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Monday 7 April 2014

Destination Inspiration ~ How To Create a Mini Configurations Book Tutorial

Greetings vintage travelers!  Welcome back to A Vintage Journey.
It's Candy here and I am pleased to be your Creative Guide as we explore this week's 
Destination Inspiration!
 
Today, our travels will take you into the world of Tim Holtz' Mini Configurations Books.
Like Tim's other Configurations pieces, the construction of them is fairly simple.  It's after you put them together that the REAL FUN begins as you let your imagination take control and steer you into a world of endless creative possibilities!
Here is my vintage Mini Configuration book that I have created especially for you. 
On today's journey, I will give you the "road map" (tutorial) for creating this beautiful piece.  Besides the instructions, I will give you helpful hints along the way.  

Remember....it's not the destination that is the most important thing! It's the JOURNEY!  So, let's set out on this creative adventure and hopefully when you reach your destination at the end of this piece, you will have learned some new things that you can use not only to create a Mini Configuration Book of your own but also ideas or techniques you can use in all sorts of your future projects.

Ready to go?  Okay then!  Fasten your seat belts and we're off!
To begin, you will need a Tim Holtz Mini Configuration Book.  The compartments on the inside can be moved around to fit whatever configuration you prefer.  The book is 9" tall and 6" across so it finishes out into an impressive piece . 

Most people use Tim's Tissue Tape around the perimeter of the book. By this I mean, when the book cover is closed, you can use tissue tape to cover what would be where the "pages" are. This is a wonderful use of Tim's Tissue Tape.  I have chosen to do something different ... more dimensional and a whole lot of fun.
Using Wendy Vecchi's White Embossing Paste, brush it onto the "pages" of your book.  Work a section at a time starting with the top then the side then the bottom.  After the embossing paste is brushed on, use a hotel key, old credit card or something with a clean, flat edge to create "pages" in the paste.  Make chopping motions up and across each side then let dry.
Here you can see the "pages" created using the flat edge.  I also like to let the embossing paste leave higher and lower areas to resemble old worn, dog eared pages.
 Create a "wash" with Gathered Twigs Distress Paint (any medium brown acrylic paint would also work) and water and brush onto the "pages".  Use a paper towel to remove excess paint.  This is meant to tint the white embossing paste to a brownish tone; not to completely cover it with brown paint. Let dry or heat set.
Add distressing by tapping the high areas of the "pages" with Ink Blending Tools using  Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain and followed by Black Soot Distress Inks.  Now your sides look like real vintage book pages!
Because I wanted this piece to look very vintage, I scuffed up my Tim Holtz Cabinet Cards.  These are the coolest things ever!  However, they have a bit of a glossy, slick finish to them. If you sand them down a little bit and give the surface some "tooth", inks will stick to them much better when trying to distress them.  On the left is a Cabinet Card that I have sanded.  On the right is the one I used on this Mini Configuration Book.  After sanding the card, I distressed it with Gathered Twigs followed by Walnut Stain toward the edges and then a touch of Black Soot at the edges.  I also used Tim's new Marker Spritzer and a Black Soot Distress Marker to add more of the random black smudges.  I love that spritzer and it works with ANY markers! So fun to play with!
Next I added a couple of pieces of Tim's Tissue Tape to the interior sides of my Cabinet Card.  I am using a vintage photograph from Tim's new Found Relatives set and the photographs are just a tad smaller than the opening on his Cabinet Cards.  No problem!  Add the Tissue Tape.  It adds interest and layers to your project!  Then add a little Collage Glue Stick to the center and put your photograph in place.
Since these three cute little cowboys are the subject of my Cabinet Card, I decided to fashion a "lariat" out of some string or twine.  I added it directly onto the photograph using Glossy Accents.
Next step....start layering and collaging on top of your Cabinet Card.  I started with random bits of Tissue Tape. In the lariat photo above, you can also see some Tissue tape that I began adding.  Here, I have added more Tissue Tape and am coloring in the hands using Tim's Detailer Water Brush and Distress Inks:  Tattered Rose and Scattered Straw mixed for a nice flesh tone, Stormy Sky for the suit color and Fired Brick for the shirt cuff.
For even more layers, I added a #5 Manila Tag behind the top of the Cabinet Card.  I distressed the edges using a Tim Holtz Tonic Paper Distresser.  The tag is distressed with Gathered Twigs and edges with Black Soot. Then I stamped " Life Moments" from Tim's Simple Sayings stamp set using Jet Black Archival Ink. I was too lazy to go upstairs and grab my sewing machine, so I created faux stitches with Tim's Design Ruler.  Notice the holes on one side of the ruler?  These are perfect for paper piercing or making faux stitching. I simply used a fine point permanent black ink pen and made marks going down the side of the tag; mark two holes, skip a hole, mark two holes, skip a hole, etc.  Then I simply drew a straight line between the two closest black marks.  What could be easier?  Next, I simply applied some glue from my glue stick and attached it to the top left of my Cabinet Card.
As you are adding elements to your Cabinet Card, you will see little empty spaces that are screaming for something to be added on. In this case, I had been adding paper embellishments, now it was time for something more dimensional and metal.  I chose Tim's larger Numeral "3" because of the three cowboys in the photograph.  I began by sanding a bit of the surface to scuff it up and then I added some Gold Paint Dabber.
To give a more aged and even patina look, I added some Black Soot Distress Ink rubbed over the gold followed by tiny amounts of Pitch Black Distress Paint.  Finally, I added small amounts of Juniper Paint Dabber for the faux patina.  Then heat set.  What started out as a shiny silver numeral is now an aged "3".
See the obvious empty space in the upper left corner?  This is where my "3" will go. I could have just pop dotted it in place but let's have some fun with this and make it even more interesting!  Let's wire wrap it through the top of the Cabinet Card to hold it in place.  Just wind some wire around the hole in the bottom of the "3".  Then run the wire through the top of the Cabinet Card.  Add pop dots under the three.
Then attach the "3" in place and wrap wire through the hole in the top of the "3".  It's attached and adding more dimension and interest....and it was EASY to do!
Here is a photograph of the finished Cabinet Card before adding it to the interior cover of the book.  (Sorry for the flash distortion on the vintage photograph.) 

