Birdy Messenger Bag - Restyled

I love canvas bags. This was a plain one waiting for something special. A beautiful tree stamp and two birds cut from a wool skirt. A small one on the front and his larger cousin adorns the back...both with pearl eyes. This is one of my favorite restyles so far!

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Art Journal Expression

I have never been comfortable with drawing or painting - not my forte to say the least. But forcing myself to ignore my inner sensor and just play, without concern for the end result, is a big, big step. I've been finding that letting go of a "plan" and letting my creative mind wander allows for other ideas to flow. Often I will stop and write them down on a notepad nearby to keep things going without stressing over remembering those great ideas. I am a mom and my post-its have post-its, but that's how I roll!

This journal spread was put together with book pages, fabric scraps, images torn out of magazines and newspapers that caught my eye for one reason or another and whatever color I was feeling at the moment.

There is no "right" way to art journal and I do it strictly for myself as the mood strikes me. The first time I picked up a paint brush it felt foreign and wrong in my hand but I'm glad I worked past that block. I hope you will try something new, maybe something that scares you a bit or feels foreign - its how we grow!

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Fabric Scrap Greeting Card

Having a very busy week. Thought I would revisit a fun project from a few months ago!

This is a fun, easy and FAST little project! I am a fabric hoarder and just can't bring myself to toss anything no matter how small. I started a box where I keep the little pieces so I can quickly sift through my collection for a project of this size. This idea came from the book Denyse Schmidt Quilts. Its another great example of finding something new to try and adding your own spin!

I started with a random sheet of paper, folded it in half and tore the outside edges - something about straight, perfect edges makes me crazy!

Next I grabbed some bright scraps from my stash and haphazardly laid them out to cover the front of the card.

Now the fun part! I love using my sewing machine to stitch on paper. I save old needles for this occasion because paper will dull a needle quickly and I want to get as much mileage out of my supplies as I can. Whenever I change my sewing machine needle I put the old one in a holder marked "used" so I always have some on hand for paper.



Keeping old needles for sewing paper is handy.



I chose white thread this time so it would blend with the inside of the card but any color is fine. I sewed from top to bottom and then zig-zagged by way back up and across the card, making sure all the fabric was secured. You want to make sure you don't sew over the fold.

I decided to decorate the front with a fabric flower and planned to use colored thread for doodling. Knowing the color would show up on the inside too I laid out the size of the flower and then placed the stamp to get a general idea if how they would fit.



My first sewing machine doodle! It was fun to do and I quickly realized does not have to be perfect to look cute!! I sewed around the flower I cut out and then swirled to the center.....then nervously turned the card over to see how it looked on the white side. I liked it. The sewing machine stamp showed up well over the thread too, just make sure to press firmly and evenly.

I used a metallic purple colored pencil to shade in the outside edge and blend in better with the colors on the front of the card. Looking back I would do more doodles and decoration on the inside but this was a quick project done between 5 and 6 am while the family slept, before hitting the shower for work. Not a bad start! It was fun and gave me a little creative fix to carry through the hectic day ahead!

Red and purple are one of my favorite color combos!

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