It's not even a how to. It's just a "now lay, now cut, now sew". So easy, super cute & re-usable. Of course that last bit makes me love it most of all. If you make one you'll be able to use this cover on notebook after notebook after notebook.
How To Make A Fabric Notebook CoverView more presentations from kootoyoo.
You can pick up the PDF tutorial here as well as the PDF menu planner if you decide you'd like to make yourself a full year menu planner.
In preparation for the notebook exercise I stitched "THE nice list". I was so happy with the way this stitchery turned out & was a little reluctant to tear into it & glue it to the notebook.
I told myself not to be a baby & just proceeded ... big mistake. I waited for the glue to dry & still hated the way it looked. I felt I'd "ruined" my hard work. So I ripped it from the notebook & gave it a good soak in hot water. It's still a little stiff but perfectly usable for something a little more substantial.
Then I decided to make my next go something more solid that would hold the glue a little better. I worked for hours on that little bird (vintage New Idea? transfer). Once he was finished I knew there was no way I was going to coat him in glue! I do have plans for him which may involve this girl.
The third effort was the little fish from this morning. I was speedie quick & most happy to coat him & stick him to that little notebook.
PS: Have you been tracking me? I've been a bit slow the last couple of days but there really are some beautiful links on that list.
If you're a die hard kootoyoo reader (thank you from the bottom of my teeny tiny heart) you might remember I went to a Kaotic Kraft Kuties day to make my own hand bound book. Then for Backtack 4 I embroidered a notebook cover & bound it myself using the same technique. I loved that book but it did make me a little sad to think that once all the pages were used then that was the end of it.
I know I've been guilty of buying lovely hand bound books and then not using them because I don't want to "spoil" them...such a waste. Maybe you have too?
Anyhoo, I've made a faux one as a gift for The Big Girl's drama teacher & I'm most chuffed with it. I followed my own notebook cover tutorial to make it up & I love that not only is it refillable time after time after time but it can be washed too.
PS: Most excited that Vic now has the granny square necklace for sale (& it's in Frankie this month too).
I'm enjoying being in the pool room . It's the best spot to keep an eye on the tradies next door & it's usually nice & bright.
Not today...it's raining!!! I'm so happy about that.
Music box work on the left. The fabric covered notebook full of menu planners that I'm giving away here. Email. Baby Bosch - never far from reach. My treasured box of buttons. This was how it was given to me & how I like it...there will be no sorting of this lot. I LOVE riffling through the box.
Pop in & add your link if you're playing this week.
The lino cut printed onto a felt covered notebook. A gentle reminder to myself ... don't be afraid to fail.
I need to work on the ink/paint/fabric medium thing. I'm not sure about the consistency of the paint. The first few were OK & then I wonder if the paint started to dry out too much? Any tips on lino printing onto fabric would be greatly appreciated.
A few people have asked about the lino. I used lino from the art supply shop to carve my block. I think that if you're having a crack for the first time then it might be better to start with the easy carve blocks. Easy carve blocks are basically a large eraser. They are easier to cut into & easier to manage/print with after the carving is done.
