I’ve been lusting after a Japanese-style obi for awhile now (why I haven’t just sat down and made one…). So I definitely perked up when I found this great tutorial for an easy, one-hour belt from CraftStylish:
Go check it out! And don’t worry, the rest of the covered notebook tutorial is on it’s way :-)
image: Jack Deutsch/CraftStylish
ConKerr Cancer is a non-profit organization that helps children undergoing treatment for cancer. They’ve provided over 30,000 soft, comforting & cheerful pillowcases to children in the USA, Canada & South Africa.
The pillowcases help to brighten up the children’s rooms and provide them with something that’s fun and totally their own.
ConKerr Cancer needs more volunteers to help sew pillowcases, or even make no-sew fleece pillowcases.
Tags: charity projects, good works, kids projects, linksYour notebook should be dry enough for the next step!
We need to glue the fabric to the sides of the notebook now. Run a bead of white glue down the side of the front cover - slightly narrower that the flap of fabric. It should look like this:
Fold the fabric over the glue and smooth it out - make sure there aren’t any bubbles or puckers in the fabric.
Repeat on the back cover.
The book should now look like this when it’s closed:
The fabric is nice and smooth on the front cover, and the book closely flat.
Let the glue dry overnight and we’ll start the next step tomorrow!
all images: copyright C Findlay-Harder
Tags: craft projects, fabric covered notebooks, gifts, how to of the dayThe first step in creating your own fabric covered notebook is to cut the batting to the same approximate size as the cover of your notebook:
I don’t get fussy about it at this stage - an extra 1/4″ around the edges is fine.
Now take the batting off the book and lay it out onto the fabric you’re using for the cover. Use the batting as a pattern, leaving an extra two inches of fabric all the way around the batting. It should look like this:
Time to break out the spray glue!
Remember to use the glue in a well ventilated area and protect your work surface from overspray - it’s awfully messy! I like to lay the batting out, spray it with the glue and then lay the closed book on it. Wrap the batting around the cover and smooth any wrinkles out.
Repeat the same process with the fabric, spraying, wrapping and then smoothing the fabric out:
I try and avoid spraying the outer edges of the fabric - I find it’s easier to leave them as dry as possible.
Here’s what the book looks like at this point:
We’re going to let the glue set overnight - so I’ll see you tomorrow for the next steps!
all images: copyright C Findlay-Harder
Tags: craft projects, fabric covered notebooks, gifts, how to of the dayI love notebooks! I think I probably have a dozen of them in my studio at any given time. But, not all notebooks are all that decorative, so what’s a fabric hound to do?
Cover them in beautiful fabric of course :-)
For this project, you’ll need a notebook, scissors, spray basting glue (I use Elmer’s spray glue), a good quality white glue (I like the Ultimate), some light weight batting (I’m using Warm & White for this project) and of course, the fabric you’re using to cover the notebook!
We’ll start working on your book tomorrow.
image: C Findlay-Harder
Tags: craft projects, fabric covered notebooks, gifts, how to of the day
Kelly from Brew-Ha-Ha is hosting the Lifestyle’s channel monthly link round-up - this month, we’re celebrating summer!
At One Book Two Book, Mary Emma Allen combines reading and cooking for kids this summer in “Build It” with Food - Let’s Get Cooking!
Katelyn from Stamping Mad likes to add a special touch to cookouts with colorful handmade invitations.
Speaking of handmade, Mary Emma Allen has been featuring Christmas in July at Quilting and Patchwork. Check out these 13 Holiday Recipes for Quilters to Enjoy.
Corey and Kerri Aldrich (married b5media bloggers - like Chris and I) offer their perspective on who really wears the pants at the grill.
Despite what my uncles think, grilling isn’t just for pork, steaks, chicken and burgers: you could try grilling halloumi - cheese! It’s what’s for dinner.
If you do plan on grilling meat, consider trying a yummy sauce - at Kettle and Cup, Marye suggests Spicy Coffee Barbecue Sauce. While I haven’t tried it yet, it’s definitely going on my list. It feels like a twist on red eye gravy.
Marye also reminds us that there’s more to barbecue than you think. Check out Baking Delight’s All About Barbecue.
Cyndi offers up nontraditional fun family fare at Busy Family Meals with a great recipe: chicken Skewers with pineapple-macadamia nut sauce. It’s a tasty tropical mix for when it’s hot, hot, hot!
Cool things off with a fun summer dessert from She Knows Parties. Linette offers not one - but fifty - fun summer dessert ideas.
The great thing about barbecues is that you don’t have to go far. Make it a staycation! Kadi at Guerrilla Parenting shares her staycation experiences in photos - with a great recipe thrown in for fun!
Chris also stays local - with a look at domestic (US) beers just meant for summer. Drink up at Brewha-ha.com!
If beer isn’t your, well, cup of tea, consider a cocktail. Colleen suggests a classic gin and tonic over at Drinks After Dark.
Entertainment is key at a barbecue. Susan goes big and bold at Play Library with a look at an inflatable movie screen.
Of course, don’t forget about the guests that you don’t want at a party - mosquitoes! Marye offers up homemade mosquito repellent at Simply Home Remedies.
Finally, clean up doesn’t have to be all about the trash. Peg, at Tree Hugging Family, encourages you to make it easy on yourself - consider throwing a reusable, recycled and “disposable” party.
image: Stock.xchg
Tags: b5media, blogs, lifestyles channel, links, summer activities
image: Stock.xchg
Tags: art-blogs, artsy bloggers roundup, craft-blogs, links
It’s summertime - the kids are on vacation from school… and they’re bored! What’s a fiber-aholic to do?
Why, get them crafting of course :-)
I’ve got a few different kid’s crafts in the Tangled Thread archives, so I’ve pulled some of my favorites together for you.
There are more great kids crafts from other bloggers in the Lifestyles channel too!
Happy crafting!
image: Stock.xchg
Tags: easy craft projects, free summer crafts for kids, hand-sewing, How To, kids crafts, links, summer holiday craftsI’ve seen some beautiful fabric that’s been printed using inks or paint and shaving cream. The shaving cream stabilizes the inks and allows you to make soft, marbled prints without a lot of mess.
The basic technique is to spray an even coating of unscented shaving cream into a work surface (I’d recommend working on a plastic sheet or cookie tray) and then dripping the paint or into into the surface. You can then use brushes, sticks or even combs to manipulate the colors. Just lay your fabric into the shaving cream and lightly press into the surface. Let it dry throughly (at least 24 hours) and then heat-set like you would normally.
Fiber artist, Trish Stuart has a detailed video of using shaving cream, Tsukineko inks and stencils to create a detailed image:
Okay, so it’s not really Jell-o, but gelatin makes a really cool surface to create mono-prints on fabric.
I love painting & printing my own fabric for creating fiber art - it’s so much fun to play around with different techniques and come up with something unique.
I’ve done mono-printing with glass sheets before, but gelatin makes an interesting surface too. All you need to do is mix up some extra-strength gelatin (I think the recommended amount is 4 packages of gelatin to 2 cups of water). Pour it into a large tray and let it set for several days in your fridge to cure.
Calamity Kim takes it from there:
Hands and Mind, Stiching All The Time
Written by Chloe Findlay-Harder [email] for b5media.
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