Paperback Book Folded Christmas Tree

Here is a classic craft project- the paperback book folded Christmas tree. I used to make these when I was a kid and loved it. Sometimes I can really get into the repetition of a project, same thing that is nice about knitting and cross stitch.

You simply fold each top corner of the page over at an angle so the top edge of the book meets the inner binding and then the bottom corner up at an angle so that the side edge meets the bottom edge of the top folded section. This forms the side point. I spray painted this one silver. If you make one send me a link or a picture, I would love to see what else is possible!

Egg pocket ATC-May your ideas always hatch!

The egg is such a great shape. It is a symbol of possibilities to me.





I learned the technique on The Scrapbook Lounge Episode- Butterflies Are Free

and you can the stamp at Michael Strong Rubber Stamps

ATC cards Sayings with Portraits

I "HEART" ATC cards- I just learned about them. They are are such a great little canvas to experiment with all sorts of paper crafting techniques. These three were made from magazine photos of portraits. I have a huge stash of pages ripped from magazines as lots of crafters have for their inspiration.
Just thought I'd share a set. I will post more as they evolve.

Running with scissors here in Burbank!

TNNA flashback-Drew, Vickie and me

As TNNA aproaches it brings memories of last year. Here is a picture of me and Drew, The Crochet Dude getting books signed by Vickie

Vision of yarn dance in my head!

Knitted Christmas Tree

Last year when we were in production on Knitty Gritty we produced an episode with Debbie Brisson of The Museum of Kitschy Stitches and Marnie Maclean

They made some kitschy projects inspired by the classic granny square. Very innovative and fun.

The pattern for the tree is here by Maryse Roudier








To see Debbie and Marnie's fabulous episode check out the Knitty Gritty schedule:
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dkng/episode/0,2046,DIY_18180_49948,00.html

Here is the project Debbie did and I of course added the "optional" sleeves.
Thanks Debbie!

The first Christmas Tree is up!

Last year I was working so much I had no time to decorate for Christmas. So this year I am compensating, OK overcompensating! This is the first tree up sent to me by my Mom. Yes, it is black and yes, those are tiny penguins! No, my Mom is not weird, she has though learned to be a Mom of a weird daughter! Go Mom.

What I am Thankful For

This is the view outside in my front yard at sunset.

I loved how the tree had all the golden colors of fall juxtaposed next to the silhouette of the palm trees-the best of both worlds!
Happy Thanksgiving

Doin' it Old School Cross Stitch Design

After making 3 Subversive Cross Stitch patterns right from the book, I decided to make one up of a saying I read in someone's signature line in their email.
I started my design career before there was computers were widely available-just before-so learned how to do it old school with paper, pencil, and scissors. So I thought I would show you how I did it.


1. I used the graph paper and letters in the back of the book to plot out my first thought of how I wanted the letters to be.




2. Then I cut it up and redid the layout getting the centering better by folding each new section in half (how high-tech of me!)






3. I used a wash-a-way marking pen to sketch the border and get it's spacing right. I used a border and details from the book.




And this is what I did:

Felt Club Rocks 2007

Yesterday was Felt Club! It rocked. I saw lots of people from all the shows I worked on in the past and it was great seeing all their craftiness and catching up!

This is the line about a half an hour before it opened. We got there about an hour before. This insured our getting a fabulous goodie bag- and it was a silver lame bag from Handmade Galleries LA filled with cool stuff including the latest great issue of Adorn Magazine.


Below is Cathi Milligan of Beadbrains.com on the left and her amazing macrame handmade bead curtain and me in my outrageously loud embroidered alligator pants. You can take the girl out of Connecticut but you can't take the Preppy out of the girl!

If you crochet it -They will come

Last night I had so much fun hearing Kim Werker's story about how crochetme.com started and how the book came about.

Cecily Keim, a fabulous designer and contributor to the book was there as well. Not only did we have a great time hearing about the book and designs we got to touch them and feel the fabulousness that is great yarn.

The book is soo yummy-if you know me you know how I like to use food descriptions to describe non food items. Please note segue- included in the above shot is a crocheted cupcake. Ahhh get it food from fabulous fiber hmmmm. Tasty! and my other fave-alliteration!

OK, I'll stop hammering you over the head.

Twist Scarf-Finished!

As stated in a previous post it was my goal to finish projects-this one was started a year ago when it was cold. Well here in LA we had a bit of a cold snap last weekend ooooh maybe 50 degrees??? I can hear the mocking now. I'm not listening-lalalalalalalal.
So all this is is two skinny scarves knitted than twisted around each other and stitch to secure.

Stay warm-Current weather report 82 and sunny!

Crewel Tray for Home Shopping Network

http://crafts-sewing.hsn.com/plaid-wool-and-hoop-crewel-designs-crafts-kit_m-10030808_xp.aspx

I was scrolling through my iphoto and I ran across these projects I crafted for Plaid (yes, I work for Plaid) isn't it kiszmet (sp?) and I thought I'd share this one. It was a simple wood tray with a glass base. It originally had a photo mat that would hold 4 photos. I simply cut a new single large mat and covered it with wool felt and placed the crewel embroidery in it. For a video of the HSN segment that it was used in the display as a sample of what you can do with their kit click on the above link!

The crewel designs are by Katherine Shaughnessy, I had picked up her book, The New Crewel) previousely to getting this assignment (kiszmet again) I am working on a variation which hopefully will be able to post soon. So stay tuned!

Plaidbunny and Panic Button

These are two of my favorite things, my Plaidbunny and my panic button.

Carson Rubber Stamp Show

Well, I have always liked and collected rubber stamps and other stuff relating to paper crafting but generally didn't do too much with it. But now since I have been producing The Scrapbook Lounge at CraftTVWeekly.com I am hooked! That's kind of how it goes, I Produced Knitty Gritty, I knit like mad, etc. you get the picture.

Well this weekend was the Carson Rubber Stamp Show and my friends Judi (Scrapbook Lounge designer extraordinaire! and Rob of Judikins

were there and selling up a storm!

I picked up a grab bag from Artfull Illusions
Some of the words I couldn't tell what they were (not so good at reading in reverse so it would be a total surprise!



Here they are all mounted and cut out!




Here are a few of my tests.
I got two fonts- one that looks like vintage typewriter keys and the other that looks like the vinyl tape letters. The photo corners are my fave! I can't wait to try embossing them. The cherry is done with coloring on the rubber stamp with my favorite markers that smell like different flavors.

More Subversive Cross Stitch #@%&!!

I am addicted to this cross stitch!
It is just so snarky.

The lawn is watching-Bowling Ball Eyes

Well, technically they were "finished" by Halloween but they were still wet and sitting on the living room floor. I plan on moving them around the yard and posing them in different spots. They are tiled with broken fiesta ware on bowling balls. Quite a challenge to tile a sphere!