Tag Archives: Scrapbook

A Collaborative (& Recycled) Art Journal

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If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I am a sucker for a good journal. I really am. I love literary journals (where I write my thoughts and poems) and art journals, where I can sketch and draw and such.

Since I just had the baby, and it’s been quite frigid lately, it has left me home, with no way to get to the art supply store, to buy a new moleskin notebook. And I like to start the new year with a new journal. It’s just a thing about me, I guess.

Anyhow, while browsing Pinterest, I found a very cool art journal that a woman made from grocery paper bags. Now, the problem I encountered is that my supermarket does not give out paper bags, and I usually bring my own bags (or I take the plastic ones, because I recycle them for other things).

So in my DIRE need for a new journal, I decided to make one. Here’s what I came up with, since I don’t have blank paper to bind it with.

Inside, the pages are from a vintage children’s music book. It’s an educational book that was used in schools and such. I figured, I can just gesso the pages (or rather, use the poor man’s gesso, which is just white paint. Or, if you’re REALLY broke, use that left over white house paint).

The over has a little collage of magazine clippings, which my daughter made me. I love it so much, I put it on the cover! Oh, and for the cover, I used a Ritz Cracker box in place of chipboard, which I cannot find. I could in theory, since I do know where it is, but eh. With two children, I do not feel like spending the little time that they nap, on locating my chipboard. So I recycled, instead.

Then, I used some pretty paper by Crate Paper, and tissue tape by Tim Holtz.

What do you think, you like it? You can totally make this. It’s EASY! Just learn to do a good and simple book binding. You can learn on Booklyn’s website.  Then, save your cereal box, or cracker box, or any sort of packaging that is made of chipboard.

It’s easy! Find some cool paper to bind. Maybe some newspaper? Or maybe you’re lucky enough to have paper grocery bags? Whatever, man. Bind it with whatever.

 

Thank You Tags

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Recently I made these tags, as a thank you note to include with orders for a few recent customers.

 

I used a stampin’ up stamp for the background, and a thank you stamp from the dollar spot at Michael’s. You gotta love those dollar spots. And I inked the edges, just because.

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So, how was your Christmas? Mine was rather nice. OH! And I am happy to report that my daughter was finally born! YES, I am no longer pregnant. She was born December 16, at 8:59 am. We have named her Dharma Ruby. My four year old, Dakota, is so in love. She’s got a new little friend to play with, and boss around.

We had a home birth. I really have to say, it’s so worth it. I can’t say enough about it. My home birth was such an amazing experience. Sure, it hurt like hell. But you know what? I got to feel her little body wiggle out. I got to nurse her just seconds after she was born. It was….amazing. It was amazing to feel it all, to experience everything, and to have a say in the kind of birth that I want. Amazing. Truly.

So now, our family consists of two tauruses and two sagitarians. Funny, huh? I’m a sag, and so is Dharma. My husband is a taurus and so is Dakota. Funny, I guess we each have our mini-me. Although actually, Dakota really is a MAJORLY talkative little girl and is quite hyperactive (as is her dear mother).

Being a mother is a funny thing, and it gets more interesting when you have more than one kid. It’s just funny, you know? My four year old, being my first kid, is responsible for making me a mother in the first place. She loves to imitate me. This of course, puts a responsibility on a mother-you don’t want your kid screwing up or making the mistakes you made (or make). But it’s funny.

I say this, because since I do love to bake, and I enjoy putting on a little makeup before I go out, she becomes like my partner in crime-baking with me, and watching me put my make up on, helping me pick out little outfits for baby Dharma; anyway, being a mom is an interesting thing, I think.

Merry Christmas Banner

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Over the weekend, I made a pretty Christmas banner.

So I had to photograph them separately, because I haven’t hung them up yet, and I have found that photographing banners is a very challenging art.

I used papers by Graphic 45, and inked the edges of each. The red paper with red ink, and the light brown paper with gold ink. I find that pigment ink stamp pads are the best for inking up edges, as you can smudge them a bit if you feel like it.

