"Being A Zister…


It's a Tough Job But Zomebody's Gotta Do It!!”

Today is the OZZ Blog Hop! Visit all the “Original Zutter Zisters'” blogs plus the Bind It All blog for your chance to win some Zutter goodies and yummies!!

Before our term ended, the Original Zutter Zisters did a swap of 8×8 layouts we all made. Everyone from around the world mailed their pages to Nan Paturzo, Design Team Leader, in Southern California. Then Nan swapped them out and mailed them back to us.

Being Zutter Zisters we naturally wanted to BIND our books with the BIND IT ALL and Nan told us to just make 8×8 pages and don't worry about whether or not our embellishments would be in the way of punching binding holes. WHAT?! Well, she had a little surprise–Zutter just released PAGE PROTECTORS that work with the Bind It All!! WOW!! Get this, there are two different kinds of page protectors — ones that you bind in the book permanently and then there are ones you can slip in and out of ALREADY BOUND Books?! Is that not the coolest thing ever? I cannot wait to use some of these in my classes and projects ;)

Without further ado, here is the Book I made using all of the Design Team pages:





I just LOVE LOVE LOVE how sturdy the cover is!! I distressed the edges with Pink paint to make the Bamboo detail show up better. The weight of the book, the finished look it has with the page protectors–this is the best swap I have ever been in!! LOL

And here is my layout that I gave in the swap:


Yes, I did machine and hand stitching on these pages. I loved this swap!

So what did I write on my layout? Well, first we chose the projects from each DT member that we loved the best–it was really hard to pick just one! I was really inspired by the other Design Team members. We were from all over the world, all walks of life, and had access to all different kinds of scrapbooking supplies. It was great to see everyone's spin on the same projects or using the same materials over this past year.

And it wasn't like it was difficult to come up with cool things to create with the Bind It All. I consider the Zutter Zisters to be the first REAL manufacturer Design Team that I have ever been on and it has set the mark really really high for other design teams! Zutter allowed us to have pretty much complete creative freedom. I think with a product like the Bind It All, that creative freedom allowed us to really think outside of the box. I have been on my fair share of other design teams and heard stories of (and experienced myself) ridiculous design requests, for example, use Mustard paper with pale pink and a pinecone for a baby project. Okay. Maybe that was extreme, but seriously, Zutter gave us so much room to really go BEYOND the book, go BEYOND binding, it was almost TOO easy each month to create. But I soo loved it!

The other notable thing about being on the DT (seriously I cried when our term was over) is that Zutter has been so generous with us!! I never wanted for wires or covers or pages…my problem was choosing just FOUR, I mean THREE, to use each month! On a side note, I thought we had to do 4 projects each month so I was just trucking along doing all these extra projects until someone shared that I needed to do only 3 a month. It is funny now…

Anyways, I loved that I got extra goodies I could give away in my classes and on my blog, I got all the new stuff to try it out, and I really got to practice alot with my Bind It All. I learned so much while I was on the team. I also pushed myself to try new things and those new projects worked their way into my classes. You might have seen a few candy holders I made recently …

I even started teaching Bind It All Basics and Bind It All BOOT CAMP classes! Now Nan teaches a Basic online class and I teach a Masterz class at My Creative Classroom (you should totally check it out). When our term ended I was really sad but then I was overjoyed when Zutter invited us to stay on as the “Original Zutter Zisters”!!! How cool is that?!

Who would have thought I would have ever even owned a Bind It All, let alone be on the Design Team?! In 2007 when the Bind It All first came out I was the last person to jump on the ‘bandwagon' so to speak. I talked myself out of the Bind It All every way that I could.

The Christmas before, my husband bought me a really nice day planner that was bound like a book. The spine kept it from laying flat so when I was scheduling something, the book always flopped closed on me. I figured I'd just take the book to Kinko's to have the spine cut off and a wire spiral binding put on–that usually costs just $5. The first Kinko's I went to wanted to keep my book for several hours. NO WAY. The next one wanted to keep it OVERNIGHT?!?! Really, it was going to take them that long to bind the stupid thing?! My WHOLE LIFE was in that book and there is no way I was going to let one of those Kinko's employees up and LOSE my book overnight. What a racket?!

