Ole-Talk

My Handmade Book

Remember the awesome handmade paper that I bought from the RISD Store?  Well I finally got around to finishing the book that I wanted to make with it.  It was surprisingly easy to put together.  I tried the Coptic Binding Stitch for the first time using this really easy to follow demonstration I found on YouTube. 

Now that I know what I am doing I want to make more with different papers for the pages.  Guess I will be making another trip to the store really soon.

Look What Came in the Mail Today

I have wanted to do the Sketchbook Project since I first learnt about it a couple of years ago and I finally got my butt in gear and signed up for the 2012 tour.  The theme I chose for my book is "Fill me with stories".  I have till January of next year to get it completed and mail it back. Now to  come up with some ideas and fill my book. 

Style Statement

Spring Training began yesterday over at Ella Publishing and the first exercise was to define your style and create a style statement.  Here is what I found out about my style.

I have to say though that I think my style is forever changing as it was hard for me to find a lot of elements that repeated themselves on multiple layouts.  It seemed that every two or three layouts I did something completely different.  I think my style depends on the mood that I am in.

So how about you?  Do you have a specific style when you scrap?

Sunday Silhouettes

These altered canvases were super easy to put together. 

I first painted the canvas and while they were drying I found the shapes that wanted to use, re-sized and arranged them in the Silhouette Studio software and then cut them from vinyl.  Adhere the vinyl to the painted canvas and you have some pretty art work to display.

Greening My Grocery List

I am always trying to find ways to live a more green life style so when the thought popped into my head about making my grocery list using some of the chalkboard paper that Francine brought for me from France I could not wait to
try it out.  Then I remembered that I had these mini clipboards in my stash from eons ago (see you should never throw anything away lol) and I knew I I had the perfect solution.

Now I don't have to replace the paper pad on my fridge that I have been using.  I can just jot the stuff that I need on here as I remember it and then if I do Peapod just transfer it to my online order and if I physically go to the supermarket I can just transfer the list to one of the many list apps that I have on my iPhone.  I love it when a plan comes together.  And note that the hand with the pointing finger was cut using my Silhouette.  Have I mentioned just how much I love that machine.

Oh, by the way...who can tell me where the list on my chalkboard comes from.  Hint..."Come and play everything's a-okay"...

Playing with Ranger's Enamel Accents

I made this bracelet for my April how to for the Ranger Inkling yahoo group.  I love how it turned out.  Check out the attached PDF for all the details.

Looks even better on my hand.

Download Enamel Accents Bracelet

Sunday Silhouettes

I finally got some supplies for my new Silhouette and I have been playing around with glass etching and vinyl.  Love it!!!  Here are the fruits of my labour for this weekend.

Glass Etching

I saw the idea for storing my cupcake liners in a glass jar on Pinterest but wanted to add some interest to the plain glass jar.  Light bulb moment...glass etching using a stencil made with my Silhouette.  This was surprisingly much easier than I thought it would be.  I used the Silhouette to cut the cupcake stencil from vinyl, applied the stencil to the jar and then covered the area with Etchall creme.

Vinyl

Since most of the crafting I do involves paper I try to do my part for the environment by recycling as much of my scraps and product packaging as I can.  I now have two of these bins in my scrapbook and used my Silhouette and vinyl to label and decorate so that I can tell them apart.  One for trash and one for recycling.

How are you using your Silhouette if you have one?

2011 Calendar from Francine

Francine made these calendars as gifts last year and she kindly e-mails me the images and instructions on how to print and mount then so that I could make my own.  I finally got around to doing it this weekend.  You can also find more information on what she used to put these together on the Design House Digital blog.  Francine took all the photos and the calendar images are by Kate Teague from here her Monthly Bits 2011 digital elements.  Thanks sis...now I just need to buy a mini easel.

Thing a Day

For the month of February I am taking part in the Thing a Day blog and so far so good.

Day 1 - Homemade cupcakes and, cupcake wrappers and toppers made with my new Silhouette.

 

Day 2 - Altered Canvas also my February Inkling for the Ranger yahoo group.

 

Day 3 - A dust cover for my Silhouette.  I got the great idea and how to here at Crap I've Made blog.

 

Day 4 - Altered wooden C.  I used one of my new favorites, Japanese masking tape to alter this.

Altered Clock

I needed a new clock for my scrap room and decided to make something unique instead of just buying any ordinary old clock.  I sprayed an 8 by 10 canvas that I had attached some masks to and sprayed it with some Glimmer Mist.  Added some clear butterflies that I altered with alcohol ink and stickles, decorated the bird shape left by the mask with stickles, and added some flowers.  The clock numbers are vinyl Thickers, and the clock kit (hands and mechanics) I got at a craft store.  I am absolutely thrilled with how it came out and it keeps perfect time too.