Anyway, today I have a headache. And I’m a little tired. The long weekend was so nice, that it was difficult to wake up so blasted early in the morning. I really would have rather slept in a bit. But such is life with a child in school.

I need a new camera. The one I’ve got is a few years old, and now has tape on the part where the battery is supposed to go, and also needs to be held or else the battery slips out anyway. Maybe the income tax fairy will be generous this year, and I’ll be able to go to B&H and buy myself a REALLY good camera.

I’m working on a new infinity cowl. I’m actually almost done with it. I can’t wait to show you. AND my favorite local yarn store is having a sale in manhattan which I am UBER excited for. I hope to be able to buy yarn for my winter collection.

I’ve got an idea for a new design, and I need some more. For that, a walk through the city is needed. I get my fashion inspiration from my walks through the city, with my daughter. So tomorow, I suppose? What I wish I could do is walk up to strangers, and say, “excuse me, can i photograph you?” Of course, New Yorkers are too cautious for that, and too selfish. They would either reply to me asking how much am I paying them, or they’d just look at me like I’m nuts and walk away (or think that I was nuts and ignore me-New Yorkers have ignoring down to a science).

So yeah. I have to keep the images in my head. I can’t write my ideas down. I mean, I can, but if I do, I all of the sudden don’t want to do it anymore. So I don’t bother. Weird, I know. So I keep my ideas in my head. I have to.

So that’s all for now.

 

 

Sweet Memories Mini Scrapbook

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Recently I finished up this cute little scrapbook.

I guess since I’m pregnant, I am feeling like I want to start scrapbooking again. Something about having kids makes me want to do this.
Those flowers were glittered because my daughter thought it would be a good idea. That glittery goodness is by Art Institute Glitter.

I used some papers by Echo Park Paper, from a series called “Country Drive”. I also used a couple of Prima flowers, and some glitter by Art Institute Glitter, to give it a little pizzaz.

That little brown bird is a chipboard thingamajig from Stampin’ Up. I inked him up with brown ink, then added some “dazzler’s” glitter by Art Institute Glitter.

What else? Well, if you want an update, I’m currently 35 weeks pregnant. That means, I’ve got about 2-3 more weeks, realistically. My daughter Dakota came early. My midwife says it’s possible that this one come early too. I can tell you that this one kicks and moves a lot more than my Dakota did in-utero.

And I have to say, it is NOT an easy task to be a mother, AND be pregnant. Not at all. On top of the mood swings, and the cravings, you then have people besides yourself to take care of, and at times you really do want to move far far away where all you hear is silence and no one bothers you. Then you think, but jeez, maybe I’ll miss all the noise, eh? I guess that’s being a mom for you. My way of pampering myself is taking extra long showers. My daughter will start knocking if I’m in there too long, but I don’t care. Normally I go for the eco-friendly 5 minute shower rule, but pregnancy makes me want to not bother with that so much.

Oh and I better start getting ready for Christmas! So much to do. I should hire an intern. Or split myself in half. Either way.

A Baby Banner

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I had my baby shower recently, and made a little banner, to decorate my apartment.

Cute, eh?

The letters are from Target, in their scrap booking section. They cost 99 cents! The paper and twine is from The Sampler Kit. I made some rosettes using paper from one of their past kits, and some vintage music sheets, cut into a circle (with my circle punch).

What’s on my mind today? Well, this week I want to stock up on a bit more yarn. I HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO make my Xmas gifts early this year. I’ve got the idea for part of the gift. I always make something like jam or something, and then make an additional (more custom) gift for each. So I’ve got the mass making part of it. Now, to find patterns and yarn to crochet like mad. I decide on crochet every year, you know why? Because I’m FAST with it. So, if I choose to wait until the last minute like I always do (in true Sagitarian form), then at least I know I can make a pair of slippers in an hour.

Oh, I WISH I could tell you. But I shouldn’t. A few people I will be making for, may be reading my blog, and I don’t want them to find out. I hate surprises, but I don’t want to ruin it for them. You know?

 

That’s all for now.

