Craftside

How to make Coffee Filter Pockets from the cool new book: Self-made Stationery by Kazumi Udagawa

I "heart" this new book so much!

Self-made Stationery:

Handmade Goods Designed By Me

By

Kazumi Udagawa

Stationery and other paper products have become not only valuable necessities, but also fashionable goods for artists, designers, students, and all enthusiasts who love paper. Self-made Stationery presents a wonderful array of unique and attractive design ideas for creating your own special stationery and paper products. This book is filled with many photographs and step-by-step illustrations that will guide you in making your stationery crafts. You will be surprised by how your creative skills can be enhanced.

Kazumi Udagawa (Japan) graduated from Musashino Art University in Tokyo. As a designer, she has worked for a sundry goods maker and focused on product planning and development to start up a goods store. Currently, she is a designer for various home products, supplies, and design projects. She also creates illustrations for books and magazines.

Check out this fun way to make a pocket out of a coffee filter:

I love making pockets in my altered book so I thought I would try this coffee filter pocket technique. 

 

I didn't have the same type of coffee filter but I thought the type I did have I could make work, just in a bit of a different way. So you get the technique from the book, and here's how I made mine:

I folded the filter in half lining up the edges and then in half the opposite way but about an inch off center.

Then I trimmed the top layer smaller then the second layer.

I trimmed the third layer just a bit taller then the second layer.

 
 All that was left to do was ink the edges and staple the coffee filter pocket into my altered book. As you can see, the first one I made on the left I folded with all the edges matching and didn't trim them.
 
 

I was in the mood to make some ATCs to put into my sassy new pockets. I have been collecting translation dictionaries so I thought that I would cut out some words and play with them.

Here are 3 I came up with.

 

I cut out definitions of different words in different languages and glued them onto a plain piece of paper. Then I used the Autumn Leaves Scribbles Hearts and Starswith a variety of the Stampology inks to add a bit of design and texture.

I love trying out new techniques and just "playing."

Holiday Goodness Giveaway Time!

Here's how it works:

• We ask a question each weekday.
• You leave your answer in the comments section each day to the question (and you can enter each day!).
• We will randomly pick a winner each day to send a free book to!

Today is DAY 9 of 19!

Question:

What is your favorite paper? Scrapbook, newspaper, construction, tissue, tracing?

My answer:

Washi paper for origami is one of my faves; the other is paper packaging. I love graphics and often times, whether it's vintage or new, the quality of the paper has a great quality to it. I think it's the same thing that makes me like remaking cloths. A garment also has the construction and findings details that add more to its design possibilities rather than just yardage.

Be sure to read the comments of others; maybe you can pick up a good idea, a new place to find your inspiration, or just a good giggle!

Turn those tomato cages upside down and recycle them into Christmas trees

Today's transformation uses tomato cages turned upside down to make Christmas trees.

 

When your tomatoes start looking like this:

You know it's time to decorate for Christmas.

Turning a tomato cage into a Christmas tree is so easy.

1. Turn it upside down.

2. Tape the ends together. I used clear packing tape.

3.Then head to the ornament stash and hook on your ornaments. I did mine in different colors.

If you want to get fancier, try this tomato cage tree made with lights and a recycled sweater.

And to not leave out Hanukkah, check out this Menorah made from repurposed plumbing pipe!

 

It was made by Josh Korwin and Alyssa Zukas of the website Notschlock and is just one of the cool projects in one of my all-time favorite books:

1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse
Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew
By
Garth Johnson

Artists and crafters have always been recyclers, but for many, it has not only become a thrifty choice, it has become a moral imperative. 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse contains a cutting-edge collection of the most inventive work being made with re-used, upcycled, and already existing materials. The work in this book ranges from clever and humble personal accessories to unique and important large-scale works of art, including paper art, fashion, jewelry, housewares, interiors, and installations.