So I marched on over to the nearest scrapbook store, bought a Bind It All and some wires (I didn't even know what size to get, just got some big ones), cut the spine off my book right there in the scrapbook store and proceeded to figure out the Bind It All, with alot of help from other people ;). My first project wasn't even really a scrapbooking one but I have been hooked on the Bind It All ever since. Luckily I now have a Blackberry so there will be no more floppy calendar issues either :0)

I often tell that story to start off my Bind It All classes because the Bind It All really can be used for so much MORE than just scrapbooking–bind kids' school reports, bind take-out menus that you keep at your desk at work, create chore charts for your family, make mini notebooks as co-worker gifts…the sky really is the limit!

And just a little zomething extra: a tutorial. I Glimmer Misted the cover of this Cover-All album with Bubblegum Pink Glimmer Mist. I LOVE that the Cover-Alls come in black (as well as kraft and white) and they all take Glimmer Mist soooo well.

1. Open the Cover-All and lay it flat with the insides facing the table.


2. LIBERALLY Spray Glimmer Mist over the entire Cover-All. If the mist starts to pool, you can dab the excess with a paper towel. Do not rub the paper towel as that will smear the mist.


3. Allow to dry and voila, super cool, punked out cover!

Here's how you know you're having fun–the table is pink! You might wanna use a protective craft mat when spraying so much mist ;)

I also added some paper to the insides of the Cover-All. Don't forget the insides of the covers make great EXTRA PAGES!! To get the half flower, I just cut one large flower in half.

Here's what I did on the inside cover:

And the facing page, the first 8×8 Page Protector:


I also added tissue festooning to the inside of the SPINE of the Cover-All. You can get tissue festooning at most party supply stores for about $5 for 100 feet or so.

1. Crumple the festooning to make it “festive”:

2. Apply glue lines to the inside of the Spine of the Cover-All:


3. Press the festooning into the glue lines to line the inside of the Spine. Cut off any extra that hangs out the top and bottom of the book:



I hope you enjoyed this fun little trip into my Zutter History! So what are we giving away during this blog hop? An 8×8 Cover-All (just like the one I used on my project) PLUS matching page protectors! WOOHOO!! Just leave a comment here on this post about WHAT YOU'D USE ZUTTER PAGE PROTECTORS FOR and I will draw one lucky winner from my blog to win this fantabulous, not-even-in-stores-yet prize pack!! I'll announce the winner on 10-26-09. Don't forget to visit all the other Zisters' blogs too:


P.S. Did you spot Yoda in one of the photos? If you think you know where Yoda is, then please email me your answer at hydrangeahippo[at]yahoo[dot]com — answers in the comments on this blog post will be erased. What do you win? I will cut from vinyl your name and some flowers to personalize your Bind It All like this:


Happy Zuttering!

Author: Jennifer Priest

It started with jewelry, beading, sewing, home decor, painting, basket weaving, pottery, and cross-stitch. Marry that to an entrepreneurial spirit & at 9 years old a girl is selling her wares at craft fairs as far as her parents and grandparents would drive her. These days, Jennifer enjoys crafts of all genres from sewing to scrapbooking to jewelry with a little dabbling in the mixed media world. Her style is approachable and she wants everyone who sees her work to feel that they too can embrace creativity and make their home and life beautiful.

