I LOvE working with paper!!

 

I have always had a love for books but I had no idea how soothing making them would be. I am seriously in pure heaven while working with the. This is my first Coptic bound journal. I really love how it came together and I really learned a lot in the process. I think when you are making anything the best advice is practice, practice, practice. We really learn a lot from our own mistakes and only get better.

 

 

 

 

I have been dabbling in hand marbled papers. This paper below on the inside cover is one that I made using a methyl cellulose and acrylic paint method. It is so very magical to put the paint in the tub and then see it transfer in the most amazing pattern on the paper. :) i am also trying a Japanese technique called Suminagashi that produces striking marbling when done the right way. i need to work on that one some more. Not quite striking yet! Haha!

 



 

Mr. Wonderful and I had a time fight some materials I had at home trying to make my book press but failed miserably so I took some advice from SeaLemonDIY and her wonderful youtube videos and used cutting boards. Brilliant!! They work like a charm!

 

Tonight i am just finishing up some fun, colorful drawing pads to tuck into K and E's Easter baskets. I really hope they enjoy them. They both really love to draw and are very excited to have their own books and such. We are venturing into homeshool so K really feels like a big boy doing preschool work. Maybe I will make him a full sized notebook for "school".:)

Hopefully opening the shop in Etsy soon!!! Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter holiday!!!

 

P.s. Sorry for the less than stellar photos. Working after bedtime = no great lighting. i am sure all you mommy crafters know exactly what i am talking about! LOL

A fresh breath of change! :)

Hi all! I have been absent for quite some time. Wow, I can't believe how long it has been. I have been busy with family and normal life and to be honest had to much on my plate. It was becoming a chore to accomplish all the things I once loved. I took a break from everything. It was much needed. I think I got so wrapped up in everything that I lost sight of my passion. Some changes are definitely in order. Big changes! I can only hope you guys will stick with me throughout the change. i am overhauling everything. There is no place like homemade is getting a whole new look and even a new name. A shop in Etsy is underway as well!!! EEEKKK! I am so excited! I can't wait to share all my work with you guys. New craft ventures are also underway. From a very young age I was mystified by books. I LOVE everything about them from the way they feel to the way a new book smells. LOL Yes, I know I am a dork.:) It's ok to be different.;) In elementary school I would pass up recess and free time to help in the library! So when I mean young age I mean young. By now I am sure you have an idea of what one of the new ventures is. If not here are a few photos to give you an idea.

 

 

 

I am so excited to be bookbinding!!! Books really are a passion for me. I have also taken an interest in the marbled papers you see inside of a book cover. I am trying a couple methods to make my own papers. So far I have used a method that involves floating acrylic paint on methyl cellulose. I am getting the hang of it. I have some pictures to share.

 

 

There is one more marbling technique I am dying to try. The supplies are being shipped as we speak.:)  Suminagashi. It is a Japanese ink marbling technique that dates back centuries. It is believed to have originated in Japan around the 12 century. It is a beautiful art form i hope to master. Here is a link for a youtube video showing you the Japanese marbling technique...Suminagashi Video Link The man in the video has me in awe. I will probably never be close to even have the skill level that this man has. I would love to see him in action and watch him work.

 

Ready for the reveal of the new name!!  So the new name is going to be  Paper to Thread!! I am so excited for this change! So if you see Paper to Thread and don't recognize it on your blog roll it is me!

 

Hope to get everything changed over soon!

Have a great day everyone!

 

Linking up!

Milk and Cuddles Best Link Up

 

Quick, Easy, Cute Halloween Wreath!

 

Happy fall everyone!! It is that time of year again! My favorite. I love the fall. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, cool weather, warm coco, and fuzzy socks. Mr. Wonderful and the boys picked up some pretty, glitter covered pumpkins for the font door. We put out all our other spooky decor out but still felt something was missing. A wreath of course! Our door looked so lonely and empty. I remembered seeing some pretty, colorful garland at Publix and had an idea.

 

This is what you will need.^^ A wreath. Any kind will do. I used an old yarn covered wreath. Two different colored strands of Halloween garland. Also for fun factor a bright colored length or ribbon for a pop.

 

List:

Wreath

Halloween garland (2)

Ribbon

(long enough to hang from you your door and wrap around the wreath)

 

 

This garland was so cute. Black and white skulls, and purple and black witches.

 

 

So start by wrapping your garland around your wreath leaving only about an inch between each strand. You want it nice and full. When you get to the end of your garland just tuck and wrap the end. My garland was a bendable wire garland. Don't worry if yours isn't simply tie a good knot to secure the end. Then you take your second garland and wrap it in between the spaces of the first strand. finish the ends just the same.

 

 

When you are finished wrapping you should have something like this picture below. Almost done! See I told you quick and easy.:)

 

Lastly you slip knot your ribbon around your wreath and hang.

