More Kusudama

Here is a sneak peek at the next round of Kusudama that I'm attempting.There aren't nearly as many pieces to fold as some of the other models I've made so I should have a complete one soon.

Another Happy Friday

What made you happy this week? Please share with us on Jamie Ridler's blog The Next Chapter: The Happy Book Mail Around. For me, it was getting my craft room cleaned out (again). I'm giving away a bunch of craft books - check 'em out and let me know if you are interested in any of them. I love being able to pass along things I'm no longer using (or will never use but just had to have at the moment). When I can get honest with myself about what I'm truly intereseted in it makes it easier to let the clutter go. But my clutter can be someone else's treasure. So I like to keep passing things along.

I've been making Kusudama for awhile now:I really like making these for gifts but I wanted to add a little color and style to them:I'm still playing around with different designs. I haven't found a style I like yet but I'm sketching out new designs to try. This is a big step for me as I'm so not process oriented. I usually jump right to result and then am disappointed when it isn't "perfect". I get frustrated because I haven't taken the time to learn the possibilities of the medium. So, then, I just drop that craft and try something else, hoping to achieve that artsy perfection on the first go. And on into infiinity.... So, I'm working on changing this behavior. Not easy for a leopard to change its spots, but I'm hoping not impossible.

Have a great weekend!

Ode to Unfinished Projects

From the two unfinished books To the color studies not completedWhy do you taunt me with your incompleteness? Why do I abandon you? Why can't I follow through?

Scrappy Journal Swap Pages

I finally finished my 11 Remains of the Day journal pages for a page swap sponsored by Gathering Up Bits of the World. I can't wait to receive my set of journal pages made by the others in the swap group.

Another Happy Friday

Welcome to the latest edition of Happy Friday! I finally, finally started on my Remains of the Day (ROD) journal. And I love it! The idea is to use up all the ephemera and scrap of every day life (and leftovers from craft projects) and create pages from these “remains”. The pages go through several rounds of sewing before being bound into the cover. I’ve been working away for a couple of hours every evening, sewing together bits and pieces on the pages. It’s a very relaxing and engaging process and, while you do need a sewing machine, you don't need any great sewing skills. As long as you can find the on switch, wind the bobbin and thread the needle, you're good to go.It seems like the completed pages are piling up quickly but when I looked over the other night at the pages still to go, I was surprised there are still so many waiting in queue. I have a feeling that I’ve made too many pages anyway. I think I have enough for two journals. Or enough for one journal and the page swap being sponsored by one of our class members. I can’t wait to receive pages from other RODers.

Cloth Paper Collage

Came across this project the other day and felt the urge to try it. I used cardstock instead of muslin but otherwise followed the directions. I originally made this to use as signatures for my journal project, but I think I would rather cut it up into postcards to send out as mail art. This was really fun, I highly recommend it. It's a good way to get rid of all those bits of paper you've been saving. I think I'll try the cloth version on the next go. It would make a great cover for a handmade journal.

Fabulous Paper Stash Giveaway

Tara Finlay cleaned out her paper stash and very generously gave lovely packages of paper scraps (and other assorted items) to 5 lucky recipients. I was one of them. Here is some of the loot:I think it's time to sign up for Remains of the Day journal making class and use some of this bounty. Thank you so much Tara!