Book cover

Kristie the commenter asked where I've been.
Down a rabbit hole, I think.
Last year, I had an easy job where I blogged from work and worked on volunteer group obligations to pass the day. Now that I have a "real" job, volunteer work is done in the evenings thus, cutting into my craft and blogging time.
Very little crafting lately and I gotta tell ya, it's been wearing me down. However COMMA I am working on a new and improved craft room. More soon. I promise!
Here's a cute book cover sewed for a volunteer group friend. One handle made longer; the other, shorter. The longer handle pushed through the shorter handle holds the book closed. If you make one, note the ends of the longer handle could be placed closer to center. Fray Check applied to webbing. (It's not yet dry in the photo.)

Upholstery fabric, cotton webbing handles.

Super fast + super easy = just like your ma.

Book review

For a state ranked so low in education levels, my left-handed bottom corner of Louisiana has a great public library system. My local branch recently offered a jewelry making class and for the price of ~~FREE~~ the bead choices were pretty good.
Anywho, the class reinvigorated my interest in crafting my very own baubles. The facilitator had new jewelry books on display and I rushed home to reserve as many as possible on the library online system but had no idea that all would be available in 2 days. WooHoo, a stack of books, full of ideas and inspiration!
(Checking out library copies is a great way to find books not available at your local bookstore and then, if you like it, order the book.)

Here are a few cool books you might want to check out:

• Beadalicious by Sonya Nimri
  

25 projects with good instructions and nice explanation of bead choices.

• Bejeweled: beautiful fashion jewelry to make and wear by Claire Aristides
  

Very detailed, fabulous photography and a nice touch, a variation of each featured project.

• Beading with Pearls: beautiful jewelry, simple techniques by Jean Campbell
  

Simply inspiring.

• Make it in minutes: memory jewelry by Liz Eaton

With any degree of imagination, you can adapt these rather pedestrian ideas to something less scrapbook-y and more artsy.

And my two favorites of the stack,

• Stitched jewels by Marthe LeVan

Lots of ideas to tweak and personalize. LOVE the fabric covered button bracelet! Expect to see one on this site in the future.

• Rejuvenated jewels: gorgeous designs with vintage jewelry and beads by Amy Hanna

Ho-ly Mother of Pearl, this is a dangerous book. Kinda like telling crack heads that there are "rocks" to be found in your neighbor's backyard. You'll want to step up your garage/estate sale activity once you see Amy's creations and stash AND beat up anyone else on the same mission. It's gonna get ugly, people. Any chick with even a smidge of girly girl will be enthralled with the treasure trove of jewelry and baubles parts.

Enjoy book shopping!

Teach yourself how to embroider

This book is a great place to start. Kids Embroidery by Kristin Nicholas. It includes nice illustrations and comprehensive instructions. I found this book after attempting to use an "adult" book that skipped a couple crucial steps. ~~Frustrated,~~ I perused the children's section and found this gem. In no time at all, I was stitching and looking for big girl books!

Allium flower embroidery

Pretty sure I saw this flower idea in the book The new crewel : exquisite designs in contemporary embroidery" by Katherine Shaughnessy. With a water soluble pen, I drew overlapping circles from a stencil then filled with various stitches. Super easy and super fast.

Cool craft books

Here are a couple books to check out from your local library. I say check them out so you can decide if you like them before purchasing your very own copy.

My local library has a great website with search and reserve options and handy e-mail notification for pick up availability PLUS they offer interlibrary loans. That means little ol' me receives borrowed books, free of charge, from every state in the union! Yay, no more stoopid bad book buys!

Simple Sewing with a French Twist by Celine Dupuy. Pretty fabrics, cute ideas, good project directions.

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts by Mark Montano. LOTS of ideas in here! Make stuff just like the photos or use for inspiration.

Naughty word flip book

My swap partner indicated that her favorite naughty words were combinations. So, with help of brother, sister and Kay, we compiled a list of naughty, nasty, gross and funny words.

Grabbed a small scrap book, cut each page into 3 sections and wrote adjective in top space, adjective in middle space and noun at the lower. Not sure how many combinations can be made but I am going to guess - LOTS!