Hello, G45ers!
Welcome to the conclusion of Graphic 45's Brand Ambassador spotlights. It has been such a pleasure share a little bit more about our valued team. Last, but certainly not least, we are so honored to introduce Sandy Trefger. Sandy is a multitalented designer who is constantly developing new beautiful creations. Today she is going to tell us a little more about herself and share her take on a a travel journal, featuring Cafe Parisian. Journals are one of the most fun new trends in crafting, and Sandy's is one of our favorites. Check out the YouTube tutorial for full details.
Sandy Trefger
“Hello! I’m Sandy Trefger of Sandy’s Crafty Creations and I’m thrilled to be back again this year to create projects as a Brand Ambassador for Graphic 45! I love Graphic 45 so much, and each time a new collection arrives it becomes my favorite! I’ve tried to remember what my very first Graphic 45 collection was that I purchased and I think that it might have been A Ladies' Diary (the original). I do know that my “oldest” collection to buy after it had been retired for several years was Le Cirque. I used it to create a fun Circus Wagon and mini album. When asked what my crafting style is, I have to say…it depends! It depends on the paper, my idea and my vision for what I’m creating. I love to try it all and love to try new products and techniques. I live in Texas, in the USA, and I am a true Texan, as I was born here and have lived here all my life. This month hubby and I are celebrating 41 years of marriage. We have three grown children and five wonderful grandchildren, with one already married, one in college, and one that is heading to college in the Fall! It makes me wonder where the time has gone! I’m so looking forward to creating projects to share with you this year using my favorite paper–Graphic 45!
Fun Facts:
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I listen to an Oldies music station on Pandora (and sometimes the James Taylor station) while I’m crafting. However, if I’m on a time crunch for a deadline, I have to turn it off and really concentrate. Good music can lead to spontaneous dancing with scissors in hand, and that in itself is a distraction!.
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I can come up with an idea for a new paper collection right away, but before I start working on it, it changes–a lot.
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My favorite part of designing and creating is the decorative part with the fussy cutting, flowers, lace, metal findings, and embellishments. It can take me days to finish decorating a project as I like to “audition” all the elements and search through my stash to find “just the right thing.”
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I do not snack while crafting at home, but I must always have a big glass (with a lid & straw) of iced Diet Pepsi on hand. I do not partake in any hot beverages–not even in the Winter.
Cafe Parisian Travel Journal
with Tutorial Video by Sandy Trefger
Today I’m sharing a project that I’ve made using the beautiful Cafe Parisian collection. I love the colors and gorgeous images on all the papers in the pad. I’m sure you’ve noticed a trend toward handmade journals–Midori, Travel etc. This year Sizzix has a new Travel Journal die designed by Eileen Hull, and you can cut your own covers out of mat board or chipboard. I’ve been wanting to use that die to create a journal for myself. I love how it turned out and hope my Cafe Parisian Travel Journal inspires you to create one for yourself.
I’ve uploaded a tutorial video on YouTube to share how I assembled my Journal Book.
Tips:
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Create various pockets, flaps, inserts etc. for your journal book in advance so you’ll have a good supply on hand to add into your signatures as you are assembling the book. You can use just the papers from your selected paper collection to have a uniform look throughout your journal or add in several different collections, snippets of saved papers, receipts, and envelopes to create a more junk type book. Also, use an elastic string for your signatures that is easy to thread through the pre-punched holes of the Travel Journal covers but strong enough to hold the signatures in place.
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Add vintage looking metal charms to your project by collecting inexpensive charm bracelets from antique malls or trade day markets. Just remove the charms from the bracelet and tie them to your journal book or album with jute string or narrow ribbons.
Graphic 45 Supplies:
Other Supplies:
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Sizzix Eileen Hull Travel Journal Die
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Sizzix 6”x13” white mat board
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Thermoweb 5 ½” x 8 ¾” Peel n Stick Adhesive Sheet
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Velcro Closures
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Elastic Cord
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May Arts Pink Jute String
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Ribbon & Braided Ribbon
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Sheer Ribbon, 1 ½” wide
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Seam Binding Ribbon
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Elastic Lace, Ivory or Beige
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Flowers by 49 and Market
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Assorted Metal Charms
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Kraft Envelope
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Black Cardstock, 1 sheet 12×12
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White Copy Paper
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White Watercolor Paper
Thank you so much for your love for Graphic 45. It’s going to be another great year, with more beautiful papers (new & old) for us to play with!
Happy Crafting!” ~Sandy Trefger
This week’s prize package includes a Communique – Deluxe Collector’s Edition set, Black Dot Alpha Banners, and Metal Door Plates and Knobs, a $45+ value! Just leave a comment here on the blog and/or on Facebook to be entered to win!
That is a wrap on Brand Ambassador spotlights. Thanks for being with us through these fun introductions. We hope you enjoyed all the lovely creations the team has shared and that you are as excited as us to see what they come up with throughout the year. We are so grateful for Sandy and all the other ambassadors. We'd love to hear about some of your favorite Sandy creations and about what you are looking forward to most with this year's team in the comments below. See you back here tomorrow for more crafting inspiration and the announcement of this week's blog prize winner.
Happy Papercrafting!