After adding the "3", I added a Mini Paper Clip to the outside side of the Cabinet Card. I added Tim's  "EXPEDITION" Word Band with 1/4" Scor Tape to hold it in place after adding the twine that wraps around the card. Next I added Tim's Journaling Ticket to the upper right.  It was distressed with Black Soot around the edges.  For a little "pop", I added the largest of Tim's Mirrored Stars on the lower right. It makes me think of an old time Sheriff's badge. Not photographed here but on the finished piece, I also added a silver metallic arrow from Tim's Borders Industrious Stickers to the lower left side of the Cabinet Card. They are fun little doo dads that add a metallic look.

Now let's get into the actual construction of the Mini Configuration Book!  I need something to put my cute new little collaged Cabinet Card on!
Here is the configuration that I chose to use on my interior.  I chose scraps of paper from Tim's French Industrial Paper Stash.  Absolutely any paper will work.  Just keep in mind that you are not actually going to see too much of the design on the paper.  It is more about color than design. They are merely a background. I cut all of my papers to fit into their compartments and distressed around the edges of each with Gathered Twigs. Then simply glue them into place in each compartment.
On the one bottom left compartment, I decided to do some stamping and adding a piece of lace trim that would be easier to do BEFORE I glued the background paper in place.  So, in this case, I created my background first and then glued it into place in the compartment. I stamped the sentiment from Tim's Classics #5 stamp set using Jet Black Archival.  Then I added the piece of vintage lace using 1/4" Scor Tape.  Next I added the black twine to the Word Key and then glued the Word Key in place,  Finally, I glued the top of the twine using 1/8" Scor Tape to the top of the paper. Then I glued the background in place in the compartment.
 This next step is something that you don't have to do because the focal point of your compartments will be what is in them, not what the small sides of your compartments look like.  You can cover them with tape or paper, if you like. But I chose to simply add just a little Gathered Twigs (with a makeup wedge) to the interior sides of each compartment before I taped them in place.  
Once all of your compartments are ready and in place, it's time to permanently fit them together.  You do this with Tissue Tape.  I usually like to start working with all of my tape in one direction; like vertically.  When all of those joints are finished, I will do all of the horizontal ones.  But sometimes, you may decide to do that differently.  I always like to work with the least amount of cut edges showing as possible.  Here I began with my smaller horizontal pieces and then did my long vertical piece.  You just need to cut a piece of tape that is a little longer than the pieces you are taping together. Center the tape on the joint and then press into place.  Where you run into a corner, simply clip the tape so that you can smooth it down on the sides. Do this until all of your compartment tops are covered. I also went around the perimeter of all of the compartments for a nicer finished edge once you slip it into the book compartment. 
Here's a tip:  If you have any little clipped pieces that don't seem to want to stay stuck down, simply add a dab of Glossy Accents underneath them and press them into place.  Glossy Accents works great for making Tissue Tape stick even better!  
Here is a partial video of Tim explaining how to connect the compartments on a Configuration Box.  It's the same technique for a Configuration Book.
Once you have added all of your Tissue Tape to cover all of the compartment tops, your interior will look like this. To add a more distressed look to the tape, simply rub Gathered Twigs (or whatever color you choose), using a Blending Tool, over the Tissue Tape.

