Tres Jolie Kit Club–Let’s Explore!–May 2023 Scrapbooking Kit

Hey, y’all! This week I have a mood board inspired layout for you using the 49 & Market “Everywhere” collection from the Scrapbooking Kit and the mediums and stencil pack from the Mixed Media Kit. I started my paper crafting journey close to 15 years ago – with paper, glue, and scissors – it didn’t take long for me to realize I “needed” a few more supplies! I started with solid papers – I was terrified of patterned paper! How do you not have elements clashing?!?! And, even though I used duplicate photo prints, I still couldn’t fathom cutting them! Suffice it to say, my initial layouts are, comparatively, bland.

What was my biggest game-changer? Learning about the existence of gesso – especially clear gesso. I have zero formal training in physical art, so for everything I do now, I had to learn from videos, experience, and luck! Lots and lots of “dumb luck” LOL! Y’all, I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how others were adding wet mediums to their layouts and getting them to move around instead of soaking in and becoming splotches. Then I learned about gesso. Clear gesso when you don’t want to cover everything, and white gesso to create a “clean” area for your feature photos. And, even though I haven’t needed to (yet!), black gesso could easily be used too!

That brings us to my layout! A remarkable evolution from my first layout which had two solid colored cardstocks and two 4”x6” photos. Make sure you check out my process video to see what I did to put it all together!

sbkit-moodboard-4



This project was also inspired by this month’s mood board – maps, travel, and adventure – even if the adventure is a walk and picking flowers. Plus the twist “Oh The Places You Will Go” has both a literal and figurative interpretation. There isn’t just the physical adventure or possibilities of adventure, but the great adventure of life!

Tres Jolie Mood Board

moodboard


After I finally managed to decide which sheet of patterned paper I wanted to use, I added a coat of clear gesso. While that gesso dried, I remembered I needed to coat the Tres Jolie Chipboard pieces – but I had already rinsed out my brush and was preparing to wind down for the day, so I gave them a spray of Workable Fixatif for convenience!

After the gesso had dried, I used the Seth Apter “Flakey” Texture Paste and the Tim Holtz Circle Fade Stencil from the Mixed Media Kit this month to start building my background with a few random areas of texture where I was planning on adding my photos and clusters.

sbkit-moodboard-1 sbkit-moodboard-6

After the texture paste had dried, I mixed together each of the three PearlEx Powders from the Mixed Media Kit with water in a small palette to use as watercolors to add on and around the stenciling – then I just dipped into my three watercolors, let them move around on the background naturally and added a few extra splatters of the “Duo Aqua Blue” and “Sky Blue.” I also added a light coating of Workable Fixatif after my colors had dried to hold those powders in place.

sbkit-moodboard-2 sbkit-moodboard-5

As I started playing around with the elements I had decided to use, I realized I needed a little extra separation between the background and the photos, so I added some extra, torn-edge, pieces of paper as part of my layering process. I have my photos backed with some adhesive foam to help stabilize them, and then I just started positioning everything where I wanted it, then came in and added hot glue underneath the pieces – because I didn’t want to “forget” what I had originally planned if I tried taking everything off then rebuilding with the glue!

sbkit-moodboard-3 sbkit-moodboard-7

For the Tres Jolie Chipboard, I used a mix of the “Worn Jeans” Chalk Ink found in this month’s Cards, Tags, & More Kit, the three PearlEx Powders from the Mixed Media Kit, and clear embossing ink (refill bottle) and Extra Thick Embossing Powder from my stash. I started with the chalk ink, sprinkled, brushed, and watered down the PearlEx Powders while the ink was still wet, then decided what I really needed was some embossing – and that’s when I used my refill embossing ink to “paint” my powders in place before adding the Extra Thick Embossing Powder. Then I did it a second time – minus the chalk ink – so I have two layers of color and embossing powder!

After everything was in place and the hot glue had cooled down, I came back with my palette of “watercolors” to extend the areas of color and to blend in the torn pieces of paper I had added with my clusters and photos.

I hope you enjoyed this layout and it gave you some ideas of how you can use the mediums from the Mixed Media Kit and the “Everywhere” Collection from the Scrapbooking Kit!

Stay Crafty, Friends


Did you get a kit? Share what you made in our Facebook Group!

Thank you for joining us here at Tres Jolie Kits!


Tres Jolie can also be found at:

Tres Jolie Facebook

Tres Jolie TikTok

Tres Jolie Instagram

Tres Jolie Website

Tres Jolie Subscriptions

Tres Jolie Blog

Tres Jolie YouTube

Tres Jolie Pinterest


Tres Jolie Insta Square Frame Tres Jolie Insta Square Frame

In addition to this month’s Scrapbooking Kit and Mixed Media Kit, I used:

StazOn “Jet Black,” Dear Lizzy Date Stamp, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, Finnabair Clear Gesso, Ranger Clear Extra Thick Embossing Powder, Ranger Clear Emboss-It Ink Refill Bottle, double-sided adhesive foam, Krylon Workable Fixatif, Art Glitter Glue, Gorilla Glue Gun & Glue Sticks

Tres Jolie Kit Club– Coaster Set–May 2023 Mixed media Kit

Hey, y’all! Have you opened your Tres Jolie May Mixed Media Kit yet? Have you seen all the creative fun you can have with it? I was over the moon excited when I saw the PearlEx powders! I love blues and teals! And a blank coaster set to decorate? How awesome is that? You can easily use these coasters as they are – just adding some kind of protective surface like epoxy resin (self-leveling!) when you have them decorated – or you can use them as mini-art boards and use them as home décor if you want! Endless possibilities!

