A few people asked if I would show how we made our caterpillar book. No problem, because the whole reason I started trying to figure it all out, was so that I could keep a little inspiration book in my purse.

I made mine out of a paper bag, because I knew I was going to paint it and the brown paper holds paint well.  Any kind of paper can be used–scrapbook paper, text weight paper, cardstock…

1.  Cut paper into 4 x 4 inch sheets. The end booklet will be 2 x 2 inches.  Any size will work, as long as it is square and all sheets are the same size.  You can make the booklet any number of sheets. I will show how to put 2 together,  but my end result is 5 sheets long.

2. Fold each sheet in half both ways and in half diagonally. Pull diagonal fold inward as seen in photo. Repeat with all sheets.

3. Glue sheets together, with glue stick, so that one sheet folds inward and the other outward.  Continue adding more sheets if desired.

4.Fold booklet closed, carefully creasing each fold with your nail or bone folder.

5. Open and decorate whatever way you see fit.

Here are some other ideas in case painting isn’t your thing:
* Make one to tell a story. Write your birthing story, engagement, or something totally made up.
* Make a mini photo album. This would be a great gift for the grandparents.
* Make a birthday or anniversary card.
* Keep it blank and make lists and/or doodles.
* Make it inspirational.  Add photos, quotes, images from magazines.

Have fun with it!!

I made these bookmarks to giveaway as Valentines. There are a few more on my table that are half done.  I used some old vintage fabric that I picked up at a thrift store a  long time ago. The fabric pieces were small, perfect for accenting the canvas.

A few people are doing Valentine exchanges and  I wanted do the same.  I thought it would be fun to make something that you can use all year long, maybe as a marker for a project in your favorite sewing, art or craft book.

I have 6 left to exchange, so if anyone would like to make me a Valentine in exchange for a Valentine book marker, let me know and we can exchange addresses and hopefully get these in the mail before Valentine’s day.  Just to clarify, I am looking for 6 different people to exchange with. Leave a comment saying that you are interested and I’ll get back to you. (thanks!)

If you’d like to make your own bookmarks, here is my ‘how to’.

You’ll need:
Canvas (heavy cotton duck)
pretty fabric scraps
glue stick
white glue
scissors
paper clamps
iron
sewing machine
thread
letter stamps
ink

1. Cut canvas into strips about 2.5 inches wide x 9 inches long.

2. For the back, cut pretty fabric into strips,1 inch (or so) shorter than the canvas and glue to one side of the canvas using a glue stick. Iron. (This step is optional, but it does add some extra sturdiness to the book marker).  The bottom inch that isn’t covered with fabric will be the fringe.

3. Fold the top into a point, glue and use paper clamps to keep in place until dry.

4.  Cut a small heart (or any other shape) out of fabric.  Glue into place with glue stick and iron.  This just keep everything in place while sewing.

5. With your sewing machine, sew freestyle around edges. Sew around heart too.

6. Pull threads of canvas to make fringe on the bottom edge.

7. Using stamps and ink (I use versa magic inks), stamp any message you desire.  I thought it would be fun to make some that said “reading is sexy”.  Heat set with hot iron.

8. Give to your favorite bookish friends for Valentine’s Day.

I’ve been saving up my paper rolls in hopes of making something with them.  I decided to make these little ornaments after folding, bending, cutting and just messing around with the rolls.  My little guy helped me out.

Here’s what you need:
paper rolls
craft acrylic paint
ink marker (optional)
hole puncher
strips of fabric, ribbon, yarn, twine (whatever you like)
water-based, nontoxic satin varnish (optional)

1. Fold  paper roll as seen in first image.
2. Match points up and press together.
3. Repeat on other end.
4. Paint.
5. Decorate.  You can paint something directly onto the roll or glue images from books, fabric, wrapping paper, etc. Use small drawings that the kids have done on paper and glue them on, or a photo would work great too. Add a little glitter or stickers. Sky’s the limit.
6. Give a light coat of satin varnish (optional).