Scrapped Up Photo Box

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Recently, I went through my closet, and found a plain unfinished photo box (by Plaid Crafts). I thought I’d paint it up, and decorate it. So here’s what I came up with:


I used embellishments from the Sampler Kit. I love that little butterfly!

The flowers are also from the Sampler Kit. The Ballerina, I bought years ago from Hannah Grey. I saved her all this time, and here she is.

 

What else? This weekend, I ended up with a blinding terrible migraine. I hate those! Terrible things, those migraines. Other than that, there is not much to say. I did print out some new crochet patterns, and I’m eager to buy some new yarn, and make something lovely JUST FOR ME.  Right now, I’m making a baby blanket (for Dakota, who I never made one for) and also, knitting up an infinity scarf just for me.

Anything else? Not really.

I did get an idea for what I’m making for Xmas this year as gifts for people. That’s always nice. I had this whole paragraph telling you what I am making people, but I erased it. You can find out later, how about that?

Meanwhile, for Halloween, I want to make some treat bags. So I’m going to buy the supplies for that this week. That, and I have to make baby shower invitations. HAVE to. I want to have the invitations out this weekend.

That’s all for now, except that I am beginning to really detest these spam commenters. Really. I think I erase about 10 or more spam comments a day. It’s really annoying. I’m not going to approve your comments, spammers. You can stop it already.

 

 

 

 

Hand Stamped Gift Tags

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So I use gift tags quite a bit. So I hosted a swap on swap-bot, for making a set of gift tags. I made a set similar to what I’d want to receive (but I didn’t).

I love them, don’t you? A bit of ink and PAN pastels really make the tags “sing”, don’t you think?

Hmmmm….what else.

I have to run to canal street to purchase some last minute supplies. Wish me luck. I ask you to wish me luck, because this time of year, New York City is tourist mecca, and the streets are so crowded. But there, I get the best deal on jewelry making supplies (at Pearl Paint, if you live in NYC).

After that, this afternoon my little one has an appointment with the dentist for the very first time. Oh my goodness. I don’t know what to think. Should I anticipate a tantrum? I do not know what to expect.

I was browsing through photos of her last year, trick or treating, and boy. She certainly does not look like a baby anymore. She looks like a little girl. I can’t believe it. Soon she’ll be a teenager, complaining that her little sister stole her favorite shirt.

Wow. I simply cannot believe it.

On a side note, I was reading THIS article, and thinking, “can’t we all just get along?”

I have experienced “judgmental mommies” and I have to say, it’s not fun. It’s really stupid to judge someone else because they allow their child to eat sugar, or watch television. Who cares, as my husband says. They do not pay your mortgage, he says. It’s true.

I never judge. I mean, why bother? I barely have time for everything as it is, I do not have time to sit and judge you, because you won’t let your 10 year old watch “Ratatouille”, or something. Everyone parents differently.

I stay home with my daughter, and I’m happy with that. I don’t need the snotty, “well, I tried to stay home, but I got so bored, I couldn’t stand it! I don’t know how you can just sit there all day.” This was told to me a while back by a woman on the train. We were talking about motherhood.

I want to say, that I don’t just “sit there all day.”  There are plenty of things that I do in a day being a stay at home WORKING mother, but “sit there” is not one of them.

Years ago, I was at a protest in Philadelphia, and I remember reading a sign that said, “Every mother is a working mother”. It’s true. We ALL are. Let’s just leave it at that.

 

Shabby Chic Mini Scrapbooks

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So yesterday I mentioned how I got a whole bunch of nice black paper. Today, I figured, what’s better than making some stab bound scrabooks. I made a set of two, using some pretty flowers from the Sampler Kit.

The words there on the right read, VIDA and mean life in spanish. I inked the edges on the second one, and on the first one there, you can see there are buttons on the right. I used a sizzix die, to cut the shame of the pages. Inside, there are 22 black, blank pages. I of course, have no idea what the heck to do with them! I might give each of them to friends of mine, who just had baby girls.

Oh, and I used Baker’s twine, also in the Sampler kit from (I think) last month. Again, the binding is a simple stab binding. Very easy.