 ~ Embellishing the newly constructed Mini Configuration Book ~

Now the REAL fun begins!  It's time to add little bits of this and that to each of your compartments and to the interior of your book.  Since I have already started my interior cover with my very cute cowboy Cabinet Card, I decided to finish out my interior cover first.  I glued a 9" x 6" striped piece of paper from Tim's French Industrial Paper Stash to the interior cover.  Then I sanded all of the edges and added Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain and a touch of Black Soot Distress Inks to the paper.   
I masked off a portion of a stamp from Tim's Way With Words stamp set so that just a portion of the sentiment would fit on a piece of twill ribbon that I wanted to use to make a belt.

I distressed the ribbon with Gathered Twigs and Black Soot and then I attached one of Tim's cute little Buckles to one end of the ribbon.
I added the ribbon to the top of the interior cover using 1/4" Scor Tape and then added the Metal Corner. Notice that the Metal Corner is silver. The buckle is antique Gold and the "3" Numeral is a patina goldish color. I like to mix my metals.  I think it adds a more "hodge podge" vintage look rather than having everything match all the time.

I added a piece of a vintage feed sack behind my collaged Cabinet Card and then I glued it in place.
Underneath the Cabinet Card, I added a piece of vintage lace using a piece of 1/4" Scor Tape and then covered the top of the lace with another of Tim's Tissue Tapes.  I love the contrast that the black measuring tape adds.
Here is the finished interior cover of my Mini Configuration Book.  Lots of different textures, patterns and elements.  But they all work together for a very vintage look.

