January Product Challenge

A Year in Review

Rachel Carlson

I always get excited for the NEW YEAR.  I don’t make resolutions.  Instead I’m simply going to hold myself ‘accountable’ in the NEW YEAR.  I want to simply enjoy and survive.  I decided to document the year 2010 in ‘snippets’ if you will.  Small pieces of memories tucked away for safe keeping.  Be it a ticket stub to my favorite movie, a random photo or note to myself.  A thought/idea, photo, etc that captures the ENTIRE month.  This way I don’t overwhelm myself.  And I will have a tidy portfolio in which to keep everything.

I know you are not surprised that I used the Barcelona paper again – ha.  It’s SO hard to cut into this paper, really it is.  This is what I used to cover the inside of the portfolio. 

I was very excited to use the Large Clear Stamps:  Gypsy Year for this project.  A perfect use for each month.  The Take Note Stamps can also be used throughout the project (on back of paper bags) for that small note to yourself about the month that you are documenting, etc.

The Disclaimer stamps can also be stamped on the ‘snippets’ of memories that I will enclose in the paper bags. 
*Notes to keep in mind when adding the Paper Bags to the Portfolio:  Stagger each paper bag so that they will not bulk up.  It also lends itself to a layered look.

I stamped the linen with Palette Ink which works well on fabrics.  Do not forget to heat set after you have inked. You can also refer to Paula’s awesome fabric tutorial on tips/tricks here.

I used red embroidery thread to frame the top piece of linen.  I then used Therm O Web - Fabric Fuse to fuse the two pieces of linen together.  Fabric Fuse works great to fuse fabric to fabric but also fabric to chipboard and paper (and also girl scout badges!)

I used Victoria Paper Tape to hold the 7gypsies paper bags to the portfolio, using the paper tape as a ‘hinge’ so that I could layer each paper bag on top of each other.  Paper Tape works so nicely because you simply tear and stick.

Here are a few photos of the months and how they open up one by one:

The bottom of the portfolio holds a little space for a few simple notes – I love this vintage epherma!

I tied the whole Portfolio closed with a Small Book Belt because I anticipate filling up those paper bags with ‘snippets’ of a new year.

You can follow me all year long to watch my portfolio fill up with memories here.
Cheers to you in the NEW YEAR!
Creative cheers,
Rachel