business card holders

Tomorrow I leave on a business trip to China.  Next time I want to carry my business cards in of these leather holders.

From Blueprint
1. Print out the template. The pattern is already sized to fit standard business cards. If you want something bigger (say, 3-by-5 photos), feel free to enlarge the template on a photocopier.
2. Cut out pattern and trace it onto leather. Using a mini hole-punch (the kind scrapbookers like), make small holes at three of the tips, as shown on the pattern. The top hole will be slightly larger to accommodate the button stud front closure.
2. Fold the leather into an envelope shape: Bring the left and right flaps inward and line up the holes. Hold them together with a great little piece of hardware called a button-stud.
3. Insert the back piece of the button-stud up through the holes in the flaps. Finally, screw on the front piece of the button-stud, and push it through the hole on the top flap.
Published: November/December 2007

smocking tutorial

My mom used to make smocked dresses for us when we were little girls.  I think there's even a funny story about her writing a note to my aunt and my cousin reading it shocked that her aunt had taken up smoking (smoking/smocking - looks and seems to sound the same when your a kid.)

I remember her having some type of machine to create the smocked material, but I think this handmade version looks fun to try especially for something like pillows or a bag.

create your own notepads

One of my favorite projects to do growing up was create notepads so I was excited when this jar of padding compound arrived in the mail this week.  It's the "glue" you use to bind all the sheets of paper together into a notepad.  Unfortunately, it'll have to sit for a few weeks untouched while I'm out of town.  When I get back though...notepads, notepads and more notepads.

bookbinding

I have a friend who can make amazing things with paper likes books and journals and boxes. While I'd definitely like to learn how to make a book myself from scratch, I think these premade text blocks from Paper Source are the perfect way to at least get me started.

crochet dress

I'd love to crochet this dress for my little girl.  Find the how-to here.

the purl bee

I love to visit the purl bee for sewing, knitting, crocheting ideas.  It's full of project ideas and basic tutorials that are easy to follow.  And now you don't have to go to NYC to shop at Purl and Purl Patchwork, visit them online!

custom fabric

If you've always wanted to design your own fabric, check out Spoonflower.  Unfortunately, it's still in beta mode so for now you have to be invited.  I've seen some great fabrics and projects created with custom Spoonflower fabric. I'd love to try it.

diamond glaze magnets

Once again, I love diamond glaze.  I can't wait to try these magnets from Amy Karol who also wrote one of my favorite sewing books.

wall calendar

I love calendars, and I love to make them. I could spend hours just drawing out days and months and years and planning to my heart's content. A few months ago, I made a "reusable" wall calendar to capture our family's day-to-day schedule. I used a glass whiteboard from Ikea and made a calendar template with white vinyl. At the beginning of each month, I just erase the contents and rewrite the next month with a dry-erase marker. I placed another glass whiteboard below which I use for To Do lists. There are several clips down the side which I can use to clip upcoming wedding/party invitations, coupons, etc. I also try and take a picture of the calendar at the end of the month before I erase it so I can use it to help document or record what was going on in our lives during that month.

Supplies:

Glass Whiteboard

White Vinyl - I used my Silhouette to create the white vinyl strips.

Dry Erase Marker

chandelier cards

The grunge chandelier look is so popular right now so I decided to try a sophisticated, clean chandelier look on these notecards. I layered individual die cuts to create the chandelier shape, then added Glossy Accents. I'm showing the version I created in white, but I also created the same monochromatic design in black, a bright coral pink, teal, lime and a pale yellow.

Supplies:

Cardstock

Die cut shapes (I used my Revolution - shape REV-0039)

Glue Pen
Glossy Accents

fashion book

I have a sister studying fashion design at college. I think her classes sound so fun and creative - like the fabric she is designing right now for a class assignment.

I bought this book on a trip to China earlier this year. It is so fun and inspiring to look at. I love resources that help get you started with creativity. Sometimes it's all you need to get started on the next best creative project. Without this book, I would have no idea how to even think about drawing clothes. I'm using the book to help make the best dressed paper dolls for my little girl. And, if she likes to draw or be creative, I think it'll be a fun book for her to look at and practice with someday.

alphabet hunting

I've seen more and more of these alphabet art companies popping up during the past year. I first saw the idea featured on Martha Stewart with the company Sticks and Stones. I'd love to start looking for letters in everyday life - especially with my little girl.

canvas rug

This project from Martha Stewart looks fun. I'm wondering how easy it is to clean?? I'd love to try it under where my little girl eats in the kitchen.

trick or treat jar

Now that it's October, maybe I can feel a little less guilty about the hundred of candy corns I consume every day. I just can't stop. I'm hoping this candy jar I made will encourage me to just leave them in the jar. It looks so much prettier filled with candy. Sadly, the reality is I'll probably restock it several times in the next 30 days. Oh well, Halloween only comes once a year.

Supplies:

Glass Jar
Black Vinyl
Transfer Tape

Silhouette Cutting Machine
Spiderweb Shape (Mine is available to download for Silhouette from QuicKutz)
Font (I used Old English)

removable wallpaper

Speaking of decorating a wall, I first heard about removable wallpaper several months ago. It seemed to be the perfect solution. You could decorate a wall or room in a fun texture or pattern but not feel overwhelmed that it would be nearly impossible to ever take it down. I spent some time going through books online but didn't find any patterns I absolutely loved. A product development discussion for work brought the topic up again (thanks, Laura!) and I was inspired to search again through available patterns online. There are a definitely a few I'd like to try. It's not cheap, but I think a little would go a long way.

decorative panel

I want to try this home decor technique. I think it's a great way to add pattern, color and/or texture without too much commitment. While I love some of the trendy designs and patterns available right now, I'm not ready for it to be permanently plastered to my wall.

I think there are several materials you could use to accomplish this technique - wallpaper, fabric, patterned paper....I'm not sure what I'll try first, but I'll let you know how it turns out. (I've heard Trupan Ultralight is the perfect backer for these panels - has anyone used it or know where to buy it?)

*Image from Country Home Magazine

a kid's workspace

With my work, I spend a lot of time sitting at my desk. I created this workspace for my little girl so she could sit next to me and have a space of her own. She looks so cute "working" - sometimes only in a diaper! The board is a wood frame with a sheet of metal in the center that I purchased at the craft store. I cut strips of patterned paper and modge podged them to the frame. The board works great for hanging pictures or letting her play with magnetic shapes and letters.

monogram vase

This monogram vase was easy and inexpensive. Simply use a cut out design from vinyl (I used my Silhouette) and adhere to the glass vase. Brush on glass etching cream and then wash off with water. Finally, remove the vinyl. You can create any design or style for the monogram. Perfect to decorate your home or give as a gift!

elum design

I've been in love with elum designs and their letterpress stationery ever since I began my fascination with letterpress. I think these desk sets are gorgeous. I'd love to have one sitting on my desk.

font envy

Fonts consume a substantial part of my work life (luckily, I have a great co-worker, Heather, who does most of the hard work and I, for the most part, just get to participate in the fun part of selecting styles I think will work well for our products). Several months ago I was doing some research on a particular font style and discovered these newsletters. I love the editions that showcase the fonts used in popular products and magazines. It's such great creative inspiration for any project that requires using or designing with text.