Now for the compartments ...
I started out with one of Tim's Pocket Watches.  The back will pop off pretty easily if you use a Tonic Retractable Craft Pick to pry in between the back cover and the watch base.  If you happen to have a 1 3/4" circle punch, you're in luck!  That is the perfect size you need to punch a paper background for the base of your watch.  If you don't have one (like I don't) then I found that a Distress Glitter jar is almost the perfect size.  Just trace around the base and cut it out.  Another thing....Tim's Paper Stashes all come with sections that are 2" square images of the larger papers.  These are perfect to use when cutting out a background for your watch base!
Distress around the edge of your paper and glue it into the bottom of the watch. Next add whatever you want to the interior as long as the watch top will fit over it and click shut. Here I have added some Sprocket Gears, Mini Gears and Game Spinners using Glossy Accents. To the top, I added a clock face from Tim's Numbers Remnant Rubs. When the interior was dry, I clicked the back in place.  But, I didn't want a shiny silver pocket watch so I altered it.
Again, I used the Gold Paint Dabber, a little Black Soot Distress Ink and added Juniper for a patina look.  I also shortened the small Swivel Clasp Chain and added the excess along with an Adornments Star to make another little dangle from the watch top.  
(This is not a great picture of the finished pocket watch.  There is a better one coming up.)
To make things hang inside of your Mini Configuration book or boxes, simply screw in a Tim Holtz Screw Eye.  I added this Screw Eye to the left side of my biggest compartment and then hung the watch from it using a jump ring.
Here is the pocket watch in place. I also stamped the time sentiment from Tim's Elements of Time stamp set and added the flourish and numbers at the top from more of Tim's Remnant Rubs.
Tim's new Letter Press! Oh my gosh! Don't get me started on these little gems! I love them! They look like old time printers' blocks. They are so stinkin' cute and so dimensional.  I added a bit of Gold and Silver Paint Dabber to the tops of the letters and then decided I'd rather have them colored more like ages and ages of ink that had been ground into them over the years.  So, I used Mustard Seed on the "P", Rusty Hinge on the "a", Barn Door on the "S" and Broken China on the "T".  I tapped the letters onto the ink pads to transfer the colors.  It's subtle color but they look amazing in the compartment!
I added a piece of vintage lace under the Letter Press blocks and then glued them in place using Glossy Accents.  Aren't they cool?
Underneath the pocket watch section, I added the little bird's nest and eggs. Very simple....just create a little nest using Spanish moss, excelsior or some other nesting type of material. Glue it in place with Glossy Accents. The eggs are some little ivory plastic eggs that are brown speckled.  I added Peacock Feathers Distress Ink to them using an Ink Blending Tool.  I glued them in place with Glossy Accents.  I also added the Metal Corners to the outside corners of the right side of the interior.  I slid them in between the outer casing of the Configuration Book and the inner combined compartments and added Glossy Accents to the tabs before sliding them into place.
On the left side there are three smaller stacked compartments.  The bottom one is filled with a thin piece of styrofoam that is covered with a scrap of brown distressed burlap on top and cardstock on the front. The burlap was glued on with Glossy Accents. I then altered a silver Pen Nib with a Gold Paint Dabber and Pitch Black at the tip (to represent ink). I made a slit in the burlap and stuck the Pen Nib (with a bit of Glossy Accents dabbed on the base) down into the styrofoam to hold it upright.  Next I glued the styrofoam base in place. I added a Monocle that has "Explore Life" from Tim's Remnant Rubs transferred to the lens.  I glued it in place using Glossy Accents. Finally, using Glossy Accents, I glued another altered Pen Nib onto the cardstock front of the styrofoam block.  (You will see all of the compartments in a future picture).
I love Tim's Filmstrip Ribbon.  It is a blank little filmstrip that is easily alterable to add miniature photos.  Simply find the images on the computer and using a photo editing program, size them to just a tad under 1/2" wide and 3/4" long.  Cut them out.  Leave the top and bottom frames blank.  There are 9 frames in all.  Apply a little Glossy Accents onto the second blank frame and add a photograph.  Gently move the photo back and forth to let it "grab" to the filmstrip surface and also to smear the Glossy Accents so that it will dry clear. Continue this procedure until all of the photos are added.  Bend the top and bottom blank frames to the inside.  Apply a couple of 1/4" Scor Tape strips.  Remove the strips and place the top blank frame of the filmstrip against the top back wall of the small compartment.  Remove the adhesive backing to the strips and place the bottom blank frame against the back wall of the second compartment.  In the photograph below, you will see the placement of the filmstrip in the compartments. 
To finish out the top and middle small compartments, I added a Bingo Number from Maya Road in the top compartment and a Corked Vial turned on it's side with a small piece of the vintage feed sack tucked inside so it is easily visible.  In the second compartment, I added another little piece of feed sack on the bottom of the compartment. Tim's "Time" Chit Chat was glued onto the front of the Vial.  I added some micro beads and a little vintage Glitter Glass to the interior of the bottle.  Again, this was done primarily to make the bottle more visible and also add a little more color to the compartments.

In the upper right corner of the compartment section of my book, I added a Long Fastener (with a little Glossy Accents on the tips) between the outer book cover and the combined compartments, just like I added the Metal Corner.  Using a Mini Paper Clip, I attached a Tag Label that has the word "FOUND" in it so that it can dangle freely from the Fastener. 

Finally, I decided to add an Alpha Chips "C" in front of the Word Key as my "signature" on this piece.
I painted the exterior of the book with a Burnt Umber Acrylic paint.  I can always go back and add paper to the exterior but for now I am happy with the way my little book turned out.  I totally love it and would probably never close it anyway.

Thank you for taking this tutorial trip with me today at Destination Inspiration.  I hope that you enjoyed the journey and learned a few new techniques or tips along the way.   If you did, I'd love to hear from you!

All of the items used in creating this vintage Mini Configurations Book are available at 

http://www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk/

Have a wonderfully imaginative and playful week!  I hope you have time to explore, discover and enjoy YOUR creative journey!





 





90 comments:

  1. Wow Candy what a fabulous vintage piece. Your book is stunning. I love the vintage image and the lariat you created. I adore your technique for creating pages for the book. The pocket watch is also a lovely dimensional piece to,your design and I love the lettering too. Fantastic techniques and I love how,you used part of the text background stamp too, I always love to see parts of a stamp used. Wonderful design and techniques to produce a feast for the eyes. I love it Candy. Tracy x

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    1. Hi Tracy! You are so sweet! I thank you so much for your comments and that this mini book and tutorial was interesting for you. :) I'm so glad that you loved the end result. <3 Candy

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  2. Candy, what a fabulous piece! I love the way you created the pages of your book. Thank you for sharing all the techniques in your stunning book. I love how vintage you've made it and all the details are stunning. I do believe you have given me the inspiration to work on the book I bought. Love yours! Hugs.

