Fabric Covered Pin Tack :: How To

Here is a is a close up of the lovely pin tacks I made that I highlighted on my previous post about my pin board. The one on my board is larger(probably better as a magnet or decorative nail cover for a wall hanging) as I was experimenting with the project. I *love* this little project and have a few more ideas up my sleeve about them. You can make some too if you are so inspired. The tutorial for this project in case you missed it is here. Enjoy!

Sneak Peak::December Daily 08

Here's a little sneak peek of a project I'm working on. It's called December Daily 08 and you can get all the scoop over at Ali Edwards.

*In a nutshell : create a daily page for each day of December up until Christmas, or the whole month. Whatever you desire. Any size, any format you want. Then tell your story. Honestly, click over to see all the details as Ali is the master at describing all the detail and giving heaps of inspiring ideas.

It doesn't look like much now but it's coming together really nicely and I'm confident the completed version is going to shine. These were the very first stages of me giving this project a go. If you look at what Ali has created it will make more sense. Check out her December Daily 07 from last year on her sidebar to see the completed album. It's so chock full of goodness.

I'm really having fun with this. Did I already say that? Probably did but I wanted to share more about why I'm excited and totally inspired by this project. I love photos and I'm guessing I'm not alone in this sentiment especially when it comes to family photos. It's what we hopefully pass down generation to generation. A documentation of our lives. I love the history, stories + memories a photo delivers and I have for soo long wanted to get every photo I have organised in some sort of fashion so that when I leave this earth others can enjoy what I have experienced. When we document (journal) along with our photos it's so wonderful to look back and know what was happening during that moment, that day, that special event. Even if it's just a few words it tells so much more of the story. It allows us to connect and share and I think we all find joy in that.

I know I will have a lot more to say about this as it starts to come together more. I'm kind of worried about filling it daily when 1st of December rolls around which is soon but I'm going to push on and let it evolve as the days unfold. Even if it means average, ordinary days because that really is where the best stories come from. Wouldn't you agree? Since the backbone of the book will already be created it I'm looking forward to just adding and having fun instead of being bogged down with trying to get a layout set up.

The icing on the cake. My 13yr old step-daughter was so in awe of what I had started she asked if she could do one. Why of course! Below are a few pages she made using some of her paper stash.

It's not too late to join in! Let me know if you do.

Butterfly Punch Collage

I've been meaning to show this as I finished this quite some time ago. I remember seeing it and knowing it would be a great project. And it was. With the holidays coming up there are a lot of variations you could try. I did this based on this project here by Ali Edwards. I'm a huge fan of her craft. I've also started the December Daily Album which I will share soon. I am really enjoying creating this project. It's been such a great outlet and I get to use paper + pattens which I *love*.

I used paint sample swatches from my local hardware shop. Now I'm not saying you should go out and raid their sample collection but 'ya know if you see a few that might come in handy or you have a stash that's been sitting around collecting dust, by all means, get crafting people.

I didn't have a butterfly punch so I ended up buying this small one for a special thirteen year old, I happen to know, who is "totally" into butterflies and loves the colour blue. I used a basic punch because I didn't allow time to find and purchase a larger, nicer one but this one did the job. I'm on the look out for some good quality, larger punches for future projects.

My largest expense was the shadow box frame which I purchased at our local IKEA. I love IKEA! I didn't even use cardstock (should have, I know!) for the base page to adhere the butterflies to. I didn't have any on hand so I used the sheet that came in the frame and it turned out fine. I did use small foam dots. Hard to see but the butterflies are all slightly raised which gives it a nice effect. I think I could have fit another row & column of butterflies in there as well but it was my first, so next time.

Little "Miss Butterfly" was pleased and that was all I needed to know that it was a success.

More Pink and a New Crush

{images: Record The Day}

I do, I do! I have a new crush. On the visual delights at Record The Day. I'm smitten and captivated by all these wonderfully, yet small scale visual treats. I want to sit and stare and gaze at them forever and ever. I do!

I really love these collages. I really like the incorporation of the miscellaneous bits and pieces of daily life. The little notes we collect, or pages we tear, the business cards we are handed, the packaging from our favorite shop or the words we jot down. It is done so beautifully here and I'm completely inspired. It's a wonderful way to gather and keep all of the things we dream about and are inspired by.

I have intentionally featured all of them in pink because, well, I simply could not help myself and it is the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Not that that will stop me from splashing pink around. Just saying, you know?

