My First Circle Journal

Welcome to my blog!  I am really happy that you are here reading my very first blog post!

I had so many ideas whirling around in my head about what I would post for the first time.  Eventually, I decided to stick with the theme of first experiences and blog about my Circle Journal.

If you have never heard of a Circle Journal before, you are not alone.  This is when a group of people all start by each making a journal with enough pages in the journal for each person in the group to add a card.  Each person decides on the theme of their journal and makes the first card in the journal with instructions of how it was made and the products used.  The whole journal is then posted off to the next person in the group, who makes a card (with instructions) based on the theme of the journal and sends it to the next person on the list.  Eventually, the journal completes its circle by returning home to its owner, filled with cards and lots of inspiration!

The theme i chose for my journal is ‘stamping techniques’.  Below is the card I made to start the journal – it uses the ‘Black Ice’ stamping technique which is one of my favourites at the moment.  I taught it in my class a few weeks ago, and the ladies all loved it!

The completed card using the ‘Black Ice’ stamping technique

Below are the instructions (with some photos) to make this card:

  • Lightly touch your Stazon ink pad to the foil paper and pull down to streak. If you like the black on the top and bottom edges, make sure to catch the edge with the ink pad.  Turn upside down and do the bottom edge.

  • Stamp your image and sentiment with the Stazon.  Allow this to dry (or help it along with your heat tool).

  • Lightly touch your Versamark pad to the foil paper and pull down.  The Versamark doesn’t have to cover the whole sheet — part of the wow of this is that there are gaps in the embossing.
  • Cover with the clear embossing powder and heat set.

This is a lovely technique and I hope that you will enjoy making cards with it.  My Circle Journal has started its journey (its first stop is Queensland) and the next person’s journal should be on its way to me.  I am really looking forward to seeing what themes everyone else has chosen!  I’ll keep you updated as the journals roll in and share the cards that I have made for them (tag: Circle Journal).

For easy reference, below are the products that I used to make this card. Click on the pictures to visit my online Stampin’ Up! store.

Rooted in Nature (wood mount) $96
Rooted in Nature (clear mount) $73
Colorful Seasons Photopolymer $47
StazOn Ink Pad
$17.50
Versamark Pad
$15.75
Clear Stampin’ Embossing Powder
$8.75
Heat Tool
$50
Basic Black Cardstock
$14.75
Basic Gray Cardstock
$14.75
Silver Foil Sheets
$7
Snail Adhesive
$10
Stampin’ Dimensionals
$6