Scraps Stash Makes It's Debute

I'm not sure how you store your scraps, but mine have literally taken over my office. I started off organizing the bits of paper left over from other projects into plastic containers organized by color, the ribbon pieces went into a large recycled cookie jar on my desk, and the vintage images that I printed out and never used got tossed into a desk drawer hoping to one day make it onto a card. I'm addicted to anything paper or crafting related, so if there is even a strip left over then you can bet that I'm keeping it! There is no way it's going to find it's way into the trash! I always talk myself into thinking that I'll need it someday. Maybe I'm a crafting hoarder? With that said, I've run out of space. The paper containers no longer close all the way and the ribbon jar has multiplied to three. Something had to be done. So the other day, I sat down and forced myself NOT to reach for the crisp full sheets of paper or the long lengths of ribbon waiting beautifully on their spools. I'll admit to dreading the thought of sifting through all that paper just to find the right print or digging into an overstuffed jar of ribbon for the right color only to find it's too short. This time I took a deep breath, gathered all my scrap supplies and went to work. It was going to be a Thank You card set since I already had the sentiments stamped out that weren't used on a previous project. I have to say that I felt liberated and a bit more creative than usual. It can be quite a task to create when using only what's left over in your stash. All the old bits of this and that. I even used the glittered pins I made quite a while back but wasn't really sure I liked. I thought they fit nicely with this set.

A completed card set. Created using only what came out of the cookie jars, the plastic containers or the overflowing desk drawer. Not a "new" item anywhere, and yet they look as if I used what was just purchased on my latest shopping trip to Michaels. These can be purchased in my Etsy shop ,and I'm proud to say that they came from my stash of scraps.

The cookie jar is still spilling over with ribbon bits and the plastic containers still don't close all the way, but I have a new found respect and insight into what all those bits and pieces can be now.

What have you done with your left-over stash?
Have a wonderful day!

Warmly,

M.

Tea Time

With summer upon us and all the flowers blooming in the garden, I was inspired to make another invitations set for my Etsy shop. Only this one is for a tea party. What little lady doesn't appreciate a fancy tea party? All her friends could wear their best dresses and bring their favorite stuffed animal or doll. I can just picture it, can't you?

I tried a little something different with the envelopes. I created them out of paper doilies. Love how it gives the entire invitation a frilly sweet feel. I included six flowers with double-sided tape for sealing.

Lots of vintage used here...sheet music, buttons and printed images. They each measure approximately 5.25" x 3.50" and have a space on the reverse side for important information.

Again, this sweet invitations pack is for sale in my Etsy shop, so be sure and stop on by. I add something just about every day so you're bound to find something of interest, and if you find something that you'd like to change up a bit, please email me and we can work together to create the perfect item.

Thanks for spending a small part of your day with me. Take care.

M.

Tranquil Moments Journal

Hello again, Friends. I've got another journal/memory album to share with you. This one is made from a 1927 Trigonometry book that my Grandfather used back in his days at the University of Maine in Orono. It's quite special because of some handwritten notes here and there, so I decided to use it as a gift for my cousin's birthday. She'll certainly appreciate it. I kept the colors more romantic and serene and filled it with images of flowers and butterflies. It measures approximately 4.75" x 6.75" and contains over 40 lined pages for journaling. I also made 4 divider pages with lots of little pockets for secret notes and other mementos. The entire journal hasn't been put together as of yet since I'm still trying to decide on whether to use "o" rings or another method, but it can be tied shut with the attached vintage button and ribbon.

The first page actually came from the original book and shows my Grandfathers handwritten name (along with the name of the person who had it before him). I thought my cousin would appreciate this page immensely, so I left it in and stamped a small flourish in the bottom right hand corner.

The first divider page is covered in Webster's Pages paper with a metal bookplate. You'll also notice the bookmark that I created out of the covers spine.

