Tuck In tags with JoFY {by Etsuko Noguchi}

Hi everyone, Etsuko here with you today.

When making a journal, I thought it would be lovely to have a small container for bits and bobs to hand, so I came up with the idea of making one using lovely JOFY stamps and stencils.

These are the primary items used. Now then, let me introduction them in order. From the two stamp pictures above, JOFY stamp set 127, 133 (JOFY127, JOFY133), and the two below are (JOFY98, JOFY134) The main paints are PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic - Turquoise and Vintage Lace. And Brayer. Ranger Industries - Archival Ink (Jet Black, Forget-Me-not), Distress Oxide - (tea dye). Some oil color pencils.

These two images show JOFY's products used for small items inside the container. JOFY32, JOFY122, JOFY123, JOFY124 and JOFY101.

These are also Jofy mini stamps for similar purposes. The one at the bottom right is Seth Apter's mini.  JM49, JM71, JM74. JM83, JM88, EM68

The main body utilised a small parcel box, with the flaps enveloping the box reinforced using card stock. The dimensions are as shown in the diagram below. The small parcel box was pre-treated with gesso in preparation for the work

Create the background for the container cover, blending shades of Turquoise and Vintage Lace with PaperArtsy Brayer to soften the edges.

Once my brayer work is complete to my satisfaction, finish the background using stamps or stencils. As the JOFY stamps lacked script, I printed Scrapcosy's ESC18 in several places using Tsukineko VersaFine Clair ink (Nocturne).

Stamped the JOFY98 diamond pattern onto Vintage Lace part using Tsukineko VersaFine Clair ink (Warm Breeze)

This stamp pattern was also printed using the Seth Apter Mini EM68 stamp, masked with paper and using Tsukineko VersaFine Clear Ink (Twilight).

Finally, I used the dot pattern from the PaperArtsy Stencil by JoFY (PS373) and drew with a gel pen in white.

The finished background. I marked the area to be cut to the size of the container cover using a water-soluble white pencil. As I will lightly wipe it off later with a baby wipe, no trace will remain.

I imagine you all use it frequently, but for this project I employed a brayer for most of the base coats. While it yields a slightly rougher finish than using a brush, I find it well-suited for layering. Here I'm using a slightly smaller brayer. The first layer was applied in beige tones using Sand, Persimmon and Chantilly on the Smoothy (Regular) A4 White Stamping Card, brayered to complement the blue of the container.

On the beige base, I stamped JOFY124 and JOFY134 using Ranger Distress Oxide - Tea Day ink, creating a continuous pattern as it would also be used on the trim.

For the blue base, I used Lake Wanaka, Blue Oyster, and Heavy Cream to achieve a slightly greyish finish.

I created a delightful masterboard using the stamps JOFY24, JOFY114, JOFY134, JOFY123 

and Kate Crane's mini KM014 with Archival Ink - SKY Blue.

I made the paper used for the Folio's pockets, belly band and trim. I applied a base coat of Turquoise mixed with a little Snowflake on the Smoothy (Regular) A4 White Stamping Card, then once dry, used the PaperArtsy Stencil by JoFY (PS396)) and embossed with Ranger embossing powder in White.

Now then, let me show you the finished container in its entirety. Also In the next section, I'll show you how it looks with the completed cover and for bits and bobs inside, so do look forward to it please!

Each edge has been stitched with trim made from beige masterboard.

I made a pocket on the left flap and decorated it with lace.

A belly band was created on both the front and back of the right flap to hold small items. This area was also decorated with lace, though it was not yet complete at this stage.

This is the central box; what you can see is the lid section. A window was cut out in the centre using a circle die, acetate was fitted, and the same blue trim was added around the edges.

The focal point on the cover, JOFY127 Echinacea, was stamped twice onto Smoothy A4 white stamping card using Tsukineko VersaFine Clair (Nocturne) ink on a stamp platform for a crisp impression, then coloured with oil-based coloured pencils.

Check whether the ink is smudged and try it several times.

I have created two copies of this image.

Sentiment settled on JOFY133 Carpe Dime, embossed in black powder over a white crackle texture.

This is the completed project. In the photograph, the background colour appears slightly darker, but adjusting the colour would have made the flowers appear paler, so I did not edit it. It is difficult to make photographs appear close to their actual colours, and as it also depends on the viewer's equipment, it always proves a struggle.

Moving forward, this will be an extra feature, but I've made a few small items for inside the container, so I'll briefly introduce them. I made the small tags for the first pocket.

Using a simple method, for the flowers, place a slightly darker colour at the centre as shown in the image, then add white around it and blend. Once dry, stamp the flower. Fresco Finish Acrylic Paints dry quickly, so adding a little Drying Retarder allows for smoother work. PaperAtsy has the Drying Retarder.

Add some contrast to the flowers with coloured pencils or similar, and it's done. I added stamps and stencils to the leftover papers for the background.

I also inserted a slightly smaller tags made in the same manner into the belly band. Additionally, lace has been added to the surface of the belly band.

Meanwhile, apply Bougainvillea, Dolly Mix, Tangerine Twist and Vintage Lace using a brayer.

Using PS250, PS422, PS396 and PS410, each colour was stenciled over the top.

I cut that master board and added it to all the small tags as part of the background.

Finally, I placed a clusters inside the middle box; you can see what's inside through the window.

I created and added four types of clusters.

I have inserted a small envelope into the back of the belly band for holding very small items, such as labels.

That concludes my tour. When you open your journal in your studio or while travelling, why not slip your favourite tags and clusters into this little container? Then gently take them out.

Thank you for visiting here.

Etsuko x

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