6. Punch holes into each point and tie together with twine, ribbon, strips of fabric or yarn. Repeat on other end.

fronts

backs

7. Add another string for hanging on your tree OR use as gift packaging for a small treasure (jewelry, small toy, money). Wrap the small gift in tissue paper and stuff inside.  Use a long piece of ribbon that you can tie the bottom ends together in a bow so it can easily be re-opened for a surprise inside.

8. Enjoy!

I hate it when I forget my fabric grocery bags!!  URGH!!!  I try so hard to remember. They are hanging right by the door!  But, it happens every once in a while.  I’ve been known to shove 10 lbs worth of groceries into my purse, just to avoid a plastic bag.

Well, it happened again, on Sunday. A trip to Trader Joe’s resulted in lots of yummy food and 3 stuffed paper bags. After we put the groceries away, I was folding up the paper bags and was noticing how thick the paper was. Then the creative wheels started turning and because I’ve been reading A LOT about art journaling, well…

I was able to get 2 small journals (4 x 5 inches) and one large journal (8 x 6 inches) from two brown paper bags.

Here is a quick bit about how I made them:

For two small journals cut 16 pieces measuring 5 x 8 inches. Eight sheets for each journal. For the large journal, cut the paper into five or six 8 x 12 inch pieces. I ironed each sheet with steam to get them flat and then folded each sheet in half. Then I hand stitched the binding using THIS TUTORIAL. For one of them, I hand stitched a straight stitch.

You can paint the pages with one or two thin layers of gesso to make the pages thicker and stronger and to give you a clean, white page.  Just make sure to use a dry brush or very little water with the paint to keep the paper from getting too soggy.  From there on out, the sky is the limit!  Paint, draw with pencil, charcoal, chalk, oil paintstiks, crayons, pens, markers, decoupage with paper, photos or fabric, use stamps. I use mat gel medium for all of my collage needs (or you can use modge podge)

Ideas for your journal:

*Color study, paint a different color on each page and then write feelings or draw pictures that each color evokes.
*Words.  Write a random word on each page then paint, draw something that is associated with that word.
*Copy old black & white photos of family members and paste them to your journal.  Paint colorful hats, dresses, vests on everyone.
*Use pictures from magazines and paste them in your journal.  Fancy them up with markers, pens, paints, colored pencils.
*Make a numbers or alphabet book with the kids.
*Themes:  Pick a theme , make a list then and fill your journal with each listed item.

• ~things that make you happy
• ~wishes, dreams and aspirations
• ~pet peeves
• ~goals
• ~favorite things
• ~travel journal
• ~favorite place(s)
• ~favorite people

The great thing about these journals is that they are a really inexpensive way to get creative with art. There is no pressure to make a masterpiece, just a really fun way to get ideas down on paper and experiment.

P.S.  I thought I’d see if anyone else had done this, and because this is an amazing and huge world full of a gazillion creative people, I found that my idea wasn’t all that origianl after all.  Ah well.  I can happily say however, that I learned more and was inspired by the following three really cool paper bag journal makers:

Yoli’s Sacred Journey: Brown bag art journal
Journal Junk: Paper Bag Journal (video)
Judy Wise: More Stuff

*********************Cheers!!*********************

My little I-guy was quite insistent that I make him a placemat like his brother’s.  He picked the fabric, buttons and ribbon and led me into the craft room, sat down and waited for me to make him his placemat!  Then I had to show him all the stitches that my machine makes which led to a long discussion about sewing toys, clothes, and other things.

