{Mixed Media Tutorial} Monika Creates A Storage Booklet For Her CUTplorations Word Dies

Hello, Crafty Friends! It's Monika here today starting the week off with an idea for a very unique die storage solution. I decided to make my own storage for my CUTplorations Word Dies, and in today's tutorial I am showing you how I made it. First up are a couple of photos to show you the finished project.

The finished booklet has 26 pockets for my dies to sit in. Following the steps, you will be able to easily make your own. The coloured card and ink colours I used to match my paper will be in brackets to help making the instructions clear.

• using the CUTplorations ATC/Gift Card Envelope Die cut 26 envelopes from pretty paper of your choice
• in addition, cut the center bit twice from white card and twice again from chipboard for your covers as shown in the above photo
• cut 26 pieces from matching card (River Rock card) measuring 9.2 x 7 cm (3 5/8" x 2 3/4") and add a shallow notch on one of the shorter sides to each using a circle punch. This notch really needs to be quite shallow as can be seen towards the top in the above picture.

• working on your matching card pieces, first blend matching ink (River Rock) through the ARTplorations Foiled Again stencil
• lightly blend the edges using the same ink
• stamp the floral stamp from the Mixed Media Grunge set using the same ink
• stamp the small dot strip from the same stamp set in a contrasting ink (Soft Suede) using 2nd generation stamping

• assemble the envelopes and blend around the edges on both sides (River Rock)
• set two envelopes aside for the inside of your covers and glue the others together back to back in pairs of two, this should give you 12 pages with pockets
• attach your decorated pieces of matching card to the front of each pocket for extra strength and to cover the joins
• edge your pages on both sides with a matching dark colour ink (Basic Grey)

•  working with the pieces for your covers, trim off the sides along the pre-creased fold lines

• for your back cover, blend the white piece of card using the same ink you used for blending your page fronts (River Rock) adding some extra texture by gently pressing your card directly onto the ink pad
• mask off the rounded end as shown on the piece of white card above and blend your dark ink (Basic Grey) through the ARTplorations Foiled Again Stencil
• stamp the small dot strip from the Mixed Media Grunge set around the edges in the same dark colour ink (Basic Grey)
• attach to the back cover side of the chipboard and fit one of the pockets to the inside
• edge you cover with the same ink
• repeat the first three steps from this section for your front cover before continuing with the steps below

• for your front cover, attach the Flower Burst Large ARTplorations Stencil in place and add some dimension using contrasting coloured paste (I used All Purpose Filler coloured with Riding Hood Red) through your stencil
• once dry attach to the front of you chipboard cover and add the remaining pocket to the inside
• die-cut the word Magical using the CUTplorations Word Die Magical (Basic Grey card)
• die-cut some more letters to form the word Words (Basic Grey card)
• attach both to your front cover once dry
• add some sparkle using Clear Star Gelly Roll and gold eyeliner
• add some sequins
• give both your front and back cover a protective coat of Mod Podge
• punch the holes for your binding ring or ribbon
• set eyelets in your front and back cover and add your binding ring/ribbon
• cut 26 pieces measuring 9.5 x 6 cm (3 3/4" x 2 3/8") from Magnetic Photo Paper, attach your dies and insert into the pockets
• attach a die-cut of the corresponding sentiment to the front of each pocket (Riding Hood Red card)

That's it from me for today. Hope you feel inspired to create your own die storage. I would love to hear how you get on.

Have a lovely week!
hugs
Monika xxx

Here is what I used:
ARTplorations Stencils: Foiled Again, Flower Burst Large
 

STAMPlorations Stamps: Mixed Media Grunge


CUTplorations Dies: ATC/Gift Card Envelope Die, Word Dies: Magical, Hello, Hugs
    
Thanks, Warm Winter Wishes, Wonderful