What's in your Wallet?

Your photo wallet, that is.  Recently I stumbled upon two tutorials for making a photo wallet/brag mini.  I'm going to share one of these for my project this month.  Each wallet uses one or two 12x12 sheets of cardstock.  These little wallets have a lot of real estate for they can hold a ton of your favorite pictures. What great gifts these would make or just personal keepsakes for yourself.  And to top it off, they are super easy and quick to make.  There are a few variations  for these so you can search Youtube for the one that you like.  Here is my photo wallet:

A New Toy

When I started art journaling, I jumped in it head and foot first.  As with most crafty endeavors that I have started, I like to try various supplies.  So when I recently saw this gadget, I decided to give it a try.  Although this "gadget " was designed for children, I found that right out of the box it delivered an awesome finished project.  So check it out and remember to have fun whether you are a kid or a kid at heart.

A Fall Card

Here is a fall card I made using my Silhouette Cameo.

Have FAITH

Before October slips away, I want to show my gratitude to those who are battling the enemy, "C" as well as those who have fought the battle and lost. I would also like to show the same to their dear loved ones. Thank you all for being strong and being examples that everyone can imitate. THANK YOU!

My project this month was created using the Cricut electronic cutter and the Cricut cartridge "Wall Decor and More". So here's how I got started:  using my Cricut Gypsy, I designed the project by selecting a few images from the cartridge.

I altered the size to suit my taste and then I cut all the pieces using my Cricut Expression.  I used lightweight chipboard and patterned paper.  Here's what the project looked like after I cut it:

Next is the selection of the patterned and solid color papers. I then put the project together.  The rolled flowers I added were cut from the Art Philosophy cartridge.  Now for the finished project:

The frame at the bottom can hold a small photo.  I also added a piece of chipboard so that it can stand on its own. Such a simple idea but it can also make a meaningful gift for someone. So let's continue to support and show our love.

All Stitched Up

September is national sewing month.  My project this month centers around sewing and papercrafting.  I am an avid sewer so this is just my cup of tea.  I enjoy quilting as well as machine embroidery.  There are so many ways that sewing can be incorporated into paper crafts.  So whether you use straight or zigzag stitches, stitching on paper adds so much detail to your project.  For my project, I took a dollar store mini composition book and covered it using zig zag and straight stitching.

I took a piece of plain white paper and measured it to fit the notepad. Then I stitched strips of pattered paper together using a zigzag stitch.  I also die-cut some flower pieces and stitched them together in the middle and adhered it to the base page.  Next, I again die-cut some hearts and used a single straight stitch through the middle to hold them together.  I hot-glued the hearts to the base page.  Near the top of the base page, I cut a piece of muslim fabric and used a straight stitch to adhere it to the base page.  Taking one of my rubber stamps, I stamped a sentiment on the fabric.  Finally, I hot-glued the stitched base page to the notepad. Viola, a simple yet memorable gift idea.  So stitch up your paper projects today! Happy National Sewing Month

Still CREATING......

Yes, I am still CREATING but I have taken a turn in the road so to speak of my creative journey.  I'm going down a path that I have traveled before.  I'm currently renewing my interest in machine embroidery and sewing.  I'm also still doing a little art journaling.  So whereas I use to frequently turn on my Cricut or Silhouette machines, I an now reaching to flip on my Janome 300E and my Brother PE770.  Poor Cricuts andCameos are sitting idle for right now but don't worry, I shall return(I promise).

The face for the art journal page on the right was created using an embroidery file. The eyes are the part   that is embroidered on fabric, then I added the other facial features. I colored in the eyes using one of my markers. In the background is one of my embroidery hoops and a monogramed circle I recently did.  To the left is a framed Bible verse that I also embroidered.  I'm having fun with my crafty detour.

My Creative Doings

Well, it's been a while, right and what am I doing creatively.  Not much!  So I just took a pic of what I am doing more of right now.  Chat back at you Later!

Collecting Memories

I love mason jars. No, I don't like to use them for  canning fruits or vegetables but I just like the look and structure of these amazing and practical jars.  So when I recently visited Pinterest I came across some artistic uses for these mason jars.  And you know me I love to alter things.  So, these mason jars are repurposed into memory jars that can hold your fondest memories.  My project this month was an easy one because as I said, I love mason jars and I also love to alter things.

For my project, I took a clean mason jar, added some minature pebbles to the bottom.  I then added my picture and closed the lid on my memory.lol. I added ribbon trim around the rim and on the top I layered various flowers and a contrasting beaded embellishment.  I used jute string around the rim and also some tea-stained tags complete with journaling, dates, etc. A silver heart dangles from the lid and I managed to use a rub-on that says"getaway".  For the bottom, the jar sits on a paper doily. Voila! Memories Collected!  So if you are looking for some ingenious ways to collect your memories why not try a memory jar.

