HOMEWORK READING: Willow and Sage

When you think of Stampington & Company, you think of stamping and paper and pretty crafts. So I was surprised when the editors of Stampington & Company emailed me to see if they could feature one of my scrubs in their next edition of Willow and Sage. I happily agreed because, you know, it was Stampington and Company. They explained that their first issue of Willow and Sage had just been published and sent me a copy.

Homework: reading {book play}

Friends, I’m behind on my reading. I have a stack of crafty books to tell you about and I thought I’d start with this one because I love making little books and working with paper.

homework: reading {paper blooms}

Paper Flower Jar Lids – from my archives

 

I’ve made several paper flower projects here on homework. I love working with the different paper colors and textures and turning them into fun embellishments or using them for décor.

Reading: {making an impression -book review & giveaway}

I know I’ve probably said this before (and I always do mean it) but I am really, really excited about this book review and giveaway.

homework: reading {craft-a-day} & giveaway

I have such a fun book that I’m reviewing today. Craft-a-Day by Sarah Goldschadt is a simple and whimsical craft resource. I just love looking at the cover and the cute projects inside. It’s jam packed with patterns, instructions and over 400 photographs.

Homework: reading {artful halloween}

Is it too early? I wasn’t sure if I was ready for Halloween projects yet but the days fly by so quickly and I didn’t want to find myself the night before Halloween without any spooky decorations.

Fortunately, I received a book titled Artful Halloween by Susan Wasinger.


The book is filled with fun artful Halloween projects and ideas that are easy to create.


I love these whimsical fabric ideas. A felt embroidered owl and a napkin stamped using a potato.


Decorating pumpkins is a hot trend and there’s an entire section on pumpkins. Beautiful pumpkins with great tips and techniques.


These blood spattered paper flowers were right up my alley. I had all the materials on hand and the step-by-step instructions were easy to follow.

I decided to use my flowers in a spooky centerpiece and found a crow from last year.

And no word is spookier to me than Edgar Allen Poe’s use of the word “nevermore”.

Here are my blood spattered flowers. I used more of blood drip technique but they still scream “gory” to me.

Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

For more information about the book Artful Halloween click here.

Thanks for visiting.

Carolyn

I received a complimentary copy of the Artful Halloween from Lark Crafts. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% mine.

P.S.

Check out today's BIG Pick Your Plum special

I link at the wonderful parties listed here and 

 

homework: reading {That Works For Me!}

Several months ago I was notified that two of my projects had been selected for an e-book. I was excited but then I sort of forgot about it. Recently, I was notified that the e-book was done and when I saw it I was super excited. The book is amazing and filled with great tips, tricks, crafts, ideas and more. I’m really honored to have my projects included.



The book was organized by Kristen Welch of the blog "We are THAT family” and Jennifer De Groot, a freelance writer and former blogger of Bitterroot Mama.

Kristen hosts a blog party called Works For Me Wednesday that I participate in. Over the past five years, thousands of links have been shared and this book categorizes over 800 tips in 24 categories including;
 

Baby | Beauty | Blogging | Cleaning | Craft | Décor | Frugal  | Garden | Gift |  Green | Holiday |   Homeschool  |  Hospitality  |  Kitchen  |  Laundry  |  Marriage  |  Odds and Ends  |  Organization |  Parenting  |  Pets |  Recipes  | Time Management  | Tech/Computers  | Travel

 

One of my projects is under the Craft category. It’s my scarf wreath. 

The other project is under the Gift category. It’s my Seed Strip Garland and Vase Gift.

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Here’s what Tsh Oxenreider of SimpleMom had to say about the book as seen on the That Works for Me website {check out the 2nd sentence - I was thrilled to have my project mentioned in her review}!

You want to know how to take care of makeup brushes? Curious how to make a scarf wreath? How about how to plant grass over concrete? This is the book for you. I love the Internet because it truly is the world's hive mind; the ultimate chat-over-the-fence-with-your-neighbor neighborhood. And this book has compiled the best of the best tips in one place! I love that, and I love that it supports an amazing ministry. Every household could use this book. It's worth every penny.

 

-Tsh Oxenreider, blogger behind SimpleMom.net and author of One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler

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Here are some fun things surrounding the launch of That Works For Me.

1. If you’d like a chance to win a free copy of the That Works For Me e-book, leave me a comment. I’ll draw a winner on Wednesday, May 9th (Anonymous and No-Reply comments must leave me an email address).
2. And, if you would like to purchase a copy of That Works for Me you can click on the button below. The e-book is $8.00 and you can save $1.00 by using coupon code  SAVE1. A portion of the profit from your purchase will benefit the Mercy House. {click the Mercy House link to read about Kristen's amazing humanitarian efforts}.
 

 

~ Updated May 15th, 2012 ~

The winner of the free copy of That Works for Me! is...

Paula at stuffitellmysister.

Congratulations Paula! I will be sending you an email with the details.

Thanks for visiting.

Carolyn

Etceteras: kindle cover

I featured a few Kindle covers in recent posts because I’ve been on the hunt for a diy cover for my new Kindle. 

Most of the covers that I’ve seen required sewing and I wasn’t sure I could pull that off. I decided to try a no-sew book style cover instead. 

Here's what I came up with. The inspiration for my Kindle cover came from a book upcycle project that Rook No. 17 shared. 

Here’s how I made my Kindle cover:

1. Start with an old book.
2. Cut out the book pages with an X-acto knife and trim the ragged edges.
3. Cut a piece of fabric larger than your book cover.
4. Use spray mount to adhere the fabric to the book cover and wrap the fabric edges to the inside. Cut the corners so that they are mitered.
5. Cut pieces of felt to pad the inside and cover the raw fabric edges. Use spray mount to adhere the felt to the inside.
6. Create a book spine using a piece of ribbon or coordinating piece of fabric. Again use spray mount to adhere the ribbon to the spine. You can use craft glue to reinforce the edges of the ribbon where they meet.
   
   

Once the book cover is dry, add a button and piece of elastic to create a closure. I used a vintage wood button and you guessed it, a pony tail holder. To secure the button and elastic, I used E-6000 glue and let it dry overnight.

The Kindle fits perfectly inside the book cover but I realized it could still slip out of the bottom.

I added another piece of elastic – and yes, it’s one of those elastic headbands. 

I’m thrilled with my new Kindle cover. It will protect the device and when I’m not using it I can put it up on the bookshelf.

Thank you for visiting.

Carolyn

I happily link at the parties listed here and 

    

 

homework: reading {microcrafts}

I {heart} teeny tiny things. There’s something about miniature handicrafts that are so appealing. That’s why I was so excited to receive the book Microcrafts Tiny Treasures to Make and Share compiled by Margaret McGuire, Alicia Kachmar, Katie Hatz, and friends.

Microcrafts just hit the bookstands a few weeks ago and I’m sure it will be a hit in the crafting community.

The book provides step-by-step instructions for 25 projects. All the projects are designed to be easy and use materials that you probably already have on hand. Like these tiny books – with paper, thread and a few other supplies these would make fun gifts.

Attach a jump ring and you can wear them as jewelry.

Clay, cardboard and twigs is all it takes to make a miniature deer head. Fun!

Scrap fabric? All you need are a few 3 inch pieces to make these adorable owls.

A miniature solar system complete with Pluto the sad {ex-} planet. 

All the projects provide a supply list and step-by-step instructions that include patterns, templates and hand-drawn illustrations.

If you haven’t heard of Quirk Books, you should check them out. Their titles are fun and of course, quirky.