Crummy week...

...Sorry I haven't been posting this week, a lot has been going on. Usually, I get to work from home a couple of days a week, this week I had to be in the office everyday, not a big deal, but it put a crimp in my normal schedule. On top of that I had an emergency visit to my doctor on Wednesday, followed by a planned surgical procedure on Friday. Instead of lying around the house recovering today, I had to traipse to Orlando for a work-related convention, ugh!

But things are turning around. I'm still on a mostly liquid diet (blah!), but I made my first Esty sale (yeah!).

Things should be getting back to normal tomorrow.

Thanks!

A few new Etsy items added...

You can check them out by clicking on the "Etsy-mini"

<---- over there.

Thanks!

Fall Decroating

I couldn't find a fall wreath I loved this weekend, so I decided to make my own:

My favorite part is the owl peeking out.

9 Years Ago, today

Fall ATC

I created this ATC for the October monthly ATC swap on 2Ps. The theme was "Fall" and the challenge was to include at least two upcycled items. Here's how I created the ATC:

Step 1 - Trim a No. 5 shipping tag to ATC size (2.5 x 3.5 inches). Note, the tag is SLIGHTLY smaller width-wise than 2.5 inches. Step 2 - Stamp a script text background with brushed corduroy distress ink. Note, stamp is by Tim Holtz. Step 3 - Add a small paper collage. I use miscellaneous postage from a swap I just hosted and cardboard (with the upper layer removed and the ridges pulled flat). Step 4 - Cover the tag with two layers of watered down ivory paint, blot with a paper towel after each layer to keep the layer thin. Step 5 - Add a piece of scrap canvas to one side. Step 6 - Stamp a flourish (stamps by Autumn Leavers, Timber Brown StazOn) and maple leaves (stamps by Technique Tuesday, fired brick and aged mahogany distress ink).

Step 7 - Ink the edges of the ATC and the cardboard ridges (brushed corduroy distress ink).

Step 8 - Handwrite a portion of an Emily Bronte quote "every leaf speaks bliss to me".

December Daily - Binding

To see how I created the cover for my December Daily album, see this blog post.

Donna Downey's canvas album, which I am using as my base, comes with grosgrain ribbon for binding together the pages. However, the ribbon binding didn't seem like it would work with the paper, acrylic, and chipboard pages I plan to use in addition to the page protectors and canvas pages that come with the album.

My solution was to refit this album with rings.

Here is how I did it (super easy!). I used 2.5-inch binder rings. 2-inch rings were too small, and 3-inch rings were too big, but the 2.5-inch rings fit just perfectly.

Step 1 - Open the ring completely and feed one end through one hole in the back of the album.

Step 2 - Close the ring mostly, and then feed the same end back through the other hole, from the front of the album.

Step 3 - Close the ring and rotate it so that the hinge is at the back of the album, on the outside.

Step 4 - Feed a ribbon through the space between the ring hinge and the album and even up the ends. Ribbon is approximately 18 inches, but less can be used.

Step 5 - Wrap each end of the ribbon around the ring once.

Step 6 - Tie a knot and a bow.

Step 7 - Trim the ribbon ends at an angle.

If you want to try this, and can't find the 2.5-inch rings, I have some for sell in my Etsy store. Also, if you like the torn music fabric ribbon, it is also available in my Etsy store.

Vintage Christmas Tags

I've added these canvas tags, printed with vintage images, to my Etsy store. These tags are No. 5 in size (~2.5 x 4.75 inches). The edges of these tags are sewn with 20 gauge (thick) variegated brown thread for a wonderful textural look and feel. The tabs are made from torn music fabric and vintage brass eyelets.

Painting Halloween

Winners!

Winning comment #1:

scrappinmomto2girls said... love it!! I would love to get these for my girls! September 12, 2009 5:45 PM

scrappinmomto2girls, you have won $20 worth of merchandise from my new Etsy store plus free shipping domestic shipping for one order. Please send me an e-mail with your name and e-mail address.

Winning comment #2:

lwarren737 said... My daughter (Beth Warren) referred me. I love the tags, very very cute, and I'd love to see some with vintage dog/cat images or vintage children images, that can be used for non-holiday layouts. (if you need vintage postcards to copy, please email me) September 13, 2009 5:12 AM

Beth Warren, you have won $20 worth of merchandise from my new Etsy store plus free shipping domestic shipping for one order. Please send me an e-mail with your name and e-mail address.Thank you everyone who left comments!

Grand Opening!

I'd like to invite you all to the Grand Opening of my Etsy store, Serendipity Scraps! Items will begin to be uploaded tonight and will continue to be uploaded through the weekend. You will have until midnight (EST) tomorrow (Sunday, 9/27/09) to comment on the Esty posts here to qualify for my Etsy Giveaways. I will post the winners of the giveaways here on Monday (9/28/09).

As always, feedback is appreciated. Thanks for coming along for the ride!