camping mini album : the binder

A few weeks ago, I worked on decorating the binder that will hold our photos, journaling + stuff from our upcoming camping trip. I'm using a half-size Ormolu chipboard binder that is completely bare + naked. Oh the possibilities! Typically, I would leave it as is and go very simple, with minimal embellishments. But this time, I decided to step a bit out of my comfort zone and get creative with it. I don't have lots of step-by-step photos, just a few I shared on Instragram as I went along, but I hope I can explain how I did it.

First, in Silhouette Studio, I opened the US map diecut (which was the free shape of the week a while ago). I ungrouped it and copied Michigan onto a new page. I enlarged it about as big as I could to fit on an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock. After sending it through the Silhouette, I used the negative (or everything but the Michigan state pieces) and adhered the cardstock to the opened binder with some Smash tape.

I used a Versamark inkpad and dabbed it, upside down, on the open areas of the diecut. After I removed the cardstock, I sprinkled UTEE (ultra thick embossing enamel) over the Versamark and embossed it all with my heat gun.

 

It turned out really cool, but was clearly missing something / more. I let it sit for a few days while I pondered my next step.

I decided to get out the mists. I used the positive of the Michigan diecut and laid it back over my embossing job to protect the glossy finish. I first sprayed the album, concentrating on the areas around the diecut, with Mr. Huey's Water Cooler and after that dried, a few sprays of White.

After it was all dry, I outlined Michigan with a thin black pen and added some embellishments.

An Ormolu fabric tag, sale tag and flapper, some Flair for Buttons and Hambly, a Studio Calico star, and an arrow clip.

I'm so happy with how it turned out! Now, onto filling it up...

Thanks for peeking!