vacation fun.

I love collecting bits and pieces for my scrapbooks in my travels. Once upon a time, that was the best way to get stuff – you couldn’t buy most of the theme stuff out now. I feel like an old timer saying that, but it’s true. Also, utilizing stuff that is real, things that are from my journey seems so natural and authentic. I love it.

This probably explains why I created a whole class about vacation memorabilia over at BPS. (you can check it out here: http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/vacationmem.php)

Today I found this hotel map/guide and decided to spend a little time playing. I have the cutest pics of Rebecca running back to the hotel room (and hotel in background) so I thought they’d go perfectly.

My favorite part? Well I have two. First, I am loving making ribbon look all loopy and crazy. Second, I punched all the stars (that’s the punch I am giving away – see previous post!) out of the same brochure. So really the only scrapbook supplies I used up were a sheet of cardstock, bit of ribbon, a few buttons, and an old castle charm.

I’m excited about the feedback I’m already getting from the vacation class, and looking over that handout has gotten me inspired to make more, more, more!!

Have a great weekend!

POTD

guess who’s POTD today?

I made some fun & quick crafty details for gifting this summer – check it out here

http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/projects/t_summer09gift.aspx

and if you already did… then you know I’m giving some stuff away!!

want these three? just leave a comment here! Winner to be drawn 7/10

my 1st project now:

Ok, I’m way excited to share with you that my first ever Project Now class is up and ready for you!!

http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/vacationmem.php

It’s all about vacation memorabilia, more specifically getting that good stuff into your scrapbook pages. I had a lot of fun making the layouts for it, and I hope those of you who take it both enjoy, and let me know what you make. I’ve taught multi-week workshops, but this is my first (of many, I hope) project now format.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask away - I’ll be back tomorrow to share a new vacation layout.

weekend creating #2

Last night I felt like quite the renegade. A wild woman sewing without rules or patterns.

Ok, so there are rules. Here are the top rules I’ve found when working with sewing projects:

• IRON, IRON, IRON. I know it’s hot, it’s annoying, it’s time consuming… but when I iron my pieces things come together MUCH better.
• slow and steady. Don’t rush, don’t try to rush. NO MATTER WHAT. Takes a lot more time to rip seams than to think it through the first time.
• think about the finished product. If you want to have beading, little details, decorative bits, etc… you may need to do those EARLY on – not at the end. This total opposite to my scrapbook work (where details go last) gets me.

The bottom line – a lot of paper skills convert to sewing. BUT! Sewing is it’s whole own hobby with rules, techniques, and learning. I’ve got a lot of learning to go.

Speaking of paper translating to fabric, I finally used the 1/2 yard of pretty fabric (it’s cosmo cricket – got it at equilter.com) I never have known what to do with. I made myself an apron! Just a very simple knee-length with 1 pocket – but fun and great for my sewing skills.

Happy crafting!

weekend creating #1

Sometimes I get an idea in my head and I MUST ACT. Mostly these are creative things, here’s an example.

I wanted to make a BIG shape with core’dinations cardstock (which has contrasting color inside)  then stitch then tear. Lightly sketch the shape, then stitch along the edges, then tear outside that so the contrasting core color shows through.

Result? LOVE IT! This is a star, but I also visualize smaller stars, hearts, circles, scallop circles, and… I don’t know. But MORE! (paper bits & ribbon are cosmo cricket, pen & letters american crafts, buttons unknown)

That’s my superstar layout for today, now off for more weekend creating. I’ll be sharing again soon!

purse

So I want to make myself a purse. Plus one each for my girls, and Becca’s friend who also loves purses. Ok, and a few more for ME. Problem? Never made one. I started out by making a pretty simple one for Miss Rebecca.

First off, the Heather Bailey fabric? LOVE IT! I chose two fabrics that coordinate. I made the strap a good ‘becca’ length. My #1 piece of advice: iron everything… a lot. It made a HUGE difference in my bag straight-ness, stitching, etc. Ironing does help even if it’s a pain and not my favorite activity. finished size of this bag is about 8 x 11

Now let’s talk about mistakes. I sewed the lining + outside together too early. Should have made two separate ‘bags’ then sewn together just once. BUT- that’s ok. It’s all about learning, figuring out the creative process, and having FUN. I’ve got big ideas for my next purse – I’ll be sure to share here.

Have a great weekend!

PS- yes, I am still without my laptop so I’m on a borrowed PC to post this. Hopefully laptop will be back in service next week!!!

and big prize winner is…

Jen Waters! e-mail me (mflaum (at) comcast.net) and I’ll get that prize out to you asap

it’s like this.

my laptop keyboard needs replacing. T,R,E,I,O, and all other keys on that row are not typing right… so I will only have connection via husband’s computer… so I won’t be on much until that is fixed. That’s why I’ve been missing the last few days – and while I’ll continue to be absent mostly.

I will pick the winner to the prize last week SOON. ( but it’s still open – last chance!)

In the meantime – my Recipes class is re-running at BPS – check it out here: http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/recipes.php

rub-on (on) fabric

So I made a discovery last night. If you get a rub-on, well, rubbed-on to fabric then coat with generous (front and back) amount of sealant/adhesive it will be stuck on there good.

So I let it dry overnight and then this morning decided to play. I want to make super cool decor wall-hanging art-quilt things. Ah, but I’m a rookie in that department so I’ve been starting SMALL. Really small. Think 3 1/2 x 5″ oval embroidery hoop small.

After I marked here the fabric would be coming OUT of the back of hoop I got to work playing. I used bits of soft ribbon (instead of fabric) for this experiment. After all – it’s my first! See the black dots? Those are my ‘be inside here if you want it to show up’ marks.

In my experience with embroidery hoops stuff looks better if you put some batting behind the fabric to help ‘beef up’ the thickness. keeps it from getting all warbly and stuff. AFTER I had everything stitched on (good ‘ol needle + thread for those beads and such) I backed in batting and stuck in the hoop.

Then I added (thank you hot glue) lace around the edge and the flowers as well.

A fun experiment, and one I plan on trying more with rub-ons + fabric in future. Oh- and yes I did stitch around the birds body, and yep. Purely for decoration since he’s a rub-on and is stuck there already!

Hey Monday {BIG PRIZE!}

Agnes & the Hitman is one of my FAVORITE books in recent years. Agnes is cranky, can cook up a storm, has a wicked temper, and is definitely someone I’d want to be friends with. She winds up in the middle of mob, family, and random acts of crazy at her new place… and also meets Shane. A government hitman who is asked to watch out for little Agnes. It’s funny, sweet, action packed, and all around just one of my favorite pure FUN reads.

I happen to have picked up a new copy to give away here, and since I’m in such a happy Monday mood, I’ve got some paper crafty goodness to go along with it…

What you see in this picture is tip of the ice burg. Yes, I’m going to STUFF a box full until it can take no more, and then ship off to one of you dear readers. To enter just leave a comment here and I’ll draw one of your names randomly on Thursday…