Scrappin minis using Cricut

Here are two minis I created for two of the ladies that went on the scrapbook retreat with us scrappy girlfriends.  I hope they will enjoy them and remember how much fun we had. You can find more details on my YouTube channel: FauRaiDesigns

Crafting in the Hills

Some of my scrappy friends and I spent a weekend in the mountains of Georgia, USA to do some crafting and to enjoy ourselves,  in short, to get away from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives and just relax and do what we like to do.  For some of us this was the second time around and for others it was the first time.  Whatever the case, we all had something in common and that was to let our creativity flow and learn from others.  Here are just a few scenes from our trip and the project that I shared with them:

While some of us worked into the wee hours of the morning, the rest of us just kicked backed and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the moment.  Age was no boundary as we had the company of one of our older friends.  It goes to show that creativity has no age limit.

As a friendly gesture I made gift bags for everyone.  These bags were crafted using a plain craft gift bag.  I added patterned paper to each side and then piled on the embellishments,  Inside the bag were a number of crafty gifts( ribbon, diecuts, etc.)

Have you been on a  crafting getaway  trip lately?  Why not tell us about it.  Share the joys and pleasures you had and the friendships you made.

Let the Good Times Roll

Many art journalers use stencils on their art journal pages.  Since I recently revisited art journaling, I have purchased a number of these stencils myself.  Granted, they can get pricey since new ones are always coming out.  So I have created some of my own by using some diecut patterns and one of my diecut machines.  I must admit that this has been very economical for me.  Here are a few I have cut:

The great thing about these stencils is that they can be versatile.  I recently used this one on a scrapbook layout.  I used this pattern because the theme was set in a brick and mortar building.

Here is the layout:  

I used Dylusions ink spray with some yellow cardstock.  The die cuts were cut using my Silhouette and the images and title are from the online store.

Just SPOOLING around

Here's yet another altered project.  The craft arena has been buzzing with altered spools so I created these two and jumped on the bandwagon. Check out Scraps of Color Esquire for more details.

Art Journal Page

As I continue down my art journaling journey, I must admit that this is a most exciting trip.  I'm developing the same type of passion for it as I had for scrapbooking.   I am asking myself where have you been all my life.  Wow! what a ride.

New Layout

Recently, a few of my crafty friends and myself got together for a scrappy day.  Most of them were working on a vertical paperbag mini while I worked on this layout.  The paper is from My Mind's Eye. I used some thickers for the title and one of my MS punches for the border in the middle of the page. And of course, that's my sweety-pie, granddaughter in the photos.

When in doubt, Alter It

I love to get my hands on items that I can alter.  With Spring upon us, we now have an array of vibrant colors that we can create with.  This season may awakens in us some creativity that might have been dormant for a few months.  When I go "junking" around my city I look for items that I can change the appearance to make it more pleasing to the eyes.  I love to visit thrift stores and "junk" shops to find these items.  My project for this month is such an item.  This was just a wooden drawer-like shadow box that had dividers.  I started by taking the dividers out and rearranging them to create more space so that I could display items in a shelf-like manner.  Then of course, I layered on the paper and embellishments and topped it off with a picture of my beloved granddaughter.  What a sweet keepsake to display around your home. 

Art Journal page

This art journal page was just perfect in my opinion and then I tried a new technique on the next page over and I ruined it I think.  If you notice the bleed through colors that was an alcohol ink experiment I tried.  I should have used another page that was not so close to this page.  Oh well, live and learn.

Collaging a Memory

My project submission for Scraps of Color Esquire this month was an altered tray that I collaged.  With all the excitement about art journaling, I decided to use collage since a lot of art journalers use this technique.  I like the end result and have hung the creation in one of my craft spaces.  Take a look at the transformation.

MISSING IN ACTION BUT STILL CREATING!!!!!!

My POOR, POOR Blog!  I have neglected it so.  I've started on a new(well not really new) journey in my creative life.  I have revived my art journaling journey.  I have been creating tiredly and excitely for two weeks or more to complete my first art journal.  Actually I am working in two journals at the same time.  WOW! What a RUSH!  I feel so refreshed.  I had come to a standstill with my other crafts largely due to some disappointments regarding craft equipment that no longer is useful to me.(SOB)(SOB) So I was creating but my heart was not fully in it.  Then I stumbled on some art journaling videos and the rest is history.  Where will this venture take me I have not quite figured all of that out yet.  But I know this one thing:  I LOVE this renewed journey.  So I'll share two of my pages with you today and more soon.  I hope you like them.

"Girlie Girl"Layout

A new Journal for me

This is a journal that I completed recently.  I think I will use it monthly to document some of the things that I am doing.  You can go over to my Youtube Channel (FayRaiDesigns) to see a full explanation of the journal.

A new tool

My scrap buddie, Brownie, bought me one of the new Sew Stamper tool along with some of the accessories.  I like the tool and created a card using the blanket stitch.  The die-cuts were cut using  the Cameo.