Tip of the day - Coffee staining in a cup!

Hi everyone, while I've done this for some time, this was perfect opportunity to show you a quick stain method. Whether it is a piece of lace, fabric or even paper scraps.

After I've made my single cup of coffee, and the grounds are still in the pod, I grab a cup or measure cup and fill with whatever I want to stain. Then I reset the machine with the used grounds and press start! Presto and donno! I leave the items sit for about 15 minutes (while I drink my coffee) and then lay out to dry. No fuss and no mess. The coffee stain is lighter almost like a dark tea stain. Ive also made that 2nd cup and just brushed on projects.  You could acheive the dark effect by using fresh coffee grounds, its all what you prefer.

These fabric pieces are larger than the container so after about 10 minutes ill just flip it over or I can repeat the process with another coffee for me and my staining. You will see my finished results in my next project.

Saturday Scrapbusting - fabric pieces

Good morning everyone! Its time for our Saturday scrap busting!

Today from my pile, I have these burlap and canvas fabrics. They have been sitting on the pile since last fall. They are remnants/scraps from cutting out Christmas banners. SIGH!

Yes I just kept putting them off.

I think I will turn these into side corner pockets and maybe more snippets. A little lace and some buttons or beads and I should be able to put these in the done pile.

Later today or tomorrow I will post the finished pieces.

What's on your craft table? 

Share and Start Busting!

Saturday Scrap busting - Clusters

Hi everyone,

Though I will admit starting these last night, it really was to sort out a pile of bits and pieces and I was originally going to sew into a snippet roll this morning but then they started to look sooo cute as clusters. I woke up  and couldn't wait to start my sewing machine. Some of these are stapled and glued while others are sewn. My last step I will finish up by adding some beads or bling on a few of them. I made just over 60 of these. Im keeping some for myself and selling the rest in lots of 12. I should have up for sale later today.

Today will be my 1st post for what I'm calling Saturday scrap busting. If you want to play along, create something using up your scraps and bits my method is Arms Length Crafting, and only use what you can reach or from a container of scraps if you are one of those organized types. Then sew, glue or staple together and create!  I will be  sharing this on several Fb groups if you would like to post your finished creations and methods. 

Here is whats left of my bags of scrappy fabric bits

This is the pile of papers i worked with, still lots to bust, maybe next Saturday.

My completed tags for the Challenge Tag yur it Thursdays

Just finished up my 2 tags for The Jan 7th Tag yur it challenge. Link is above in the navigation bar.

Using the downloaded photos  from this site, other specs were lace and burlap.

These tags are 4 x 6.5 inches. Made with a manila file folder, I stitched some upholstery fabric as the base background, used burlap, lace trim, some torn cardboard to frame and an assortment of ephemera bits. Bow hand tied with mustard seam binding.

Turned out pretty cute, a little out of my style but I am happy with results, I might make a few more.

These will be for sale here on the blog some time later today or tomorrow.

Still time to participate in this challenge. Visit link above for more details.

Blog giveaway box Day 6

Hi everyone,

I have been away working on my personal Christmas stuff but the box is still getting things added to the pile. 

Something Ive noticed, is I just may have a slight napkin hording problem. Back when the covid restrictions started, we laughed that if we ran out of toilet paper, we could always use napkins. Umm starting to realize that its not far from the truth that we could go for awhile, literally go for awhile with out being short.

In the pictures I have an assortment of 26 napkins. I'm sure that could last you awhile in a pinch, lol.

Other than that an assortment of papers, bingo cards, feathers, and more ephemera. All is packaged up to go in the box. Not going to show the box today cuz its awkward and still far from full. Hoping to work on some lace and doilies for tomorrow's show and tell. Remember to comment where ever you see this post shared and more entries if you share and tell me where to find it.

Blog giveaway box Day 4

Hi Everyone! 

Well here it is, a little late but I am posting what I am calling Day 4 of my blog giveaway. While I will try to post everyday, there will be days when life gets in the way, but don't worry, regardless, this box will be filled way in advance of Dec 23. I'm actually starting to think that there will be box 2 and 3 and maybe 4? Its only Dec 2nd and this is only round 1 of a huge purge. Have I mentioned that we are moving cross country this spring? And have I mentioned that I used to own an antiques and collectibles store and when I closed the store I brought home part of it? Yeah...its gonna be a 12 step program...

