Red Velvet Art

DIY Woodgrain Notebook

Start out with two pieces of thick chipboard that measure 6" x 5 1/2" as well as a strip of canvas or grossgrain ribbon that measures 2" x 5 1/2".

Sew canvas or ribbon onto one 5 1/2" side of each piece of chipboard. I attached the canvas with double-sided tape to hold it in place while I sewed. Make sure to leave about 1/3" of space between the two pieces of chipboard so that it has room to fold.

Cut out your woodgrain contact paper so that there is about 1" overhang on each side.

Carefully attach the first page of your chipboard book to the sticky side of the contact paper and smooth out before attaching the rest.

Fold over the top and bottom edges so that they are wrapped over tightly. Attach double-sided tape or mounting squares to the corners where the top has folded over and then fold over both of the short sides.

It should look like this.

I used vintage wallpaper to cover the chipboard on the inside but you could also use scrapbook paper or more woodgain to cover it. Measure your two pieces to overlap the 'naked' space. Two separate pieces allows for easy folding room. I covered the inside edges with a strip of tape.

Next you'll want to cut your paper of choice to measure 11 1/2" x 5" and fold in half.

Align the middle of your paper fold with the chipboard fold and poke three holes through both paper and chipboard. I used an awl but a heavy embroidery needle may also work. Starting from the inside of your book, thread through the bottom hole and come back out through the middle hole.

Then thread down through the top hole and double back to thread through the middle hole again.

Finally, you'll pull the needle through the bottom hole between the paper and chipboard, as well as the other end of the string. Tie a knot and trim string.

The spine of the book should look like this.

Due to the stiffness of the contact paper, you may want to place a heavy item on your book until you're ready to use it.

Alter it to make it a mini album or use it as a journal for ideas. And when your best friend asks you where you got it, tell her you know this really great blog...

Heartache and Heartbreak

We're going to start seeing lots of red and pink and 'love' inspired craftiness so I've decided to offer up something for those who aren't feeling the slightest bit excited about love. This pillow is dedicated to all the girls who've had a broken heart. Just flip it over when you've found love again.

Trace your heart shape on a 12'' x 12" piece of fabric. This will be your template for the remaining three hearts.

You'll need to cut out a lining for the first heart shape. I used white. This will be the back of your heart.

Cut out a solid pink and a lighter pink fabric with the same heart template. Now you have the front of the heart.

You'll need to use a light colored pen to trace the shape of a break. Make it about 1" wide at the top and narrower towards the bottom. Mine is about 5" long.

Pin the top and bottom pieces together so that when you stitch your heartbreak, you're stitching through both pieces. (Mine is stitched together in the pic but its unnecessary at this point.) Thread your needle with light pink embroidery floss and backstitch as shown along the break outline.

Once you've finished your stitching, carefully cut out the top layer of the heartbreak so that the bottom layer shows up. Leave about 1/8" from the stitches.

Pin the front and back of your heart together with the right sides facing each other.
Starting near the bottom of the heart, sew around the edges leaving about 1/4" from the edge. Leave about 4" of a gap in order to fill it with stuffing.

Cut little wedges around the curves of your heart so they will spread nicely once unfolded.

Turn inside out and stuff with poly-fil or goose feathers or whatever you're into. Stitch shut with your needle and embroidery thread. Voila!
You're ready for Valentine's Day.
~Happily Married Rachel~

Make Your Own Journal

I had eight panels of cardboard that folded nicely in the middle just lying around from a recent sewing project and decided they were too useful to just toss in the recycling bin so I enlisted this one to be the cover of my travel journal.
I then gathered up any old or useful non-scrapbooky papers that had also been rescued from recycling and cut them to measure 8 1/2" x 11" and then folded them in half. I used pages from an atlas, a blank calendar page, old letters with interesting designs and plastic windows, a manilla envelope, a page from an Anthropologie catalog, an 8" x 10" picture, etc. and sewed them together in the middle. I then used double sided tape to adhere them to the back of the journal cover and sewed around three sides and in the center of the last page to secure it firmly.
I like to prepare my travel journals with a few pictures and ephemera as starting points or fillers. I also collected a few items that would be easy to add and general enough that I'd probably use them in the next two weeks. I packed double sided tape, a pen, vinyl alpha stickers, fabric scraps and more scrap paper to keep it interesting.
I couldn't help but sew a little travel case to keep it in as I knew the journal would get tossed around on its way through the Midwest. I reused a ribbon from a recent gift swap to keep things sealed in style.

