A Lapbook/Scrapbook

Do you remember a WIP picture with a whole lot of trims and a bit of fabric showing? After a trip to the scrapbooking store to buy more trim (I didn't have enough... really!) and finding out they didn't carry the trim I had planned to use and moving to Plan B I've completed this project - a lapbook/scrapbook of last summer's vacation. I first saw the idea for a lapbook in Scrapbook and Cards Today and used it as a starting point for this one. I changed the size of the book (I used a full 12x12 size) and covered it in fabric (instead of paper, which, if you are thinking of trying one, would have been waaaaay easier). I was going to make a tutorial as I was creating but got a little frustrated (and a little unsure it would actually work) and stopped taking pictures. If you are interested making one Scrapbook and Cards Today has a very good article for you to follow!

And now for the good part - the pictures!

The finished lapbook closed...


...and open.








A lot of pictures flip open to incorporate more underneath.


A stand alone book was also a great way to fit more pictures in.


I really like the inside - all the hidden bits yet being able to see a lot at a glance. A wonderful way to remember a trip!

WIP Update

So the WIP from the last post is still IP. I need to make a trip to the scrapbooking store before I can finish it. Maybe this weekend. In the meantime I've started another project using this yarn. The mulitcoloured yarn is Noro's Cashmere Island - soooo beautiful! I just loved the colours in this skein and since I only need one skein (I hope!) for this project the extra cost seemed do-able.

Weekend Crafting

Yes, it's now Wednesday and I'm just getting my weekend events blogged! In fairness, it was a long weekend here in Canada so my week only *started* yesterday... hmmmm... the rationalizations of a procrastinator!

First off, I wanted to sew something. Spent some time mulling over my fabric stash and imagining what to do with all that lovely fabric! (Do you notice a definite colour preference?)


I chose to use this canvas with elephants marching across it as well as some plain canvas and a bit of twill tape.


After some cutting, measuring, pinning and sewing.


I ended up with this little basket!


Perfect for keeping my current WIP in.


And I can fold up the handles and take it with me.


Very satisfying to finish a project the same day it was started! And lovely to sew by an open window with the breeze blowing in.

Fuschia

I love my little fushia plant. When I bought it it was covered in blooms, sadly it didn't do so well with the "plant sitter" while I was away (hence the brown spots on the leaves) but it seems to be happy again - as shown by blooms and new leaf growth. You go girl!

WIP

Here's a little peek at the supplies for a current WIP which should be completed shortly.

Back to sewing

Yesterday I got back to sewing for the first time in over a month! (yikes!) I was surprised that it felt so satisfying. Partly due to the fact that I was able to finish this project in an evening I'm sure! Sometimes I forget, until I'm into a project, how good it feels to make something and even better, to finish it!

This little boxy pouch is a present for a cousin who loves frogs. My first boxy pouch turned out so well I've been itching to make another. Since I like to have a purpose for creating (and I can only use so many little bags) it's taken me a while to sew this second pouch. And sewing for my cousin was a great reason to bring home some of this adorable frog fabric!

I tried using interfacing on this one (I didn't on my first) so it turned out stiffer (obviously the effect I was after!) and maybe smaller? Does interfacing create the need for bigger seam allowances? Anyways I was very pleased with how it turned out.

Instructions for making your own boxy pouch can be found here:
Boxy Pouch Tutorial

I used this tutorial for information on making the lining. So basically I sewed the boxy pouch from the first tutorial with the addition of a lining as explained in the second.

A Month Later...

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post! I guess three weeks of holidays adds up pretty quickly. I had an amazing time in England with my mom and my sister but taking three weeks off at once created a lot of work before (getting ahead on things) and after (catching up). Although I've been back for a week it's been difficult dragging myself from vacation mode and back to reality. I hope to get back crafting soon and maybe open my Etsy shop (although the whole process of that seems pretty daunting, and like a lot of work, right now).

While I was away I had lots of adventures and great times - here are just a few:

Punting on the Cam in Cambridge.


Visiting little seaside towns like this one, Mevagissey.


Hiking parts of the South West Coast Path.


Swimming in the (cold but I've been in colder) ocean.


Viewing London from the giant London Eye.