Garth Johnsonis a studio artist, writer, and educator who lives in Eureka, California. In addition to maintaining the website "Extreme Craft" (www.extremecraft.com), Garth writes about a variety of topics, including art, craft, and creative reuse.  He and his wife Claire are currently writing a blog for Readymade Magazine called "Keeping Up With the Johnsons (http://readymadeblogs.mydevstaging.com/blogs/johnsons/). His DVD, ReVision: Recycled Crafts for Earth-Friendly Living, was released by Eyekiss Films earlier this year (www.reconstructdvd.com). His artwork was recently featured in solo shows at Gallerie Maxim in Cologne, Germany and the Clay Studio in Philadelphia. Garth received a BFA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an MFA from Alfred University. He has taught at Georgia State University, Columbus State University and is currently an assistant professor at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, CA. In addition to teaching, he is a sought-after lecturer and visiting artist, with recent lectures at Ohio State University, Louisiana State University and the Pottery Workshop in Jingdezhen, China.

 Holiday Goodness Giveaway Time!

Here's how it works:

• We ask a question each weekday.
• You leave your answer in the comments section each day to the question (and you can enter each day!).
• We will randomly pick a winner each day to send a free book to!

Today is DAY 4 of 19!

Question:

How do you decorate outside? Is it the same every year or do you do something different each year?

My answer:

As you can see in the photo, I have my little forest of tomato cage trees and my candy cans (which I must point out I rescued/liberated from the recycling center).

I really want to cut out some deer from leftover wood I have around but as of yet each day gets away from me and I don't get to it.

If you want to see what I did last year (it was pretty cool!), pop over to this post.

Be sure to read the comments of others; maybe you can pick up a good idea, a new place to find your inspiration, or just a good giggle!

Yummy Biscuit Recipe from Baking Artisan Pastries and Breads by Ciril Hitz

Oh I love bread, all kinds! I want to bake everything in this book.

I think biscuits and scones are my favorite. Aw who am I kidding, I love it all.

Click on the pages from Baking Artisan Pastries and Breads to read this yummy recipe and it's variations.

And if you need more, grab yourself a copy of:

Baking Artisan Pastries and Breads
Sweet and Savory Baking for Breakfast, Brunch, and Beyond

By
Ciril Hitz

Baking Artisan Pastries and Breadsoffers illustrated recipes that cater to all breakfast needs: from muffins ready within the hour to more decadent treats, such as lemon brioche doughnuts and chocolate croissants. The formulas are generally progressive--the easier recipes are at the beginning and more complex ones are later.

The step-by-step full-color process shots of techniques and inviting beauty shots of finished products coupled with clear directions will instill confidence in even the most novice baker.

A short (20-30 minute) DVD accompanies the book, adding an invaluable level of instruction.

Ciril Hitz is the Department Chair for the International Baking and Pastry Institute at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. He graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design, after which he returned to his native Switzerland and completed a three-year apprenticeship as a Pastry Chef/Chocolatier.

Hitz was first introduced to bread baking while in Europe, which laid the foundation for the skills that led him to where he is today. He has been recognized nationally and internationally with numerous awards and accomplishments and was selected as a Top Ten Pastry Chef in America in both 2007 and 2008 by Pastry Art & Design magazine. In 2004, he competed in the National Bread and Pastry Team Championship, winning the overall team Gold Medal as well as all individual bread awards. He was a member of the Bread Bakers Guild Team USA that competed at the 2002 Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie in Paris, France, where the team captured the silver medal. He has been a guest instructor and expert at many national and international culinary events and schools and serves on the Advisory Board of the Bread Bakers Guild of America. Ciril Hitz is frequently seen on The Food Network and has been featured on the NBC's The Today Show. His work has graced the pages of numerous magazines and the interiors of exhibition halls and museums, including COPIA in Napa, California. He is the producer of his own line of educational DVDs. For more information on his work, visit www.breadhitz.com.

A sneak peek of new books to come and crafty blogger links

Wondering what's coming up here at Craftside? Well, I'll show you....

Here are 5 new books that will be out verrrry soon, and I will share with you an inside peek! So come on back for some fun ribbon crafts, Steampunk Style jewelry, to find out what bead quilling is, a tasty Artisan pastry recipe and a bit of architecture. For today, I have some links to what my fellow crafty bloggers are up to:

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Linda shares one of the first quilts she designed and tells the first of many stories about lessons learned.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has finished a second Garden Quilt and is offering her tutorial!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Sweater Surgery attacks t-shirts and cuts them up into some cute gathered tops with the help of Generation-T Beyond Fashion

The Artful Crafter
Check out Eileen's latest craft finds: lots of free stuff and free advice! (Well that's usually free, isn't it? LOL.)