Today I am putting this huge pile of vintage paper dolls into the box. I bought them at an estate sale and this is exactly how they looked, minus the box. Some of the dolls are decapitated and everything needs to be ironed out but, I do see a few heads rolling in the pile and with a little TLC someone could repair these for art sake, and they could be scanned to create some fun designs. Regardless, there are soooo many outfits that you could put heads of your own on, like bird heads, cat/dog heads, your kids, and other family members. Big big sigh! All things I was planning to do, but just didn't get there so I am passing the lot on to you, my blog giveaway winner, (you poor soul) LOL who ever you are!

The other item I am adding into the box, and ohhh trust me this is very hard to do, is fabric sample pieces. The large pieces are perfect size for making journal covers and with trims, beads, laces and more fabric they will be gorgeous covers. The smaller size (yet larger pile) is perfect to cut up for pockets or snippets etc. Lots of fun colours to play with.

Remember! Comments on Facebook and on this blog post as well as all of the other posts related to this giveaway gets you more entries into the box. And if you share anywhere (see the share buttons at the end of this blog) let me know with your link to verify and that gets you more entries. You can enter on each spot once per post but if you find the post in more than one spot ...more entries. As well, the more comments, the more I am interested in adding to the box! or boxes!

 Here in the picture is the pile of paper dolls stuff. I have turned over the pieces a few different ways for you to see that there are lots of these.

 

 

Here are the fabric samples large are approx 9 x 13 

 

 

Here is everything neatly piled 

 

Side view of fabric 

 

And here is what the box looks like today, omgosh its gonna take 

a while yet to fill and its getting heavy!

   

Stay tuned for more!

Blog giveaway box Day 3

Hi everyone, here is what I've added to the box today. Remember that leaving comments on this blog and on Facebook gets you an entry into the draw to be made Dec 23. You can enter on facebook once per day for each of the groups I belong to where I am sharing this post. Plus each day on my blog posts related to this draw.

Going in the box today:

A  baggie of vintage slides, some die cuts, trivia cards, several rubber stamps both acrylic and wood. Wood embellishments, llama stickers 2 vintage silk floral corsages, some coffee filters, a bag of pearl beads, a bag of metal keys, some bingo cards and a few other little things.

So here is everything packed

and here is what the box looks like today. Still lots of room way down there.  Stay tuned for more more more!

Blog giveaway box Day 2

Hi everyone, I had a very good response to my giveaway box so far, and today I am adding more to the box. Every comment and  share per day up to Dec 23 gets you another entry in the giveaway box. I've also decided to add Facebook comments as another entry (1 per day per group) I am sharing this post within several groups so if you are a member of more than one of the groups you can comment on them all for entries into the giveaway. 

So here is what I've added to the box today.

Vintage greeting cards, a pile of landscape photos (great to cover and make into journal cards) a pile of miscellaneous papers,  a bag of assorted bits, some paper bags, and a pile of ribbons trims.

 

 

 

 

This is a whole tray full of scrapbook bits and pieces, lots of embellishments. There will be lots of fun surprises in this tray, all packed into a large bag.

Everything bagged up to go in the box.

 

 

As you can see, a long way from full!!! Stay tuned for more added maybe tomorrow. 

Finished project

An hour later and I have finished beading this fibre snippet. It is approx 18 inches long. To be used in my "I dont like purple journal personal challenge". Each bead and sequin has been double knotted on both front and back side so that I can cut this up in pieces for my journal knowing the beads wont fall off. Yes its lots of work, work I wouldn't have done in my normal day life because of time. But with covid, I think I have found more patience, I certainly have more time,  and I really enjoyed having my coffee and working on this little piece. I will make more, maybe just not purple. ;p

Sequins and beads tip of the day

Note to self....

Or tip of the day...

Do not attempt to work with tiny sequins and seed beads right after cutting your  fingernails.... almost impossible to pick up. Arg..

My Boho junk journal one of 3 completed

Hi everyone, 

I've finally put the last of the finishing touches to this journal and 2 more that I will post later.

These journals are being mailed out tomorrow to be sold. I have someone else selling them for me. It frees up my time to concentrate on creating. I've taken a few pictures, but my seller agent will do a video and I will post a link to the video as soon as she has it done.

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!