After watching me go back and forth from cutting board, iron to sewing machine, he did some careful contemplation (he has a great thinking look) and decided that he too needs an iron, sewing machine and round cutter thingy (rotary cutter).  I suggested that we could just share (as long as mommy is around to help).   I really do need to get my old machine in working condition so the boys can have a go at sewing.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own:

2 ~ 14 x 17 inch pieces for the mat with 3/8 inch seam allowance.
2 ~ 3.5 x 6 inch pieces for the pocket with 1/4 inch seam allowance.
1 ~ 14 x 14 inch piece for the napkin with 1/4 inch double rolled hem (HERE is a good tutorial).
1 large button
18 inch piece of ribbon, cord, tie, etc.
scissors, thread, sewing machine, rotary cutter, cutting mat

1. Cut and iron all pieces.

2. Take the two largest pieces, place right sides together and sew all around using a  3/8 inch seam allowance leaving a 4 inch gap. Clip corners, turn right side out, poke corners out and press flat. Sew zig-zag stitch all around the edges.

3. Take two pocket pieces, place right sides together and sew all around using a  1/4 inch seam allowance.  Leave a 2 inch gap on the bottom short end. Clip corners, turn right side out, poking corners out, and press flat.  Place pocket piece on placemat — right or left bottom corner about 1 inch awary from edge, or where-ever you would like it to be. Pin in place and sew around sides and bottom edge with a straight stitch leaving top edge open.

4.Fold and roll the mat up and pick a good place to attach the ribbon (I folded the top third of the mat down over the utensil pocket the rolled it up from the utensil side). Hand stitch one end of the ribbon in place then hand sew the button on top.

5. Make napkin using the above tutorial, sit down and enjoy a nice little lunch!

I think almonds are my favorite nut, but I won’t refuse a handful of cashew, pistachios or macadamia nuts.  Pecans and walnuts make it into many of my meals too.  Almonds though, are my savior.  I always have some in my bag for work.  They are quick and easy energy for those times I can’t get to my lunch in a timely manner. I also love the yummy milk they make.  It’s my milk of choice, for my cereal, smoothies, tea and baking recipes.

I recently read this great post about making your own almond milk.  I had no idea it was so easy.  Very cost effective and more nutritious as well (no weird additives).  Novel Eats has a great break down of cost too.

I only used a half cup of almonds, just to try it out.  It made about 3 1/2 cups of milk.  After straining you are left with the almond meal, which I didn’t want to waste.  So, I decided that it would make a great face scrub.  You can use it on its own by putting a small amount in your hand plain or with a couple of drops of honey and add a bit of water.  Make a paste and scrub up your pretty face.

I made my own yummy smelling scrub instead. Here’s my recipe (modified from Family Herbal):

1/4 cup almond meal (from the almond milk making process or you can use dry by grinding up some raw almonds in a food processor)
1 tablespoon white kaolin clay
1 tablespoon oatmeal
1 heaping teaspoon  dried lavender
1 heaping teaspoon crushed dry rose petals
1/2 tsp poppy seeds

Combine oats, lavender and rose petals in a food processor or coffee grinder and grind up to a fine/course consistency.  Mix with almond meal, poppy seeds and clay until thoroughly combined.  Keep in an airtight  container in your fridge. If using all dry ingredients, refrigeration is not necessary. Use a small amount and add a bit of water to make a paste.  Add a few drops of honey for added moisturizing benefits.

This scrub smells heavenly!  I’ve been using it everyday for the last 4 days and my skins feels soft and nurished.  I will definitely be making more of this.

We have been trying to go to the pool twice a week to keep the kids cool and happy.  I had been wanting to make a swimsuit cover-up ever since seeing all of these, but didn’t have the time until yesterday.

It was pretty easy to make.  I used two thrifted t shirts and my regular sewing machine. It only cost me $1, free if I had been able to find two decent t shirts in the hubby’s closet.

You’ll need:

2 mens t shirts. Find one that fits loosely. You will need the extra size for the gathered neck.  The second t shirt will provide material for the ruffled hem.
thread
sewing machine
scissors
safety pin

1. Cut Shirt~1 along the red dotted line, as seen in the diagram above. Save the hemmed piece from the shirt for the drawstring (see #6).