The Crochet Dude
Drew kicks off the holiday season with a crochet pattern event!

The Impatient Crafter
In this week's teen crafts blog for iLoveToCreate, Madge makes a stunning mixed media necklace. You might just want to sport this one yourself!

About Family Crafts
Do you play with clay? If so, please take a moment and share your favorite stories, projects, recipes, techniques, and more.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen is offering Vintage freebie images for you to download and use in your art. Get started on those digi holiday cards using some of them.

Cathie Filian
Cathie has lots of Thanksgiving recipes, crafts and family activities posted. Plus, tips for a smooth Thanksgiving!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Mix up altered books, glitter, and teenagers, shake well, and voila! You have a fun day of art combined with writing.

Cross Stitch at About.com
Stitch a Simple Hanukkah Menorah Motif for a card or ornament. Suitable for knitting or crochet projects too. 

Enter to win a Free Mixed-Media Doll handmade by Linda O'Brien, co-author of Who's Your Dada?

Do you love this original handmade dada doll by Linda O'Brien?

You can enter to win it!

All you need to do is leave your answer to one of these two questions in the comments section of this post by midnight ET on November 24th.

Linda and Opie will choose a winner at random on November 25th. On Thanksgiving Day, November 26th, we will announce the winner on this blog.

Question 1:

What was your favorite doll as a child and why? (Do you still have it?)

Question 2:

What was the last thing you made that simply put a smile on your face every time you looked at it and why?

Just to inspire you, here's my answer to the first question.

My favorite doll as a little kid was my stuffed bunny that I would dress in the pretty clothes my mom sewed for my fancy baby doll. Even then I was mixing things up and doing it my own way! And yes I still have it, the fur is pretty much gone and it has lost its original eyes and nose that have been replaced with buttons, but I still love it!

The answer to the second question I promise to post about soon. I swear it is cracking me up, but it is not quite finished. It will be soon, I promise!

If you like this mixed-media dada doll then you will want to grab a copy of the immensely creative and inspiring:

Who's Your DADA?
Redefining the Doll through Mixed Media
By
Linda O'Brien and Opie O'Brien

Inspired by the "dada" notion of making art from materials that would not typically be combined or expected to go together, and driven by a similar sense of irony and humor, this exciting book by Linda and Opie O'Brien shares their unique approach to making mixed-media dolls. It is not only a "must have" volume for anyone interested in found object art and the human form, it is a thoughtful and provocative exploration of the power, symbolism, and cultural significance of dolls and representational figures.

The authors share detailed techniques for using surface embellishments, creating faces, heads, and limbs, using molds and molding products, and building and transforming disparate objects into whimsical, inspiring dolls. Starting with a variety of substrates--a wood block, a canvas, a tin can, a book, and a box construction--readers are guided step by step through five types of doll constructions.

Included:

-Complete instructions for making a box construction doll, a wood block substrate doll, a two-sided canvas frame doll, a tin can doll, and a book doll

-Numerous variations on each of the core projects for further experimentation

-An inspiring gallery of mixed-media dolls from leading artists who discuss their methods and share their very personal answers to the question: "What is a doll?"

Originally from New York City,Linda and Opie O'Brien are full-time artists living on Lake Erie in Ohio with their cat Angelus and his cat Angel. They teach workshops nationally and internationally. Their work includes jewelry, dada dolls, artist books, assemblage, collage, masks, music, and more, and has been featured in numerous books, magazines, galleries, exhibitions, solo shows, museum gift shops, and private collections.

