It's Not What It Seems!!!

So what do you think I've got to show ya all today? Another notebook? Wrong :D It's a faux book card!

I've seen a few of these book cards on my travels around the land of blog and eventually I decided to have a go at making one for my GDT project over at Stampotique. I'm going to give this to Hubby for his birthday - if DD doesn't nab it first!!! Anyway, here it is - really picture heavy post so my apologies!

I made the card base using this tutorial - there are loads out there, but this one is really clear and simple to follow. I kinda had a plan in my head as to how I wanted this to look, but there were a few things I hadn't decided upon as I wasn't sure they'd work or for that matter look right. So the card has been constructed in a completely bizarre manner and the actual concertina part was added at the last minute!!! :D

The first thing I did was cut the kraft paper to fit the book/card (I'll call it a book from now on, so that I don't confuse you or myself) and distress the edges by rolling them and inking them. I then added some faux stitching.

Before gluing the papers in place I experimented with my fastener, once I was happy I taped and glued the loop part in place and then added the kraft papers to the book. I poked holes where I needed the button to sit and then simply tied it in place.

I stamped several of the Leaf  images onto an old book page before cutting out and inking with Distress Inks. These were then arranged in the book and around the frame before trimming to size. I used my Spellbinders Foliage Die to cut some leaves and again inked with DI's before arranging them into the book pages. I also cut one of the leaf sprays down and attached it to the branch that Owl With Wings sits on, before colouring the image with pencils.

The background was inked using Distress Inks and then mounted onto the book and the back of the "pages" frame.

I gently swiped the book pages with Antique Gold acrylic paint on a baby wipe, this gives a really distressed look. The sentiment was computer generated. I've popped it out a little from the frame using black pop dots.

The quote was computer generated and then printed onto kraft paper, which again has been distressed and faux stitched.

So there you have it, one Faux Book. I really hope you liked this as I have another one to show you very soon! :/

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

Materials:
Leaf by Jo Capper-Sandon
Owl With Wings
Kraft Paper
Card
Distress Inks - Spiced Marmalade, Scattered Straw, Forrest Moss, Broken China, Chipped Sapphire, Brick Red, Walnut Stain and Tea Dye

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp & Show - A Bit Of Brown
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Nature
Stamptacular Sunday - Fabulous Folds
Hotshot Crafts - Distress Inks
Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes
Pixie Dust Studio - Birds