A few weeks ago I started a fun little series on my You Tube channel with Christmas gift ideas. I am showing one idea a week. We are already up to Gift idea no. 5 a cute mini photo album.
Anyone can make this project it's super fun to make and easy. You watch my first video showing what the project is here:
If you want to know how to make this fun little project you can watch here:
Please feel free to use these images for your own projects. Just click to open the image , then right click and save image. These images are my own personal property so please do not sell them digitally but by all means use them in your personal projects and projects to sell.
I hope you enjoy this fun little project and tutorial. Thank you so much! To stay up to datejoin my mailing list here . You'll receive discounts, news on new products and sales, freebies and tutorials.
It has been a long time since I posted anything, times has flown by! I hope this post finds everyone well and happy!
Finally I have prepared my first online course! In this course you will realise a beautiful needlebooks completely hand sewn. This video course will teach you how to make these wonderful needlebook from scratch. You will learn how to:
-collage your fabrics -how I approach colour and texture -how to create your base with invisible stitches -further embellishing your pieces with laces and embroidery -how to construct the needlebook -ideas for future projects using similar techniques.
No sewing machine is required, just a needle and thread.
Both
beginners and advanced sewers will enjoy this course, you can make the
needle books as simple or as embellished as you like.
This
course is nearly 3 hours and has been divided into segments of
approximately 30 mins (give or take) so you can easily complete this
project at your leisure. Picking it up and putting it down as time
permits.
A couple of weeks ago Gina from the Rebookery posted a video on you Tube that was fantastic. Basically she takes old books and alters them to become a planner. I found it to be the best idea ever. I've struggle with using a diary, it's so boring! I've tried bullet journaling but failed miserably as it took to much time and was too precise! Here is Gina's first video ( she has others which you can pop over and watch):
Gina's idea really clicked with me as it's super simple and you can be so imprecise! This means it's also super fast to do! Let's face it, most of us don't have time to be messing about measuring, drawing up tables, dividing pages with a ruler and so on!
I also made a video to show how I set mine up:
The other cool thing about this planner is that you can also use it as a planner come art journal come memory keeping journal. Which is perfect - you have everything in one spot! Yay! So really it's a planner journal not just a planner.
When I watched the video I just had to go out to the thrift store and find a book the right size to alter. Of course I couldn't buy one but bought three so I would have a choice. By the afternoon half the pages were torn out and the planner was on it's way!
Mine is quite different to Gina's as far as style is concerned but the idea is the same. I did decide to cover my journal with a fabric slip cover which also gives me 2 extra pockets.
Finally a way to keep track of the must dos and appointments combined with a little bit of fun memory keeping. Perfect for those of us who don't really journal on a daily basis but would like to keep some memories!
I made a couple of craft with me videos and updates as well. You can watch them here if you're interested.
So much fun! Make sure you check Gina's channel out she's super fun and creative!
Would love to hear your thoughts about this great idea! Thanks for reading, best wishes Rachel
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Before I left Italy for Oz I decided to make myself a travel journal. I was totally inspired to do this by Mary Ann Moss and her 'A Ticket to Venice' course. Click here to go to here courses page. In the course she also shared how she prepared for her trip which was very helpful.
I shared a video on You tube showing how I prepared for my trip to Oz. You can watch it here:
I thought I would do some journaling when I was there but decided it would be better to it when I came home once I'd printed my photos.
In order not to forget what we did I took very quick notes about each day which makes things very easy.
I have now printed all of my photos and am slowly working on my journal which is a lot of fun.
Hopefully it will be completed in a timely fashion and there will be some more journaling process videos!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
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Hi everyone I'm back from my trip to Australia. I had a lovely time with my family and friends and am ready to get back into work. It's fairly hot here in Italy. Thank heavens my hubbie put in some air con so I can happily stay in and create away! Woohoo!
The first order of business is to update you on my progress (or non) with remaking our Homespun Block of the month. I have skipped Blocks 2,3 and 4, and jumped right into Block 5 so at least I can work along with everybody. Hopefully I can slowly catch up on the others.
At the moment I am working on the embroideries which I hope to finish in the next few days.
