Have You Ever Had "One Of Those Days" ???

I was so excited, I had planed on posting a tutorial today. I was going to feature 2 Etsy shops, using the items I bought from them.
It was going to be a tutorial with resin.
I bought the cutest brooches from one Etsian and awesome clip art from another Etsian.
It is clip art which included Agatha Christie - I love Agatha Christie!

I prepared the clip art, brooches and resin.
The first 2 rules when using resin are: 1. work in a well ventilated area 2. COVER YOUR WORK SURFACE.

Guess who didn't cover their work surface! When I went downstairs to retrieve my awesome brooches, 2 were stuck to my dining room table. And...when I say stuck - I mean stuck!!!
You can see in the pictures where I have tried to pry them off the table.
Notice, there is no table cloth. That's right, I poured resin right on my bare wooden table.

I think I just may leave these brooches on the table (like I have any choose right now) to remind me to cover my work surface.

Stepping away from crafting, I decided to catch up on some ironing.

The first thing I did was knock the iron off the ironing board. The water in the iron splattered everywhere. Plus, it came very close to hitting Rosie, our husky. Rosie ran out of the room like her tail was on fire and I haven't seen her since.

Cynthia is getting new tires for her truck. They are on order and are suppose to come in today. If the tire place can install the tires today, she wants me to ride along. I am not sure that is a good idea. With my luck today I suspect all 4 tires will fall off on our way home.

Once I took pictures of my craft disaster, I promptly lost my camera. It took me an hour to find it. It was in my craft room, I never leave my camera in the craft room.

So, this has been my day so far. I will post the resin tutorial soon.

Now if you will excuse me, I am going back to bed, pull the blanket over my head and pray the tires don't come in.

Altered Book - Clay Rose

I made this book to, well, look like a book.
This altered book holds a secret.
(I will post a tutorial soon on an altered book that I will make into a keepsake box)

For this book I used - a book, a ruler, a craft knife, wax paper, gel glue, fabric, ribbon and a clay rose.

To start, I had to decide where I wanted to make a niche for the surprise. I also made a tiny niche for the clay rose.

When I make this type of altered book, I select a book that has at least 3 entire novels within it. I leave the first novel in the book completely unaltered. That way it can actually be read.

This particular book is a Reader's Digest - Select Editions which I purchased at a local thrift store.

I opened the book to the first page of the 2nd novel and placed wax paper between the pages. I closed the book and applied gel glue around the edges of the bottom portion. This makes a solid block of pages to cut out a niche.
I put a heavy object on the book and allowed the glue to dry.

I don't measure the niche, I just start cutting. I used the ruler as a straight edge to guide the craft knife. I run the craft knife a few times over each side of the niche, remove the pages and repeat. I stopped when the niche was as deep as I wanted it.

**HINT** - Do not press extremely hard on the craft knife. The first time I cut a niche, I pressed really hard thinking I could hurry it along. The tip of my index finger was numb for several months and the niche was a mess.**

Next, I applied the same gel glue inside the niche - both of them. It makes them stable.

I know what your thinking! Your thinking "Bare, that's a rather ugly niche you have there". Not to worry, I will fix it.

See, all fixed.

I glued fabric inside of the large niche and applied ribbon around the edges.

I didn't decorate the small niche because I love the way the clay rose looks on the words. I glued the rose in the niche with the gel glue.

I now have an altered book that still looks like a book and can even be read.

It will hide a small gift and the recipient will think the book is the gift.

( The book wouldn't stay open, my moose friend had to hold it open so I could take pictures!! )

What do you think????

Fireworks!!

Family and friends gathered for our own little fireworks display. Cynthia took these awesome pictures. I just may have to make pendants using some of these photos!

Zutter Bind It All Book With Roses

Another use for polymer clay roses.
For this project I used - a Zutter Bind It All, O wires, a paper cutter, heavy card stock, scrap book paper, index cards, double stick tape, E6000, stickers, scissors, wire cutters, ribbon and 3 small clay roses.

I used wedding papers and stickers to make a book for a bride to jot down her wedding plans.
Normally, when making a book or journal with the Zutter Bind It All, I use a recycled box (cereal, cracker, etc) to add body to the covers. In this case, the glitter card stock was heavy enough to use without it.

