Ledger sheets

Two things you should know about me:  I am addicted to coffee and I love freebies.  One has absolutely nothing to do with the other except I wish coffee was free.

Mel Stampz has some amazing ledger sheet PDFs that she's sharing...for free!  There are so many creative uses for ledger sheets, and I find myself turning to them quite often.




Inside pages to "journey to love" journal





 Mixed Media journal cover

Need more inspiration?  Visit Mel's blog...her creative self used these ledger sheets as well. 

Send me a link of the creative ways you use ledger sheets.
M.

Memorial Day

I wish you all a safe and happy Memorial day with family and friends.  Let's not forget those who have died in our nation's service.

An ordinary toilet paper roll

"Don't toss that!"  My girls hear it all the time.  It's gotten to the point where they ask, "Can you use this?" before they throw anything away.  With that being said, I have an embarrassing pile of what would seem like paper trash in my studio.  Maybe it appeals to the little environmentalist that lives inside my head, but I see an everyday object as potential for art.  Besides, I'm cheap.  You can't beat the prices of a recycle bin!

So, here's a reinvented look of the misunderstood (and sadly neglected) toilet paper roll:

Add some corrugated cardboard (don't throw that away either!) and a little of this and that from your craft stash and you've got yourself antique spools.  Use them for your ribbon and lace...a cheap storage idea.

Check out these ordinary toilet paper rolls:

BoBunny butterflies

Pencil holders (Recycled Crafts)

Yule Log Favor Boxes (Martha Stewart)

Who would've thought?  So, take a long look at that toilet paper roll sitting on the back of your tank.  I'd love to see what you can do with it.

Have a great day!
M.

From old to new...recycling and art

I absolutely love finding a new way to use an old item.  Recycling ~ Going Green is the direction our planet is taking and for good reason, so I'm always trying to do my part.  Though I have been known to toss a soup can in the regular garbage now and then.  I'm wracked with guilt afterwards and usually lay awake at night waiting for the recycling police to make an example of me.  I figure I make up for the occasional slip with my creativity and by teaching my girls not to litter and to "recycle and reuse".  At least that's what I tell myself in order to get some much needed sleep. :)

When my grandfather passed away, I was given all his old college and engineering text books.  Several trips down two flights of stairs and I had four large piles of obsolete, dust covered books dating back to the early 1900s.  Ideas were swirling around in my head immediately, but I refer you back to my last post explaining how Time and I aren't exactly on the same page most days.  It only took a year before I tore apart that first book.  I almost felt bad, but when it was all said and done, it was worth the tiny droplets of sweat. 

Lately, I can't get them done fast enough.

This book was a 1926 Modern Plane Geometry text by Wells & Hart.  I turned it into a travel journal.  A place to paste it, paint it, journal it and stash it.  Full of embellished pages and lots of pockets to stash mementos.      

                                     

The left page shows the reverse side of the pocket insert.



The right page was created using standard envelopes to create three pockets.



The left page shows the reverse of the bingo card insert.



                               

I had so much fun creating this and used quite a bit of my stash.  Tim Holtz, 7 Gypsies, Making Memories, K&Company, and EK Success were a few of the designer items used, but I also used quite a few recycled and everyday items:  masking tape, envelopes, paper clips, coin envelopes, glassine bags, vintage maps, buttons and scraps of leftover paper.  I even recycled the spine of the book into a bookmark!  The finishing touch was to insert 30 pages of handtorn paper.  The entire book was bound together using 7Gypsies cable rings so that it could be added to and rearranged. 

Voila...something old into something new.

What recycled products have you used on your creations?  I'd love to see them, so send me a link.

Have a great day!

M.

Redemption

I can't seem to find a mere 30 minutes to sit down and update this blog.  I start my day with honest intentions; even writing it down in black ink on my calendar, but by days end it's been crossed out.  I then pencil in a little arrow next to it...pointing to the following day.  Tomorrow.  I'll get to it tomorrow.  And what happens tomorrow?  The same missing time.  I'm ashamed to say that I have a lot of little pencil arrows on my calendar.  I still haven't painted my kitchen or cleaned the basement.  I realize I'm not the only guilt-ridden Mom, housewife and small business owner to find herself short on time at the end of the day, but I think that maybe I'm harder on myself than most.

So, I've been working on Father's Day cards this afternoon. It was a refreshing change to create something masculine, and to use my new Tim Holtz KraftResist paper.  I didn't play around with any inks or paints on it because I was in a bit of a hurry, but I really like the way it looks plain also...shiny is spots.

This first card is my favorite because of the vintage image.  It reminds me of when my Dad taught me how to ride a bike for the first time, and I thought it was a perfect fit for a Father's Day card. 

     Materials used:  Tim Holtz KraftResist paper, K&Company paper, DCWV Linen Closet paper, Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Tea Dye, vintage buttons, crinkle seam binding (5 Dollar French Market), handmade tag, OTC sticky ribbon, Studio G clear stamp sentiment.

This other card is using basically the same materials with the exception of a few items here and there.  Again, I used another printed vintage image and this one reminded me of summer ~ my favorite time of the year.

     Materials used:  Tim Holtz KraftResist paper, K&Company paper, DCWV Linen Closet paper, Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Tea Dye, vintage buttons, crinkle seam binding (5 Dollar French Market), handmade tag, Kaiser pearls, My Minds Eye Lost & Found decorative brad, clear decorative tape, Studio G clear stamp sentiment.

I was having so much fun creating these cards, that I managed to fit one more in before my pinchkins got home from their half day of school.  Who can resist a Lionel train? 

                                      
     Materials used:  Tim Holtz KraftResist paper, DCWV Linen Closet paper, vintage Bingo card (Vintage Bliss), vintage buttons, handmade tag, K&Company puzzle sticker, crinkled seam binding (Fini Ribbon).

Feeling accomplished with energy enough for another task, I look to my planner.  Screaming at me in black ink is "Blog Update".  *Sigh*  I'm filled with feelings of shame.  I stare at it wondering where to start.  Yup, I'm miles passed the "I'm sorry" phase...knee deep into the pleading for redemption.  I think I'll paint the kitchen!  :)

Have a wonderful day, my friends.
M.