However, I just already happened to have some square silicone coaster molds and epoxy resin, so I created a coaster set! I added some heavy white gesso from my stash, used the Tim Holtz stencils, Seth Apter texture paste, and the PearlEx “MicroPearl” powder from the kit, and decorated one side of the Dress My Craft coasters. I have a process video for you, make sure to check it out!

coasters-6



Creating these coasters wasn’t at all very difficult! Waiting for the epoxy resin to cure was the most time-consuming! I hadn’t originally planned on using the silicone molds I’ve had for a few years now, but after I added the texture paste to the coaster blanks, I decided to see how well they would fit into the molds. They weren’t a “perfect” fit – the blanks were a hair larger – but I decided it was close enough for me to work with!

texture paste pearlex

To start, I coated one side of the coasters with some heavy gesso, and after the gesso had dried, I added random stenciling using the Tim Holtz Stencils and Seth Apter Texture paste found in this month’s kit.

While the texture paste was still wet, I sprinkled on some of the “MicroPearl” PearlEx Powder, spritzed it with water, and then let everything air dry.

epoxy1 epoxy2 epoxy3

I started my resin process by only adding a thin layer to the mold and letting the resin pool whichever way it decided to. Then, on the now-hardened pools of resin, I added some of the Transfer Me pieces. The next step was to add some color! After I mixed up a batch of resin, I separated some of it into three small cups so I could mix in the three PearlEx powders. I didn’t stir my colors together in the mold, instead, I pressed the texture paste coated coasters in and let any extra just flow over the bottom – which also has a lovely pattern!

coasters-1

After this batch of resin had cured, I unmolded the coasters and added more of the Transfer Me designs to the surface.

coasters-2 coasters-4

To seal up and protect the final Transfer Me design, I used my gloved hands to spread a light coating of epoxy across the surface.

coasters-3 coasters-5

I will be taking my coaster out to the workshop to smooth out the bottom edges a little from when I pushed the Dress My Craft coasters into the molds and then adding a second thin coat of resin all over the surface of the coaster, but overall, these coasters are done! If my resin hadn’t tried to get away from me too badly when I squished the Dress My Craft coasters in, I don’t think I would have even had to do any cleanup!

coasters-7

Thank you for joining me here on the blog today! I hope you enjoyed my coaster-making process and it gave you some ideas of what you can do with all the goodies found in this month’s Mixed Media Kit!

Stay Crafty, Friends


Did you get a kit? Share what you made in our Facebook Group!

Thank you for joining us here at Tres Jolie Kits!


Tres Jolie can also be found at:

Tres Jolie Facebook

Tres Jolie TikTok

Tres Jolie Instagram

Tres Jolie Website

Tres Jolie Subscriptions

Tres Jolie Blog

Tres Jolie YouTube

Tres Jolie Pinterest


Tres Jolie Insta Square Frame

In addition to this month’s Mixed Media Kit, I used (from previous Tres Jolie Kits):

Finnabair Heavy White Gesso, Amulite Amazing Clear Cast Epoxy, unbranded coaster molds, spray bottle

Reveal Day! – Tres Jolie Kit Club–May 2023 Kits!

Hey, y’all! Is it May already? WOW! But at least that means it’s time for new Tres Jolie Kits! YAY! As always, these kits are FAB-U-LOUS and perfect for your May creations!

Summer is drawing nearer, soon the season of swimming, bar-b-que’s, and campfires will be in full swing! Make sure you have your Tres Jolie Kit Club kits so you can create your summer memory crafts and preserve your summer memories! Be sure to get your kits before they’re gone! Or, better yet, subscribe to Tres Jolie Kit Club so you will never miss a kit!

Be sure you follow us on all social media platforms (Tres Jolie Kit Club links at the end of the post; Corner Scraps links to the right) and have joined the Tres Jolie Kit Club Facebook Café so you won’t miss a single announcement or project created with these kits.

Kit Reveal Banner

The May 2023 Scrapbooking Kit is filled with the wonderful 12”x12” Collection Pack, Laser Cut Elements, and Tag Set from 49 & Market’s Everywhere line! You will also find 49 & Market coordinating flower packs, and fabulous Tres Jolie Chipboard geotags and compass pieces! As always, these papers will be amazing for all your upcoming projects, whether they are beautiful layouts, junk journals, cards, or anything in between! You will find a lovely assortment of patterned papers and perfectly coordinated embellishments.

In the Mixed Media Kit, you will find beautiful PearlEx Pigment Powders in Micropearl, Aqua-Blue, and Sky Blue! These pigment powders will add beautiful color to the Izink Flakey Texture Paste by Seth Apter if you choose or can be used to add some accent color to the Dress My Craft Transfer Me 3D White Damask’s. Decorate the coaster blanks from Dress My Craft using the Tim Holtz Mini Stencils, and add more or a different, texture with some art stones! No matter what you decide to do, the Mixed Media Kit is sure to give you hours of happy craft time!

In the Cards, Tags, & More Kit, you will find a 6”x8” patterned paper pad and cardstock stickers from BoBunny’s Garden Grove collection that you can use to create unique cards using the solid cardstock sheets from the kit, decorate the tags found in the kit, create some ATCs, or whatever you can think of! Who doesn’t like creating a variety of projects from one kit?

These kits are for the beginner to the advanced; from clean and simple – to mixed media maven. No matter your style, there is something for everyone. We know you are going to love it!