On the reverse side of the first divider and onto the second, I used pages from the original book and machine stitched pockets onto it with vintage lace. I tucked a printed vintage advertising image inside the pocket and added a hand stamped tag with a button and torn linen. At the top of the page, I included an embellished bobby pin (with vintage buttons). The other side of the bobby pin is also embellished. I was inspired by all those handmade hair accessories popping up all over the Internet. Love how it turned out!

The third divider page is also covered in original pages with one side painted and the other displaying a vintage 1930s bingo card and a printed image of a dictionary butterfly display. The frame was hand cut and heat embossed, wrapped with seam binding with a crepe paper rose and a floral stick pin.

Again I used original book pages to cover the last divider page...the more of the book I used, the better I felt about ripping it apart. Though Trigonometry was never my favorite subject. Some more machine stitched pockets and vintage lace. I embellished with ribbon roses, fabric leaves and heat embossed chipboard flourishes. I'm not sure you can see it clearly, but I also stamped the pages with a large stamp that I created out of cork board. Little vintage images are tucked inside the pockets for added interest.

Again, I added more than 40 pages of lined paper for journaling, drawing, or gluing. A great place to write poetry and post pictures of anything that inspires.

I had so much fun creating this journal/memory album for my cousin, and I hope she enjoys using it.

I appreciate the time you spend with me, and I hope you'll stop back by soon. Have a wonderful day!!

Warmly,

M.

Recycled Vintage 1925 Book

I have a new item to share that will be posted in my Etsy shop. It's a Travel Journal/Memory Album that was created out of a vintage 1925 book ~ The Ideal Fitter by American Radiator Company. I received quite a few of these types of books from my Grandfather when he passed as he was a retired Mechanical Engineer. A lot fun to create but a little scary at the same time as I was cutting into a vintage reference book. Though after some thought, I figured most of the information was a bit outdated. This is a picture of the finished album standing upright. You can see that I left the cover as is since I loved the red of the cover and the gold foiled lettering. It measures approximately 4" x 6 3/4" overall. It is held together with two "o" rings (or jump rings) so that you can add to it with your own keepsakes.

The inside front cover and first divider page. There are a total of five divider pages inside and each one is created using recycled cardboard, designer paper, and vintage printed images, tags and other little embellishments. You could use this first tag as a place to record your name and travel destination.

Here is the back of the first divider page and the first of 10 vintage graph paper (this supply also came from my Grandfather). It covers pages from within the actual book.

The front of the second divider page. A great little place to store ticket stubs or pamphlets from your trip.

The back side of the second divider page has a printed vintage images of old luggage tags and a train stub. You'll also notice the first of two envelopes crafted out of a vintage American Heritage Magazine for storing some more of your travel memorabilia. The envelopes measure approximately 3 5/8" x 5 1/8".

Here is a little insert just for fun. It's a tea stained shipping tag with a vintage 1930s Bingo card and an old printed photo of a man on a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

The backside of the insert has a little place for notes. The third divider page has some more vintage printed images and gaffer tape...love that stuff!

The backside of the third divider page has a pocket and a couple of double sided tags.

The fourth divider page with an old Toronto luggage stub and torn burlap.

On the reverse side is some more printed vintage travel posters and stamps along with another American Heritage magazine envelope.

I hated to cut into this 1925 book without using every single part of it, so I used the cover spine as a bookmark.

The last and fifth divider page has some printed vintage stamps and more of that gaffer tape I love so much.

On the flip side you'll find another pocket and a double sided shipping tag. The entire journal has more than 50 pages for journaling or drawing on your trip...20 pages of lined paper, 25 pages of drawing paper and 10 pages of the vintage graph paper (over actual book pages).

As you can see, this Travel journal/album is packed full of vintage items and is ready to use on your next trip. It's listed for sale in my Etsy shop now.

Thanks for spending some time with me, and I hope you stop back by soon as I plan on creating a lot more of these recycle albums out of my Grandfather's old reference books.

Warmly,

M.