December 07, 2023

Letters to Santa Interactive Folio Album - Graphic 45

Letters to Santa Interactive Folio Album -

Graphic 45 Feature

Hello G45ers and welcome back as I share a #G45Feature project with you. I chose to work with the brand new Letters to Santa. When I first saw images of this collection I knew it would make an incredible album and I chose the Interactive Folio Album to work with.

If you have never tried one of these folios before, I encourage you to give it a try. I love that you can assemble the pieces after you have added your papers and for me, that was one of the best parts. I thought it was best to add some trim for a closure in case my album got a bit bulky and it’s better to consider that ahead of time.

I love a detailed cover and for me, a detailed cover shows what the album is all about. I wanted to create a shaker cover to get the dimension without using the shaker elements. I created a frame around the Santa and added Graphic 45 Stamped Metal Brads in the corners just to add some finishing details.

Fussy cutting the Santa and using the Santa as my focal point. I used dies to add more dimension and detail along with some ephemera from the Ephemera Assortment pack. I added Pearl Gems to the center of the snowflakes just to add a touch of Gold. When you first open the folio you will see the beautiful Holiday colors blend so beautifully together for an album.

On the first inside cover page, I added the Full pocket on the inside left and then adhered the half pocket on the underside tucking in some journal cards for photo mats.

To the right of this I added one of the waterfalls and only covered the front of the flips. On the top front of each waterfall I created a belly band so that I could tuck in some Journal Cards and photo mats.

When you open the right flip, you will see the center and left side of the album. I mirrored the right side to the left adding the Full pocket with the Half pocket in behind. Creating a belly band to tuck in more journal cards and photo mats and I used Graphic 45 hardware to add some stunning details.

For the front of the Wallet Folder, I added an extension with black cardstock to allow me to add a die cut detailed bottom as shown above. I created another belly band in the middle of the top flap for added journal cards and photo mats. I used that gorgeous Santa from the Ephemera assortment as a focal point for the belly band.

When you open the Wallet Folder I added two pockets, one on each side of the folder and die cut the top just to add some detail. The center bottom I created a pocket to tuck in journal cards and photo mats. This bottom pocket flips open and you have the full view of the Wallet Folder.

Closing up the wallet folder, and looking to the right, and opening the Full Pocket, you will see the second Waterfall. I covered the waterfall with papers from the collection. And created a belly band in the top photo flip to add journal cards and photo mats.

In my video for this project I did a walkthrough and also showed you how i created my detailed cover, you can check that out here:

https://youtu.be/qWyn0gfuTZA

Thank you for dropping by and checking out my #G45Feature Project. I hope I have inspired you to get creative with the Letters to Santa Collection.

Graphic 45 Products:

Interactive Folio Album - Black

Letters to Santa Ephemera Assortment

Letters to Santa 12 x 12 Collection Pack with Stickers

Letters to Santa 12 x 12 Patterns and Solids

Antique Brass Stamped Metal Brads

Photogenic Black Trim

Other Materials:

Acetate

Prima Vintage Gold Wax

Elizabeth Craft Design Dies:

Santas Sleigh: https://collabs.shop/tjbytd

Florals 24 - leaves

October 28, 2023

Christmas Sleigh Card - Elizabeth Craft Designs

Good Morning Creative Friends:

I am sharing a gorgeous Christmas card with you for Elizabeth Craft Designs.

This is designed using the new Florals 24, Florals 25.

I also stamped the coordinating centers) pieces from the Pine Cones and the Sleigh is called Santa Sleigh.

Paper is from Mintay,

You can order the dies and stamps I used here and receive a 10% discount on your order:

Santa Sleigh: https://collabs.shop/tjbytd

Florals 24: https://collabs.shop/bgfl0j

Florals 25: https://collabs.shop/nnuycm

Floral Center Stamp: https://collabs.shop/aqwwh1

Pine Cones: https://collabs.shop/q4rlzf

October 24, 2023

Studio Tour - Karan Gerber for Graphic 45.

Hello G45er’s!

Today I’m thrilled to show you my craft studio. For those of you who may not know, in 2018, my husband and I purchased retirement property, 8 hours north of our home of 25 years.

3 years later with interruptions with Covid, we have completed the build and made the move north in 2021, with a few minor projects to complete at that time. We love our home on the shores Of Lake Huron, in Northern Ontario, Canada.

I am very fortunate to have a huge room in our basement that measures 15 feet x 30 feet. We have a walk out basement so the 10 foot ceiling height allows me to have lots of natural light with large oversized windows. I have three large windows that allow all the natural light to enhance my space. Our basement floors have radiant heat in the floors so it is always warm here when we have cool winter winds and temperatures which is very typical of the Northern Ontario Winters.

Recently my husband and I installed a 4 x 8 sheet of slatwall. I have been wanting to do this since I finished my studio space. We finally got that completed last week in time for me to do the tour. The reason i wanted the slat wall, is, I am a visual person, although i would like to consider myself somewhat organized ( i know i think all crafters say we are organized, haha) I do like to see what i have in my stock at arms reach.