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    1. Yay Pam! Thanks so much for leaving a comment! That makes me feel so good! I'm so happy that I've inspired you to work on the book you bought. You will have so much fun!!! I promise! If you run into any problems, just email me and I'll try to walk you through it. <3 Candy

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    1. Thank you so very much for leaving such a nice comment!!! <3 Candy

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  4. I'm speechless!!! So many great ideas! Stunning! Stunning! Stunning!
    Dot x

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    1. Hi Dots Dabbles! I am so happy that you found the tutorial to have lots of ideas for you! That makes my day. I hope that you'll give some of the techniques a try. I think you'll have so much fun with them! Thanks for your comment! <3 Candy

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  5. Love love love everything about this piece. So beautifully done Candy. Karen.x

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    1. Karen...you always leave the nicest comments! I truly appreciate that so much! It's people like you that make sharing our ideas and experiments so much fun! THANK YOU! <3 Candy

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  6. Well blow me away! I can't wait to go back and reread this all over again and really study the photos. I learned several great tips that I can't wait to put to use. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Hey Susan! You always make me feel so good with your thoughts. You really made me smile when I read that you learned several great tips with the tutorial. THAT is exactly why I love doing this so much....to challenge someone to not be afraid to experiment and play. Sometimes you just have to understand the "how to" and then you can run with it. I have seen your work and I know that will be the case with you! THANK YOU for your sweet comment! <3 Candy

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  7. Candy - Your book is just fabulous. I haven't done a mini yet but now think I will give it a go. Thanks for the inspiration!

    As always, love your work.

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    1. Hi Sandy! With your talent....doing one of these mini configuration books would be a breeze for you. You would love it! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment. That means so much to me! <3 Candy

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  8. Absolutely stunning mini. Love the photo stepped tutorial very inspiring. Great piece to have on display

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    1. Hi Paula! I am loving your vintage matchbook entry into our challenge this week, too! I'm so happy that my tutorial was inspiring to you and hopefully you will use some of the techniques and tricks on future projects. Thanks so much for leaving your comment! <3 Candy

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  9. Hi Candy this is just wonderful and thank you so much for showing all your details...I had no idea how these are created and your tutorial is so helpful. You are so creative and I loved seeing how you put all this together...thanks for the journey. What a fab keepsake this is xx

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    1. Hi Jane. You are so welcome for the tutorial. I had such a fun time doing it. I'm glad that you found some things with the post that were helpful to you. Just imagine substituting out a family photograph in place of the three little cowboys and adding special little keepsakes into the compartments that tell your family story. I think these would make wonderful gifts! Enjoy your week and thanks for leaving a comment! <3 Candy

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  10. absolutely wonderful...great tutorial full of fabulous inspiration xxx

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    1. Hi Kath! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. You don't know how happy it makes me to read that my tutorial provided some inspiration to so many people! So...thank you for sharing your thoughts! <3 Candy

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  11. Oh Candy this is such an unbelievable project, I more than adore it!!!! The amount of care and attention to detail!! You should have heard the loud bang when I first opened this page on my computer this morning, that was my jaw dropping to the floor.... seriously I absolutely LOVE it and have picked up so many new tips, so I want to thank you for that also. I have never yet done an alterations project of any kind, but you have now convinced me! I think this must be my all time favourite project of yours, just wow!!!!!

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    1. Astrid....I am shaking my head at your comment. You just blow me away with your generosity of thought when it is YOU who is such a talent! :) I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your thoughts. <3 Candy

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  12. wow - this is amazing - love it to pieces xx

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    1. Hi Rachel! I love that name. :) Thanks so much for leaving such a nice comment about the mini configurations book and tutorial. I'm so glad that you loved it! <3 Candy

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  13. Wow, wow, wow Candy, you have done it again! This is the most wonderful project ever... made all the more special because of your detailed tutorial. Thank you for all the hints and tips. I love how you used the pocket watch (beautifully altered) the fabulous letter press (my favourite thing at the moment!) and the embossing paste around the edges to make it look like real pages is just inspired. I totally adore this beautiful creation. Anne x

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    1. Anne....THANK YOU THANK YOU for your sweet comments. I am so so happy that you love this project and tutorial so much. I get so much inspiration by everyone on this wonderful DT. We all have our own unique talents and styles and I think we all blend and mesh into one super creative and fun group! Thank you so much for leaving your thoughts. YOU inspire me! <3 Candy

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  14. Like Astrid I find this jaw-droppingly amazing Candy!!! LOVE the rub on over the pocket watch, the altered 3, the painted tape and OMG the embossing paste pages. This is a tutorial I will come back to time and time again. You are a true creative genius. Jenny x