2. Cut second shirt as seen above for ruffled hem.  I cut my hem 5.5 inches wide, but this can be modified to any width. With the 2 cut strips, sew short ends together to make one very long continuous strip.  Sew straight stitch (using longest stitch) across the top of the entire length of the strip.  Pull bobbin thread to create a light gather. Set aside.

3.  Sew neck pleat on shirt ~1.  I used a scrap piece of fabric to demonstrate this part.
Turn shirt right side in and double fold in edge of plunged neckline (as seen in photot).  Pin in place.  Using a zig-zag stitch (straight stitch would probably work, but it’s not as pretty) sew straight down on doth sides (see the red dash line).

4.  Turn shirt right side out again and bring sewn edges together to make a pleat.  Pin in place and sew.

5. Make casing around neckline.  Fold in 1/2 inch all around neck and sew using straight stitch.

6.  Make drawstring using leftover hem from shirt. Fold hem in half lengthwise and zig-zag stitch all the way across the length.  Tie one end in knot. Attach safety pin to other end and work through neck casing.  When all the way through, tie knot on the end. Adjust gathers evenly.

7. Sew on ruffled hem. You might have to mess with the gather to achieve the correct length for sewing on. Plus, you may want more or less of a ruffle than I have.  My long strip was 1/3 longer than the total width of my shirt bottom, if that helps any.  Once you get the gather you like, cut off any excess and sew short ends together.  Sew onto shirt by pinning right sides together and then zig-zag stitch all the way around.

8. You’re done!! Go get on your swimsuit (as fun as that sounds), slip on this cute dress and head to the pool (or even better–the beach!). This is a very flattering dress, especially for those like me, with those empty-baby-house curves.

**Tips & suggestions**

* A serger could definitely be used for this but is not needed.
*When using a regular sewing machine, try not to stretch fabric as you sew.  Practice on some scrap fabric and make sure your tension and feed dogs are adjusted as needed.
* A straight stitch works well for any area that will not be stretched, otherwise use a zig-zag stitch to allow for a teeny bit of stretch.
* No hem is needed for the sleeves and ruffled hem edge – it’s knit!  It can handle that.
* This would be a cute dress too.  Try 2 colorful t shirts instead.

I hope this all makes sense. Let me know if you have any question.

1 serger + 1 yard fabric = 2 super hero capes

In case anyone with a serger wants to make super easy, super fast, super hero capes. It’s cheap too.  1 yard of symphony broadcloth on sale for $1.99, felt .25 and a roll of ribbon .99, for a grand total of $1.65 per cape!!

If you don’t have a serger, see option two at the end.

For 2 capes, you’ll need:
1 yard of lightweight cotton fabric
40 inches of ribbon cut into four-10 inch lengths
1 piece of felt (I used that new recycled eco-felt, also found at JoAnns)
A serger
thread (multi-color or coordinating color
regular sewing machine
drafting compass (or string/ruler & pencil )

Diagram is not exactly to proportion

1.  Fold the fabric into quarters (you will be cutting two capes at one time). Use the diagram above and cut out capes. I used a pencil and string to make my own drafting compass for the rounded bottom and this for the neck.  This fancy contraption would work too (I secretly want one of these).

2.  Set your serger on rolled hem setting and hem around all edges – neck, sides and bottom. Repeat on second cape.

3. Cut out 4 felt strips (2 for each cape), 2 x 4 inches each.  Round off one edge on each strip.  Now cut 4 squares, roughly 1 x 1 inch and trim with pinking shears if desires.  Place square over ribbon edge and sew onto strip.  Sew other end of strip onto cape with a simple zig-zag stitch on a regular sewing machine.

Option one:

Add a circle of white fabric to back with double-sided iron-on interfacing.  Stitch around the edge and let the kids decorate with markers or colored pencils.

