i love polka dots

I went to a fabric store this weekend and all I bought were stripes and polka dots (without even realizing it until I got home!)  I love stripes and polka dots.

Here is a little polka dot inspiration (in case you love polka dots too!)

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around the shop

my new obsession...

shop update: distressed wood wall hangings

I've been playing with wood and paint and power tools (and I still have all my fingers).

I made some smaller versions of this project for sale in my shop.

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I've loving playing with wood right now.  I have so many more ideas and a pile of wood in my garage!

smash book: new stuff

Part of the goal of my smash book project is to use scrapbooking supplies I already own.  However, I caved and bought a few new things that I "needed".

1. I bought these Smash book bands to hold the book together when it starts getting too full.  I have to admit I only bought this for the striped band.  I have a hard time resisting anything striped lately.  Actually I am having a hard time resisting all the cute Smash Book branded accessories in the scrapbooking aisle at the craft store.

2. These are library card envelopes that I bought to use as pockets for little bits of paper I might want to save during the year.  I bought plain envelopes that I can decorate however I like.  Only $5 for 50 envelopes is a deal when it comes to scrapbooking supplies!

3. Believe it or not I did not own any washi tape.  I'm not sure how I missed that trend.  Making up for lost time I bought some cute polka dot, zig zag, and numbered tape.

around the workshop

starting new projects, using new materials, pushing creativity...

Here's a sneak peek, more details to come.

smash book: big shop month pages

I completed a new smash book page commemorating a great January I had in the shop.  I was blessed with some great Etsy front page promotion that kept me hopping with an order almost everyday.  

I'm still struggling with scrapbooking on the printed pages provided.  On these pages I covered the printed elements in the book with black and white polka dot washi tape.

I printed some screen shots I captured of a couple Etsy front page appearances.

I snapped some photos of some of my current packaging.  My packaging has already evolved over the year my shop has been open.  I'm sure as it continues to evolve it will be interesting to see my process right now.

I'm getting a little bit of a backlog of things to "smash" into my book.  I need to dedicate a day soon to getting caught up!

the art of pyrography

Pyrography is the art of decorating with burn marks, kinda like the frames I made in this doodle frame tutorial.  I didn't know at the time that I doing something with such a fancy name.  

Search for pyrography on the internet and you will find some amazing art.  Type carefully though or you could be exposed to a whole other side of the internet.  ;)

Here are some amazing things that are being sold on Etsy right now...

pyrography on gourd

pyrography wooden box

burned wooden spoons.  LOVE THESE!!!

burned wood frame.  My own very humble contribution.

doodle frames

Several months ago I purchased a Dremel wood burning tool, but besides playing around with burning some scrap pieces of wood I still hadn't found a satisfying project on which to use it.

Even more months before buying the wood burning tool I bought some wood frames from Michael's with intentions of using them to frame some embroideries that still haven't been created.

So the other day I thought...unused wood burning tool + unused wooden frames...dare I combine the two into a project?  I did dare.  And doodle frames were born!

This is really a quite easy project although you do need a bit of a steady hand.  This is definately not a project for kids.  In fact I would make sure all kids, dogs, cats, and husbands are far away.  The wood burner gets shockingly hot, combine that with a cord and you can end up with a flaming, swinging, hot dagger if you aren't super careful.

Here are the tips that came with my Dremel wood burning tool.

They twist on to the top.  Plug in and let your tool get hot and you are ready to draw.  It takes a little practice to get the right technique and figure out which tip you want to use for which type of line.  I drew my designs on the frames in pencil as a guide.  In order to get a doodley scribbly effect I traced my lines several times.  This also helped disguise and screw ups.  :)

Here is how they turned out...

Try this technique for an easy way to add some interest or a personal touch to a cheap wooden frame.  

Thanks for visiting!

shop update: new mixed media hearts

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see all hearts here

my craft book library

Last post I showed a peak inside a vintage craft book I found at a resale shop last summer.  Even though the internet is a great source for tutorials and inspiration, I still love a good craft book.  Here are some of my favorites from my library.

1. Alabama Stitch Book -- lots of great embroidery inspiration, although some are a bit intimidating.

2. Doodle Stitching -- lots of cute little simple embroidery patterns and projects.  This book inspired me to start drawing my own embroidery designs.  This is a great book for beginners.

3.  Drawing Lab -- If you are looking to improve your drawing skills and gain more confidence I highly recommend the exercises in this book.  You will feel like an artist in no time!

4.  French General: Home Sewn -- Beautiful photos of French Country inspired projects.  The fabrics used in this book are so beautiful you want to reach through the pages and grab them!

5.  Printing by Hand -- Lots of great, simple techniques for creating your own fabric prints.  Get ready to get dirty!

What are some of your favorite craft books?