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?