It is time to dip your toes in that beautiful Ocean Blue water. Today, we are delighted to introduce Graphic 45 Brand Ambassador from Canada, Elizajane. For Elizajane’s #G45Selfie – June Challenge she is showing off her love for all things vintage with this stunning Repurposed Journal and Treasure Box Set. Be sure to soak up all the great craft tips and watch the video tour below, and when you are done don’t forget to leave warm welcome for Elizajane in the comments.

Elizajane – Canada

Graphic 45 2020-2021 Brand Ambassador

“My name is Elizajane and I live on beautiful Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.

I have been ‘scrapbooking’ since my Dad gave me my first camera in 1985. Although, back then, it was not the same kind of scrapbooking it is now. However, I have never lost my love of papercrafting and photography. And in recent years, my passion has evolved into creating repurposed or up-cycled journals. I absolutely love creating with vintage papers, such as dictionaries, sheet music, ledger paper, etc., while combining them with stunning patterned papers from Graphic 45. I create my journals to have many purposes, such as a photo album, travel journal, recipe book, agenda, diary, or anything else you can think of.

A few years ago, after a painful divorce and change in circumstances, I quit my job in construction management, moved to the country, started working and teaching at the local scrapbooking store and built myself a tiny house on wheels, which, is just a small papercrafting studio with a bed, bath, and kitchen.

So, my life has started over and here I am now, a Graphic 45 Brand Ambassador and absolutely thrilled by the opportunity and privilege!

June 2020 – #G45Selfie

By Elizajane

This little project was created to reflect several of my favorite things. Repurposed journals, tiny treasures, and the ocean.

I started out with a small matchbox that I acquired some time ago because I loved the images on it and that once the matches were used I would repurpose the matchbox itself. When Graphic 45 released the Ocean Blue line, I knew that now was the time to put the matchbox to good use. I left the top and bottom of the matchbox as is because of the beautiful images and covered the rest with the equally beautiful Graphic 45 Ocean Blue paper. I then created a small journal that would fit perfectly within the matchbox.

For the cover and inside front and back pockets I used an old manila file folder stained with Distress Spray Stain.

Tip: Combine two Spray Stain colors. Spray generously and wipe with a baby wipe. Let it dry naturally.

I combined vintage ledger paper with the Graphic 45 Ocean Blue paper to create my journal with three signatures with 5 sheets/10 pages each signature. Each signature is bound with a cotton cord using just two holes. Remember to attach a ribbon for tying the journal closed before covering the inside front and back covers with patterned paper. Also, ink the patterned paper edges with Distress Ink, if desired.

Tip: I used the new Graphic 45 Policy Envelope and Decorative Dies to create perfectly sized decorative pages.

Once the journal is complete, decorate the journal, as desired. Keeping in mind that it needs to fit within the matchbox. I fussy cut the seahorse, adhered with foam squares and covered with Crackle Accents.

Tip: The patterns in the Graphic 45 – 8” x 8” Paper Pads are perfectly sized for tiny projects such as this.

Finish off with decorating the matchbox cover itself. I used twine, repurposed jewelry, a charm, a seashell, and a teeny tiny jar with sand from my beach.

And don’t forget to always sign and date your creation!” ~Elizajane