And now (drumroll, please) the May 2023 Kits from Tres Jolie:

Tres Jolie Insta Square Frame

Scrapbooking Kit

Tres Jolie Insta Square Frame

Mixed Media Kit

Tres Jolie Insta Square Frame

Cards, Tags, & More Kit


Don’t forget to stop by the Tres Jolie YouTube channel and see our video reveal for all our kits.

Love them, right?!?! You can still get one of your own (some kits are in very limited quantities). Become a subscriber and you will never miss out on our gorgeous, coordinated kits. Just visit Tres Jolie Subscribe.


The designers at Tres Jolie have created some amazing layouts and projects with this kit. I have had a busy April, but I have one sneak peek for you!

album-sneak


Please stop by the other designer’s blog to check out their sneak peeks:


We have a new mood board challenge for the month, with the following rules and guidelines:

Tres Jolie Mood Board

moodboard


Place your entries in the April 2023 challenge folder on the Tres Jolie Kit Club Café Facebook page. This challenge ends on April 30th, 2023 at 11:59 pm CDT. All entries must be in this folder to be eligible for the prize (to have everyone eligible to win, we limit the same winner to once every 3 months).


Did you get a kit? Share what you made in our Facebook Group!

Thank you for joining us here at Tres Jolie Kits!


Tres Jolie can also be found at:

Tres Jolie Facebook

Tres Jolie TikTok

Tres Jolie Instagram

Tres Jolie Website

Tres Jolie Subscriptions

Tres Jolie Blog

Tres Jolie YouTube

Tres Jolie Pinterest


All the designers will be revealing their projects on the Tres Jolie Blog all month. Be sure you join us for tons of inspiration, including video and photo tutorials. Also, make sure you check out the newest Tres Jolie Chipboard designs that were just added to the store.

Tres Jolie Kit Club–Heart Album–February 2023 Cards, Tags, & More Kit

Hey, y’all! Have you seen the fabulous heart-shaped mini album in this month’s Cards, Tags, & More Kit yet? It is so adorable and makes putting a love-themed mini together quick and easy.

Make sure to check out my video to see how I decided to use my album with this month’s papers and embellishments, then grab your scissors and glue and get started on yours!

feb23-HeartMini-01



feb23-HeartMini-02 feb23-HeartMini-04

To prepare my chipboard, I mixed some white gesso with a bit of the Worn Lipstick ink from the kit and brushed it on the front of the heart-filled-heart chipboard page and the back of the flower-filled-heart page, as well as around the edges of the front and back of the other three pages.

Using the chipboard as a template, I traced out hearts for each of the cover hearts from all of the different patterned papers, glued them in place, then backed the page with a full sheet of the pink with white hearts patterned paper – turned 45° the paper covers all of the “holes” surrounding the hearts!

I didn’t want to over-do the flower page, so I just added some of the “XOXO” paper to some of the larger flower centers, then backed everything with a sheet of the pink floral print patterned paper.

feb23-HeartMini-10

For the background of each page, I decided to do some paper piecing instead of trying to decide which paper I wanted to use – they are all so beautiful, I had to use them all!

I just cut out some templates to work on using some plain printer paper – it is far more forgiving if I make a mistake than the chipboard would be – and randomly (by randomly, I mean I didn’t think about the width or pattern too much when selecting which strip to use!) glued down my strips of patterned paper. I didn’t bother measuring my strips either, I just put the paper through my trimmer a width I felt was good, cut, and did it again until I had a fair amount of strips to start working with.

After I had all of my backgrounds finished, I trimmed them up, distressed and inked the edges, and glued them in place.

Although I hadn’t originally planned on adding stitching to every page, as I was working on the album, I determined that it was “necessary” for each page to have some of the simple straight stitches added to them! I just created a quick template so my spacing would be even, then used an awl to poke the holes through before adding the variegated perle cotton thread.

stitchLine


With the base of all the pages completed, it was just a matter of picking papers to use as photo mats, pockets, and envelopes! I also decided to use the circles from the pop-out pages to create a couple of window pockets on the photo mats!

Some elements are backed with thin foam (about 1/16” or approximately 2mm) just to add a little depth, but I didn’t want my pages to be too bulky since they would be going on album rings.

feb23-HeartMini-05 feb23-HeartMini-06

The first page has a “hidden” envelope – I attached the photo mat and frame to the envelope flap, then used a bit of ribbon from my stash to keep it tied down.

On a couple of pages, I just have photo mats – again, because I didn’t want there to be too much bulk on the pages! Then on other pages, I added pockets, a couple turned horizontal, and I added touches of ribbon to almost every page, just to keep the design elements [mostly] the same.

feb23-HeartMini-07 feb23-HeartMini-08

On the page with the tied horizontal ribbon, I left two of the envelope flaps open and created a double-flip out page element.

I kept my flower page rather simple – I didn’t want to create something too busy or cover up the chipboard, so all I did is add a bit of the ink and a couple of photo mats.

Finally, to finish it off, I just added a single envelope to the inside of the back cover to hold any larger ephemera or notes.


feb23-HeartMini-03

For the cluster on the front of my album, I just cut a strip of the lace print paper, added some of my ribbon to each side, and stacked a couple of the Prima flowers on under one of the resin frames and the “I Love You” piece I had cut from one of the pop-out pieces.

When I was adding the gesso to my chipboard, I also added it to the resin pieces so they would be ready to use, so when I did decide my cover would need one, all I did is add a second coat of gesso (heavy gesso this time!) after dabbing on some of the ink. I don’t know if it’s odd or not, but I really love how matte gesso is!

