"Babbling Brook" Tutorials Part 1

Here are our takes on "Babbling Brook" Inspiration Add-On Kit:

Sherri's "Babbling Brook" Counterfeit Kit

This kit was the most challenging for me because I needed to make three of the papers and the scalloped die cut.  My Cricut, punches and stamps got a workout with this kit!  I included a punched flower border and a small bubble stamp, plus DIY pockets that I made from one sheet of die-cut ledger paper.  for more details, go to my blog http://sherrithompson.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-counterfeit-babbling-brook-kit.html.

Meridy's "Babbling Brook" Counterfeit Kit

I decided to get "close" to the main kit...but substituted what I had to "make it work".  I had fun putting this one together.

Bethany's "Babbling Brook" Counterfeit Kit

 

These papers surprised me.  I think I was expecting more of a woodsy feel from this kit.  I had fun re-creating the papers I couldn't match well and think this is a good more masculine addition for me this month.  Check out my BLOG for a complete list of my kit contents and more pictures.

I recreated 3 of the papers from this kit (THREE!!!  I'm so proud of me!). 

Dot Paper Tutorial:

Here is the original paper:

And here is what I did:

As soon as I saw the dot paper in Babbling Brook I knew I wanted to re-create it. I went through all of my scrap paper and started pulling any paper that would work well with the other paper in this kit. I used my Cricut to cut out 2 (1 inch) circles from each paper so I could grid them out and see how many total dots I would need.

I used my Xyron to put adhesive on the dots...they are curling up a bit, so I will need to use my ATG to fix some of them. I did a row across and a row down to get my random pattern started and see how many dots I still needed to cut.

I am notorious for doing things crooked (yep, I can even cut crooked paper on my paper trimmer! LOL), so I used a ruler to help me keep the rows fairly straight. I not really good at doing things randomly. No matter how hard I try, things seem to go in a natural order for me, so I really worked at picking a top row dot and completing the sequence after that dot. For the next row, I would move down a few dots in the first row and finish the sequence from there.

Other than slight curling with some of the dots, I am thrilled with how the paper looks and will definitely try it again! I love that it has bits of other papers from the kit. It is a great way to personalize it. And using up my scraps is always a plus, too.

Sherri also made a tutorial for this paper, you can check it out at her blog http://sherrithompson.blogspot.com/2011/03/get-look-cosmo-crickets-cocktail.html

Alphabet Paper Tutorial: 

Here is the original paper:

And here is how I recreated it:

I loved the tonal look that it has, so I contemplated using my Cricut, but ended up stamping instead just for something different.

All I needed was an alpha stamp set, colored cardstock and matching ink (I used a slightly darker color...you could use Versamark if you want a more subtle look)

I stamped in small sections so I could work on making it feel more random.  Changing the direction of the stamp and stamping partially off the page helps with that, too.

Round Scalloped Paper Tutorial:

This paper was pretty easy to create using my Cricut.  I used the Storybook Cartridge for the scallops, (but you could use punched out circles) and the circle.  I added faux stitching to mimic the red line on the original paper.  I could have glittered the scallops, but didn't really want to.  LOL  How is that for a reason?

Here are some more links you might like about making your own paper:

Random Stamping
CTMH TV
Making paper from a napkin