As I go I've been making videos on my You tube channel. So if you're interested in seeing how I approach these embroideries pop over and have a look. If you subscribe there and hit the bell button as well you'll automatically be notified when a new video is up. There are several videos, here's one or two examples:
Part 3
Part 4
If you are working on this project, leave a comment and let me know how it's coming along. Of course feel free to ask any questions!
Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a great day, best wishes Rachel
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Lately I've been enjoying using up my old book pages to create ephemera. It's super fun and relaxing AND a great way to give those old pages a new life!
I made several different types of pockets and tuck spots!
Lots of different sized tags!
And really easy, no template required, envelopes.
They all add that special touch to a journal.
I made a few videos whilst I was making these to show my process. So pop over to You Tube and have a look if you'd like to see how.
This video shows some of the first tags I made
There are several 'craft with me' videos where you can see my process. Here are a couple:
Have a watch if you're interested and I hope they inspire!
Have a great day, best wishes Rachel
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Returning to my fabric Christmas book, I mentioned I also made a mini notebook with old book pages.
These notebooks are so cute and also make for great little gifts! I made this one with antique book pages which is a great way to recycle and give them a new life!
It's so much fun mixing materials, I love the texture it creates.
If you would like to see how to make these, watch the video below:
Thank you so much
Rachel
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I finally finished this lovely fabric Christmas book. It was one of those never ending projects that was started last year and finished 7 months later!! I guess it's better late than never!
It has been made with gorgeous antique linens, laces and hemp all sewn together. The cover has been hand embroidered with silk ribbin and has a gorgeous image of a vintage santa.
There are 8 page faces, including the front and back covers.
To create writing spots I made a mini junk journal, altered a notebook and made a trifold envelope with pages inside for journaling.
You can see a video here, with full explanations It is available in my Etsy store Thank you so much !
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Recently I finally decided to start working on one of my ideas for my fabric covered ring binders. I have several that I use for my Etsy store but I had been wanting to use one for my recipes.
This is an example of what they look like covered, this one is available in my store here.
They look really great all in a row!
My recipes are mixed, some from my mum, some from my mother in law and many from Pinterest or around the web. They were all just shoved in the cupboard in a great mess. It was impossible to find anything! Does anyone else have that problem??
I could have left it simple like this!
Since I've been working with paper lately I decided to get on with it and do something a little more fancy and fun!
I really had no idea how to go about this and was really feeling perplexed! So I thought why not approach it in steps. First I chose papers I liked and some digital kits!
Then I tuned to my You Tube friends for help. Best thing I ever did, they came up with so many ideas. I had to write them down in a notebook!
The video is here:
Due to all of the advice and encouragement from these wonderful ladies I've made a start on my recipe binder. Now there are no more loose print outs flying around the cupboard so that's a plus! I have a way to go and am still figuring it out as I go but am very pleased with progress so far!
Progress video here:
Here are some photos of a couple of pages.
I was thinking this is a lovely recipe binder that will be my daughter's one day!
Thanks for reading, best wishes Rachel To stay up to datejoin my mailing list here . You'll receive discounts, news on new products and sales, freebies and tutorials.
Lots of new loveliness is available in my shop! I've been making Kantha drawstring bags and duffle bags. The first lot went like hot cakes but never fear there's a new batch in my store!
These duffle bags are great to use for a short trip away, or as a sports bag especially yoga!
I have a short video on You tube that show these bags to give you a better idea.
I hope this post finds everyone well! Thanks for reading! Rachel
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Urgent!!!! Action is required by all those who have signed up to my mailing list. With the new European regulations regarding Privacy (GDPR) it is necessary for you to reconfirm you consent to receive emails from me. I have sent out an email to all on my list. All you have to do is click the YES PLEASE button and update your information. It's very fast! I am obbliged by law to remove, those who don't renew their consent by May 25th, from my list. Of course you can join again at a later date if you wish to do so. Thank you all so much!
Hi everyone I'm back after a long absence! I've taken the plunge and started my You Tube channel! It's been a huge thing for me being a shy person but I've done it and am quite enjoying it. It's a great way to share new products and journals but also a great way to help with some of my patterns. In fact I'm going to use the channel to show how I do certain things to support my patterns. So far there are 14 short videos showing journals, shopping hauls and already a little applique video.