At the very top of the slat wall, which is a big high for me, I wanted to store some of my most favorite 12 x 12 layouts I have completed this past year of my family and I have them there for inspiration. And seriously, who doesn't like to be reminded of how important family is.

This is where my main focus has been. I currently work with two brands, both of which are at arms reach for me. Graphic 45 papers are held in an accordion paper rack. ( As is my Cardstock at the opposite end of the Slatwall) This rack allows me to store 6 paper collections. I have the 8x8 on the front, with the 12 x 12 patterns and solids followed by the paper collections.

Also on the Slat wall storage, I have hooks that store all my Graphic 45 hardware, stamps, Ephemera, as well as ribbon and you can see in the video I have the new Graphic 45 Cards ( for an upcoming class.

That blue cord you see, is my connection to our Starlink Internet System that runs to my computer. But it's surrounded by all those gorgeous hardware pieces I love to work with from Graphic 45. You can also see a older Graphic 45 Envelope, that i have saved, and afraid to use but i keep it on hand :D

Right below the slat wall are two very heavy and sturdy shelf units my husband built for me, using trees that we took down to clear our lot for our home. They are made from maple. I have all my dies from the various brands I like to use in my projects, (mostly Elizabeth Craft Designs, some Spellbinders, Some Heartfelt and other various brands) and I store all these in Curver Containers ( Jute texture on the outside) I have all my Graphic 45 dies in one of these containers right below my Graphic 45 stock.

In the middle of my Studio is a large table, which i use for kitting my class kits, right now it's clean ( you might not see that table that clean for the rest of the year so I am really glad i was able to capture a photo ( tee hee)

Often when I'm preparing for classes, under that table will be boxes of stock which hold all my class materials. But it is clean for now as I am all caught up. I have a mini refrigerator in the far right corner, a mini sink and a lot of counter space on that end of my studio.

I have a small counter shelf that I have all my mixed media paints and mists installed. To the left are two Bigz Die containers of some of my Bigz Dies from Sizzix. I like the look of those older canning jars, the ones with the glass lids and the rubber bands. I have a few of them stored there as I love the look of them.

In the corner I have my archival ink. Our foundation is built with ICF Block. That Block allowed me to create a shelf on all the outside walls of my Studio. Which is on three walls. On top of that shelf are some of my favorite projects from teams and classes I have created over the years. I just cleaned that up a bit so I have lots of space and made room for new projects coming.

I wanted to keep this space affordable so although we did invest money on the cabinets, the counter top is a sheet of plywood and we covered it with peel and stick floor tile. My husband created an edge from our maple that I stained a color to match the room. The paint color in my room is currently called Simplicity by Benjamin Moore. It's a cross between a mid taupe with gray undertones. I may decide one day to add more color, but I do love my earth tones.

To the left of the corner where I store my Archival ink, I have my Distress Inks and re-inkers. The Distress Inks are in containers made for Nail Polish, these I bought from Amazon and each unit stores 16 Distress Inks. These are stored on my large window sill and I have four units there. These Inks I have used the most over the years and I can't say I have all the colors, but I do have a few. My husband built me a stand to store all my re-inkers that sits below. Here you can get a peek at that peel and stick flooring I used for my countertop.

Seriously, if you are looking for a budget friendly countertop, this works great, it's a heavy vinyl, and is easy to install and cut. I installed it on my own with a bit of assistance from my hubby.

On the other side of the room, is where I create all my projects and classes. I have a desk that sits along the entire back wall of 15 feet and runs along part of the wall in front of one of the larger windows, and runs about 2 and a half feet before the slatwall. It truly is a dream space for me and I am so thrilled that I have a husband who supports my hobby is very handy with tools to have assisted me in building my Studio.

You can see from where my computer sits, how close I am to my slatwall and all the beautiful products stored there. I have paper holders for cardstock. The white pull out under my desk stores extra cardstock ( mainly black and white) which I tend to use the most of. That large window is right over my main work space and also where i do my facebook lives and online classes.

The opposite of the slatwall is the rest of my table space. I have it covered in peel and stick wallpaper, but I don't actually have it stuck down. It protects my work surface a bit. My table top is actually plastic coated plywood. It is very durable and cleans well, but not friendly to archival inks and over the years I have learned to protect the surface.

So friends, that is my Studio Tour, it works for me and I hope I have given you some storage tips and ideas for your Creative Space. Below i have a video showcasing my Studio, thank you for joining me.

Here is a Video tour of my space

October 23, 2023

Letters to Santa Christmas Kit:

Hello Fellow Crafters: Sharing with you my newest kit and I wanted to share it with you!

This is designed using the Create an Album from 49 and Market along with their binder clips, The paper and ephemera is from Graphic 45, Letters to Santa, the cover, is adorned with hand made poinsettias, florals and cover elements are pre cut from dies from Elizabeth Craft Designs

I will be re creating the kit for you in videos which will be left in a Private Facebook group for 6 months.

I have designed page inserts for the album that are exclusive to this kit and they will be pre punched for the binder clip. Everything will be precut, other than a few journal cards, you just need to assemble.