After everything had dried, all that was left to do is slide the pages on to my album rings.

feb23-HeartMini-09

Thank you for joining me today on the blog! I hope you enjoyed my mini album and it gave you some ideas of what you can do to create your own mini album! I’ll see you again soon!

Stay Crafty, Friends


Did you get a kit? Share what you made in our Facebook Group!

Thank you for joining us here at Tres Jolie Kits!


Tres Jolie can also be found at:

Tres Jolie Facebook

Tres Jolie Instagram

Tres Jolie Website

Tres Jolie Subscriptions

Tres Jolie Blog

Tres Jolie YouTube

Tres Jolie Pinterest


Tres Jolie Insta Square Frame

In addition to this month’s Cards, Tags, & More Kit, I used:

Daler-Rowney White Gesso, Art Glitter Glue, Aleene’s Tacky Glue, UHU Glue Stic, Finnabair Heavy White Gesso, Fabri-Tac, Stampin’ Up Rococo Rose Ribbon, 3D Matte Gel, JudiKins Diamond Glaze, Variegated Pink Size 5 Perle Cotton Thread (Probably DMC), craft foam, We R Memory Keepers: Envelope Punch Board, Mini Envelope Punch Board, album/book rings

Tres Jolie + InkyStamper 2023 Calendar

Hey, y’all! This week, I have a quickie project for you using the adorable 2023 Calendar Kit from InkyStamper that includes a stand made by Tres Jolie! How super is that! Small business supporting small business!

I kept my calendar rather simple, just enjoying the process of coloring in the pre-stamped images. It was a nice change of pace to just work with what I had and not have to do, what I like to call, “heavy thinkin’.” Since I am assuming that the use of Copic Markers will be touched on – and the example images on the 2023 InkyStamper Calendar Class Kit store page appear to be colored with marker – I decided to use some Workable Fixatif and my Distress Watercolor Pencils for my images. You can use whatever you want or have on hand though! Your kid’s crayons? Go for it! Colored pencils? Use them! You don’t need anything fancy or a “professional artist” brand or quality item to color these images!

I have a 15-ish minute video for you to go with my calendar, where I talk about the kit, using watercolor pencils, & why I love Workable Fixatif, make a mess trying to get my stand how I was picturing it in my head, and show the real-life inspiration for my September and October!

calendar-1



Easy-peasy, right? Except for me and my stand – that may have been more comical! Orange mediums EV-ER-Y-WHERE!!

calendar-4 calendar-3

As promised in the video, here is the chart of all the colors I used from [all three sets of] the Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Pencils. As always, the complete product list can be found at the end of this post.

January:
Iced Spruce,
Kitsch Flamingo,
Peacock Feathers,
Vintage Photo,
Hickory Smoke
February:
Speckled Egg,
Hickory Smoke,
Black Soot,
Picket Fence,
Antique Linen
March:
Frayed Burlap,
Fired Brick,
Black Soot
April:
Faded Jeans,
Mustard Seed,
Antique Linen,
Tattered Rose,
Walnut Stain,
Picked Raspberry
May:
Twisted Citron,
Shaded Lilac,
Crushed Olive,
Rustic Wilderness
June:
Villainous Potion,
Shaded Lilac
July:
Speckled Egg,
Tumbled Glass,
Wild Honey
August:
Rustic Wilderness,
Cracked Pistachio,
Tumbled Glass
September:
Picked Raspberry,
Black Soot,
Hickory Smoke,
October:
Prize Ribbon,
Black Soot,
Hickory Smoke,
Kitsch Flamingo
November:
Rusty Hinge,
Black Soot,
Tattered Rose
December:
Hickory Smoke,
Candied Apple,
Peeled Paint,
Frayed Burlap,
Black Soot,
Picked Raspberry

calendar-2

Thank you for joining me here at Tres Jolie today! I hope I gave you some ideas to color in your InkyStamper Calendar! If you haven’t picked up a kit yet, now’s the time!

Stay Crafty, Friends


Did you get a kit? Share what you made in our Facebook Group!

Thank you for joining us here at Tres Jolie Kits!


Tres Jolie can also be found at:

Tres Jolie Facebook

Tres Jolie Instagram

Tres Jolie Website

Tres Jolie Subscriptions

Tres Jolie Blog

Tres Jolie YouTube

Tres Jolie Pinterest


Products (from previous Tres Jolie Kits):

InkyStamper 2023 Calendar Kit featuring the calendar stand made by Tres Jolie!, Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Pencils Sets 1, 2 & 3, Ranger Water Brush (Detailer), Krylon Workable Fixatif, Dina Wakley “Tangerine” Acrylic Paint, Dina Wakley “Tangerine” Gloss Spray, Finnabair Liquid Color Fluid Medium, Americana-DecoArt “Bright Orange” Gloss Enamels, Jacquard Gum Arabic, Art Glitter Glue, Black Fine Tip Sharpie, White Sakura Gel Pen

Tres Jolie Kit Club–Tag Journal–January 2023 Cards, Tags, & More Kit

Hey, y’all! Hope you had a wonderful New Year celebration – whether it was out and about, or at home in jammies like me!

