How to make a recycled book page Halloween card inspired by The Cloth Paper Scissors Book

I love this time of year. It's still mostly warm but there is a slight chill in the air and there is plenty of time to make holiday decorations and crafts. Today I made this card with some inspiration from the new book The Cloth Paper Scissors Book.
The design that was my inspiration was by Kelli Nina Perkins where she incorporated pages from books with watercolor painting.
I like to use translation dictionaries and I just happen to have recently scored a Marvy Uchida Halloween set punch that had a cute pumpkin as part of it.
So I punched out the page that had the translation of pumpkin and then I water colored it.
I added the bat as well (it was too cute not to!)

More about the book from Interweave Press:

The Cloth Paper Scissors Book

by
Barbara Delaney

Find out where paint, paper, fabric, metal, and wax all come to play

Uncover the very best articles and projects from the first six years of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. Barbara Delaney, assistant editor for Cloth Paper Scissors magazine, has assembled a gold mine of the top articles, hands-on art pieces, and mixed-media ideas for the first time ever. Explore the exciting worlds of collage, journaling, encaustic, printing, assemblage, metal work, and more. Discover how to make interesting fabric surface designs, keep a uniquely-you sketchbook, and transform a basic photograph into something unexpected. The only rule in this must-have mixed-media resource is that there are no rules.

In addition to projects and techniques, the artists of The Cloth Paper Scissors Book elaborate on their favorite tools and mediums. Choosing and using just the right paint, fabric, paintbrush, glue, paper, wax, found object, and more is made easy for you with this light-hearted guide. The projects inside are suitable for many skill levels, with opportunities for every mixed-media enthusiast to have fun while enhancing their skills and adding a personal touch to their art. If you are new to mixed-media, you will love the accessible and easy-to-learn projects. And if you are already familiar with mixed-media and Cloth Paper Scissors magazine, you will love the convenience of owning so many great articles and art project ideas in one superb collection.

With The Cloth Paper Scissors Book, you'll enjoy the advice and company of the best mixed-media artists in the convenience of your own home.

Punk rock rubber ducky and super sized winged ducky inspired by the book The Artful Bird

Once a punk rock girl now a punk rock themed crafter. I mean really, don't all rubber duckies need a giant mohawk?
Back in this post I got all my ducks in a row. Now I am putting my crafty touch on them with a bit of inspiration from the fun book The Artful Bird: Feathered Friends to Make and Sew.
At the big box craft store they have these plain white rubber duckies that you can draw on to make them your own. Well, I thought I'd add to them.
Since these little guys were likely to be around water plastic was going to be my material. Off to the plastic bottle stash and I had a nice white bottle to run through the Sizzix die cutter. I was actually thinking a milk jug was going to work but I didn't have one at hand. Imagine that?
This page from The Artful Bird with all sorts of wing surface treatments was my inspiration. Again I had to stick to plastic material to hold up around water and what is great for that?
Why yes, a Tyvek shipping envelope is perfect. And what better way to cut it than with with the Simplicity Deluxe Rotary Cutter with the scalloped or pinking blade to make tons of strips in seconds flat!
I scuffed up the plastic bottle wings a bit with sand paper so the glue would stick better and then laid the Tyvek strips on overlapping them and leaving the outer edges loose so that they would stick up a bit. Then a quick trim for shaping.
Now these guys were too heavy to float without some sponge assistance. I had one wing left and my wacky head thought it looked hysterical as a mohawk, so that is what it became! I had so much fun photographing them floating around.

More about the book:
The Artful Bird: Feathered Friends to Make and Sew
by
Abigail Patner Glassenberg

Join the flock! Create your own aviary of charming, beautifully detailed, one-of-a-kind fabric bird sculptures with basic machineand handsewing, embroidery, and mixed-media craft techniques. The Artful Bird presents 16 incredibly charming, quirky, personality-filled birds for you to make! Through a detailed chapter of step-by-step basic birdmaking techniques and tips, you will not only learn to make these cute creatures, but also discover how to craft your own patterns for almost any bird—real or imagined.

Inside you’ll also find Glassenberg’s creative ideas to give each bird individual character and personality, from using paint and glitter to adding collage elements. Plus, check out an international gallery of birds from other noted fabric bird makers for more inspiration!

Book Review-French Girl Knits: Innovative Techniques, Romantic Details, and Feminine Designs

French Girl Knits: Innovative Techniques, Romantic Details, and Feminine Designs
by
Kristeen Griffin-Grimes

My favorite thing about French Girl Knits is the positively amazing styling and details. Whether you like big swoopy sweaters or little sassy numbers there are patterns filled with lovely stitch patterns and design elements in French Girl Knits. There are sweaters using big chunky yarns to wafty diaphanous fine yarns, all simply scrumptious and wearable. I would say these projects are not for the beginner but with just a bit of practice you could be knitting sweaters all would envy! Want to see a bit inside? Pop on over here.

From the Publisher Interweave Press-

"Superbly fitted and fashioned in luxurious yarns, these imaginative patterns follow four thematic vignettes inspired by French daily life, film, and history. Each section features dramatically different types of yarns, colors, and stitch patterns combined with timeless, figure flattering silhouettes that are suitable for knitters of all skill levels. Using innovative seamless construction methods, the need for sewing seams has been nearly eliminated by fashioning patterns in one piece from start to finish, easily allowing for adjustments for a custom fit. A handy design workshop features in-depth tutorials that teach seamless construction methods and provide valuable technical information for both beginning and seasoned knitters. Perfect for all body types, the designs are figure flattering with curve friendly waist shaping, empire waist detailing, and stitch details such as lacing, openwork, lace edgings, and bell sleeves that highlight the silhouette."

Green Ring and wire earrings inspired by the book 101 Wire Earrings by Denise Peck

I get my inspiration for the projects I post here mostly from books but today I believe is the closest I've come to actually making a project just like the one in the book.

In 101 Wire Earrings: Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques are these simple wire earrings with a ring dangling from them. They are just so simple and nice.

Off to the stash to see what rings I had. These Enchanted Planet oval rings in my favorite shade of green were just perfect.

These earrings are what I call "instant satisfaction" for sure.

Like a lot of the designs in 101 Wire Earrings: Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques they are not hard to create but sure make a statement.

I have already made another pair but didn't have time to photograph them for this post but promise to soon!

If you like whipping up earrings with a bit of wire in a flash 101 Wire Earrings: Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques will not disappoint!
More about 101 Wire Earrings: Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques by Denise Peck from Interwaeve Press

"Providing detailed descriptions on how to intricately craft stylish wire earrings, this beautifully illustrated guide offers simple yet elegant projects that are inexpensive and easily accomplished. Easy-to-follow instructions and comprehensive definitions guide the jewelry maker through the many elements of wire working, such as headpins, jump rings, hoops, loops, spirals, and ear wires, clearly highlighting the techniques and detailing the quality materials necessary to produce functional and innovative works of wearable art. With a diverse selection of 101 contemporary earring projects submitted from top designers, wire crafters of all skill levels will hone their talents while discovering new and inspirational ideas for producing unique and creative works in one of the fastest growing trends of modern jewelry art."

Paper Jewelry inspired by The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry Making Techniques: A Comprehensive Guide for Jewelers and Metalsmiths

This is my latest experiment in jewelry making inspired by the positively fabulous book The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry Making Techniques. I tend to love design that pushes the edge and this book is packed full of not only those types of designs but the "how-tos" to go along with the modern looks.

On this page you can see the cool flourish earrings. The design is actually in sheet metal but I have another idea! They reminded me of one of my Sizzix die cuts (Flourish #8) It is a thin die so it only likes to cut paper. Well I wanted to make a piece of flourish jewelry so I cut a bunch out of black paper.

I stuck two pieces together with a dry adhesive. Then I coated each side with Judikins DG3 Art Gel.

I linked a chain through each of the flourishes and then linked the flourishes together.

I've been wearing it while I writing this post and since the necklaces were two different weights it has shifted to have the focal flourishes on the side. It looks really cool!

I'll let you know how well it wears and how long it lasts. I am curious myself! But I guess that's why they call it an experiment. Hehe.

Love modern jewelry and want to make some yourself? Try this wonderful book from Interweave Press:

The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry Making Techniques: A Comprehensive Guide for Jewelers and Metalsmiths

by
Vannetta Seecharran

"Find creative direction, inspiration and the countless possibilities for designing contemporary jewelry.

The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry Making Techniques

is a comprehensive guide for jewelers who want to create sensational, one-of -a-kind jewelry.

• All of the techniques are enhanced with step-by-step instructions and clear photographs
• Essential metalsmithing techniques are covered along with methods for working with a wide range of other materials which can be used on their own or in combination
• Included are techniques and processes for working with plastics, rubber, resin, ceramics, glass, leather, textiles, paper, natural and found objects, mixed media, and precious and non-precious metals
• Along with a helpful guide to the essential tools you will need, you???ll find that each chapter includes a thorough introduction to the properties and possibilities of each material and an examination of the techniques possible with that material

Finally, there is an invaluable resource of surface textures that can be achieved for all of the media featured in the book as well as a practical guide to the different kinds of clasps and closures available."

Egg Cup pincushions inspired by a wonderful project in I "Heart" Patchwork by Rashida Coleman-Hale

Before we get to the crafting we have to have our vocabulary word for the day. I did not know one of the words in the title of today's inspiration book:
I Love Patchwork: 21 Irresistible Zakka Projects to Sew

So I "Googled" it because I love learning new words and if you didn't know it I thought you might like to too!

From Wikipedia:

Zakka (from the Japanese 'zak-ka'（雑貨）or 'many things') is a fashion and design phenomenon that has spread from Japan throughout Asia. The term refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and outlook. It is often based on household items from the West that are regarded as kitsch in their countries of origin. But can also be Japanese goods, mainly from the fifties, sixties and seventies. In Japan there are also so-called Asian zakka stores; that usually refers to Southeast Asia. The interest in Nordic design or Scandinavian design, both contemporary and past, is also part of this zakka movement. Zakka can also be contemporary handicraft.

Zakka has also been described as "the art of seeing the savvy in the ordinary and mundane". The zakka boom could be recognized as merely another in a series of consumer fads, but it also touches issues of self-expression and spirituality. "Cute, corny and kitschy is not enough. To qualify as a zakka, a product must be attractive, sensitive, and laden with subtext."

There will be a test...no not really.

Onto the project!!!
With Easter coming up I have started to get the corresponding decorations out and since I live (and work if you call it that) in the same spaces, I like my decorations to work for me. When I saw this cute pin cushion made from a paint palette I thought I would make a collection of pin cushions from a set of egg cups.
I used the great directions as my starting off point.

I have to say I giggled that the directions even included at what point in the process to plug in the hot glue gun so that it would be ready to go when it needed to be used in the project.

I call that some good direction writing!



I have a Crafting tip to include!
I wanted to fussy cut or be sure that, in this case, the day of the dead skull motif was centered on my in cushion so I used a clear glass as my template. This made centering the image easy-peasy!

The combination of new and recycled fabrics look really fun together but I have a feeling they will end up being spread out to all the different crafting zones I have!

More about this uber pretty book from Interweave press:

I Love Patchwork: 21 Irresistible Zakka Projects to Sew
by
Rashida Coleman-Hale

"Offering a modern approach to traditional fabric design, this charming instructional illustrates how to create sophisticated patchwork projects by combining linen and print fabrics using simple quilting procedures. Presenting a diverse collection of projects—many inspired by the Japanese zakka aesthetic—such as a travel sewing kit, sewing machine cover, table runner, apron, eco bag, towels, calendar, lap quilt, tote bag, pillowcase, and shoulder bag, all designs are fun, functional, and easy to master.

Combining sewing, appliqué, quilting, and patchwork techniques with thoughtful advice on how to select, work with, and care for linen, this colorful handbook is brimming with sophisticated and innovative projects to challenge and inspire both beginning and intermediate sewers and quilters."

Chain Soup and Photo necklace inspired by the fab book Chain Style by Jane Dickerson

I love chain and the book Chain Style is positively the most inspiring book on this topic! I combined my love of chain with some of my favorite photos to make this necklace:

I am calling it "chain soup necklace".
Have you ever made "bead soup" necklaces? Where you go to your stash of all your leftovers and just string or link them up and you come out with a cool mixed design?

Well, that's what I felt like doing after flipping through page after page of Chain Style savoring all the chain pieces combined with fun elements.

So here is how I made my chain soup (and photo) necklace:

I cut up a contact sheet of photos into little squares that fit into the little photo links. I used a wide variety of photos, as it turned out there was quite a mixture.

Then I made them into bead links with a piece of 20 gauge wire the same way you would with a bead just using the set of holes on the top side of the photo frame link.

Then all that was left to do is go through the stash of leftover chain and link it all together with a single big link between each photo frame link along with tiny lengths of chain that dripped and swagged.

So if you are like me and love chain you will definitely be super inspired by:

Chain Style: 50 Contemporary Jewelry Designs
by
Jane Dickerson

More about from the publisher Interweave

"Incorporating chain as a key element in jewelry design is becoming increasingly popular, and this handy instructional assists jewelry artists in discovering the ease and affordability of manipulating the medium to produce stunning and fashionable pieces. Using commonly found chain metals, such as brass, copper, sterling silver, gunmetal, aluminum, base metal, and goldtone, this extensive and accessible reference presents 50 fun and creative methods for showcasing chain styles to make even the most inexperienced designer look like a pro. Covering basic essential techniques—including opening and closing jump rings, cutting, oxidizing, and hammering—this informative and engaging manual focuses on simple chain styles that can be constructed to form clean, modern, wearable art."

Plaid Punk Rock Reindeer patch Using two of the appliqué techniques from the cool book- Sew Liberated By Meg McElwee

The Plaidbunny has gone Punk rock Plaid-deer, at least for this holiday season. Well, I think once you go through a punk phase , it never leaves you. The magic of the safety pin, from the diaper to the end.....

In addition to the silver safety pin I adorned this patch with a tiny chain collar and a silver stud for the nose.
How I made my Punk rock plaid reindeer patch:

I ironed some heat and bond onto the back of a bit of red plaid fabric I had cut off the bottom of a dress. Then ran it though the Sizzix die cutter using my deer die. (to see a recycled Christmas card I modified with this same deer pop over here)

Then, because I was going to adorn a little shirt that was super stretchy I ironed the deer onto a scrap of cotton fabric and attached it to the 4 way stretch with the tiny safety pins.


This project used two of the applique techniques (unfinished-edge applique and frayed raw edge applique included in a oh sew yummy book:


Sew Liberated: 20 Stylish Projects for the Modern Sewist
By
Meg McElwee

If you are into sewing things from scratch or just embellishing stuff you already have this book is packed full of great ideas, techniques and patterns!


More about Sew Liberated from the Interweave Press

Resurrecting the art of appliqué—a technique in which pieces of fabric are sewn onto clothing, bags, quilts, and other creations—this enlightening resource provides today’s generation of “sewists” with a technique that can be combined with embroidery, beadwork, buttons, ribbons, and more to imbue works with a creative and personal style. Ideal for those with some sewing experience looking to break away from the restrictions of traditional patterns, this guide offers the details for both hand and machine appliqué techniques, as well as a history of appliqué and how it was rediscovered in the fiber arts.

Featured are 20 modern, stylish sewing projects ranging from aprons, skirts, pillows, and totes to a duvet cover, wall clock, blouse, baby quilt, and scarf. With step-by-step instructions, color photographs, and comprehensive how-to embroidery instructions, this is an all-in-one resource and guide.

Meg McElwee is an internationally certified Montessori teacher, a successful sewing pattern designer, and the author of the blog Sew Liberated. She lives in Durham, North Carolina.

Faux Scrimshaw polymer clay technique from the book Enchanted Adornments by Cynthia Thornton

Did you know that "live" backwards is "evil"? Well if you didn't now you do. Mixing things up is what mixed media is all about. The above necklace that I call "Evil bunny on the move" and the one below "Shot like a bat outta h*ll" are the necklaces I made combining the cool technique from the book Enchanted Adornments: Creating Mixed-Media Jewelry with Metal, Clay, Wire, Resin & More, new beads and charms from Blue Moon Beads and a few recycled bits from the stash.
Click on the images to enlarge if you need a closer look.

So with the book open to my inspiration technique I decided to get my texture with rubber stamps, the directions suggest drawing in the clay but I'm not the best at that so rubber stamps it was. To get my outside shape I used cookie cutters.

I did a whole bunch because I figured that would give me lots to play with. I really didn't have a clear plan as I was trying this cool technique of filling in baked polymer clay with a second round of clay so the more I had to work with the better.

Here is the bunny filled in but before sanded down.
Now that I had a cool polymer clay charm I gathered up a bunch of bits and things to make a necklace with it.
I liked working with in two different color pallets simultaneously. It was really an efficient way to work because it saved time in the supply gathering.

There you have it, make a new cool element and then incorporate into a new necklace, all in a day's crafting in the Plaidbunny test kitchen.

Well if like your craft books to cover a wide variety of techniques and materials, then you will really like this book it is truly packed full of mixed-media, I know I do!
Enchanted Adornments: Creating Mixed-Media Jewelry with Metal, Clay, Wire, Resin & More
By
Cynthia Thornton

From the publisher:

Presented in the style of an artist’s journal, this remarkable handbook uses an informal, conversational approach to teach a wide variety of innovative mixed-media jewelry techniques.

Accompanied by fairytale introductions and augmented by watercolor illustrations and design sketches, the 20 unique projects featured, ranging from the delightfully simple to the exquisitely ornate, are infused with personal meaning. Projects make use of various newly popular techniques in mixed-media jewelry, including the creation of resin pendants, PMC clasps, polymer clay beads, and more. All basic techniques are made clear by step-by-step photography.

Cynthia Thornton is the designer for the popular bead-making and jewelry studio, Green Girl Studios. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

A Buzzing Beaded Bead Bail using a wonderful tutorial from the book- Seed Bead Fusion by Rachel Nelson-Smith

This is what I made today:
Close up and wide shot.
Ironic since I just had to wipe out a wasp nest under the awning of my front porch. Isn't it buzzzz-arre how things work out like that? I know baaaad.
If you haven't been to your local Michaels, JoAnns or craft store and checked out Blue Moon Beads newest lines of baubles, run, don't walk!
One of my biggest beefs with the big box store's products was they looked nothing like what was being sold in the stores that carried off the rack jewelry.

Well, problem solved. These findings are hot! Armed with some cool beads and things I went to my latest jewelry making book for some inspiration:

Seed Bead Fusion: 18 Projects to Stitch, Wire & String
by
Rachel Nelson-Smith

This book is packed full of amazing projects with great directions, mostly they are intricate bead weaving designs like ones on the cover but there are some great wire-working projects like the beaded bead I made using the great photographed instructions from Seed Bead Fusion.

(I did add my own touch by swirling the remaining wire on the front of the pearl)

All that was left to do was to link up all the fun elements from Blue Moon Beads.

Another two details I want to point out:

I used two hooks instead of a hook and ring for my clasp, I did this on another necklace I made and I kinda like it.

And to further dress up the back of the necklace I linked some scraps of chain off of the big hooks and added a small pearl that was the same color as my focal pearl.

Bee happy and make yourself something new!


More about Seed Bead Fusion:

"Featuring 18 exciting projects presented with detailed step-by-step photography, color variations, and practical illustrations, this fresh approach to seed bead jewelry teaches crafters how to combine materials, techniques, colors, inspiration, and design ideas for jewelry with a contemporary edge. Inspired by a wide range of sources—from Indian Punjabi folk costumes to Native American beading—the designs in this inventive resource fuse materials such as silver, copper wire, seed beads, Czech glass, and crystals into these traditional arts in order to achieve a unique outcome. All of the basic beadweaving stitches, wirework, and stringing techniques are explained and illustrated.

Rachel Nelson-Smith is a teacher and a jewelry designer whose work has been displayed at the Milpitas Museum, Santa Cruz Metro Center, and other locations in the California Bay Area. A number of her original projects have appeared in Bead & Button and Bead Style. She lives in Santa Cruz, California."

Contemporary Copper Jewelry by Sharilyn Miller offers inspiration beyond it's title

Don't let the name fool you! There is so much to this book including what it's name implies:Contemporary Copper Jewelry: Step-by-Step Techniques and Projects
By
Sharilyn Miller

"This eye-opening guide epitomizes the revolution of copper as a rapidly growing trend among designers due to its inexpensive yet stylish nature. Considered to be one of the prettiest and most accessible alternatives to silver and gold, this essential reference details just how simple copper is to work with, offering step-by-step photographic demonstrations on how to craft beautiful and functional pieces with ease. With 17 inspirational projects from top jewelry designers and an extensive exploration of the many varied techniques and styles available, this handbook will help jewelry artists of all skill levels discover exciting new avenues for their craft. Sharilyn Miller is a wire jewelry artist and the author of Bead on a Wire, Rubber Stamped Jewelry, Stamp Art, and The Stamp Artist's Project Book. She is the former editor of Somerset Studio and the launch editor for spin-off titles Art Doll Quarterly and Belle Armoire. She lives in Idyllwild, California."

Well as I stated above there is so much to this book including working with copper.

And here is an example of what I made with a technique from the book:
What I culled from the book was a cool way to do wire wrapping that would allow me to incorporate a large marble into a piece of jewelry. This is not the exact way it was so clearly photographed in the book but it was just the beginning part which was all I needed because up until this point I hadn't figure out how to do it.

It was that light bulb moment! Whoo-hooo!
So I gathered up my supplies.
-Wire, I wasn't sure if I was going to use 26 or 20 gauge but I ended up using 26
-A cool old earring to be my "frame"
-My old big sick green marble that I love
-Ball chain
I cut 2 pieces of the 26 gauge wire about 14 inches long and twisted them together in two places leaving an opening or a "eye" between the two twists for the marble to sit in.

Then I just went nuts(NO personal jokes at this point) and continued to wrap and twist the wire ends randomly around the marble.

When I felt that the marble was secure in it's random wire web I wrapped the 4 ends around the earring and clipped off the excess.

Then I clipped off the wire post on the back of the earring and slipped the ball chain through the top part.

Done-ola!

Can I just say how long that old marble has been sitting on my desk crying to me to be in a piece of jewelry and now it is thanks to Contemporary Copper Jewelry: Step-by-Step Techniques and Projects .

By the way I have an advance copy but you can pre-order it now over at Amazon and you will get it as fast as it comes in!

There is so much more cool ways to wrap and feature beads in this book, I am sure a few other odd elements that I have that aren't an easy fit into new jewelry pieces are sure to find a way in now with the help of this book.

Cool technique-Stitchless Embroidery -from the New Book: Fabricate by Susan Wasinger

First let me say I love the play on words of the title of this yummy book:
Fabricate: 17 Innovative Sewing Projects that Make Fabric the Star
by
Susan Wasinger

Create gorgeous one-of-a-kind handmade fabrics and transform them into fun and useful projects with this guide to distinctive cloth-making techniques. This innovative how-to resource uses classic and modern techniques to create interesting custom fabrics that are used in a dazzling array of fresh, stylish yet practical must-have items for one’s wardrobe or home. From laptop cases to evening bags, elegant wraps to flirty skirts, floor pillows to whimsical curtains, this tutorial uses a variety of easy fiber-art and fabric-manipulation techniques to create original fabric projects from wearable designs and touching gifts to home décor. In addition to the cloth-making techniques, there are 17 projects that show what can be made with each unique fabric.

Additional instruction is included to create unique effects with pleats and crinkles; puckers and tufts; cut-and-fray fabric techniques; laminates that add colorful, versatile, and playful layers; surface embellishment techniques like cording, appliqué, and crazy stitch; heat-treated techniques like burn-out, burn-away, and fabric etching; fabrics designed with solvy and repeating notions like rickrack, hooks and eyes, and zippers—leading to many endless possibilities.

Truer words have never been blogged!

I love all things fiber and this book is just packed with techniques and beautiful designs that utilize them. It was so hard for me to pick which one to make first.

I decided to go with one I had never tried:

Susan calls it "Stitchless Embroidery"

And I LOVE it!

So first I gathered up a bunch of elements that the directions called for, scraps of fabric and fiber, a shear overlay fabric and an under layer, in my case it was a recycled felted wool sweater, go figure.
I then fused the lightweight iron-on adhesive to the shear fabric and then to the element covered sweater scrap.
Here it is all trimmed up:I don't know yet what I'm going to do with this, maybe a page in an altered book? Got any ideas out there?
I think I might try this with paper next or a combo of both, hmmmmm?

So if you are looking for new ways to use fabric and fiber you will love this book too!