Beautiful leaf paper cutting pattern from the book The Art of Paper Cutting by Henya Melichson

This paper cutting leaf pattern is so pretty:

Click on the image of the intricate leaf to see it closer. It is from the book:

The Art of Paper Cutting

By:

Henya Melichson

Paper cutting is an ancient, elegant art that dates almost as far back as the creation of paper itself. In today's multicultural world, paper cutting embraces any number of themes, designs, and images. It is an all-inclusive art that requires few tools and minimal materials. All one needs is instruction and inspiration, both of which are found in good measure in The Art of Paper Cutting. The book includes more than 20 projects that feature a range of sizes, subject matters, and techniques. Every project features step-by-step photographs and numerous helpful hints.

Author Henya Melichson has been a paper cut artist for more than twenty years. With a background in painting and drawing, Henya's paper cuts are inspired by diverse ethnic and natural motifs. Her work has appeared at museums in Europe, the United States, and Israel. A member of the Guild of American Paper Cutters, Henya has led seminars, instructed hundreds of budding paper cutters, and been interviewed for television programs.

And if you want to read another review and get more inside peeks, pop on over to Craft Leftovers.

And if you want another pattern from this book and a cool slider card tutorial featuring a deer, pop on over to this post.

Vintage looking rosary style necklace inspired by a piece in Rejuvenated Jewels

I was so excited to find this cool vintage looking rosary link by the Blue Moon Beads Royal Boheme line because I had been eying this project from Rejuvenated Jewels and didn't currently have a rosary that I was up for dismantling. Problem solved!

I gathered up a bunch of bits and pieces. I had these white floral filigree and I thought they kind of looked like snowflakes and I thought that might make a kind of cool winter necklace.

After playing around a bit and performing a bit of jewelry surgery I had a necklace I really liked. This might end up being a gift so I wanted a safe place to store it for the moment. I thought since it was a gift I could attach it to a card and what better place than in a Card Album to keep the card!

I cut a length of 24 gauge wire about 3 inches and formed a loop in the middle of it.

Then I punched two holes near the top of the card and one in the center toward the bottom. The placement was so that there was very little if any slack between the three points. The excess chain that would be around the back of the neck dangled freely.

 

There you have it: a new/old combo piece nicely stored and displayed. I was also thinking if I made pieces to sell at a craft fair this Card Album would be an easy way to transport and show off my jewelry.

There is still lots of time to make more pretty jewelry and I don't think there is a project in this book that I don't want to make:

Rejuvenated Jewels:
New Designs from Vintage Treasures
By
Amy Hanna

In Rejuvenated Jewels, you'll learn where to find fabulous vintage jewelry, beads, and artifacts, and how to create stunning one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces using these amazing finds. Rhinestone beads and clasps, mercury glass beads, oxidized metal chains, rosary beads, tiny book charms, and more are retooled into fabulous statement pieces that can be worn every day.

Amy Hanna (Laguna Niguel, CA) has been creating and selling jewelry for nearly a decade. A collector at heart, Amy began haunting flea markets and yard sales more than 20 years ago, and it was always the vintage jewelry, metals, and rosary beads that caught her eye. Her collections lay in drawers and vintage jewelry boxes for years until a friend encouraged her to create. Unable to find jewelry that represented her personal style, Amy began making one-of-a-kind pieces from her beloved collections.

Wool Felted Sweaters get Re-Bound into a cute little Christmas needle book

Yup, Halloween is not even a week in the past and I am makin' stuff for Christmas!

I whipped up this little needle book out of scraps from recycled wool felted sweaters, a bit of embroidery floss and 2 pom poms.

Safe and cute storage for those little sharp objects.

Here is how to make a needle book:

Rough cut 3 rectangles of felted wool sweaters.

Then stitch the three layers together. I left the ends of the floss a bit long so I could glue a pom pom on each end. Then I trimmed up the book. Why, you ask, would you not cut all the rectangles nice and neat to begin with? I'll tell you: in the stitching process things can get a bit off, and also the thickness of the sweaters really affect where the ends line up when the book is closed.

To embellish the cover I ironed on a bit of Heat and Bond to the back of a scrap of wool felted sweater. Then I ran it through the Sizzix Hello Kitty Die cutter with the "B" die.

Then I just peeled off the paper backing and pressed the "B" onto the front cover of my little needle and pin book.

