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How to make DIY Vintage Paper at home
If you've seen my recent post on my Vintage themed bullet journal set up for this month, you would know that I used vintage themed stickers and stamps (which I got as a part of a huge haul - read that post here).
I also used vintage papers and vintage themed circle stickers in my vintage bujo set up which I made at home, so I thought I should share the process of how I made them.
How I made DIY vintage paper at home
Step 1 - Boil some water and add coffee powder
We need the coffee to be very strong. The stronger the coffee, more vintage-y the paper will look. I wanted only a minimal vintage look, so I didn't make my coffee very strong.
Step 2 - Pour the coffee into a rectangular vessel
We are doing this step so that it will be easier to dip the paper entirely into the coffee. This will also make the process faster.
You can alternatively also keep the coffee in a smaller vessel and use a sponge to dab the coffee over the whole paper.
Step 3 - Burn the edges of the paper
Light a candle and slowly start burning the edges of the papers to give it a more vintage look. Be very careful with this step and ensure you don't burn the whole paper.
Use a candle to burn the edges of the paper
Step 4 - Crush the papers and dip it in the coffee filled vessel
First, keep a plastic sheet ready so that you can immediately lay the wet paper onto it. Crush the papers by hand to give it a crumpled look.
Now, flatten out the paper and immerse it completely into the coffee vessel. I used both A4 sheets and some grid paper I had.
Use a plastic sheet to lay out the wet papers to dry
Alternatively, you can also place the flattened paper onto the plastic sheet and use a sponge to dab coffee all over the paper. This will definitely be a less messy step.
Sponge used to dab coffee
Step 5 - Leave to dry for a few hours
Just leave the papers to dry under a fan for a few hours (I left mine overnight) and you are good to go!
If you don't have either of these things, you can take some newspaper (it does give a vintage look), or if you want the specific colour, just colour in with a marker.
The process
I used a small bottle cap (as seen in the picture) as a stencil for the shape of the circle. I cut out the circles with my exacto knife and stuck it to my bujo with a glue stick.
Let me know in the comments if you plan to make a vintage themed journal spread or any of the DIYs above.
Keep creating! Keep planning! ❤
DISCLAIMER -This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we recommended! You can read my full disclosure here.
Affordable Journaling Supplies and Skin Care Haul
It was my birthday recently and I thought I would make a quick post on what all I received, in case you are looking to shop for yourself or your loved ones.
I am classifying my birthday gifts into 3 categories: Stationery, Stickers and skin care/ self care products.
Being a stationery lover, I couldn't help but feed my obsession and love for stationery. Also, I have started recognising the need to take care of my skin, so recently I've been into skin care and self care.
Reel of the haul
You can watch this mini video (which I made for my Instagram account) in which I've shown almost everything I got/ bought for my birthday. There are also some exclusive gifts I got, which I will show only the readers of my blog, so lucky you! 😀
Stationery
This category consists mainly of bullet journaling supplies and craft supplies.
I feel alphabet stamps are a must have in any stationery buff's collection and I am very grateful that I finally own a set. They come in a wooden box and contain the letters in caps and small, numbers and some symbols.
I wanted this stamp to give a vintage vibe to my bullet journal. Also, since I always end up drawing floral doodles in my bujo, I thought I might as well buy a floral stamp. The stamp is from this really affordable shop called Journal Say.
For both the stamping implements I bought, a stamp pad was an obvious necessity. I got only the colour black (since I wanted this for my Vintage themed Bujo spread and black is a very vintage-y colour).
You can also get the stamp pads in a variety of colours like this one.
I had been wanting this cutting mat and knife for a while now, because I wanted to start making stuff with air-hardening clay. The two came as a set and I thought was a very affordable option.
I got some sticker books as well. They had really aesthetic pictures, which I thought would look bright and beautiful on my bullet journal, or my wall. (inspired by Pinterest, of course!)
Each sticker book comes with 60 pieces. I've tried to show below most of the stickers which came.
I needed this eye mask because I find it hard to sleep when the light is on and my sister (with whom I share the room) usually sleeps after me.
I've also discovered that it has a pouch at the back (seen in picture) wherein you can place a cooling gel pad. This is said to improve blood circulation around the eyes and relieve eye dryness and puffiness.
This was a gift from my cousin and I loved it. The set contained a moisturiser, a shower gel and a deodorant and were all in the fragrance 'French Lavender'. The packaging was really nice too.