The best part of a new month and a new year is the new Tres Jolie Kits! YAY! And January is starting out fan-tab-u-lous-ly! I absolutely love the colors and styles that the kits are bringing this month. So, to get you started with your Cards, Tags, & More Kit, I have a little tag journal/booklet for you I made using some up-cycled packaging for the covers and decorated with the 3Quarter Designs “Imagine If” papers from the kit.

jan23-tagJournal-01

I have a video for you that covers what and how I did what I did that you can check out to recreate your own tag journal or just watch to pull some ideas from to expand upon!


jan23-tagJournal-02

I started my process by cutting up the packaging from a carton of canned beverages into approximately 5”x7” pieces, leaving the end flaps in place on two of the four pieces to create my pockets with (they measure 5”x7”-ish with the flaps folded up!)

Since my entire idea was about creating a vintage “pieced-together” look, it didn’t matter in the slightest if my cuts were straight or if the pieces were exact! It just added to the overall design! Plus, I would be coming in and distressing the edges, so there was really no need for straight cuts!

On the two rectangles that I didn’t leave the flap on for the pocket – the outside layers of the cover pieces – I used the two embossing folders from the Tim Holtz “Book Cover Set” to give them some texture. Then, I used some soft matte gel to glue my inner (the pieces with the flap) and outer (the embossed pieces) together, making sure to fill in my embossing so as I worked, it would un-emboss!

Once the gel had dried, I distress my edges and used some “Ground Espresso” stain to dye my journal covers. After that had dried, I tore the pieces of paper I wanted to add to the covers, added the same embossing, lined up the embossed areas, and glued them into place.

jan23-tagJournal-03

For the inside layers, because I wanted to make sure the pockets were well attached, I stitched my pocket (edges) to the background paper first – then I used some double-sided tape to really make sure I had good adhesion to the journal cover.

jan23-tagJournal-04 jan23-tagJournal-12 jan23-tagJournal-07

Once I had the bits of paper and fabric scraps picked out that I wanted to use and added my decorative stitching, finishing up the journal was a quick process – it was just a matter of stitching and gluing everything in place!

jan23-tagJournal-05 jan23-tagJournal-13 jan23-tagJournal-09

So I would have a “finished” look on both sides of the covers and flaps, I wouldn’t stitch the papers directly to the cover on both sides – I would only do direct stitching on one side. Then, for the other side, I would add my stitching to the paper(s) and glue them in place. This way I wouldn’t have any rough holes where the needle came through.

I really didn’t have any rhyme or reason when it came to creating all the little clusters and collage-ish pieces, I just grabbed up from the bits I had picked out, layered them up, added some of the flowers and some stitches, and just created what I felt like!

I had the same process for my tags, I created random-sized tags, created my clusters for them, then used some Fabri-Tac to make sure they stayed put! I didn’t want to stitch my clusters to my tags for a couple of reasons – the first reason being purely aesthetic – I didn’t want rough holes from the needle – the second reason is that I created a couple of ledger printables to add to the backs so notes would be able to be written on [the back of] the tags easier! (Well, easier for me, because I can’t write in a straight line on a blank surface to save my life!)

jan23-tagJournal-14 jan23-tagJournal-20

To add some extra dimension to a few of the fussy cut pieces, I gave them a layer of Glossy Accents and after they had dried completely, I added a few cracks to really create an aged appearance.

jan23-tagJournal-15 jan23-tagJournal-08

For the two tags that have the deep purple satin fabric as their pulls, I added stitching up and down them to keep that fabric from fraying. I may not have been able to tear that satin fabric, but once it wants to fray, it just keeps on going!

jan23-tagJournal-16 jan23-tagJournal-18

Then, just for these two tags, I stitched the pulls directly to the tops for the extra bit of security with that slippery fabric.

jan23-tagJournal-17 jan23-tagJournal-19

For the tags that have the variety of cotton-blend fabrics as their pulls, I didn’t sew them up like I did the satin ones, because although they can fray, they don’t quite do it all on their own the way the satin does! Then, to attach them to the tops, I just used my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher and popped in a couple of staples crossed over each other like an “X.”

jan23-tagJournal-06 jan23-tagJournal-10

Thank you for joining me today! I hope you enjoyed this Tag Journal and it gave you some ideas of what you can create using this month’s Cards, Tags, & More Kit and some up-cycled packaging!

Stay Crafty, Friends


Did you get a kit? Share what you made in our Facebook Group!

Thank you for joining us here at Tres Jolie Kits!


Tres Jolie can also be found at:

Tres Jolie Facebook

Tres Jolie Instagram

Tres Jolie Website

Tres Jolie Subscriptions

Tres Jolie Blog

Tres Jolie YouTube

Tres Jolie Pinterest


Tres Jolie Insta Square Frame

In addition to this month’s Cards, Tags, & More Kit, I used:

Tim Holtz “Book Cover” Embossing Folders , Distress Spray Stain “Ground Espresso” , Distress Paint “Ground Espresso” , Distress Paint “Villainous Potion” , Dina Wakley “Olive” Acrylic Paint , Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher , Tim Holtz Sanding Block , Tim Holtz Jute String , We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper , We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile II , Finnabair Soft Matte Gel , Glossy Accents , Fabri-Tac , thin chipboard (ex: cereal box) , fabric scraps , Dritz 1/4” Eyelets , 1/2” Herringbone Edging

Tres Jolie Kit Club–Christmas Journals!-December 2022 Scrapbooking Kit

Hey, y’all! The year is coming to a close, but that means a whole new year of Tres Jolie Kits to look forward to! YAY!!!

For my last project of 2022, I used this month’s Scrapbooking Kit – along with my stash of junk journaling materials – to create two Christmas journals. Each journal has envelopes, tuck-ins, flips, and loads of pages for journaling your Christmas thoughts and memories. And even though Christmas 2022 has passed, you can still create a memory journal while we are in that awkward time between Christmas and the New Year when it’s questionable if we are sure what day it is!!

Did you have a friend and/or family gathering? You could have everyone who attended write what they remembered about Christmas! Did people travel from various distances? Just send it around in the mail or have them write letters you can glue or clip to the pages!

dec22-journals-sbkit-15


Check out my overview video where I give some details of what went into these journals:


dec22-journals-sbkit-02 dec22-journals-sbkit-07

The two journals are very similar – it was just a matter of what signatures were added to which cover after I decided I had more than enough to create two journals. I used some canvas-type fabric on the covers, and some mulberry paper to cover the spines. On the journal with “Memo” on the cover, I inked the mulberry paper and added some ink splotches to the printables. For the closures, I just stitched together layers of ribbons and fabric scraps to create a wrap.

dec22-journals-sbkit-10 dec22-journals-sbkit-06

I digitally create some Christmas-themed end papers for my journals and attached them in a non-traditional way by either cutting or tearing the side that isn’t attached to the cover gluing it down to the first page of the journal.

dec22-journals-sbkit-04 dec22-journals-sbkit-03 dec22-journals-sbkit-13

For added texture and to fit with the “put together” and “vintage” style, I would just stitch my printables straight to the pages I wanted them on.

I used a few black tags from my stash and added some layers of the various papers from the Simple Stories papers in the kit, created tuck-in spots using some of the Simple Stories ephemera and backed a few of the cut apart Simple Stories cards with pieces of hanging file folder!

dec22-journals-sbkit-14 dec22-journals-sbkit-11 dec22-journals-sbkit-12

I have a variety of paper and pages throughout the journals created using patterned paper, printables, and some original vintage pages. I also created and added some homemade glassine using the method I learned from Nik the Booksmith. I also created a couple of Nik’s “Raggedy” inserts into the journals made up of a cardstock base and a variety of ephemera stitched and glued on.

dec22-journals-sbkit-05 dec22-journals-sbkit-09 sbKit-journal-sneak

I created my own vintage style, Christmas-themed labels to add in, and even decided I needed a custom Bookbinders Label to add to both journals. You can grab up a free printable with some Christmas-themed labels on them over on my Flickr!

dec22-journals-sbkit-01 dec22-journals-sbkit-08

Thank you for joining me here today! I hope you enjoyed these journals and that they gave you an idea of what you can make using this month’s Scrapbooking Kit!

Warm Wishes for a Safe and Happy New Year!

Stay Crafty, Friends


Did you get a kit? Share what you made in our Facebook Group!

Thank you for joining us here at Tres Jolie Kits!


Tres Jolie can also be found at:

Tres Jolie Facebook

Tres Jolie Instagram

Tres Jolie Website

Tres Jolie Subscriptions

Tres Jolie Blog

Tres Jolie YouTube

Tres Jolie Pinterest


sbKit

In addition to this month’s Scrapbooking Kit (*from previous Tres Jolie Kits), I used:

White Paper Doily , Red Paper Doilies , Corner Scraps Studio “Vintage Holiday” , “Vintage Style Mailing Labels” , “The Randoms” , & “Vintage Style Labels” Printables , Cardstock Warehouse Thai Unryu “Charcoal” , Distress Ink “Gathered Twigs” , Distress Oxide “Evergreen Bough” , American Crafts “Christmas Day” Stamp , We R Memory Keepers: 3-Way Corner Punch, Hole Reinforcer Punch, Crop-A-Dile II, Tab Punch , Mini Envelope Punch Board , EK Tools “Round Binding Edge” Punch , Recollections 2-1/2” (6.35cm) Circle Punch , variety of junk journal papers, pages, folders, napkins, & ephemera , deli paper , tracing paper , old book covers , Pellon 806 Stitch-N-Tear , Pellon 911FF Fusible Featherweight Interfacing, Heat-N-Bond Ultra Hold , LineCo Mousseline , LineCo PVA , fabric for covers & decoration , Krylon Workable Fixatif , Rust-Oleum Clear Satin 2X , ModPodge Gloss Spray Sealer , Krylon Matte Finish , Ranger Glossy Accents , Art Glitter Glue , Fabri-Tac , UHU Stic , JudiKins MicroGlaze , red heavy weight (button/rug) thread , vintage hole reinforcements , 3/8” ScorTape , 1” double-sided tape , Scotchgard , blending brushes

Tres Jolie Kit Club–Ornaments!–December 2022 Cards, Tags, & More Kit

Hey, y’all! Yesterday was the first day of winter (Winter Solstice). Today is the 4th-5th day of Hanukkah (the 5th day of Hanukkah will start at sundown tonight if my counting is correct – if I’m wrong, feel free to correct me!), Christmas is on Sunday, Kwanzaa starts Monday, and 2023 is ten days away! It’s been a year I tell ya! Don’t worry though, this isn’t my last project for 2022, I still have one more for you next week!

This week I made some ornaments for you using this month’s Cards, Tags, & More Kit and the Mixed Media Kit. Although, the Mixed Media Kit ornaments took a while to dry and haven’t been 100% completed. They weren’t part of my original plan – I had only planned on the three “double” ornaments made using the papers and cardstock from the Cards Kit. (Check out the video to get the details about all the hows and whys!)

dec22-ornaments-01



My ornaments are also for the mood board challenge – what is a better holiday tradition than handmade ornaments or décor? For me, Christmas Trees need the ornaments my kiddos made – even if it has been close to a decade since the last one was made!