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    1. Jenny....I think you give me too much credit but I will gladly accept it! haha Thank you so very much for taking the time to send your thoughts. Coming from one of THE MOST wonderful card artists I know, I accept this as high praise. :) I am so pleased that you found so many things on this piece that spoke to you. That makes me smile on the inside! <3 Candy

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  15. Wow Candy, what an absolute treasure trove of ephemera and techniques - stunning! Chris xxx

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    1. Chris....thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and leave such a sweet comment. I am so pleased and honored to be a part of this unique and extremely talented group of artists! <3 Candy

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  16. Simply fabulous!!! Great tutorial with loads of ideas love the embossed pages and the pocket watch and cabinet card and.... And.... And ...everything! X

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    1. Hi Toni! Thanks for leaving such a nice comment. I'm so glad that there were so many things that caught your eye. Your excitement about this piece is infectious!!! Enjoy your week! Create something fun! <3 Candy

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  17. LOVE what you did with this box! Thank you for the tutorial...so many times I have wondered...how in the world did they do that? and now I know just how you did!! Thanks again.

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    1. Hi Theresa! Yay! I am so glad that I did this tutorial for you then...so you would know how they are put together. They really are not difficult and a whole lot of fun to stick "stuff" in all of the little nooks and crannys. :) Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 Candy

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  18. I'm speechless ... this is such an inspiring project! Thanks for all the wonderful instructions. Every little detail is talking about your enthusiasm and passion for your projects. Love it!
    hugs serafeena

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    1. Hi Serafeena....You are so welcome for the instructions! Yes, I loved creating this piece and then sharing how I did it. Hopefully it will inspire our fellow crafting travelers to have a go at a mini configuration book or at least use some of these techniques on other art projects! Thanks for leaving a comment! <3 Candy

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  19. You are a genius, nothing more can be said! I'm drooling over this amazing piece of art. Thank you so much for your inspiration and for breaking it down to show us how to make something like this. Now I feel like I need to get a mini configuration book too :)

    Hugs,
    Linda

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    1. Linda....oh my gosh! You're making me blush...big time! :) You have always been such a wonderfully sweet and creative artist and I so appreciate your thoughts! I am so pleased that maybe I've inspired you to try one of these little mini books. I love the size! Small enough to not be too ostentatious but large enough to make a statement. I want to make one of these of my grandchildren. I think it would be a wonderful little keepsake....way better than just a picture in a frame! Thank you so much for leaving your comments, Linda! <3 Candy

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  20. Candy, It would take me an hour to remark on every fabulous and wonderful detail in your configurations box! Like Linda, I am drooling over here and just love this alteration! You are one great inspiration and I have only made one configurations and have a few laying around and am inspired to get cracking on #2! Love this much and thank you for sharing all the steps from start to finish! Such eye candy to start off Monday! Hugs!

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    1. Hey Terry! Girl, you are awesome. Thanks so much for your sweet comment! Aren't the configurations books/boxes fun? I just love how your own personality really comes through as you fill each little compartment with art or things that convey what you're trying to say through your piece. I hope you will make another configurations book...as I can't wait to see what your style brings to one. I truly appreciate your thoughts! <3 Candy

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  21. Oh my goodness Candy, what an amazing and inspirational configurations book this is. The whole design, your ingenuity, the vision and the sheer originality has bowled me over and I am captivated looking at all the wonderful details and mesmerised by your phenomenal talent. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful process steps and the insights into your creative mind. hugs Brenda xx

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    1. Hello Brenda! I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in me and asking me to become a member of this very unique and inspiring group of talented artists! I am still pinching myself that I am included as a creative guide! I totally love this journey and being able to create and share with everyone what I so love to do. Thank you for your very sweet comments that you've left on the blog. Your thoughts mean the world to me. <3 Candy

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  22. Wow Candy - just jaw droppingly stunning ! As everyone else I am just drooling over all the elements you have used to make this absolutely unique vintage piece. You really are so inspirational and original and like Brenda I was just captivated by looking at all the wonderful individual elements and your how to tutorial. I will be back again and again. Just absolutely fabulous! xxxxxxx

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    1. Hello Jennie!! Yay! I am so glad that you liked this piece and tutorial so much! That makes me totally happy and feel like I've accomplished my goal if my fellow creative guides liked it so much. :) Thank you for your kind comment! <3 Candy

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  23. It just looks amazing, love the way you used grunge paste to look like pages. I had not thought about colouring in tissue tape either. Some new tequniques to try out.
    Thanks for sharing x

