Now You See It: Then You Don't

 I am just getting a start with beading.  I have no room for beading supplies in my studio, and it is kinda nice to be able to craft while downstairs in the living area of my house.  So, I needed a storage solution.  I pulled that great large cookie tin down from a bookshelf (upper left), then pressed another old tin into service with my "pearls" (middle right), prowled around for a few other boxes and jars, plus an old tole tray...and I've got a pretty good system going. 

 What really makes it work is that in a minute, I can put everything away; which you see here with my dining table restored to order and the supplies resting on top of a wine rack (upper left). 

Mostly I'm beading these bead & pearl flowers and attaching them to stick pins.  Here is one stuck into a toilet paper tussie mussie that I am having so much fun making. 

How to Use the Bling

 You all know that learning anything you want to do is on YouTube videos, there for the asking?   Well, sure, I knew it, but rarely used it.  Somehow I came across Jennings644 channel, which is Fiona's domain.  Fiona is an amazingly creative and prolific crafter.  She had me at these pearl flowers.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCZCULMSeLk  I ended up using her technique with wire instead of hot glue.  If you poke around Jennings644 you will find Fiona is a whiz with the hot glue, but I couldn't do it.  Wire, I could do.  So I made a few of these "flowers" using some old and new beads.  OK, very cool, but now what to do with them? 

 How about putting it on a stick pin?  I had some pins on hand with a metal top.  I opened my tube of E6000 and used that to affix the bead flower.  Then I needed to put the pin on something, so I made up a little tussie mussie from a toilet paper roll.  That really fun idea I found from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulnvI-_PFpc

I made another TP tussie mussie using old textiles and glued on the pearl flower.  These are addicting! 

Hours of Fun for Zero $

 I had some free time today, coupled with an itch to get into paper, scissors and glue.  In the way of the blogosphere, I happened upon a video on toilet paper roll "treat boxes".  As I want to treat someone who has been so generous, this project seemed ideal.  I fished 2 rolls out of the trash and away we go.  I have some Hawaiian block print fabric I bought after a trip (eBay!).  Rather than use designer paper to cover the rolls, I decided to use the fabric.  It was easy to work with, using fabric glue.  Typically, I spent lots of time fussing with how to frou-frou this simple little thing.  "Use the good stuff" was my motto.  I surely did; an old cord with tassel and beaded element along with an earring from Gramma.  But this project went through many iterations before it came together as you see it.  FINALLY done, I put my supplies away.  WAIT...I had another roll. 

I used the other patterned fabric that I had, some old crocheted lace, some old beads I had strung while practicing my wire wrapping, and some tiny shells Sis gave me.  Meh.  This needs something more.  Tomorrow. 

Return Aid

 Sometimes it can be a bit stressful to return from Paradise to real life.  You know, like when it involves a 6 hour flight and a 30 degree drop in temperature?  However, there is RETURN AID available.  And that would be...US Mail parcels waiting to be opened!  Here we have treasures from Karla Nathan (Karla's Cottage).  I purchased the old flowers.  All the rest is love from Karla in the form of vintage lovelies. 

 I was lucky to win a giveaway from Karla for this Fabric Flowers book.  Karla added in some colorful scrapbook papers with a Hawaii theme, 'cause she was just there and she knew I was, too.  THANK YOU, Karla. 

 The first parcel I opened was from my darling "daughter" Laura (Rhinestone Armadillo).  She is quite the thrift store sleuth so I asked begged for a few tidbits to stock my inventory of old laces.  Oh, my.  My favorite is that large square of lace on the left. 

 Here is the envelope Laura's goodies came in.  She DREW that hand carrying the envelope on the front.  Her envelopes are always as nice a surprise as what she sends in them.  You are my treasure, Laura. 

My BFF made this Valentine for me.  I can feel the love just looking at it.  So so beautiful and so full of special elements.  Sniff, sniff.  If I gotta come home, it helps to come home to all of this beauty. 