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82 thoughts on “"Being A Zister…

  1. hi…this is sooooo cool! ty for sharing and yes yes …I want to get these now! pick me! ty for a chance and the tutorial…awesome! cher

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 7:50 am
  2. This is yummy, love the ditressed cover :D
    Julie xx

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 8:38 am
  3. grazie per il tutorial…
    cover fantastica

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 8:58 am
  4. What a super fun project!!!

    memoriesforlifescrapbooks(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 9:17 am
  5. Another beauty!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 9:22 am
  6. This is so cool! Thanks for the great idea with the Mist! I can’t wait to try it. And I love all your little details from the inside cover to the “fetti” inside. PERFECT!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 10:38 am
  7. The aged look on the cover is beautiful–you are an inspiration!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 10:55 am
  8. What a Fabuloso tutorial girl….you ROCK!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 11:48 am
  9. Great albm and tutorial! Thanks for all your kind words!!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm
  10. Oh Jennifer!! I love your cover!! The pink paint is the perfect touch to make the bamboo edge stand out…

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 12:09 pm
  11. Love the glimmer mist treatment; I”ve felt about glimmer mist about the way you talked about the BIA at first. But, seeing this project is like: major enabling!!! Thanks for lovely inspiration.

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 12:15 pm
  12. That cover is amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing … love it … love the distress … love the layers … love the pink … love the tutorial … love how you have personalised your BIA … LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 12:50 pm
  13. Wow and Wow zome more! Beautiful work, you are one creative girl! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 1:31 pm
  14. I am just so in love with the bind it all and all the products they come out with! I think I like making mini books better than my 12×12 scrap pages! So these page protectors are just perfect for all my mini album pages!!!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 1:47 pm
  15. OH MY!! What a MAGNIFICENT cover filled with all my faves…bling, sanding, misting, flowers…:D Thanks for sharing it!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 1:50 pm
  16. I’m learning so much on this blog hop. I’ve never known about festooning before and the thought of putting it in the book like that is so cool.
    Pamela

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 1:57 pm
  17. i need to have your energy Jen :) i’m so ashamed of myself ! LOL

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 2:09 pm
  18. Okay I just put you in my faves. Now you just got me wanting to do more project. Thanks…said with sarcasm. : ) I didn’t find Yoda but I have NEVER thought of using vinyl to cut a name to put on something like that. I might have to try that with my Gazelle. Have to get vinyl first. LOVE LOVE LOVE your stuff. Your blog header and name is too cute too.

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 2:19 pm
  19. Thanks for the opportunity to win the BIA page protectors. I love my BIA and have made several books for my grandchildren. I am curious to see what these new items are like!
    Love your work! :o)

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 2:23 pm
  20. Jennifer you always have such new innovative ideas! I never would have thought to glue all that pink festooning to the inside of the cover all! Fantastic! The cover and pages are amazing!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 2:41 pm
  21. love the distressed look…and sewing -awesome.

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 3:26 pm
  22. OMG – you incorporated a Star Wars game in your blog! I did find Yoda, but I’m not telling…..because when I come to your house I am gonna swipe him! Love the glimmered cover…and the festooning stuff….girl, you RAWK!!!
    xoxoxox

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 3:39 pm
  23. The tutorial was just what I needed. I would have never thought to use the festooning in the spine and it was such a great touch.
    I would like to create a mini album dedicating a page to each of my coworkers. I am blessed to love my coworkers and enjoy working with them. This giveaway would make the perfect book.
    I’m still searching for Yoda, LOL.
    Thanks so much, ms.cheryl

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 3:58 pm
  24. Jennifer, Thanks for the tutorial on how to decorate the coverall that I’d love to win, along with those page protectors.

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 4:16 pm
  25. Great album – and thank for the tutorial – it’s jumped started my creativity!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 4:33 pm
  26. LOVE THIS ONE. You did a great job with all the pictures, and I really apprieate that. The distress look of the cover is great and it really shows me how much you can do with it.