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    1. Hello Jan! So...you liked the grunge paste to look like old pages technique? I do too!! It's so easy but makes such a statement!! :) I'm so glad that you picked up some new techniques from this tutorial! That makes me so happy! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. <3 Candy

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  24. Candy, your configurations book is stunning. Thanks for such a detailed travelling guide. I think I might take that vintage journey myself. So inspiring. Thanks so much. Jean.x

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    1. Hello Jean. I thank you so much for making this stop on your creative journey and leaving a comment for myself and the other creative guides. We so love creating our pieces and sharing the "how to's" with everyone. I am glad that you received some inspiration from this tutorial and mini book. Enjoy your week! <3 Candy

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  25. Hallo Candy, first- sorry for my broken bad english.... but I have to wrote *lol
    I´ve enjoyed this Little vacation and follow your journy with an open mouth....
    I realy love what you´ve made !!!! It´s such amazing - unbeliveable that it Looks such easy how you did it....
    CU hellerlittle

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    1. Hello Hellerlittle! I appreciate your comment no matter what language it is in! :) I am so happy that you enjoyed the tutorial about the mini configurations book. It really is easy to do and I hope that maybe you'll give this or a configurations box a try. They truly are so much fun to put little pieces of your own personality or style into each compartment! <3 Candy

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  26. Talk about an encyclopedia of vintage techniques!! Thank you so much Candy for sharing each and every delicious detail. I feel like I'm getting a top grade education for free! Genuinely LOVE this project and it's impossible to choose a favourite element as it all is wonderful, well, maybe those page edges - they are the bomb!), . This would be right at home in any wild west trading post. Absolutely fabulous!!! Nicola x

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    1. Nicola...you are too kind! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a super sweet comment. I am sooo pleased that you feel like you learned quite a bit from the tutorial! That is exactly what my intention was in creating this fun vintage configurations book! You've made my day! <3 Candy

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  27. This is so...... amazing. thank you for sharing

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    1. Hello Peggy! You are so welcome. It thrills me to have people connect with this mini configuration book and tutorial! It's so much fun to share ideas and the creative process! Thank you for leaving such an nice comment! <3 Candy

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  28. It's som beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. So many cute and pretty wonderful details.

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    1. Hello Tone. Thank you so much for stopping by Destination Inspiration and leaving a comment for me. I love reading what people have to say. Enjoy the rest of your week and I hope you find the time to create some wonderful art! <3 Candy

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  29. I am in complete awe. That is one of the most beautiful creations I've ever seen. Every detail is perfect. The pocket watch & the photo look amazing & I love the 'pages', they are so realistic.

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    1. You have made my day! I so love reading these comments and see that people are connecting so much with my art and the step by steps. :) Your comment has made me feel so good! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and leave your thoughts! <3 Candy

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  30. Wow, fantastic. Thank you for the wonderful tutorial. Brilliant in every aspect.

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    1. Hello Wendy. I am so happy that you enjoyed this Destination Inspiration tutorial! I hope that you took something from it that will benefit you in your future art projects. Thank you for leaving a comment! <3 Candy

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  31. Oh my gosh, Candy, this is absolutely STUNNING in every way. I need to go make a cup of tea and come back and ogle it some more. What an inspiration!

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    1. Marjie!!! THANK YOU, girlfriend! A cup of tea sounds really good about now. It's raining outside and a bit cold in my studio. :) I'm so glad that you had the time to stop by and check out the tutorial and mini configuration book for Destination Inspiration. :) Thanks for leaving a message on this blog and on mine!!! You're such a good friend! <3 Candy

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  32. Candy, it is fantastic. and what a detailed tutorial. thank you. :)

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    1. Hi Louise! I am so happy that you stopped by to check out this tutorial and project. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. That means so much to me! <3 Candy

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  33. Candy ! Wow what can I say . There is do much to look at and this is incredible x you are do very talented and there is do much to look at here , so many amazing details and do much to look at x such clever touches and amazing details ! I love this ! ! Hugs x trace xx

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    1. Hi Trace. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule right now to leave a comment. It is so appreciated! I'm so glad that you liked the tutorial. <3 Candy

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  34. Candy sorry should say so talented , so much to look at xx on phone as away xx hugs and sorry x your make is amazing ! Xx

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  35. What an astounding creation, Candy... a jaw-droppingly brilliant piece of work - with so much imagination and creativity, and so many details and delights. And you've given us such a wonderful step-by-step through your creative process too - utterly amazing!
    Alison xx

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    1. Alison....I am such an admirer of your work. Week after week, you seem to come up with all sorts of new and beautiful designs and ideas. I am always amazed at what you do! :) Thank you so much for the wonderful comments that you've left here for me. I so enjoyed reading them. You really touched me so much! <3 Candy

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  36. What an amazing artwork! It makes me speachless.

