Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Alphabet Notebook Tutorial

Hello friends! I have a Sizzix tutorial to share with you today. It's an alphabet notebook / journal, which could be used for many different things and is easy to make. 

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

My oldest son is learning how to read, and the maybe even more difficult task of forming letters and I thought I'd make it more fun for him by making him his very own alphabet notebook, ready to be filled with letters, new words, drawings and stickers, or whatever else he can think of. He loves it and could almost not believe that he can write or draw anything that he wants on all those pretty papers. The book is made with Eileen Hull's Journal die, using the Deco alphabet die of Tim Holtz for the letters. 

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

Start by die cutting two journal covers and one whole Deco alphabet from mat board. If you wonder about the three last letters, the Swedish alphabet has Å, Ä and Ö at the end. Since your book might end with the Z, you'll have space for something else in the corner.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

Glue the letters with Matte Medium and add a layer over the top.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

Cover with white gesso. I used a rough paint brush, to get some brush strokes, for texture.


Paint the cover with Distress Paint, blending as you go. Before the paint is completely dry, rub some of it off, especially on top of the letters, to reveal the white underneath.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

On the inside and back cover, I painted and then rubbed some paint off through a Tim Holtz alphabet stencil and a bubble stencil.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

Apply Crazing Medium around and inside the letters, varying the thickness for differently sized cracks.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

Paint with watered-down Black Soot paint, and wipe off. You can also skip this step and go right to the next one.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

I wanted more black in the cracks and more of a grungy feel, so I decided to rub Black Soot Distress Crayon into the cracks too. Again, wipe off with a slightly moist cloth.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

For the inside pages, I used a mix of patterned and plain papers. Most of the papers came from various Prima A4 paper pads. Cut them to 21 x 21 cm or 8.2 x 8.2 in. Make three signatures of about six papers each.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

Round the corners of the pages and stitch down the center. Stamp the inside with different alphabet stamps and give instructions or inspiration for what can be done on the pages. If you are making this for a different theme, you might want to use word or sentiment stamps instead.


I glued the spine with Matte Medium and placed under a heavy book. Bind with elastics according to the instructions on the die packaging. This photo comes from my Tree Sketch book, since I forgot to take a photo of this step.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

Tie through a button and leave a length of elastic to use as a closure.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

Embellish the front with stamped images, label letter stickers, more stamping and any embellishment that fits you theme.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

I added the alphabet in label letters to, to get even more letters on the front.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

The small star stamp comes from the Tag Sentiments set.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

The crackle gives a cool effect and the letters appear to be embedded into the background. You can use the same technique with other types of die cut shapes too.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

The hand comes from Tim's Typography set and was stamped on a piece of manila cardstock that I found in my scrap box. It already had some ink on. I wrote 'write' with alphabet letters.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

The back of the journal looks like this, with more alphabet stamping.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

The white of the background was revealed by rubbing a slightly moist cloth through the stencils.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

On the inside there is a tag die cut from scrap paper using the Tag Sentiments set by Lori Whitlock  and stamped with a stamp from the same set.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

More stamping on the inside cover.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

I had such fun using a whole bunch of different alphabet stamp sets, some of which I hadn't used in a long time.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

Most of the pages are plain enough so that he can write or draw on them, while some are more patterned. He can use them as inspiration or maybe glue something to them.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

'Practice', practice and practice.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

This paper from Prima' Bedtime Story is so sweet, placed at the center of a signature, so that the text in the middle can be read.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

'I am'.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

I had to include some numbers too, since he loves maths.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

'Draw' and 'car'. I used both capital and lowercase letters.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

Another Prima paper that fitted very well into this book, from Stationer's Desk.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

'If I' and 'dreams'.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

A place to write down some favourites.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

The back cover, with some more stamping.

Layers of ink - Alphabet Notebook Tutorial by Anna-Karin with Sizzix Eileen Hull Journal die

I love the chunky look of these books and all the space that is there for you to fill. For more journal inspiration, check out my Seaside Journal and my Tree Sketchbook, as well as the fantastic Journal Treasury e-book, by Eileen Hull and friends.

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit today! I hope you were inspired to try some new techniques and/or to make a journal.

Happy crafting!

Anna-Karin

Supplies:



Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Journal
[ SZZ | SSS ]
Sizzix Bigz XL Alphabet Die - Deco
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Sizzix Framelits Die Set 6PK w/Stamps...
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Tim Holtz Cling Rubber Stamps...
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Hero Arts Rubber Stamps PRINTER'S...
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Hero Arts Stamps BASIC LOWERCASE...
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Hero Arts PLAYFUL FLOWER LETTERS...
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Tim Holtz Layering Stencil CARGO
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Tim Holtz Layering Stencil BUBBLE
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Prima Marketing A4 Paper Pad VINTAGE...
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Prima Marketing A4 Paper Pad THE...
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Prima Marketing A4 Paper Pad TIMELESS...
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Prima Marketing A4 Paper Pad GARDEN...
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Tim Holtz Idea-ology MIRRORED HEARTS
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Sizzix Little Sizzles Mat Board 6 x13
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Tim Holtz Idea-ology LABEL LETTERS
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Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium MATTE
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Tim Holtz Distress Collage Medium...
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Dina Wakley Ranger WHITE GESSO
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Tim Holtz Flip Top Distress Paint...
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Tim Holtz Flip Top Distress Paint...
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Tim Holtz Flip Top Distress Paint...
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Tim Holtz Flip Top Distress Paint...
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Tim Holtz Flip Top Distress Paint...
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Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Crayon...
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Ranger Archival Ink Pad JET BLACK
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Ranger Wendy Vecchi Archival...
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Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad GROUND...
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We R Memory Keepers Cropadile CORNER...
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Ranger Inkssentials 8.5 X 11 MANILA...
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Tim Holtz Distress COLLAGE BRUSH SET
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Tim Holtz Tonic GUILLOTINE COMFORT...
[ SSS ]
Sizzix Big Shot Machine Only (White &...
[ SZZ | SSS ]
Sizzix Accessory - Cutting Pads,...
[ SZZ | SSS ]
Tim Holtz DISTRESS SPRAYER
[ SSS ]
Ranger Inkssentials Non Stick CRAFT...
[ SSS ]


* Please note: the links are affiliate links, for which I receive a small percentage of sales generated by the link, at no extra cost to you.

11 comments:

  1. Wauw, what a great notebook you've made! beautiful and a great tutorial! thanks for the inspiration,

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  2. Gorgeous Anna-Karin, fabulous idea, beautifully executed. Tracy x

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  3. this is WONDERFUL Anna-Karin! What a special gift for your son. =) I hope it motivates him to practice a lot!

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  4. Love this take on the journal - I just bought that journal die too and you make my fingers itch to create with it!

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  5. It's gorgeous and I think learning is now much easyer.

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  6. What a fabulous journal - full of learning possibilities as well as really beautiful!
    Alison x

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  7. Aaaaw so special and gorgeous... I am sure your son loved it to bits!

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  8. Beautiful! The colors you used and all of that lovely texture on the color are perfection. Your son will have such fun with his journal.

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  9. Oh my goodness !! Your creation is stunning !!

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  10. Such a lovely gift for your son. I love the colors and stamping you did, too.

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  11. Love how you made this Anna-Karin, it is gorgeous!

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment! Happy Crafting!