Fabric cuffs

I've long wanted to make fabric cuffs inspired by the instructions in Ruth Rae's delightful book

Take a peek inside via Amazon here

They all start with a base of felt and a layer of hand-dyed scrim is stitched on top.

The embellishments that get added next make them individually special. Click on the photo to see better detail.

If you would like to make some yourself she also has an online class option. I'll show you some more next week. Which one would you like to receive for Christmas?

December Daily week 1

I'm doing the December Daily project inspired by Ali Edwards, but my project is done in an altered book. See my beginning preparations here. This is week 1. If you click on any photo you'll see a bigger version.

I've been enjoying using this glitter technique in this sparkly season

base day 3

Did those 2 single pages and then realised I'd miscalculated and I can fill the rest of the book with full 2-page spreads.

Ribbon stitched on the left and then glued to back of previous
page so stitching and staples from Dec 3 sandwiched inside

Distress ink pad through stencil technique shown in previous post

I am really liking the daily tags that give continuity through the pages. But some of them are a little too cold for Christmas in New Zealand.

I altered tag 6 on the finished spread below

Since I have a more pages in the book than I need for my 31 days of December, I've decided to add a few spreads separate from daily events. This next one is about December in New Zealand

And this is day 7 to finish my first week.

Hope you liked my altered pages and that you'll come back to see what happens in week 2.

Christmas Cards and FREE classes

I love making my own Christmas cards. In October 2011 I spent a month making a card a day, 10 of which were Christmas themed. This year I've been playing with sprays, distress ink pads, stencils, gelli prints, glitter and stitch.

Variations on using a fern stencil as a Christmas tree with gelli printed tape trims

I apply the distress ink pad with a sponge dauber on my finger through a stencil - you could also use a cosmetic sponge.

Variations on trees cut with cuttlebug by a friend

Gelli printed backgrounds and gelli printed tape

And glitter - you'll see it if you click on the picture and enlarge it

If you'd like some further card-making and seasonal inspiration, check out these 3 FREE classes!
1. The amazing and generous Alisa Burke has created a free class called Holiday Play. Read all about it here



2. Five Golden Letterings by Joanne Sharpe was created in 2012 to inspire your holiday handwriting, packaging and creative gift giving in a golden palette.

Example from Joanne's workshop

3. Don't forget the Strathmore online workshops still open until end of December 2013. Be inspired by Jane LaFazio and Joanne Sharpe to make some Christmas cards.



Merry Merry