Happy Valentine's Day

Non-Traditional Valentine

 Quite a surprise when my BFF fired the starting gun on a Valentine card caper.  Even though it was February 4th, I'm afraid I was still in the month of January.  So I put down my book, pressed brew on my Keurig, and headed to the studio.  I began to sift through supplies; came upon some tags that were hinged; AH HA, a booklet is born. 

 Many months ago I bought a paper pack of Space Ship themed ephemera.  This image of 2 gals with the space ship said Valentine to me (?) and away we go.  The background paper and naughty angel are from Graphic 45.  I sewed on a string of baubles and some old lace. 

For the back I added a vintage die cut.  On the backside was a handwritten greeting with the date '92...and it wasn't from 1992.  Wow, that's old.  I hope my friend gets a little smile from this non-traditional Valentine card. 

Pocket Notebook

 Today I am winging my way to Kona, Hawaii for our annual Winter week there.  I got the urge to enhance this little pocket notebook that has been in my purse for at least a year.  Oh, yes, that grubby chipboard was in my designer purse, with no thought of making it pretty...until the day before my trip when my to-do list is long.  (ps some of that grub is Distress Ink as I worked on it, honesst).

 I needed a reason to use a snippet of that lovely old cut work lace that arrived from eBay yesterday. I bought it with intention to cut it up, so I didn't hesitate...though I did contemplate using the long panel as a scarf.  Nah.

Here is a page I doodled on last year.  In the Pacific Northwest, a sunny day in June is rare and a reason for celebration. 

ATC Machine

My ATC Machine is still rolling.  I am liking the effect of whites and neutrals.  This is my first use of burlap, which I'm seeing all over in paper crafts.  My niece gave me a burlap bean sack which provides A LOT of burlap. 

Tim's February 2013 Tag

I love Tim's February tag.  He used his new blueprint style playing card stamp, and tons of his special products.  I used what I had on hand, including some of the black textile elements I've just received from eBay.  Here I used Tim's keyhole plate, tissue tape, label and Distress Inks.  The background paper is from Graphic 45, the playing card I have no idea where it came from.  That cute little stick pin I just got; I think it is by Maya Road.  THANK YOU, Tim, for your very cool Valentine. 

Travel Journal

 I've found that while I don't write in a journal at home, I do enjoy using a travel journal.  For my trip to Hawaii, I needed a new journal, but wasn't really jazzed about making one from chipboard, as I had done with previous journals.  Then Mom gave me an old hard sided clutch from my Grandma's belongings.  When I first saw it I was underwhelmed 'cause the beading was loose or missing.  OK, I'll just cover up those areas.

 I made copies of vintage ledger paper for the paper "signatures" (pages for the journal).  I added pockets and bands to tuck souvenirs into. 

 Karla Nathan at Karla's Cottage just shared her adorable Hawaii travel journal full of her illustrations.  I don't have that talent...but I do have an old sea-theme color book with these illustrations that will give my pages some coloring fun.  Gotta add a few color markers, pencil, eraser and glue stick in my suitcase. 

Here is the back cover.  This is the second little book I've made using a vintage beaded clutch.  I thought I'd share a couple "how-to's". 

The clutch for this journal was hard sided; it has chipboard front, back and spine under satin fabric; with a fold-over snap closure.  I cut down the side seams so that the clutch laid flat.  I removed the center chipboard spine, then covered all the surfaces with paper, allowing a bit of clearance where the left and right panel meet the spine so that the sides can fold closed.  This is now the inside of the journal.  I punched 2 holes in the spine with my Japanese screw punch. 

I cut and decorated my signature pages; I laid the pages on top of each other to form a stack of pages; aligned it with the spine holes; used my screw punch to punch 2 holes through the signature.  I glued hole reinforcers on the front and back holes of all pages and the inside spine.  Then I threaded 2 strands of ribbon through the center of the signature, through the spine, and tied it on the outside of the journal.  Click on pictures for close-up views. 

Don't forget to embellish the ribbon!  If you want a better description of how I put this together, let me know.  These are really fun to make.