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 4:48 pm
  27. Stunning!! Love this project!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 5:11 pm
  28. Jennifer, this is the most incredible book….I am going now to order the bamboo coverall and some page protectors for my granddaughters’ new books…wow…love the “festooning” in the spine. But I can picture them each picking it out, piece by piece…thanks for sharing this!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 5:12 pm
  29. what a fabulous blog I will be back

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 5:42 pm
  30. Simply gorgeous..love the distressed look U gave your album!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 5:43 pm
  31. Love the pink and brown combo. Emailed you re: yoda!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 5:45 pm
  32. Fun Project! Love the colors:) Thanks for the chance to win!
    Viji#5858

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 5:48 pm
  33. ok, i forgot to tell you…if you watch the page protector video i just did, i am wearing my uber cool Darth Vader t-shirt from the Star Wars concert…i am such a geek!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 6:15 pm
  34. Love the cover and the colors you used!I loved reading how you enjoyed your DT journey!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 6:56 pm
  35. Hi Jenn!!! Your project is awesome! It almost appears that your design on your cover is inset! Great look! Thanks for the tutorial!

    *gina*

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 7:01 pm
  36. I would use the page protectors and coverall to make an album with my daughters wedding pictures. Its a great idea.
    I saw Yoda looking at the open coverall.

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 7:11 pm
  37. Oh that cover is lush…really fab.

    Toni :o)

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 7:11 pm
  38. great album cover and thanks for all the tips!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 7:22 pm
  39. STUNNING work, girl!!!

    so glad that we have OZZ sticking around to help us newbies out! hehe.

    hugs to you,
    sarah.

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 7:36 pm
  40. I like what you did with your cover! Especially the pink! Thanks for the giveaway chance!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 8:23 pm
  41. Jennifer,
    I <3 all your creativity & inspiration. Your book is gor-gous!!!
    Right now I’m working on my never ending task of organizing. That’s where the page protecters come in. I’m using them to organize my embossing folders. With a quick snip here & straight stitch there I can customize them to any size. Once I’m done making all the pockets I’ll use the BIA to keep them all together.

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 8:50 pm
  42. Great job on your book! It came out great :)

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 8:57 pm
  43. Oh my gosh, this is AWESOME!!! Love all the fab touches, and the pink! Looking forward to seeing more of your gorgeous work.

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 9:47 pm
  44. WoW! I love that you showed us how you created this magical book! THANK you! Hope you pick me!!!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 9:56 pm
  45. WOW! I love that you shared all of this with me. It is my favorite so far. love all the color and bling. I too love glimmer mist. (and have a pink table) I also sent you an email on the missing jedi night.

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 10:22 pm
  46. Love the book! I was thinking about making a guest (scrap)book for my wedding. Maybe this is the way to do it! Thanks for the chance to win some goodies :)

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 11:10 pm
  47. Absolutely gorgeous! Plus, thanks so much for the tutorial! Can’t wait to try this!

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 11:29 pm
  48. An album for a real girl! Bravo

    Posted on October 19, 2009 at 11:41 pm
  49. Jennifer,
    Great project and super layout! Thank you for you warm friendship this year on the first-ever BIA DT. Your how-to’s have been inspiring and super-helpful.

    OZZers for life!
    Lea

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 12:18 am
  50. Wow! You’re generous in sharing ideas! Thanks for a great tutorial!

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 12:43 am
  51. Love your page. Thanks for the tutorial and the chance to win.

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 12:43 am
  52. I love it when people post tutorials – thanks!!!

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 1:10 am
  53. I am still new to the BIA world, so not sure what to do with the pages other than create an album and try to be as creative as i can as i go!!

    Love your pink on black for the cover!!!

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 2:45 am
  54. Your cover is very cool. Thanks for the chance to WIN!

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 3:54 am
  55. Your cover reminds me of the vintage romantic cards that used to be sent.

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 4:12 am
  56. Wow what a great cover love the pink and black!

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 5:54 am
  57. omg! that is awesome!!! wow!!! i love it!!! love the pink & black!!! & I love what you did with the inside too!!! its just greatness!!!
    pssst, dont tell :) but i think your is my fave ♥

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 8:03 am
  58. Wounderful, I love it! Thanks for the pitures to of how you did it relly nice to see!

