

I couldn't resist using one of my absolute favourite embellishments, vellum pockets, throughout the journal. Inside I have tucked away pieces he has collected, photos and gifts from her, their time together. I used a masculine Vintage Journal Card to give the feeling that we are looking in his pockets or suitcase. His belongings.

Meg's beautiful watercolour tones set the feeling perfectly - contentment and happiness. What could possibly stop this whirlwind love?

I reintroduced darker colours and embellishments at the end of the chapter.  

Gone is the colour from their lives and reality has come in the form of a letter - he has to return to the battle at the front, immediately.

He leaves her with a orchid, to watch bloom and think of him.

Inspired by the Cut & Create images, in particular the fob watch and sentiment, I used this to convey time. 

His single orchid has over grown in the garden. He still isn't back yet. 

How long has it been?

Video of Journal:  https://youtu.be/6d3ScNj_2-w

  

Julia