Paper Necklaces

This week my sister Lana came over for dinner one night and we decided to do a quick project. Using primarily paper, punches and a sewing machine we made these paper necklaces.

We took out a variety of punches and paper and got started. Our favorite punch was definitely the envelope punch!

I like using the pads of paper, since all the paper coordinates. I used the paper from My Mind's Eye, Lost and Found - Blush. I lined up my pieces how they were going to be arranged.

The next step was to sew the pieces together on a sewing machine. What I liked the most was using black thread on top and white thread in the bobbin, creating a cool twine-look when sewed.

Then, I embellished mine with buttons, flowers and images.

My sister Lana made the necklace below at the top. She created many of the pieces to be 3 dimensional...very cool.

Lana's finished project. She used the paper, Paris Night from g.c.d studios.

My finished necklace...I'm going to wear this.

This was really a fun and quick project to do...hope you'll try it.

Altered Book

At a recent visit to an Altered Book Exhibit in Novato, I was inspired by one of the altered books on display and came up with my own version of the collage piece:

Awhile ago, I purchased a few vintage book covers from Jenni Bowlin's Mercantile site, http://www.jbsmercantile.com/ ,for $1 each. Below is what the cover looks like.

Here is the inside of the book...a perfect background to embellish. With all the pages already torn out, I was all ready to get started.

I wanted to keep the colors to neutrals and somewhat vintage/book related.

 For one of the items, I altered a mini book and cut out a window and inserted a vintage photo.

I decided to hang my book sideways...below is the top half.

Here's the bottom half.

And here's where I got my inspiration from...mine is definitely more black and white themed.

Happy Father's Day!

My Valedictorian

This year my daughter, Rachel, graduated from middle school. She was among several others who were also Valedictorians.

I can't believe how time flies and your little ones grow up to be young adults. The ceremony was held in the high school gym.

My daughter and son will finally be in the same school together this Fall.

That's my son on the left, now tallest in the family. He'll be working with me this summer at the Williams Sonoma headquarter office. He got a summer internship doing website testing and Java programming.

Congratulations Rachel and Christopher, we're so proud of you and look forward to your future!

Debrina Pratt On-line Workshop

One of my favorite artists, Debrina Pratt, is hosting her first on-line workshop. I love her work and have taken a couple classes from her already and love the projects we made! Debrina is such a wonderful, generous and talented artist, I'm sure you will enjoy the workshop and will learn so much from her.

Here's the link to her blog: http://paperfairytale.blogspot.com/

Here's the link to her etsy site: http://paperfairytale.blogspot.com/

Altered Book Exhibit

Last month,I went to an Altered Book Exhibit at Marin Museum of Contemporary Art in Novato.

There were 150 local artists who transformed books into art. Here are some of the pieces that were on display.

 

This one is my favorite, stay tuned for my own version

 All inspiring works of art. Who could imagine how a book could be transformed? I think this was the third annual exhibit. All the pieces were available for purchase through their silent auction. You should check it out next year!

French General Project

I love the new line of French General product out by Jolee. I've been collecting a lot of the embellishments, so it was time I made something with it. So here it is, an envelope pocket album.

I used the 12x12 pad of paper and an envelope template (size 3 5/8 x 5 1/8) to trace and cut out 6 envelopes. I only cut out 3 sides of the envelope so that I could have an open pocket.

I like this template because it's translucent which makes it easier to get an image in the right place and  because it has score lines.

Scoring on a mouse pad helps you get a nice crease.

This paper is perfect for an open pocket since the paper is printed on both sides, so you have a lovely pattern showing on the inside.

I then took out some of the FG embellishments and vintage photos and decorated the envelopes.

I found out that a standard 3x5" index card will fit perfectly inside the pocket. I stamped the top of the index card with a little red flourish, just to add a little touch of color.

I then punched 3 holes in each envelope and bound it together with ribbon.

It would be great to write down your favorite recipes on the index cards and give this album to someone special.

This is a really quick and fun project to make.

Happy Memorial Day!

Published in Somerset Studio Gallery

I love seeing that yellow paper when I check the mail. When I came home today, I was pleasantly surprised to find my complimentary issue of Somerset Studio Gallery.

I made the card in the upper right corner, using a Catherine Moore stamp...one of my favorites from her Bird & Bee Paperie collection.

Congrats also to Lisa Super, she has an adorable Mini Holiday Journal in this issue as well!

Tonight I also tried a new recipe: Lemon Pudding Cake. I had some lemons that my sister Diana gave me and wanted to use them up.

It has a light delicate cake on top of a lemon pudding. It's baked in a water bath, and has a souffle-like texture that super easy to make.

It's definitely a keeper, absolutely delicious! Three of us ate the entire dessert in one night (Shhh... :-)

Now, back to watching American Idol. Go team Jessica! And Glee finale tonight!