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    1. Hi Kati. Thank you so much for taking some time to stop by the A Vintage Journey challenge blog and leave such a nice message. I really appreciate your thoughts! <3 Candy

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  37. Oh my Candy! This is incredible! All your layers and details are amazing. You have done a gorgeous job on your book, and a fabulous job on sharing all the steps. This post is very inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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    1. Hi Terri! You are so sweet! Thank you so much for your very kind thoughts and taking the time to leave them as a comment so that I could read them! I am so glad that you found some inspiration from the tutorial!!! <3 Candy

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  38. This project is beyond amazing! I love every little detail and you are so generous to share how you did it all! Love the belt, love the watch, LOVE the film strip - love it all! You have truly inspired me - thanks so much!

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  39. Hi Cathy. Thank you so much for the very sweet comments you left on this challenge blog for me to read! I am soooo pleased that you loved so many things about the mini configuration book and I am also very happy that I inspired you through the piece. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment! <3 Candy

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  40. OMG...I cannot get over the details....just totally amazing...and I love the textured "pages." You are a genius!

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    1. Kathy...you are so precious. I always look forward to your comments. Thank you so much for always being so supportive. Sending hugs! Candy

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  41. Holy Moly!!! There aren't enough adjectives to describe how awesome this project is. I am in awe of the technique you used to create the pages with Wendy's embossing paste...brilliant!!! This requires several takes to absorb everything you put into it. So happy you took the time {and patience} to share the steps with us Candy, thank you. :) I'm in heaven looking at this!

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    1. Lisa...girl, you made my day! Thank you so much for understanding the time it takes to share the photos and steps in creating this piece. Everyone has been so sweet about that. I lovemaking the pages look as realistic as possible. It is just a fun thing to do and a bit more "artsy" than just adding the tissue tape. Thank you for your thoughts. You made me feel so good. Hugs, Candy

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  42. Candy this is just the most amazing projects I have ever seen and your step by step is superb. If I listed what I liked about it, I would be here for a very long time so I will just put it into two words - absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing. Mo x

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  43. Mo....THANK YOU so much for your wonderfully sweet comments. I am thrilled that you think so much of this mini configurations book. It truly was a labor of love. :). I am so happy that you liked it and the tutorial so much. Thank you for your comments! Hugs, Candy

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  44. WOW Candy! This one actually made me DROOL. I kid you not-- I had to go get myself a napkin and I'm glad no one was here to witness the effect that this stunning piece had on me and my stuck-open-in-awe mouth! I am constantly amazed at how you think of so many fresh and new details and techniques. Every piece you make is so jam-packed with brilliant ideas that my head almost explodes every time (in a good way). This piece is no exception and my favorites have got to be the edges the look like old gilded pages, the dusty-rusty number 3 with the bit of aged teal, the ribbon you stamped on and then attached a buckle to and the birdie's nest and the filmstrip ribbon. I could go on and on (I really could), but that might induce another drooling attack, so suffice it to say that this one is inspiring and lovely and so typically YOU that I couldn't be more proud! It is always a highlight of my day to see what amazing things you've created.

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    1. Andrea....oh my goodness! YOU make me feel so good! As you know, I'm such a fan of your art and to get a "critique" like this makes my heart sing! :) Thank you so much. <3 Candy

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  45. Really beautifully done......Wonderful details, so much to learn from.....Thanks for the sharing the step by step......
    This is piece is Awesome......

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    1. Hello itsazoo! I wanted to thank you for taking time out of your day to leave such a nice comment for me. I am so happy that you enjoyed the tutorial!! <3 Candy

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  46. Brilliant, I tell ya, Brilliant!!!!

    ~Linda

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    1. Linda...this is very high praise coming from someone of your ingenious creativity! I am such a HUGE fan of your work and am thrilled that you think so much of this piece!!! Thank you so much for leaving a comment. <3 Candy

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  47. Wow Candy! What an amazing work of art! Love all the little doo dads and your attention to detail! Thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. Hello Mona. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment! You are so sweet. <3 Candy

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  48. Thank you so much, I love these box book, I have made one of halloween theme, your creation is wonderful, love this !

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