Why I iron brown paper bags

Whether you like wine, whiskey, or tequila, when you purchase a bottle the liquor store puts the bottles in these long brown bottle bags. I save them and some times ask for an extra couple when at the wine store until I have enough for a project. (ok dont judge me,LOL)

Then I cut the rough end top off

Then measure and cut to 11 inches.

 The left over bottom gusset becomes an awesome start for a journal pocket.

I then open the side of the bag and trim to 8.5 inches. Again there is a left over piece that is great for mini notebooks or backs of journal cards.

I then iron the 11 x 8.5 sheet as flat as possible (see 1st photo)

And the hardest part is trying to decide what to print on these bags....Yes I put them through the printer and the results are lovely grungy papers perfect for journals and collage. Another tip: I use these papers to stamp off my ink stamps and that can also result in grungy paper that can be cut up in a million different ways for projects. Happy creating!

Avacado dyeing lace

What a beautiful breezy morning to be sitting on the deck dyeing lace and linens with avacado dye. I cant wait till this is dry.

Still finding things I want to add to the pile. It doesn't matter if I do this all day long. It's a good day!

 

 

 

 

Avocado dyed papers

Hi everyone,

Yesterday was a fun day of cooking avocado skins and pits.

I made 5 quart jars of dye from the process and used one jar yesterday to get started.

I did 50 sheets of an old cookbook and 30 sheets of computer paper. A few envelopes and some dryer sheets and one very sturdy paper towel that turned out awesome. It will be easy to see into a couple of pockets.

The colors are even more vibrant than the pictures. 

For the rest of the week, I'm planning to dye lace, trim, fabric and linens, all in the pink along with more paper. Then it will be serious coffee dying.

Have to figure out how best to coffee stain large paper sheets 11 x 17. I need to do 500 of them.

The gypsy in me

LOL, I'm sure that to some of you, this piece is the ugliest thing you have ever laid eyes on. But today for me, this is the most beautiful thing I have ever made, 2nd only to the one I'm going to make next. These are snippet rolls made from scrap fabrics, trims and lots of asst fibres. I am addicted to making these.

This one is done in earth tones with subtle bits of gold glimmer threads peaking through. 

Snippet rolls are meant to be cut up and used in junk journal projects. But this one brings out the gypsy in me so just might have to look at it for awhile.....my precious....

Boho gypsy Journal cards

Hi everyone,
I just finished these journal cards to add into a boho gypsy style journal that I am working on. Long process for this journal. This journal will eventually be for sale, but not sure when. So just sharing bits and pieces with you as I go along.
These cards are made on very sturdy paper board, decorated with design papers and vintage repro images of lovely bohemian beauties. The last little embellishments are snippets from my boho fabrics that I have been making up and selling on line. So cute, thanks for taking a peek.

1997 I think

Hi everyone, 

well tonight I took a step back in time. 1997 I think.

I stumbled upon a visual journal paste book I made, one of many I've made over the years. Most books I can't show you because they are personal with my personal writings, stories and experiences. But this one is blank, waiting to be filled in. It's far from complete, but I think I may have to work on this one again. I love the composition in each page layout, each set of pages different from the last some colour coordinates, while others had themes. I actually know what was going on at that time period of my life. Its very primitive lol, it was one of many paste/collage books I did long before they were called journals, or junk journals. I've been making this type of journal since I was 14 (and that was 1974) Gosh, I would give anything to see some of those books. Many I burned or shredded right after I finished them. This journal is a story yet to be written, and now I have the urge to work on it again. Enjoy!

  

I've become an ink stamping hoarder

Hi everyone,

Ok so maybe not a hoarder, but it got your attention right?

Yesterday I cut and sorted paper for 24 signatures(that's another story) and all of the off cuts were so cool looking that I thought I should save some for washi tape and belly bands for my journals. I was only going to make a few, but I was by myself, only half watching the TV and the next thing I knew i had a whole tub full and ran out of paper. They look so awesome, I cant wait to start using them in some projects. A big thank-you and shout out to Natasha from Treasure Books on YouTube (here is the link to her video:  https://youtu.be/2wcmWk4Q9no ) for reminding me (well not just me) that I have ink, stamps and paper, and I could do this ahead of time to have a little stash or hoard...
Natasha, you are a genius! ;p
Drool and Enjoy!

Artists life put to music

Ummmmm I wonder how this tune goes

You can judge a journal by its cover.

You can judge a journal by its cover, if that's all you have made so far. 

I'm far from finished and already I know I'm addicted! 

What started out yesterday being a bunch of scrap fabric pieces, turned into 2 panels approx 10 x 20 inches and a snippet roll from the really small scraps.

The fabric pieces started out larger, but I cut, tore, then sewed some together, then cut in half again and sewed more pieces in between.

When I finally had the 2 panels, I sewed all the small bits to make a snippet roll. I've started adding trims and beads and I just cant leave it alone.

These 2 panels will be for 2 upcoming gypsy style journals finished size approx 9 x 6 and may have a flap over closure (still undecided)

My next step is to cut fabric to size, finish the edges and start embellishing each square space.

But I am so excited at the results so far, can't stop smiling, and had to share it in progress.

I will share progress and finished, when I put the books together.

Thx for looking!

Snippet bands

Hi everyone
For me it is day 18 of being at home. Some days are good and others not so good. Yesterday I surfed a little on YouTube and pinterest and saw some various forms of snippet belly bands and decided to create a few of my own. I started with a 1" x 8" strip of heavier chip board (cereal box would work) and then used scrappy bits off my table to create these lovely bands. They could be used to decorate a page edge, or as a long belly band or even cut up in snippet clusters. Either way they are so darn cute and super fast and easy to make, I had to share. 

If you are looking for a fast easy little project, why not give them a try. I'd love to see your creations.