Now, can you see them? I love that flower. That was from the Sampler Kit’s monthly scrapbooking kit. I love them! I got enough to make these, and also save a few for jewelry making, which, thanks to James Brown and Youtube, am quite inspired to make a few designs today.

What else? Meh, not much. I need some more yarn. I have been feeling inspired to make some really nice crocheted stuff, but alas. I need yarn. I do have some pretty silk sari yarn, but that stuff is difficult to design/work with. I’m making some small things. I had found a crocheted flower pattern online, but decided to instead go with a flower design I had created a long time ago by mistake. I was trying to make a round granny square, and it ended up being a flower. So, since I remembered what I had done, I had made a bunch. But that was a long time ago. I just want to make them now, so I can make fun little things with it.

That’s all for today.

 

Envelope Art

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This weekend, I did a bit of envelope art, with my husband. It was so much fun!

I made one alone, and one with him. I’ll show you both.

For this piece, my husband and I worked together. I used my envelope template on regular artist sketchbook paper. The background stamp is a retired stampin up stamp. The ink is Stampin up as well. The frida is from my collection of print outs.

And we just used a regular pitt pen.

I did this one.

I played around with masking, on this. I stamped a butterfly (Stamp by 100 Proof Press), and glued it on to the paper, then sprayed with some homemade glimmer mist. Then, I added some paper tape, along the sides. Then, I stamped it with the typewriter letters, and applied a bit of magenta colored PAN Pastels.

That’s all, really.

Today is going to be a rainy day, in Brooklyn. That means, I can catch up on my projects, and get some work done. PLUS, it’s a rather cool out, which means I get to make some brownies, WOOT!

I lurv brownies, with a nice tall glass of Almond Milk. I do that, because in my head, I rationalize the bad with the good. I know it doesn’t make sense.

That’s all for now.

 

Tiny Little Thank You Cards

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Recently, I made some cool thank you cards, to send to my customers who order my lovely jewelry creations.

They are simple enough to make.

They are so easy to make.

You’ll need your Sizzix Big Shot, and the die, “Card w/Flower” , a thank you rubber stamp (I got mine from the dollar spot at Michael’s), and a 1 inch circle punch. Oh, and some pretty paper tape. Mine is from Tim Holtz.

I used a paper stack from Colorboc, but you can use whatever you’ve got. With the spares, I cut out 1″ circles, and filled in the little flower there.

That’s it really! Oh, and I inked the edges.

You like it? It’s easy enough, and a nice little way to say thank you to someone, or hello. Or I love you.

I don’t have much to say, because frankly, I’m feeling saddened. Someone related to me, wrote me off, and manipulated the situation to make me seem as if I am one to blame, when I did nothing.

I am a good woman, a great mother, and a good friend. I may have my flaws like everyone does. But I got to where I am because of my faith in a higher power, and because of my capacity to love. If you cannot love, you have nothing. Love heals. Love. Not anger about the past, or bitterness, or hatred towards a person. These negative feelings only make things worst. They only break you, and break the relationships you have.

LOVE heals. And love comes in so many delicious forms.

Accusing another person of something that you yourself may have, is something that just about every religion speaks against. And even if you are not a religious person, we can all benefit by looking at ourselves before we look at someone else and accuse them of outlandish things.

I don’t want to go into details, but suffice to say that someone in my extended family truly broke my heart immensly. Then, while having broken my PREGNANT heart, then went off to tell my partner about me,  as if that is her right, to speak ill against me to my own husband.

I love my family. I love my daughter, my husband and the little girl in my belly. I love my art group. I love. That’s the point. I LOVE. I love, unconditionally.

I don’t feel guilty about my decision to not speak to my abusive parents. It is wrong to abuse your child and then expect her to deny what happened, as if she deserved it, no. I did not deserve a damned thing. No one will ever make me feel guilty for my decision. This choice, I made out of love for myself. Because I deserve relationships that are NOT destructive. I deserve goodness. I deserve good things, no matter what this person in my extended family may think or believe.

That’s all I had to say. Now, I’m off to crochet like mad.

 

 

 

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