Making a few gifts

Just a motif, a bit of hand dyed lace, some ribbon flowers. Seed beads too. Easy, peasy and very effective I think.

Cottingley Fairies

I am fascinated with Fairies, elves and all kinds of folklore and wee people.
Used to see elves under the big orange spotted toadstools by our pine trees, when I was a child.
Childhood was indeed magical.
This story continues to enthrall, how did the cousins capture the imagery with an old box camera?
On one of my trips I picked up this English paper with an update of the story.
In these times, how about a little magic?
To read more look at articles in Wikipedia.
Arthur Conan Doyle was impressed and believed they did live in the Fairy Bower.
Inspiration for Art perhaps.

Finishing the book

The 3 tags have lined paper added so written sentiments can be added to personalize the book.
Run some ink pad around all the tags and pages.
Embellish all pages and make more tags however you choose.
Gather bits of ribbon, good time to use up odd lengths.
Punch holes in pages, not too many but one on each side here and there, tie ribbon in each.
Add ribbon to holes in spine, make it look festive with plenty of showy pieces.
Tuck tags in all pockets, there will be 3 big pockets and 3 half size to add things to.
Ideas could be photos, money, trinkets, folded cards, verses from Carols, gift cards or tickets to a show.

Paper bag book the next step

I drew some of my fave templates for a Christmas themed book.
Make your embellishments to fit your theme.
Now create some decorations, all are nicest when you do them yourself.
So make 3 of the tag, (pink) uses manila folder perhaps. Punch hole and add a piece of ribbon or string.
The star could have some glitter, make a few in different sizes.
Tree and bell, punch holes in them for wee ribbon ties.
Flowers are nice stacked in different sizes and made from old book pages or music.
Add a brad in the center. See what you come up with.
Get some small manila tags or make some also.
I will post the final part of this Tute. maybe Friday post Turkey day.

tutorial

Take 3 bags and align them each an opposite way
Make sure plain sides are the covers.
Fold in half, sew down middle, or staple.
Punch holes about 1/2" from the center on each side.
Use glue or tape and place on all visible surfaces.
Top left there is a flap, so tape it separately and lift to add tape underneath.
Add base scrapbook pieces now. See third pic. with flap done correctly.
Now add some tape or glue to sides of flap to finish the pocket. There will be three of them.
Last pic. Add image to cover to begin the theme and fold book into place.
Meanwhile you will need for the pages
9 .... 4 1/2 " x 5" Or size of your bags.
3 ..... 2 1/2" x 5" Under flaps.
3 ..... 5 x 3 1/4" flaps
3 ..... 3 1/2" x 4" Notes for pockets
3 ...... manila tags or 1 1/2" x 3" card.

Glue stick,
brown ink pad
2 - 4 Yds ribbon. about 1 cm. wide.
Embellishments, beads, paper edgers, glitter, trims,
stickers, beads etc. Torn fabric ribbons.

Time for a thankyou

I do appreciate all the questions and comments from my friends who drop by.
I cannot respond to all, so I try to make up for that with my give aways and tutorials.
However Merci, mahalo, gracias, aloha from me.

Now the paper bag books are just that.
Made from paper lunch bags.

No not ME! Goodness!

I will make a bit of a Tute soon. Stay tuned.
Project is rather simple, but they do take time.
Like a few hours or an afternoon.

Lots of paper bag books

Lots of fun and hours spent creating Holiday books with tags and cards inside.
They are joy to receive and seem to be a perennial favorite.

paris fashions

Small journal and some of the pages I made with fashion plates and Parisian ladies.
This is fun because you can glitter and bedazzle to your heart's content.
Try out new techniques too.
See middle picture and pages on right.
They are sheer pockets and pages with paper, lace, organza and more

fragments

Quick make-and- take with Lesley Riley.

using coffee stained papers

No trick really. Reverse the order.
Paint the papers with dilute instant coffee and iron when dry.
Now print the images you want sepia tinted, no running ink again.
Glue a sheet to cardstock after it is printed, and roll it into a cone and glue in place.
Decorate with lace, old trims and a ribbon hanger.
Add Xmas trinkets and hang by the mantle or on a tree.

Short craft coming

Have you wondered how to coffee or tea stain paper from your printer when the ink runs all over the place?
Stay tuned for a secret and a craft using my resulting imagery.

Just cuffs

Added a bunch of cuffs to my shop.
Most have some bling for the holidays.
I really like all the glitter and glam of the season, more than ever this year.
Maybe we really need it?

A hike back in time

On the weekend I walked along this wetlands trail to view the ancient Heiau, (temple) built in a night the legend goes.
The wee people, the Menehune gathered the rocks and constructed the Heiau.
There is an aura of the olden times and a sense of peace when walking the paths through the preserve.
One can still see offerings made to ancient Gods, see the right hand pictures.
Aloha

A little heads up on my schedule for next year.

I will definitely be teaching a number of classes in Long Beach CA in July 2010.
If you can make it to the area, love to see you, it is a lot of fun near LA.
Classes will be at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, with the Summer International Quilt festival.
 Dates for the calendar are July 22nd to 25th.
I have a selection of half and full day workshops. Yeah!

Will try to remind my viewers each month and tell you more about the classes.
The program will be out just after the New Year.
Lilla

needlecase with dragonfly

I made this silk needlecase for the sisters when they gave me some beetle wings from Thailand.
The colors are gorgeous, and the brown/green silk seemed just right.
Dragonflies are special in the Islands. Called Pinao in Hawaiian.

Large door hanger

Made this for the sisters who supply me with lots of lovely trims and things.
They have a small and funky shop here in the Islands.

Door hanger

For the holidays an angelic door hanger.
Add fragrance and a note on the back that says welcome.
This is on silk and has hardware along with that famous cherub print.

and the winner is

Oh! I love pulling names out of my battered cap.
The lace winner is Cara, congrats. to you.
The boxes here are some I made for a daughter for a gift, she loves them and so do her doggies.
Hence they now sit up high, out of reach, I hope.