You can have any type of hanger on either side of your door. I personally have an upside down command hook on the inside of my door. I just bring my ribbon up and over the top of the door and tie it around the hook on the other side. I have a picture of this from my Christmas wreath tutorial just scroll down the page Here.

 

Viola! Quick, Easy, and if I do say so myself, cute Halloween wreath. I hope you all have a spooky Halloween!! Happy Fall everyone!



Linking up!!

 

Spotlight Saturday

Remember me.....an update and some herb drying tips.:)

Greek Basil

 

So I guess I took a little break. Summer brought many fun new adventures for us. We started some new fun activities, made new friends, and attempted to grow some vegetables. ;) We fill our days with play dates, story time, and family nights. Not that I don't like blogging but I think it was a nice change. You know how sometimes you get so involved in something you forget to look around. Well I have been looking around. These moments are precious. My boys are 2 and 3 and I don't want to miss this. :) So my post will be here just in between the all the little moments. I wanted to share a few picks with you guys.

 



Dill

 

While our vegetables weren't very bountiful (we are working on that) our herbs were. Our little herb table was full of dill, basil, parsley, chives, mint, and onions. We also have a big rosemary bush planted in the yard. When the herbs are ready for harvest I just wash them really well and hang them to dry in a dark, dry corner in my kitchen. Once they are dry I store them in a zip loc baggie until they are ready to be used. You get the best flavor if you wait to crush them right before using them. Hopefully next year we will have a better vegetable turn out.



Basil Harvest
 

Hoping you all had a wonderful summer!

Crochet Therapy

So with the crazy summer we have had so far there hasn't been much time for anything crafty. I have been able to squeeze in some crochet here and there. Just wanted to share some pics and sites. My friend Sarah at The Spicy Pinecone reminded me of the Lion Brand Site . FYI: You have to sign up for their newsletter to see their patterns. I had forgotten all about it until Sarah said something about it. And i am so glad she did....I found a ton of cute projects. My first was a market/beach tote. I will be using it as a beach tote. I wanted something that wouldn't hold all the sand but would stretch well with all of our goodies. Here is the link, just remember you will have to sign up to view the patterns, so keep that in mind.. pattern link

This bag is SO roomy! I was able to get 16 of K & E's books in there with plenty of room left. The bag snapped right back to it's shape after I took the bags out.

 I wanted to see what amount of clothing I could get into it.  Eight! Six pair of jeans, one pair of sweat pants, and one pair of dress pants. Can you believe I still had room left. I am so happy with this bag. I was very easy and quick. It took me about three days and I was only working on it here and there.

So do you know how to Crochet? Or any other craft that is very easy and relaxing? Oh and anyone who doesn't know how to crochet...it is very easy to learn. Youtube has dozens of tutorials and there are some great teaching books out there. I have this one...Stitch Bitch Crochet Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller. Awesome book with great photos. I am a visual learner so this really helped. Plus the book is full of cute patters. So if you were thinking of trying crochet....Do It! It is very easy to learn and once you start you will not want to stop.:)

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** I in no way represent Lion Brand nor Debbie Stoller. I do not work for either of them and I am not paid by either of them. They are simply a book and site that I like.**

Sometimes Quiet is a good thing.:)



I made this in PicMonkey. If you haven't seen the site you should check it out. Oh and this is my first subway style art so take it easy on me.

There is a photo quote that hangs in my dining room and it says, "Make time for the quiet moments as God whispers and world is loud." I am not sure what wise person said this but that is just what we have been doing this past month. I haven't had much time or energy to post or do anything to post about. Our household has had it's share of down time this month due to a month long bout of bronchitis and the loss of a beloved pet. It has been a slow, quiet, family summer. There have been no play dates or late night sewing ventures. Only movies nights  with dinner on the rug in the living room, lots of playtime with the kiddos, and naps for everyone. It is nice to slow down and press pause every once and a while. Some times we just need to unplug. Hopefully this will be the end of cold and I will be feeling a bit more creative. I have been working on some crochet here and there and will probably post about them soon. Until then, I am still here....just taking time to enjoy the quiet moments. You should try it sometimes. It feels good.:) More post to come.:)

Giveaway Event at Welcome to the Mouse House!!!

Who doesn't love a great giveaway!! Well my sweet friend Hayley over at the Welcome to the Mouse House Blog is holding an amazing giveaway event. It is filled with wonderful items from some pretty wonderful vendors. My  friends Sarah from the  Spicy Pinecone and Rebecca from Searching Out Simple   are among the wonderful vendors contributing to all the goodies. I have yet to contribute to any giveaways so what better for my first contribution. I am pretty darn excited! For Hayley's giveaway I am offering one of Peonies Hair Clips. This is my favorite flower clip.

I believe in all she has 20 vendors participating!! The prizes are awesome. Go check them out! Here is the Link . Make sure to read the rules and good luck to everyone. :)