I used index cards for the inside pages and cut the front and back covers the same size as the index cards. I used double stick tape to adhere the inside lining to both covers.

I cut the binding holes in the covers with the Zutter Bind It All - I love this machine!!!!

Next, I cut the binding holes (there is probably a proper name for the holes but I don't know what it is) in the index cards.

Here are the covers and index cards, ready for the O wires.

To prepare the book for binding, I put the index cards on the O wires first, then the front cover and lastly - flip the back cover over (the 2 covers will be facing each other) and place it on the front cover. This will keep the closure at the back of the book.

I cut off the excess O wires, then pressed the O wires closed.

Here it is after binding and before the embellishments. I love making books and journals.

I used wedding themed scrapbook paper to line the front cover.

I used a different scrapbook paper for the back lining. This picture also shows the closure at the back of the book.

I wrapped ribbon around the front cover and tied it in a knot. I used a wedding sticker and 3 polymer clay roses to finish the embellishment.

I used E6000 to glue the sticker and roses on. The sticker would not stick to the glitter paper.

I cut a piece of white scrapbook paper to fit inside the front cover. I applied double stick tape to the sides and bottom of the paper only to create a little pocket.

I decorated the inside back cover with a sticker.

I think this would be a great gift, especially if you personalize it. Add the bride and grooms names, embellish it in the wedding colors and replace the sticker on the front cover with a picture of the couple.

That's it!! Another way to use the polymer clay roses :)

Altered Clipboard With Clay Rose

Altered clipboard using a polymer clay rose.

For this clipboard I used - a plain clipboard, scrapbooking paper, ribbon, a bone folder, Mod Podge, double stick tape, an emery board, a paper cutter, a paint brush and a polymer clay rose.





I used a piece of ribbon to tie the clip open. Then I painted the top and sides of the clip board. I used the paper cutter to cut the scrapbooking paper into strips. I didn't measure the width of the paper but I did measure the length to have the correct fit. You can use as many strips of paper as you want, if you prefer more strips, just cut them smaller.

I attached the paper strips to the clip board with double stick tape. In this case I applied the tape to the clipboard first and then attached the paper. You can use any tape or glue to attach the paper but you must have adhesive on the entire strip of paper. If there is a section of paper missing adhesive, it will bubble when you apply the Mod Podge. Trust me, I have made this mistake several times.

I rubbed the bone folder on the paper to make sure it had good contact with the tape.

I do not have a sanding block used for scrap booking but I found that an emery board works great. I sanded the sides of the clipboard. Sanding ensures the paper is well adhered along the edges. It also looks nice after sanding.

Once I attached the paper and sanded the edges, I applied Mod Podge. I gave the clipboard 2 coats of Mod Podge but you can apply as many coats as you want.


Once the Mod Podge was dry, I cut 3 pieces of ribbon and tied it to the top of the clipboard. Then I applied the polymer clay rose using E6000 glue.

I left the back of the clipboard plain but have painted or papered the backs in past projects.

And here it is, the completed clipboard.

PIECE BY PEACE DESIGNS

Are you looking for a unique, beautiful, handcrafted piece of jewelry? You must visit this Etsy shop. You will find awesome bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
PieceByPeaceDesigns

TAGGED !!!!!

I have been tagged by Sybillinart !!!! I have to tell you 10 facts about myself and then tag 10 blogs.





1. I have 3 children. Cynthia, Paul and Michael. Here they are at Mike's wedding.

2. I live on a farm in Mechanicsville, MD.

3. I am extremely patient.

4. I hate cold weather.

5. My entrance into the crafting world was through crochet. I still love to crochet.

6. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother. Peggy, Kathy and Billy.

7. I love to make candy. Mostly fudge, fancy nut bark and molded candy.

8. I collect moose which I am sure is a big surprise!!!

9. I love to read. Fiction - Agatha Christie. Non fiction - True Crime.

10. I have 3 dogs. Rosie, a husky/spitz mix. Nemo, a pom. Bubba, a rat terrier that adopted us.

Here are the 10 blogs I have tagged:

love2binspired

flyinghaystacks

prettypaperpassions

cuterthanabuttoncreations

crsisters

jodyknits

loveclay

decacandle

firstlightglass

aloucreations

Please visit these blogs. When you do, please check all the beautiful Etsy shops. You are sure to find something wonderful!!!