1/4 of an inch 3 red buttons 62 cherry a little bird told me air: work in progress Allsorts Anna-Lisa Aprons & Hammers Art with a Soul August Street Beaded Lady Betty in the Kitchen Big Cats Emporium Boobook Sausage Dogs Bowerbirdz Bridget's Flame Bug and Pop Cassandra Allen Celestina Carmen Cloud Cakes Collective Elements Cooking my Life Cool.According.To.Kylie Crafty Doodads crafty remix: djbebe Creating Nunde Curly Pops Daily dose of inspiration Daisy Chain Daydream Lily Dear Fii Design for Mankind details homegoods domoshar doobleh-vay Dragonflies eat Mosquitoes Earl & Cookie Edward & Lilly fancypicnic florcita flutterby patch etc etc Glorydaze going green Growing Together G.R.Y.B at home Handmaiden Hanies Hanna's Life is Cool her heart my hands Hokey Honi Design Hop Skip Jump if only i had chocolate iSew janene renee Jelly Baby Blog Jogirl's Journey Journalette Judy's Notebook kerri's provincial patch Kiddio Kimberly Michelle Kittys Kaboodle Knit Owl konnykards Last Stop Muse Laugh Out Loud Dolls Lauren Williams Handmade Leni and Rose Lilli Boo little letters Loobylu Made by Molly Mainichi Design maya*made Meet me at Mikes Miss Muggins mon petit lapin monda loves musings from the fish bowl No life without wife no pod One Girl One Red Robin Owlet Peapods Pigeon Pair pink licorice life Pint's Palette planet treasures Pot aux roses Precarious Tomato Project Incomplete puddle wonderful Recuperation of Nathalie Brault Roots and Leaves September Bird Sew What Shabby Chicken Silly Gilly Slip cover Diva Starashan Strawberry Kisses Strawberry Season Studio Window Super Monkey Swirlyarts Taccolina Teacups on Treetops Teddy Bears Wednesday Textilosophy Oz turtle club queen The Crafty Librarian The Essess Twenty Cent Mixture Two Cheese Please The acorn collective The Bird Bath The Lark The Monday Project The Natchbox Thimbly Things Thousand Threads Three Buttons tis rhubarb Tissue papers TreeFall Design truth be told tsk tsk unbecominglily vanilla pixie whosies wide eyed wonderfuls you SEW girl your cover's blown
On my desk... is posted on a Wednesday. It's just a shot of your desk & maybe a bit of banter. Let us know what you're working on or what interesting bits & pieces have crossed your desk during the week.
There is a wonderful blog here - sharing the desks & creative spaces of really clever creative folk. I only found out about this blog after the Wednesday thing began...
Our Wednesday gig is just a bit of fun.
Comment on this post if you decide to play along & I'll add you to the link list.
This list will be updated frequently so feel free to join at any time.
There is no obligation at all - post when you feel like it. Just super casual & a bit of fun.
I've finished my contribution & I'm ready to mail it on for the next "random dispatch from the blogosphere".
If you would like to know more about the project visit here, or better yet just sign up! I had fun.
I love a challenge & it's probably what I value most about the whole craft/blog thing. I really enjoy watching other wonderful people challenge themselves & I'm seeing plenty of evidence of it around:
Jhoanna preparing for her solo show, Angela's off on her first international adventure, Pip's editing like a woman posessed, Cam's opened her shop, Lexi is forming a solid habit & Claire's keyboard is red hot.
Maybe you'd like to stitch with me? We'll work on a few basic stitches & then make an "x" bookmark to take home.
Maybe there's something else I've stitched that you like the look of? I can help you with that too.
Maybe you'd just like to come & have a natter & French Knot for three hours? Fine, great, love to see you. Just so you know you'll still get a little kit & supplies so plenty of bang for your buck.
It's all organised by Notebook & the classes are held at Amitie in Bentleigh.
Date: Saturday 28 August 9:00-12:00 I plan to focus on the bookmark at this class, but will of course be flexible.
You can book your tickets here.
There are other fabulous classes on offer. I'm seriously considering signing up for Andi's quilt as you go but there's something for everyone. View the August timetable here (we are on page 2).
Every once in a while something of mine turns up somewhere super lovely.
Just for the record:
----- Apartment Therapy The Apartment Therapy Mission Helping people make their homes more beautiful, organized and healthy by connecting them to a wealth of resources, ideas and community online.
What We Believe A calm, healthy, beautiful home is a necessary foundation for happiness and success in the world.
Creating this home doesn’t require large amounts of money or space. It requires inspiration, connection to resources and motivation to do something about it.
The basic elements of good home design can be learned and achieved by all.
Simplicity and luxury are not mutually exclusive.
