Dreaming of....

Please click to read

 

A lovely little book for dreams.

Let's make one together.

Print out a Vintage Frame from the free printable section at World Label.  I printed mine on white cardstock.  I did have to change the printer setting where it says "fit to page".   I am quite sure if you explore World Label you will find label paper that matches the template which could be very convenient for many projects.  But today, I don't have any so I have to stick with cardstock.  And that's okay.

 I actually printed quite a few just to test out the different styles. 

Once I decided on which one I wanted to use, I just cut it out.  You could leave the center intact but I chose to make it a window. 

 Now back to the computer with my frame and a ruler.  I need an image or saying at least 2" across.

 I found a picture of the Eiffel Tower on The Graphics Fairy.  I am sure many of you already use this site (because it's great).   She has so many images that you can use for free.  I love it when there are no strings attached to an image!  Use at will!
You can find this image of the Eiffel Tower by going to The Graphics Fairy and clicking on the word, SEARCH at the top tool bar.  All the categories of images will come up.  Now click on Travel.  Now just download the image you want.
Once I had the image, I opened a new document and placed two of the same image on the page.  You never know what size will be just what you need (especially in a round opening) so I printed one slightly bigger than the one I thought would work.  Does that make sense?

Sure enough, the larger one was the ticket.

 The smaller looked great in this one.

I want to seal the image with Mod Podge before I put it on the cover of the little book.  If you are going to use Distress Ink, you need to do it now, before the Mod Podge layer.  I took this picture to show you that the Distress will color the Mod Podge, but not to worry it stays looking nice and vintage if that's the route you want to go.

I changed it up and did not use Distress on the frame I picked (I know Sue from Florida is going to think I have lost my marbles).  I just wanted to see what it would look like (probably better with Distress, right?). Oh well, too late.

 So while that is drying...I cut two pieces of chipboard for the cover.   They are 4  3/4 x 6".

I cut a piece of Sticky Back Canvas in Natural color a bit bigger than the two pieces of chipboard.  I left a good 1/2" between the boards for a spine.

 Once cut, I just peeled off the paper backing...

 then arrange the chipboard on top, pressing them down so they are adhered.

 Now fold down the top and press down.  Then the bottom.

 For the sides, there are multiple ways to finish them off.  I just clipped off the corner and then folded it around.

I cut a piece of fabric so it would fit the book cover with a 1/2" edge showing.

 Working quickly, I painted on an even layer of Mod Podge (once side at a time).

Adhere the fabric.
I know the edges are raw.  But once the Mod Podge goes on you can hardly tell. I admit I was quite surprised at how good it looked and I was glad I didn't waste the time the fold edges under. 
btw, I did not put Mod Podge on top of the fabric, only under it.

Now repeat on the other side.  Press down with your hands or you could use a brayer.  Be sure to press down in the center of the spine.

I turned the cover over and sprayed with one of the new 7gypsies glimmer mists (post card) to give it an aged look.

 Back to the Frame.
I added the Eiffel Tower to the center with a tape runner.

 Then added more Mod Podge to the back.  Make sure you go all the way to the edge.

I centered the frame on the cover (when the book was closed) and then opened it up so I could press it down really good.  You might even put a heavy book on it for 5 minutes just to really secure it.

Now lets make some pages.
I cut 6 pieces of cardstock to fit the book.  Basically the same size as the fabric piece.

 Fold each in half and score with a bone folder.

 Gather 3 pages and stitch them together following the score line.  I did use a bit bigger stitch length than standard.

 repeat on the second set of 3 pages.

 Time to sew it to the spine.  Needed: one big needle and some waxed linen.

Make 3 holes in each set of pages (signature) with an awl.

Now start sewing.
I start from the outside (because that where I want the tail to be).  So it up through hole 2 and down through hole 1.

 From hole 1, go all the way down to hole 3.

 Now from 3, back to two where we started.

 And now the two tails are together so you can tie them together.

Just like this.
Clip off the tails.

Repeat for the second set of pages.

And the last thing...a bit of old lace as a closure.  I just slipped it under the waxed linen to keep it in place when the book is opened.

I have my little book right here with me in Paris.  I am filling it up with ideas and sketches of things I see.  I am sure when I get back I will finish the cover with numbers, words and a bit of glitter.  Because what's Paris with out a bit of glitter?

Cheers!

paula

reminisce |ˌreməˈnis|

verb [ intrans. ] indulge in enjoyable recollection of past events

It's been almost 8 years since I was planning my daughter's wedding.  It was a crazy time with not only a wedding but we moved from our home of 17 years and I was in the middle of doing a book, "Designing With Fabric".  It has been a long time, but if by chance you purchased that book, you might have noticed that most of the projects that I did were wedding related.  Many projects had to do double duty in both the wedding and the book so I could get to all that needed to be done.  One of my favorite projects was Emali's bridal shower invitation.  My sister and niece did the shower but asked if I would help design the invitation.  We all got together to assemble them....it was a lot of fun, and actually went together pretty quick with the three of us working on it.