In this video I show how I approach the applique in our Homespun Block of the month, 'My Butterfly Patch'. Next week I'll be finishing off the butterfly and moving onto Month 2. Yes I am behind! Where I can I will also post videos in Italian (even though I'm totally embarassed!)
Lately I've been journal making and shared these gorgeous journals on You Tube in 2 parts.
Here's a great basket making tutorial! You can make them in an array of colours and sizes, just experiment a little and see how they turn out. You can also make placemats and pot mats as well. They make for fabulous original gifts!
So gather up those scraps and let's get started! You will need: Fabric scrap strips - approximately 1-1.5cm wide (1/4''-3/4'') in a variety of colours Rope - no wider than 6mm (1/8'') as it needs to fit under your sewing machine foot
Step 1:Prepare your strips of fabrics. I divide mine into colours and keep them in zip lock bags. I like to have more linen and hemp strips as I use these the most. This way whenever you are sewing something and have some scraps you can just put them directly in a bag. Step 2: Decide whether you are going to do a mixed colour baskets or just blue etc. Step 3: Put your machine on the zig zag stitch. I have mine set on a 2.5 stitch size. You don't want the stitches to be too small as they need hold the basket together. Step 4: Take the end of the rope and your first strip, wrap it twice around the end, pin. Please note I do not cut my rope at this point I cut it at the end when I feel what I'm making is large enough.
Proceed to wrap slightly diagonally along the rope until the length of the strip is finished.
When you arrive to the end take your next strip and start wrapping where the last one ended. Make sure you overlap them and place a pin where they join.
Proceed in this manner until you have covered a large amount of rope. I normally sit and wrap the rope for 30-60 minutes and then start sewing. This way I don't have to start and stop sewing all the time. It's quite a long, boring job so I put on my favourite TV program (My Kitchen Rules Aust) and watch that. It makes it a little less painful!!! I ended up wrapping nearly 7 meters for this basket.
If I find I need to wrap more I will do so whilst my project is still in the sewing machine.
Step 5: Take the end and start to wrap into a coil as shown in the photo. Place a pin through it to hold.
Place it under the sewing machine foot, remove the pin and zig zag back and forth to hold.
Start to sew around catching both pieces of rope with the zig zag stitch. As you can see in the photo the center of the foot travels in the center between the rope so the stitches catch both sides.
Continue going around until the base is the size you would like. Please note with my left hand I guide the piece in a circle and with my right hand I hold the loose rope close so the machine catches it.
My base was approximately 14.5cm (6'').
Step 6: Building up the sides. Now hold the base up at a 90° angle and continue sewing around as before.
Your left hand will hold the base up and the righthand will continue holding the loose rope close so the machine catches it.
As you continue around you'll see the sides slowly build up. It's pretty cool and fun!
When you decide your sides are high enough cut off the rope, make sure the end is wrapped and covered with fabric, hold it as close to the basket as possible and stitch backwards and forwards to secure it.
My 6.8m of wrapped rope made a basket with a base 14.5cm (6'') diameter and sides 6cm (2.25'') high. Please note: if you run out of wrapped rope in the middle of stitching. Just stop and wrap some more the same way you did in the beginning. I don't even remove my project from the machine. I just stop sewing and start wrapping. To make placemats or pot mats you start as before following steps 1 to 5. I used about 4m of wrapped rope to create a decent sized pot mat.
Towards the end cut the rope.
If you want to create a loop, tuck the end in between your 2 layers and hold firmly.
First I stitch back and forth towards the loop. Just a little way to make it strong.
Then I stitch a little way to attach is to the rest of the mat.
To make a place mat you will probaby need 8-10m of wrapped rope depending on how large you want it. When you come to the end just end it off the same way you did the basket. To finish mine off I just randomly stitched some fabrics around the edges.
As you can see even though the rope wrapping part is a little boring I love making them and now have quite a collection!!!! I would love to hear your thoughts about this and how you go should you decide to make some sweet baskets!
Lastly, I am not an expert basket maker but I thought I'd share how I make mine! Thanks for reading! Best wishes Rachel
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