That is all for the haul. I hope this has been helpful to you in case you were planning to buy something.
Let me know in the comments which your favourite item from this haul is!
Keep creating! Keep planning! ❤
Shop the products mentioned in the post -
DISCLAIMER -This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we recommended! You can read my full disclosure here.
Listen to the audio version -
Vintage themed bullet journal spread
For the month of September, I decided on a Vintage themed bullet journal spread, based on a stationery haul I did for my birthday last month. I will be putting up a post next week regarding my birthday haul, so that you can get some ideas on gifting options for stationery lovers.
(All of these are stationery I got for my birthday.)
Vintage Cover Page and Quote Page
Cover Page
For my cover page, I was inspired by a spread made by cynthiabujo on Instagram. I wanted to give my cover page a simple and minimal look, using the vintage colour tones (mostly black and light brown).
Quote Page
For the quote page, I went with a layering style, wherein I first stuck a page of an old book and then stuck some vintage paper. Though I made this vintage paper at home, you can buy similar paper here.
Then,I stamped the words from the quote into some black scrap paper. I used my silver metallic Doms brush pen as the ink for my stamps so that they would be visible on the black paper.
I went with this quote from C.S. Lewis
There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.
Vintage themed Bullet Journal Cover Page and Quote Page
Vintage Habit Tracker and Gratitude Spread
Vintage Habit Tracker
The habits I am tracking this month are reading the Bible, flossing, exercise, keyboard practice, drinking 2 bottles of water and eating 2 dates everyday. For this spread, I took some kraft paper and tore it into little bits and stamped in the headings using my alphabet stamps.
Vintage Gratitude Spread
For this spread, I stuck a bit of black scrap paper in the bottom of the page. I then took some kraft paper, stamped a floral doodle and cut it out in the shape of the flower. I stuck this on top of the black paper.
Vintage Habit Tracker and Gratitude Spread for bullet journaling
Vintage Goals Page and Review Page
Monthly goals is a spread I started making last month as to what goals I wanted to achieve by the month end. To make the review page, I used the circle stickers for the headings.
For the goals page, I again went with a layering style. For the first layer, a torn bit of kraft paper, next an old newspaper, and then, a plant sticker, which is from my coffee sticker set.
Vintage Goals Page and Previous month Review Page
Vintage Content Planner
I felt last month was quite chaotic, when I tried to combine both my social media and my blog. So, this month I decided to split my content planner to make one spread for each.
I used the vintage grid paper I made, and turned it into of notepad doodle. I then added other elements like stickers and washi tapes. Everything I've used will be part of next week's blog post, and I will link everything in that.
Vintage themed content planner for Instagram and my blog
Vintage Monthly Spread
This monthly spread was extremely simple. I took a vintage paper I made, stuck it onto my bujo paper and I trimmed the edges. I did a calendar style layout as always and left it at that.
The only thing I did was stamp in the days of the week and the heading.
Vintage themed monthly spread for bullet journaling
Vintage Weekly Spreads
This month, I incorporated a new spread which is my "week overview". In this spread, I list out what my events for the week are and what blog related tasks I have to do each day.
After this spread, I make my weekly spreads. I used my vintage washi tape, which I got from Washi Sabi's Instagram shop and my DIY vintage paper to make the weekly spreads.
Please let me know what you thought of this spread and leave any questions you might have in the comments.
Keep creating! Keep planning! 💗
DISCLAIMER - This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we recommended! You can read my full disclosure here.
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Round up of all the best uses of Tack It
Today, I want to share a product, which has been a favourite of mine for the past two years : Faber Castell's Tack-It. It is basically an adhesive and it comes in handy for me because I love sticking things on the wall, be it command hooks, papers, paintings, or just about anything.
I would previously use double-sided tape or cello tape but the problem is that it ruins the wall when we want to get the stuff off of the wall. So, you can imagine I was thrilled when I discovered Tack-It.
Tack-It does not leave any sort of residue on the wall, so it suits my purposes perfectly.
What is Tack-It?
It is a putty like substance, which is also a reusable and removable adhesive. To me, it looks like chewing gum (I can't think of a better way to describe it). It is very simple to use. Just tear off a square of the adhesive from the pack. Now, place it behind whatever object you want to stick and voilà ! You are ready to go!
What is the use of Tack-It?
1. Use Tack-It to keep items in place
If you have items that you don't want to move from a specific place (sort of permanently fix), Tack-It is the right choice.
