Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Handmade Notebook

As promised, here are instructions on how I made my notebook:
1- Cut a piece of 14"x6" fabric. I used linen, but any light or midweight fabric without stretch would work.
2- Fold in 1/2" on each long side, and press. Fold in 3" on each short side, and press.
3- Top stitch around edges.

4- Choose an iron on transfer image. I used one of my own photos and printed it at home. Adhere the image to the front of your notebook according to the manufacturers instructions.

5- For the inside pages, cut several 3 1/2" x 7" sheets of paper, and punch two holes in center, 1/2" from edge. I also printed these at home.

6- To bind everything together, punch two corresponding holes in the fabric cover, and tread a ribbon through. Tie a bow on the outside of the notebook's spine.

7- Add a decorative ribbon around graphic to coverup any uneven edges.

I'm really happy with the way these came out. I have wanted to try combining my design with fabric by using these transfers for a while. I'm considering selling something similar in my etsy shop, only I would use premade notebooks, and only make the cover myself.
And here are the notebooks I received in return. I think they did a much better job on the bindings than I did. One had an actual leaf on the cover, and the other is from a vintage paint-by-number, and used old book pages inside.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Random Crafts

Since I haven't posted anything recently, here are a few photos of some recent crafty things I have been doing.
Some Gothic Arch ATCs, one is made with the illustration I posted a few weeks ago, and another has a transparent rose window.

Some Handwarmers/Fingerless Gloves based on the "Beer Gloves" pattern from "Son of a Stitch and Bitch." I had to make some small adjustments, for gauge, etc.

A small notebook I made using my own photo and an iron on transfer. I'm thinking of making covers for pre-made notebooks like this to sell on etsy. I'll have instructions for this in a few days.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Illustration in Progress

Recently I've been working on an illustration that I intend to include in a gothic arch ATC swap. My original intent was to create a fictional setting, similar to an M.C. Escher drawing.
I started with this photo I took at the Library of Congress last spring for the basic layout of my illustration, to get my angles and foreshortening right.

So far I have an extreemly simplified line drawing. I think I'll leave it like this for the purpose of the ATC, more detail would only get lost and clutter such a small format. I havn't yet decided how much detail I should add, and should I add shadows, or just keep it outlines?

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Happy New Year and Flickr

Happy New Year!!
Sorry I was absent for most of the December. I was so busy with crafting gifts for the holidays that time just got away from me.
I do have some excellent news though, Scarlett Design is now on Flickr!!