Tres Jolie Mood Board

moodboard


For the blog, I’m just going to talk about what your seeing in the photos, the video is where you can watch my thought process in action!

All of the clear plastic ornaments are 4 inches, and none of my inner, paper ornaments are over (approximately) 2-5/8-inches in diameter.

dec22-ornaments-05_4 dec22-ornaments-06_5 dec22-ornaments-07_6

For this first ornament, I cut four circles, in each size, out of one of the sheets of patterned paper and one of the cardstock sheets from the kit. After I had them together – not all the way “closed” – I added a touch of embossing powder along the edges, then I glued a hat pin along the centers, using a small bead as separators.

I wanted to add a bit of a frosted look to this ornament, so I grabbed up some Finnabair Crushed Crystal and dabbed it onto the inside, keeping to the outer edges so the center would remain mostly clear, allowing the inner ornament to show. I used a combination of hot glue and 3D Matte Gel to hold my ornament in place – the hot glue to tack it in place long enough for the gel to dry – and after all the mediums had dried, I glued my halves together.

This ornament was my “experiment” with Foundry Wax – I had assumed the plastic would not hold up to the heat needed for the Foundry Wax, but I experimented so you wouldn’t have to! My official stance is – don’t use mediums that need to be heat set!

dec22-ornaments-09_8 dec22-ornaments-08_7 dec22-ornaments-10_9

This second ornament is made up of four circles cut from one of the patterned papers and four circles cut from one of the cardstock sheets. I used a touch of paint along the edges, nothing that stands out, just a bit of White Pearl Metallic Paint. Once again, I didn’t close up my inner ornament until I had glued in what I was using to suspend it within the clear plastic ornament – in this case, a bit of gold (costume jewelry) chain. I added the gold Little Birdie wreaths to the sections that were made of the cardstock, used my hot glue and 3D Matte Gel to start the process of holding everything in place – then decided that wasn’t enough!

As I was looking at this ornament, I decided it need a little something more – not frosted like the first one – but something, so I grabbed up some glitter and added it to the top and bottom of the ornament, trying to create the look that the chain was coming out of the glitter “mound.” After I had the two halves glued together, I still thought there should be more, so I did something rare – I added glitter to the outside of a project! I just used some (regular weight) matte gel since it wouldn’t run the way glue might to hold the glitter in place, and set it off to dry.

dec22-ornaments-12_11 dec22-ornaments-14_13 dec22-ornaments-13_12

For my third and final (actually finished) ornament, I used a small doily die to cut out four pieces of patterned paper and four pieces of cardstock, then glued them together the same way I did all the circles in the other two ornaments. Since this patterned paper is a darker and busier print, I only added a touch of the Bubbly Embossing Powder from this month’s Mixed Media Kit to the edges and wrapped the “Holly” and “Jolly” Tres Jolie Chipboard words around the center. The chipboard words are embossed in a layer of the Bubbly powder, and an extra layer of Lindy’s Holly Berry Red Gold on the bottom half-ish to create a bit of a gradient effect.

I was attempting to create the illusion that the inner ornament was floating within the outer ornament, so I used a length of fishing line to suspend it inside – just adding a few small beads to give it a little “extra.” I didn’t add any mediums to my outer ornament besides the bit of Vintage Gold Finnabair Wax – after adding a light coat of clear gesso – at the top where the hook will go.

Alright, as I stated in the video, I have a photo here for you of the two ornaments that had the Distress Mica Sprays and some glittery mediums in them – that took for-EV-er to dry! They are dry now, but they weren’t dry soon enough to do anything else with – that would also need time to dry! They were unplanned, I just needed something to experiment on before doing “things” to my planned ornaments! I’m hoping that I will finish these unplanned ornaments before next December!

20221221_144722

Thank you for joining me here in my corner, I hope you enjoyed these ornaments and they gave you some ideas of what you can make using this month’s kits.

Stay Crafty, Friends


Did you get a kit? Share what you made in our Facebook Group!

Thank you for joining us here at Tres Jolie Kits!


Tres Jolie can also be found at:

Tres Jolie Facebook

Tres Jolie Instagram

Tres Jolie Website

Tres Jolie Subscriptions

Tres Jolie Blog

Tres Jolie YouTube

Tres Jolie Pinterest


Tres Jolie Insta Square Frame Tres Jolie Insta Square Frame

In addition to this month’s Mixed Media Kit and Cards, Tags, & More Kit (*from previous Tres Jolie Kits), I used:

Finnabair “White Pearl” Metallique Paint , *Finnabair “Crushed Crystals” Jewel Effect Paste , *Cosmic Shimmer “Sparkle Texture Paste , Distress Foundry Wax “Gilded” (although, I don’t recommend heat with plastic ornaments!) ,  Lindy’s Gang “Holly Berry Red Gold” Embossing Powder , *DecoArt Gold Glitter , *DecoArt Crackle Glaze , Shimmerz Paint “Puttin’ On The Glitz” Paste-Eez , Distress Clear Embossing Ink , *Dress My Craft “Classic Doily” Die , Spellbinders Standard Circle Nestabilities , Gorilla Hot Glue Sticks , 4” clear plastic ornaments, hat pin , gold chain (costume jewelry) , fishing line , gold beads , Art Glitter Glue , JudiKins Diamond Glaze

Tres Jolie Kit Club – Tree Trio! – December 2022 Mixed Media Kit

Hey, y’all!