Here is how the invitation was pictured in the book - 

Please don't notice that 2 hangers in the center are facing backwards....loved this picture, but that always bugged me!

The idea for this came to me in the middle of the night.  I got up, sketched it and went back to bed.  Am I the only one that does that?

You will need:

wire hangers - I got smaller sized hangers from my dry cleaner.  

3 book pages per invitation

small buttons

1/4" ribbon

tag

fabric tag

Cover the hanger with 3 vintage book pages.  I used pages from a vintage wedding etiquette book that I found.  I used a bit of glue stick just to keep them together until the stitching and ribbon ties were done.

Page #1

Covering the left side of hanger

Page #2

The center page

 Page #3

Covering the right side of hanger

Punch 5 holes for ribbon ties

Add ribbon, stitch X's and sew on buttons.  

Up close details....

A tag was slipped into the "pocket" between pages.  It was to be returned to the bride at the shower.  It could contain advice, a quote, or a memory for the bride.  This created a perfect start for a "Bride's Closet" theme carried on through the evening.

The actual information about the shower was printed onto fabric and cut into a tag shape.  We were able to get four per fabric sheet.  Twill tape was used to make a tab at the top and attached with a grommet. 

(The printing on the fabric was quite clear, I have blurred the contact info) 

 

 The fabric tag was tied to the top of the hanger.

Today I went to another shower for Emali, this time a baby shower.  

After 3 darling girls she is having a boy!!  Congratulations Em!

Have a good weekend,

deb

Life is Good

I have been participating in the Young Survival Coalition (Duluth) Scrap for Survival since I met Alane a few years ago at the Chicago CHA Show.  The Young Survival Coalition supports young women across the US, diagnosed with cancer whether you are newly diagnosed, a survivor or a caregiver. 
I live here in California so I participate by creating something that can be offered in a silent auction at the event.  I thought I would share what I created before it gets packed up and shipped off this week to my friend Alane.

I used a picture of my niece's family just to show you a finished tray.  When I send the tray, it will have an empty spot so the buyer can put their own family picture in.  Also included is a set of chipboard numbers to personalized the top right corner.
The Photo Shadow Box Tray (16 x 12") is 7gypsies of course, as is the easel it is sitting on.   The paper is from My Minds Eye - Kraft Funday, 6 x 6 pad that I picked up at my local scrapbook store, The Shabby Scrapper. 

On a side note, it has been years since there has been a scrapbook store in my area (I am talking 150 miles in either direction).  So nice to walk in, see great displays, paper and embellishments.  Seriously, a darling store.  So if you are on the Central Coast of California, maybe vacationing at Pismo Beach stop by at 1045 Grand Ave, Arroyo Grande, CA.   #805-489-4430

 Now let me show you the details...

I cut the flower shape from the MME paper and held it in place with a memo pin and a cork.  I added some text paper and a vintage watch face.  The hanging dots are part of an extra embellishment pack from MME.

Apothecary bottles and background card are 7gypsies and the words "beautiful life" came from the new chitchat stickers from Idea-ology. 

The phrases card I made myself.  This one fits the tray at 4 x 5 1/4".  If you want a copy of the PDF file, just email me.

The hanging tin is an old salt shaker that I wired to a swivel clasp.  The swivel clasp is hanging from a hook created by 7gypsies specifically for the trays.  Can't get enough of these.

To make the patchwork background, I cut a piece of computer paper the size of the tray opening.  I cut pieces of the patterned paper and adhered them to the white paper with a small amount of tape from a tape runner until it looked like a patchwork quilt.

Next...sewing of course.  I put the sewing machine on a larger, almost basting size stitch length.  Time to cut the threads...

This is what the back looked like in the end.  If I had some loose stitches on the edges I just taped the strings down with scotch tape.

Here I just cut some very simple house shapes from chipboard and decorated them with vintage paper and new.  The stamp is from the old Disclaimer stamp set (seriously one of my all time favorites).  The 10 cent ticket is vintage with another chitchat sticker added. 
The metal piece, I believe, came from my visit to Red Lead Studios (my favorite store in St Louis).  The little dog is from a Monopoly game.  I just gave him a brown coat of Alcohol Ink.

And lastly, I used some glossy accents on the word, good and the butterfly.

So that's it for today.  Time to pack it up and ship it out to Alane.


Again, if you want to know more about YSC or find a local chapter you can click here for the home page then click on the city closest to you.
And if you live near Dulth, MN and might want to participate in the 15 hour scrapbooking event on April 21st, you can register here.

cheers to Alane for her ongoing efforts in this cause!
paula