cereal box redux

recently i got a stack of mixed media magazines from my local op shop. i've been wanting to dabble in this area for a while but, like di, i was wary of letting papercraft take over my house and life! well, it's too late now, i've collected used envelopes, junk mail, old books, dictionaries, flyers and cereal boxes while i've been procrastinating so it was time to actually make something.

cereal box notebook

closeup of closure

for this notebook i used two cereal boxes, a birthday card, a vinyl sample and a childrens book. i layered some elements and Manz kindly stitched them and the vinyl binding on her industrial sewing machine. the covers are strengthened with thick card for durability.
 

stitched binding

i used some recycled card and ephemeral materials combined with brightly coloured new card for the pages. in my beading stash i found some coloured waxed cord for the stitched binding and followed the instructions for a five hole pamphlet stitch. finally, a spare toggle button and some old ricrac was just right for the closure. unfortunately this project hasn't made much of a dent in my collection of cereal boxes...

sewing, a new CAL and a new skill

the last few days have been very busy doing all kinds of different crafting, so i expect this to be a long post! first of all i got back into dressmaking after a long hiatus. i made a very simple knit dress from a Knipmode magazine using some polyester print jersey out of my stash. i wore it straight away the next day and it was comfortable and flattering.

jersey dress

print closeup

the next project was to start on a new crochetalong hosted by Spotlight on their Facebook page. i didn't know about this CAL until i saw it on Bec's blog. she has a link on her site plus lots of other lovely things to look at, so hop over and have a look. thanks Bec, now i need to make a quiet book as well!

block 1

block 2

finally, a papercraft project that i've been working on for a while got finished yesterday when i sewed the pages into the binding.

handmade notebook

i recycled the card from an old book for the cover and dug into my fabric scraps for the rest. my trusty typewriter was used to make the sentimental message on the front.

notebook open

i used coloured and plain cardstock for the pages, mixed with recycled book pages for interest. a sheet was just right for the inside lining and then it was time to sew the binding. the instructions were from my new favourite book Mixed Mania.

closeup of binding

i used a waxed cotton cord for the binding in a simple pamphlet stitch, knotting the ends on the outside for a decorative finish. i might still add some charms or beads to the ends later.
phew! i think i'll knit on the couch for a while now...

The habit of a lifetime

I've had papercraft avoidance for years, fearful that one day I'd wake up to stacks of paper filling my entire house, my husband long gone because he just couldn't handle it anymore, left alone with my many cats (Of course! This cautionary tale could not be complete without at least a mention of a cat!)

But...I've succumbed.  At the moment, it isn't a train wreck, just an innocent pile of random paper on the kitchen table that hasn't moved for a week, apart from being resifted, resorted, re-stacked. And re-stuck!

My first mini project was these fun-sized notebooks.  A vintage Butterick pattern and some die cuts covered these babies.  Sweet and especially useful when browsing for patterns in Spotlight, getting ready for a buy 1 get 1 half-price sale!

After that, I tried out some maps - I especially love the way these turned out.  I used hard cover journals, A5 and A6 to make a set. The maps are of Sicily and I just had to include the infamous town of Corleone on the larger journal.  I added some Jim Holtz idea-o-logy stickers too, just to finish

Lastly, I finally dared to cut up a dictionary for arts sake and covered another A6 sized journal.  I think I like this one the most - really simple, calm colours and who can resist a cameo, really?  Also, on the back, a cute pic and description of dominoes, as well as dorsal, doss-house and Doric definitions, among others.

Okay, so I'm not a crazy lady with 50 cats and piles of old newspapers just yet.  I think a bit of sewing and knitting to keep me on the straight and narrow, and I'll manage my new papercraft habit!

take another little piece of my heart

hello there...i know Valentines Day is fast approaching but like dottie angel i try to avoid the sickly commercial stuff available in the shops (except for the chocolate of course!). i still like any excuse to decorate my home to reflect the latest holiday so when i saw this tutorial on dotties blog with the promise it only took 15 minutes, i whipped it up after brekkie.

paper hearts

it might have taken me slightly longer than 15 minutes, i had to type my sappy message and rifle through my daughters craft box for the paper, but its worth the time don't you think? bonus points for using a recycled book i got from the oppy recently.