In my room, I used it to attach to my table this clay pen holder that I made. Previously, it would keep falling at the slightest gust of wind. But ever since I used Tack-It, it has remained in place.
I always used to place command hooks on the wall using double sided tape and whenever I took it off, it would leave an ugly mark on the wall. I tried mounting a piece of Tack-It to the back of the command hook and not only does it stick well to the wall, it also does not leave a residue upon removal.
By the way, as a precautionary measure, I try not to hang really heavy stuff on the hook, just in case it can't take the weight.
Use Tack-It to mount command hooks
3. Use Tack-It as a cable organizer
I hate messed up and tangled wires and I wanted to buy a cable organiser from Amazon. But then, I realised Tack-It was a cheap alternative to it.
All you have to do is place the wire onto the side of the table where it usually lies when not in use. Now, in that position, place a piece of Tack-It and make it curve over the wire in such a way that it holds it in place.
Use Tack-It as a cable organiser
4. Use Tack-It to clean crevices
There is always some area which I can't dust or clean properly in my room, because my hand or dusting cloth can't reach. Again, here's Tack-It to the rescue!
I mainly use it to clean tricky and narrow areas, such as the gaps in computer keyboards and window crevices. All you have to do is roll a few pieces of Tack-It together and attach it to the end of a pencil. Of course, using the pencil is not mandatory. I just find it convenient.
Now, using the pencil as your grip, try to roll it over the areas where there is dust accumulating and you will find it is so much easier to clean!
Use Tack-It to clean crevices and gaps in keyboard
5. Use Tack-It to make clay shaped mini animals
If you have small children at home, you can use it as a alternative of clay to make various shapes and mini animals with them. I myself am not around children much, but I tried making a few animals and it is a nice way to spend a relaxed afternoon.
I am an extremely klutzy person and my hands keep hitting the edge of my table, which is kind of sharp since it has a glass top. I discovered that Tack-It can help me here also!
Put a bit of Tack-It in an area having sharp edges and you'll thank me when you save your hand from getting bruised.
Use Tack-It to avoid getting scratched
7. Use Tack-It as an organiser
The main reason I went ahead and bought the pack of Tack-It was because I saw a picture on the cover of the pack that showed a few pens being tacked to the wall using the product. I used it similarly, to place my AC remote on my wall using it and I love how it turned out.
I placed a few pieces of the adhesive behind the AC remote's cover and attached it to the wall. Now it is so well organised and I don't have to keep wondering where the remote is!
Use Tack-It as an organiser
8. Use Tack-It to make photography easier
So lately, I have been using a backdrop while taking flatlay photographs of my bullet journal to post on my Instagram account. The backdrop is a sheet, made of high quality paper. This tends to roll up quite a bit sometimes and can be a distraction while taking photographs.
To combat this menace, I use a piece of Tack-It on every corner of the backdrop when I place it on my table. It works wonders!
A study wall is just a wall in my room wherein I stick my formula or summary sheets, so that I can read it everyday and recall better. I do try to change up the sheets which I stick so that I cover more portions. Tack-It is really helpful here, because it helps keep the walls clean.
Use Tack-It to study effectively
Are there any alternatives to Tack-It?
There is another alternative to Tack-It, called Blu Tack, but it is more expensive comparatively.
If you are looking for something with a really strong adhesive, then you should try Glue Drops by Fevicol. It works really well on DIY projects. The only problem here is that it will most probably leave some residue on the wall when removed.
Does it leave residue or damage the wall?
The important thing is that it does not damage the wall even when removed. There maybe a slight residue of Tack-It on the wall seeing that it comes in various colours. To fix that, all you have to do is, take a bit of Tack-It and roll it over the area of the wall where you see the residue.
Follow these steps if you find that there is some residue
CLAMP your fist with extra Tack-It, PUSH your fist in, TWIST the whole lot and PULL it out.
Once that is fixed, there is no more evidence of anything ever having been on the wall. It is also reusable, non sticky and extremely rental friendly.
So yeah, this is one of my favourite products to use since it is strong while sticking and is removable without giving much trouble. If you find some other use for them, please let me know in the comments. I'd love to know!
Hi! I am Praarthana, a soon-to-be CA from India, with a passion for bullet journaling, creating DIY crafts and sharing study tips. My aim is to give you ideas to creatively plan and organize your life, while working towards your goal!