What made me think of making this today? Well, I was flipping though Re-Bound and this cool project jumped out at me:

Now this little journal has paper pages but I thought I would make a needle book because I needed something to hold my needles and pins for my cross stitch on the go bag.

Do you like making books out of interesting things? Check out more from:

Re-Bound
Creating Handmade Books from Recycled and Repurposed Materials
By
Jeannine Stein

Re-Bound shows readers how to take every day materials
from around the house, flea markets and thrift stores, and
hardware and office supply stores, and turn them into
fabulous books. Instead of saying, What can I make a book
out of, readers will be thinking, What can't I make a book
out of? In Re-Bound, a vintage souvenir wallet becomes
a photo album. Last year's trendy sweater becomes a takealong
journal. Even potato chip bags get a second life as a
handy pocket notebook. This fun pursuit is economical as
well as ecological. A variety of attractive, uncomplicated
bindings, how-to instructions, and step-outs bring each
project to life.

Jeannine Stein (Los Angeles, CA) has been making
books for more than 15 years, exploring bindings,
mediums, and techniques. She has studied with
notable book artists Daniel Essig, Keith Smith, Kitty
Maryatt, and Charlene Matthews. Her work has been
featured in such Quarry titles as Pockets, Pullouts,
and Hiding Places, Beyond Scrapbooks, and 100 Ideas
for Stationery, Cards, and Invitations. Her projects
have also been appeared in magazines, including
Home Companion, Romantic Country, and Stamper's
Sampler.

Get Published in the upcoming book 1000 Ideas for Decorating Cakes, Cupcakes & Cookies!

Calling all cake bakers and sweet treat makers!! Quarry Books is seeking submissions for possible publication in their upcoming book 1000 Ideas for Decorating Cakes, Cupcakes & Cookies (scheduled to be published in November 2010).

Quarry is looking for high-quality photographs of finished cupcakes, holiday/theme cakes, decorated cookies, wedding cakes, and other beautifully decorated desserts. Submission deadline is January 8, 2010. Click here for more details!

Using research and inspiration photo ATCs as the elements on an altered book journal page

Today's post is inspired by a few books and authors.

The first one is:

The Creative Entrepreneur
A DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real

By

Lisa Sonora Beam

She wrote a post here that you can read about how she makes a spread sheet on her birthday.

The next book that some of my inspiration comes from is:

1,000 Artist Trading Cards:
Innovative and Inspired Mixed Media ATCs

Specifically this page, I liked the idea of working on a group of ATCs that held a common theme.

 

Click on the image to enlarge and see closer this wonderful collection of ATCs by Kelli Perkins.

And the final book that helped form today's project was:

Green Guide for Artists
Nontoxic Recipes, Green Art Ideas, and Resources for the Eco-Conscious Artist
By
Karen Michel

Yup all that reading just percolates into these pages:

and

and

Click on the images to see the details of my 47 ATC canvases ready to be embellished and altered.

OK, now the story.

I have tons of research and inspiration pages that are just stacked in a pile and not used much because they are very inaccessible. That's where Lisa's spread sheet idea came into my mind, the grid, all on one page, organized that sort of thing.

Next came the size and shape - that's where the ATC working with a common theme came in. I had all these research pictures that were perfect to use to create art in and of themselves but also serve a purpose (my research).

And then the Green Guide for Artists comes into play in that I am recycling an old book as my large pallet to contain all my mini pallets (the magazine page ATC's) to make all my art.

Are you following my train of thought here? Or have I become completely derailed?

I cut out lots of my jewelry inspiration photos down to ATC size. Even at this point I got so inspired I almost dropped the project and went to make a piece of jewelry but I stuck it out.

I had this large format picture book that I had already started to alter with memorabilia and photos. I used removable glue dots to adhere the ATCs into the book so they could in fact at some point be swapped.

Here is one of the pages before I attached the ATCs.

I am really excited to have my jewelry inspiration and my ATC "canvases" so accessible now. I should point out my ATC canvases with other fun topics and backgrounds that I have cut out are currently just in a stack as well but I am thinking about adding them to this book as well.

How do you organize your inspiration for your art and creativity?