Happy Holidays

My creative funk continues but I am taking a lot of joy in the holidays.  Nothing is better than seeing how excited my 3 Grands are looking at our tree, seeing Santa in the parade and just plain believing!  I have been enjoying the company of good friends, loving family and walking around my town seeing it in all its holiday splendor.

I believe my funk will pass so check back from time to time and eventually I will be back to making pretties.  Until then, may you have the happiest of holidays and remember, "People who don't believe in Santa, get underwear for Christmas".

More little notebooks

These moleskin notebooks were created with either specialty papers or fabrics including Tim Holtz' fabric swatches.  They are perfect for stocking stuffers or exchange gifts.  Just add a little fancy pen and VOILA!

Our tree topper

I created this angel on a whim last year and, in all my years of crafting, am the happiest with her more than any other project I've done.  She sits atop our tree and shines down on us all through the season. 

I've been busy making and selecting crafting items for the craft fair in Safety Harbor a week from this coming Sunday.  The little notebook shown below is just one of the items I'll have for sale along with crafts created by 3 of my very talented friends.  If you are in the area, please come by and say hello. 

Tim Holtz' fabrics and Canvas Home Basics...oooh la la!

I used a combination of Aleene's Fabric Fusion and Therm O Web as the fabric adhesives for this project.  Tim Holtz' Eclectic Elements (Coats) Fabric packs helped me construct the dimensional fabric flowers.  They are double sided thanks to Therm O Web Heat Bond Ultra Hold. 

Helmar's Fabric Stiffener and Draping Liquid helped give the flower petals shape.  I love that I can use my heat tool to quicken the drying and shape the petals.

This stocking will be available to see at Whim so Doodle scrap store in St. Pete, Fl. after this Sunday.  Thanks for viewing.

Tim Holtz' Eclectic Elements fabric covered notebooks

I am a fabric hoarder and when Tim Holtz came out with his fabric lines, I was smitten.  I have been wondering what to make for holiday gifts and stocking stuffers for friends and I think I've found my answer.  Using a few easy steps, I created this fabric covered 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch moleskin notebooks.

Step One: I ironed the entire 12x12 piece of fabric onto the Therm O Web heatnBond Iron on Adhesive Ultra Hold backing.  This backing is available at all major craft and fabric stores and contains wonderful directions for applying .

Not only does this make for a smooth application of the fabric to the notebook cover, but it also gives the fabric backing during the cutting.

 Step Two:  I selected the printed area I wanted to be on the front of the notebook.  Then I opened up the notebook, laid it flat and, using a pencil, I lightly traced a quarter of an inch to half an inch (choice)  beyond the edges of the notebook.  It is helpful to weigh down the notebook so it is flat. 

Because the edges of the fabric are already 'pinked', I used my pinking sheers to cut on the lines.

Step Three:  I placed the fabric around the notebook and made a slip top and bottom to provide a smooth fit once the fabric was applied to the notebook.  This can also be done after the fabric is applied but I find it easier to do it before.

 Step Four: Next, I  removed the paper backing off the adhesive on the fabric placing it on my table fabric side down.  I arranged the notebook papers side up onto this.  Side by side I ironed the fabric to the notebook covers, folding the extra in and ironing that into place all but the corners.  I mitered the corners for a clean finish then ironed.

 

THE BACK inside cover of many moleskin notebooks has a pocket and an extra slit should be made.

Step Five: adding the touches. I inked then edges of the notebook with a charcoal ink pad and  I used the Them O Bond on a length of patterned ribbon leaving a space for the pencil.  I ironed this onto and around the cover and provided not only a pencil holder for the notebook but a tie as well.  The final touch was adding the metal corners.

 ( the two black marks indicate the space I left by not ironing the backing so the pencil would slip between the ribbon and the cover).

Thanks so much for reading and now off with you...go make some notebooks!   I'll post the rest of mine when I finish them and I would love to see yours.

eclectic Paperie...last project as guest designer

I loved creating this peek a BOO H'ween potions card for eclectic Paperie.  To find out how to make this and what products I used check it out HERE

More coming soon, I promise

I have been trying to get ready for a craft fair, keep some local shops supplied and do work for the local scrap store...and my honey would love to see some pages done on our aus/nz trip...so a bit overwhelmed and considering options...any suggestions followers? 

eclectic Paperie Guest designer reveal #4

From the Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells paper pad to my tee shirt in under 30 min.  To find out how and what products I used for this "Cogs and Gears" one of a kind tee shirt, check it out HERE and thanks for any comments here or there! 

eclectic Paperie Guest Designer Reveal #3

This would make a fun Trick or Treat for a friend or teacher.  For more information on how I made this gift and a list of the products I used click HERE.

Gecko Galz Reveal for October

For more details on this sweet image and the tag, check it out HERE and to see other lovely images available for purchase, check out the Gecko Galz site and store.  My fellow designers here have created some amazing project as well so roam through for top notch inspiration! 

Boo-tiful Woman for eclectic Paperie

I made this witchy woman with Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells papers to add to my H'ween witch collection.  It was a blast making her and so easy to do.  For details on construction and products, check out the eclectic Paperie blog HERE.  And, while you are viewing the blog, check out the amazing projects by the design team for this past week. 

SPOOKY

This is my first of five reveals as Guest Designer for eclectic Paperie.  For more details on construction and products along with close ups of the project, click HERE.  Comments left here or on the eclectic Paperie blog are greatly appreciated.  Be sure you check out the store HERE.  I've had such a Boo-tiful time using many of the products from the store!  Thanks eclectic Paperie!

Second Project for Whim So Doodle

I dropped this one off the day I took the little cottage to Whims in St. Pete.  Kaiser Craft has some darling wood pieces out now and it was fun to assemble and decorate this one with a combo of Bo Bunny, Echo Park, Viva Colour Silk paint and bits of this and that...like the tiny thread spool door knobs.  Thanks for looking!

eclectic Paperie Guest Designer for Oct.

I am so pleased to have been selected to be the Oct. Guest Designer.  Look for my projects with eclectic Paperie's wonderful selection of products each Wednesday next month. Here is the blog LINK and, while you are there, check out the amazing work by the design team daily.

Clothes Pin Witches

Since Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, I try to make one or two new pieces each year.  This year, I found some larger than usual clothes pins from Tree House Studio and turned them all into "Witchy Women"

 

These clothes pins come 3 to a package and measure 6", 7" and the tallest at 8".  I can use these for a centerpiece or in an arrangement on a side table.

 

I painted each with Viva Colour's Precious Metal Effects Paints from Splash of Color (for more info on these click HERE)

 

                        As always, many thanks for looking and all comments are appreciated.

Whim So Doodle design team project #1(KaiserCraft, G45, VivaColour Silks)

 Kaiser Craft "Little Cottage" and Graphic 45 Mother Goose papers and embellishments...all products used on this project are available at Whim So Doodle Scrapbook store in St. Pete, Florida.  To see this "Little Cottage" live, head on down to Whims.