Option two:

If you don’t have a serger, you can do a rolled hem on a regular sewing machine by doing a double fold along the edge, press and then sew.  Or you can make one cape out of both pieces by sewing them together along the side and bottom edges, leaving the neck open to turn right side out.  Use bias tape  to close up the neck.

Now watch your kiddos S O A R ! ! !

I’ve been carrying an empty mint tin in my bag for months, trying to think of something crafty to do with it.  I already use one for my echinaccea and vitamin c and another for earring bits, beads and buttons (because you never know).  It finally occurred to me that I should keep my business cards in one too.  Great!  I ran to see if they fit – almost, but not quite.  Easy fix.  Used my corner cutters and–voila!–perfect fit.  Now to decorate.

Here’s what I did:

You’ll need-
Newman’s mint tin (which has a flat top surface)
Paper Modge Podge
Paint brush
Paper ( I used an old map)
Decorated piece of canvas or paper
Brads
Double sided adhesive sheet
Sharp, pointy scissors
Ribbon

1. Pop the lid off and sand with a bit with fine sandpaper, clean.

2. Decoupage small pieces of paper around the sides and edges of the lid with modge podge- small, thin pieces are crucial for getting around the curved corner edges. Be very generous with the modge podge.

3. Decorate a piece of canvas or paper for the top center piece.  I painted onto a small piece of cotton canvas, stamping and adding text from an old book, arranging some words to create my own message.

4.  Cut a piece of double sided adhesive to fit the back of your decorated piece. Stick into place onto the tin lid (make sure decoupage is dry first).

5.  Using the sharp point of some scissors, CAREFULLY poke holes through the four corners of your decorated center piece.  The tin is thin and fairly easy to poke through.

6.  Re-attach lid onto tin.

7.  Fit brads through the holes and adjust on the back side of the tin.

8.  Cut a small piece of ribbon for the bottom of the tin.  Cut a small square of double sided adhesive, the width of the ribbon.  Adhere to the end of the ribbon, then place the sticky end of the ribbon to the inside, back side of the tin (see photo above).

I really like how it turned out.  Now my cards are protected from spilled drinks, smeared lip gloss, pencil marks, and all thing messy that end up in my bag.

Now I must go back to reading Twilight.  I had been resisting, for some silly reason, but this book has been going around at work and landed itself in my hands.  I started it this morning and now am on page 300.  I have an hour or so before bedtime.  Gotta go…..

The weekend was so nice.  The boys played outside and the hubby worked on his bike, right outside a very close window.  I was able to get some happy crafting time in while watching and listening to the business of my guys. The laughing, tools and toys clinking, yelling, and singing. It all fueling my creative and content mood. Such a nice change from the crazy non-stop schedule we’ve had lately.

I was tooling around with the idea of making a bracelet with skull beads.  Had none, but did have some polymer clay.  Perfect.   Hopped on the internet for some instruction but only found ones using a mold (great one here).  Didn’t have that either and didn’t want to make one.  Decided on just making them as simply and quickly as possible.  Here is what I did.

You need a bit of white polymer clay, a pencil (with broken tip), a large sewing needle, black paint and a very fine paint brush.   The pencil is the most important tool – make special note of broken tip shape.

1. Take a pinch of clay.  2. Roll into a ball.  3. Pinch end to made pear shape.

4-7.  Take handy-dandy broken pencil and press into clay making a big indention for the each eye and a smaller one for the nose.

8-10.   Use the tip of the pencil to create a teethy smile.

11.  Using  a needle, carefully poke hole into head (note evil laugh – a must for making skulls).

12. When all faces are smiling up at you, bake ‘em at 275 degrees for 5 minutes (I tried 9 minutes first and burned the whole batch. 5 minutes worked much better for me, but baking time may vary).  Allow to cool.

13-15.  Carefully paint eyes, nose and mouth with very fine paint brush.  Let dry.

Now, go make something really cool with them.