Leather Working ~ Last Post on this Blog...

because I have a new website!  I'm pleased to say you will find my new musings over at www.polkadottedbliss.com beginning later this week!  It's taking me a bit, but I've been getting the new website up and running; putting together a crafting class for kids   and oh yeah, teaching my own babies!  The more I spend time with our homeschool co-op, the more I love this homeschool experience.  Where's the crafty tie in?  There are so many ways to incorporate  paper crafting, really any type of arts and crafts into our lives at home.  
Most recently, the kids and I participated in 4H Family Camp in Appamattox, VA.  Talk about an amazing time, spent relaxing, fellowshipping, playing and making!  While the kids were leaning how to fish and have fun with food, I discovered leather working.  

Oh my stars...the possibilities are endless!  Once I entered the little workshop, and started pounding the practice leather, I was hooked.  Had to force myself to leave for meals (well, really the instructor did).  

This camp was about being in the moment with my kids, so I don't have a lot of pictures, but here are a couple of the bracelets I made from leftover scraps:

This was my first piece, all from scraps!  I stamped, stained and painted the bracelet.  I've never enjoyed painting that much, but this, I loved.  After scavenging the fashion leather pile, I found these pretty colored scraps and hand-cut some flowers and centers, and attached them with  rivets.  Great little bohemian chic accessory!

 The workshop was a little treasure trove for an upcylcer like me!  There were 2 huge boxes of used scraps to choose from, like this piece.  If you look closely in the lower right, you'll see just a smidge from the original stamped lettering.  I made this bracelet on day 3 by stenciling the flower, staining and painting it.

Oh, and the BEST part about the workshop?  I made special things for and with my kids...doesn't get much better for this maker mama!

What new art or craft have you tried recently?

Thanks for dropping by!

Scrapping My Stash - Pocket Pages

Just when I thought I was getting into a routine with working full-time while the kiddos were in school, LIFE happened again.  I am suddenly, unexpectedly homeschooling two of my kids and find myself with less time to do traditional scrapbook layouts or mini-albums.  I've been wanting to start pocket page style layouts and National Scrapbooking Day gave me the perfect reason to start.

Every May I donate a card-making party to charity.  This year, the party fell on National Scrapbooking Day, so I decided to document our photos from the last party to show them.   I create 3 cards as templates for the ladies and they always add their own personality to them. The girls had a great time, stamping, inking, and die-cutting.

 I really like being to able add dimensional embellies to these pockets.

You really don't have to buy the pocket pages supplies; you can use what you have on hand.  I took a bunch of journaling cards and cut them down to size, and layered them with scrapbook paper, and a scalloped edge envelope.  With only 30 minutes start to finish (printing and cutting photos and pulling out supplies) I think I can get do some serious memory-keeping done with this method, look out!

How did you spend National Scrapbooking Day?

Materials used:

Journaling Cards: Mambo card-making kit

Wood Veneer Embellishments: Recollections

Washi Tape: Recollections

Thanks for stopping by!

Hand Stitched Cereal Box Journal

For years I have been altering those composition notebooks; they make wonderful gifts for my kids and their friends.  But, I have always wanted to make my own.  So, over Spring Break, my kids and I packed our craft supplies and headed to a good friend's house.  My tween and I spent an entire day with our friend Barb, of Papillion Creative, making books!  What's even better, they didn't cost us a dime because we upcyled a common household item...cereal boxes!  They turned out even better than we imagined!  

Can you believe we used these...

 

  to create this!  

Of course my little Bohemian tween's journal was the cutest.  My friend Barb is quite the artist, we used fabric that she painted and stamped, some embroidery pieces and sheets of wonderful handmade paper from her stash.  You can find some of the supplies like the thread and yarn in her wonderful little Etsy shop here.

We hand stitched fabric for the cover and added the handmade paper in pretty colors to the inside.  We used yarn to bind them.  My daughter, long fascinated with henna tattoos, drew a beautiful design on the back cover of Barb's book (upper right corner).

We spent the entire day making, chatting, and laughing while the little ones played outside.  Next to the crafting time I have with my daughter, this was hands-down, the most creative fun I've had in a long time.  Barb and I kept asking each other why we waited so long to do this, and decided to get together each month.  Can't wait to see what we're doing in April!

Live Your Life Happy

We've had a touch of Spring here and it made me want to create something bright and cheery.  I couldn't wait to pair this awesome Unity Stamp Co stamp with   a sentiment and paper from the DCWV Vintage Collector stack.  

I added some ruffled fabric trim, my signature buttons and a touch of something different, do you spy it?

So many fun ideas for this Andie Girl stamp, but I think this card will be a hit for Mother's Day.  Love getting a jump on holiday cards, you?
Supplies not listed above: Copic Markers: Hair (E13, E15, E23) Blouse (R20, RV25, R46) Skirt (Y32, E15) Pants (B00, BG15) Boots (R20, RV25, R46) Leaves (G20, YG25) Flowers (RV25, R20)
Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs, Kimberly

I Make Pretty Stuff

I love my work!  And I am so touched anytime I can create for someone's special event.  This week I am finishing these invitations for the First Communion of my dear friend's daughter. 

I can't wait to show you when I'm finished!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Kimberly

You've Got Heart

I love a good snow but we are on our 7th snow day this winter and I am ready for Spring!  So, I created this little Easter project.

Can you tell I am hooked on these mini coffee cups?  Oh, the endless possibilities!   They can hold gift cards for baby showers, birthdays, Christmas, Valentine's or serve as treat containers for special occasions.

Unity Stamp Co is quickly becoming one of my favorites...you can find sentiments for just about any occasion.

This set is available right here in my Etsy shop!

Supplies used: Webstaurant Store
Mini Coffee Cups:
Paper Straws: local craft store
Gift Bag: Paper Mart
Doily: Dollar Store
Copic Markers: R11, R20, R43, G20, G24
Burlap ribbon: Michaels

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Kimberly

Craft it Up with Friends! Layout a Week

Would you travel 250 miles to craft with friends?  That's exactly what I did a couple of years ago!  I documented our fun in my Smash Book for the Layout a Week.

  

While living in NC about five years ago, I met my scrappy soul sister Paula from Scrap Your World via Facebook.  We later crossed virtual paths with Donna K from at Studio 307 and formed an awesome bond based on shared indie shop owner experience, a love of paper arts, and support and encouragement.

I met Donna K and her sweet mama Sandra (above middle and right), in person, on her visit to the DC area in 2013.  We hatched a plan for all of us, including Paula, to see each other in NC later in the year.  While vacationing there with my family, I met up with these gals in Raleigh for some of the most fun I've ever had. 

First off, they laid out a spread of snacks, awesome lunch and dessert.  Add to that a lotta laughs and a little crafting on the side and it was a zany, good time!  So much so, I can't wait to get back to Paul's crafting oasis, her Scrap Cove!!  Seriously, she has a separate craft studio,  AWAY from her house.   Check it out here.

Looking forward to creating future memories with these girls!

Supplies

Smash Book: K & Company 

Patterned Paper: DCWV Vintage Collections 

Embellishments: Heidi Swap and My Mind's Eye

Challenges Entered:

Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge

Thanks for stooping by!

Hugs,

Kimberly