Saturday 28 September 2013

Pukka pad to something different using Graphic45 Steampunk Spells...

Pukka Pad to My Notes (or spells)....in a few easy steps...


My Notes A5 pad from a Pukka A5 Project pad

Having bought some Graphic45 Steampunk Spells paper recently, I wondered what I could use it for - the images are absolutely incredible - vibrant, fun and colourful - see their website for an idea of what I mean...

Products and tools you will need to make this project:-

Products for the A5 pad

  • Pukka A5 project pad (or any other A5 pad)
  • Steampunk Spells 12 x 12ins black cog on the cream background
  • Steampunk Spells alphabet stickers
  • We R Memory Keppers Washi tape or any of the others available or even paper borders
  • Black and gold zig-zag peel off sticker

For the matching bookmark

  • Any white cardstock measuring  xxx or bookmark from Craft Creations - see here
  • Steampunk Spells black cog on the cream background (left over from the pad)

Tools you will need for both items

  • Glue (Collal all purpose glue or Pinflair glue will do fine) - or 
  • Roller tape adhesive - there are many options out there - I use either the Crafters' Companion Double sided adhesive tape or C&C Tape Roller
  • Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper (Deco) - optional - see here for stockist
  • Crop-a-dile eyelet setter tool - see here for stockist (I have bought it from Handy Hippo and eyelet!
  • Raffia or Bakers Twine 
  • Liquid Pearls - White opal (optional)


Steampunk Spells pad of 12x12ins double sided cardstock 24 sheets
I have lots of ideas but the "plainer" patterned paper made me think a bit harder - then it came to me that they would be ideal to cover an A5 pad - luckily I had an A5 Pukka Project hardback pad spare and thought they would do nicely!

It is a problem however, if you do want to do more than a couple as there are only 2 sheets of this cardstock in the pad and I have had trouble finding any more.

Graphic45 - it would be really useful if you could consider producing a CD/DVD of your artwork so that we can produce more of the designs we like - especially here in the UK where I cannot find anyone else selling this pad in the 12"x12" size (I bought the 1st lot from Create & Craft TV but they don't seem to be doing that size any more..


  • Anyway, I know you should probably measure the paper to fit the covers but what I have done is put some adhesive tape or glue along the edges of the front cover and placed the paper on it and then cut it to fit it! I then did the same for the back cover.
  • Once the glue has dried (if you've used it), then I added some contrasting tape - I used Washi tape as it lets you see the pattern underneath it. (There are lots of other varieties available - some plain and some patterned - you can find a selection from Handy Hippo
  • I have then added some black and gold zig zag peel off stickers (or any other ones you may have) around the edges adding a border to it on both the front and back so it matches.
  • Then, I have used the letters you find on the Graphic45 Steampunk Spells Alphabet stickers to make the words MY NOTES (but you can obviously choose whatever sentiments you like).
  • Finally, when you are completely satisfied with the way it looks, you can add some Liquid Pearls (or even self adhesive ones) in each of the corner on the front cover - though with the first you must wait a few hours before it has hardened!


Now to make the bookmark...


  • Either use a precut bookmark (I have used the plain white one from Craft Creations or cut out some plain cardstock to 51x178mm
  • Then cover it in the remaining card that you have used for the pad - once again I have made sure that the card is matching the left hand side and the bottom of the bookmark  and glued/stuck it.
  • Once it is secure, I then cut the remaining sides to fit
  • I then added a strip of the black and gold ziz zag border peel off stick on the bottom of the bookmark to add a bit of interest.
  • You can then use the Crop-a-Dile Corner chomper so that the top have slightly more interesting corners but you can keep it plain - but if you do use one, then please make sure you do it after you have stuck the paper on!
  • Once you have done this, then mark lightly with a pencil on the back where you want the hole to go and use your Crop-a-dile and punch your hole (you could also use one hole from a normal punch) and then fix an eyelet (colour of your choice) to it - if you don't have an Eyelet setter then you can just fix it with a pen... (see a great video from Stamp.TV here as to how to do it)
  • Then add whatever sentiment you want - I have used a Happy Birthday one but it could be anything!
  • Finally you can use raffia or ribbon to add that extra touch...
And there you go - a matching Pad and bookmark set that I think would be a lovely gift for anyone!

NB - you could also add a matching ballpoint pen if you want - by taking some of the matching paper and undoing the barrel and placing it inside - this is a bit fiddly but would look lovely!

Also, I have just had another thought - you could also cover a strip of card 80x120mm with the paper and stick 3 sides of it to the front of the pad and put the MY NOTES on that instead  and then put the bookmark inside it so that it is secure!


Saturday 14 September 2013

So many choices of crafty products - what to choose?

Looking at the various craft magazines, browsing the various craft shops (such as Handy Hippo, DoCrafts, Craft Creations, you can find online and now watching the Create and Craft TV channel (the only dedicated 24 hour Craft channel in the world), I am getting more and more confused as to what products I should be using for my various projects from "am I using the right sort of paper", "are the stamps and punches right for what I want to do" to should I embrace CD crafting or Paper packs? The list goes on and on...

It is also really hard to find a definitive answer as we all have our own preferences - I know I love CD crafting - I find the Craft Artist 2 Professional from Serif a brilliant companion to my project making as I like making my own designs - but I know some people wouldn't have the time or even enjoy doing it.

Here is a sample of what can be achieved using it:-


The above card is using the Pollyanna Pickering British Wildlife DVD which has 40 different images (based on her wonderful paintings) within CAP2 to add the background etc.

So, as part of my journey to find what works best for myself, I am going to jot down my thoughts - some of you might find them useful (well I hope you do)... it would be also really great if you could share your thoughts too!

Coming up in the next few weeks (not necessarily in this order)...


  • Digital stamps versus clip art
  • Digital stamps versus normal stamps
  • Glue - when to use a "wet" glue such as Collal or do you use a tape pen? Silicon versus PVA 
  • Angel policies - what is an Angel policy and who allows you to do what
  • Punches - various makes from Woodware, EK Success, Martha Stewart and many more...
  • Cardstock - what is the best cardstock to use for various projects and what weight paper/card is best for the various layers
  • CD kits - from Serif, My Craft Studio, Creative Card World, Keepsake and many more...
  • Terminology - what does Matt and layering mean? 


So look out for my next blog - coming soon