Spool holder
----- Craftzine Introducing CRAFT: The first project-based magazine dedicated to the renaissance that is occurring within the world of crafts. Celebrating the DIY spirit, CRAFT's goal is to unite, inspire, inform and entertain a growing community of highly imaginative and resourceful people who are transforming traditional art and crafts with unconventional, unexpected and even renegade techniques, materials and tools; people who undertake amazing crafting projects in their homes and communities. Christmas Decorations, Corner Bookmark, Granny Square Necklace, Spool holder
----- Craft Gossip Confused about everything crafty out there? Not sure where to go and what to buy for your latest craft idea? Can't find that kitsch pattern that everyone else is talking about? Well worry no more! CraftGossip is all the latest news from real craft people telling you about the real stuff. We scour the net looking for the best craft ideas and projects and review them for you. Corner Bookmark, Embroidery on Dark Fabric, Hand pieced Pincushion, Photo to embroidery pattern, Twisted Cord
----- Mixtape Zine Mix tape zine is a collision of craft, eco-cool and pop culture kitsch it features recipes, eco tips, crafty people profiles, ethical business practices etc - you can purchase back issues here or find out more here. Find Justine here and Nichola’s blog here. my collection in issue 6
----- Nuts about Needlepoint An encyclopedia of needlepoint and thread information for all stitchers. Learn about Janet M. Perry's needlepoint projects, read book and product reviews, and find articles about techniques, threads, and more Twisted Cord
----- One Pretty Thing One Pretty Thing is a daily website dedicated to bringing you inspiring projects for a more beautiful life. Corner Bookmark, Drawstring Bag, Embroidered carry all, Embroidery on dark fabric, Fabric Notebook Cover, Photo to Embroidery Design, Quilt Quiver, Tealight Holder, Twisted Cord
----- Quilting Board The Quilter's message board. Thank you Sondray for linking to my projects.
----- Sew Mama Sew You’ll find some handy sewing tips and inspiration. Whether you’re just learning to sew, or have been sewing forever.
The Sew,Mama,Sew! blog is pulled together each week by Kristin and Beth. Who both sew whenever they can and love fabric with a passion.
If you’re looking for fabulous fabric and patterns, please take a look at the Sew,Mama,Sew! store.
Drawstring Backpack, How to fold a fat quarter
----- Tipnut I think we all have them, those mile high piles of household tips and life hacks that we’ve collected over the years. They’re messy, disorganized and once they’ve been ‘filed’, those tips are nowhere to be found again.
TipNut.com isn’t anything fancy. It’s simply my way of putting together all the cool tricks I’ve accumulated over the years into a simple, searchable, online filing box–this website. Some of them I’ve tried, some of them I don’t know if I’ll ever try. But I do know they’ll be here if I need them–and I’m happy to freely share everything with you too! Simple square pincushion
----- Whip Up Whip up: To prepare quickly. To excite. To create. To incite. To build. To invent. To conceive. To push. To upset. To manufacture. To provoke.
This website has been created in order to bring the best original and exciting crafts to the attention of many. To create a community of artists, crafters and makers and share ideas in a central space.
Embroidered Carry All, Embroidery on Dark Fabric, Corner Bookmark, Handpieced Pincushion, Pillowcase Shoulder Bag, Sausage Dog CD cover, Simple Square Pincushion, Toadstool Pincushion
Thank you lovely folk for the thumbs up. It's much appreciated.
Mucho excitement. We will be the most organised house in Melbourne next year...ahem.
The piece I stitched (which now resides with Rita in mini-quilt form) is on the cover of the Notebook diary for 2011.
The floral spray was taken from a vintage pillow case & then stitched by me (under the influence of Ike Rosen).
I will be gifting these for Christmas...mothers, sisters, aunties...look out.
PS: A big giant thank you to all the lovely folk who left me gorgeous comments on the calendar post. I had such a great time making it & utterly thrilled that so many of you enjoyed it too. x
I should be music boxing but instead I'm having a crack at a (largely recycled) version of a quilting board. Justine has one...it's an ironing board, cutting, tracing & piecing mat all rolled into one handy little notebook style thingy. Super handy little tool really.
Anyway, progressing well despite the frequent stop/starting because of vomiting smallest.