I hope you love it as much as i do, the pictures do not do it justice.

Inside front Cover and Inside Back cover have a gorgeous Acetate layer, with four photo flips inside, it is seriously a gorgeous album!

thanks for dropping by

Karan

October 19, 2023

East Meets West with Karan Gerber

Hello Creative Friends, i wanted to share with you images from an online class that I designed using the new Seasonal Classics from Elizabeth Craft Designs.

This class is in connection with Stamplicity in Port Colborne and Paper Art Creations in Calgary. along with my wonderful friend and fellow teammate

Katie Porcina who is teaching a planner class.

The cards are gorgeous and i wanted to share the images with you,

Handmade Florals and colored with distress inks

I used a few detail dies from Crafters Companion which i felt coordinated beautifully with the collection.

This gorgeous SEASONAL CLASSICS collection designed by Angelica Turner, is absolutely fantastic, and i love how these cards turned out.

Thank you for dropping by, here are the dies i sued from Elizabeth Crafts.

If you happen to order anything from the link below you will receive a 10% discount off your order:

Florals 25 - Leaves only : https://collabs.shop/nnuycm

Florals 26: https://collabs.shop/uxpnr9

Fall Foliage 1: https://collabs.shop/kbi2r6

September 12, 2023

Best Organic Honey Tag - Elizabeth Craft Designs

Hello Creative Friends and welcome back to my blog today as I share with you a tag designed for Elizabeth Craft Designs.

This is designed with a few elements from Annette Greens New Splendid Season and a few elements from Everything's Blooming.

I cut a tag and covered with paper. Covered the edge with Grit paste and let it dry then painted with black acrylic paint

( that tip from Emma Williams, her post is here)

I stamped and cut the best organic honey image and used a circle punch to have it fit the hardware from Tim Holtz, added some alcohol ink and patina and let it dry.

I then cut mushrooms, ferns and the leafy vine from the Mushrooms and Ferns Die and colored with distress inks. Went over with Gold Wax from Prima. I stamped and then fussy cut that little tiny bee ( i wish there was a die for that, :D )

Products Used:

Honey Bee Stamp: https://collabs.shop/qrisbs

Mushrooms & Ferns: https://collabs.shop/wmiluf

Other Products--

Tim Holtz Gauge Frame, plus

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Grit Paste - 3 Ounces - Translucent

Prima - Finnabair Collection - Art Alchemy - Metallique Wax - Vintage Gold

August 30, 2023

Treasure Chest & Stowaway Album - Graphic 45 Level Up

“Hi G45ers, I had a lot of fun working on my project this month. I used the Voyage Beneath The Sea-Treasure Chest & Stowaway Album to Level Up for you this month and I hope you can grab some great ideas for your paper crafting too.

I followed Annette’s tutorial and Charee’s YouTube video you can find here – both were very thorough. I decided I might change mine up a bit and decided to create pockets out of my pages in the Album and by doing that I was able to hide the

accordion hinge. I did that by gluing the pages on top, bottom and inside hinge leaving the outside edge open for tags and journal cards. ( part of Step 20 from the original instructions on page 3 shows the hinge.)

With the remaining papers I had from T'was the Night Before Christmas after creating the Stowaway Album, I decided to create a Christmas Journal. I wanted to share a few images of my box and the Christmas Journal I put together for you, before I share the video.

Using the Large Tag Die, I die cut some florals using the floral dies, punched out some circles and fussy cut all those holly leaves from one of the sheets in the Twas the Night Before Christmas Collection. I covered the box inside and out with papers from the collection.

Adding the Claw feet to the Treasure Box certainly added some wonderful vintage detail.

Adding the Drawer pulls to the side of the box just finished this off beautifully.

The Christmas Journal was so much fun to create, I began by choosing some papers I wanted to showcase in the Journal, fussy cut that Santa image and create a shaker cover, ( without the shaker elements) I felt the acetate cover added some amazing detail to show off that image.

Using the Flower Dies from the Large Tag Die i added some flowers to the journal cover, die cut a circle to fit the Santa, The large tag is actually Graphic 45 Packaging that I reused I used the large Tag Die once again here. I used a couple pieces of the chipboard tags to add some detail to the spine

I hope you enjoy watching how I put this together and would love to see your take on the journal base. Instead of Using the accordion hinge idea in the original tutorial, I thought I might hand sew in my Christmas Journal.

Now since I had the Voyage Beneath the Sea, as part of the Original Kit, I also wanted to work with that and show you how to create the Journal Base.

I wanted to share some images of my completed journal for Voyage Beneath The Sea. I fussy cut a Seahorse and added some metal embellishments I had in my stash. I detailed those metal pieces with just a touch of Rust Paste. Using some of the Journal cards in the Collection, I used those and added some photo mats to a few of the pages.

Here are both Journals side by side,

Thank you for dropping by today and I would love to see your take on the journal. Be sure to check out my video here on how to create the Journal Base.” ~Karan Gerber

-Video Tutorial On My Journal can be found here: