another little journal

This one is 3" by 4, 1/2" approx.

another box...

Another box !

What's inside?

a little handmade journal...

...to jot down ideas and inspirations

It's only little though...

...so my thoughts better not be too big!

daisy chain

I was fixing a necklace for a friend the other day, so I thought while the beads are out I'll see if I still have my beading mojo. I decided I don't - for the time being anyway! This was my attempt at a daisy chain with seed beads. Last time I made one of these was about ten years ago and I am sure they turned out much better then. I think the problem was my thread was not fine and flexible enough. 

(Bad workmen always blame their tools you know!) 

If you'd like to give it a try, you can find instructions here.

Anyway...back to the paper-crafting for now.

Hello!

I have my parents visiting this week and this morning is the first time the sun has come out. Hope it will stay dry today! 

I am itching to get back to my papercrafting at the moment. Also I just got a sample of fabric with my shell drawing on it,  from Spoonflower and I can't wait to put it at the centre of a cushion, so the sewing machine might be coming out to play soon too.

Matchbook notebook tutorial

Here is how to make a little matchbook notebook.

I'll try to keep the instructions as simple as possible-

it's not rocket science after all ;-)

 Feel free to change the sizes to suit yourself. 

This is the size that works for me. :-)

Cut your card in a 2, 1/8" strip (I'm using A4 card)

I used my Tonic Studios handy Super Trimmer, 
Score your card at 1/2",   3/4",   3,1/4"   3, 1/2"
If you don't have one of these you could always use 
a ruler and a biro that has run out of ink as your scoring implement.

 Now cut to 5, 5/8"

 Tada! Now for the inside..

( This is an additional step you can do if you own a perforating tool like this rotary perforator.)
I like to add this step to my matchbook notebooks so that it is easy to tear a page out neatly from the stack. Each notebook only uses two pieces of paper.

  It takes more time to make, but I think the finished result is worth the effort.
Using the perforator cut longways down an A4 piece of paper at 1/4" , 2, 5/8", and 5".

 Then trim the paper across the way into 2" strips

 and then into 2, 3/8" lengths

 Stack them neatly, aligning them by tapping the edge on a flat surface, then clip together at the end opposite the perforations with a bulldog clip. I use a little scrap of paper to protect the stack from being indented by the clip.

 Using another scrap of paper the same width, make a little hole template with which to mark out the holes. You can see the diagram to get the right idea for hole spacing.

Pierce the holes in the cover using the same template.

 Using embroidery floss sew from the front to the back leaving a little tail to tie, then stitch back over so you end up with a complete stitch and two tails to the front. 

 Tie in a double knot and trim leaving about 1/4" for decorative effect.
I think this effect looks quite Japanese.

 Use a decorative punch for the front cover, or you can embellish any other way your choose.
I used my little birdy punch from Tonic Studios.

and there you have it. A lovely little gift item that could be used for wedding favours, or party bags, or any other reason you choose.

(joined linky party at http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/)

from boxes to notebooks!

I've moved on from the boxes now. I've been making these cute little matchbook notelets. 
I'll let you know how I made them soon. They're really fun and would make a nice little gift to pop in an envelope with a card. Or in a goody bag at partys. I'm on the lookout for miniature pencils now. Anyone know where I can find a supplier in the UK?

And the winners are.....

OK, so it is now 2pm not 12pm, but I was out getting some shopping earlier. 

So here goes...

the winners of the Tonic Studios Birdy punch are...

Hearts and Cupcakes 

check out her cute blog!

(comment number 17)

and

Rozi 

Yey Rozi !!!! (I won a lovely blog giveaway from Rozi a few years back ) 

You should check out her beautiful handmade books!

(comment number 1)

Congratulations girls...please let me have your addresses!