Paper beads

I decided to make some paper beads to decorate my journals. I already had the Green Creativity Recycled Paper bead set which includes a nifty tool that attaches to an old coca cola bottle. Once I had a few beads made I rolled them along a versamark pad, dipped them in UTEE and heated with a heat gun.

Here is the result

Bookbinding and the Artstronauts Club

A few months ago a friend told me about the Artstonauts Club run by Teesha and Tracy Moore. It really is amazing. For $5 a month you get videos, articles, downloadable collage sheets etc. I love Teesha's artwork so it's amazing value.
http://www.teeshamoore.com/#!workshops/c120u

I've just watched some of the bookbinding videos which reminded me just how much I love making books. I've made Coptic-bound books before but this was a new stitched technique. The covers are made using Teesha's collage sheets and then acrylic paint. The spine is made from homemade bookcloth and then it's all been hand stitched. The pages are from  a cheap A3 pad of watercolour paper bought from B&M Bargains. I've left long threads at the moment because I'm not quite sure if I will add some beads later.

Junk Journal 3

I have to confess I'm hooked on these swaps on UK Scrappers so I'm taking part in another one. I'm all ready for posting now so here's a taster, I've photographed my covers and some of the elements to swap. The photographs haven't quite captured the vibrant colours of the covers.

Art journal pages

Although I signed up for Life Book again this year I have done very few of the classes so far. Today was an opportunity to watch the class by Mika Diaz and then have a go myself.

 

Julie Nutting Doll House Book

I bought this blank chipboard book last year and haven't known what to do with it. So at the weekend I put a layer of gesso and then added acrylic paint and Dylusions sprays through stencils. Then I used striped paper for the roof and door.

I'll have to plan the inside pages next but at least it's a start

Vintge fabric circle journal

Months ago my vintage journal set off round a group of fellow enthusiast from UK Scrappers. Today was the day when it arrived back home and it is just amazing. I love all the fabulous entries and keep finding new things to exclaim over and stroke.

This was my own page that was the start of the journal. The photograph is of my grandmother and probably dates bac k to the first world war, so about 100 years ago.

This is the page by Frances (New2You from UKS). The picture is of her great grandmother so very special. I wud love to be able to embroider names like that!

 

Another fabulous page by Sarah "Flo" Harris

 

A really sumptuous page by Natasha (Teeshirt) with ribbons and charms

Vintage embroidery by Gill (Wisher). Thus reminds me of vintage tray cloths and tea cosies. Very evocative.

 

 A very clever threaded sewing machine by Tracy Mumof4girls)

Thank you so much ladies for these fabulous pages

Time for tea

Posting day for these circle journals comes round only too quickly. Having decided what I was going to do I had just left the stitching as I had eye surgery 2 weeks ago. Today really was the last opportunity to get it sorted on time so I was very relieved to have finished. Unfortunately I wasn't prepared to leave it that that so after tea I did more stitching. It really is finished now.

The theme was "Cupcakes" but I wanted to find a slightly different take. Hopefully this ties the other entries together.