Its a nice switch from the usual structures of scrapbooking and a lovely way to catch up with yourself.

Merry Christmas to all!

~Rachel~

Holiday Garland

I finished this garland for a holiday garland swap tonight. I used vintage book ephemera, Love, Elsie 'Noel' paper, glitter alpha letters from a craft store, eyelet paper, silver sequins, pink ribbon and cream lace. It was super easy to put together once I found the right materials. I think I may have to just make one for myself now!

~Rachel~

Pumpkin carving upset!

As an artist, I get pretty excited this time of year when people say, "hey come over, I am having a pumpkin carving contest." It all sounds good, until you show up and realize that everyone is using PATTERNS!! what the heck is up with this? I may be out of the loop, but this year is the first that I have heard of said patterns. I won't lie when I say, I don't like it! How do you have a contest based off of other people's work! BOO! So, I searched for some inspiration and  came up with this. What do your pumpkins look like this year? Halloween is tomorrow so you still have one day to carve!

    

*Sarah

..........cider days!

ok... bit of a delay there, but i wanted to share some pics from Ciders Days a few weeks ago... we had a booth for RVA and it was a LOT of fun!

more photos can be found right here!

So the *sort of* fall weather has me SO in the mood to create... been painting a lot and cutting up some clothes and sewing them back together... what are you up to?

oh... and check out the zombie cookies that em and i made last night....

have a great day! xx, Elsie

do you love monkeys??

we do!

check out the tutorial here!

Marilyn Monroe laminate purse

Hey! :) This week has been SO crazy! Sorry our blog has been a little bit neglected! The good news is... I know we all 3 have lots of artistic projects going on at the moment.. So lots of new stuff is on its way... I am excited to share!

This purse is something I made a few years ago... I got a bunch of old calendars for like $2 and used the photos in them to make some purses! :) All you have to do is use clear laminating paper on the images and then stitch the zipper on (way easier with a sewing machine.. I usually like to hand stitch.. but for this, I would make an exception! lol!)... and stitch the 2 sides together with ribbon over the edges.... super super easy project you can do in an afternoon.... Would also be cool to try with real photos.... :) Happy Weekend! Elsie

Zebra Makeup Clutch

Makeup Clutch:

You will need:
*1-12x9 inch piece of patterned felt.
*18-medium and large buttons (assortment)
*1-12 inch piece of ribbon
*10 inches lace (needs to be at least 2 inches wide)
*6 inches of small ribbon
*1 strip of felt (2x9 inches), use a different pattern than the other piece
*embroidery floss
*scissors

1. Choose a piece of felt (i used the zebra pattern felt from Hobby ( 12x9 inches.

2. fold 5 inches of the felt up so there is a doubled over portion that is 5 inches tall and a flap at the top (2 inches).

3. sew the 2 sides of the pouch (doesn't matter how it looks, you will be covering this part with lace or ribbon). Leave the flap at the top loose.

4. Cut 2 5 inch pieces of Lace. Sew the lace on to each side of the clutch, use buttons on front and back to embellish.

5. Trim the square edges off the flap (see photo).

6. Sew the 2x9 inch strip to the inside of the flap, trim to fit after it is stitched on.

7. Add a large button to the front of the purse.

8. Use the small ribbon to create a loop that will attach to the large button holding the flap shut. You may not need all the ribbon. Sew this to the flap.

9. Create a little bow with the last piece of ribbon and attach it with a button to cover the raw edges of the small ribbon.

10. enjoy! :)

*Elsie*