Blended

Thought I would share this paper making project from long ago, and show you what I made with it. When I decided to try making handmade paper, my husband built the drying frames for me from wood and old screens from windows. He is the best! Plus, every time he makes something for me, he gets a new tool, so it works out pretty well. :)

Started with all my scraps from Sunday school, and scrapbooking.

Cut it up and let it soak. 

Goodwill blender worked great for small batches of paper pulp.

Here is a whole tray of watery pulp (many blender containers full).

Here is the pulp draining in the screen. I gently used a sponge to soak up excess water.

These are the first sheets after they were mostly dried.

Tried ironing the next batch to hurry up the drying. 

Got a cool burnt look, but ruined my iron. Bummer! Should have picked up an old iron at Goodwill too!

One side is rougher and darker than the other side. Partly from ironing, and partly from the paper towels they laid on to dry. It gave the sheets some texture.

Second time I tried the process, I saved solid color paper, and blended it in color groups.

I didn't have much green or blue, so I got a mixed piece!

Looks of purple and yellow from old file folders. Apparently using thick cardstock to make paper creates an egg carton like, thick paper! Not sure it will be good for much, but I am learning :)

I just bought a boatload of tissue paper so I can try again. It seems as though the thinnest papers, make the best, most usable handmade sheets of paper.

After I had all this paper made, I had no clue what to do with it all, so I made a junk journal or funky looking scrapbook. The pages are so thick, I had to order special 6" binder rings!

Enjoy your weekend, and go create something! Share what you are working on in the comments! Play along with the #G45JunkJournal Challenge

Until Next Time~
Shari

What The Junk?

We first heard the expression "What the junk?" from a good friend of ours. She used the term meaning "what the heck?" and it stuck. So, my hubby and I say "What the junk?" all the time now haha

Today, I spent a couple hours trying to keep my mind off my pain, as it was a particularly rough day! G45 is doing a #G45JunkJournal challenge, so I thought I would play along! Sadly, I haven't been able to add many supplies lately with all the accessibility building going on in my home, so my only G45 brand papers are from several years ago.

A Junk Journal is a journal made out of scraps, bits, found and recycled items, and used for journaling, or scrapbooking. I started with what little G45 paper I had, added some other paper scraps, a cheerios and tissue box, a couple envelopes and a brown paper bag. I cut up some cardboard, used some fabric scraps (from my project yesterday), buttons, ribbon, and more!

The journal pages are made with my CitraSolv art pages made long ago from an old National Geographic magazine. If you want to learn more about making CitraSolv art, click here. It is a bit smelly (although non-toxic and just citrus odors) it is best done outside until dry!

I also used some tea and coffee soaked cardstock, from a trial I did a few months back to age paper. It worked ok, but really wrinkled the paper, which isn't the best for making cards. Washi, greeting card, and paint chips round out my list (I am sure I am missing something!)

Here is a look at the start of my project:

CitraSolv Pages.

Cheerios box for a cover, stitched together.

G45 papers added and some raffia tied around the journal.

The finished front cover.

Some other G45 paper pages.

The back cover is from my mosaic company catalog.

Here is a look at some other pages in the journal:

Not sure what I am going to use this for, but maybe I will come up with a plan and share it here later. If not, I can always give it away and let someone else figure out what to do with it! Hahaha

What are you making? Have you every tried making a junk journal?

Until Next Time~

Shari

Not Quitting My Day Job!

I have done a handful of sewing projects in my life. Some curtains and a couple Halloween costumes are probably the most difficult things I have attempted. I had this idea to make a new binder tote for my coupons, so I dug through my scrap material yesterday and got to work.

I made one several years ago, for a much bigger binder. I decided to just "wing it" and not look for a pattern, but just use the old one as a guide. I am just using it to store coupons, and blank envelopes that I save from junk mail to write my grocery lists on. I use envelopes so I can tuck the coupons  inside until I check out at the store.

I just laid the binder on the material, cut it a bit larger than the actual size to allow for hems, and started sewing. Turns out that besides being unable to sew a straight line, I also misjudged the amount needed for hems. It almost didn't fit! It is super tight, and it won't win any awards, but it is done and functional for what I needed. :)

I don't really have a day job, but sewing is certainly NOT in my future career options! What are you working on this rainy morning?

Until Next Time~
Shari

More Wedding Bells

A few extra minutes to spare today has me back in my craft room to make a few more wedding cards. These were quick and easy, and I made a small stack of them in different colors. I used scrap pieces for the background, and then coordinated the ink rubbed over the embossed heart.

A small couple silhouette stamp, and a greeting on the inside. Easy peasy! I think I have enough wedding cards in my stash again for a while!

I have a painting project and sewing plans for the coming week. I just have to fit in the time to do it between doctor appointments. Praying I feel well enough to get working on those things! I will keep sharing my creations, but would love to see what you are working on too!

Until Next Time~
Shari

Bells Are Ringing...

What are you working on this weekend? I ran out of wedding cards after the summer rush, so I made a few spares to keep handy.

Would love to see your projects too! Leave a link to your blog in the comments!

Have a great weekend. We are heading off to a picnic!

Until Next Time~

Shari

All Over the Place

Hello Again! It has been a while since I posted. I was blogging, selling art, and fundraising so we could get my wheelchair elevator installed. That process took quite a while, and shortly after that we were heading to Mayo Clinic. Except for a few birthday cards, I haven't done much art. I decided to just change the name of the blog and continue, instead of starting over.

The only painting I have done this year (except walls) is this mural. Ok, so it is also a wall, but more fun than rolling on paint! This is the basement wall that is in the elevator shaft. When I take the elevator to the basement, I can see the flower through the clear sections of the elevator cab door. Much better than plain grey concrete.

We have been working on projects for storing my art supplies! (Thankfully I married a carpenter)
So as I start out here with my new format and new blog name, I thought I would share my craft areas.

My paper crafting room. This is also my office, so I am standing by my other desk and laptop, and stack of medical bills to take the pic! :) Hubby removed the doors and added all shelving in the existing closet. My craft desk is the bottom half of our son's old bunk bed. It is a twin XL size desk top that went under his bed. He grew up, and I inherited a massive craft desk. I love it!

This is my handy-dandy rotating marker caddy that my hubby built for me. Now, I clearly need more markers!

Here is my painting, drawing, and gift wrapping room. Again, this is my husband's handiwork. He built these shelves for ribbon and other wrapping supplies. He also made this standing desk, which I love for active painting when I need to move around!

He made the built-in canvas storage (left) after we had the space leftover where the other bedroom's closet was. (We had to close that bedroom off to make a walk-in master closet with the elevator remodel) He made some shelves and removed the doors of the existing closet for more storage (right). This is what happens when your kids grow up and move out! Every room is a craft room! hahaha

Don't worry about my overworked husband. He was rewarded with all the garage space he wanted, and new power tools. He likes being busy, and we both get to do things we love. The only trouble is we spend more time planning items to build to store our stuff in, than we actually do using the "stuff". At least we are VERY organized.

Hopefully, I will get back to doing some art, and share it with you here! I have a long list of new things to try, and always need more greeting cards!

What are you working on? I'd love to see!

Until Next Time~
Shari