My Time to Create - Sketch Challenge!

Well, the "back to school" break is over, and the My Time to Create team is back with an awesome sketch from Lauren :]

I chose not to make a card this week, and instead I made a journal (which will turn into my "to-do" book at work). Sooo...it's not exactly to scale with the sketch, but it's close. I bought a handful of journals from Michaels for $1 each. This is one of them. Here's a before shot of the disassembled journal.

I added some DSP and adhered it using Scor-Tape (strong stuff...perfect for the abuse I will put it through :O) I gave it a finished look by adding SU! Vanilla cs.

The other day I decided I wanted to cross stitch an image for my project. I chose to use this flower from Lisa Johnson's Papertrey Ink Flower Garden set. I stamped the flower onto a piece of linen using Memento, Tuxedo Black ink, and stitched it using craft thread. DISCLAIMER: I've only cross stitched a couple of times before...about 10 years ago...sooo, the cross stitching on this panel is nothing to zoom in and check out ;)

After I finished the flower, I pierced a "border" and used the holes as guides to stitch it to a piece of card stock. I gently pulled the loose threads on the outside of my stitches to create the frayed look.

I sponged the fray and the thread with Tim Holtz Antique Linen distress ink to give it a more vintage feel. For the bottom panel, I used the same ink to stamp PTI's Background Basics: Text Style. I distressed the edges of both pieces of cs and sponged the vanilla with the Antique Linen. I added some black hemp twine, two brads and some ribbon to the spine, stamped "happiness" at the bottom, and put everything back together! Wah-lah! My journal...err..."to-do" book for work.

I won't use this until I fill up the book I'm already using at the office, so it might sit in storage for a while or even become a gift for someone else! Who knows?

So, this week is easy - a sketch!! If you want to play along, we would LOVE to see what you come up with, and you will also be in the running to be featured as a "My Time to Shine, Top 5" designer!! Be sure to use keyword "mytimess35" in the online galleries and don't forget to post your project using Mr. Linky on Lauren's blog so that we can check out your work! Hope you can play along this weekend! Swing by the rest of the team's blogs for some added inspiration! They're sure to WOW you! Their links are in my left sidebar <----

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have an extra long, SAFE, craft-filled, Labor Day weekend :O)