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 8:47 am
  59. This is stunning and thanks so much for the tutorial.. I love it.. great work here.. well done

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 10:14 am
  60. Gorgeous! I love the colors! Thanks for the tutorial, too!

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 2:11 pm
  61. This is the coolest product! I love what you did with it!

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 4:13 pm
  62. Your talent is above and beyond! Sorry that I didn’t spot Yoda, though, I was so mesmerized by the new product!

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 4:44 pm
  63. I love that you decorated the inside cover! I wish I could attend one of your classes. I emailed you – I have my fingers crossed!

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 5:12 pm
  64. Jennifer, I loooove the delishious shabbiness of your cover! Gorgeous!

    It’s been a fab year, hasn’t it? So happy that I got to know you, girl!

    And Yoda? Where? I haven’t got a clue!

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 5:52 pm
  65. WOW is the only thing i can think of right now… i will be back for some walk around this blogg….
    Ramona

    Posted on October 20, 2009 at 7:57 pm
  66. Amazing! I love it!

    Posted on October 21, 2009 at 3:02 am
  67. the page protectors look great

    Posted on October 21, 2009 at 4:27 am
  68. Wow I love your album!

    hugs Pernilla

    Posted on October 21, 2009 at 4:52 am
  69. Love that bamboo coverall…I will have to try the glimmer mist on a cover. Thanks for the tut.

    Posted on October 21, 2009 at 7:11 am
  70. Hi, Jennifer. I’d use the BIA PP’s to make my mom a photo album and a little bit of scrapbooking, too. xoxo, Aimeslee

    Posted on October 21, 2009 at 7:26 am
  71. i love the black and pink cover ooo and the bling that is stunning, i love all your work and will keep checking in
    love vikki xoxox

    Posted on October 21, 2009 at 12:45 pm
  72. Totally love the distressed cover. No glimmermist available here in Spokane, so I’m ordering online. Fun!

    Posted on October 21, 2009 at 3:32 pm
  73. Love your work! I would use the 8X8 book and covers to create a book about ME. I always scrap the kiddos and hubby… not just me.
    Can’t find Yoda… where the heck is he??? I want to personalize my BIA!!!!

    Posted on October 21, 2009 at 5:30 pm
  74. Would really like to try these covers but is not available in Sweden yet. Did not find them!

    Posted on October 21, 2009 at 7:26 pm
  75. Love this coverall… I need one for my DisneyWorld trip

    Posted on October 22, 2009 at 1:58 am
  76. I Love your layouts and cover. Thanks for showing us. Jayne

    Posted on October 22, 2009 at 2:06 am
  77. You cold totally make an entire ‘book’ from the zutter page protectors alone.

    This would be akin to making a whole acrylic book yet lighter, it would include interior spaces too which could be used like shaker boxes, sewn items inside and peek-a-boo spaces (one side or the other or thru pages to another page in a different section).

    So many possibilities all by themselves!

    Thanks for a chance to win!

    Pam Hoffman
    http://seminarlist.blogspot.com
    http://twitter.com/PamHoffman

    Posted on October 22, 2009 at 3:27 am
  78. Thanks so much for the tutorial. As I was looking at your cover I was thinking, I wonder how she did that…and now I know. Thanks again.

    Posted on October 22, 2009 at 4:00 am
  79. Wow this is awesome. I’ve been wanting to make an inspiration book and the covers would be perfect to slip ideas in and out.. Thanks for the tutorial.. I’m so inspired! I hope I win!!

    Posted on October 22, 2009 at 4:30 am
  80. love the color combination and the tutorial is great. You are in my FAVORITES.

    Best regards,

    Wanda C.

    Posted on October 22, 2009 at 8:07 pm
  81. Your layout is great and your book is awesome. I love how you distressed it.

    Posted on October 22, 2009 at 11:30 pm
  82. This one looks like fun. The colors just pop on this book. Awesome job.

    Posted on October 24, 2009 at 2:43 am