Blogger's Challenge Friday #7

This week's blogger's challenge is called "Alter It". Basically, we could alter anything from a frame to a tin. I chose to alter an On Board Art Journal from Stampin' Up! This also just happens to be the Ways to Use it (125) challenge this week on splitcoast. It's nice how that worked out. ;)

I had purchased this journal back in May to record my thoughts and feelings about my pregnancy, but I put off decorating it in case something went wrong. Now that I'm 4 months along, I should stop thinking that way. So this challenge is well timed.

On the drive up to the SSUS Cape Cod retreat in March, Barb & I stopped at the Scrapbook Clubhouse in Westbrook, CT. That's where I bought two sheets of the Stork paper from the Karen Foster Maternity line. It was just too pretty to pass up and it is the perfect paper to cover my pregnancy journal!

I took the two covers off the journal in order to cover them book-style like Carol Duvall always did on her show. I used Royal Coat Decoupage Finish to adhere the paper to the book. I've also heard that you can use Stampin' Up! glue sticks for this. If you'd like me to share some details & measurements, let me know!

I made a tag for the journal using one of the big circle tags from the On Board Accents chipboard. I colored the tag with Very Vanilla craft ink and dried it. Then using my Palette Noir black ink pad, I stamped the my from the retired Stampin' Up! set Phrase Starters. I stamped the 2" x 1" pregabella from Stamping Bella on some watercolor paper and then cut her out and glued her on the tag. I wasn't sure how well I'd be able to watercolor directly on the tag. (Did you know that some of the bellas come in two different sizes?) Anyway, then I stamped the word journal down the side of the tag with the also retired Stampin' Up! set Euphoria Alphabet & Numbers.

I was worried that pregabella might come off, so I smooshed my Versamark pad all over the tag and embossed with Glassy Glaze (UTEE). I did this 3 times to get it nice and smooth. Now I'm not sure if I like the shiny look of it next to the vintagey paper. I might redo that part later.

A little twill tape finishes it off nicely. Now I just need to start using it before the baby comes!

I hope you liked my entry today! Don't forget to check out the other Blogger's challenge entries! You can find links to all of their sites in my sidebar.

Stamps: pregabella from Stamping Bella, Phrase Starters II, Euphoria Mini Alphabet & Numbers
Ink: Palette Noir Black, Very Vanilla Craft Ink, Versamark
Paper: Stork by Karen Foster, watercolor paper
Accessories: Twill Tape, Pop-up glue dots
Tools: Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Aquapainter, 1/4" square punch, Royal Coat Decoupage Finish, Sponge