1. estate sale lot 9 Coconut Ice
2. estate sale lot 17 Princess

And if that's not enough for you. Record The Day also has and etsy shop & blog called Lobster & Swan filled with her collection of "estate sale lots," like the two shown above, and other fabulous goodies. So if you want to add some lovely haberdashery to your own collection she's got some wonderful little packages in her shop. I SO want this one and this one! :)

knitting 101

After talking the talk the past few years about learning to knit, I finally walked the walk. I. Can. Knit. Woohoo! And I’m quite happy thank you very much. It feels like forever that I’ve been admiring everyone else's knitting projects. Every time I gawked over their fabulous creations, I was always feeling that tug, that desire to know how. Well I guess timing is everything because I finally sat myself down and gave it a go.

I’m knitting a scarf. I know. Isn’t that what every beginner starts with? I’ve made plenty of mistakes but I keep on going. I think all of the mistakes will only give it more character. Don’t you agree?

It feels good to learn something I’ve wanted to do for so long. I look forward to learning so much more and tackling another on my list of things to try/learn.

What’s on your list? What “something” new have you learned or tried recently?

My Little Helper

I've had a curious little partner lately in everything I do. Always wanting to investigate what's going on sometimes poking her little nose into places it doesn't belong. She's a naughty little girl too but she's still a puppy so she can get away with things, well sort of. It also helps she's so darn cute. Don't ya think?

And lately I've been in a really creative and craft mode. I've been collecting craft project tutorials online, sorting through a few great project books I have and getting excited about all the great project ideas from some of my favorite magazines. The list is growing long. I find myself completely taken in by all things handmade and totally inspired by those who are creating. I've tapped into my creative soul and I am finding such pleasure in this process.

What creative endeavor pleases your soul?

Free Samples of Lovely Images from Dover Publishing

These lovely images are free samples I get weekly from Dover Publishing and I wanted to share this information with you in case you don't already know about it. I learned of this free weekly sign up from Jessica at How About Orange. If you are interested in this sort of thing, like me, then head on over because Jessica shares all kinds of neat things on her blog.

Sure you could just look at these pretty images if you want but if you are feeling a tad bit creative then the possibilities are endless. I love this art nouveau image and want to fill in the banner portions with some words and use it on a handmade card. Or maybe on some personalised stationery and perhaps even in a collage .



Samples like this art deco image would also work on handmade cards, pattern pieces for scrap booking as a background or maybe just printed on good quality paper and framed.


These images would also look lovely framed.




I love old vintage posters and the Navy holds special to me. My grandfather was in the Navy and I actually considered joining back in the day when I thought I wanted to become a doctor. You know because the idea of the military paying for medical school in exchange for 4 years of service was a lot more appealing than the debt I would have accumulated. That feels like another life.

These are just a small sample of what they offer. Sign up and see for yourself, it's free.

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My friend Susan of Made for Joy did a little something called "First Thing" and asked if I wanted to do the same. Why of course! So here it goes:

My First Thing(s) (done last Saturday):

• I thought: "I'm hungry and buttermilk pancakes sure sound good".
• I ate: Buttermilk pancakes & onion+bacon egg scramble. Gee isn't that a coincidence.
• I drank: Tang. I know! Don't ask. (kidding you can if you want?)
• I said: "Morning"
• I did: Turned the heat on.
• I read: Jamie Oliver's Italy
• Item of clothing I put on: Jumper over my jammies.
• Person I spoke to: My husband.
• Chore I did: Dishes. Oh joy! We don't have a dishwasher - and I really tire of handwashing everything - urgh!
• Blog I visited: None. No blog hopping today.

I Won a Give-Away at A Little Hut

This could not have come at a better time. A few weeks ago I entered a give-away hosted by Patricia of A Little Hut. It was a give-away to mark the third anniversary of her lovely blog. I have, on occasion, entered give-aways but this is my first win and I am tickled pink folks about being the lucky winner but even more excited about what I've won. I found out I was the lucky recipient a few days after the break-in(see previous post) and it lifted my spirits. It reminded me that in the midst of the bad that happens there's always that little seed of goodness that sprouts. I'm not talking about the material items, although they are lovely and I'm seriously tickled, I'm talking about the perspective it gives you when everything seems gloomy. This is why I say the timing could not be better.

Allow me to share the lovely items I'm awaiting to arrive in the post.

1) Tiny Yarn Animals (Paperback)
2) I Was Told There'd Be Cake

And this is the piece I am most excited about: an original piece of paper craft that Patricia does so beautifully with paper + blade. Swoon.

And last but not least: Alphabet Mat Boards Templates



If you haven't already discovered A Little Hut get on over there and check out Patricia's creative projects. Thanks again Patricia.

{images: with permission from A Little Hut}