Hi crafty friends. I am so excited that Graphic 45 released Nature Notebook as a Deluxe Collector’s Edition. Graphic 45 first released the collection in 2017 as Nature Sketchbook. Being new to Graphic 45 at that time, I didn’t purchase the collection and am so glad to have the opportunity to buy the DCE now. If you missed out the first time around, head over to the FotoBella online store to purchase the collection today!
The papers in the Nature Notebook collection are gorgeous nature prints. They’re filled with both dark and light colors, and there’s a great balance to the collection. The DCE’s also come with two sticker sheets and the chipboard pieces. Having waited so long to get my hands on this collection, I want to make something special. I decided to decorate a Graphic 45 black ATC matchbook box and make a field notebook with handmade paper inside. Additionally, because Nature Notebook features butterflies throughout it, I am using my new Graphic 45 butterfly dies.
Nature Notebook ATC Matchbook Box
I really love the look of the ferns on the “Verdent Woodlands” paper in the collection and will use this paper as the front and sides to my Nature Notebook box. I will use the B-side to cover the insides of the box. For the top and bottom of my box, I am using “Wildflower Bouquet.” I cut the butterfly border strip from “Seasonal Splendor” to add along the bottom to give it some color. This strip is popped up on foam squares for dimension.
I am choosing the round blue sticker and backing it onto green cardstock. Also, I will use a small piece of chipboard with yellow in it to bring out the color of my field notebook. Using my Graphic 45 butterfly dies, I cut two layers of each butterfly to make them dimensional. I added Glossy Accents to the smaller butterfly and green gems to the larger butterfly. A small green flower adds the finishing touch and completes my Nature Notebook box.
The Field Notebook
I want my tiny notebook to stand out so I am choosing the soft yellow paper with the butterflies and flowers. I recently watched a YouTube video on how to make paper “suede” and am making my cover using this technique. Rather than using a brown paper bag, I am using my decorative paper from Nature Notebook. This process involves crinkling the paper-wadding it into a ball! Naturally, as a lover of all things Graphic 45, I was hesitant to take this step, but I finally did it. Then, distress inks add color and make the paper look worn. I am using Vintage Photo, Scattered Straw, and Evergreen Bough by Tim Holtz. Once finished, I added hair conditioner to the paper to turn it into “suede.”
I am shocked at how soft, yet textured the paper is. And it has a lovely coconut smell from the conditioner I used, too. I repeated the process with a second piece of Nature Notebook, though in a darker shade. Once both pieces are dry, I glued the layers together and stitched around the edges on my sewing machine. I will add an elastic closure with three charms to wrap around the notebook. Inside, I am hand stitching three signatures with paper I handmade from recycled junk mail. The edges of the pages are distressed with Scattered Straw and Evergreen Bough. On the front of each signature is a cut-apart image from Nature Notebook and a dried flower I picked last spring.
I hope my project has inspired you to purchase this Graphic 45 DCE to make something amazing for yourself or as a gift for someone special.
Kristine