fun with paper!

I went to a card making party that my friend Robin had a few weeks ago. Initially I was intrigued because all the things she makes are so beautiful, but I was really skeptical about whether my finished projects would be any good.

Surprise! They turned out pretty well! Admittedly, it's because I was modeling mine after one that was already done...but having seen some of my past paper projects, I was pleasantly surprised.

And I want to do it again! Instead of going full steam ahead and buying lots of supplies, I'm opting for the class route...and you can too! Check out the class instructor's website and order stuff or sign up!

Christy's Epic Idea - Complete!

A few months ago I blogged about OPERATION: MAKE PURSES OUT OF BOOKS, a collaborative project with my friends Tina and Christy. Christy donated three of her Nancy Drew books, I picked out fabric and handles, and Tina assembled all the parts.

There are some professional crafters out there who make these bags and sell them, but the amount of work that goes into them makes for quite the price tag. I have to say that I am completely thrilled with the final product and I'm really grateful to my friends for making it all possible!

side view:

inside the purse:

I can't be sure, but I think that I got the Whispering Statue because of the librarian-esque "shhhhing" statue :)

another jewelry remix?

While vacationing with the in-laws in Charleston, I wore the remake of my grandmother's beads to dinner as a bracelet. My MiL complimented the piece and I explained that the majority of the beads came from a necklace of my grandmother's that had broken years and years ago.

The project reminded her that she had a set of silver beads that remained from a necklace of her mother's that was also broken. She sent them to me and told me to make them into something for myself. The problem: I want to make sure it's perrrrrfect. I have had several ideas, but none that have completely overwhelmed me. So I'm calling on all of my crafty folks for help. I want to hear all of your ideas...big, small, or incomplete. Bring it!

Christy's Epic Idea - Part 2

A while back, I posted a video of someone turning an old hardback book into a lovely purse. I've long coveted one of these purses, but I lack the the ability to sew and I just can't bring myself to cough up the $80 - $200 that they cost.

My friend Christy sent an email to me and Tina last week explaining that she had intended to turn three of her (duplicate copy) Nancy Drew books into purses for us. The problem? She couldn't bring herself to gut the pages. I responded and offered to be the butcher and that sparked "Christy's Epic Idea":

• Christy sent the books to me
• I picked out fabric and handles, next I'll gut the books and send them to Tina
• Tina will assemble the bags and distribute them

The fabric/handle combos...







I'm calling this her "epic" idea for multiple reasons. We live in three (non-adjoining) states and keep in touch via email, twitter, and blogs. The fact that we will each touch the project in some way seems really meaningful (not to mention fun)! Over the past few years the three of us have read many of the same books and then discussed them via Google Chat and emails and I've so enjoyed our book e-club :) So kudos to my very crafty, innovative, bookworm-y friends!