Free Abstract Background Paper

Here's a downloadable abstract background paper that will make a 2-page spread in a junk journal or be used for other scrapbooking activities. And hop over to my Etsy shop if you feel like looking around. Happy crafting! ~Kelcy

Free Blue Fabrics Background Paper

Here's a sheet of fabrics that can be used as a double-page spread in a junk journal or for other uses in scrapbooking. Download it and have fun. And hop over to my Etsy shop if you feel like taking a look around. Happy Crafting! ~Kelcy

Free Dragonfly Background Paper

Here's a 2-page spread junk journal scrapbooking page. Download and print it! And hop over to my Etsy shop if you feel like looking around. Happy crafting! ~Kelcy

Free Scrapbooking Watercolor Background Paper

Scrapbooking Watercolor Background Paper

This is my handmade scrapbooking paper I'm giving to paper crafters to play with as a free download. It's all the right colors for the changing season. Please do not use it in any sort of digital art. I have to RIGHT CLICK and select SAVE TARGET AS to save the page-sized image. SAVE PICTURE AS doesn't work. Happy Crafting ~Kelcy

Kelcy's Etsy Shop: BitsnBaubology

Free Foldable Postcard

Free Scrapbooking Ephemera: Postcards

This is another foldable postcard to mail to someone. If you mail it, remember, it conveniently arrives addressed with a cancelled stamp! Isn't that what junk journal enthusiasts look for? Refer to my previous blog post OPERATION ESCAPE for another style of a free foldable postcard download. Remember, you can print anything on the back of this postcard. You can print onto coffee-stained paper too! All those tips are at the OPERATION ESCAPE blog post.

I have to RIGHT CLICK and select SAVE TARGET AS to save the page-sized image. SAVE PICTURE AS doesn't work.  Happy crafting! ~Kelcy

Kelcy's Etsy Shop: BitsnBaubology

Operation Escape Foldable Postcard

OPERATION ESCAPE

DID YOU RECEIVE AN OPERATION ESCAPE POSTCARD? 
Skip the HOW-TO to learn how to open your goodie package.

The Coronavirus lockdowns are wearing on folks. I hear it in their daily reports while they share the love of junk journal creation. So, this is what I've done...I've been working on a type of Happy Mail to send to those Youtubers who stoke my junk-journal-crafting fix each day. It's kind of a lightweight form of spreading smiles. Add a pocket or two inside. Stuff it with whatever bits and baubs you like...I then sewed mine shut. You can decorate the outside! Add a digital image before you print. Anyone can send this sort of happy mail to a friend or relative. This could be a great home-school exercise for children to practice addressing mail and memorizing their address.


How-to:

1. Choose a piece of cardstock or single-sided printed scrapbooking paper.

2. Print the following downloadable folding postcard on the blank side. (I choose a faintly discolored white format to save on ink for printing the postcard side). I have to RIGHT CLICK and select SAVE TARGET AS to save the page-sized image. SAVE PICTURE AS doesn't work.

3. If you printed onto blank cardstock, print something nice on the other side!

4. Cut out the postcard side LEAVING 1/4" of white around the entire piece. This extra outer bit of white (edge) allows you to sew or glue the folded postcard closed.

5. Add the address. You can send them the url to this blogpost to open the stuffed postcard. Or you can doodle an arrow with the note to trim off the white border to open the card.



WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS POSTCARD?

1. Trim off the white border around the postcard side to open the card.
2. Time to have fun! The sky's the limit.
     a. Use the included tag to make a file folder.
     b. Or sew the card into a book as part of a signature.
     c. Or cut the card down the fold and make two journaling cards or tags.


And don't forget to check out my Etsy shop!

Every Day is Another Day to Hone Your Skills

To Procrastinate Or Not To Procrastinate?

Sometimes, you just have to get with the program. I'm talking about doing more than creating. Creating can be anything from modifying some resource in your environment to using expensive tools for cooking, woodworking, and creating standard art like watercolor. Other crafts are restoring old cars or watching the night sky. Crafts require knowledge and building skill sets. Crafts are fun. They allow you to forget about what's eating at your mind. You can escape with crafts (which eat at your mind and make you scratch at yourself until you rid yourself of that itch). Art (my anthropological disclaimer) is defined by the group. So, I don't claim to be an artist. People have called me that throughout my life. But I think they do because I can't stop working on something my mind locks onto until I've burned out on it. Maybe that means these people see me as a sad person who just can't let go. Maybe it means I study details until my brain is finished processing the way in which to do something. I don't know. But I'm not claiming to be an artist here. I'm claiming to be living through learning (for personal reasons) and trying to understand many things about the world. I'm formally educated in geology and anthropology (bio-archaeology) which provides a different evidence of my need to understand things. Like ceramics. Like source rock. Like why people do what they do...Like why the world turns. Like what makes us human. Why? Why? Why? That disclaimer dumped, I'm starting this blog to post information for people who ask me how to do things. There will be links here or names of people/blogs to visit (depending on EU internet law that encroaches on the freedoms of citizens of the US Republic). That's another disclaimer. But I plan to share photos of things I'm doing, how-tos, and most likely babble from time to time. I'm a big-picture person which is why I get caught up in all these whys in my head.

Things I Do:
1. Garden (started as permaculture)
2. Junk Journal booksmithing
3. Cook/Can food (non-GMO & gluten-free, Paleo, Keto)
4. Play with my solar oven (because it's science!)
5. Design book covers (monkey with Photoshop)
6. I used to write novels and just might climb back onto that train

Don't let all of this intimidate you. I ate an Oreo for breakfast. I'm no saint.  Happy crafting!~Kelcy



Kelcy's Etsy Shop: BitsnBaubology