We’re halfway through December, and almost to 2023! Hopefully during this hectic time of the year you’ve been able to take some crafty time for yourself! This week I used the December 2022 Mixed Media Kit and put my adorable little trees together. (Although, I did have some struggles trying to get the photos taken!)

I didn’t pull too much from my stash to create these trees, only a few staple items and a few mediums from previous Tres Jolie Kits to help [me] hold my colors and embellishments in place.

dec22-mm-xmastrees-28 dec22-mm-xmastrees-25

Make sure you swing by and check out the video to get the full process!


I created all three trees the same, so I’m just going to go over that process and pop in the photos as I go along! I did not glue my trees together! I knew they would be getting wet and I didn’t want to try and get them together after the wood had swollen! And they don’t really need any glue – they fit together well on their own, and by the time I was done, all that swelling was all that was needed to finish the hold. The only place I added a touch of wood glue was at the tree tops to help hold the point together while I dyed, sprayed, painted, and sprinkled!

dec22-mm-xmastrees-07 dec22-mm-xmastrees-32 dec22-mm-xmastrees-27

The first thing I did was put my trees together and add a bit of wood glue to the tops to hold the tips together. Once that glue had dried, I sprayed down the trees with water, to start getting the wood to swell some so the “Merrymint” Distress Mica would be able to soak in better. After all three trees were thoroughly coated, I let them air dry overnight.

dec22-mm-xmastrees-02 dec22-mm-xmastrees-03

The largest tree.

dec22-mm-xmastrees-04 dec22-mm-xmastrees-16

The next morning I took my trees to a well-ventilated area and gave them a light spray of some Workable Fixatif. The Distress Mica Sprays are water-reactive and I didn’t want them to start dripping color as I worked with them!

After the Fixatif had dried (it only takes about 5 minutes), I used a small brush to “paint” on some Ranger Embossing Ink (refill bottle) to the areas of the tree with the snowflake cuts, added the Bubbly embossing powder, and heated it up. Then I repeated the same process to the tree trunks. Since embossing powder is a smooth, slick surface after it’s melted, I gave my trees another spray of Fixatif so my next layer of color would have something a little better to grab ahold of.

dec22-mm-xmastrees-12 dec22-mm-xmastrees-13

The middle tree.

dec22-mm-xmastrees-14 dec22-mm-xmastrees-15

As I was shaking up my bottle of Shiny Bauble, I got to thinking that I really wanted it to stay put and not drip during or after spraying – and that led me to grab up my bottle of Liquid Color Fluid Medium and add a thin coat to the tree. You could use clear gesso, just keep in mind it is a matte finish – I didn’t want to lose the shimmer and shine of the mica which is why I didn’t use gesso. I didn’t heat dry the spray and medium thoroughly, but I did use the low heat setting to dry it all just enough so it wouldn’t run. After all of that had finished air drying, I added embossing powder to the trunks again, and to the base to cover any spray that might have landed where I didn’t want it!

Then, before I started sprinkling on the Mini Prills and chunky glitter, I gave my trees a good coating of Fixatif then, after the Fixatif had ample time to dry, I sprayed my trees down with water to remove any spray that hadn’t got sealed well! I didn’t want any of that spray to bleed into the clear medium I would be using to hold the Mini Prills and chunky glitter in place!

dec22-mm-xmastrees-01 dec22-mm-xmastrees-09

The smallest tree.

dec22-mm-xmastrees-10 dec22-mm-xmastrees-11

Now the only things I had left were the finishing touches! I used some Distress Crackle Paint, coated the tree, one section at a time, and sprinkled on the glitter and Prills. I didn’t put a heavy coat of paint on, and it is a thicker medium – so I could stand my trees up and let them air dry and my paint didn’t run down!

To make sure all those little bits of glitter and Prills stayed put, I gave the tree a light coating of Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze before adding the finishing touches to the trunk and base.

I wanted to add some texture to my trunk and base, so I decided to experiment a little. I coated the trunk and base with some DecoArt Crackle Glaze (not too thick!) and then covered it with more of the embossing powder. I didn’t know what would happen; I wasn’t sure if it would crackle or not, but I figured I’d get some kind of texture in the end!

I let that glaze dry overnight, then I came in with the heat gun and hoped for the best! It may not have made noticeable crackles, but it did produce a bubbly, rough texture!

With all of the decoration done, I gave the trees a final coating of the Triple Thick Clear Glaze to provide protection and to really make sure my glitter and Prills stayed on.

dec22-mm-xmastrees-21 dec22-mm-xmastrees-18

Thank you for joining us here at Tres Jolie! I hope you enjoyed this Tree Trio and it gave you some ideas of what you can do with this month’s Mixed Media Kit to create your own unique Christmas Tree décor!

Stay Crafty, Friends


Did you get a kit? Share what you made in our Facebook Group!

Thank you for joining us here at Tres Jolie Kits!


Tres Jolie can also be found at:

Tres Jolie Facebook

Tres Jolie Instagram

Tres Jolie Website

Tres Jolie Subscriptions

Tres Jolie Blog

Tres Jolie YouTube

Tres Jolie Pinterest


Tres Jolie Insta Square Frame

In addition to this month’s Mixed Media Kit, I used (*from previous Tres Jolie Kits):

Finnabair Liquid Color Fluid Medium , Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint , *DecoArt Media Crackle Glaze , Ranger Emboss-It Ink Refill , Krylon Workable Fixatif , Krylon Triple-Thick Crystal Clear Glaze , Gorilla Wood Glue