Another upcycled project

Another one of my upcycled book projects.  On this one I tried a new stitch I had learned in another one of Mary Ann Moss's classes.  I believe this one is called the Double X Binding.  There are 3 signatures in this one.  It's a little tricky because you are working with three signatures at once.  But I finally got the hang of it.  This was my first attempt at this type of binding.

I put it in my Etsy shop.

Heat Embossing

I created a new tutorial on our main website on heat embossing - but it's really 3 tutorials!  Three different ways to heat emboss.  I started with the basic heat embossing technique, but I also shared using an erasable pen and glue dots for other unique ways to emboss with heat! 

Fabric and Lace Book

I have admired the beautiful lace and fabric books that so many people have been making.  I finally tried my hand at my first one and here is the result.  The covers were actually the easiest part.  I struggled a bit with what to put on the inside pages.  I think I might try one that just has a fabric cover as this one does, but with paper for the inside.  But oh it was fun to use up some of my abundant supply of fabric.  I did not have to purchase one item for this book.  Everything in it was already in my stash.  I have listed it in my Etsy shop, but if it doesn't sell I may just keep it for myself.  :-)

This book has been sitting on my desk for a couple of weeks waiting for me to post it to Etsy.  I finally got it posted this morning. 

This is a larger version of one I made earlier in the month.  It is another inspired by the Sewn Class by Mary Ann Moss.

You can see more photos on my Etsy page.

Finishing Up Some Old Projects

Do you ever start a project and set it aside for one reason or another?  Perhaps you made a mistake on it or it is not turning out the way you had envisioned.  I recently was cleaning out an old craft dresser and found several of these projects.  I decided to make it my goal to finish these up.  Here is one that I had started the base of the paper bag book, and had done the covers and the first page, but that was it.  Never took it any further.  I had actually made a mistake on the second page, which caused me to abandon the whole project.  Well, guess what?  It was easily fixable! 

I had a great time finishing up this little mini scrapbook.  And I was so pleased with how it came out that I listed it in my Etsy shop.

I have a couple more projects that I will be finishing up soon as well. 

Japanese Stab Binding Tutorial

I just posted a Japanese Stab Binding tutorial on our main website.  I love the look of this binding, but I would recommend that you not use a hard cover as I did, but rather a soft cover.  I was just dying to use this vintage box cover.  The only problem is when I open the book it doesn't "give" to bend open as a soft cover would.  I would recommend handmade paper or even fabric.

Family Mini Scrapbook

I just finished this mini scrapbook for a mini album swap.  This was a swap for our Mini-Books Yahoo Group.  I was kind of surprised at how much it costs to mail to Canada, but I think (I hope) my swap partner will enjoy it.  Here are a couple of other pages from it.

From Children's Encyclopedia to Mixed Media Journal

I absolutely love taking an old book, any old book will do, but I especially love old children's books, and turning them into journals.  I have been working on this one for a couple of weeks in my spare time. 

I create the inside pages with things like scrapbook paper, pages from the original book, old envelopes, vintage wallpaper, even some heavy duty gift wrap.  I put in lots of journaling spots and a few photos mats, some pockets and pull-outs for lots of added interest.  I am a collage sheet junkie and have some collage sheet images on almost every page I decorate.  I actually only decorated half the pages in this journal, as I am selling it in my Etsy shop and want to let the buyer put their own spin on the other half of the pages. 

I used some magazine images to create this little collage book.    I think it came out pretty cool looking.  Just another technique learned from Miss Mary Ann.

Painting more paper...

I have been painting more and more paper for the Sewn class I am doing with Mary Ann Moss.  I even did a little bit of sewing to create paper fabric.  It is super fun and rather addictive.  The top piece I painted over one of my husband's old drawings.  Nice big "D" size paper.  LOVE IT!  He saw it yesterday and said he loves it too.  :-)

A triple toilet paper roll Mini Scrapbook

Yesterday I posted a tutorial for a triple toilet paper roll mini scrapbook.  You'll be using 9 or more empty toilet paper rolls to create this one.  Triple Toilet Paper Mini Album Tutorial 

Pattern Book Cover

I am taking Mary Ann Moss's Sewn class.  LOVING IT!  It's honestly one of the best things I have going on this summer.   Here is one of our projects - this is my pattern book cover, both front and back.  I need to work on keeping my sewing lines straight, but as Mary Ann would say, "THAT'S OKAY!"  And you know what, it REALLY is!