14.9.09

Cloth Baskets

Aren't these the cutest basket idea?? Which of my very TALENTED friends wants to help me figure out how to make these?? Here's a link to where I found them posted, but she doesn't really give you a pattern and I'm not as good at constructing sewing projects as some of my friends (hint Amy or Andrea). I did love that she used the Making Memories Grommet Tool to create these...now I must buy that darn tool (don't be shocked I don't own every tool ever made for scrapbooking)!

13.9.09

For the Love of Reading...another book!

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
I have to say this was a "fast" read for me and very light-hearted. I don't typically like books that tend to lean towards historical...it's set after World War II in London, then the Channel Islands. But honestly, the history behind the story was actually a nice part of the story and the way it was written was so enjoyable I could barely put it down. Darling end and I enjoyed the way it was written a ton!

View all my reviews >>

12.9.09

How To: Simple Covered Notepads


You may have seen this simple notebook I posted on Lil Red Cottage last week. I promised some instructions on how you can re-create this project so I am going to explain the details with another set of notebooks I created. I haven't embellished them (yet), but this will get you started.

View of completed notebooks:

Open View of Covered notepad:


Supplies Needed: Adhesive, Chalk Ink (optional), a couple of sheets of scrapbook paper (at least one should start off 12x12" and a small notepad. The notepads are usually sold in sets of 4-6 and I think I paid about $3.99 for my pack.
Cutting Directions:
Cover - 8" tall x 10 1/2" wide
Inside Front Cover (optional) - 5 3/8" x 8" Note: I only covered this because the paper I chose was not double-sided and I didn't want boring old white to show. You can certainly skip this step to save time and money.
Pocket - 6" x 7 1/2" (see below)
Small Strip (covers printed band along notebook) - 7/8 x 5"
After I cut all the pieces out, I inked the edges.

First step is to score the cover sheet. I scored it in 5 1/8" from the left and then again 5 1/8" from the right so that there was a nice 1/4" binding (approx). Second step is to hide the blank inside cover. Simply adhere that piece to the left edge. I would suggest scoring it 1/4" from the right edge so it bends with the cover better.
Next, adhere the notepad to the back cover. My adhesive of choice is always Mono Adhesive by Tombow, but mod podge would work well (a glue stick would eventually dry and the paper would come off...I never use glue sticks).
Take the piece you cut for the pocket and trim off approx. 4" from the top left corner down to about 3 3/4" from the bottom edge (confusing I know). So you pocket angle may vary depending on your mood. Score the edges of the pocket about 3/8" from the side and bottom edges of the block. Cut out to bottom corners so you can fold edges and tack down the corners.
Once you've done that, run adhesive along the edges and mount pocket to inside front cover, flush with bottom and outer edge. Note: before scoring both sides of pocket, line it up next to cover and make sure your pocket is the right size...sometimes it's too big and you can easily fix that by re-scoring the edge.

UPDATED 09/14/09: Here's a pattern that helps you visualize the pocket much better then what the photos show.
Mount small strip over the printed edge of your notepad (I thought it needed it). And you're all done. Take some time to embellish the front cover and you will have a quick gift!!

9.9.09

Service Project with a Scrapbook Twist

Can you just imagine a pipe bursting in your basement and all of your beloved scrapbook supplies floating atop 2 feet of water (look closely at the photo)? Can you image your first reaction? Imagine everything you'd collected over the years and scrapbooks you'd created with much of that product being soaked in so much muddy water that all you could do is throw it all AWAY!

Well this happened to a new friend of mine, Michelle Clarke from Ogden, Utah. More then $10,000 worth of damage and everything had to be thrown out. Luckily her husband had backed up all of their photos, but still my heart broke when I heard about their bad luck. Well earlier this week I was contacted by the Good Things Utah producer (Rox) to see if I would be interested in doing a "secret service project" at the request of Michelle's husband, Nathan. Nicea surprised Michelle yesterday with a visit (cameras and all) telling her that she was going to do a story about the tragedy and hopefully as a result some scrapbook manufacturers would be willing to help out.
So yesterday I had the opportunity to be involved, on behalf of
Imaginisce scrapbooking, along with the very talented and beautiful Teresa Collins, a fabulous scrapbook designer & manufacturer of Teresa Collins product line. We both showed up with product in hand and surprised Michelle while Nicea was filming her piece. Michelle, her husband Nathan and their daughter Aspen all seemed excited to have us show up!! I was excited to give Michelle some of the new product lines from CHA Summer and the new iTop Brad Maker (yes, even the punches too). The news story will actually air on Friday, Sept. 11th and hopefully I don't sound like a complete dork. Nicea was awesome and Teresa was amazing and so thoughtful!!!

Honestly, I would hope that someone would campaign to help me recoup my losses if something as awful as this happened to me!! Nathan was darling during the interview and seemed just as touched as Michelle was (she actually seemed a little overwhelmed by it all). Honestly, my husband wouldn't be to upset if all my scrapbook supplies washed away in a flood! However, I do think he would be sad if photos and albums were ruined...oh how awful would that be??

Well if you get the chance and your local, what Channel 4 for the story. I believe the news story will air during the morning news, evening news and during Good Things Utah (10:00am). Also thanks to Making Memories and Provo Craft for sending goodies along for Michelle as well. If you work for a scrapbook manufacturer and would like to donate your products to Michelle, please email me and I'll get you her shipping address. (lori at bitwyze dot com)


Here's some more pictures of Michelle & Nathan Clarke's flooded basement.

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